Hi everyone, i hope you are all going to have a relaxing weekend. Please may i ask for a bit of advice. I know we all respond differently, but do lots of people take vitamins following surgery and do they find any side effects?
Also, with regard to side effects from medication generally, again recognising we are all different, do you find the side effects go within a short space of time, or do you find them lasting for weeks?
Thanks, as ever, Judi
Hello Judi 
The only vitamin I take is vitamin D and I have to take it as my levels become really low especially been agoraphobic , I get no side effects from it which for me as I seem to get side effects from everything is good
I am sure I get side effects from the cocktail of meds I take but which one could be the cause is a mystery
Hope you have a lovely weekend to x
Thanks BeKind28, good point, its difficult to know which side effect would be from which medication. I think i will try a multi vit and see how it goes, if i have an adverse reaction i can stop straight away. Thankfully my nausea has abated now, fingers crossed it stays that way., so i am able to eat a more varied diet The side effects are a difficult one, i have read the leaflets, but it doesn’t say if they are long lasting side effects or not. I guess if any of them last a while i will go back to the doctor. Hope you are okay, Judi x
Yes you are right you can try those and if they do not agree with you then it is not one you have to take so can stop it
I try and avoid reading the side effect leaflets , I doubt I would take the meds I need if I did
The only time I do is if I do not feel well and suspect it may be a medication I take
Hope you are keeping well to x
Good advice, I should avoid reading some of the leaflets, it can almost seem as if reading the leaflets can bring the side effects on! Jude x
Heyjude
Nice way to start a conversation HeyJude!
Same as BeKind I take Vitamin D because of our beautiful weather and lockdowns.
Have not had any issues but then again I don’t take many meds. Asprin , Bisoprolol and Omeprosol is my list.
You are quite right that everyone is different. I have allergies and I’m careful what I take. Best way is to ask a medical professional before starting to take anything. They know best.
Good luck.
Thanks UnderMilkWood for replying, it is very much appreciated. I will be speaking to my doctor this week, so will ask then, thanks again, Judi
Hi,
I take a multivitamin (not prescribed) which i get no side effects from. Can only hope it helps a bit. I’m intolerant to iron so even Sytron which is manufactured for babies made me really sick (so frustrating) Am awaiting an appointment to have iron infusions which is quite worrying considering .
From bisoprolol-I have no unwanted side effects , or from the cocktail of painkillers /anti migraine medication.
Some medications in the past have caused lingering side effects but most have been fairly short lived for me thankfully.
Most vitamins you need should be in a balanced diet but like others have mentioned vitamin D is often helpful thanks to the lack of daylight many live with.
Hopeful that you get on ok with any side effects you’re experiencing, and that any vitamins you’re taking probe to be helpful.
🙂
N
Thank you for replying. I do hope you get sorted out with your iron infusions and and you feel better, I am going to try some vitamins, and see how it goes. My diet is getting more varied, and i am starting to eat a more plant based diet, which i hope helps. Thanks again, Judi
No worries , Hopefully the vitamins will be helpful to you , and quickly 🙂. And that you enjoy the changes you’re making to your diet, too. It can be good to have little changes in how food is prepared /cooked to get some different flavours in as well as the ingredients.
😊😊🙏
Hi Judi;
Over the years I have always made careful note of any side affects of a newly prescribed drug, cross checking them with the information given on the information sheets.
In my case, I have always brought these matters to the attention of the medical teams and when we have collectively thought it was best to do so, we have changed the medication to an alternative variety (of which there are normally many) and generally speaking the alternative has agreed with my body.
So it is my advice for you to do the same.
Thank you, i will be speaking to my GP this week, and see what he says. I have had to change 3 of my medications due to side effects, and thankfully things have settled down now so i am starting to eat better and feel better. Hopefully any side effects with the new ones will be short lived. Thanks again and take care, Judi
Dear Heyjude31
Great question, but how to answer ?
The best advice I can give is { remember I only have a scouts first aid badge !}
get to know your pharmacist.
These people train longer than a GP and of course just specialise in medication.
Mine has a fantastic knowledge of vitamins as well.
I think that a lot of folk benefit from vitamins after surgery/ medication etc because a lot are put off their normal food, hence those thick shake things that they give you in hospital if you dare to miss a meal.
