Hi all,

I've been trying to work out a complicated problem for months now and I've posted here a few times about my reactions to antibiotics. Which isn't too uncommon. But what has been unusual is my reactions to supplements.

I bought 3 supplements from the same brand, NaturAlma. These liquid extracts contains the same excepts and then the main one.

- Uva Ursi

- Horsetail

- Juniper

I'll give you example of Juniper's ingredients: vegetable glycerine (stabilizer), water, Common juniper (Juniperus communis) fresh buds (2,5%).

Each to these supplements is the same: Glycerol, water, and [main ingredient].

I've taken many other supplements from other brands with no issues, but also did NOT help my infection. These supplements all dramatically improve my UTI symptoms.

So I wonder, am I reacting to completely different extracts or am I actually reacting to the same ingredient in each other these: glycerol?

I know it seems so unlikely, but glycerol is able to damage myelinated and non myelinated nerves when injected or applied topically... but these are high concentrations

But I do have very hyperexcitable and sensitive nerves due to small fiber neuropathy.

Could it be either: a mild allergy to glycerol? Or chemical irritation?

Here is a bit about my dilemma where I have been unable to treat an ongoing UTI since September 2022 due to severe nerve pain from antibiotics and even supplements that help me.

https://www.crvitality.com/2023/07/fighting-raoultella-uti-and-reactions-to-antibiotics-and-supplements/

It's such a common ingredient. It would be surprising if this is actually what's causing the problem with these supplements at least. But maybe not impossible.

My small fiber neuropathy was from B12 deficiency. When I supplemented for months, my nerve pain was about a 0 to 1 out of 10. When I take these supplements, it goes to more like a 8 out of 10.

Years ago, back in 2007 I had similar reactions to methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (methyl paraben) after I developed nerve damage from Cipro. Once I recovered, I was able to tolerate parabens again

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Glycerol neurolysis: neurophysiological effects of topical glycerol application on rat saphenous nerve

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4056882/

" The neurophysiological mechanism of glycerol neurolysis appears to be a nonspecific conduction blockade of large and small fibers, which is established within minutes of its application. Spontaneous firing within damaged axons, which may play a role in a variety of cranial and peripheral nerve sensorimotor syndromes, is also exquisitely sensitive to glycerol application. "

Effect of glycerol on peripheral nerve: an experimental study

Our results show that myelin disintegration and axonolysis occur with glycerol application. Myelinated and unmyelinated fibers are affected at random, although the most striking histological changes were seen in the myelinated fibers.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6318149/

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Any thoughts?

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