Chinese herbs for MS

[IFwczs]

I have been diagnosed with mercury poisoning after 1 year on Chinese herbs for MS. DO NOT take Chinese herbs! They are laced with heavy metals (and who knows what else).

[Jazzihorsecat]

Oh My!!😱😱😫 IFwczs, that is scary news, but thanks for the heads up. How did U find this out. Yikes! I am sticking to N.O.W. Products, they're good.👍Blessings🙏💖---Jazmine🌹💜Rose

[IFwczs in reply to Jazzihorsecat]

Blood test for heavy metals. At least my arsenic was not high (it's one of the common ingredients in Chinese herbs).

[RoyceNewton]

good advice, thank you

[jimeka]

Thank you for the warning, blessings Jimeka 🦋

[greaterexp]

Scary! How did you discover this?

[anaishunter in reply to greaterexp]

Good question.

Mercury is everywhere, especially in fish, and with many diets recommending fish over meat, I wonder how easy to get mercury poisoning.

[IFwczs in reply to anaishunter]

That was too high even for fish. I think the doctor tested me because she found out I was on Chinese herbs.

[IFwczs in reply to greaterexp]

Blood test for heavy metals. I had all of the symptoms - insomnia, mood swings, tremor - but attributed them to MS.

[goatgal]

IFwczs Carol572 How good that you are finding help. Mercury poisoning is horrific. Carol572 put a list of herbs on the forum. This worried me, because we tend to think of herbs and spices as natural and benevolent, but some are toxic at the wrong dose, others are poisonous, some may be adulterated (as you have discovered), and there is much we dont know about their interaction with other herbs as well as conventional western medicine. I hope the doctors are able to contain and eliminate the mercury in your system and that you will recover from this frightening experience.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to goatgal]

Yes, goatgal IFwczs putting that article out was meant to let one know that there are alternatives to taking pharmaceutical drugs. Is it safer because they are not from the drug store? Not necessarily. I would always talk with my neuro about any supplement/medication that I take.

As for taking any supplement/meds, especially from non USA sources, be very wary of the 'fillers' that are added. Even with your medications. Insist that you are given the list of ingredients. I have heard that generics and name brand meds are NOT the same. And non USA pharm companies do NOT follow the stringent standards that the USA has! Discuss with your neuro before the change. Saving a few pennies is not worth compromising your health.

On another note, praying for your speedy and full recovery,

Stay Strong,

Carole

[IFwczs in reply to carolek572]

Thank you, Carole. My neuro had no problem with me taking Chinese herbs. However, the Chinese doctor told me not to look up the ingredients. Now we know why. And you are right about generic vs. brand.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to IFwczs]

I cannot stress how important it is to find doctors/medical care that you trust and to be your own advocate. Hopefully, you are the path to recovery!

Stay Strong,

Carole

[anaishunter in reply to carolek572]

I would never take supplements without telling my doctor given the pharmaceutical drugs I'm on. He/she might not approve but at least if there's any interaction risk, they will tell you.

It's also sometimes hard to validate the quality of a supplement. Going through a naturopath can be helpful to get pointed to the higher quality brands of supplement.

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to anaishunter]

Yes, find a trusted source, and keep your medical team in the loop. Be your own advocate.

Stay Strong,

Carole

[IFwczs in reply to anaishunter]

My neuro said it would not interact with my MS medication. As did an Integrative Medicine MD. And the Chinese was a Chinese doctor (but not MD).

[mrsmike9]

Holy cow! Good thing you found out! Hopefully they can fix whatever has gotten into you!

[lbenmaor]

I hope you're feeling okay. Thanks for the warning!

Leslie

[Jazzihorsecat]

Stay strong, 💪💪 & My Prayers 🙏🙏too for healing & Recovery as well, have a good weekend. Love ya!💗💘---Jazz🌹💜

[Iona60]

Hope that you can get to cleared from your system quickly. How can we tell if our supplements are safe?

[IFwczs in reply to Iona60]

There are PCPs who specialize in Integrative Medicine. I guess that's a safer way than having a non MD tell you not to check the ingredients (which is what happened to me).

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I am so sorry that your going through this IFwczs I really hope it can be fixed up fast for you!

I would think that having someone telling me not to look up what's in it, would be a HUGH RED FLAG!

I have a big problem with non FDA approved, meds. As there really is no way to know, exactly how it's made. As DR PHIL says, it could be mixed in a bathtub. You just don't know.

But let's face it we all do it! We just have to be smart about it!☺️

Please feel better very soon!🤗💕

J🌠🎃

[IFwczs in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thank you so much, Jesmcd2. My husband and I had a good laugh, especially about bathtub. You are right, and we were idiots. I was really desperate a year ago, not knowing about Ocrevus. Appreciate your good wishes and advice.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to IFwczs]

I laughed when I heard that also, but it did stick with me😕 and no one is an idiot!!!!! Ever!!! I mean your health care team should have picked up on it! And completely understand about looking for anything and everything to help this monster go away!🤗💕

J🌠🎃

[kdali in reply to Jesmcd2]

Bathtub is better than toilet 😁

[kdali]

Thank you! I’m sorry it made you sick, but appreciate that you shared the warning. I had some Chinese herbs for fertility but it was short lived thank goodness!

Herbs can be drugs (all drugs are poison) or dirt in a capsule, it’s important to research the company and side effects of what you’re taking. I hope your post will help others to stop and consider what they are taking and where it’s coming from.

Thanks again!

[IFwczs in reply to kdali]

This Chinese doctor actually specialized in infertility treatment. But would it really be helpful to give birth to a baby with mercury poisoning?

All of the Chinese herbs have dangerous ingredients. If not mercury, then arsenic etc. And the bottles are innocuous and say they contain Japanese daisy.

[kdali in reply to IFwczs]

Shameful!

[Juliew19673]

Thanks for sharing this! As people always "I read that blank is very beneficial for people w/MS" I always say thanks and shut up (in my head).

[stepsforNeeC]

Disheartening and thank you for exposing this and sharing your experience with us. Feel better, we are all trying to stay healthy avoid relapse, strengthen our immune systems and deceitful acts like this Seriously!! Take care of you.

NeeC

[eharoot]

thanks for the warning