Trying methylsulfonylmethane

[green_the_fish]

I went to a health food store today to look at the herbal meds. I don't have health insurance, so I might as well.There were a lot of herbs there...
I saw some Black Cohosh. It said it was for menstrual, perimenopausal, and menopausal pain. That's not really my problem, though, so I moved on.
Then, I noticed this stuff called Uva Ursi. It said it was to help the urinary tract. But then it said that it increased the acidity of urine, so I lost interest pretty quick.
There was a suppliment called Coral Calcium. It said that it decreased the pH level of bodily fluids, such as urine. It looked kind of cool, but I had heard before that only a tiny fraction of it was actually absorbed by the body, so I decided against it.
I saw so many... some of them were quite expensive, too. I saw one suppliment that was supposed to help the brain neurologically, and it was 50 bucks!

So, anyway, I don't know much about herbs, so I decided to ask one of the ladies who worked there what would help chronic pain. She recommended methylsulfonylmethane, under the name Lignisul MSM.
According to them:
"MSM supports organ and joint function by donating sulfur for maintenance of healthy connective tissue."
The price was 18 dollars for 180 capsules. I figure that's a dime per pill.

I'll let you guys know if this helps me out :)

[Raelyn]

I try quite a few different things from the health food store and I have had some pretty good results. My priority item is pH measuring tape to check the acid/alkaline content of my urine. I also like quercetin about 20 minutes prior to a meal and then bromelain about 20 minutes after a meal (I do this with lunch and dinner.) I take no prescription drugs and eat lots of vegetables, and thankfully I can have a good variety of fruit which I eat only at breakfast. I take calcium and magnesium 3 times a day at a 2:l ratio. I almost never eat food that I haven't prepared myself. Last year I found the Amrit Willis book and that has been a great tool for me. I buy supplements from a catalog that has lots of good sales. God luck.

[ICLori]

MSM was a good one to try. I have heard of it helping some people with IC. I wish you good luck!

Blessings, Lori

[ChrissyH]

I have been taking MSM for over a year now and it has helped a lot with the pain. Just remember to take it every 12 hours, as it only stays in your system for 12 hours. I order mine online and it is only $10 for 200 capsules and free shipping for orders over $20.

[Betsie]

Hey Green!

It would be so great if this works well for you....but just do me a favor. Check this out against any Rx remedies you may be on and any OTC things you take....herbs and natural all sound great but for some of us (me) some of these herbs have interaction issues that are dangerous. :hmm:

I am not knocking any natural remedies for anyone who believes in this method....but there are many on the market not as safe as you might think.

Not a lecture, cause I already know you are too smart ofr that....just a caution. Leaving you with a link...I use it everytime I make a change...u can keep a running list and save it in your favorites. Good luck! :)

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home/AllAboutDrugs/0,4081,,00.html

[green_the_fish]

Thanks to everyone who replied :)

Hey Raelyn. I think it's cool that you have an open mind and like to try unconventional treatments. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?
When it comes to the pH of your urine, do you try to go for neutral or alkaline? I'm curious about this because most people think that neutral is better, but alkaline has also worked for some.
What number is the pH of your urine usually at? I've heard 6 is the average.
Are the quercetin, bromelain, calcium, and magnesium for the management of your urine's pH level? I assume the fruits and vegetables are.

ChrissyH, can I ask you some questions about MSM?
Does it ever give you the side effect of... an oniony taste in your mouth? Because every time I take a dose, the inside of my mouth tastes like onions for a few hours. It's not exactly unpleasant as much as, well, really strange. Is onion an ingrediant or something? Am I just going nuts? :bonk:
Oh, and can you take it out of the capsule and drink it in water like with Elmiron?

Betsie, that's a good site, and one that I've been to before. Unfortunetly, they didn't have MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) on their medicines list under any name :(

[ChrissyH]

I've never noticed an oniony taste, but MSM is a natural form of sulphur and onions contain quite a bit of sulphur. I suppose that you could take it out of the capsule, however it tastes horrible. I take it in the capsule, the capsules that mine are in are only gelatin and I haven't noticed any bad effects from it.

[Betsie]

Hey Green,

Surprised it wasn't in there, first drug/supplement I haven't found. Here is a direct link to MSM...but also check out their home page, it's a decent site. Good luck!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=C2BFC2FA-4AF6-426F-AD78C67CF11D02D6

[massagedoula]

I just bought MSM too, I will try it, but now I am frightened to...I dont want to get a flare? Can you let us know how you are doing?

[green_the_fish]

Hi.
I'm doing okay. The MSM hasn't made me flare, although a yeast infection I had a bit ago did. I'm pretty sure that was unrelated, though.
The only side effect I experienced was a "sulfuric" taste in my mouth for the first few days after I started. That's gone now though, or maybe I'm used to it.
I think that MSM is more gentle than most stuff out there, because it's a naturally bioavailable substance in the body. From what I understand, the suppliment just gives you more of what your body already makes.
I'm not sure if it's actually helped with my pain yet, but it hasn't made me worse or anything like that.

[windwalker]

Thought I would jump in too, I have read good things about MSM, not just for IC, but anyways, I did start it two months ago, not sure if theres a difference or not, almost think I feel the same with or without it. Wanted to add in I didnt get a flare either w/MSM. Make sure you take it 12 hrs apart, it "runs out" after 12 hrs. :)

[massagedoula]

Are there any reccomendations to a good brand?

[green_the_fish]

I dunno about different brands, but mine is "Lignisul "...