This article listing Dr. Lapps's top 11 ME/CFS/FM supplements made the blog rounds about a month ago. Since then, it's been stuck in the back of my mind because I've been thinking about doing a blog post that summarizes my personal philosophy on supplements: how many to take; how much is too much; how do you know if they're really working. Basically at blog post that summarizes this entire blog.
There seems to be a split among patients. Some think that most/all supplements are an expensive waste of time or they can't tolerate them, and others find they lead to small improvements in symptoms, which they deem to be worth the trouble and expense. While I understand both sides, I am in the latter group.
I take the first 6 supplements on Dr. Lapp's list (Multi-vitamin, B12, D3, Calcium, Magnesium & D-Ribose), plus 9 and 11 (DHEA & Fish Oil). At one time or another I have been on all of these supplements, except # 10, Lysine, which is only indicated for herpetic mouth sores.
I need to spend more time gathering and organizing my thoughts on this for a future blog post, but the gist of my thinking is this: It may be very difficult to notice improvements based on any one of these supplements alone. The differences are very subtle. But collectively, I think they do improve quality of life for patients and I think they help put a dam in the middle of the "cascade of symptoms" that often drags patients further and further down as the years go on.
More on this in a future post...
Thank you for posting this. I've never taken NADH, DHEA, Lysine, multivitamin or B12, except in a B complex. I know I need the latter, but only just started working on my CBS mutation this week, so it might be a while before I get to the B12 stage. I finally started D-ribose 2 days ago- so many months after buying the brand you recommended! I'm basically trying something new every day, I have so much on my list! My biggest concern is calcium. I have osteopenia (maybe osteoporosis) and get none in my diet and don't move, so I really need to find a supplement I can tolerate. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, so glad to hear what treatments you've been up to. I know it's early in the process, but have you noticed any affects yet, one way or the other?
DeletePersonally, I've taken a step back this week, but I'm hoping it will be short. Setbacks are always to be expected, but it never fails to be disappointing when they happen.