How many vitamins?

[CalfeeChick]

How much vitamins, nutritional supplements should you take in a day? I take some to assist my arthritis problem, others for general well being, now with MS I've added vitamin D, Magnesium. I heard somewhere that you aren't supposed to take in over 10,000 IU's a day.. your thoughts?

[erash]

Vit D is a fat Soluble vitamin. It is possible although not common, to take too much and reach toxic levels. Norms are usually 30 ng/mililiters. For MS they suggest higher 50-70. You can/should have your level checked baseline and periodically. To maintain @ 50, I take 5000iu/d. But everyone is different, diff. Sun exposures, diff. Absorption etc

[jimeka in reply to erash]

What does 25 ug equate to in iu, Thankyou Jimeka

[jimeka in reply to jimeka]

Thanks, I forgot about Google, it's 1000 iu

[erash in reply to erash]

I also take 600mg magnesium/d. Mag comes in different forms. I take mag glycinate because supposed to be better absorbed...not sure there is significant differences though.

I also spend my $ on lots of other supplements hoping they will fix me 😜

[Lizamy_5]

CalfeeChick This something you need to ask your Neuro. He would know what's going to be best after blood work.

[Hidden]

Calfeechick, it's MSFighter. I would recommend you speak to a nutritionist and/or your neurologist before you start taking multiple supplements and vitamins. Now every seminar I go to and both neurologist I have had indicated that vitamin D is vitally important for people with MS. They recommended that I take vitamin D3 and I take 2000 IU a day. What I do know it's some vitamins get stored up and your body and can be bad for you when you overtake them. Then some other vitamins, like vitamin C is water soluble and your body takes and stores just what it needs and the rest is deleted in your urine. I always thought that was extremely interesting.

Please just be careful mixing and matching different vitamins, herbal supplements and dietary supplements are on your own. Sometimes they contain powerful drugs that interact with the drugs you take for your MS. Better to be safe than sorry! Please let us know after you speak to The dietitian or you're neurologist what they recommend. It might be something that would help a lot of us. Thanks for writing insightful post that will generate a lot of replies!

[WAshingtongirl]

Good morning, CalfeeChick, my neuro recommended Vit D along with calcium. For some reason I remember you needed one for the better absorption of the other. Can you tell I'm no longer taking either and can't remember? 🙄Anyway, my neuro ran a Vit D blood test on me. It was ok, but she still recommended the supplement, as that is 'the latest' MS thing (sorry, can't think if the word I want to use here). But I have major bowel motility issues and vitamins and calcium make that noticeably worse. I don't take any supplements today, but I do my best (most days) to eat a well balanced diet. Like Lizamy_5 and MSFighter have said, run this by your doc at your next appt in Jan (I think?). I remember you mentioning some bowel issues...Just something else to think about. 💕

[heathera1]

The D3 causes constipation, but in order to absorb the calcium, you have to take it. My oncologist keeps on my case about it-she said to take stool softener in the morning and at night. No BM in 2 days - take laxative. Are you on an anti-depressant? That causes it too. If you are, please re-read the paperwork that you get when you get it refilled.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to heathera1]

Are you asking me or Lynn (CalfeeChick), Heathera1?

[heathera1 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Actually, both. I will have to remember to try and put a header on my comments.....

[WAshingtongirl in reply to heathera1]

Gosh, Heathera1, MS, back pain/damage and an oncologist? You have a lot going on. I'm so sorry...

I am not on any antidepressants. I've been on 3 stool softeners nightly for decades. I'm also on amitiza (24mcg) twice daily and take miralax daily. I have major neurogenic bowel and bladder issues. Last week, my gastroenterologist recommended a possible switch to Linzess as I've gone 10 days without a BM even with all I am taking. He and my neurologist will decide on this after the new year.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Wow, I also have bowel problems. I'm taking 3 softeners at night and either Miralax or metamucil fiber each day. If no BM for 2 days I take lax with the softeners. Sorry you are both having these problems also. So uncomfortable, if there was one symptom I could "eliminate" it would be the bowel problems. Get it "eliminate!" I'd never had a problem until MS. Used to have diarrhea before some of the more challenging bicycle rides. Can't imagine 10 days without going, I've be giving myself enema by then. hugs to all!

[WAshingtongirl in reply to CalfeeChick]

Love the okay on words, Lynn! 😊

[WAshingtongirl in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Meant the play on words! 😜

[cats3 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Hi Tutu, I have had constipation issues all my 55 years of life! I have with the help of my wonderful husband changed that. Every evening meal I have a salad with Kimchee, sauerkraut, humus and beets. It has taken me a little while to get used to the Kimchee and I only do about 2 small spoonful of mild. You will want to do this gradually but incorporating this into my diet has solved my issues! Good luck!

[WAshingtongirl in reply to cats3]

Thanks, Cats3. Everything on your list sounds good-with the exception of kimchee. 😉

[cats3 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Trust me that is something I had no desire ever eating! I just basically told myself if it would help with the other issue it was worth a try. The beets and the humus kind of helped me to get used the taste. After a little while I really didn't mind the taste at all. Worth a try!

[WAshingtongirl in reply to cats3]

Kimchee is an acquired taste. I love beets and humus. But even our Korean friends couldn't help me get that strong smell past my nose. You're a far more adventurous woman than I am! I am so happy you found what works for you. 💕

[agate]

@CalfeeChick, I think you should ask your primary care doctor or even maybe your neurologist about any supplements you're taking or thinking about taking. And there are some supplements you might need but different brands are of different quality. Some have additives you might not want. Some aren't even giving you the supplement you think you're getting. There's no FDA regulation of supplements.

I personally have taken Centrum for years, once a day, and for the last few years I've taken 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, plus calcium chews (2 a day). I also have a prescription for potassium chloride, 80 mEq daily, but that is to offset the effects of a diuretic I'm taking.