Supplements we take

Since going through the Lexapro withdrawal from Hell, I have upped my vit D and magnesium and started taking fish oil.  Supposedly, this combo is supposed to help with increased pain and the brain zaps.  Three months later, I would like to say I have seen noticable improvement, especially with the head sensations but I haven't.   Or maybe they would be worse if I wasn't taking them?  My fibro pain as increased ten fold since withdrawal.  Oh well...shouldn't have weaned so fast.

Our doctor has replaced my husbands Lipator with Omega 3 capsules, as he claims it can be as effective at lowering bp and cholesteral as statins....which are expensive and can do a number on the liver.

Might try some of that True Calm, Patsie...what's in it??

Huggies

Donna

Hi donna,

So very sorry you had this withdrawal, it sounds terrible.

Well, my belief on MY Fibromyalgia is this: for me it has become apparent that neurotransmission is my major culprit. When I get stressed my nervous system goes into overdrive with a highly over active fight or flight response. It is as if my body cannot handle certain stressors because of my genetic make-up and my personal history. In each of us I think the onset is caused by something different making this puzzle almost impossible to solve.

Fast forward to why I think my doctor is on to something with True Calm. It appears to have an ability to support a better mental mood in me. It is a combination of amino acids with a 25 mg per tablet dose of valerian root. It includes GABA, which purportedly supports the "down regulation" of overstimulated nerve cells. Note my doctor has me on 4 daily and the suggested dose is 1-3.

As I stated earlier this is no cure as we both know. BUT it is definitely helping my day to day state of mind and nerves. I know it is not a placebo effect with me.

We have to keep on keeping on.

Best,
Patsie

I currently take a multi vitamin with iron and also a vit D 2000iu per day.  Was anemic and low on Vit D a couple blood tests ago I believe it is back to normal levels now.

I would like to try malic ?

Have heard several people speak of it still have not found it must have to buy it at a health food store or such.

I try to eat whole grains, veges and fruits and just eat the right foods it the best way to get your vitamins and minerals.

But that calm stuff sound interesting may look into it.

 

I take a multiple vitamin, calcium with D, extra D3 so I'm taking 3,500 IU daily, folic acid, malic acid/magnesium supplements, and iron.

 

Funny Girl, there is a link in Fibro 101 all about malic acid/magnesium supplements and how they work in your body.  I get mine at Puritan.com.  Right now they are having a buy one, get one free....buy two, get THREE free!  Can't beat that!  I also get my Vitamin D3 there too.  But, there are plenty of places that sell this.  I just found this to be quite affordable.

 

Sherrine

I will have to try True Calm, currently I'm taking B-Vit complex, Omega-3 Fish Oils, Melatonin, and belladonna and chamomile ear drops as well as script pain pills and a script anti-anxiety med. I was taking more herbal suppliments and vitamins before I was put on a pain med, but at that point I was unable to function in anyway, getting out of bed was WW3.

Thanks Nana Monster! I'm so new to all this, but Flexeril is the first thing that has help relax everything in order to improve sleep. Great to know that the TrueCalm Patsie is using may be a way to replace that at some point.

-Lisa

I have been fortunate so far not to be on any prescription meds.  I do take Advil several days of the week now.  As far as supplements I just started an Omega 3 fish oil last month and can't say I have seen a difference yet.  I take a liquid Calcium/Magnesium that has helped me out tremendously especially with night time leg cramps.  I am on a liquid multi vitamin and lastly probiotics.  I too am interested in the True Calm. 

Patsie,

Hello.  It is a liquid form of calcium and magnesium together and it also has some vitamin D3.  It's a thick white liquid but not that bad tasting.  I get the orange flavored, there are different flavors.  It is a bit chalky, but all in all not too bad. The brand name escapes me right now but I get it at a local Greenlife grocery store, which is a healthfood store if your not familiar with it.  I will look tonight when I take it at the name brand and let you know if you're interested.  It does wonders for my leg cramps and I was getting some really bad ones.

Hello All-

I had mentioned that I'd post info if I started to supplement with Amino Acids. My theory was to increase neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine (target of many approved fibromyalgia medications) by supplementing with Tryptophan (for the seratonin) and Tyrosine (for the norepinephrine).

I consulted with my Gastroenterologist (Celiac Doctor) to see if what I was suggesting was safe -- I did not ask for an endorsement, my only concern was safety. He thought it would be safe.

