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Ted Hutchinson
11-04-2006, 09:46 AM
In order to keep the Vitamin D and Fibromyalgia thread on topic I'd like to use this thread for discussion of other possible useful vitamin/supplement suggestions.

Ninety-eight percent of the patients had used some type of CAM therapy during the previous 6 months. The 10 most frequently used CAM treatments were exercise for a specific medical problem (48%), spiritual healing (prayers) (45%), massage therapy (44%), chiropractic treatments (37%), vitamin C (35%), vitamin E (31%), magnesium (29%), vitamin B complex (25%), green tea (24%), and weight-loss programs (20%). (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15667030&query_hl=9&itool=pubmed_docsum) shows that most people with FMS get so frustrated with prescribed medications they are willing to try other Alernative/complementary therapies.

As there is good evidence suggesting FMS is associated with autoimmune response it seems to me all the basic vitamin suggestions made at Direct -ms supplement list (http://www.direct-ms.org/supplements.html) may have a place in helping FMS.

Anyone considering Vitamin C should be aware that there is a low take up rate from single large doses so it follows that a Ig Vitamin C tablet would be best quartered and each quarter taken every 6hrs.
It's also the case that once in the blood stream it's half life is measured in minutes, around 30mins, so another good reason for taking frequent low dose quantities or choosing a time release formulation, or just upping the quantity of fruit and veg you consume during the day.

Elsewhere on this site is a mrsdoubtfyre's MAGNESIUM information: (http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2742) thread leading to excellent magnesium info. More Magnesium & Fibro information and links (http://stuff.mit.edu/people/london/magnesium.html)

Total antioxidant capacity and the severity of the pain in patients with fibromyalgia. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16805968&query_hl=10&itool=pubmed_docsum) supports the use of both vitamin c and vitamin e.

Tootsie
11-04-2006, 08:43 PM
It is probably reasonable to assume, that for someone deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, any correction of this deficiency would be beneficial.

However, to assume that everyone with fibromyalgia would benefit from any particular vitamin or mineral supplement is really stretching the point.

Most of us have found that a diet encompassing all of the nutrients, recommended by the American Dietetic Association is the best way to deal with fibromyalgia on the nutrition issue. Cheerio.

Ted Hutchinson
11-05-2006, 05:40 AM
It is probably reasonable to assume, that for someone deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, any correction of this deficiency would be beneficial.

However, to assume that everyone with fibromyalgia would benefit from any particular vitamin or mineral supplement is really stretching the point.

Most of us have found that a diet encompassing all of the nutrients, recommended by the American Dietetic Association is the best way to deal with fibromyalgia on the nutrition issue. Cheerio.From the ADA we see their Vitamin D recommendations are
1–3yrs 200iu/d
4–8yrs 200iu/d
9–18yrs 200iu/d
19–50yrs 200iu/d
51–70yrs 400iu/d
71yrs and over 600 iu/d
From achieving 25OHD concentrations of 80 or higher may require a daily oral intake of 2200IU (55microg) or more in addition to prevailing cutaneous inputs. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16026981&query_hl=6&itool=pubmed_docsum) You will find more links to more recent research showing the need for higher levels of vitamin D than currently recommended at The vitamin D council (http://www.vitamindcouncil.com/) Remember that no one will get rich persuading people to raise their vitamin d status. You just need to lie naked in the sun for 15 mins for your skin (assuming you are Caucasian, blacks need longer) to make around 12,000iu for free.

If you continue in your belief that sticking strictly to the recommendations of the ADA will solve your Fibromyalgia problem you will never solve your problem.

Ted Hutchinson
11-11-2006, 01:12 PM
Some herbal and nutritional supplements (magnesium, S- adenosylmethionine) and massage therapy have the best evidence for effectiveness with FM. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16454724&query_hl=47&itool=pubmed_docsum)

some herbal and nutritional supplements (magnesium, SAMe) and massage therapy have the best evidence for effectiveness with FMS (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12849718&query_hl=47&itool=pubmed_docsum)

The role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia
(http://web.mit.edu/london/www/magnesium.html)

Mrs Doubtfire has some good Magnesium info on the vitamins thread. (http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?p=23058#post23058)

Emily1
11-12-2006, 02:51 PM
Doctors who had treated me for fibromyalgia missed me being b12 deficient for 10 years.
After b12 treatment I could sleep again, leg cramps got much better, and I could think again.

Some fibro specialists treat with b12 if someones test is under 540 as there is evidence beginning there causes changes and helps people. If your b12 has been under 540 or you dont know it is worth doing.