Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side-effect of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that frequent washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? --Shayna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body odor that can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat it. It is treatable. http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is swallowed is taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can result in diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy odor caused by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting carnitine to trimethylamines. " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment reported have been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can be treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. The gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and usually improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more frequently. " Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with carnitine and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. Barbara > I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side-effect > of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that frequent > washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? > --Shayna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Wow, I wasn't sure there would be any solution. Barbara, not only do I thank you for the info, but I'm sure my fiance will be especially relieved to find out that there's actually hope . LOL, Shayna > > Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body odor that > can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat it. It is > treatable. > > http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm > > " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is swallowed is > taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can result in > diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy odor caused > by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting carnitine to > trimethylamines. > > " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment reported have > been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can be > treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as > metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. The > gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and usually > improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more frequently. " > > Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with carnitine > and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. > > Barbara > > > > > I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side- effect > > of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that frequent > > washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? > > --Shayna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Barbara--or anyone else-- Have you taken oral carnitine only or have you also tried it intravenously? Is the intravenous form something that can be self- administered? The article Barbara sent says it's mostly used in children with life-threatening crises, but if I'm not absorbing lots of the oral form (though the amount I do absorb definitely helps), is there a reason I shouldn't use the intravenous instead? --Shayna > > Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body odor that > can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat it. It is > treatable. > > http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm > > " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is swallowed is > taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can result in > diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy odor caused > by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting carnitine to > trimethylamines. > > " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment reported have > been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can be > treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as > metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. The > gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and usually > improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more frequently. " > > Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with carnitine > and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. > > Barbara > > > > > I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side- effect > > of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that frequent > > washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? > > --Shayna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 I wonder if taking some good bacteria like acidophilus might help. I took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I take a high dose of acidophilus as well. Getting the good bacteria to outcompete the bad bacteria or yeast is the point of adding acidophilus as a supplement or by eating yogurt. Take care, RH > > Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body odor that > can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat it. It is > treatable. > > http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm > > " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is swallowed is > taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can result in > diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy odor caused > by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting carnitine to > trimethylamines. > > " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment reported have > been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can be > treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as > metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. The > gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and usually > improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more frequently. " > > Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with carnitine > and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. > > Barbara > > > > > I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side- effect > > of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that frequent > > washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? > > --Shayna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 I've had IV Carnitor when I've been in the hospital. I have always refused IVs of any kind at home for several reasons. If you wanted to use IV Carnitor long-term or indefinitely, I'd think you need a central line--which carries its own risks of infection etc. You'd have to weigh the potential benefits and risks. Barbara > Barbara--or anyone else-- > Have you taken oral carnitine only or have you also tried it > intravenously? Is the intravenous form something that can be self- > administered? The article Barbara sent says it's mostly used in > children with life-threatening crises, but if I'm not absorbing lots > of the oral form (though the amount I do absorb definitely helps), > is there a reason I shouldn't use the intravenous instead? > --Shayna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Does Carnitine really do that? I was wondering why I stink now and I never did before. I thought it was because we just moved into a house in the country and we have to use well water. Well, now I have an explanation for the stinky urine and the body odor. I also have boob rash and terrible dandruff (both things I have never experienced before). Any explanation for those? Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 > I wonder if taking some good bacteria like acidophilus might help. I > took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I take a high dose > of acidophilus as well. Getting the good bacteria to outcompete the > bad bacteria or yeast is the point of adding acidophilus as a > supplement or by eating yogurt. > > Take care, > RH Good point. I eat about 40 oz of plain yogurt every day and have not had the fishy problem with Carnitor. Whether that's the reason, I don't know. