Just... leave me alone

[Krystal Shay]

This is exactly right. Plus supplements are generally unregulated and for the most part, untested. I research every prescription I take but until lately I'd just pop a supplement based on the purported "benefit." Now I'm finding I have been causing damage to my kidneys with something as ubiquitous as a "healthy hair and nails" vitamin.

I was reading about cinnamon this morning and find that too much of it can also be dangerous. People with a "more is better" attitude should do some homework IMO.

More is never better. I only use ¼ teaspoon of Ceylon on my oatmeal. It is good in oatmeal cookies and snickerdoodle cookies too. I think 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is the max a person should take a day, but I can’t say that for sure. Ceylon cinnamon is supposed to be more beneficial and less harmful then cassia cinnamon but who knows.

As in everything, just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for others. We all react differently to medicine and food.

I hope you can find something that works for you, Beth. This getting old is hard work.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

More is never better. I only use ¼ teaspoon of Ceylon on my oatmeal. It is good in oatmeal cookies and snickerdoodle cookies too. I think 1 teaspoon of cinnamon is the max a person should take a day, but I can’t say that for sure. Ceylon cinnamon is supposed to be more beneficial and less harmful then cassia cinnamon but who knows.

As in everything, just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for others. We all react differently to medicine and food.

I hope you can find something that works for you, Beth. This getting old is hard work.

I had a small bowl of steel cut oatmeal with blueberries and 1/8 teaspoon of ceylon cinnamon. Then later I had a cup of black coffee with another 1/8 teaspoon. I could barely taste the cinnamon in the coffee so that's probably what I will do from now on. I need to see what the recommended "starter dose" of cinnamon is to achieve any benefit.

 

[John Brunner]

This is exactly right. Plus supplements are generally unregulated and for the most part, untested. I research every prescription I take but until lately I'd just pop a supplement based on the purported "benefit." Now I'm finding I have been causing damage to my kidneys with something as ubiquitous as a "healthy hair and nails" vitamin.

I was reading about cinnamon this morning and find that too much of it can also be dangerous. People with a "more is better" attitude should do some homework IMO.

Since I've taken so many different supplements for so long, I research them on WebMD, Drugs.com, and a variety of other sites, not only for side effects but for interactions (or diminished benefits) when taken with other supplements. I keep track of the data as well as its source so I can refer back to it. Yet there are still gaps.

I've been using white vinegar (acetic acid) diluted in sterile water for this stupid catheter, and one day I dumped a bunch of white vinegar into my Water Pik to clean it. A slug of slime plopped out! I was shocked, not only because of what I had been using it for, but also because it's distilled and not fermented. The container had 2 years remaining on its Use By Date. I go searching on the web, and the AI Summary said "Don't be an idiot, white vinegar cannot get slime...it's distilled." I phrase the search a little differently and the same AI summary says "Of course white vinegar can get slime in it...don't be an idiot."

 

[John Brunner]

I take a LOT of supplements. I am thinking of going on a big time fast for a few days and see if I lose the bags under my eyes. (kidney)

For years I took 28 different supplements, plus a multi-vitamin, plus probiotics. I never took mega-doses of stuff...just enough to put me at the high end of thee US RDA for those things that have an RDA, and the midrange of other things that have no RDA.

Three years ago I dried out from all supplements for 6 months and paid for a Micro Nutrient Analysis.

They tested for:
-(8) B vitamins
-(7) Amino acids
-(8) Other vitamins & minerals
-(7) Antioxidents
-(3) Carbohydrate metabolisms

My non-supplemented system was moderately deficient in 3 things and borderline on another 4.

 

[Bobby Cole]

Perhaps I too am getting a little grumpy when it comes to being ordered to see this doctor or take that test or gulp down this or that prescription.

I have written before about my recent (last 5-6 years or so) experiences with so called medical practitioners which could be the basic script for a few episodes of a medical comedy show.
It has come to the point that, in my opinion, the doctors that really want to help humanity are in some African village whilst the one’s I have experienced lately have a practice complete with a half dozen nurse practitioners to do their work for them.
Yeah, I know I’m a bit cynical but to me, with the exception of my wife’s (our) Cardiologist, until I know that something is wrong and only a doctor can fix it, I simply do not want another order to see another doctor for tests that reveal very little in order to stuff someone’s pocket.

