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How many supplements is too many?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/17/2010 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I just realized that, for a woman who trusts and believes in Western medicine, I'm taking an awful lot of supplements. While I take my traditional meds every day, I'm also (for a variety of condtions) taking the following?


Vitamin D

Calcium with D

Fisol (fish oil)

Alpha Lipoic acid (to help lower blood sugar)

CoQ10 (because I'm on a -statin drug)

2 different probiotics

Florastor



When is it too much, lol?
Posted 1/17/2010 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
I take a lot too. When I first started seeing my Dr. that does muscle testing I was taking around 27 pills a day! Now I'm tapered down to like 12 a day. It was like a meal of pills! Your amount doesn't seem like a lot.
Posted 1/17/2010 3:06 PM (GMT 0)

Good question Judy.  I take a probiotic (Risquad) and multi-vitamin (Forvia) and a calcium citrate with D.  Have you thought about eliminating the Vitamin D and just taking it combined with your calcium? 

 

Sue

Posted 1/17/2010 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Suebear, I'm taking Calcium with D as well as the D, a total of 2000 IU. This is on my PCP's recommendation because my levels were low. I'm very fair and my skin doesn't tolerate sun much.


I also take several prescription meds for my AI diseases and associated problems, so I take a lot of pills. I'm used to it by now, and I don't take anything that I don't think helps me. It just does seem like a lot every Sunday morning when I set up my pill packs for the week.
Posted 1/17/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I think it becomes too many when you're not sure which of them is actually working for you. That's why I'd prefer to try one new thing at a time before making it part of my treatment plan. But, whatever you're on seems quite standard so I don't think it is too many at all -- especially as you're not just dealing with UC.
Posted 1/17/2010 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Well, all things considered calcium and d are a must for most UCers...both because of defiiciency and because of the bone stripping effects of prednisone. If the others work for you, too, well, good on you.
Posted 1/17/2010 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Don't know, but I would take more if I had the extra money.
Posted 1/17/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
We must be on the same wave length Judy. I was just thinking the same thing myself this morning. I was debating whether to continue taking this probiotic. My GI doctor put me on FloraQ while I was hospitalized in May of 08. It is sold over the counter and very expensive. My nutritionist recommended Powerdolphilus. I order it online and it is a heck of a lot cheaper. I take it twice a day with food. Sometimes I wonder if it is just a money making gimmick. I also take Calcium with D because I have osteoporosis and a multivitamin with Iron, fish oil capsule, flaxseed oil capsule. This in addition to Benicar (for high blood pressure) and the Colazal (down to six per day since starting Remicade). If my rectum starts bothering me, which it doesn't too often, I insert a cort suppository. Well, at least I am off the prednisone, Toprol xl, and cort enemas.
How are you doing with your diabetes issue? Are you able to control it well?
Posted 1/17/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Christine, I ended up taking two probiotics to get a better mix and number of organisms. The Florastor was started at my GI's recommendation because I was having problems with yeast (probably due to the diabetes.)

My blood glucose is staying within acceptable boundaries, although I'd still like it a little lower. It's been ranging 110 to 130, occasionally up to the 140's after a meal. Not bad, but I'd be happier with under 110. On the positive side, I'm losing 1-2 pounds a week, which is much needed.
Posted 1/18/2010 4:42 PM (GMT 0)

I am anemic and I currently take:

Apriso

Hemevite-dietary supplements

Zypan-dietary supplements

Bio-B Complex-dietary supplements

Prenate Elite-prenatal vitamin

Sometimes I get pretty scared with taking all of the meds, but I was told the supplements will only be used for one month-thank god

Posted 1/18/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'd be more worried about the meds you take and them causing problems over a few suppliments.
Posted 1/18/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Zipply,

I dont understand what you are trying to say---I just take apriso for my uc and that is it-the dietary supplements are for me being anemic
Posted 1/19/2010 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking a lot of supplements all my life, even before UC invaded my life. My question is about stomach irritation. I feel the supplements do help me, but does anyone have any ideas or information about pills irritating the intestinal track when they break down in my gut?
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