Multi-Vitamin

[Tallblonde]

I'd be interested in getting some recomendations for specific brands of multi-vitamins that some of you are taking.  I stopped taking my usual multi-vitamin after I got my diagnosis because of its high iron content.  I keep shopping my local stores for something better, but they all seem to be high in iron.  Also, I've heard commercials for "Liverite" (www.liverite.com).  Is this a good direction to go in?  Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Susan

[nurse12hr]

Try a "Mens" formula of multivit.  And if you still can't find one, ask your friendly pharmacist.  Iron-free vitamins ARE out there.

[lackalustre]

check out puritans pride or vitamin world.  their prices are great and many of their products tested by www.consumerlabs.com.  i avoid multi level marketing as too many people have to make money off their products in spite of all their "cure" claims.

[jungle jim]

Centrum silver contains no iron and is readily available.

[Ambush]

I get a CVS brand of Centrum silver and it is much cheaper. I would imagine most big drugstore chains have a generic brand.
ambush :)

[jamit_a]

Hi,
I myself shop at Puritans Pride and find that they have great deals! You can also try Twinlabs they have good quality vitamins as well.


jamit_a

[CARUU]

I believe I've read here that the senior vitamins do not contain iron.  correct?  How important is it to minimize the iron?  caruu

[hph5477]

I take a children's multivitamin (doesn't have as much vitamin A in it which too much vitamin A can contribute to osteoporisis).  Saw my GIPA yesterday and she had just returned from a seminar and told me to take a multivitamin with iron and also 800 IU's of vitamin E.  She said the multivitamin I was taking was fine.  I went last night and purchased some vitamin E and began taking today.  Supposedly, these two things should contribute to keeping our numbers (blood counts) in the right range.

I'm sure you're like me and don't want to have any additional shots due to blood counts getting too low.  She also told me counts drop the most in the first 8 weeks so if I'm still okay at 8 weeks, I should make it through full treatment without additional help from Procrit or the one for WBC's.

Hope this helps.

[doll face]

I asked the same questions months ago and so many people here reccomended Centrum Silver. Asked my doctor about it and he said that everyone had good advise centum silver is the one he reccomends also to his patients.

[GI.PA]

<Grin>
Either you are my patient (suspected) or your GIPA went to the same conference!

Erin
GI.PA

[hph5477]

You got it on the first guess.

[Tallblonde]

hph5477: I'm slightly confused about the multivitamin you're taking. Are you taking a children's vitamin, or are you saying your GIPA (Erin) suggested you use another one, in addition to the Vitamin E.  It would be most helpful if you tell me the brand of multi-vitamin you're using.

And everyone else...thanks so much to all of you for your recommendations.  I've been so afraid to take ANYTHING since my diagnosis.  But now I'm starting to worry about NOT taking supplements.  I guess I just like to worry!

Susan

[CARUU]

I've been taking a multi vitamin (grocery store brand), 400 IU Vitamin E, 250 mg Vitaman C and 1200 Calcium for years.  I've continued with the same since dx and starting tx.  My doc let me know today that, although my blood counts have dropped some, I'm within a range that I don't need to get another blood test for 4 weeks.  Just keep doing the Peg and riba.  I will see him in two weeks, so he can monitor my emotional state.  (I'm changing from Paxil to Effexor).  Basically, I feel like I'm plugging along and can't believe I'm coming up on shot #6 already.  Seems like not long ago at all that I was so fearful, hurt, confused, embarrassed, etc., etc.  Now I'm moving forward the best I can.  I give a lot of credit to this forum!  The advice is great.  I would not have known about Aveeno, Biotene, the mix for nose sores, water, water, water, and all the other great advice. caruu

[hph5477]

I just take the Eckerds brand of Children's Multivitamin and the Eckerds brand of Vitamin E.  My GIPA just said to take a multivitamin and 800 IU's of Vitamin E daily so that was the strength that I bought.  Most multivitamins are very similar, if not the same.  I'm not sure that brand matters much but you might try one of the brands that someone else has recommended.  When I was searching for a multivitamin they all looked pretty much the same to me; I am taking the children's version in order to cut back on the Vitamin A.  I figure I get enough A in my regular diet.

I also take a calcium supplement (Viactiv calcium chews).  I'm female, 46, and should be getting 1500mg of calcium daily.  Most of this I get in my regular diet but I do take one calcium chew (500 mg) each morning; sometimes another one at night if I'm not getting my dairy products in that day.

