Joel's mega C trial Day #3

amount of 'vitamin C candies': 16 plus 1 emergen-c packet
dosage: 9,000 mg
results: we didn't get any C into Joel until around 11am. Also, Joel hit his max of 17 'candies' by 4pm yesterday so he had gone a while without any C. So, Joel had a runny nose this morning BUT it was mostly clear. There was 1 wipe that was green.  Still, a massive improvement compared to Amoxicillin or Z-pack or any other antibiotic that he has been on.  The amount we gave yesterday seemed like a good number since Joel has not had any diarrhea since.  His nose seemed to run consistently throughout the evening.  But the drainage was clear and not copious by any means.  He has had a wet cough for months and that has not gotten much better (if any).

conclusion: high dose vitamin C seems to help clear up Joel's sinus infection.  It has not eradicated all of his issues (wet cough remains, clear drainage from nose persists) but has definitely helped.  Most of the anecdotal stories I am reading seem to indicate dropping to a 2,000 - 4,000 mg 'maintenance' dosage after the 'mega C trial.'  (this shouldn't be too hard with the 1,000 mg emergen-C packets and chewables) I will start that tomorrow even though his symptoms aren't fully gone.

I am going to keep the cabinets stocked with Vitamin C chewables and emergen-C drink mix (which, he LOVED, by the way, oh and only 6 mg sugar in each).  I am very pleased with the results. So much that I have started taking lots of C myself in the hopes that my every-other-month sinus infections will cease or become once-a-year sinus infections.  We will see!

update: I have kept Joel on 4,000 mg of C for 2 days since the trial, honestly bc he just keeps asking for it and it seems to really be working.  His mucus is not totally cleared up but each day is noticeably better.  Also, he has become MUCH more talkative this week since we started the C.. more singing, more sentences, more conversational.  This could totally be coincidental bc I know toddler's brains develop at such rapid rates.. however, it does make me think that some sort of congestion was affecting his ears and that has cleared up as well with the C.

update 10-30-11: Joel has not seen the Dr. once for a 'sick visit' since this introduction of Vitamin C.  (6+ visits from January - May 2011) He has been sick and also had symptoms of an ear infection.  However, these illnesses actually go away in a reasonable period of time and typically do not turn into something worse, like an ear infection and/or wheezing.  We keep Joel on 500 mg - 1,000 mg of Vitamin C per day when healthy. When sick that usually increases to around 4,000 - 6,000 mg.  I also give Joel niacin in his yogurt when sick and restrict his milk and allow him to eat as much fruit as he wants.