I have been taking both amino acids for many days and have improved a great deal. Currently my body locks up at about 7-8pm compared to the 3-4pm I've had each day for the past year and I have not been foggy for the past week. I have increased the distance I can walk from 1 mile to 3 miles this week.

CAUTION - any vitamin/mineral/amino acid supplement should not be taken without close supervision from your doctor as many can react adversely with common fibromyalgia medications.

Sorry to post and disappear. We lost my MIL and good friend last week. She passed peacefully after a 25 year valiant battle with Sjogren's Syndrome and other autoimmune Conditions. She will be missed.

Patsie -- we are doing a snow dance here because none of us thought I'd be able to ski this season...I've skied hard with my kids for the past 10 years. I am feeling strong enough to ski at least part of the day tomorrow so off to the snow we go for the day!

As for my research in amino acids, it was a lengthy process of combining much information from many parts of my medical history and life experience. I'll be writing up the whole thought process in the coming weeks and will share with you all when complete.

For the past few weeks I have been taking and improved each day:

L-Tryptophan - 1000 mg at bedtime along with one Flexeril.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine - 300 mg upon waking (i keep it bedside) and 300mg mid afternoon.

I had some improvement my first week when only taking the Tyrosine once in the morning, but because I got the idea for taking it from the reason I was prescribed Savella, I tried taking a second dose similar to the time I had tried Savella.

CAUTION: I will always include this warning when speaking of these amino acids -- YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR when taking both of these, while they are essential amino acids that we can obtain from our food, taking them as additional supplements can be dangerous when taken together with many approved Fibromyalgia medications.

-Lisa

To All...Breakdown of my suppliments.
Vit D is well known for nerves and pain.
I use Super Cissus RX, Bio-Sil together. The Super Cissus rebuilds muscles, tendons and ligaments and also has a built in painkiller and the Bio-Sil rebuilds callogen in joints.
Using them with Malic Acid to detox has got it so I can do an 8 hour day without problems.
I don't know what the "Trio" does in co-junction with each other, but I do know that even
the bone spurs are shrinking.
Vit.E is good for the heart and bloodstreams. I found when my wrists start hurting I'd take
about 800-1200 Vit E and it would stop after a few days. I read an article by a Dr stating
he would use 1200-1600 for his carpal tunnel patients and only a few needed surgery.
Lecithin is a brain oxeygenator and fat emulsifier...Lipo Trim is also a fat emulsifier. I
have been using them together to shrink some lypoma tumors. Strange but it works.
Colostrum is bovine breast milk and Hylaronic Acid is trace minerals in Japanese food.
Using them with Co Q-10 has boosted immune system and healing ability. I'm able to
bounce back from surgery quickly and don't get sick (with sinus infections especially)
as frequently. The greatest benefit is skin quality is fantastic.
The Co Q-10 is used in every single cell in your body with most in the heart.
I had sinus bracardia (low heart rate) and low blood pressure. Taking this increased both
heart rate and pressure so now both are "normal". As my heart had to work harder I was
having major chest pains to the point of taking nitro and toprol to regulate my
heartbeats...now I take none.
Bromelain is pineapple enzymes that are a natural anti-inflammatory.
HGH is used when we get older as a suppliment. As we age our production grows less and
I've noticed less wrinkles and grey hair.
Yucca is a natural steroid. I use it for poison ivy (in place of predisone).
Black Walnut will kill of poison ivy, infantago, scabies, and rashes. It is an anti-viral,
anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic.
Echanecia is an immune system builder. I use it with Vit C when I start getting sick.
Marshmallow Root or Slippery Elm and Fennugreek and Thyme I use to break down mucus.
Goldenseal helps to clear out sinuses.
Nite Time Herbs is a sleep aid.
True Calm is an herbal flexoril. working on the neurotransmitters to relieve pain.
Essiac Tea is a wonder if you have acid reflux. It not only alleviates the reflux but it helps
to rebuild damage done. Check out Renee Cassies web site....it's awesome.

Hopes this helps. LOL
Nana Monster

Ski, Nana Monster and Littleneck thank you so much for taking the time to help ALL os us with your regimens. I KNOW my improvement is just incredible and it is my supplements. We all realize at this stage that many respond to things others do not but any help is just so wonderful.

Let's keep this up and as things work for us share, share, share.

It is quite cold in N.H. and my body is behaving nicely. I just did a huge benefit in Maine last night to help elderly pay for heat and other needed services and I am not in the least bit of pain today. Perhaps reaching out and helping others is the best medicine.

Holiday hugs, Patsie