I had bacterial pneumonia and pleurisy a few weeks ago I am finding that it is taking me a long time to feel better. I was on antibiotics, had chest x-rays/ct scans and proper follow up and I do feel much better but I am completely wiped! I am still having afternoon naps and hitting the hay by 9 at night and not much energy in between. I bought a multi vitamin with minerals plus ginko and green tea extracts but I have no idea about these things. My main focus has always been to eat as healthy as I can and never bothered with vitamins or supplements, I am 33 with no previous health problems, not overweight don't smoke don't drink. I never imagined that I could get as sick as I was and I really want to feel better as fast as possible-- I can't stand not having my energy. Any suggestions on proper levels of minerals and vitamins that should be in this "complete" vitamin and any other ideas-- herbal teas?? Thanks.

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), February 22, 2002

Answers

Terri: Unless you are severely deficient from improper eating habits, I wouldn't bother with vitamin supplements. Esp if you don't know the complications of mixing herbals with antibiotics. Ask your doctor for his opinion before taking any meds.

-- al (yr2012@hotmail.com), February 22, 2002.

echinacea and garlic are good to build up your system. echinacea should be used for on two weeks and off a week.try green magma or green powder can give you some for energy. sleep all you can and rest alot. fruit and veggie juices good for energy. lay off meat for awhile. bl2 sublingual could help too. with b vitamins.

-- js (schlicker54@aol.com), February 22, 2002.

You should also either take acidophilus or eat yogert to replace the good bacteria that the antibiotic killed.

Your multi should be a natural, not a commercial brand like Centrium or One a day. Additional Vit A,C and E until lungs have time to repair.

There are more suppliments and information in a book called, Prescription to Nutritional Healing by Balch & Balch. Really good book with natural healings and suppliments.

Even though you are better and young, it may take a while to be totally back to where you were. Don't try to push too hard, too fast.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), February 22, 2002.

The best thing you can do is go to a health food store and start learning, do searches on the web, I take alot of suppliments, That with out, I am in bed, bottom line.

When ever I take a new suppliment, I stop all of the extra ones I'm taking so that I know if the new thing works for me or if it causes me problems,

There are many different forms of the same nutrient, such as oxide, chelate, citrate, glycinate, gluconate and others. Not all of them work for every person.

In most cases the more natural the formula, the better it is absorbed by your body.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), February 22, 2002.

There is a rub the drugstores carry called asorbine jr and it is great for chest colds, sore muscles, ect.It has echinacea in it so it helps build up your bodys natural resistance.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), February 22, 2002.

I disagree with the echinacea recommendation. It causes more white blood cells to be produced to fight illness. you only take it for a week at a time, and then switch to garlic, because the body realizes it is being tricked into producing the white blood cells and then quits after about 6 days.

I would drink fresh ginger root tea each day. If you can get some GOOD QUALITY ginseng (not walmart capsules) take a SMALL AMOUNT every day. Too much will almost make you worse. Also, eat well, drink chicken broths and beef broths with other good things but made with the bones cooked too. The acidophilus and yogurt are a must.

You need to help your kidneys and liver out too, as antibiotics are wicked on them. Drink some burdock or yellow dock tea daily. Burdock is my favorite. Nettles is great as a liver tonic/vitamin, but burdock is stronger. Maybe add some marshmallow root to soothe the membranes, and the kidney.

You could always develop a coffee habit (just kidding!)

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), February 23, 2002.

I still say don't do or take any product that might complicate what she's already taking. If you want information about herbal concoctions read about it in "Prescription for Nutrional Healing" by James & Phylis Balch.

-- al (yr2012@hotmail.com), February 23, 2002.

I have Prescription for Nutritional Healing and recommend it also. Echinacea and goldenseal are good herbals but more effective if only taken for a few days stretch at a time. For lack of energy without straining your system I'd suggest ginseng, bee pollen and b-complex. Zinc can helpful for building up your immune system.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 23, 2002.

Thanks for the suggestions. My antibiotic has been finished for a week now, so I don't think anything would interfere. I bought a multi- vitamin (there is a bewildering choice of them at the pharmacy) and I'll do some more research and take a little trip to my health food store next week. Again thanks for all the suggestions, they give me a good place to start.

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), February 23, 2002.