Vitamins & Herbal Medicine.

[charlie_red]

I spoke to my doctor on Thursday about starting some herbal tablets or vitamins. She said that it was okay to start some.

I'm looking for anything that would help with energy, fatigue, sleep, joints and pain.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[crop]

Calcium and magnesium for joints, cod liver oil for suppleness, vitamin b complex with B12 for energy and St. John's wort from November to March to help with sleep hormones when there's not so much daylight. That works for me xx

[Ginsing]

Hi Charli there are a vast array of herbal medicines around that improve energy mostly based on caffeine products or glucose just please remember double check with your doctor that they work with not against your primary medicines.

I see you have already had a word brilliant I particularly lick lucozade high energy shots if you can get them they wake up the little grey cells for a bit.

Take care

xgins

[jillylin]

Hi,

VitaminD3 is supposed to help with pain, depression and just generally perk us up.

Hugs

Jillyxx

[fibro]

If these things worked you would have thought that it would be recommended by the BMA for all fibro sufferers.

But i guess if they are harmless its worth a try.

If you eat a healthy balanced diet i would have thought you would be getting tge right nutrients and would be less costly too.... Just a thought xx

[sue32]

Hi Charlie! I take super omega 3 capsules, extra strength garlic tablets, and magnesium tablets. I consider my diet to be healthy, but I swear I don't have as many colds etc because of the garlic!! The others I take for heart health mainly. XX

[Shazzzy]

Most fibro sufferers are low in vit d, which adds to the muscle pain, i was tested for this and get it on prescription. Magnesium is supposed to help eith muscle cramps and jerks (especially those you get when trying to sleep) i am just starting on these. Good luck and if you find something useful please let us know.

[Mdaisy]

To all members,

Please can I say that you should consider discussing any added Vitamin supplements with your GP as some may interact with medication you may be taking for other health issues. As is discussed on our website, please see passage below taken from the 'Expert Patient' series of factsheets;

Always check with your doctor(s) and pharmacist before starting something new - supplements can have side effects just like medications do and some supplements can interact with medications, food or other conditions. Make sure that supplements are helping and that you are not wasting your money - start supplements one at a time so that you can tell which one helps and which one gives you side effects and if you think a supplement may be helping, try coming off it to check - you may just be having a good month anyway. (Lindsey Middlemiss FibroAction Founder/trustee 2009)

fibroaction.org/Article...

You GP may ask you to have a blood test to see if you have any deficiencies & he/she will then prescribe you treatment because of these results. If you are eligible for free prescriptions this could be of help as some supplements can be costly.

Vitamin D deficiency is very common, although many people don't have symptoms and may remain unaware of the problem. But as possible symptoms include fatigue, muscle pains and muscle weakness, it is easy to see how these could seem to worsen symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. It can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.Low levels of magnesium may occur in people with chronic diarrhoea, conditions that cause poor absorption of nutrients from food, and those on long-term proton pump inhibitors (e.g. lansoprazole, omeprazole, etc). These risk factors are relatively common in people with Fibro, so magnesium levels should be considered. (Lindsey Middlemiss FibroAction Founder & Trustee 2009)

fibroaction.org/Article...

If you are considering taking supplements I hope this information helps

Best Wishes

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Cookie72]

Hi Charlie, go on line to Healthspan, they are a good company for Vit ect they will also answer questions, 5HTP help for energy as they have the full B complex in them, they now do a 5HTP sweet dreams, for sleep they contain magnesium, my doctor recommended Q10 which you can also get on healthspan for energy, she also advised I got a good quality multi Vit, but I do take black garlic at night and have done so for years, I use to take the ordinary garlic but have heard that the black garlic is better, try healthspan, they may help you, read thru lol the Vit ect see what is best for you....good luck....gentle hugs Dee xx

[Hidden]

Hi there. I wholeheartedly agree with Crop. I also take calcium, magnesium, vit B. I am certain they help, especially magnesium (which I've just run out of. Grrrr). Also Glucosamine, which I buy from COSTCO coz it's good and also relatively inexpensive. I get the others from the Nutricentre. The people in the shop are very helpful too. I don't take St John's wort but Evening Primrose for hormones, as well as fish oil with mutivits. I am healthier in every way since I started looking after myself for fibro! My hair is shiny and thick and my skin, friends tell me, is glowing! So I think it's worth it! Good luck. A x

[Ellebe]

I take a variety. D-Ribose, Vit D3, CQ10, Acetyl-L Carnatine, and for relaxing muscles at night Suntheanine. I also have a daily dose of Berrocca. They all seem to help keep symptoms to a minimum with occasiona flare ups when I've over done it (Like Christmas and New year!) Drs think if they don't have any harmful side effects and if they help - take them.