Anecdotal evidence

[usha93]

Anecdotal evidence is not "scientific" in the sense that it's been subjected to double-blinded placebo-controlled large multi-center trials and "proven" in a lab. Sometimes it's still convincing; other times decidedly not.

"I took Substance X and I felt great!" is an example, generally not convincing to me.In the later months of last year, I

Comments

[contentlove]

That's a pretty convincing recommendation!

[usha93]

I'm always happy to be a negative example! ;->

Truth be told, it kind of surprised me. I'm used to taking others' testimonials with a grain of salt -- even if it works aces for dozens of folks, that's no guarantee it'll give me the same result.

I'm sold on this stuff, though. Enough to recommend that others give it a go and see how they feel. If it's not noticeably doing anything, then they can always stop taking it, and only be out 20 bucks or so. If it does something good, then Hat-cha! :D

[crunchyb]

CoQ10 is a wonderful vitamin! I don't always take it, because it's quite expensive here and I'm on so many others. When I do take it I feel great! It costs about $50/ month, ouch. I love Siberian ginseng, gives me a great deal of stamina and energy. I tend to believe it's not that our immune systems are attacking our brains, but our immune system has gone out of whack. Some of these immune booster types of vitamins I think could help a great deal to put things right. Of course I am no doctor, or scientist, but that's what I tend to believe.

[usha93]

I know there are some docs who go overboard, advising their M.S. patients not to take anything with immune boosting effects, but that's just silly. Folks with M.S. need their immune systems too -- otherwise the neurologists could just advise us to all go have unprotected sex with needle users! =:o

The "Ooooh, no, don't take that, it will ramp up your immunity and that's BAD!" thing can get ridiculous. OTOH, I actually did strengthen the system to the point where disease activity started to creep back up, so we do want to be cautious I guess.

I concentrate more on how I feel, than on what clinical "markers" might reveal. But, being SP, at this time my disease is kind of like always active. The best of medical science has basically nothing to offer me at this point. Human nature is to go for the things that make us feel better, and flee from the things that make us feel like death taking a shit (so to speak, LOL). I've had chemo to suppress my immune system, and I felt like, oh let's say death squatting in preparation

[crunchyb]

Some doctors are very cautious and I respect that. We do need our immunity in the best working order in can be in. I too concentrate more on how I feel each day than any clinical markers. I have no idea how many lesions I have or even had. I know where some are or were, but nothing more. I don't even know where I stand on the disability scale. In Canada I don't get a cd rom of my scans, but that might be a good thing as I might obsess on the lesions. I am the same way with symptomatic treatment, marijuana,vitamins, good food and coffee. I am still RR, but am not at a point in my life where I want any heavy duty drugs to treat MS. Gentle LDN and marijuana have made a huge difference for me. That's the important thing, if it works for you, do it. You inspire me.
Take Care
Bruce

[lori_holder]

I take this stuff too. My neuro recommended trying it for MS fatigue - she's a PhD & has seen studies that indicate it may be useful for neurologically-induced fatigue. I haven't had any undesirable side effects, but boy-oh, it sure worked for the fatigue. I wouldn't say I'm 100%, but I'm definitely 80% on a good day (compare to 50% on a good day before the CoQ).

How much of the stuff are you taking? I take 400mg per day (she said between 200-600 is optimal).

[usha93]

My neuro said the oxidative cell damage thing was the reason for the energized feeling -- awesome! :->

I'm taking 200 mg per day, and the next step brings me to 300, which at this point is where he thinks I should stay. When we ceased and then re-began, I took 50 mg per day for a couple weeks, just to s-l-o-w-l-y re-intro the body, then up to 100, 150, 200. It really seems to be working this way -- there are a couple small things I still notice, more stumbling and less coordination mostly, which worsen with fatigue -- having less fatigue in general also offsets this a little I think.

I'm just so much more engaged during the times I'm up and about that it amazes me.

I might get brave and add Lysine to the mix pretty soon. That's one of the things they make Copaxone out of, which trips me out. Not that Copaxone would be effective for me currently, but then I do like to go natural when possible -- cannabis over Marinol, caffeine over amphetamines, that kinda thing, y'know. ;->

[usha93]

Of course I don't mind; I returned the favor. ;-> AQ is most excellent good people, isn't she? :D

My LJ is pretty boring most of the time, though. Seems like I've got a lot less to day then I used to -- that's definitely a Good Thang in some cases, LOL!!