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I was thinking of how many people here are having a hard time taking supplements due to one reason or another and wondered if anyone ever heard of or tried a Myer's Cocktail? It's basically an IV Vitamin Therapy that promotes healing and replenishes energy. The standard Myers’ Cocktail consists of magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-5 (dexpanthenol), vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B-12 (hydroxycobalamin), vitamin B complex, and an average of 25 grams of Vitamin C. Other vitamins can be added to the cocktail too. It is not cheap, but I keep thinking that such an infusion of vitamins through blood rather than the gut could "jump start" a lot of healing and help for those who are deficient in vitamins. Tex, anyone, your thoughts?
Mandy
Anyone ever heard of a Myer's cocktail?
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Hi Mandy,
I've never heard of that treatment before. That appears to be designed to treat a specific disorder, because of the unique combination. I don't understand the use of B-5 in that "cocktail". For a balanced mixture, anytime B-12 is used in a significant dose, it should be accompanied by an appropriate amount of the active form of folic acid, (B-9), namely metholfolate, and B-6 is an excellent addition to that combination, as well. I don't understand why a moisturizer, (B-5), would be used, in place of B-9. B-5 is mostly used in cosmetics, because it absorbs well into the skin, and helps to prevent itching of the skin, but that would seem to be irrelevant for something used in an IV solution. A combination of B-12, B-9, and B-6, for example, is used to treat peripheral neuropathy, which can be a problem with diabetes, and many of us who have had long-term, untreated gluten-sensitivity, also have peripheral neuropathy ptoblems.
Also, I'm curious why they use the active form of B-5 and B-6, but then they choose to use an inactive form of B-12. The active form is methylcobalamin. They're using the injectable form, which the body has to convert into an active form, before it can use the B-12. Some people are low on B-12 because they can't convert it. Many of us have used sublingual lozenges of methylcobalamin and metholfolate, in order to increase our B-12 levels. Tests show that sublingual absorption is at least as good as the injectable vitamins, and it's much, much cheaper than IV administration.
If you're seriously considering trying this, either the sublingual form, or the injectable form, should be much cheaper alternatives to an IV, and they should be just as effective, (within a few minutes).
I can see how introducing magnesium and calcium into the bloodstream could be very effective, but the problem is, if that isn't done correctly, it can cause a heart attack, (calcium levels especially, in the blood are somewhat critical). Hypercalcemia can cause all sorts of heart issues, along with other problems.
At least, that's the way I see it, FWIW,
Tex
I've never heard of that treatment before. That appears to be designed to treat a specific disorder, because of the unique combination. I don't understand the use of B-5 in that "cocktail". For a balanced mixture, anytime B-12 is used in a significant dose, it should be accompanied by an appropriate amount of the active form of folic acid, (B-9), namely metholfolate, and B-6 is an excellent addition to that combination, as well. I don't understand why a moisturizer, (B-5), would be used, in place of B-9. B-5 is mostly used in cosmetics, because it absorbs well into the skin, and helps to prevent itching of the skin, but that would seem to be irrelevant for something used in an IV solution. A combination of B-12, B-9, and B-6, for example, is used to treat peripheral neuropathy, which can be a problem with diabetes, and many of us who have had long-term, untreated gluten-sensitivity, also have peripheral neuropathy ptoblems.
Also, I'm curious why they use the active form of B-5 and B-6, but then they choose to use an inactive form of B-12. The active form is methylcobalamin. They're using the injectable form, which the body has to convert into an active form, before it can use the B-12. Some people are low on B-12 because they can't convert it. Many of us have used sublingual lozenges of methylcobalamin and metholfolate, in order to increase our B-12 levels. Tests show that sublingual absorption is at least as good as the injectable vitamins, and it's much, much cheaper than IV administration.
If you're seriously considering trying this, either the sublingual form, or the injectable form, should be much cheaper alternatives to an IV, and they should be just as effective, (within a few minutes).
I can see how introducing magnesium and calcium into the bloodstream could be very effective, but the problem is, if that isn't done correctly, it can cause a heart attack, (calcium levels especially, in the blood are somewhat critical). Hypercalcemia can cause all sorts of heart issues, along with other problems.
At least, that's the way I see it, FWIW,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex, the Myer's Cocktail has been used by alternative medicine practitioners for several years. I think basically for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, acute infections, etc. I'm not sure why the mix is what it is, but I believe it can be tailor made for people with certain other conditions. I've gone to several well known alt med places, and I see various people, from old to young sitting there in the recliners getting their 45 minute infusions. It always fascinated me to see. I've yet to hear of a bad reaction from the Myer's cocktail, but,then who knows? And it is expensive, around 200 dollars. I would definitely think twice about doing it, yet it does have an appeal for people who, for what ever reason, cannot handle oral vitamins.
Mandy
Mandy
Interesting - a friend some years back took higher levels of pantothenic acid (B5) when her allergy symptoms were flaring. She always took the "other Bs" as well. I wonder whether there's some immune, or mast-cell, connection here, but it's not clear to me how to pursue this line of thought. (And yet here I am on the Internet at this hour...)
Mandy, I had a Myers Cocktail a few months after I was diagnosed. I had just found my new (at that time) pcp who practices integrative medicine. I'm still with her. I was so sick when I got it that I'm not sure if it helped me because I was in the difficult stage of MC when I was reacting to everything I ate and I felt so rundown. That was in 2008. I do think I felt a boost, but it could also have been the placebo effect. I only paid about $75 for it. I think the usual price is around $50, but they added some things to mine that increased the price. I've wondered if I had another one now that I'm in remission and much healthier if I would notice anything. I remember feeling a little light headed after I got it and I was glad my husband was there to drive me home. This probably doesn't help you much, but I thought I would let you know that I have tried it. BTW, I do take magnesium/B12/Folic Acid and B complex injections at home. At some point I'll try taking them orally again, but they've worked well for me and I think has helped my healing.
JoAnn
JoAnn
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. John Wayne