I have been taking Gnc Womens ultra mega vitamins now for about 2 wks. I've been having some headaches, stomach aches, and last night anxiety fast heart rate. I am wondering could these vitamins be causing me problems ?

I took these same vitamins for a long time and had no ill effect. Believe me, I'm a big chicken with anything that comes in a pill, including vitamins These days, I buy my vitamins and minerals seperately. This way I can regulate my own dosage and take them different times during the day. I don't think one big mega pill slamming into the body is very effective. The body can only absorb so much in a short time before it's excreted.

I've been taking those exact same vitamins since Easter, and I feel great I'll never give these up

I don't know what is in the vitamins you take, but too much of certain minerals, or something like selenium or iodine may effect someone with a sensitive system especially thyroid.....I have had trouble with some vitimans with too many things in them ....don't know which of the vitimins or mininerals specifically caused the problems....

I've been taking this vitamin for almost 10 years now and have had no side effects (except less colds)...but it does contain a lot of stuff....maybe try going off them and see if it makes a difference?

I tried a mega vitamin program recently as well, and have decided to discontinue them. I found I was more sleepy and jittery even when taking half the recommended dose - they come in packet form - a bunch of vitamins in each packet that you're suppose to take twice a day - a program I found at Women to Women. I also found an increase in my heart palpitations (perhaps due to the mega vitamin Bs in them??) and trouble with my bowels. I"ve gone on and off three times to make sure. I wonder if some of us simply cant handle that much. Some of the vitamins are listed at over a thousand over the recommended daily allowance. Their explanation is that the recommended is way too low.
I'm very glad they work for some women, but I am not one of them!

So....it's NOT you! I've done better just taking a woman's daily vitamin I found at Walmart, along with trying to eat right, and excersizing to lose some of these extra pounds I've been carrying around. I've also cut way back on caffeine, and take 500 mg of magnesium when my palpitations bother me. Most times that helps, sometimes it stops them completely.

Jo

Yes, I'll try going on and off of them, and see what happens. Also, I noticed I get hot sometimes while taking them, they have soy in them. I've always heard they are great vitamins with all the vitamins and minerals. I know the B vitamins might be causing some of the anxiety, sometimes I'm almost too full of energy, hyper, then tired at other times. I also get that bloated feeling, and seems to maybe aggravate the acid reflux and IBS. So I might be one of those like the previous poster, who cannot take a mega multi.

Yes, I'll try going on and off of them, and see what happens. Also, I noticed I get hot sometimes while taking them, they have soy in them. I've always heard they are great vitamins with all the vitamins and minerals. I know the B vitamins might be causing some of the anxiety, sometimes I'm almost too full of energy, hyper, then tired at other times. I also get that bloated feeling, and seems to maybe aggravate the acid reflux and IBS, maybe that's the calcium and or magnesium in them. So I might be one of those like the previous poster, who cannot take a mega multi.

Sorry I replied twice...

Well, I've been off of them now about 3 days, and notice I don't sleep as much. They made me really tired at times, and that jittery, shaky kind of feeling as well. Since I've been off I seem not to have the jittery feeling as well. I'll start bk here in a couple of more days, to see how I feel.

CV....Niacin can cause moderate to severe side effects. I googled GNC Mega and it has 175% of recommended dosage@ 35 Mil

More common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, chills, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, flushing, headache, indigestion, itching, nasal inflammation, nausea, pain, rapid heartbeat, rash, shortness of breath, sweating, swelling due to fluid retention, vomiting w much Niacin your vitamin has in it.

I am ultra sensitive to Niacin and have never been able to take it in large quantities.

SusanC

Oh, my Goodness, I have several of those side effects you listed. The shortness of breath, fast heart rate, nasal inflammation. I never would have tied it to the Niacin. Thank You, for this info.

Hi,

I tried GNC Women's ultra megas and couldn't take them. I got headaches on them. I asked them about it and they said it could be from the high B's I now take Costso's brand of high potency vitamins and I break it in half, it's scored, and take half in the a.m. and half at noon. I haven't gotten headaches from these. I also tried B's alone once and got headaches, as did my son. Vitamin Co. mega daily did this to me also.

Hope you find what works for you.

Blessings, 2U,
Ethan's Nana

Interesting info about the Niacin...the ones I was trying, and decided to discontinue, have 665% of the RDA. My symptoms are pretty much gone. I would definitely say they caused diarrhea, jitteryness and sleepiness during the day. And perhaps even aggravated my heart palpitations, but I did have those before, so I'm not sure about the last.
Good for the gals that can take them and find them helpful, but I am not one. I am finding my program of exercising more, eating right, no caffeine is really helping, plus I've lost 13 pounds now!
Jo

I don't think the GNC vitamins contain actual niacin, but niacinimide, which does not cause the flushing, etc.
Multi's rarely have the "real" niacin. Usually, you have to buy that separately. That's what I used to do.

I'm really trying to give these vitamins a chance. They just don't make me feel any better. Has anyone else had any experiences with them, or side effects as well ?

Well, I decided to give these another chance. I have now been taking them for several days, I'm on my 2nd wk, and I'm going to give them up. I am having terrible muscle tension, in my neck, arm, and upper back area, leg pain, Jittery, restlesness, heart palps, increased anxiety. I feel really bad on these. So enough is enough. I just can't take all the mega vitamins in these. I'm just too sensitive, puts my body off balance, will stick to a basic multi, such as Centrum silver, since I'm postmenopausal and should not take regular centrum.

