Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or in the medical field. I am just sharing what supplements have helped me with my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Everyone has a different body chemistry so what works for me does not mean it will work for someone else. Always consult your doctor about any supplements that you are taking or plan to take. Some supplements do not "play well" with certain medications so it is really important to let your doctor know any and everything that you are taking.
The picture above is the line up of supplements I take each day to help with my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These, in combination, are what I have found works best for me at the moment. There may be other things that would work better, but I have not found them yet. ;) I have tried other supplements as well, but they did not work for me. So here is the daily lineup:
Vitamin C~ 1000 mg
Potassium Citrate
Magnesium~500 mg
Vitamin D3~20,000 mg (my doctor checks my levels and this is what I personally need to take even though it is a high dose for most people so please get your levels checked before you take
more than the recommended daily dosage)
Triple Strength Glucosamine Sulfate~1,500 mg (this really helps with the joint pain)
Flax Seed Oil~1,200 mg
MultiVitamin
In addition to this I also take a medication for my sluggish thyroid and a supplement to help with those lovely issues that come with menopause. ;)
I can definitely tell when I have not taken my supplements. I am more achey and tired. I used to also have terrible yeast infections that anti fungal medications just made worse. Since having a total hysterectomy, they have not been as major of an issue as they once were. I also eat lots of yogurt or take probiotics when my system is out of whack and that seems to help also. If I have to take antibiotics I megadose on probiotics to try to avoid a yeast infection.
I tried so many different things before I hit on this combination but to be clear once again, everyone's body chemistry is different and what works for me may not work for someone else. Please do read my disclaimer. I am just sharing what works for me and not trying to give anyone medical advice.
I too have to take extra D3. I just can't seem to keep D in my system. Growing up in the Willamette Valley (Oregon) - Rain, rain, rain and not much sunshine. Most of my family who still live there are always low on D. I wonder if the Triple strength Glucosamine would help my husbands joint pain. Hmmm.... something to consider and ask his doctor. Can't take the Vit. C because I take a blood thinner for my heart. So yes it is very important to check with your doctor as something that seems so innocent could interact with other meds.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your site a few weeks ago. Take care.
Oh, where do you get your supplements from if you don't mind my asking. Have never seen the triple strength Glucosamine before.
Hi Crystal. :) It seems that people in the Pacific Northwest have a tendency towards low Vitamin D levels. I grew up in Hawaii and never had a problem until I moved to Idaho for college. My levels were dangerously low for awhile and I still have to take the high dosages just to maintain.
DeleteI get most of my supplements through Vitacost.com . They have really good prices and their shipping is fairly quick as compared to other places. I find the quality of their products top rate. :) I also get my husband's tribulus through them. He takes that for low testosterone levels and it has helped more than any of the prescription meds he was on and is far less risky than taking the meds also.
I've tried supplements before and not really had any luck. Of course, I was usually just trying them for beauty. Fish Oil, Evening Prim Oil, Collagen, etc. They all made me break out! Vitamins tend to do the same thing to me. I have the weirdest skin, I can use very few products on it and I have to watch what I take. The strangest thing is this all happened since I've turned 30. I had great skin in my 20's! Frustrating. I've also tried probiotics without much luck. I was never able to get regular with any of the ones I tried, and a couple made me break out (of course, right?). I've found that I feel the best, that I have the most energy, and I'm the most regular when eating a high fiber diet, low in processed food. It's not the most fun, but it works for me. I basically eat tons of kale, spinach, lettuce, any greens really, fruits like peaches, berries, and beans. I can't eat a lot of meat, that messes me up too. I can have meat every 3 to 4 days. It's taken me years to get a routine down that works for my body. I'm glad you found a routine that works for you, that's always key to feeling better :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day Debbie!
Thanks for sharing what works for you Jessica! This is why I mentioned that everyone's body chemistry is different and what works for one person may not work for another. My skin is strange too. I am getting more acne now and I have had rosacea for years. I've also developed allergies to latex and also to the adhesive in the paper tape they use on you after surgery and such. That makes for very few choices for my doctors when I have had to have biopsies and surgeries, but they are really good at working with me.
DeleteMy husband and I are eating more salads now and I am feeling better. I just got a bunch of lettuce seeded into the garden and have some volunteer spinach that I need to harvest because the heat we have had is causing it to bolt. Luckily we grow cherries, blackberries and raspberries here along with some strawberries so I do eat lots of fruit in season and also try to eat some that I purchase from the stores every day. MOst of the meat we eat is venison or wild caught fish and I have also noticed a difference in how my body does with that vs commercially raised meats.
I hope you have a lovely day!
Dear Debbie - thanks so much for this post. I've had such little help from the medical professionals that you're first hand accounts are really helpful.
ReplyDeleteMy doctor did test my vitamin D levels and I am ok there. I am just now starting to look into vitamin supplements and have started with a multivitamin and B12. I really notice when I have missed the B12. My next task is to research the Magnesium. A friend just sent a link from the medical journal The Lancet where there was a recent study on magnesium supplements and CFS patients. I haven't read the link yet, but she said it was worthwhile.
I have almost eliminated soda pop (diet coke) and fast food. I'm really trying to eat a balance and healthy diet with lean meats, good fats and lots of vegetables. I do better when my garden is producing but rely on frozen veggies in the winter.
The other big help for me is keeping a daily journal of what I am doing and how I am feeling physically. So, for instance, if I write in the morning that I feel like a truck hit me, I know to have an "in" day at the house and watch movies or read, if possible. I suffer from brain fog when I am on a crash day and find reading very difficult.
This week has been good so far. I think last week I had the flu, go figure. Saturday I woke up and my throat didn't hurt for the first time all week. It's difficult to separate being normally sick (ie the flu) from crashing with CFS.
Best so close here as this comment is getting long. Thanks again for your blog. SJ in Vancouver BC
I am glad you are feeling better SJ and that you did have your Vitamin D levels checked. Keeping a journal is a great idea because you may recognize certain triggers and trends with your CFS. On a bad crash day I too have trouble concentrating on reading and I will watch movies that I have seen several times before because I can't really concentrate on the storyline if it is a new one to me.
DeleteDiet does play such a huge role in everyone's health and I think that those of us with autoimmune illnesses are affected by it much more quickly than those that don't have these kinds of illnesses.
I am sorry that it took me this long to get this post done for you. After my parents left I was in another crash mode and I wanted to make sure that I was thinking clearly when I wrote this.
Be blessed!
Man. Trying to combat aging is all I can handle. You are doing great to keep on experimenting and trying new ideas to find the best antidotes for your CFS.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, this aging thing is not for sissies is it? ;)
Deletesupplements vancouverI think the things you covered through the post are quiet impressive, good job and great efforts. I found it very interesting and enjoyed reading all of it...keep it up, lovely job..
ReplyDelete