One of my best weeks in the past 3 years (multivitamins the cause?)
 

I've been taking vitamins on and off for a month or so. Lately, I've taken multivitamins every day for a week and a half.. The last 7-8 days have been the best stretch in years. I have worked every day of the week + Saturday. I also consistently work 3-4 hour days. That seems like nothing compared to the average person. However, for me it's a major milestone. For example, some days I can only tolerate an hour or so. Also, some days the symptoms are so bad that I have to stay home.

I thought I'd just echo the sentiments of some of the veterans on this board. Vitamins are clearly beneficial and a simple multivitamin might be all it takes to give your life less variability. They haven't cured me, but have really helped.

The vitamin is just a generic drug store brand.

I'll report back if the trend continues. Interestingly the weather has been clear blue skies for over a week, so that also could be a reason why I've been feeling better. I find consistent dry weather is best.

If you were deficient in a vitamin, a multi could show benefit. But, multis are dosed to prevent deficiency, not to provide additional vitamin levels. There are some much needed trace vitamins and elements that can be very beneficial.

It would be interesting to see how well you do on supplementation level vitamins.

A listing of the ingredients would be interesting.

Vitamins
Beta Carotene 1800 mcg
Vitamin A 300 mcg
Vitamin D3 15 mcg
Vitamin E 22.5 mg
Vitamin B1 2.25 mg
Vitamin B2 3.2 mg
Niacinamide 15 mg
Vitamin B6 5 mg
Vitamin B12 20 mcg
Folic Acid 600 mcg
Biotin 45 mcg
Pontothenic Acid 10 mg
Vitamin K1 25 mcg

Minerals
Calcium 200 mg
Potassium 80 mg
Magnesium 50 mg
Iron 10 mg
Zinc 7.5 mg
Manganese 5 mg
Copper 1 mg
Iodine 150 mcg
Selenium 55 mcg
Molybdenum 45 mcg
Chromium 35 mcg

Other ingredients
Lycopene 600 mcg
Lutein 500 mcg

I also notice some heart/chest pain. A bit of a sharp pain that subsides. However, I don't notice it all the time. Maybe I should take it easy on the vitamins?

That said, I feel better otherwise.

Interestingly the weird facial numbness, eyelid weakness I usually get when I am symptomatic is much less noticeable now. In fact it is close to nil. I'm thinking whatever vitamin that is good for nerves (peripheral cranial) might be what is helping.

The only thing that is in a therapeutic dose level is the Folic Acid, the rest are barely maintenance levels. The minerals are good because the trace minerals can be important for some diets. Adding a 1000 to 2500 mcgs of B-12 and D-3 and adding all of the antioxidants would be good. More B-6 (100-200 mgs) would also be good because B-6 is like a quarterback/director of many other B vitamins.

The chest pain may be a bit of acid reflux. I get that occasionally. A chewable antacid or sometimes, just a glass of water often resolves mine. It usually last for just a few minutes. I have never been able to find a cause. It just happens.

Interesting, I have a gluten sensitivity. Perhaps that is a reason why the increase in folic acid has helped? They say that people with gluten sensitivities need more folic acid. Then again it could be diet. I've cut back wheat and grains and perhaps that is a reason why I am low on folic acid.

I'll keep you updated.

You may not be low on folic acid prior to taking the multi. You may have just needed more to obtain a therapeutic level. In other words, you have enough for your body to sustain life, but you needed more to heal. Folic acid is important for nerve repair, blood brain barrier and some other things. Many who have sensitivities to certain foods also have vitamin deficiencies. A gut that is angry against invading foods often does not absorb nutrients well.

So, there are two issues to consider.
Are you malnourished ? or
Are you properly nourished for a healthy body but need more nourishment for a body that is under healing stress and needs more nourishment ?

The doseages on multis is usually to prevent malnourishment.

btw. People with gluten sensitivities often are deficient in all or most of the B vitamins.

Thanks for the wise words.

I'm likely not malnourished. I have a pretty balanced diet. Interestingly, I eat a few avocados a week (they supposedly are high in folic acid)

As I said previously, I experience less facial numbness and eye numbness. A neurologist said that there might be something wrong with my vestibular nerve and I'm confident that the nerve might be affecting my eye, face, ear and side of head. These nerves branch out and such.

I'll mention these new findings to my rehab doc when I see him in a few weeks.