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    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

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  1. Star-Anise

    n-acetylcysteine (NAC) (N-A-C)

    I recently decided to try NAC at the advice of my naturopath as a beginning place to start to restore my liver function. I have no liver function formal tests, but I am pretty sure that I have weak Phase 2 detox. I have trouble with sulfite metabolism & my endocrine function is impaired. I also...
  2. Star-Anise

    Comment by 'Star-Anise' in 'NAC'

    I find NAC very stimulating, even at tiny tiny doses (like 1/64 tsp). I'm curious about why this may be. I have some ideas. Maybe underlying Mercury toxicity (I had amalgam fillings for years), or perhaps due to my really impaired liver metabolism (especially sulfur metabolism).
  3. Star-Anise

    Comment by 'Star-Anise' in 'Anxiety Attacks'

    Towards summer, it also started when I was leaving home -even when the destination was desirable. This was nuts. I knew what "agoraphobia was (inability to leave one's home due to anxiety/panic) and I was damned if I was going to sit around while that took over my life." This is my new flavor...
  4. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    @Gondwanaland Hi there! Yep B5 does the same thing to me I think. I have only tried B5 when I took it as part of another supplement & I noticed a variety of symptoms but basically tired/wired, so it was on my list to try it in a titrated lesser dose. I'll report back about what I find. But I...
  5. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    Hi @Viking The Algae product that I am using is from Whole Earth & Sea, & it is called Pure Food Marine Algae-3. When I first started to take it, I did experience a mild "buzz" akin to the fish product, but on a way lesser scale. I'm not sure why I tolerate the algae Omegas. I have a hunch for...
  6. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    Just wanted to put a quick note here that the algae oil was tolerated way more easily & I am now taking it daily :) Not sure why. I think it has less of the active components of EPA/DHA so a little of a good thing tends to go a long ways with me, so it might be as simple as it just being less...
  7. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    @Gondwanaland yes, I think that the omega 3s help with estrogen metabolism, as does DIM. I got the algae version today - will report results. ;)
  8. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    Thanks @Gondwanaland & @Joh! I have tolerated algae products previously way better actually! What a brilliant suggestion. Yes, it's almost like the fish oil is good but too concentrated for me. My body needs gentleness, I'm sure everyone can appreciate, ha ha! @Gondwanaland I think you are onto...
  9. Star-Anise

    How to Best Tolerate Fish Oil

    Hi everyone! This is an old thread, but I too, am having problems with fish oils :( Fish oils basically = RAGE for me (excitotoxicity?) I've been told I need the omegas, don't tolerate flax seed oil (it does something hormonally for me). Any suggestions? @Gondwanaland you said: "It is a...
  10. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    Already feeling better from about 10mg B2 & an anti-histamine. Whoo!:thumbsup: @Gondwanaland - you are a lifesaver! My head was getting into the *crazy-zone* that's the closest I have felt to needing to be on the psych ward! Star:balloons::balloons::balloons:
  11. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    @Gondwanaland Yes. You are definitely onto something here with the uric acid & Zinc connection. Definitely. HMMMM. I'm going to do some experimenting. Thanks again! :)
  12. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    Thanks @Valentijn that's one thing I don't have to worry about! :) :) Yay!
  13. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    @Gondwanaland A big big thank-you for starting this post & providing all the information that you have. It has been so very helpful. I love this forum & the people here. It is such a good thing that we are part of supporting each other in this way. My question from Alison Vickery...
  14. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    Thanks @Gondwanaland :) Funny that you say that. I was like --- hey this feels like a histamine reaction. And thank-you kindly for the advice re: B2 & magnesium. I was already sniffing out some magnesium but haven't thought about B2. Happy holidays to everyone! Star
  15. Star-Anise

    Love and hate for vitamin B6

    Wow! Been trying some B6 lately in form of P5P. Opened up a 50 mg capsule & eyeballed about a 1/8 tsp of powder. First response - quite heightened fatigue/drowsiness the next day. Second time - eyeballed perhaps a bit less - second response: like speed!!! Couldn't sleep a wink, next morning...
  16. Star-Anise

    How do I decrease cortisol?

    @dannybex Hi there thanks for the info above, I'm looking for something to help lower my night-time cortisol that doesn't lead to higher acetylcholine. I'm not sure if that's possible for me right now. I don't know a lot about this process, other than what I am experientially observing. PS, &...
  17. Star-Anise

    The Wonders of Prebiotics

    Hi all! @Hip Thanks for the useful information. Working on suspected SIBO. Found some success with Garden of Life probiotic with Homeostatic Soil Organisms (HSOs). It was the best probiotic I had ever tried! As well have had great success with Unmodified potato starch, & have weaned myself...
  18. Star-Anise

    The Resistant Starch Challenge: Is It The Key We've Been Looking For?

