Vitamin C side effects?

I am generally very sensitive to oral supplements i.e. vitamins, Folic Acid, things like that.  I am anemic right now and have been adding some Vitamin C into my regimen as I read that it can help you absorb more iron.  But I have been having some problems lately, and am wondering if its the cause or if my disease is acting up.  I have alot of low back pain, D, cramps and a little nausea.

As many know, January was a pretty rough month for me with my Mom passing away and the sinus infection from Hades.  So it is plausible that it could be my Crohns.  But its also possible it could be the Vitamin C I am taking.  I am going to stop it tonight and see if I have any improvement.  I am stressing a little about it as my husband and I are to leave this Friday for Guadalajara to visit our family down there and am worried that I could be flaring.  If I don't start feeling better in a day or two being off the Vit C, I think I will put myself on another quick taper of Pred.

Anyone else get side effects like this from Vitamin C?  Thanks for you opinions.

Hugs,

Gail *Nanners*

Thanks becoming undone for your response. Yes this D is irritating me really bad too. I did some research on the computer and am thinking it is the Vit C too. I read that it has alot of sorbitol and as we all now sugars are not good for us. Will try stopping the Vit C tonight and see if things improve. I normally can take 1 Immodium and it will stop the D for the rest of the day, but I even had breakthru D with my Immodium.

Anyone else have problems with Vitamin C?

Gail,

  Many forms of Vitamin C can cause "D", in the store where I work we suggest our customers use ascorbic acid "to bowel tolerance only", but a mineral ascorbate form (like Emergen-C) might work nicely. It mixes in water, provides B vitamins, and you can use as little as you tolerate well. It is also an electrolyte source that will help control "D", I put this in 16 oz. water bottles, and use no more than 1 packet a day. 

   I had so few GI symptom's , my Crohn's was diagnosed after I used sorbital daily for about a month and could not stop the explosive "D" that resulted. It is known to cause "D" and dehydration by food scientist and dietitians, and is (IMHO) a IBD sufferers nightmare. I still cannot use sorbitol, or any sugar alcohol, without bad "D".

  I hope you are having a mini flare, as often happened to me following sinus infections, or from the Vit C, and you are well for your trip. Please be well and have a great time with your family. 

Have you tried taking Ester C? It's buffered with calcium, which is supposed to help keep it from bothering your gut. I took it for years without problem, and only quit taking it recently because the brand I was using had ingredients that weren't SCD legal.

Also, make sure to take vitamin C with a meal and drink a full glass of water with it.

I break out in hives when I take vitamin C.

Donnaeil

Well I was taking 500 mg of Vitamin C in the evening with food. I did not take it lastnight and am already feeling much better. So I guess this is another one to add to my do not take list. As I said in my original post I seem to be extremely suseptible to side effects from supplements. The only ones I have done well with are B12 shots, Calcium and probiotics. I think I will just stay with those. The side effects are too painful and miserable to take any others.

I remember when I quit smoking I was taking a multi vitamin to help with the effects of quitting and had no problems. But since I have had 2 resections that is one thing I notice and that is I can't take them anymore.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone.

Hugs,
Gail *Nanners*

Mine was ascorbic too I think, but it still didn't agree with me. I give up on supplements anymore, every single one I have tried has killed my gut. I feel better today, but I can tell my stomach is still a little irritated because it feels really sore. Tomorrow should be better.

According to this website about Ester C: http://www.ester-c.com/pages/benefits.aspx

Non-Acidic and Gentle on the Stomach
In a recently published study, individuals sensitive to acidic foods were given one gram of vitamin C as ascorbic acid or as Ester-C®. Subjects reported heartburn “significantly more frequent and severe after intake of ascorbic acid” and subjects rated Ester-C® as tolerated “very good” significantly more than ascorbic acid.² So for anyone who has difficulty tolerating vitamin C, it's comforting to know that Ester-C® is non-acidic and gentle on the stomach.

I am not going to try anyother supplements. I give, every single one I have tried made me sick!! Not worth it in my book. JMHO

I love ketchup Karendee, but it doesn't like me at all. But thanks for the suggestion!