FA : Hello, I haven’t posted much. I was wondering... - Ataxia UK

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Jennax profile image
25 Replies

Hello, I haven’t posted much. I was wondering if anyone could suggest any vitamins that would help with the ataxia symptoms? TIA

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Jennax profile image
Jennax
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25 Replies
Cuds profile image
Cuds

Hiya! What symptoms in particular are you looking to address? Are you under a neurologist at the moment?

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply toCuds

Hello, thanks for the reply! Yeah I am, he told me to ask for ideas - I’m mainly struggling with the fatigue... sometimes I feel too tired that I start getting in more pain, just a vicious cycle!

Piero profile image
Piero in reply toJennax

I haven't come across anything which eases the fatigue other than putting my feet up and occasionally a nap. I am seventy-six however so that fact must contribute to my decreasing reservoir of energy. If you do unearth anything which lessens the degree of tiredness I'd be delighted to hear of it, so would many others I guess.

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply toPiero

I never seem to have any energy, i think I’ll have to try to add time for naps during the day instead then. Thank you Piero for the reply.

Cuds profile image
Cuds

Hi - I have found that my fatigue is helped by taking CoQ10. I have tried with and without it and notice difference. I used to buy it myself but now have it prescribed by the clinic at UCL so ask your neurologist for it....then you can be sure of the quality and dosage. I take a prescribed dose of 200mg 3 times a day.

Hope this helps you and your doctor.

Carol

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply toCuds

Thank you so much, Carol! I’ll be sure to ask my neurologist about that. Do you also have FA?

Cuds profile image
Cuds in reply toJennax

Yes...I was diagnosed with it 3 years after my younger brother...he was 37 and I was 43. 12 years living with it now so some experience gained with coping strategies. Good luck with your doc. If they are struggling with treatments for you then downĺoad the clinical guidelines from ataxia UK website and pass them on 👍

Jennax profile image
Jennax

Ah, my brother had it too. If you don’t mind me asking, what coping strategies do you have?

Thank you, I will do!

Cuds profile image
Cuds in reply toJennax

I plan well! If I am going to have a busy day I make sure I have a rest day after. I make sure I keep moving every day. I found aqua aerobics helped my core which helped.my walking. I use 1 stick when out and about to help my balance and it also makes people walk around you.

I try to eat good food (not processed like microwave stuff) and eat antioxidant fruit and veg. Making a smoothie everyday is a good way to het the vitamins in!

Hope this helps? Take care!

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply toCuds

Ah thank you! I use a wheelchair when I go outside but recently I was given a walker for inside the house. Unfortunately my balance is awful that there’s no chance I could use a stick, however I totally agree with keeping yourself moving!! I think I’m going to have to also plan rest days too.

Thanks again, take care. Feel free to message me whenever!

february profile image
february

I don''t have FA, as my ataxia is due to Niemann Pick C disease. Anyway, I take 300 mg twice a day of CoQ10. I've taken it for years, per my neurologists advice, and it seems to help me a bit with fatigue. Please check with your neurologist to see if he/she would recommend it for you. I buy it over the counter, as it's considered a supplement, I believe...,my best to you..., ;o)

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply tofebruary

Thank you. Yeah, I’ll mention it to him!! I’m gonna buy some first because I don’t see my neurologist until a few more months. My best to you too!

Cuds profile image
Cuds in reply toJennax

If you are going to buy it get it from natures best on the internet. It is the strongest dose per capsule for commercial purchase!

swtb profile image
swtb

Hi Jennax! Please click on Sunvox on this site. He has posted everything he takes and does to completely stop his symptoms with SCA 1. He has linked all of his supplements and exercises with evidense-based scientific research, which you can click on to read for yourself. He is a very caring ataxian, who has volunteered this information to help us all. It might help to know that he is a graduate of Dartmouth, with an honorary degree in chemistry.

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply toswtb

Ooh, thank you. I’ll look now!

simon111 profile image
simon111

Hi Jennax

My 16 year old son has friedrichs ataxia He was diagnosed 4 years ago.

I am on a parents group,worldwide,where I get a lot of advice .Simon's energy is brilliant,he used to get very fatigued. I definitely recommend COQ10

COQ10 300mg x4...Thiamine 300mg x9

Per day.

I get Thiamine,pharmaceutical strength sent to me from Spain,it can be bought over the counter. Here in uk it has to be prescribed. It helps his tremors immensely. I will try to send you a link to a group you can join,by downloading an app called Telegram

A lot of people are taking Etravirine,a hiv drug that shows promise for fa.

There is trials going on at moment to use for fa.

Simon's neurologist is taking it before her board to hopefully obtaining permission to try for simon

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply tosimon111

Thank you so much. I’ve bought some COQ10 capsules however I believe it’s not that much of a dose to help with my fatigue. I’m definitely going to ask my neurologist about prescribing me it; I’m only 20 and I feel like I should have more energy than I actually have.. especially to keep up with the things I’d like to do.

If you don’t mind me asking, does your son have a support group that he can go to?

simon111 profile image
simon111 in reply toJennax

facebook.com/andy.garciaalv...

andreagarciaal@hotmail.com

There is the contact details for Facebook group..check it out hopefully help you

Shehryaar profile image
Shehryaar in reply tosimon111

Hi what is the name of the worldwide parents group that u gt advice for FA

simon111 profile image
simon111

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/3...

simon111 profile image
simon111

friedreichsataxianews.com/f...

simon111 profile image
simon111

t.me/joinchat/J682xhFAMTiMp...

simon111 profile image
simon111

No he hasn't but I know there is a Facebook for young FA sufferers

I will ask I'm parents group about it

Jennax profile image
Jennax in reply tosimon111

Ah okay! Yeah I’m also in the 16-30 group on Facebook unfortunately not that many people post

simon111 profile image
simon111

friedreichsataxianews.com/f...

Explorer this site ...it's Friedrich ataxia..adults and under 20

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