When Something You Thought Was Good For You Was Causing A Problem?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 11, 2009 11:17pm CST
Okay I've been doing sort of an experiment with myself.
Many of my friends here know that I've often mentioned about my joint pain, the wrist problem...blah, blah, blah
For several months now, I've been taking this herbal thing, it's a super duper strength cherry powder extract (1,000mgs.in capsules) Long time ago, I had read that cherries are beneficial for any kind of arthritis, gout etc. Well as you know cherries aren't always available fresh year round but did notice when I munched on the fresh cherries I did feel better. So then I came across this powdered cherry extract which I thought was a good substitute for when cherries were out of season.
Okay so here I am, taking only one capsule a day (supposed to take up to three a day and now glad I didn't otherwise--I'd be in a coma). Anyway for the longest time, my energy level has really sucked, really low, and couldn't concentrate too well. It took me the greatest effort to do even the simplest things as I was so drained and worn out. I also noticed that while hungry I had to force myself to eat which is NOT like me as I love eating --heehee.
So I was beginning to think---crap am I depressed or something?? Why? Then bingo it hit me the other day. I remember in a fellow mylotter's discussions the person was mentioning how ever since she began eating cherries how relaxed she was and could sleep better..and this was just by eating a handful of cherries.
Now my mind is cranking, the gears moving in my brain..uh yes it happens from time to time. So now I started looking up more about cherries...and found they DO have a sedative effect AND can be an appetite suppressant--like duh? So here I was taking this 1,000 mgs. of concentrated cherry extract which later I discovered is the equivalent of about 16oz. of cherry extract syrup--like duh again??? Like in other words I was sedating myself and suppressing my appetite unknowingly due to the cherry supplement!
I've not taken ANY of it now for two days and already my appetite is back to normal and don't feel like I have to force myself to eat and I'm not as drained or fuzzy minded---I'm not one-hundred percent "there" but a lot better.........so who the frick knew that a simple thing like that cherry supplement could affect me so?
I once had disastrous results when I was taking a B-complex supplement and another time extra Calcium supplements. I guess my metabolism just can't handle excessive supplements of any kind.
Have you ever taken something, a supplement or herbal thinking since it was natural and you could benefit from it only to find it had side effects for you??
8 people like this
19 responses
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
12 Sep 09
not exactly
first, I have to read most of those so closely because they hide things in them I can't handle - that old demon Corn...
But I once intentionally overloaded my body
You see, Iron, as in too many red blood cells will store in your organs if you take too many and can, eventually damage the organs. And Vitamin C will actually cause your body to store more of the red blood cells...
So, I was preparing for a major surgery that frequently expect a good bit of blood loss, so for months before the surgery I started taking 3 iron pills a day, plus a bunch of vitamins, including C.
Now, before the surgery the doc wanted me to "self donate" blood to be banked if I needed any units, they wanted 2 units - I did so - even tho I used to have a history of anemia... but I was fine.
Then, after the surgery they did a blood draw, saw my red blood cells were getting low and were considering giving me one of my units but the next draw the red count had gone up.
Well, you see, that's what happens, when you get low, the red blood cells stored in your organs then release, rasing your blood count to a better level. I never did need those two units I donated for myself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemochromatosis
they don't go into the "normal" treatment for dealing with the problem, taking a unit of blood about once a month (more frequently than normal donations) but a lot of this blood isn't considered suitable for transfusions - tho some is
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Was it your doctor that recommended taking more iron or did you do that upon yourself and decide to take more. I've always remembering reading that too much iron is just as bad as too little in the system and that article seems to prove it. I also remember hearing that once a woman is beyond her "child-bearing" years, in other words us old farts..LOL... we no longer need as much iron as younger women do.
3 people like this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I asked the doc what he thought and he didn't seem to have a problem with it, on the short term - I stopped the "loading" after the first surgery, but continued taking iron for the rest of the ordeal...
Well, not the WHOLE rest of it... I went to the doc the first time in March or April, I had the surgery in early July 1998, the second surgery - in early August (skin graft) and the last surgery (wound repair) in late September, and was NOT released until January of 2000...
3 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
12 Sep 09
My husband had uncontrolled blood pressure. When he stopped taking the herbal supplement (I forgot which one) the blood pressure problem went away.
It is unfortunate but people get this idea is that if it is natural it is harmless and that is so wrong.
One of my dogs was a professional stud ( a guide dog organization) and I had a guy calling me up to treat my lawn with whatever. Well, I explained to him, I could not do it since my dog was a stud, he was not allowed around these kinds of chemical. He told me it was all natural and harmless. I invited him over to discuss it over a cup of hemlock tea. He then pointed out that Hemlock was poisonous. I respond with but it is all natural. He never called again.
Glad you are feeling better!
