V a

[junespoon]

This is for still trucking, Hi have you found any improvement, in your condition with taking high doses of VA please

[stilltruckin]

I am simultaneously taking many supplements (as well practicing a regimen of daily exercise). I can't say for sure which, or which combination, if any, might be either improving my condition or preventing it from deteriorating. According to my research any or all of them could have their part to play. Vit A is a good candidate to be one making a significant contribution

My FEV1 was 24% two years ago. It's now 25%. I've never needed antibiotics or steroids (beyond what's in Seretide). Never had an exacerbation. Haven't had the flu or even a serious cold since before COPD started seriously impacting my life, thus inspiring my current high level of supplementation (I've been taking supplements for over 25 years).

My capacity for sustained exertion has tripled in the last 18 months, and my resting blood oxygen reading has increased from 93/4% to 96/7%. This is certainly down to frequent exercise to the point of moderate breathlessness, but it's possible that my supplement regimen helped me feel fit enough to undertake this in the first place . . .

[Sohara in reply to stilltruckin]

You are an inspiration to me Stilltruckin...I too now take several supplements that you have researched ( I know how much research you put into the supplements you take, as so I always feel safer following your regime) the only problem is that I now have SO many tablets to take each day, and now I have bought some Vitamin A for H & B...and then it sounds like Vit k2 is a must have...I often wonder how my tummy feels when they all hit it in the morning !!

Added to the CO Q10 and the NAC and the Vit D and the Vit C +zinc I also take a probiotic ( as I am Azithromycin ) and glucosamin Sulphate (high dose) which an osteopath friend of mine said all woman should take once they reach 50 to help stave off arthritis

I must admit I do feel better and my lung capacity has improved a bit ( but that may be the exercise which I do religiously every day

( ps I have not got arthritis either ...so that may be down to take the Glusosamine sulphate ..who knows)

I don't have so many chest infections either ( but that is surely down to the Azithromycin I now take all the time) only 2 in the past 6 months which is brilliant for me.

My doctor is not into taking supplements so I dont think I can ask his advice on this subject I did tell my consultant that I was taking supplements and she seemed to think this was good to build up my immunity to help prevent the chest infections ( not sure she realised HOW MANY I took though

Have you ever worried ST that you are perhaps taking too many supplements?

I realise now that I should have researched my illness decades ago, before I got as bad as I am now....and I think that I am possibly trying so many vitamins etc as I know that I am now at a serious stage ( severe ) and I don't want to get any worse.

So far it seems to be working as I am not getting any worse at the moment that's for sure....I will be happy to stay at this stage I am at..I don't need to run or climb steep hills, I can walk and amble my way through life for years to come yet IF I don't get worse too quickly

[stilltruckin in reply to Sohara]

Some supplements are best on an empty stomach, but most with a meal, and in divided doses

If I was taking too much I'd be suffering adverse consequences of some kind by now - and I'm not. And at my age in my condition what's to lose?

Don't feel as though I'm ill, just that I somehow ended up on a planet with twice as much gravity and half as much oxygen