I take vitamin D/ vegan multivitamin { more B12 than normal one } and vitamin C
Have they helped? To be honest with you I really don’t know
Take care
Thanks Blue1958, one of the reasons i would like to see if it is okay to take a vitamin, is that i do feel they help with my general well-being. I am going to speak with my GP this week, so will ask them also. Take care Judi
Hi HeyjudeGreat question. I have taken Vitamins D&C as recommended by Diabetes UK and zinc (helps with immune system and metabolism) for a few years. I can’t say I noticed any difference after I’d had my CABG in May.
As you say with the cocktail of meds which we now take, and started to take all at the same time, it’s hard to pinpoint what might have any side effects.
I’ve changed from gut bacteria pills back to eating natural yoghurt as they were upsetting my system. I started to take them after several courses of antibiotics and also after I got Covid.
If you have any doubts though speak to a pharmacist. ❤️
I have the usual range of meds for AFib and DCM and I take 5 other vitamins & minerals, all of which my cardiologist is aware of. For info - CoQ10, Starflower, Fish Oil, Glucosamine, zinc & Vit C and prescribed calcium & Vit D. No contra indications. Hope this helps.
IMO taking vitamins/minerals is a bad idea, overdosing is possible and that can have some pretty serious consequences, plus most vitamin/mineral tablets are processed from lord knows what. A far better otion is to eat well, that means no processed foods, little sugar, no deep frying and a balance in what you eat, buying organic whenever possible. One possible exception is vitamin C when you feel a cold coming on, as this vitamin only remains in the body for 24hours. Possibly vitamin D in the winter months, which isn't really a vitamin anyway.
If you do this and are having side effects is almost certainly down to your meds. Natural is always better than easy pill poping.
Thanks ever so much DaveSpice, i am trying to eat better and a more varied diet. Due to chronic nausea and vomiting i was not eating post surgery due mainly to side effects. Fortunately 3 of my meds have been changed and i am now starting to feel better and eat better. I will speak with my GP and see what they say, I certainly would not want any further side effects, i am so relieved to be feeling better. Take care and thanks again, Judi
Hi Heyjude,
That's a very complex question. I haven't had surgery so can't offer any insight there. I have had a HA (2012) and last year was diagnosed coeliac. I have learned some info over the past year re basic supplements, but you should research:-
Supplements should be introduced slowly. ie Take X for 2 weeks, before adding in XX into the mix to guage any side effects.
Iron
Supplements should not be taken unless under GP supervision. Multi-vits containing Iron are not recommended because the Iron stops/reduces absorption of anything else. Known to cause constipation, general gut discomfort.
Vitamin D
Supplements should not be taken without testing levels 1st as very high levels are toxic. Public Health England recommend that we all take 10mg (400iu) throughout the winter months. This is probably not enough for most people, but they don't want the expense of testing all of us, so erring on the safe side. If your GP won't test, there is an NHS lab (Monitor My Health) that does a simple postal finger prick test for £29. Softgels are best because they contain less excipients than tablets. I buy Dr's Best from Amazon - small capsules with just D3 & Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Cofactors Vitamin K2-MK7 (helps direct calcium to bones), and magnesium work together. Apparently, we used to get enough K2 from grass fed beef and butter, and we used to get enough magnesium from soil, but farming methods obliterated the soil, and most cows are fed on grain. Nil side effects for me, but I have seen posts where people get joint pain and are unable to tolerate it.
Folate B9
Again, needs testing. It's quite difficult to find good info for B9. I know that it is relevant to heart health, but I haven't found a simple explanation. Nil side effects for me.
Vitamin B12
I have not seen any cautions re B12. Not to be taken in a multi-vit containing Vit C, as Vit C inhibits absorption of B12. Nil side effects for me
Vitamin C
Is very good for our arteries. I take a small amount of acerola cherry in cranberry juice, mainly because I don't want to take the large amounts in supplements. Nil side effects, but it is incredibly sweet.
Vitamin B6
This has a caution, and dose is sometimes too high in multi-vits. NHS info:-
nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-...
Magnesium
The serum blood test is widely known as not a good indication of levels.
The magnesium you take - and just about everybody needs to take it - should be chosen according to what you want it to do:
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
I use a magnesium oil spray on my legs. I've no idea if its doing me any good but I just don't want to take any more 'pills'
Calcium
Don't go there, unless you are out of options. Diet is definitely best.
The best bit of advice I received, was to get online access to my blood results. I think today GP's only look at results that are flagged 'out of range' and some of the ranges do not correlate to national guidelines, Eg The range at my local path lab for Ferritin is 10-291ng/L.........NICE state:- "In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency."
Determining side effects from meds is difficult when you get sent home from hospital with a sack full.
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