Why can't you take regular Centrum because your postmenopausal?

Lori

I can't take regular centrum because it has iron in it, and I'm postmenopausal, and not having periods any more. Centrum silver has no iron.

I didn't know that. I guess I better switch to Centrum silver too. I'm also postmenopausal.
Thanks,
Lori

I'd rather take the regular centrum, if i could, but they say if you no longer have your periods you should take a vitamin without iron. I really don't care to take an over 50 supplement, just wish I had a choice.

I never had this intense muscle pain until i started taking these mega vitamins. I will stop and see how I feel, but it's hard to imagine vitamns can do this to you.

I read what the other girl said about the niacin and I have a lot of those symptoms. Could be related or not. I was taking a mega vitamin also. The Vitamin Shoppe Ultra Woman. I have noticed I feel better on the Centrum. The shakiness I had is going away. I'm guessing the high B's were causing it. Years ago I was taking alot of B's and noticed the shaking but didn't connect the two. Also, knock on wood, my palpitations have been better since going off the high potency vitamins. Maybe they are too strong for some people and they can build up in your system over time. So now I'm taking Centrum and of course my extra magnesium, fish oil, calcium, potassium and milk thistle for my gallbladder.

Hope you feel better as well.

Lori

That sounds like it is working out for you. I agree, the Mega vitamins, over the rda, can and are a problem for many people out there. I also felt better on a basic vitamin such as Centrum, the Mega is too strong for me, and I had none of these symptoms until I started taking the Mega from Gnc, some people can take these, and some can't. I"m reading more and more of people having problems with mega vitamins, and I'm living proof they can cause problems in doses over the rda.

As soon as I get off these, I'll feel better, I guarantee you.

I've been reading quite a bit lately about mega vitamins and how they aren't good for you. I'm sure we'll do just fine on Centrum. Post how you feel from time to time.
Lori

Yes, I will. Take care, and let us know how your doing.

Thanks, I will.
Lori

Feel better, taking Centrum Silver for now. Will see how I do. I"ve narrowed it down to the B vitamins, I think that might be my problem, sensitive to these particular vitamins over the rda amts.

I feel good on Centrum but I have noticed I have more fatique and I feel tired. Obviously the B vitamins were helping that. But for now, I'm sticking to the Centrum.
Lori

maui,
Why don't you try the Centrum Silver, they have more B6 and B12. This might help with the fatigue. I've been taking them now a few days, and doing ok so far.

Hopefully the extra/higher amt of b vitamins won't disagree with us.

I'm going to try the Centrum Silver. I have a whole bottle of Centrum so I'm trying to use that up first then I will purchase Centrum Silver. So far, I like the Centrum much better. I've noticed the internal shakiness I felt is gone since I started Centrum. Definately too high B's bother me.
Lori

I've been taking the Women's Ultra Mega for many years. You have to be careful because they reformulate it from time to time. Currently, they have 2 versions - Women's Ultra Mega "Active" and Women's Ultra Mega. There's a difference in the level of Vitamin B's as well as amino acids, antioxidants, and some other stuff.

I have no affinity to brand names, it's just that I can't find anything equivalent in this price range. I'm new to this forum, so I have a lot of reading to do.

I gave those vitamins three different chances. For me, they did nothing. I now take a multi-vitamin along with 500mg of vitamin c, fish oil capsule, and a probiotic daily. Seems to help.

So is everyone still doing well on their Centrum Silver?

I'm doing ok on centrum silver.

I'm doing ok on centrum (just the normal) ,, I add a mag/calcium suppliment

you colud try just taking one of the GNC vit. as I do....there is a enough vit. and minerals even in just one pill.... also there is green tea in these vit. which could be a problem for some. hugs mikki

I could not take the GNC vitamins either I think it was the green tea that made my heart race and I did not sleep well at all.I cant do anything with caffeine.

Just reading through this post was going to start a thread about is it possible to overdose on vitamins??

Went to see a breast specialist over a month ago he recommended I take evening primrose oil 1000mg x3 daily.

Have this last week felt rotten tummy aches with very loose BM,s have had a few jittery moments too haven,t had before,was wondering whether its too much for my system?? or just another symptom of peri???

Anyone else any similar things with evening primrose?

Thanks ladies

OMG just googled (don,t normally have banned myself) Oil eve primrose thought be safe googling??!!

said can be fatal if take too much OMG!!! feel ill

Everything can be fatal if you take to much ,, look at that woman that died drinking water !

WHAT???????????????????????????????????????????????


I,ll keep on drinking the wine then Didgens

lol..yes it's true she drank one of those 5 gallen jugs in like a few minutes for a radio contest and it totally wrecked her electrolyte system and she died !! Scary but true. I would not start of with a dose that High even when I;m told too.I usually titrate up but I am sensitive to everything so I'm scared of every med.

In response to the Evening Primrose comment. It's a huge phytoestrogen. Even stronger than soy. So sometimes it can actually make your symptoms worse. My doctor said after menopause we still make about 40% of our estrogen. If your heavier, then you make more. It's progesterone that ceases to exist. So your imbalanced. Your body will adjust to the changes at some point. We keep tossing all this phytoestrogen in our bodies and it's making us worse. So your tearful, bloated, feel awful, sore breasts, etc., etc. I think that's why some of these vitamins with soy in them make us feel worse. I try to avoid phytoestrogens at all costs and I feel better because of it.

Lori