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 My daughter and I had the same problem until we got our CoQ10 levels up high enough. Since Carnitor and CoQ10 both work better when taken at the same time, it helps the body use the Carnitor better and the odor issue is usually resolved or greatly improved.. shaynapearl wrote: >Wow, I wasn't sure there would be any solution. Barbara, not only >do I thank you for the info, but I'm sure my fiance will be >especially relieved to find out that there's actually hope . >LOL, >Shayna > > > > > >>Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body >> >> >odor that > > >>can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat >> >> >it. It is > > >>treatable. >> >>http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm >> >> " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is >> >> >swallowed is > > >>taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can >> >> >result in > > >>diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy >> >> >odor caused > > >>by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting >> >> >carnitine to > > >>trimethylamines. >> >> " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment >> >> >reported have > > >>been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can >> >> >be > > >>treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as >>metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. >> >> >The > > >>gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and >> >> >usually > > >>improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more >> >> >frequently. " > > >>Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with >> >> >carnitine > > >>and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. >> >>Barbara >> >> >> >> >> >>>I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side- >>> >>> >effect > > >>>of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that >>> >>> >frequent > > >>>washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? >>>--Shayna >>> >>> > > > > > > > > > >Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. > >Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 The only time I had IV Carnitor was when I had surgery. They gave it to me during surgery and the D10 and I had the best outcome ever for any surgery while under general anesthesia. I believe the IV form is even more expensive and I am doubting your insurance would pay for it when you can take the other forms. My mother took the liquid form for a while when she was alive because the pills got too hard for her to swallow. shaynapearl wrote: >Barbara--or anyone else-- >Have you taken oral carnitine only or have you also tried it >intravenously? Is the intravenous form something that can be self- >administered? The article Barbara sent says it's mostly used in >children with life-threatening crises, but if I'm not absorbing lots >of the oral form (though the amount I do absorb definitely helps), >is there a reason I shouldn't use the intravenous instead? >--Shayna > > > > >>Shayna, Here's what Winter, MD, says about the fishy body >> >> >odor that > > >>can be a side-effect of Carnitor--what causes it and how to treat >> >> >it. It is > > >>treatable. >> >>http://www.fodsupport.org/carnitine_therapy.htm >> >> " Oral carnitine is poorly absorbed and only about ¼ of what is >> >> >swallowed is > > >>taken into the body. The rest is excreted in the stool. This can >> >> >result in > > >>diarrhea, stomach upsets and in about 5% of people, a very fishy >> >> >odor caused > > >>by certain bacteria in the bowel of some people converting >> >> >carnitine to > > >>trimethylamines. >> >> " Complications of long term or short-term carnitine treatment >> >> >reported have > > >>been few and not serious. The body odor due to trimethylamines can >> >> >be > > >>treated by taking a low dose of an antibacterial substance such as >>metronidazole to kill off the bacteria making the trimethylamines. >> >> >The > > >>gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea is often short lived and >> >> >usually > > >>improves if the dose is lowered or given with food or more >> >> >frequently. " > > >>Dr. Winter has a lot of experience in treating FOD patients with >> >> >carnitine > > >>and is well-known and respected in mito/metabolic circles. >> >>Barbara >> >> >> >> >> >>>I seem to be one of those lucky few who experiences this side- >>> >>> >effect > > >>>of carnitine: body odor. It's not the type of thing that >>> >>> >frequent > > >>>washing or use of deodorants seems to help. Any solutions? >>>--Shayna >>> >>> > > > > > > > > > >Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. > >Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 --- Barbara Seaman wheatchild@...> wrote: > > I wonder if taking some good bacteria like > acidophilus might help. I > > took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I > take a high dose > > of acidophilus as well. I don't eat a lot of yogurt and don't take anything orally for it either. No fishy odor here. I believe that this is a rare side effect (~5%) Mom to the two best kids in the world! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thomasandkatie __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 Don't believe everything you see in print! This comment about acidophilus was from RH, not me. Barbara > > --- Barbara Seaman wheatchild@...> > wrote: > > > > I wonder if taking some good bacteria like > > acidophilus might help. I > > > took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I > > take a high dose > > > of acidophilus as well. > > I don't eat a lot of yogurt and don't take anything > orally for it either. No fishy odor here. I believe > that this is a rare side effect (~5%) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Yup, carnitine really does that. I was told it was a rare side effect but I had it as soon as I hit my maximum dose. As for the rash and dandruff...I have no idea. Best, Shayna > > Does Carnitine really do that? I was wondering why I stink now and I never > did before. I thought it was because we just moved into a house in the country > and we have to use well water. Well, now I have an explanation for the > stinky urine and the body odor. I also have boob rash and terrible dandruff (both > things I have never experienced before). Any explanation for those? > > Darlene > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Darlene It can also be from the well water. I live in the country and water will do it too. I get a yeast infection under my boobs and once cleared up with medication, I use deoderant there and have had no further problems, unless I forget to use the deoderant. The dandruff could also be from the well water. Do you have a water softener? I had the fishy smell until my CoQ level was increased. My urine in the morning can sometimes smell fishy, but it also smells from the B2, so it is only bad in the morning and then I am fine. laurie > Does Carnitine really do that? I was wondering why I stink now and I never > did before. I thought it was because we just moved into a house in the > country > and we have to use well water. Well, now I have an explanation for the > stinky urine and the body odor. I also have boob rash and terrible > dandruff (both > things I have never experienced before). Any explanation for those? > > Darlene > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 The acidophillus is a good suggestion and it may also help with the skin rash that was mentioned. Yeast overgrowth will often manifest as skin rashes. > > I wonder if taking some good bacteria like acidophilus might help. I > took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I take a high dose > of acidophilus as well. Getting the good bacteria to outcompete the > bad bacteria or yeast is the point of adding acidophilus as a > supplement or by eating yogurt. > > Take care, > RH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 Laurie No, we don't have a water softener, just one of those Pur things you hook onto your faucet and that's only on the kitchen sink. Are water softeners expensive? They are building a development a couple blocks away and we were hoping that would bring city water. Do you know of any shampoos that would help? I have tried Head & Shoulders and that didn't seem to make much of a difference. Also, if it's the well water, you'd think my husband would be affected. I think I'll try the deodorant idea. Thanks for the input. Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2005 Report Share Posted November 17, 2005 I like to assume there are some people whose intestinal flora *are* working right, LOL, without acidophilus supplementation! But I was on a lot of antibiotics growing up, so I think that may be related to why I need to supplement. Here is more on the " fishy odor " problem: http://www.mdausa.org/experts/question.cfm?id=2073 And this site mentions it, and also seizures as a potential side effect (which I experienced): http://www.medicinenet.com/levocarnitine-oral/article.htm Take care, RH > > > > > > I wonder if taking some good bacteria like > > > acidophilus might help. I > > > > took Carnitor and didn't notice a body odor, but I > > > take a high dose > > > > of acidophilus as well. > > > > I don't eat a lot of yogurt and don't take anything > > orally for it either. No fishy odor here. I believe > > that this is a rare side effect (~5%) > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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