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I try to be quick on my feet. Sometimes it has bit me in the butt.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
I agree with Savak...that was a great reply to give to that gardener...
Glad to hear your husband's blood pressure normalized after stopping that herbal supplement.
Glad to hear your husband's blood pressure normalized after stopping that herbal supplement.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
12 Sep 09
No I have never had that problem and I do take a variety of supplements. However I check the ingredients out very, very carefully on the Internet before I take any. Side effects are the first thing I check out.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Naturally I look up any side effects an herbal will have and often time will avoid as some can become toxic in the system...but never thought a cherry extract powder would have such lousy effects on me
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Wow never heard this about cherries and as much as I would love to get some good sleep I will be avoiding them because my mind is fuzzy enough as it is :(
Different strokes for different folks though - I do great with the B-complex, more energy, brain functions great, and not problems at all.
I have had a problem in the past though was told melitonin (sure spelled wrong) would help me sleep - it didn't and I had horrid nightmares, threw that stuff in the trash.
@AmbiePam (120705)
• United States
16 Sep 09
Uh-oh. My dad has had trouble sleeping, and I recommended Melatonin because I had read it was good for sleeping. He will NOT take any kind of medication, over the counter or not. It has to be something like an herb or health supplement. He hasn't used it yet, so I guess I better warn him. He doesn't want to use it regularly, just on nights he knows he has to get sleep because he has to get up very early the next morning (early as in 3am).
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Sep 09
Yes that melatonin was really popular some years ago...It did lose it's popularity when people got weird side effects like you having nightmares
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Sep 09
I think the thing to remember is that everyone is sensitive to different things AND to do your homework. Research these things before you start taking them on a long term basis. They are good for us but only when used correctly. And you can give something a bad name by misusing it and then expounding on the ill effects.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
I guess I just must have a low tolerance and can't handle anything excessive, and just think, I wasn't even taking the full dosages of three capsules a day, but just one
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
14 Sep 09
It is best not to be excessive about anything. What you eat or in your relationships. I sure could tell you a thing or two on this subject. Ugh!
1 person likes this
@savak03 (6684)
• United States
12 Sep 09
That is some amazing information. I could use a good natural appetite suppressant. Unfortunately I definitely don't need a sedative because I am sedentary enough without it.
On the other hand cherries are not my favorite fruit. Oh to be sure I like cherry pie but I bet cooking them destroys all the benefits.
We definitely need to be careful about the supplements we take into our bodies.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
The whole weird thing was that I wasn't even taking the recommended amount of three capsules a day and only one...guess I have a system that has a low tolerance or something
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
18 Sep 09
I find a lot of things just don't work for me. Vitamin B stuff for one thing. Coffee is also not a stimulant for me. I was taking glucosamine sulphate 1000mg for a few years and thought it was of no benefit so I stopped taking it and realised my pain was stronger. I switched recently to plain glucosamine and I'm getting more relief...they are cheaper too.
I like cherries but at $20 a kilo I only have a handful once a month when they are available. I wonder if the pitted bottled cherries would have the same effect...I need something to suppress my appetite...seriously.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I was taking a combo thing of Glucosamine also, and at first it worked but then didn't and it was too darn expensive to keep getting anyway. As for the pitted bottled cherries...I think you would have to eat an awful lot to get benefits as an appetite suppressant like those capsules I was taking
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 09
LOL--no problem. I always have to remind myself to stay away from discussions about food here as I seem to get hungry even if I've just eaten
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 09
LOL--in my case I don't need to lose weight though..okay fling wet noodles at me
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
12 Sep 09
You already know my response to this, pye. lol Never take any kind of supplement in excess cause, as you found out, it will only end up hurting ya, right guinea pig?
Never had this happen to me before but I'm sure now that I mentioned it, next time I try something different, something gonna happen to me. Never fails!
