Avemar

On Tuesday, August 4, I started a new supplement called Avemar, which is a patented fermented wheat germ extract. It supposedly helps balance the immune system as well as boost the effectiveness of Natural Killer (NK) cells. It has been studied extensively for use as an adjuvant in cancer treatment, and is supposedly used commonly in Europe as a nutritional addition in cancer treatment along with the standard therapies. There haven't been as many studies for immune diseases and CFS, but I was able to find a select few articles that shed some light on what it might do to help the immune dysregulation that is often associated with CFS/CFIDS. It was found to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis. It was also found to be beneficial in a mouse model of lupus, in which it inhibited the Th2 side of the immune system (which is the one that is believed to be overactive in CFS).

The product must be shipped expedited with a cold pack in the summertime and should be refrigerated. It can remain at room temperature for a time but cannot get too warm. It comes in individual single serving packets which are mixed with water and must be consumed within 30 minutes of mixing. The Avemar as sold in the United States is under the brand name Ave and has orange flavoring added to it, although the taste is still pretty bad...and I don't like the feeling of it sitting in my stomach after I drink it. Kind of nasty if you ask me.

I did not notice any kind of herxheimer reaction when taking it, and I was hoping that I would--because that seems to be the way to tell if something is working or not. On the contrary, the bizarre symptoms and side effects that I blogged about in the first few months of my adventure have almost completely subsided, even though my CFS isn't really any better.

Unfortunately, I think the Avemar caused me to have a little bit of anxiety, or nervous tension. While I'm not sure why, I think this is might be due to the B-vitamins that it contains. They are all under the RDA though, so I don't understand why I am so sensitive to even tiny amounts B vitamins. (This happens with Vitamin C too). This also makes it hard to sleep, and my sleep is a bit lighter. The only good side is that it's easier to remember dreams.

Anyway I am not sure how long I am going to try this. I'd like to try it for a good 6 months, but between the bad taste, cost, overnight shipping required, and the fact that I can't tell if it's working or not (no herx)...I really don't know if it's worth it. There are other things out there that might be better. There are so many supplements I've discovered; so confusing. The things I am looking at to try next are beta glucan, AHCC (which is an extract of medicinal mushrooms containing alpha glucans), Epicor (which I think is just a patented form of beta glucan), ImmuneExtra which is pine cone extract (supposed to be a very good Th2 to Th1 shifter), and finally transfer factor or targeted transfer factors. Whew. I am still researching these and will blog more about them when I am fully familiar with how they work.

Other news that I can report is that I've finished my first two months of inosine, so now it's time for a one month break. I have found out that Dr. Cheney does indeed use plain over the counter inosine now instead of imported prescription immunovir from Ireland, but I do not know if he still uses the pulsing dosage or if he uses it in a different way now. His entire system of treatment has changed quite a bit over the years.

(Update - As of August 19 I am only taking a half-packet of Avemar per day.)

(Update 2 - In early September I have decided to discontinue Avemar.)