Re: calcium citrate - Carolyn

[Guest guest]

NAG is N-acetyl-glucosamine. It helps repair connective tissues / rebuilds hyaluronic acid. I don't take it at present, but plan to start next month. What I'm doing is what has been recommended by several recovered persons. First, you do the diet to see how far it takes you on diet alone. Then 2-4 weeks into the diet, you start small amounts of calcium citrate to eventually build up to 800mg-1600mg daily (you may want to take magnesium at bedtime to alleviate any constipation that may be caused by the calcium... I take NOW brand powdered form 400mgs (1/4 tsp.) nightly). Then after about 2-3 months of diet and citrate alone, you add in the NAG. (I bought Jarrow brand 750 mgs. - dosage is 2-3 daily, spread out during the day... again, with this, start out small and increase over time).

The purpose of diet and citrate alone is to remove as much oxalate in the body as possible to give those tissues some freedom from the irritant. Then adding the NAG in 2-3 months later starts the rebuilding process. Plus adding things in one at a time allows you to notice any adverse reaction your body may have (such as burning, etc.). If you took everything at once, you'd not know which one caused the issue (or which one was actually helping you).

Ox-Absorb is a product that also helps pull the oxalates out of ingested food. You take it with meals, especially after a little higher oxalate meal. It contains calcium, zinc, and marine hydrocolloid fiber. It's manufactured by Integrative Therapeutics and if you're a member of the Vulvar Pain Foundation, you get it at a discount. I do have this and take it on occasion, but not every day... just when I judge that I need it from the foods I've eaten (believe me, you learn what foods irritate).

As for topical creams, I've used Estrace (prescription) and Emu Oil. I used them two times daily in the beginning, but now I only use them a couple times a week. Not so much to ease the tissues as they are now eased, but to keep the tissues toughened, which is what Estrace does. The Emu Oil helps to make the alcohol in Estrace a little more bearable and helps to absorb it further into the tissues. I use Wild Rose Emu Oil (http://www.wildroseemu.com), but many ladies use Laid in Montana... both are excellent and pure. It's a personal choice.

I've had my pelvic muscles evaluated, but things are improving so much of late, that I've pushed that back to Plan B... I'm keeping PT in my arsenal bag of tricks for the future if it's needed as I age or if things worsen. I'm all for PT, done correctly.

Subject: Re: calcium citrateTo: VulvarDisorders , franklincompany@...Date: Monday, January 26, 2009, 6:59 PM

Wow thats amazing thank you! I never quite got the calcium citrate equation until just now with that explanation! It totally makes sense. I know there is something going on with the foods I eat and the amount of pain I experience. Thank you for the details. It is so hard to follow it - but Im with you if it alleviates the pain great! I am thrilled that the last 3 days have been pain free for me, almost afraid to say it, but I have started to watch the diet plus I am doing the citrate. Although I got the ones with D, so thanks for that info!

Also what is NAG and OXAbsorb, I know this has been discussed before, but at the time I wasn't placing as much emphasis on all of this as I am right now so I need a refresher- do u use these as well?

Also have you used any topical creams or have you had your pelvic muscles checked?

C

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