Disappointed with vitamins -- am I just too impatient?
 

Last month I bought some sublingual B12 from the health food store, hoping that would give me some energy. It hasn't.

Someone said that people with Multiple Sclerosis should take Omega 3's and B complex. Haven't noticed any difference, but its only been a couple of weeks. (It does make my pee a fluorescent yellow, though!) :D


I've been taking generic Zyrtec for allergies every night, so maybe that's making me tired. I also take a small dose of an AD.

I do take generic Synthroid every morning for low thyroid. Also LDN for MS at nights.


Am I just taking too many pills for my body to figure out, or are my expectations for added energy too high?


I know I should eat better and exercise regularly. But I'm just too lazy. Isn't there something (legal) that can give me a lift so that I feel lively and energetic? Any suggestions?

It might be unrealistic expectations. Actually, when I first started taking vitamin B12 (due to a vitamin B12 deficiency)... I experienced a hit by a truck fatigue for acouple of months... as apparently my body was busy repairing nerves and it can take a lot out of you.

I've never really found anything to make me energetic... I'm hypothyroid too, and although treated... I think I'm destined to never feel as energetic as I'd like. Exercise does help my energy level a little... but I never seem to stick with it... more on and off when it comes to that.

Vitamins won't do it Twinks. You can get Provigil by RX that will give you a bit more energy (it's what I take.) Vitamins definitely will not do it.

Well, I get hangovers from Zyrtec. So when I have to take it
I take 1/2 tablet. I find it works fine for allergies at the half dose and the weird fatigue it causes doesn't happen.

People mistakenly think vitamins "cure" something. But in reality they are for maintenance and repair.

Omegas over time will improve skin, and improve allergies/asthma, will help ADHD, minimize risk for cardiovascular problems. Often these are subtle effects.

My asthma took 3 months to show improvement on Omegas.

Some people don't "feel" anything. Others like my son, felt much more clear headed, and started doing better in school.
If one is low in the Omega-3 called DHA, and has a depression as a result, there may be mood improvement.

MS patients show improvements with B12 (if they are low) and Vit D especially. There are some Vit D threads on MS forum now, so try doing a search on that.
Please watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

How much B12 are you taking? and what kind?

Yep...

I was thinking your prescription meds or an OTC med might be the real culprit.
Too much, too often or not appropriate at all.

Many times vitamins take a long time to really make their way into your system or to make a difference. I suppose taking several different things at once could also make it a little confusing.

If you have signficant energy problems, try not to take any medications that are sedating or ask your doctor if you can keep the dosage very small.

And if fatigue continues to be a problem, you might have to try a variety of different things to get it under control...vitmains just being one piece of the puzzle.

Wishing you well.

Thanks, MrsD. I watched enough of the video to be convinced about taking Vit D. Can I count on Calcium supplements with added Vit D to provide enough? It says 2 caplets provide 100% of rec Vit D.

I'm taking sublingual B-12 500 ZipMelt. (5000 mcg).

Wiz mentioned Provigil. What is it, exactly? I've heard people mention it, but don't understand anything about it.

Thanks, friends, for your responses. Another miracle I was hoping for (by taking vitamins) was that the dark circles under my eyes would disappear. But I've been reading up on them, and it doesn't sound likely. *sigh Too little, too late, I guess.

Funny, my older brother (age 73) has exercised, eaten healthfully and taken daily handfulls of vitamin supplements for decades and he doesn't have the greatest health. And yet, both our parents lived into their nineties with few physical health problems. I guess there's just no guarantees, are there?

The video states that if you do not get Vit D testing you can safely start at 2000IUs daily of D3.

But since new research is showing very low Vit D levels in patients with MS now, I think you should get tested, as you may need much higher doses.

People all vary in what their bodies require. We genetically may require more of a nutrient than someone else. Research is just scratching the surface about this.

I would continue with what you are doing so far. The list you are taking is very heart healthy and has no down side, and not very expensive. Most people when they start to use supplements, make additions, or raise or lower dose, to find what works best for them. I think you should give your list now a good 6mos before modifying it.

Calcium/Vit D mixtures only reflect small D doses. That is because the information we have now is very new, and the mixtures reflect the old thoughts about normal D intake/safety.

I would still like to know how much and what type of B12 you are using. The best form is methylcobalamin and should be at least 1mg a day up to 5mg a day, on an empty stomach.

Hi Twinks,

Provigil is RXd off label for MS patients with fatigue, that's why I take it. It needs to be started at a low dose though so keep that in mind. It's originally for narcolepsy and helps to provide wakefulness. It doesn't stimulate the central nervous system like some other meds used for the same thing. It's why it's best for me, since it doesn't affect my blood pressure.

I take a generic citrical with D. I also take 1000 mg of liquid vitamin D in a gel cap. I tried 2000 and it didn't agree with me.

According to Tara, the nutritionist over on MS World, liquid D is absorbed much better than pills or dry caplets. I don't know why, but that's why I use that type.

I was never tested for it, but I can't drink milk and so I don't get much D in my diet. I've seen many articles stating that the old dosing for RDA of vitamin D might be way off and that most people can probably use more than they get.

There are only 100 IUs of D2 in 8 oz of milk. The less active D2 and very very low dose.

If you view the video link, it explains that only very low values of D are needed for rickets prevention/treatment. The other uses of Vit D require much higher dosing than can be found in food.

I use liquigels for my D. Not dry caps or tablets.