I take 2000+ mg of vitamin C daily and I have had the intravenous vitamin C at least once before I was due to travel. Both are recommended by my nurse practitioner who works in an alternative medicine clinic. She has never recommended more than one IV at a time. I think the reason I take vitamin C on a regular basis is to boost my immune system. Sorry, I can't tell you more because I don't remember.

Hi Ruby
I tried the Myers Cocktail a few years ago for a few months which is a IV dose of Vitamins and minerals (which includes vit c ) sorry to say it didn't help, just felt very nauseous, and headaches.

I have not had just the vitamin C IV, but rather have a multi vitamin/mineral IV that includes Vitamin C in it along with B vitamins, trace minerals and other nutrients. It's not a Meyer's cocktail either; I had one of those and it barely did a thing. This one that I get is a more potent combination, and I can't live without them (really). One lasts me for about 2 weeks and then it's time for another( $150 each).

I have no quality of life without these IVs, so it's simply something I must do if I want to function (get to the store, take care of myself, cook, etc.) I'm due to get one tomorrow and, boy, can I tell--have not gone out of the house for the past two days (too tired), feel brain dead, too.

Thankfully, they offer these where I live; otherwise, I'd have to relocate. They have not cured me at all but there are times that I just feel great and mild exercising feels wonderful. Beats out the alternative of lying on the sofa. Weekly IVs would be wonderful but have just so much money for them so am just grateful that I can get by on one every two weeks.

Hope they help you, too! Good luck!

Its sad we have to pay anything for treatment, let alone treatments that are all experimental basically.

I've never had an IV treatment for CFS. It's never been offered to me.
I don't know if my doctor does that for a treatment. She's a CFS specialist and I've been going to her since 2007. I think she would have mentioned that option to me by now, if she did that.

I'm not knocking the treatment! I think if it helps, great, but it's expensive. You'll never know unless you try, and if you can afford to try it, go for it. At least you will know you tried, and your doctor can note that did or did not help as well in your medical records.

I have a question. Did our doctor test your Vitamin C levels before this and if so, were they really low?

No the Dr did not check my levels first. I feel the worst I have felt for a while. Hey it could be a coincidence but my gut tells me it's not. I felt instantly bad and my blood pressure went up. I now feel achy all over. Like my worst cfs days. Does this happen to you sanni? Or is it instant relief?

You might find some inspiration or resources from looking up the story about Les Nachman. He was air lifted from a cruise ship due to a failing heart and used IV vitamin C three ties a week. He had to drive from Las Vegas to LA to get it done but eventually found another way. Good luck on your search!

Ruby, I don't get instant relief. On the day that I get the IV I may feel lightheaded, achy, chilled, and just plain flu-like. The next day will be better and then by the third day I feel much better. The process feels like a detox. I just came home from a treatment now and am feeling all the above mentioned symptoms. If I don't get the IV, I will feel all the above mentioned symptoms with no relief, ever. It's been a godsend for me to at least get some relief!! What a mess this cfs is!

Hope this works for you. I would really think that 6 weekly IVs would help tremendously, but everyone is different, of course. When I first received treatments I was also given gamma globulin shots and vitamin B shots, too. Huge help, but gamma globulin costs too much for me to afford.

I hate to think of all the money I've spent on all this but can't seem to live without treatments. Anyway, please keep us posted on your results!

I'm guessing, the standard is to try 6 times to see if it helps as that is what my doctor recommended. I tried the Myers cocktail 5 times and it did absolute nothing, so I stopped. The good news, is it was a push IV and was half the price, $50. I was indifferent if it would help and thought it's probably going to be a waste of money. But it's like what WhiteDoplhin said, if you don't try, you won't know. And what if it does work? Wouldn't that be great!! That's if you can afford it of course.

Good luck with it. Let us know how you feel over the next few days. I know I'll be following your posts. I used to feel there wasn't much use hunting for a treatment, especially as I didn't think my family could afford it. Now I'm starting to change my opinion.

My plan has been to wait for my book to sell so much I would feel comfortable on spending money on my own health. Maybe I'll consider not waiting.

Everyone on here has helped me to have more hope. Thanks.

I had IV vit c treatments a very long time ago and felt a remarkable change in my energy and for two weeks , I thought I was cured.There was only one favorable doctor here in my area, who unfortunately retired and left after my second treatment.No one else does it.I recently flew to Brisbane to see a new doctor who does actually do this but I have numerous expensive tests to do first, and even then I just can't afford to continue flying down there.Moving south might end up being a necessary change in the future.

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Here is how it has been for me so far:

Day 1, 15g Vitamin C
Achy, light-headed, flu like symptoms (similar to my bad CFS days)

Day 2 (day after vitamin C)
Like my usual best days. the thing to be aware of here is, is that I always have a good day after resting all day. I rested all day the day I got the shot as I felt pretty bad.