[berlynn]

Ok guys,I've been on here for a couple of weeks, I am a 1a on pegasys and riba and as of last night I am 23/48.  I know that most of you guys aren't into a lot of natural stuff, but I think that this is important.  My daughter who is a chiropractic assistant advised me to take liquid vitamins (you can get them at a health food store). I am going to have her explain why.....

Hey everyone I am Sharla, Kimber's (berlynn)daughter.  Just to give you a little tip on choosing a multi-vitamin.  The best thing to do is put a sinlge pill (one of the vitamins you are now using) into a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve.  The pill should fully dissolve within an hour to an hour and a half. If it does not, it is more than likely that your body is not absorbing the nutrients and vitamins it needs.  I have reviewed many x-rays where there are people's vitamins sitting in their bowells. Obviously, these pills were not absorbed in the body during digestion.  So basicly, these people are taking their vitamins and sh***ing them out. Some vitamins do dissolve within 1 to 1 and a half, so please check yours.

I hope this information is usefull, and I wish you all the best of luck in your treatment/life/SVR!!!!!!!!  My prayers are with you, and thank you so much for being here for my mom.  I give her all the support I can, but I know that it is important for her to talk to people who are experiencing the same tx/sx she is going through.

Sharla

I hope this helps and doesn't ruffle any feathers. Good luck!    berlynn

[slarso]

Hi Folks,
I asked my doc for some help with insomnia. TylenolPM just did not do the trick. I have been a whirling dirvish in bed for several hours and only getting about 4 good hours of sleep. So he prescribed Temazpam. I know lots of you have used ambien, so any comments. I am concerned about becomming dependent on sleep aids. I guess it is worth the price though. Have you tx pro's out there used sleep aids for the duration of treatment?

I have just finished my first week. It was better than I expected, I expected the worst. So the way I look at it is that I have only 47 1 week experiences left! I can do that!

To Tri-guy
I ran on Sun, much slower than usual and it was hard to just go slow. I swam tonight and it was very good. By far eaiser than biking or running. It really does help to get out there, Thanks for all your info

steve

[jonihs]

I looked your sleep med. up in PDR on-line. It's non-generic name is restirol. The only thing I see as potential problem is not to just stop taking it. Reduce dosage gradually or could lead to convulsions. Not fun. Also you could build up a tolerance so might need more after a few months, but not w/out Dr. approval. www.pdr.com.  Joni

[oldhippiechick67]

I take restoril/tamazepam(15mg)fairly often, cuz of the usual two hrs of tossing and turning and mind wont SHUT UP! Its an older, common sleeping pill (than Ambien), I figure if it is still around it must work. I have taken them since Aug and so far no need to increase the dose. When I see my primary I may ask him about switching to Ambien if the possibility of tolerance to one kind of sleeping pill is
a worry.  But so far so good.  Glad exercize is helping you and you're able to do it...be careful dont drown or swim alone, tx can make you weak before you realize it.  Happy Trails!  OHC

[slarso]

Thanks for the info, I hope it works tonight

oh yeah, I stay in the shallow end just in case!

[layla]

I take ambian and think it's great. It does act very fast so i don't take it until I am in bed. I usually take 1/2 and fall asleep then if I wake up in the night I take the other 1/2. On occasions I've taken a whole one when I am particularly antsy. I don't notice any left over drugged feeling in the morning and I don't believe it's addictive. One month I took it every night then stopped for a week and no problems at all. I really don't know about the drug you are taking but that's my comment on ambian. Glad to see you getting some work outs in. I'm off to do my lame work out now but it does help. Have a good day. LL

[Tri-guy]

This threads getting old so I'm not sure you'll see this.  It's great that your getting workouts in.  I really believe it helps me on several different levels.   First week or two I took a TylenolPM a couple of times but haven't found I've needed anything the last month.  Felt wired the first week or so of treatment but my body seemed to adjust within the first month.  Hopefully your system will settle down and adjust to where you won't need anything.   My system also seems to have adjusted to my workouts over the last few weeks so that the initial fatigue isn't as bad as it was in the beginning.   Like you said,  one week at a time and you'll get through it.  Can't feel any worse than mile 10 in the marathon of a Ironman right?

[slarso]

Funny thing you said that< Iwas telling my wife over the weekend that I am not as tired as a 15 mile hill run or 50 on a bike. Perhaps as long distance athletes we are use to draging our butts around!
Thanks for the good words