Re: Making your own CS is risky

[Guest guest]

Given quackwatches dubios motives, is there any other information

indicating problems with large doses of properly made CS?

I have not come across any. I use CS regularly (not in large doses)

and find it very effective. Although I have read tons on it and

there certainly is some confusion about it (and some pretty dramatic

claims by some), I haven't come across anything credible that

demonstrates it is potentially a significant health risk.

Best Alan

[Guest guest]

While one can question the motives of quack watch, ingesting

colloidal silver is a risky proposition. Trace the articles listed

below. In THIS particular instance the folks at quackwatch may have

a point.

Aegis

1. van Hasselt P, Gashe BA, Ahmad J. Related Articles, Links

Colloidal silver as an antimicrobial agent: fact or fiction?

Answer: FICTION

J Wound Care. 2004 Apr;13(4):154-5.

2. Mirsattari SM, Hammond RR, Sharpe MD, Leung FY, Young GB.

Myoclonic status epilepticus following repeated oral ingestion of

colloidal silver. Neurology. 2004 Apr 27;62(8):1408-10.

3. Int J Dermatol. 2003 Jul;42(7):549.

Argyria associated with colloidal silver supplementation.

McKenna JK, Hull CM, Zone JJ.

Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

84132, USA.

A 65-year-old male presented for skin examination and was

incidentally noted to have discoloration of the fingernails. These

findings were completely asymptomatic. The patient had been taking

colloidal silver supplementation (Silverzone 140 ppm silver Gifts of

Nature, St. , UT, USA) for 2 years as therapy for diabetes. He

first noticed the onset of nail discoloration 1 year ago. His past

medical history included type II diabetes and hypertension. His

current medications were metformin, glyburide, and benazepril.

Physical examination revealed slate-gray discoloration involving the

lunulae of the fingernails (Fig. 1). The skin, mucous membranes, and

sclerae were unaffected.

4,Clin Exp Dermatol. 2003 May;28(3):254-6.

Severe generalized argyria secondary to ingestion of colloidal

silver protein.

White JM, AM, Brady K, - R.

Department of Dermatology, Ealing Hospital, London, UK.

jonathanmlwhite@...

Argyria is a rare cause of cutaneous discolouration caused by silver

deposition. We report a case of dramatic and diffuse argyria

secondary to ingestion of colloidal silver protein over a 1-year

period. Stained electron microscopy with spectral analysis was used

to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Silver-protein complexes are

deposited in the skin and reduced to inert silver salts by sunlight

in a process similar to that harnessed in photography. Our patient

had obtained the silver for consumption via mail order. It had been

advertised as a cure for a variety of diseases. Colloidal silver

protein is commercially available as a 'food supplement', hence

circumventing the strict controls placed on medicines.

5. Cutis. 2000 Nov;66(5):373-4.

Argyria following the use of dietary supplements containing

colloidal silver protein.

Gulbranson SH, Hud JA, Hansen RC.

Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85006, USA.

The onset of argyria following the use of dietary supplements

containing colloidal silver protein is presented. The patient was

using a silver-containing product for cold and allergy prophylaxis.

We review the past and present medicinal roles of silver and include

a differential diagnosis for argyria. The hyperpigmentation of

argyria is usually permanent, and it follows a sun-exposed

distribution. This case report highlights the potential for toxicity

following the use of dietary supplements and demonstrates the

importance of physician inquiry regarding alternative medicines.

Finally, we examine the limited role of the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) in regulating alternative medicines marketed as

dietary supplements.

6. Fed Regist. 1999 Aug 17;64(158):44653-8.

Over-the-counter drug products containing colloidal silver

ingredients or silver salts. Department of Health and Human Services

(HHS), Public Health Service (PHS), Food and Drug Administration

(FDA). Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule

establishing that all over-the-counter (OTC) drug products

containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts for internal

or external use are not generally recognized as safe and effective

and are misbranded. FDA is issuing this final rule because many OTC

drug products containing colloidal silver ingredients or silver

salts are being marketed for numerous serious disease conditions and

FDA is not aware of any substantial scientific evidence that

supports the use of OTC colloidal silver ingredients or silver salts

for these disease conditions.

[Guest guest]

<I guess only time will tell, but in my opinion, people who are in

desperate situations will do whatever they feel led to do if there

is a chance it might help.>

This is THE reason that Aegis makes an effort to comment. Desperate

patients take desperate measures. There is no harm in trying

anything, but only if one is fully cognizant of the dangers.

A case in point are the bee stings, stem cells etc, perhaps they

too work, but again one needs to know the dangers.

Very rarely has Aegis seen any discussion on the dangers of these

therapies, instead we spend time discussing the side effects of LDN,

which is quite safe!.

A

[Guest guest]

I agree with Aegis' position, third party though it may be. And would like to add: our discussion of the harmless side effects of LDN is needed reassurance to the new users, and comforting to those who have been on it a while. By comparing side effects we can at least partially determine if indeed what is occurring IS a side effect or something else going on that needs more attention from us... If I were to post a request for information from the gang about what I thought was a side effect and learned it was something unique to me then I would be apt to check it out and NOT write it off as a side effect.

----- Original Message -----

From: aegis_on_ms

low dose naltrexone

Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 8:34 PM

Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Re: Making your own CS is risky

<I guess only time will tell, but in my opinion, people who are in desperate situations will do whatever they feel led to do if there is a chance it might help.>This is THE reason that Aegis makes an effort to comment. Desperate patients take desperate measures. There is no harm in trying anything, but only if one is fully cognizant of the dangers.A case in point are the bee stings, stem cells etc, perhaps they too work, but again one needs to know the dangers.Very rarely has Aegis seen any discussion on the dangers of these therapies, instead we spend time discussing the side effects of LDN, which is quite safe!.A

[Guest guest]

I consider myself to be fairly intelligent and capable of making an informed decision quite on my own! I have done beestings for the past year with NO problems and like the improvements that I have seen. I have taken all necessary precautions and actually look forward to the stings. It, like most things, is an individual's choice.

As I have said before, possibly you have not progressed to a point where desperate measures are necessary. Just because some of us have, doesn't render us unable to make decisions for ourselves. I, for one, don't want or need anyone trying to scare me out of trying something if there is the slightest chance it may help.

Most people on these types of boards just need the information asked for and support from that point on. Whether you agree or not is beside the point. Just agree to disagree and support one another!

Marcie (PPMS)

In a message dated 8/25/2004 9:34:46 PM Central Standard Time, aegis_on_ms@... writes:

Very rarely has Aegis seen any discussion on the dangers of these therapies, instead we spend time discussing the side effects of LDN, which is quite safe!.

[Guest guest]

>but in my opinion, people who are in desperate

> situations will do whatever they feel led to do if there is a

>chance it might

> help.

The biggest risk of too much CS seems to be blue skin. This seems to

be the FDAs concern, along with the difficulty of knowing the exact

dosage one is getting.

However, blue skin can be a cheap price to pay for some situations.

A close friend of mine with Lyme Disease had become incapacitated to

the point of not being able to drive her car any longer and was

confined to a wheel chair. After half of a year on CS she was able

to start driving again and leading a semi-normal life. Her skin did

not turn blue and at the quantities she used was highly unlikely ever

to. However, given the choice between being able to carry out almost

normal activities versus not having the strength, coordination, or

clarity of mind to do the things she wanted, she preferred getting

back to normal even if her skin would have turned blue.

The risk of blue skin is about zero for moderate CS consumption.

Again, CS has not generally been effective for treatment of MS or its

symptoms. However, if it can reduce the number of colds or flu

attacks, then it can have value even for those with MS.