Hi, I am almost three weeks out from the MC diagnosis and have some questions about vitamins. I went to WF today and got some Vit D3. How much should I take on a daily basis? The jar says 1000 iu a day. I also got some magnesium oil spray and will begin using that for leg cramps. Are there any other vitamins I need to be taking at this point? One more thing--I'm on the fourth day of taking the three Budesonide tablets all at once after taking one three times a day for two weeks. Wow! The side effects are really getting to me--random pains on the right side of my face and ear, left side and lower back (some pains almost take my breath away), feels like a bladder infection almost daily but not all day. Will it be this way until I am off the Budesonide or does it get better the longer I am on it? Thanks for whatever help anyone can give me. I learn so much from all the posts.
Sharon
Question on vitamins/side effects of entocort
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Hi Sharon,
I'm new to this community too! You will probably get as many unique answers to this question as there are people on this board. This is what I take (it's fairly minimal). D3 I take 5000 IU almost every day. My levels were low. If I use my anti-inflammatory medical food, I cut down to 3-4x per week. I take a high dose EPA/DHA supplement. I take a methylated B complex with high B12 called Glycogenics (by Metagenics, no allergens in the coating). Plus I also take some L-Glutamine to "support" gut healing, which I'm skeptical of but figure it can't hurt me. And I take L-Lysine for some viral issues I have as well. No multi, don't believe in them.
As for my medication, I'm reluctantly on 40mg of prednisone at this moment. It's been one week with no improvement in D (which I've had for nearly 20 years, so maybe it'll take a longer time to work), and only somewhat positive side effects. Increase energy (and, if I may say, friskiness?
), no real trouble sleeping, and increased flexibility which is good since I'm a martial artist. No weight gain, moodiness or any kind of pain. Not sure how long to wait for a D improvement, I kind of expected it within 5 days and this is day 7. So sorry you are having the bad effects with the budesonide, I tried that early on, once again with no effects and no side effects. I'm sure others will have some insight for you.
Good luck!
Mary
I'm new to this community too! You will probably get as many unique answers to this question as there are people on this board. This is what I take (it's fairly minimal). D3 I take 5000 IU almost every day. My levels were low. If I use my anti-inflammatory medical food, I cut down to 3-4x per week. I take a high dose EPA/DHA supplement. I take a methylated B complex with high B12 called Glycogenics (by Metagenics, no allergens in the coating). Plus I also take some L-Glutamine to "support" gut healing, which I'm skeptical of but figure it can't hurt me. And I take L-Lysine for some viral issues I have as well. No multi, don't believe in them.
As for my medication, I'm reluctantly on 40mg of prednisone at this moment. It's been one week with no improvement in D (which I've had for nearly 20 years, so maybe it'll take a longer time to work), and only somewhat positive side effects. Increase energy (and, if I may say, friskiness?
), no real trouble sleeping, and increased flexibility which is good since I'm a martial artist. No weight gain, moodiness or any kind of pain. Not sure how long to wait for a D improvement, I kind of expected it within 5 days and this is day 7. So sorry you are having the bad effects with the budesonide, I tried that early on, once again with no effects and no side effects. I'm sure others will have some insight for you.Good luck!
Mary
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Gabes-Apg
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Sharon,
Re the Vit D3, most who take it have doses between 2000iu to 6000iu, or more.
Ideally it would be good to have a test result to know what your level is, and if you are deficient.
Also, it depends on where you live, ie how much uv exposure you are getting, how inflammed your body is and if you have any other health issues that would be using the D3.
IMO, Maintenance level for someone with MC would be 2000iu to 6000iu.
If you are deficient you may need to do higher doses for 8-12 weeks to correct the deficiency.
Magnesium is also very good, this will also help keep Vit D3 at good levels in the cells. If using mag spray, use it a few times a day. A good intake of magnesium would be min 600mg of elemental magnesium per day. Again, if you are deficient higher doses would be awesome.
The other good 'bang for your buck' vitamins. Vit C and Zinc.
Vit C helps reduce histamine inflammation, cell rebuilding and healing. High doses can treat candida if you have it.
Zinc is also has multiple benefits for mouth health, gut healing, cell health, clearing toxins from the gut etc.
In Mc world our gut can be a bit sensitive, When starting any supplement, start slow and gradually increase the dose over a couple of weeks. Only start one new one at a time, be stable on that supp before you commence another.
Always double check inactive ingredients...
IMO, Lingual versions are worth the extra cost, as they are absorbed better.
Hope this helps.
Happy healing
Re the Vit D3, most who take it have doses between 2000iu to 6000iu, or more.
Ideally it would be good to have a test result to know what your level is, and if you are deficient.
Also, it depends on where you live, ie how much uv exposure you are getting, how inflammed your body is and if you have any other health issues that would be using the D3.
