Ester C - Vitamin C Supplement

My recent trip to NYC introduced me to a Vitamin C supplement brand which I have never heard nor tried in the past.  I got sick while vacationing there and was coughing, sneezing and having terrible migraine attacks. My immune system was so low that time so my cousin gave me Ester-C.

I got a bit curious because it's just a normal Vitamin C which I also take back home but not the same brand as the one she had given me. Ester-C is not the typical Vitamin C. It is a calcium ascorbate which is a unique form of Vitamin C. It is different from other generic Vitamin C supplements because it is made using a water-based manufacturing process that gives a pH neutral product that has naturally occurring Vit. C metabolites. Then the metabolites activate the Vitamin C molecules present, allowing the body to absorb them in the cells. This is vital to enhance immune system.

So, I took the 500 mg. tablet. What really surprised me was, I was expecting the weird side-effect afterwards in my stomach. Surprisingly, this supplement is quite gentle. I am already acidic so the last thing I need is to aggravate my acidity.

My only concern now is if the UAE sells this kind of brand here. I am not sure if I can order from the US and have it shipped here because of drugs/supplements importation law. I hope I bought the supplement there. I will check the local pharmacies here and see if they carry the brand. I hope they do because I will ditch my other Vitamin C supplements. I need something that will not irritate my stomach and will act fast in terms of improving my immune system and heart health.

Down With Pharyngitis Again

I have been inflicted with this condition twice already in a span of 4 months. The bad thing is, I just wake up losing my voice. I am not an ice-cream lover nor enjoy eating sugary and sweet food to make my throat sore but I still get this condition.

My voice is still horrible and broken for 5 days now. I am into medication again and the cough syrup is making me very groggy. I am okay with the twice-a-day antibiotic dosage but I don't know how I am going to survive work tomorrow feeling like this.

I still have my very dry cough and sad to say but I am already getting headaches every time I cough unproductively. The doctor said that a lot of steam can help loosen up the mucous and I will try that today.

I wonder if I got this from my relatives who were here recently. They didn't lose their voices but I did and I was not even going out of the house often. I think I need to crack up my immune system again. I stopped drinking Vitamin C when I took my uric acid medication. I just couldn't take all these pills/tables/capsules anymore. I hope I will be more healthy this year because I have more challenges to face this time.

So people, if you are feeling a sudden ache in your throat, visit your doctor right away. The climate is harsh these days and does not help so avoid drinking cold and eating sweet stuff. Don't strain your voice too much. Gargle with salt water. Drink plenty of fluids. Have plenty of rest. Have steam.

I hope to recover soon. I am back to work tomorrow despite of the lack of voice. I'll be a pantomime show there!

Prescribed Medications

I am fully aware of the numerous parties and the eating I will have this holiday season that my medications are on stand-by. I am regularly taking my hypertension medication and for my cholesterol. I am very careful of the food intake at this time because of the many temptations around me. I don't want to end up eating too much and putting my medications off track because of the binges. My doctor's appointment is not too far from now too so I better be careful and have those numbers in check or else, my doctor will prescribe more medications for me. Of course, I don't want to end up having too many prescribed drugs for fear of prescription drug abuse addiction or relying too much in the aid of various medication.

It's really tough facing this festive season without taking into consideration my health. I just have to keep reminding myself that I want my blood test to come out good in terms of lower cholesterol and uric acid levels. That way, I don't really have to keep taking medications for my hypertension and high uric acid.

Bed Rest

I am on a 3-day bed rest while I recuperate from acute sinusitis and hypertension. I went to the doctor (finally!) yesterday because I couldn't stand the pressure on my nasal cavity and I was feeling feverish already. That could only mean one thing, I needed my antibiotics whether I liked it or not.

I waited for 45 minutes before being called in the doctor's office. Both myself and the doctor were surprised to see my blood pressure to read as 143/100. That was way too high.

So, I am back to my antibiotics, anti-allergy and hypertension meds again. I also have to wait for the result of my blood test for everything that could possibly causing my hypertension and inability to lose weight inspite of the exercise regimen and low-sodium diet.

Am I going through menopause?!? I am praying that my renal test is also okay. I drink a lot of water and certainly not a salty food junkie but I'm really scared.