[kima1962]

I have recently tried maca and have had adverse effects from this supplement. I still haven't been able to understand why, although I plan I seeing my primary care physician soon to get at the root of this issue. I wanted to try maca for perimenopause symptoms. I thought I was perimenopausal (I'm 44) because of things like: fatigue/brainfog/depression/irritability/menstral lapses/etc... .but after searching as many sites as possible on the web, I'm thinking my reaction is because of either an autoimmune disorder or adrenal fatigue, or hypothyroidism (?). I also probably have chronic fatique, Epstein-Barr and fibromyalgia, as I present with most of the symptons related to these conditions (Geez, I am sounding more and more pathetic!). Anyway, here is my experience with the maca:
I took my first 2 pills of 500 mg each on the afternoon day one. That evening I noticed my lymph glands were tender, but didn't think too much about it. On day two, I took 2 500 mg in A.M., and 2 500 mg at noon. By that evening, my lymph nodes were extremely sore and swollen. I began doing web research, and found VERY FEW sites that mentions the potential adverse effects of maca...every site seems to say there are none! I immediately stopped taking the maca, and after about 24 hours the tenderness went away. I am still searching for the answer as to why I had this contraindication. I would also like to somehow make others aware that this is not necessarily a supplement without adverse effects...there should be a warning somewhere, and information as to what to do if someone were to have the negative results that I had.
Has anyone else had the same reaction (swollen glands in their neck) after taking maca? And if so, what was discovered as to the reason so I can request a test for the same thing rather than go through more testing than I may need. Note: In what may be related (?), I had a few fainting spells about a year ago, with no answer as to why (even had to go to ER the first time, as I hit my head pretty hard when I passed out), also for over a year now I have had intense cravings for kosher salt and eat it on an almost daily basis. Additionaly, I have had anemia in the last eight months, and went through ALL KINDS of hospital tests with no conclusion as to the cause (my "specialist" thought I was bleeding internally because of the high volume of blood loss, and concluded that I must have healed on my own when my iron levels spontaneously went back up).
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you have had the swollen lymph nodes in relation to the maca, (or any high iodine/glucosinolate type supplement), and what the root cause was. My doctor appointment (this time around!) is in a few weeks and I'd like to be as prepared as possible so the right testing can be ordered.

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Kima,
I don't know about the maca adverse reaction, but if you have chronic fatigue syndrome, you are most likely very sensitive to medications / supp. as well and need more info on CFS - I have had and recovered from CFS, and it is not usually epstein barr virus, though it could have been at one point, nevertheless, you Have to get diagnosed and treated, it is not healthy to remain in that state -- please see my post under Featured Conditions forum.. Chronic Fatigue syndrome thread.. I listed the contact number to call for treatment, evaluation and some beginning steps to start with... the clinic is Harborview Medical Center's Chronic Fatigue Clinic -- a very very excellent hospital, and insurance covered... they can advise you to the appropriate care in your area, wherever that may be... but, please seek help for your condition, so you don't needlessly suffer -- many doctors are unaware and uneducated regarding the condition, and there is a lot of incorrect information floating about, so I highly recommend this hospital - they can at least begin to guide you I'm hoping, they are center of international studies, and help hundreds of people recover...
let me know if you have any questions --
take care,
Elizabethmarie

[Moochi]

Originally Posted by kima1962

I have recently tried maca and have had adverse effects from this supplement. I still haven't been able to understand why, although I plan I seeing my primary care physician soon to get at the root of this issue. I wanted to try maca for perimenopause symptoms. I thought I was perimenopausal (I'm 44) because of things like: fatigue/brainfog/depression/irritability/menstral lapses/etc... .but after searching as many sites as possible on the web, I'm thinking my reaction is because of either an autoimmune disorder or adrenal fatigue, or hypothyroidism (?). I also probably have chronic fatique, Epstein-Barr and fibromyalgia, as I present with most of the symptons related to these conditions (Geez, I am sounding more and more pathetic!). Anyway, here is my experience with the maca:
I took my first 2 pills of 500 mg each on the afternoon day one. That evening I noticed my lymph glands were tender, but didn't think too much about it. On day two, I took 2 500 mg in A.M., and 2 500 mg at noon. By that evening, my lymph nodes were extremely sore and swollen. I began doing web research, and found VERY FEW sites that mentions the potential adverse effects of maca...every site seems to say there are none! I immediately stopped taking the maca, and after about 24 hours the tenderness went away. I am still searching for the answer as to why I had this contraindication. I would also like to somehow make others aware that this is not necessarily a supplement without adverse effects...there should be a warning somewhere, and information as to what to do if someone were to have the negative results that I had.
Has anyone else had the same reaction (swollen glands in their neck) after taking maca? And if so, what was discovered as to the reason so I can request a test for the same thing rather than go through more testing than I may need. Note: In what may be related (?), I had a few fainting spells about a year ago, with no answer as to why (even had to go to ER the first time, as I hit my head pretty hard when I passed out), also for over a year now I have had intense cravings for kosher salt and eat it on an almost daily basis. Additionaly, I have had anemia in the last eight months, and went through ALL KINDS of hospital tests with no conclusion as to the cause (my "specialist" thought I was bleeding internally because of the high volume of blood loss, and concluded that I must have healed on my own when my iron levels spontaneously went back up).
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you have had the swollen lymph nodes in relation to the maca, (or any high iodine/glucosinolate type supplement), and what the root cause was. My doctor appointment (this time around!) is in a few weeks and I'd like to be as prepared as possible so the right testing can be ordered.

I am currently experiencing that right now, and I don't know why its acting up, I am going to my doctor's tommorow to find out my self and i will let u know