    Hi all! Looking for some recommendations re: use of Larch. I have been benefiting greatly for some months on Bob's Red Mills Potato Starch - about 5 tsp/day spread throughout day. Despite the benefits which seem to be in my lower intenstines, I still would have problems when I would eat...
  19. Star-Anise

    Woo!! Finally got Metametrix results! Now what??

    @Critterina @end What do u think about this one? https://www.biokplus.com/en-us/original It was recommended to me by Gestalt as well. I'm quite nervous about trying dairy again. But their rice formula has nutritional yeast in it. Unfortunately I think I've been having a return if my old yeast...
  20. Star-Anise

    Relationship between caffeine and B12 tolerance.

    @NilaJones Adenosyl-B12 is one of my friends. I noticed a big difference in energy metabolism when I introduced it. But ++detox symptoms as well (edema, tiredness, gross-like feeling), so go slooooooowwwwwww, as you likely would have done anyways ;). I agree with Caledonia - there is a chance...
  21. Star-Anise

    Relationship between caffeine and B12 tolerance.

    Hi @NilaJones I can only share from my own experience here. I have had extensive adrenal difficulties. My reading/learning has been that with chronic health problems adrenals are always involved as is liver toxicity & such. What I would do if I was having your symptoms: a) Don't try to...
  22. Star-Anise

    Woo!! Finally got Metametrix results! Now what??

    Hi @NilaJones - yes so very nice to connect :) I would say - yes. There does seem to be varying opinions of this in the community. Mercury toxicity as a whole seems to be a sensitive topic. For myself - removal of my amalgam fillings was crucial to increase my tolerance of methyl agents. I'm...
  23. Star-Anise

    My current methylation puzzle

    Hi @NilaJones - I concur with lovely @Critterina above. It looks to me that things are slowly coming along for you, which is awesome. Recently I have had made peace with folate in supplements for my body. As I said on other thread I'm doing the nutritional balancing program (best known via...
  24. Star-Anise

    Woo!! Finally got Metametrix results! Now what??

    Hi @NilaJones So nice to hear from you. I have had a long hx of working on my gut issues. What I have learned is that the metametrix testing is very useful in giving us a snapshot of our gut flora & what may be occurring, however, it may not be the whole picture - this makes sense especially...
  25. Star-Anise

    Need a Manganese for dummies guide: why am I WIRED?

    @sregan Sorry about my late response, for some reason I haven't been getting email alerts... Hmmmm, if it is just a bit watery, I would likely continue. I noticed that stuff in that department definitely had it's fluctuations as I have been proceeding with my program. I would even be ok with the...
  26. Star-Anise

    The Resistant Starch Challenge: Is It The Key We've Been Looking For?

    Hi all, ok I'm sold on RS. I've been trying it in small doses nightly for a few months. Maximum dose I've achieved is 2 tsps per day. Many positive benefits I've noticed: at first I experienced the vivid dreams, and this has continued, and is quite pleasant. As I have been reading through...
  27. Star-Anise

    Am I taking too much MB12 & MFolate?

    @Indie Hi there! It was some time ago that I was experimenting with hydroxy, but I seem to recall that it just increased the fatigue. At first it seemed to help, but that was short-lived. As well, it seemed to make it harder to stabilize on my methylfolate. If you are COMT-/- then likely you...
  28. Star-Anise

    Am I taking too much MB12 & MFolate?

    Hi Audrey, in addition to my PM, if I were going to reduce any dose, I would be tempted to reduce the hydroxyB12, slowly at first, I can see why you are on it due to COMT status, but personally hydroxy - has only given me problems (but I'm COMT -/-). But this would largely depend on your...
  29. Star-Anise

    Treatment for CBS/Sulfur issues?

    Hey girl, interesting story, I'm doing a nutritional balancing protocol with Theresa Vernon based on Dr. Wilson's protocol & I've been able to reintroduce some sulphur foods. I can't have a lot everyday, but I've been able to enjoy some stuff with onions in it, and some chocolate without any...
  30. Star-Anise

    CBS success!

    @musicchick581 Side effects can be detox symptoms if too much too fast. I had 6 sprays on 1st day & ended up with a really bad headache. I had to do 1-3 sprays spread throughout the day, & worked my way up to 20+ sprays at once several times per day. I'm currently waiting for the mail fairy to...