The only “might be” problem I currently have is the nodule I wrote about in my lung. It’s too small to diagnose hence having to take another scan in 5 months for a comparative study.
I’ll take the test because I am curious and not because I’m worried. If the nodule has grown and is suspect, no, I’m not doing a biopsy. If it’s the big one, I die. If it’s not, I’ll still die but from something else because like the somewhat paraphrased infamous line said by the late Redd Fox explained, “I’ll feel like a derned fool dying from nothing.”

So, the question might be, “why do you work out and do so much research and use so many supplements if you don’t care about dying?”.
Because whilst I am living, I want a quality of life and to be productive.
If there are lions at the door, my attitude is to open the door, slay them and eat them.

 

[Mary Stetler]

Well, I do get results from some of my supplements that I will not do without. My hands shook dangerously (like when carrying hot coffee) and then I started on B vitamins. No more spills. I took more than was recommended but then switched brands and don't have to now. Lots of experimenting on myself. I worry more about the manufacturer of the supplements. Most come from China.
Potassium, Red mineral algae, bio rutin and vitamin C...
There are several types of magnesium for several things. I take magnesium, sometimes twice a day. Depends on what I eat and drink because different things deplete what we need.
Sugar and high carbs! Tannins. distilled water ...

 

[Mary Stetler]

Perhaps I too am getting a little grumpy when it comes to being ordered to see this doctor or take that test or gulp down this or that prescription.

I have written before about my recent (last 5-6 years or so) experiences with so called medical practitioners which could be the basic script for a few episode of a medical comedy show.
It has come to the point that, in my opinion, the doctors that really want to help humanity are in some African village whilst the one’s I have experienced lately have a practice complete with a half dozen nurse practitioners to do their work for them.
Yeah, I know I’m a bit cynical but to me, with the exception of my wife’s (our) Cardiologist, until I know that something is wrong and only a doctor can fix it, I simply do not want another order to see another doctor for tests that reveal very little in order to stuff someone’s pocket.

The only “might be” problem I currently have is the nodule I wrote about in my lung. It’s too small to diagnose hence having to take another scan in 5 months for a comparative study.
I’ll take the test because I am curious and not because I’m worried. If the nodule has grown and is suspect, no, I’m not doing a biopsy. If it’s the big one, I die. If it’s not, I’ll still die but from something else because like the somewhat paraphrased infamous line said by the late Redd Fox explained, “I’ll feel like a derned fool dying from nothing.”

So, the question might be, “why do you work out and do so much research and use so many supplements if you don’t care about dying?”.
Because whilst I am living, I want a quality of life and to be productive.
If there are lions at the door, my attitude is to open the door, slay them and eat them.

Ditto that!

 

[Faye Fox]

Am I tired of things going wrong with me? Damn tootin! Do I enjoy medical procedures? Nope! I do them because they are life saving.

I pose the question, do you want to die in pain or under heavy narcotic sedation? I say no to either!

Way to much credence is given to diet and natural medicine, IMO. I am a firm believer of the benefits of diet, different natural treatments and medications, but none of it will restore youth or replace certain medical procedures or medications.

It was a big fad back in the 60s and 70s to go on the grape cure for cancer. Success stories galore, but then one by one those miracle cured folks died, much to young. Then it was wheat grass, vinegar flush, etc.

Ivermectin might slow cancer if the cancer is from a parasitic infection. It certainly won't cure it or even put it in remission, but everyone must decide for themselves.

Here is the thing, If you go on these miracle natural treatments and things get worse, then it may be too late for surgery or medication that could have corrected the problem.

 

[Marie Miller]

I get my monthly B12 shot at my PCP’s. Daily Biotin after stress related hair loss.

 

[Mary Stetler]

Am I tired of things going wrong with me? Damn tootin! Do I enjoy medical procedures? Nope! I do them because they are life saving.

I pose the question, do you want to die in pain or under heavy narcotic sedation? I say no to either!

Way to much credence is given to diet and natural medicine, IMO. I am a firm believer of the benefits of diet, different natural treatments and medications, but none of it will restore youth or replace certain medical procedures or medications.

It was a big fad back in the 60s and 70s to go on the grape cure for cancer. Success stories galore, but then one by one those miracle cured folks died, much to young. Then it was wheat grass, vinegar flush, etc.

