Roger
IMHO there's no problem with using alternatives and I ' m thrilled when folks find something that works for them BUT I really feel they should be discussed and reviewed with each persons physician. There are many interactions, side effects, etc...many variables based on each persons additional medical history and medications. So much so that in some cases taking a simple aspirin can be no problem with one person and hospitalize another. That's where I get a bit concerned.
SSKI does not play well with quite a few antibiotics, isn't for folks on some psych meds, have thyroid issues,renal problems, GI issues or cardiac problems. Folks on diuretics can have problems with it also.
I'll list below a fairly long list but its not meant to discourage anyone from looking into this as a possible alternative. But as a nurse, I feel it would be negligent for me not to really encourage folks in a susceptible category to work with their physicians when trialing thing like this. If may be why some alternative meds sometimes get such a unfair bad rep. because folks take too much or it reacts poorly based on their medical history. And yes, sometimes cause the Drs are poorly informed.
Not trying to soapbox but just felt I had to voice my concerns.
Hugs, Lisa
from Medscape lit research:
Adverse Effects

Hypersensitivity reactions to iodides may occur and may be manifested by angioedema, cutaneous and mucosal hemorrhage, and signs and symptoms resembling serum sickness, such as fever, arthralgia, lymph node enlargement, and eosinophilia. Urticaria, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and fatal periarteritis have also been attributed to iodide hypersensitivity. Hypocomplementemic vasculitis in some patients with chronic urticaria or systemic lupus erythematosus has been associated with iodide sensitivity, and some clinicians caution that potassium iodide may precipitate severe systemic illness in such patients. Jodbasedow or iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis may occur with low doses of iodides (i.e., less than 25 mg of iodine daily); this effect is uncommon in the US but more frequent in areas with endemic iodine deficiency.
Manifestations of iodism may occur when potassium iodide is given in large doses or over extended periods of time. Iodism is usually manifested as a metallic taste, burning in the mouth and throat, soreness of the teeth and gums, increased salivation, coryza, sneezing, and irritation of the eyes with swelling of the eyelids. Severe headache, productive cough, pulmonary edema, and swelling and tenderness of the parotid and submaxillary glands may occur. The pharynx, larynx, and tonsils may become inflamed. Mild acneiform eruptions may occur, usually in seborrheic areas; rarely, severe and sometimes fatal eruptions (ioderma) may occur. Gastric irritation is common and diarrhea, sometimes bloody, may also occur. Signs and symptoms of iodism generally subside spontaneously within a few days of discontinuing the drug; symptomatic and supportive therapy and methods to enhance the renal excretion of iodide may be necessary.
Prolonged use of iodides or excessive doses may result in thyroid gland hyperplasia, thyroid adenoma, goiter, and severe hypothyroidism.
Precautions and Contraindications

Since some individuals are markedly sensitive to iodides, potassium iodide should be used with caution when initially administered. Patients at risk for iodine-induced adverse effects include those with hypocomplementemic vasculitis and those with goiter or autoimmune thyroid disease.
Some commercially available formulations of potassium iodide combinations contain sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions, including anaphylaxis and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes, in certain susceptible individuals. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown but probably low; such sensitivity appears to occur more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic individuals.
Iodide preparations are contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to the drugs.
The manufacturers state that potassium iodide should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with tuberculosis and is contraindicated in the presence of acute bronchitis.
Drug Interactions

Concomitant use of lithium salts and iodides may result in an additive or synergistic hypothyroid effect. Such use of lithium with potassium iodide has produced hypothyroidism in several patients. A lithium salt and potassium iodide generally should not be used concomitantly; if the drugs are used together, the patient should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Concomitant use of antithyroid agents and potassium iodide also may result in an additive hypothyroid effect.
Concomitant use of potassium iodide and potassium-containing drugs or potassium-sparing diuretics may be associated with hyperkalemia, which may result in cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Thanks Lisa for your knowledge it is very important.
Hugs,
Carol

Roger, please don't assume that people aren't interested in alternatives. I researched the SSKI and I have a problem with it because I have had the right half of the thyroid removed because of a tumor so please tell me how I could possibly consider this particular alternative at this time?
The lack of response could be that people have done the same as I and are not responding because they aren't interested. Just because the word "alternative" sounds perfectly harmless does not make it so.

As I recall this is about the third of fourth time you have brought this product up in this forum. While I do appreciate any alert to new ways to manage my emphysema, again, I say no to this product because of reasons that I hope you understand.

So don't be offended if people don't respond as I can assure you that they are reading these threads.

I'm sorry to hear of your problem with the thyroid. I would hope that anyone going to the site I mentioned would also see that having regular thyroid tests. I do this plus I have started a glandular concentrate which is supposed to help keep the thyroid in good shape. I appreciate your mentioning my problem with no responses on sski.Its just that it works so good for me and a friend. And makes such good sense. I have not had an lung infection for months and I used to get an infection every other month or so. Over all there is such a negative outlook with emphsema. They, the Mds. keep talking about it being progressive and really no hope in the long run, that I feel an urgency to get word out. But, my improvement of over 50% less oxygen use presently is most impressive to me. And as I mentioned, all I see everywhere I go, its all about inhalers, predisone and anti biotics which I have a cabinet full of inhalers I refuse to use. I really believe, in the long run, they do more harm. They may be needed for a while, but I would say, don;t give up looking for other possiblities..

Hello Roger,
I definitely appreciate your posts on SSKI and other alternatives as I am in information gathering mode. I also appreciate Lisa's thoughtful response.

There's more to life than drugs, whether Rx or alternative, so I'd also love to hear more about you and your life! SSKI has improved your condition, so I hope it has allowed you to do more in your life. Do you have a dog? Or what makes you "dogman?

Have a good holiday,
Joan