The SNF called today to let me know that the doctor had written my MIL an order for Omega 3 fish oil supplements. (I typically buy OTC drugs and supplements for her at Sam's Club instead of using the SNF's pharmacy. Saves a lot of money.) I asked the meds attendant she knew why, but she didn't and told me that she'd have the doctor call me.

As it turns out, a recent study has shown that these supplements may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. The doctor said that there are other benefits as well to the circulatory system (preventing heart attack and stroke) and that she didn't see a potential of harm from the supplement, so decided to see if it helped my mil.

I later found this article online. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126110453.htm

Definitely worth the $10 it cost at Sam's for a six month supply at the dosage the doctor ordered if it helps even a little.

Cool having a doctor who keeps up on the most recent studies, and who doesn't consider dietary therapies to be quackery.

Gotcha sweetie its just a good heads up since I find many docs still allowing certain things like lets say vitamin E in a regime with their patients with CHF.
Gypsy had another one just recently, a side effect from Zocor along with Mike that was a little startling.
I keep this little notebook in case I come across someone who takes certain meds or OTC's to suggest they look into it if they are having issues just in case
Call it my lil travelin companion

quote:

Originally posted by Bunnys_grl:
Oh my gosh Torp thank you for the heads up

Just to clarify: the fish oil didn't cause or contribute to her blood clot. It just isn't something the doctor wanted her to take while on coumadin.

I can't say one way or the other whether the fish oil made any difference in her Parkinson's or anything else during the four months she was taking it. She fluctuates so much anyway that it's darned hard to tell what might be helping.

Oh my gosh Torp thank you for the heads up

Since this thread has come to the top again, I thought I'd mention that our LO has been taken off the fish oil supplement.

She had an episode of deep venous thrombosis and is being treated with coumadin.

Fish oil does have a slight increased risk of bleeding, especially in combination with other blood thinners, so the doctor has taken her back off of it, at least for the time she's being treated with coumadin.

Vaseline is petrolatum. Some sources use petroleum-based oil (mineral oil) as a carrier for the Vitamin E and Fish Oil. Many vitamins are manufactured synthetically. While their chemical structure may be nearly identical to natural substances, they are not the same. Most proponents of vitamin therapies emphasize the need for natural sources for nutrients and not synthetic ones. READING labels carefully usually reveals the information one needs. One can always Google more information on specific products, remembering that nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals ARE NOT governed by the same standards as pharmacological drugs in the US. Be VERY wary of claims made on the labels of nutraceuticals and do your homework BEFORE taking ANY OTC supplements or herbal preparations. Herbal medicines are NOT required to meet the same ingredient nor labelling standards as are pharmacological medicines.

Fish Oil is an excellent supplement for many different reasons, however all sources of Fish Oil supplements are not created equal, so do your homework and caveat emptor.

Fayth is it listed on the label??? The vaseline that is?
Ok Im gonna do a double take on that one from now on although I dont take vitamin E I know some folks that do Im gonna check out their bottles.
The Fish oil though we do get and the one at Costco is fine same grade as the health food stores.
The question is your in Canada Im wondering if you are governed by the same laws as we are in the US they have to list ingredients on the labels here.
If you do need to take a certain vitamin I would research it, the particular brand you are looking into, and where it was manufactured is important also

Its a great supplement for Alz as well. Just wondering - Does anyone know the dif between the ones sold at a health foodstore vs places like Costco. Price obviously, but I was also told that many of the supplements sold for cheaper prices are synthetic - for example Vit E sold for cheaper prices is actually made out of Vaseline - yes Vaseline. However - Vit C is usually the same.

quote:

I hate taking anything on a daily basis

Hey - I resemble that remark!! I keep fish oil around, and other good vitamins, minerals and stuff, but I forget to take the crap every day... I usually only take it if I start feeling strange, then I suddenly *get religion.*

I'll try to do better...

My GP told me to start fish oil...I hate taking anything on a daily basis and ignored her request until I came across other glowing reports of the systems that can be improved by a fish oil regimen. The stuff is inexpensive. Charlie and I both take 1000 mg daily.

quote:

Cool having a doctor who keeps up on the most recent studies, and who doesn't consider dietary therapies to be quackery.

That is always *so very* good to hear.

Torp another added benefit is for the eyes on this.
Believe it or not the eye doc of hunny's recommended this to him to clear up his contact lenses I dont remember the whole story I wasnt there so its second hand info but he got it started taking it and within a month no more calcium deposits on his lenses.
Theres gotta be something to this

quote:

Originally posted by Bobcat:
Dear H had no specific reason to start fish oil supplements but someone told him it was good for cholesterol, so he jumped right in and took the max. If I recall he had some unpleasant side effects, (loose stools I think) so he quit. That's him, all or nothing.

Congrats on that Doc. I found this all interesting, including the related articles about fish oil and Alzheimer's. I do think that some people's systems may benefit from a gradual introduction of Omega 3s .

Thanks again.

FYI: The doctor ordered 1 gram (1000 mg) twice a day. I noticed that these capsules are sold in 1000 and 1200 mg and recommended dose on the bottle was three times per day. So evidently it doesn't take as much to get the benefit as what the bottle says to take.

A little looseness won't go amiss in our LO's case. One of the effects of Parkinson's that she's dealt with is constipation. So that side effect will be beneficial.

That's a man for you, though. In all things, if a little is good a lot is better. "More power ... grunt" ha ha

Thanks, T.O.R.P., Dear H had no specific reason to start fish oil supplements but someone told him it was good for cholesterol, so he jumped right in and took the max. If I recall he had some unpleasant side effects, (loose stools I think) so he quit. That's him, all or nothing.

Congrats on that Doc. I found this all interesting, including the related articles about fish oil and Alzheimer's. I do think that some people's systems may benefit from a gradual introduction of Omega 3s .

Thanks again.