I actually would NOT take this supplement. It has too many immune boosting supplements in it....
You need to be very conscious of immune boosting properties. Its important to be extremely careful, with MS that you dont trigger your immune system. Things like Green tea, pin Bark and Ginko should all be avoided...Your better off taking individual supplements. Things like a good quality fish oil, with Omega 3, taking an Omega 6 and 9, as well as Vitamin D3 (calcipherol) are important. Calcium is important, Tumeric is a good antiinflamatory- Magnesium is also good; however 99% of what is listed in your supplement is not going to do anything for you and 10% of it can actually trigger MS symtoms...
Although talking to your pharmacist is always a good idea; most pharmacists do not really know what affects MS or doesnt. My pharmacist isnt even aware of what Rebif or Avonex does..I get it mail ordered! I have found that talking toy our nurse at your MS center is the best source of information for supplements, or call a nutritionist.
Nikki
From what I have read and learned, any immune boosting items should be avoided. I am in the in between waiting stage, but I am even more convinced now that I may have MS. I started supplementing with a Naturopath this past year. I was told to take 8000 mg of Vitamin C for a couple days to clear my cold + a daily supplement with 5000 mg of Vit. A. 2 days later I got extreme Vertigo which lasted constantly for about 7 weeks. I still am taking Gravol for dizziness + Vertigo + that was October. I also suddenly got blurry vision about a month ago that comes + goes. I have had ON so the Dr wasn't sure, but also had an abnormal VEP 2 months ago. Like I said, started all this supplementation in the last year. Oh and in December the right side of my face + right arm went numb + still are.
So my advice is to stay away from immune boosting items. Too risky. But I am not a Dr. Just my opinion.
Thanks so much for your replies, it's very difficult to figure out what the best approach is. I read Ann Boroch's book on healing MS, and she suggests taking a lot of these types of supplements as well as following a really strict diet. I tried the diet for three weeks and lost 10 pounds that I couldn't afford to lose and decided just sticking to a low fat, low sugar diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is probably the best way to go. My neurologist says none of these diets or supplements that claim to heal MS have ever been proven to work and people who say they have healed themselves through diet are probably just in remission. Looks like I will be taking Avonex starting next week and I will definitely pick up some of the vitamins mentioned here. Besides Avonex, a healthy diet, vitamins and exercise, has anyone discovered anything else that can be done to help prevent frequency and severity of future attacks? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Debby. Your Neuro is right. The sad truth is there are more "snake oil" salesmen on the internet and in publish then anywhere else- especially when it comes to miracle cures.
I have spent a good amount of time with nutritionists whose advice I respect, along with some excellent MS specialists and Neurologists....they all tell me the same thing. Eat what you want. Stick to a heart healthy diet because overall, its the best thing for your system, for ANYONEs system. Dont sacrafice things you love, just do them in moderation, if they are rich in fat, or high in sugar, or even megacarbs! My weaknesses are carbs and ice cream. Both of which I eat almost daily- but in small amounts! I too, have to watch losing weight...at only 5'4 and 105 lbs, I lose it faster then anyone I know. The supplements which I mentioned to you earlier are not so much going to HELP your MS as much as they are going to keep your body healthy. There is some proof that some of the anti-inflamatories do help to keep symtoms at bay- and of course supplements with Omega 3-6-9 are important for overall brain health, thus POSSIBLY reducing lesions- but there isnt any proof. The proof is how it makes you feel....I tried after staying on all my suppplements for a year to go off them for a few months (I was having scheduled surgery and fish oils are blood thinners, not recommended to take the month prior to surgery) anyway, I can honestly tell you that my body didnt have the same energy level- my fatigue came back....but other then that, nothing really changed. Fact or fiction? Who knows....like most things with MS you do what is right for your body...and your body will tell you if it isnt right!
Be careful with exercising, especially now that the summer months are coming...overheating is the number one way to trigger feeling terrible. Keep your exercise to either air conditioned comfort and in small time frames, or keep it in the pool! Keeping your body temp regulated is very important. Nothing brings on a relapse faster then overheating. Be careful of heated pools in the winter..most places keep them at about 76 degrees. WAY too hot for MS patients (although perfect for arthritis).
MS is MS. THere is nothing that will stop a relapse, attack or a bad day....except your attitude. Plenty of rest, sticking to your shots, attempting to avoid exceptionally stressful situations (hey, we dont live in a bubble!) and of course eating a healthy diet and not overindulging will help..
As you go along, you start to figure out what works for you and what doesnt.
Hugs
Nikki