IMO, Maintenance level for someone with MC would be 2000iu to 6000iu.
If you are deficient you may need to do higher doses for 8-12 weeks to correct the deficiency.
Magnesium is also very good, this will also help keep Vit D3 at good levels in the cells. If using mag spray, use it a few times a day. A good intake of magnesium would be min 600mg of elemental magnesium per day. Again, if you are deficient higher doses would be awesome.
The other good 'bang for your buck' vitamins. Vit C and Zinc.
Vit C helps reduce histamine inflammation, cell rebuilding and healing. High doses can treat candida if you have it.
Zinc is also has multiple benefits for mouth health, gut healing, cell health, clearing toxins from the gut etc.
In Mc world our gut can be a bit sensitive, When starting any supplement, start slow and gradually increase the dose over a couple of weeks. Only start one new one at a time, be stable on that supp before you commence another.
Always double check inactive ingredients...
IMO, Lingual versions are worth the extra cost, as they are absorbed better.
Hope this helps.
Happy healing
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Sharon,
Please be aware that when Gabes says:
I take 3,500 IU of vitamin D in the summer months, and 6,500 IU during the rest of the year, and I live in sunny Central Texas where I get a lot of sun exposure. But I like to keep my vitamin D level higher then most members here. My test result last May was 95 ng/ml. Most members here would probably be satisfied with half that level. This is the first time in a long time (since my surgery, 4 years ago) that I've been able to get it back up that high. It was 54 last year, and 45 before that.
I notice that the ragweed has been blooming around here for at least several weeks now, but so far I haven't had any significant symptoms. Most years it has been a PITA, with runny nose, watery eyes, etc. I can't help but wonder if the extra vitamin D has anything to do with that (since vitamin D helps to make the immune system work right), but maybe no one else around here is having any problems with it either this year, for all I know.
In Nebraska you probably won't be able to get much vitamin D from the sun during the late fall, winter, and early spring months.
Tex
Please be aware that when Gabes says:
she's referring to intake through the skin (transdermal), not oral intake. 600 mg of oral magnesium would almost surely cause D for someone who has MC. You probably assumed as much, since she specified a magnesium spray, but I felt obligated to point that out in case anyone else reading the post overlooked the "spray" designation.Gabes wrote:A good intake of magnesium would be min 600mg of elemental magnesium per day. Again, if you are deficient higher doses would be awesome.
I take 3,500 IU of vitamin D in the summer months, and 6,500 IU during the rest of the year, and I live in sunny Central Texas where I get a lot of sun exposure. But I like to keep my vitamin D level higher then most members here. My test result last May was 95 ng/ml. Most members here would probably be satisfied with half that level. This is the first time in a long time (since my surgery, 4 years ago) that I've been able to get it back up that high. It was 54 last year, and 45 before that.
I notice that the ragweed has been blooming around here for at least several weeks now, but so far I haven't had any significant symptoms. Most years it has been a PITA, with runny nose, watery eyes, etc. I can't help but wonder if the extra vitamin D has anything to do with that (since vitamin D helps to make the immune system work right), but maybe no one else around here is having any problems with it either this year, for all I know.
In Nebraska you probably won't be able to get much vitamin D from the sun during the late fall, winter, and early spring months.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I take 3-4000 D a day. When you are in the beginning stages of trying to heal, it's a good idea to not take too many supplements. They are mostly going right through you anyway. It's just "more" for your body to deal with. Almost three years out, I have added C, mag. lotion, and ginger.
I didn't have any side effects from the Budesonide, but I went against recommendations and took one pill three times during the day. I don't know if that makes a difference. I hope it starts working for you and the side effects lessen.
Leah
I didn't have any side effects from the Budesonide, but I went against recommendations and took one pill three times during the day. I don't know if that makes a difference. I hope it starts working for you and the side effects lessen.
Leah
Hi Leah,
Thanks so much for the info on the vitamins you take and the timing of when to start. I started taking one Budesonide three times a day but had trouble sleeping. I got on here and discovered that I should have been taking three tabs at one time so just started that last Friday, I think. The side effects really hit me with the more concentrated dose.
I am taking this one day at a time and trying to get through whatever comes. I remember your words--"you will get your life back" and that was so encouraging to me.
Thanks again for your reply. Have a great week.
Sharon
Thanks so much for the info on the vitamins you take and the timing of when to start. I started taking one Budesonide three times a day but had trouble sleeping. I got on here and discovered that I should have been taking three tabs at one time so just started that last Friday, I think. The side effects really hit me with the more concentrated dose.
I am taking this one day at a time and trying to get through whatever comes. I remember your words--"you will get your life back" and that was so encouraging to me.
Thanks again for your reply. Have a great week.
Sharon