Supplements and Diarrhea.....

Colleen

Colleen

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
There's a thread somewhere about taking supplements, especially CoQ10 when getting off a Rx drug for cholesterol. I wanted my husband, who's 77, to stop taking his simvastatin because his cholesterol was so low. I finally convinced him in June to stop taking it (and our doctor confirmed that shortly after). My husband also wanted to quit taking Protonix because it was starting to give him side effects like cramping. I looked for something in a supplement and found Betaine HCL w/Pepsin. so he started taking that instead and he said his stomach was better. I also included Sunflower Lecithin for improving nervous system and getting rid of "brain fog". The other supplement was L-Tryptophan to be taken at bedtime with Nature Made Sleep, which has melatonin and L-theanine (he hasn't been able to sleep since he had his accident 6 years ago and was put on Ambien but they won't any more Rx's for it any more).

This all took place in June but for the last 2 weeks he's had diarrhea every day (I won't tell you what that's done to his hemorrhoids!). We had to go into town today and stopped at our doctor's office to see if he could be seen. We waited 1 1/2 hours (isn't that terrible???) but he saw the doctor. I had made a list of all the supplements he was taking and the doctor told him to stop taking everything except the Nature Made Sleep aid. He gave him a Rx for Bentyl to take if needed but to eat some yogurt if he wanted, but that it wasn't necessary. He said my husband's stomach would straighten itself out in time. I told my husband last week to quit taking all those supplements because I thought it might be effecting him but he was sure that wasn't doing it...ha...nobody listens to me...haha.

So...just thought I'd pass this along because I know a lot of you take supplements.
 

Colleen, you’ve said a lot here but haven’t quite said what it is that gave your husband diarrhea.
From what you’ve written it seems like you were the one getting him to take supplements instead of the drugs prescribed to him by his doctor. Now you’re saying the doctor told him to stop taking most of them.

I’d just like to point out that everyone is different. What might work for some might not work for others.
Diarrhea can be caused by many things including artificial sweeteners and viruses.
 
Sunflower lecithin can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea in some people.
If I were to guess, I’d say that’s your culprit, especially considering it’s something you recently added.
 

Keesha said:
Colleen, you’ve said a lot here but haven’t quite said what it is that gave your husband diarrhea.
From what you’ve written it seems like you were the one getting him to take supplements instead of the drugs prescribed to him by his doctor. Now you’re saying the doctor told him to stop taking most of them.

I’d just like to point out that everyone is different. What might work for some might not work for others.
Diarrhea can be caused by many things including artificial sweeteners and viruses.
Click to expand...

How do I even respond to this??? We have a new doctor and my husband was seen by him in June. The statin he had been taken was prescribed 10 years ago. His total cholesterol was 176 and his HDL was 49. Our new doc thought he had been on this statin for way too long and took him off of it. That wasn't MY idea, it was the doctor's and the doctor thought CoQ10 would help replace what was taken out of his brain by taking the statin for so long. Again...NOT MY idea...it was the doctor's. He also had no complaint about my husband taking HCL w/Pepsin for his stomach. He did say it was probably the Sunflower Lecithin that was causing the diarrhea, but to be safe and let his "gut" get back to normal, he said to stop taking everything.

I'm not accusing this group of anything for their suggestions on supplements. Don't be so rude! I'm just relating his experience so others might want to be cautious...period. SHEESH
 
Colleen said:
How do I even respond to this??? We have a new doctor and my husband was seen by him in June. The statin he had been taken was prescribed 10 years ago. His total cholesterol was 176 and his HDL was 49. Our new doc thought he had been on this statin for way too long and took him off of it. That wasn't MY idea, it was the doctor's and the doctor thought CoQ10 would help replace what was taken out of his brain by taking the statin for so long. Again...NOT MY idea...it was the doctor's. He also had no complaint about my husband taking HCL w/Pepsin for his stomach. He did say it was probably the Sunflower Lecithin that was causing the diarrhea, but to be safe and let his "gut" get back to normal, he said to stop taking everything.

I'm not accusing this group of anything for their suggestions on supplements. Don't be so rude! I'm just relating his experience so others might want to be cautious...period. SHEESH
Click to expand...

Keesha wasn't being rude, she was simply wondering. Keesha doesn't get rude, that's my job (LOL).

One thing I've found out myself, I have taken supplements that I've had to stop for one reason or another, whereas others have no problems taking the same ones I had to stop taking. If I take two Turmeric 500 in one day, I'll end up with diarrhea later that day. Now, if I take Turmeric along with Devil's Claw, that diarrhea doesn't happen.
I take a statin once a week and, as far as I know, it doesn't bother me. ​
 
For me it's the oil/capsule vitamins. I either over do it including a build in system or take them with the wrong foods. I try to take most after a meal or snack. Supplements on an empty stomach aren't great. Certain foods the oils in the supplements might no mix or slow down digestion or give indigestion.
 
My system is such that I don't get diarrhea and I've been taking supplements for 25+ yrs and with them I keep regular.

A friend and I were talking the other day and she was talking about a traveller's bacteria she picked up on her last trip to FL to see her mother...she had to go on a week's abx drug.

She just said the other day she's come down with more diarrhea...and she's been taking supplements long before me. So a bacteria does enter into this issue...it has never for me, but it does, I guess.

Eliminate the lethicin, I don't take that one. Just read about it and can cause loose bowels.

