Daily vitamin supplement?

[canadaliz]

Hi All,

Have any of your specialists recommended a daily multi-vitamin? Adult or child dose? Any specific aspects of vitamins/minerals like zinc? B vitamins? Any direction on this would be helpful.

Cheers, Canada Liz

[h0b0]

My partner is 3 years post transplant & was advised to take vitamin D supplement.

[Hidden]

Vitamin B12 & B. - B12 being a must have.

[alfredthegreat]

Hi canadaliz. My ill health stretched over a few years with most time indoors (no sunshine) and during this time I had 3 years on chemotherapy, because of this my bones and joints have suffered. I am now prescribed alendronic acid (one tablet a week) to hopefully increase my bone density and to help stop further loss of density and also calceous (twice daily) a chewable tablet containing calcium and vitamin D.

It's been said by various medical professionals that because of the lack of sunshine in Great Britain it's a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement, particularly in winter when the days are shorter and we spend more time indoors. I'm sure that your specialist or doctor would inform you of the best viamins/supplements to take because we are all different and with varying needs.

Regards.

Alf.

[canadaliz]

Thanks Alf. I arrived on the doorstep of cirrhosis via a hepatotoxic response to breast cancer treatment and as my case is considered rare (2.9% of women have such a response) there aren't enough cases to determine the best course of treatment for me. We largely go my symptoms and just play catch up which can be frustrating. Lately I find I am sleeping far more than normal and just have no energy which just isn't me. The past two years has seen me weather breast cancer, liver failure, husband have major surgery/recovery, Mum dying, moving house to a different town no less, a major renovation in the new home and living in the house throughout and my beloved dog passing. Maybe I'm just tired but I sure feel like I need a boost. I do take vitamin D due to the cancer drug I have to take that can promote bone loss but I will certainly ask my doctor next time I see him. Cirrhosis is a beast and so hard to predict its path of decline. Between cancer and liver disease the battle to survive can be exhausting. Thank you for listening Alf. Cheers, Liz

[alfredthegreat in reply to canadaliz]

Hi Liz, you've been through such a lot in just two short years and I'm not surprised that you feel exhausted. The cirrhosis on it's own can have that effect but you are and have been dealing with so much more.

I can really commiserate with you over the tiredness. when I was on chemo for HCC at the same time as dealing with cirrhosis I very often just felt like staying in bed but I used to push myself to get up and do small jobs and try to keep active and I'm sure that it paid dividends.

The balance between activity and rest is difficult to get right because as you will know, no two days are the same as far as energy levels and symptoms go. I found that on the days that I pushed to do more I could eat a bit more and it also boosted me mentally.

I hope that your doctor can suggest something to help with your energy levels. Keep your chin up. I Know that it's not easy at times.

Come on here whenever you feel like a chat or even a moan. It's a very friendly forum and we are all here for each other in good times and bad.

All the very best to you.

Alf.

[Hidden]

Good afternoon canadaliz,

I have attached information from the British Liver Trust regarding dietary supplements and complementary medicines.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

Please always ensure you discuss with your own specialist doctors prior to commencing.

Best wishes

Trust9

[Bootandall]

Hi Liz,

l was prescribed vitamin D once a week after having a bone scan. l am very pale but live in a warm, sunny climate. Our bodies make vitamin D from sun exposure, so this is just a supplement.

Don't forget your suncream! 🌄😉

Calcium works in synergy with vitamin D. I think it is up to your doctors whether you should take more, but you could always add a daily glass of milk.

It sounds like you could use some vitamins, but be careful to check with your doctors first, some can build up to toxic levels. I plan to ask my doctor about them too at my next appointment.

I used to take prenatal vitamins for all the vitamin Bs, they seemed to give me a little energy boost.

Low iron can make you feel tired, but it is best to get it from your diet as too much causes constipation and can be toxic.

Without magnesium, the chemical reactions that produce energy in the body can't happen, but I have read that magnesium may have adverse effects in some with underlying health conditions, so ask about that as well.

Vitamin C and Zinc are available otc as immunity boosters. I use these two at the first sign of a cold and if I'm lucky they seem to at least keep one from lingering.

Hope that helps start you off on a good talk with your health team, l know exactly how you feel, having had cancer, Hep C and now cirrhosis.

Condolences on the loss of your mum, as well as your faithful companion.

My old mouser can be a real pain in the bum but I will miss her dearly when she is gone.

Take care. xx

[canadaliz in reply to Bootandall]

Thank you Boot you've certainly given me fodder for my conversation with the doctor. Since my diagnosis a year ago I have found the path through cirrhosis just a fog. Trying to figure out what to eat, drink, how often, etc has been just trial and error. I know I am not getting all the vitamins I need and sometimes resort to those drinks with vitamins and honestly get a real lift from them. I know with cirrhosis we can have difficulty absorbing vitamins from our food but most of what I read says don't take vitamins save for a few select ones. I see the doctor next week and will update what he says.

For now I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Cheers, Liz

[Bootandall]

I hear ya, it's a fine line. If you stick to water soluble vitamins, at least there's less risk of toxicity, but you must ensure you drink enough water. And then if they're not really needed, or they are not properly absorbed, you just waste your money and literally piss away any benefits.

But obviously we do need to boost our intake of some vitamins (at least l think so logically) since we do have difficulties absorbing nutrients. And food (and vitamin) combinations must be key to improving the quality of our diets, which in turn is essential to our metabolic health.

I'll take notes and let you know what my doctor says. Maybe you could do the same and we could compare notes?

[Mary-intussuception]

Never take a multivitamin nor multiminerals.

It's advisable to only take supplements for those vitamins / minerals that you are found to have a deficiency in.

Important to get Vitamin D levels tested and prescribed supplement. The dose of prescribed Colecalciferol (D3) will depend on whether you have deficiency or insufficiency. Then you should be monitored / retested in 3 months time.

Look up the "NICE guidlines for treatment of Vitamin D deficiency ".

Also ask for some other nutrients levels to be tested including :

Vitamin B12; Folate and Ferritin. Also a Full Blood Count (which has probably been done).

Ask for print outs for all your blood tests results. (No charge for this now in UK).