Ivermectin might slow cancer if the cancer is from a parasitic infection. It certainly won't cure it or even put it in remission, but everyone must decide for themselves.

Here is the thing, If you go on these miracle natural treatments and things get worse, then it may be too late for surgery or medication that could have corrected the problem.

I have know people who have gone the traditional route and died after a lot of suffering as well. My daughter and brother were treated and are doing ok now. I used a topical treatment for skin cancer before it was institutionalized by pharmaceutical companies. Three times and would do it again instead of being treated by a doctor.
I am glad we can decide for ourselves like during covid. Some of us have some background to make health decisions. Some use Windex for everything, like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Not a good idea.

 

[Tony Nathanson]

I have know people who have gone the traditional route and died after a lot of suffering as well. My daughter and brother were treated and are doing ok now. I used a topical treatment for skin cancer before it was institutionalized by pharmaceutical companies. Three times and would do it again instead of being treated by a doctor.
I am glad we can decide for ourselves like during covid. Some of us have some background to make health decisions. Some use Windex for everything, like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Not a good idea.

Covid was different. Tactics were used. Many were forced to get vaccinated to keep their jobs. And others couldn't travel without being vaccinated. And still others were coerced by family (like my sister). Her (ignorant programmed-robot) son wouldn't let her babysit his kids unless she was vaccinated. The people who profited from the vaccine knew they wouldn't sell many of them unless they used coercion.

 

[Beth Gallagher]

@Bobby Cole -- excellent post; I agree with every word. I want to be in charge of me.

As for supplements--I used to not pay much attention to them because I've always been healthy (until I wasn't). I was under the assumption that they must be safe and "couldn't hurt". But I was wrong. They are largely unregulated and can apparently be quite dangerous in certain conditions.

Like most things in life, each individual must decide for themselves what level of risk they are willing to take. I really don't have much knowledge about supplements, but they are costly with no proven benefit in my experience. If they work for other people, that's great. [Recent study on use of fish oil supplements... https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/3/1/e000451 ]

When I was told by my oncologist last year to start taking magnesium for the horrible muscle spasms I have, I started taking it right away. It has made absolutely ZERO difference in the cramps so I don't know why I am still taking it. I think I'll scratch that off my list.

 

[Marie Miller]

A former coworker took every healthy supplement under the sun. It had an impact on her birth control pills. Triplets, lost one late and one is severely handicapped, spouse divorced as they had agreed on no more after a daughter.

 

[Tony Nathanson]

@Bobby Cole -- excellent post; I agree with every word. I want to be in charge of me.

As for supplements--I used to not pay much attention to them because I've always been healthy (until I wasn't). I was under the assumption that they must be safe and "couldn't hurt". But I was wrong. They are largely unregulated and can apparently be quite dangerous in certain conditions.

Like most things in life, each individual must decide for themselves what level of risk they are willing to take. I really don't have much knowledge about supplements, but they are costly with no proven benefit in my experience. If they work for other people, that's great. [Recent study on use of fish oil supplements... https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/3/1/e000451 ]

When I was told by my oncologist last year to start taking magnesium for the horrible muscle spasms I have, I started taking it right away. It has made absolutely ZERO difference in the cramps so I don't know why I am still taking it. I think I'll scratch that off my list.

When it comes to recommending supplements, vitamins, etc. most of the time, a doctor isn't much different than a paid celebrity/rap star advertising a product or insurance. The only real difference is that doctors are paid much more because of those capital letters which make them more believable to some. Lesson from Dr. Oz (that miracle green coffee weight loss scam).

 

[Marie Miller]

When it comes to recommending supplements, vitamins, etc. most of the time, a doctor isn't much different than a paid celebrity/rap star advertising a product or insurance. The only real difference is that doctors are paid much more because of those capital letters which make them more believable to some. Lesson from Dr. Oz (that miracle green coffee weight loss scam).

The MD under whose credentials my COC works (Oklahoma is different from the rest of the world) is also a Doctor of Pharmacy and absolutely hands on in his clinic. You have a question, he is available.

 

[Connie Bennett]

@Beth Gallagher which magnesium did you take, after your oncologist suggested you take magnesium?