Day 3
A bit tired in the morning (a bit more than my base usual), this would usually be the case after doing to much on one of my good days.
I had to go to work for 3 hours so that finished me off. H/ache, queasy, CFS moderate to bad.

Day 4 (today)
Probably I would say today I am back to my usual base.

I am booked in for another one on Monday but here are my concerns and doubts:

Is the vitamin C curing the 'problem' ie: killing the virus?
Or is it masking the illness?

These questions are necessary if I actually felt better from the vitamin C, which is not the case as yet but my Dr did say that I would have to at least have two.

If it is the later then eventually (unless I keep taking them for them), I would crash wouldn't I? Seeing that I would be doing more things, less rest, moving faster than I would if I was feeling CFS.

Also I still have the question of whether they would help enough to get me back to work as I can then pay for them.
We are talking about $600, my Dr said after two if I notice a difference then I should budget for them.
Budget for them? I have nothing left in my budget, nothing to cut out, just enough to survive and not even really that.

Sanni my question to you is: when you say they help you function, at what level do they help you function?

I work 4 hours per week at the moment and if I manage my energy around that, then I am able to 'function' reasonably OK, as in, I can get some housework done, visit a friend, walk my dog (not all on the same day, apart from the walking the dog as she needs it everyday) but I manage these things. Does Vitamin C get you doing more than that, as in working?

I really worry about the doctor NOT testing your Vit C levels before giving it to you through IV.
Too much Vitamin C can be harmful. Here are some of the side effects of Vit C overdose:
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Heartburn
Abdominal bloating and cramps
Headache
Insomnia
Kidney stones

and here is the website I found it on
http://www.mayoclinic.org/vitamin-c/expert-answers/FAQ-20058030?sf3902164=1

Thanks whitedolphin for the link. They are my concerns also. I have heard that you can get something called vitamintoses or something similar, from having to many vitamins. Funny as i had a bloated stomach last night and couldn't eat dinner.
My Dr is a gp and a naturopath, she has tried a lot of different things for me and basically this was the last thing to try. I sort of feel obligated to do them or she may think I don't want to get well. However my gut is telling me that it's not for me. I'm leaning towards canceling my next shot. I simply can't afford to spend my money on something else. I have spent a lot already, more and more I believe that accepting and managing this illness, is the way to recovery or at least a better quality of life.

I almost wish I stayed with my mainstream Dr.

Ruby,

The IVs for me cut right through inflammation/infection. Today is the third day after the shot , and I had an excellent day; however I think I've done too much and will have to be careful tomorrow.

Today, first thing that was different was that I only needed around 6-7 hours of sleep last night as opposed to 11-12 hours all last week. I woke up and ate a big breakfast (have to or can't function) then went to yoga class at 10:30. Came home and had a big lunch then was able to go to the pharmacy, stop at two stores (briefly) and come home and then had a big dinner and a snack an hour after that. Am just about ready for bed but just saw your question and wanted to answer it.

I feel like the vitamins/minerals somehow make me feel healthy for a couple of weeks, but that does not mean that I can work or do things like I used to. I'm 65 years old now, so that factors in greatly to the situation. I cannot work anymore other than trying to volunteer a bit (maybe, not sure as I have not done it yet but would like to).

I need to tell you, Ruby, that I also take hormones too, and that can all get expensive as well. I had to cut back on some treatments simply because I'd be broke if I continued. But for me, I can manage (usually) the IVs and allergy shots because I don't think I can survive without them. Without them I can't breathe, developed food allergies to almost everything, hurt all over, had all sorts of weird symptoms, cognitive impairment, and on and on.

Not all days will be as good as today. Tomorrow I may grocery shop and that's all just so I don't crash. I still have to pace myself but I don't mind because I'm feeling well. Without the treatments, I'm not feeling well and that's when the depression comes in. By the way, those B vitamins help with that, too.

I can understand your hesitation about whether this will help you or not. If you absolutely cannot afford it, that might create more stress for you and make things worse. Don't know what's best for you but will send you some loving energy to help you make your decision. Maybe one more IV could give you more insight as to whether you think you should continue. This cfs is a hard path that we're walking. Just follow your instincts, don't let fear creep in, and see what happens! Much love to you!

What good is wasting $600 a week you can't afford? only to feel the same..
crash from doing too much - the dr appointment ordeal
rest up the day
feel better the day after resting, which u said is normal anyway after a day of rest. and end up doing more'
crash from doing too much

- it's a vicious cycle.
Maybe ask her questions about the treatment.
Maybe ask why not test your levels BEFORE the treatment so you can compare levels after weeks of treatment? TO see if the IV C raised your levels and is helping.
That's my issue.... not testing the levels beforehand. What if your vitamin C is normal already?
What if you are low in a different vitamin?
I don't know much about this, it's new to me.
I think if you can afford it, try it one more time and then make a decision. But that is a lot of money, I couldn't afford it... maybe once, but not continuously.
Oh my big question, How many weeks are you supposed to do this? I apologize if you answered this already, I didnt' see the answer, skimming thru a second time..