Milk Thistle, Magnesium Citrate - benefits

[JackABCD]

My Fibrotest resukts are: F4,A3.
About to strat with tx.
Does it make sense tyo take these 2 supplementals ?

[Forseegood]

I've been taking magnesium for years, great for sleep and good elimination! ha ha! Ask your doc about it for treatment though, it's a mineral our bodies need anyway, but ask....I have heard that the very reason that milk thistle is good for the liver (because it cleans certain liver pathways) is the very reason one shouldn't take it on treatment, cause you want the meds to stay as long as possible, and not be cleaned out prematurely...that said, I have heard people say they think it was good for their treatment, so different takes, I'd ask your doc about it...

[WillPower]

I am post tx for 8 months (Neg TMA at 6) but my biggest residual tx side effect, other than a catastrophic loss of libido, some facial rash is "serious" constipation.  I have started magnesium.  Most IT sources on supplements are cya based.  I will not rely on your opinion, but I would like to know what amount you are taking, when, what intervals and any suggestions you have for my constipation problem.  

During tx, I stopped all red meat, reduced foul down to almost nothing and increased fish and vegetables for protein whenever possible.  This is why I KNOW my current level of constipation is a post tx side effect!  

Your "suggestions" and "experience" is very appreciated.  I need help on this one (constipation)!  Thanks, Al

[Kalio1]

I wouldn't start up any new products right before treatment. I'd stick with the multivitamin without iron and excellent nutrition. You might add some nutritional supplements or protein powder but I wouldn't add other things. I was instructed not to complicate the treatment drugs with adding various products or herbs and things because there is no study info to show that it won't compromise or complicate your treatment. If you stick with nutrients you are pretty safe. I take "green defense" to ensure I am getting a full complement of the correct vegetables each day since I can't manage 6 servings a day.
Once you finish treatment you can explore different products but I'd avoid them on tx.

[GoofyDad]

You called the right plumber my friend. The way that girl eliminates, I'm surprised there's anything left of her to do the posting.

[Forseegood]

he he, glad you added that proviso that you won't totally rely on my opinion, youre just getting different takes...well, at the risk of starting another unseemly constipation thread...I suffer from slight constipation, so does my sister and I think we have a genetic propensity for it from my mother, not to mention the hep might be playing in there somewhere, I've heard that can be a symptom...I'll just tell you what I do to set myself free...so to speak...and youre off treatment...

I take a 200 mg capsule of Magnesium Citrate just before bed...(please run this all by your doctor, and if you have a bad problem, I'd see a nutritionist as well) like I said, I find it helps with sleep and elimination...

I also take a product called Ultimate Fiber by Nature's Secret, you can get it online or at a Vitamin Shoppe, etc...I just take one small spoonful a day, others might two spoonfuls a day, but always take a little less then what it says on the package, and titer up to what you think is good for you...you don't want to take a lot of this at one time, could give you indigestion...it's pretty benign, mostly psyllium powder like a lot of products, but what I like about it is that they refine it really well, it's not all lumpy...

I also take 4 oz a day of aloe vera juice...there are many types, I find the really cheap one that Trader Joe's is very good...I mix it with water, and a little fruit juice, and I put the Ultimate Fiber in there, I don't mind it at all, but I've heard complaints...or you can put the Ultimate Fiber in whatever...this just works for me, so please don't send me any letters...just kidding...

[JackABCD]

I found Magnesium Citrate helping with 2 things:

contractions of muscles (shanks ) usually during night - as I know does happen with hep c, and Magnesium Citrate  really eliminate it.

Pressure in liver area - might be because of fibrosis, Magnesium Citrate loosen everything and might ease that.

[jmjm530]

The key to taking fiber supplements like Metamucil (psyllium) is to start with smaller doses and gradually increase. Most important is to drink PLENTY of water with them or they can become counter productive. Also, psyllium doesn't agree with everyone -- can cause bloating -- so you can experiment a bit with both insoluble and soluble fibers. My health food store geek recommended something called BeniFiber? Dissolves instantly but can't really say if it does anything. Best thing I found for constipation -- better than supplements -- were ripened Mangoes if you can find them.

-- Jim

[WillPower]

Thanks for your support on constipation subject.  I think next step is to "slowly" introduce fiber suppliment, once I find the best one.  A web site on IBS run by a webmaster known as "heather" suggests a specialty fiber from overseas, but I have been too impatient to take the months to gradually increase the amount.  Thanks...Al