For Allergy Sufferers & People With Pain

To Glass Gal (who said she can not take not take antihistamines), I Teach who has allergies, and others with allergies or pain

I have arthristis (especially in my toes), bulging disc, a bad hip, and prior to this year severe grass pollen allergy for 40 years.

I have been using 3 grams of MSM twice a day for pain. I purchase it from Kala Health online (kalahealth.com) as it is distilled (safe) versus MSM that is made by evaporation. It is considered best to take the capsules at breakfast and afternoon rather than at night because it can energize some people.

I kept waiting for grass pollen season to affect me this year but it did not and I couldn't figure it out until I was researching a problem for a friend, checked my book on MSM, and it said that it also helps pollen allergy.

The recommendation in the book for pain is for 3 grams twice a day. The recommendation for pollen is for 4 to 5 grams at two different intervals (i.e. if 4 grams then 2 grams twice a day).

They also make a gel with a pump that I use between times. I even carry a bottle that is almost empty (to reduce weight) with me at all times.

I would also recommend purchasing the most recent book.

If you purchase online with autoship (reorder again automatically within 6 months) and the price exceeds $100 including the 20% discount, shipping is free.

I do not work for Kala Health but their MSM capsules and gel have been most beneficial to me.

Thanks for the info. Do you know anything about any medication interactions with MSM? I am pretty illiterate when it comes to anything other than what my MD prescribes. I take a lot of other meds and I am having ankle surgery 2 weeks from today (arthroscopy and tendon graft), so I wonder what the side effects/interactions are. I am always interested in trying something new, so any other info you have would be helpful.

Thanks again.
Sue

Sue (I Teach),

Good questions regarding MSM!

According to the book I have, it says "We recommend that individuals on blood-thinning drugs (e.g., aspirin, dicumerol) be monitored for any signs of bleeding. It is also advisable for people taking MSM to discontinue use a few days prior to surgery and to resume use two to three weeks later." Perhaps it would be best to wait until after your surgery.

"There have six to eight cases of women reporting that their menstrual flow was heavier when taking MSM."

"Temporary minor headaches have been reported after starting too high a dose of MSM. Reduce the dose (i.e., start at 2 to 3 grams per day and then double the dosage after one week).

"While not toxic to the liver, therapy with MSM may interfere with the accurate interpretation of enzymatic liver tests (AST, ALT), producing slight elevations in some patients. When patients are withdrawn from MSM, the test results quickly revert to normal. In preparation for liver function tests, patients should withdraw from MSM 14 days prior to the blood draw."

"It should be noted that MSM might have an aspirin-like effect on platelet aggregation, although it does not appear to be as potent as aspirin in this regard. Patients taking blood-thinning medication, such as aspirin, heparin or dicumerol may require a lower dose of these substances and should consult with their physician before using MSM."

I am not a physician but MSM has helped me a great deal.

It would be best to purchase the latest book. It is in paperback and is reasonable in cost.

Yoga

Could you share with us what MSM is exactly? Also what is the name of the book?

I don't think anyone should take this blindly without knowing what it is first and checking with their doctor.

More about MSM http://www.arthritis.org/resources/arth ... ations.asp

My Doc suggested I use it for joint pain. It tastes nasty. Can't really say if it works. I also take Glucosamine Condroiton as he also suggests.

Does it work? He said it would take several months to notice if it works.

Its not snake oil

Rock & Roll,

The second book is called "MSM The Definitive Guide" by Stanley W. Jacob and Jeremy Appleton. It is available on the kalahealth.com web site. The first book may be available in your local library and is also available on the above mentioned website.

MSM in capsule form from Kala Health does not have any taste. I am very sensitive to taste and smell. We also took a capsule apart and it has no smell.

Only DMSO is supposed to have a bad taste. DMSO now seems to be mainly used for interstitial cystitis.

The only reason I mentioned it is because Glass Gal said she could not take antihistimines, so many people have complained of allergies, and it has helped me so much with pain and grass allergy. If necessary, I could live with the grass allergy with the other treatment I was using but not the pain. The naprosyn that I was using can cause liver damage and severe constipation.

Many prescription drugs have side affects and often we don't know about them for some time after they come on the market. MSM has been around for a while. However, I feel safer purchasing the distilled MSM from Kala Health. The MSM from Kala Health worked right away for me. I also use the gel at least 3 times a day and if we are going to exercise class, I put it on just before going to class.

Yoga

Actually Yoga, I have more than a passing interest in it as I have rhuematoid arthritis which is quite painful. I will be curious how MDs view this and will run it by my rhuematologist. I read the side effects and some warning lights came on for me.

MSM is one of the Big Three of joint supplements. Glucosamine and Chondroitin (sp?) are the other ones that are very popular. Then a whole bunch of other ones, can also be tried. I haven't heard of MSM for other purposes, but after a few months of trying it, I phased because it didn't seem to do much for me for my aching joints, or my allergies. On the other hand I have a sister who swears by MSM. My theory is we are unique individuals. If your body needs it, it will work for you.

I "experiment" with various supplements getting mine from http://www.swansonvitamins.com on-line, just because they have good quality for cheap and great service. but there are LOTS of good sources.

Supplements do take awhile to make a difference, so you do indeed need to give them some time to see if they might be for you.

all normal disclaimers apply.
Your mileage may vary.

I am a bit afraid of herbal remedies because of the lack of testing on them, so I don't use them. I have found something remarkable that works for me, however. For about 7 years I have suffered with incredibly painful joint disease & I tried what I thought was everything. A friend of mine also suffered from joint pain & went to the Mayo Clinic for help. Her dr. recommended switching from dairy to soy milk & taking calcium, flax seed oil (gel caps), potassium, folic acid, and super b-complex vitamins that you can buy at any store. I kid you not, my joint pain is almost GONE after three weeks of this regimen. I take the vitamins (one of each) before bed. Before, I could barely get out of bed in the mornings because my hip pain was so bad & often I cried because of the pain. This is like a miracle! If I overdo I still get some pain, but I am virtually pain free & don't live with the constant, debilitating pain that I used to. So, for a safe alternative to drugs & other less known herbs, you might give this a try. It has worked for everyone I know that has tried it. It's not for general muscle aches & pains. I was having deep joint pain & have degenerative joint disease. I feel like a new person now. The soy milk is much easier on my sensitive digestive system also!
~Lori

I Teach,

Hope your ankle surgery gets excellent results.