I've been going over my meds and supplements w/a fine tooth comb and I noticed that in concert, the suppls. have in total have an awful LOT of B-6 and Vit D.

I realize large quantities are often useful...but, at what point do these border on the toxic?

Also, since I'm on so many different meds for different things, I've a feeling that the minor s/e's of some are beginning to gang up & add up. Any idea if a doc is the kind of person I see, or someone in a field more eccentric?

You know me, point me in the right direction...all I'm finding to date is inconsistent.

Heartfelt thanks in advance! - j

No idea about vit d but my neuro said not to exceed 20 mgs of B6 - even though people usually take up to 100!!

Hi, 2 mgs of Vitamin B6 is considered safe for me. 10 times the RDA limit is a mega dose for people with CMT. Perhaps it would be different for you.

Kitt

These pages are invaluable:

http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductsL...rbs&cid=health has links to all types of information.

http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=33802 is for herbs and supplements

The B6 article is at http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=21852 . The maximum safe dose for adults is 100 mg, but I wouldn't get near that. The theraputic dose is about 30 mg and the RDA is under 2 mg.

The vitamin D article is at http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=21657
The recommended dosage depends on what for and in combination with what. The RDA is about 400 iu ( 10 mcg ). The upper limit is about 2,000 mcg. I'd try to stay about with the RDA, or maybe a little higher if you take supplemental calcium. Vitamin D can be toxic and can interfere with drugs. The entire article is well worth reading.

As a general thing, we don't digest and process food as efficiently as we age. Also, disease states (like PN) often respond well to supplemental vitamins, mineral, amino acids, herbs, and plant extracts. That being said, anything in excess is toxic, and a balance is important. Also, interactions are important.

As an interaction example, there is a lot of research supporting the beneficial effects of fish oil for inflamation, neuropathy, arthritis, and skin and hair condition. However, fish oil slows down blood clotting time. if you take prescription blood thinners or supplemental daily aspirin, too much fish oil could just be enough blood thinning to cause a stoke or other hemmorage.

For a co-factor example, if you take supplemental calcium without having enough vitamin D, the calcium cannot be integrated into bone and nerve tissue, and is so excreted by the kidneys. Depending on amounts, this would increase the risk of painful kidney stones. If you take supplemental calcium, you MUST supplement with the proper amount of vitamin D, or go out in the sun daily, to the point of increasing the risk of skin cancer.

In summary, before taking any supplement, learn about it, about interactions with it, optimal doses, etc. Then procede by all means, but cautiously.

I hope this helps.

I did a little further checking and at very hight levels (200 mg or more per day) Vitamin B6 can eventually damage sensory nerves leading to numbness in the hands and feet as well as difficulty walking.

Kitt

I think I'll have to get all my docs on the same page. Even tho I include a summary list of the types of vitamins & suppls. I take, I've not included attachments of what's included in each one...knowing a doc's short-attention span. Can anyone lend me a short whip and a portable chair for the task?

Last week I'd sat down and listed how much of each was in each pill. The combination of each's recommended doses added up to FAR more than what you guys references are indicating. Not to mention a heap of pills! All in all confusing as this doc is saying 'Take more of this' and another 'more of that' & none of my blood tests show any panel for THIS stuff. Am I correct in assuming you just have to kind of cobble together a combo that's best giving you what YOU think you NEED?

More is better in some cases, the confusion for me is figuring out which whats' to get more of? Aside from B-1 & B-12, of course.

Gosh doing this for my animals was far, far easier to comprehend! Best always! - j

Here is what the Physicians Desk Reference says about B6:

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/n...vit_0215.shtml

There are certain conditions where even MORE B6 may be needed, such as B6 deficiency or dependency conditions...there are some links here~ http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/vitaminb6

I think 50mg P5P would be adequate for most people unless there is a special need (deficiency or dependency conditions). There is some data to support that the risk of adverse affects are minimized by using the P5P form of B6. I actually found that in print somewhere recently... but now I can't remember where.

Cara

I've tried to be soo careful..and well, wham! I really did it to myself! I was taking almost 700 mg between the super-multi and a b-complex. Since I've stopped, I'm feeling better, with the gravelly/tingle stuff on the fingertips and a bit of extra somethings in my insteps.
I really can't think what was going on in my mind! I think I was so focussed on the B-1 & 12's that the rest of the brain went into outer space.
I have to ask tho, why didn't the Docs notice this? I list all this stuff on my meds sheet [updated whenever there's a change...& its lengthy]. There are notes in my records questioning asorbtion problems..maybe I just thought It wouldn't get taken into the system...
Besides you folks, is a nutritionist one to formulate the perfect combo? I'm beginning to feel scattershot in my approach. When I'd thot I was methodical.
Soo, I guess I've got to re-read all the vitamin stuff I've ever learned [& hopefully BT stuff] soon.
What an adventure! Thank you all! - j

when you return from Jupiter, give me a call. We'll go moon-hopping.

be well,
Melody

It can be hard to figure out how much of what you are getting. We have actually used a spread sheet, and then it can be hard to find the right types of supplements to add up to the right amounts between stand alones and blends.

The doctor we worked with recommends a very basic multivitamin, and then you add in all the 'boosts' individually....which can of course add up to taking many separate things (which often means low compliance). I think you would do best to find a doctor who specializes in nutritional treatment~ like a DAN! doc or Integrative medicine type doctor.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just order how much of everything we need (with a doctor who could tell us) and order it up in one pill? Of course, that wouldn't address the things we are supposed to take SEPARATELY.

I'm glad you are feeling better.

Cara