Mag Oxide isn’t worth a pinch of salt for muscle cramps IMHO.

However, magnesium MALATE is, and so it magnesium glycinate.

I prefer magnesium malate but I have to order it, so I take “Nature’s Truth” High Absorption magnesium glycinate because I can buy it off the shelf. Most days I take two soft gels daily, which is 250 mg per 2 soft gels.

With the way I sweat at the barn during the hot months, I will often take two in the AM and two before I go to sleep. I sure do notice a leg cramping difference if I don’t take them.

While I rarely add salt to anything I eat, I don’t try to go for zero salt intake since the day both legs cramped so bad it took everything in me to get on the four-wheeler after barn chores; that was several years back.

I have commented before that it is never wise to jump on the “flavor of the month” bandwagon , regardless what the subject is. Everyone should do their homework and proceed IN MODERATION with whatever works for them.

I lean more toward holistic healing, but make no mistake, if I need science to intervene, science is going to intervene.

 

[John Wick]

@Beth Gallagher, I think you are doing a fantastic job researching and looking for causes and solutions. Don't give up or get overwhelmed
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will surely make some progress.

Like you I had cancer treatment (head and neck radiation) and have had to deal with permanent side effects my oncologist never bothered to mention. I had to educate myself in order to rebuild a life where I could at least pretend to feel like something approaching normal.

Sadly, no doctor I have seen was interested enough to help. Some days can be harder than others, but I refuse to accept feeling crappy all the time. So I keep trying and make the best of it, besides offing myself what other choices do I have?

I think looking at your diet is a very good strategy, maybe drinking extra water might improve things. If you drink a lot of water as I do, don't forget to keep your other electrolyte levels under control, something I found out the hard way.

 

[John Brunner]

@Beth Gallagher which magnesium did you take, after your oncologist suggested you take magnesium?

Mag Oxide isn’t worth a pinch of salt for muscle cramps IMHO.

However, magnesium MALATE is, and so it magnesium glycinate.

I prefer magnesium malate but I have to order it, so I take “Nature’s Truth” High Absorption magnesium glycinate because I can buy it off the shelf. Most days I take two soft gels daily, which is 250 mg per 2 soft gels.

With the way I sweat at the barn during the hot months, I will often take two in the AM and two before I go to sleep. I sure do notice a leg cramping difference if I don’t take them.

While I rarely add salt to anything I eat, I don’t try to go for zero salt intake since the day both legs cramped so bad it took everything in me to get on the four-wheeler after barn chores; that was several years back.

I have commented before that it is never wise to jump on the “flavor of the month” bandwagon , regardless what the subject is. Everyone should do their homework and proceed IN MODERATION with whatever works for them.

I lean more toward holistic healing, but make no mistake, if I need science to intervene, science is going to intervene.

I've not heard of magnesium milate. I take the citrate form...400mg/day split into 3 doses.

 

[April Vee]

Tactics were used. Many were forced to get vaccinated to keep their jobs. And others couldn't travel without being vaccinated. And still others were coerced by family (like my sister)..

They almost tried to force it on EVERYONE but they got smart and realised people would fight it.. They would have alot of blood on thier hands!!

 

[Beth Gallagher]

@Beth Gallagher which magnesium did you take, after your oncologist suggested you take magnesium?

Mag Oxide isn’t worth a pinch of salt for muscle cramps IMHO.

However, magnesium MALATE is, and so it magnesium glycinate.

I prefer magnesium malate but I have to order it, so I take “Nature’s Truth” High Absorption magnesium glycinate because I can buy it off the shelf. Most days I take two soft gels daily, which is 250 mg per 2 soft gels.

With the way I sweat at the barn during the hot months, I will often take two in the AM and two before I go to sleep. I sure do notice a leg cramping difference if I don’t take them.

While I rarely add salt to anything I eat, I don’t try to go for zero salt intake since the day both legs cramped so bad it took everything in me to get on the four-wheeler after barn chores; that was several years back.

I have commented before that it is never wise to jump on the “flavor of the month” bandwagon , regardless what the subject is. Everyone should do their homework and proceed IN MODERATION with whatever works for them.

I lean more toward holistic healing, but make no mistake, if I need science to intervene, science is going to intervene.

Thanks, Connie. I take the magnesium glycinate capsules.