Could be your husband picked up a bug from a restaurant food but supplements...ummmm
 
With the run/intestinal issues I think many people try to eat/consume food and drink too soon after they feel better or they actually force something. It's best to focus on fluids only and let a stomach issue run it's course. One can go days if not weeks without food and/or supplements for the most part. Pills, capsules and other supplements can be hard on digestion so they will sit/constipate/fester acid or make an emergency exit.

I look at stomach issues as a fast if I get them. I don't run for things like immodium or pepto. Gingerale or few drops of real fruit juice in ice water.
 
The only supplement I can think of that is known to give some sensitive people diarrhea is Magnesium Citrate, probably others. Hope his stomach problems clear up soon, constipation or diarrhea is bad news when you suffer with hemorrhoids.
 
SeaBreeze said:
The only supplement I can think of that is known to give some sensitive people diarrhea is Magnesium Citrate, probably others. Hope his stomach problems clear up soon, constipation or diarrhea is bad news when you suffer with hemorrhoids.
Click to expand...

Oh, crap (sorry for the pun...haha)....he's been taking magnesium, too!! No wonder his system is so messed up. I'm getting rid of that, too. Thanks for posting that.
 
I posted this before. You should not be taking supplements unless you have had blood tests showing you have a deficiency.

I was told to take vitamin B12 after a test.

The latest one showed no deficiency. However Cereal gives me 40% of the daily diet.
 
Colleen said:
Oh, crap (sorry for the pun...haha)....he's been taking magnesium, too!! No wonder his system is so messed up. I'm getting rid of that, too. Thanks for posting that.
Click to expand...

Your husband's system could be messed with the years of statins too. I think I read some yrs. And his cholesterol appears so low, I'm not sure of all the complications of really low cholesterol. I don't aim for that.
 
Camper6 said:
I seem to notice all kinds of people on this forum recommending magnesium?

I don't understand that.

Why is that?
Click to expand...

You can start YOUR search by looking at magnesium deficiency. And look at all the benefits of magnesium in your body from heart to bowels to leg cramps, bones/joint health and what all you find. We're so oversold calcium and the mag I've researched is what our bones need, and I get my calcium from greens and some dairy foods.
 
.

Per Coleen, the doctor mentioned eating yogurt.

Whatever the cause... after a bout of diarrhea, eating yogurt will help replace the necessary good bacteria that have been lost.
 
jaminhealth said:
You can start YOUR search by looking at magnesium deficiency. And look at all the benefits of magnesium in your body from heart to bowels to leg cramps, bones/joint health and what all you find. We're so oversold calcium and the mag I've researched is what our bones need, and I get my calcium from greens and some dairy foods.
Click to expand...

I just had a blood test. So unless it recommended that I was deficient in magnesium I don't see the point in self medication taking it over the counter.

I check all the product I buy and consume for vitamins and minerals.

For instance yogurt supplies 8% of the daily requirements.

The only supplement ever recommended to me by a doctor was B12 (picked up on a blood test) and has now been overcome and Vitamin D which my doctor claims we don't get enough of in our climate. It comes from the sun.
 
Camper6 said:
I seem to notice all kinds of people on this forum recommending magnesium?

I don't understand that.

Why is that?
Click to expand...


It's a necessary mineral. But be very careful with supplements because too much can cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea.
 
Camper6 said:
I just had a blood test. So unless it recommended that I was deficient in magnesium I don't see the point in self medication taking it over the counter.

I check all the product I buy and consume for vitamins and minerals.

For instance yogurt supplies 8% of the daily requirements.

The only supplement ever recommended to me by a doctor was B12 (picked up on a blood test) and has now been overcome and Vitamin D which my doctor claims we don't get enough of in our climate. It comes from the sun.
Click to expand...

Did your allopathic MD even check for magnesium. They have no clue as I've found in my 80 yrs on this earth. They push calcium rock tablets and people end up with calcium deposits in their joints and other areas of body. And some even say Tums is ok to take....I have stories on that one. How a friend had to have a portion of her thyroid removed due to calcium deposits from tums her not very smart MD said was OK. I could go on and on but everyone do their own thing...
 
KingsX said:
.

Per Coleen, the doctor mentioned eating yogurt.

Whatever the cause... after a bout of diarrhea, eating yogurt will help replace the necessary good bacteria that have been lost.
Click to expand...

I eat some yogurts and mostly goat milk as I stay away from a lot of sugars...but do believe in probiotics and take one most days, 30Billion CFU's.
 
jaminhealth said:
Did your allopathic MD even check for magnesium. They have no clue as I've found in my 80 yrs on this earth. They push calcium rock tablets and people end up with calcium deposits in their joints and other areas of body. And some even say Tums is ok to take....I have stories on that one. How a friend had to have a portion of her thyroid removed due to calcium deposits from tums her not very smart MD said was OK. I could go on and on but everyone do their own thing...
Click to expand...

My doctor pushes nothing. I get tests and follow the recommendations.

Her thyroid had calcium deposits? The thyroid is a gland. No you should not do your own thing.

What is the point of having a doctor if you are going to do your own thing?

I don't agree they have no clue. They have plenty of clue. I admire their patience with patients.

Seems to me people are looking for miracles.
 
Camper6 said:
My doctor pushes nothing. I get tests and follow the recommendations.

Her thyroid had calcium deposits? The thyroid is a gland. No you should not do your own thing.

What is the point of having a doctor if you are going to do your own thing?

I don't agree they have no clue. They have plenty of clue. I admire their patience with patients.

Seems to me people are looking for miracles.
Click to expand...

So many allopathic MD's are clueless...they are highly paid drug pushers.

No miracles, that's not what we're looking for. Good health is what it's about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top