Never had this happen to me before but I'm sure now that I mentioned it, next time I try something different, something gonna happen to me. Never fails! 2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208859)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I know 5 http while good for sleep has some kind of harsh effect on the liver. I was taking that at one time, but I don't now. My current sleep regime doesn't really seem to be working though so I might have to do something different. That is the only thing I can think of right now. Maybe a little bit of cherry extract would be good for me though. I need to supress my apetite.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
I never even heard of 5 http---is it similar to melantonin...that was a big thing years ago as a natural help for sleep
@hotsummer (13919)
• Philippines
12 Sep 09
it is good to find some information about this cherries. i feel so easily get tired too and i am trying to find out what is causing me this less energy and feeling sleepy most of the time. but i still can't find it out which is the cause because i am not taking any supplement at all and so i have to trace it back from foods that i am eating now. i am less red meat and pork. and i am more eating vegetables. i think that maybe in a way affected why i have less energy now.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Sometimes when one changes their diet habits, like in your case not eating less red meat and pork can affect one that way--just be sure you're getting enough proteins though--if not by red meat or pork maybe chicken and fish
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
That is so interesting...I guess cherries are great if you want to lose weight and sleep! (LOL) Not that I am recommending anyone take them for that reason of course! I guess it is trial and error with a lot of these supplements. It is important to remember that some can have an effect on current medication you may be taking. It happened to me with St John’s Wort; it worked beautifully until I had to take some Hormone Replacement tablets; I didn’t have bad side effects or anything just no effects at all considering before it worked so well. My doctor warned me to check with her next time because some meds taken with supplements, herbal or otherwise can cause problems.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
I have this one herbal book, and long time ago had read up on St. John's Wort and it has a lot of warnings about it...like one can't eat/drink anything with caffeine, one can be sensitive to the sun and so forth, and like Anora mentions, yes, many herbs can become toxic after awhile or toxic if taken in larger quantities
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
12 Sep 09
Now there's something I did not know! I've stopped taking it for a while now and I'm not sure I can take it again although it was working very well before I started my medication! Not a pleasant thought to think it builds up as a toxin...
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Paula-
I took St. John's Wart years ago for mild depression and was having issues with it. Then a friend of mine told me that with St. John you need to take it for two weeks and then cycle off for a week. Otherwise it builds up as a toxin in your body. Just a note for anyone else here who may be using it. : )
Namaste-Anora
2 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I don't take lots of medications, herbal or otherwise. I have noticed that I react to presriptions easily. A while back I was prescribed a muscle relaxant. One pill and I could have slept for 24 hours...and still felt groggy. I didn't realize that cherries where an appetite suppressant. I wonder if they'd work on dogs...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
That's one of the reasons I don't take prescribed meds as I always seem to have effects from them--that muscle relaxant you were taking...sounds like the same thing my mother once took years and years ago..forget the name of it, but was only 3mgs so not strong right? Wrong...she was like a zombie
@kprofgames (3089)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Yes the vitamin B-complex. It cranked me up and I couldn't come down. I went in for a check up and listed the vitamins I was taking and my doctor said if you smoke B-complex is a no, no.
I don't remember why now, but do know that after 4 days of not taking them I felt normal again. It was like being on a caffinee high all the time.
I feel best just taking a sip of apple ciger vinigar a day. I have more energy and was told by an herbalist that instead of taking supplements to boost your body, vinigar is best to take the nasty outs. I know I don't feel bad anymore when I eat certain foods and I just feel better all the time now.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Yes I had an odd effect the time I was taking a B-complex...here I was taking it to reduce stress in my life as it's supposed to do that, and yet I felt worse, and like you once I stopped felt "normal" again
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Nope only the meds the Doctors tell me I HAVE to take I can be pretty good up to time I take my meds then I get real draggy.
and force myself to go one till I just cant and have to take a nap .
BUt after that seem to be refreashed enough to have some staying power!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
15 Sep 09
A lot of medications even over-the counter ones can make one drowsy...LOL
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Sep 09
And here I thought you were super busy with other things...
As to your question, I can't think of anything at the moment.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Well I've have been fairly busy but not as much for awhile due to my lack of pep
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
22 Sep 09
Cod liver oil - not that it's bad for you, but this Naturopath that I see told me that you have to be careful that it doesn't get rancid. If it does, it can cause inflammation and do more harm than good. He had me open a capsule and smell it. He told me if it smelled fishy, it wasn't good any more. Now I take a liquid one that can is refrigerated and if it begins to smell, bye bye.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
25 Sep 09
I never knew that about cod liver oil and if it smells fishy means its rancid...is that even true though despite the expiration dates that are on everything???
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Hey pye! That is so very interesting about what you said about
the cherries! I do remember the discussion that the mylotter
wrote about eating the cherries to suppress her appetite and
saying that it relaxed her! I guess you forgot that part! I'm
the one that needs the cherries, not you! So, I guess you're
saying that the cherry stuff really works! How interesting!
I don't need to be any fuzzier than I already am, so I'm
not really sure about that particular side effect! It is weird
how one thing will affect one person one way and another person
another way. It also depends on the dosage and body weight!
So sometimes it isn't a good idea to just guess on these things!
So I guess that means no more cherries for you?
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Well the weird thing was, I wasn't even taking the recommended dosage of three capsules daily, just one...No, I can still eat cherries, but just not take that super duper strength capsule which is probably a zillion times more potent than eating a few cherries.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
12 Sep 09
Hi pyewacket, if I get anything I usually check up on the internet for possible side effects or if it doesn't mix well with something else. I know there's one vitamin I take which isn't meant to be taken in conjunction with grapefruit juice but the information wasn't available on the box. Sounds like you are pretty susceptible to these supplements.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Sep 09
Yes I must have a low tolerance for anything excessive even if its "just' natural supplements
