Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Blog

Comment by Susan Bush

March 19, 2008 @ 4:51 pm

There is now a product called PeakATP on the market. I would like to hear from anyone who can tell me the difference between this formulation and the d-ribose. D-ribose is not recommended for people with blood sugar issues, which I have. I’d like to try the ATP, but so far I’ve only found limited comments that say it’s not as safe or effective as the ribose.

Comment by Maynard

March 22, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

I’ve not tried PeakATP, but I’ve always had really bad hypoglycemia.

Do try the D-Ribose anyway. I’ve been taking it at 15mg/day with Co-Q10 (300-400mg/day), L-Carnitine (2g/day), Niacinamide (B3, 500mg/day) and Magnesium (400mg/day), as part of the Sinatra Protocol for mitochondrial function.

At first, either the Q10 and/or Ribose were causing blood sugar fluctuations a bit… But nothing too bad - only the need for the occassional extra snack, (cold cuts of meat or nuts used to help balance things), and often last thing at night, before going to sleep, I’d need a snack…

I don’t know whether it’s a case of the package of supplements slowly improving things, but I’ve not had any acute hypoglycemic symptoms for quite a while now.

I think even if you’re very reactive, taking Ribose in very small amounts throughout the day should avoid any noticable dips…

Apparently the Ribose lowers blood sugar slightly rather than raising it and causing a spike then a crash… So it may be that it’s good in the long term for blood sugar problems as insulin resistance from eratic or consistently high blood sugar seems to be the main offender…

Benefits far outweigh the costs in this case I think! Ribose is the one supplement I *feel* eases symptoms and improves energy the most.

Comment by Maynard

March 22, 2008 @ 3:46 pm

(Should read 15g/day Ribose - don’t think 15mg would have much effect!)

Comment by Nancy Mc

May 8, 2008 @ 8:26 pm

in response to the blood sugar concerns- I had the same concern. Read this…

http://www.bioenergy.com/Papers/9036%20Ribose%20and%20GI.pdf

I am type 2 and have not had an issue. What I wanted to share with everyone was an unexpected benefit I have received from taking Ribose. It has given me the first undisturbed sleep I have had in at least 10 years. I have stopped taking it 4 different times to see if that was really from the ribose, and sure enough the effect is almost miraculous! For more than 10 years I woke up every 2 hours at least, without exception. I always have to urinate when I wake but suspect it is the muscle pain from fibro waking me as I am always uncomfortable every minute of the day. I only have to take it before bed to get the benefit. I now sleep 6 hours or more before waking and though I still have pain it is better and I have more energy. I take 5 grams (2 tsp.) in water the hour or so before and if I do not take it I wake up. My husband says I am never going to stop! I don’t really know why it works but it does! I have not been able to afford the 5 grams 3x a day so I think maybe my results would be even better if I did. I buy mine at Vitamin Shoppe (NOW Sports brand D-Ribose powder 8 0z., 227 grams) for $29.99. Once a day lasts me about a month and it is so worth it but I wish I could take it 3 times as recommended in the research. Has anyone had really good results with a less expensive brand?

Comment by Art Sands MD

June 6, 2008 @ 8:04 pm

I am a family physician - have been recommending d ribose for both patients that have fibromyalgia and congestive heart failure - have had excellent results in general (~ 60-70% respond well).

Comment by Debbie

June 30, 2008 @ 9:19 am

Has anyone noticed feeling worse when first taking the ribose? I took my first 5g dose this morning and feel a bit more achey. I was thinking maybe there is an intial detox reaction?

Comment by Sherril

July 13, 2008 @ 4:09 pm

The study did not have a control group. Makes it not much of a study, in my opinion.

Comment by Mojita

July 30, 2008 @ 12:48 pm

Hi Nancy,
In my family, we’ve been following the suggestions of Dr. Myhill, her clinical results seem to be the most helpful. We’ve seen a dramatic increase in energy and a decrease in pain and fatigue symptoms. You can learn a lot from dr. Myhills website.

Comment by Lois

August 1, 2008 @ 7:43 am

For Debbie,

I don’t think it could be a detox. As I understand it, ribose is a form of sugar/energy. Don’t see how that would make you have a herx?
Maybe you were having an achy day for another reason, or for an unknown reason?

Comment by Bruce Jordan

August 4, 2008 @ 4:49 am

For Nancy, Swanson Vitamins sells 10.6 oz. of d-Ribose for $27.99. I’ve been buying products from them for years and can recommend them. Good luck.

Comment by Connie Hoffman

August 14, 2008 @ 2:41 pm

Hi Debbie. I had the same problem and added the NOW brand of Cal/Mag. 3 softgels have 1000 mg. of Calcium and 500 mg. of Mag. 2 softgels works for me. That ended the build up of lactic acid. Hope this helps.

Comment by Hana Johnson

December 19, 2008 @ 4:35 pm

I am a middle-aged woman with chronic pain and trying to keep fit and strong. I workout six days a week with weights and a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio prior to each training session. I have taken many different brands of energy and pre-workout drinks and have found that Advocare products work well for me. I noticed a significant difference when taking a product called Muscle Fuel in that I always have a better workout overall for endurance and physical strength. On the days that I don’t take Muscle Fuel, There is a noticeable difference in the decrease in energy. I still have a good workout but not as powerful. Recently I ran out of the product and since it is by mail order only, I reviewed all of the ingredients in the products I take, and the one ingredient missing from everything else except Muscle Fuel is D-ribose. I went to my local GNC and inquired for a product with D-ribose. No one there had heard about it. After a long time reading through the ingredients of products claiming to maximize everything, I finally found D-ribose as an ingredient in Sizeon by Gaspari Nutrition. I have been a customer of GNC for decades and taken many products that have come and gone and not become attached to any particular one. I have to say that the Sizeon made a big difference as an energy drink/supplement to my workout. I have since then included D-ribose in powder form to my daily supplement intake. I buy it at the health food store. What a difference for the better. I also have far less body aches.

Comment by Hana Johnson

December 19, 2008 @ 9:14 pm

I am not recommending that anyone try these supplements or creatine; which is the reason why people take the supplements that I mentioned in my previous post. I have tried to steer clear from creatine, however, I am cautiosly happy about the D-Ribose and will keep reading for any new developments, good or bad, on its use as a supplement.

Comment by Esthr Salinas

December 20, 2008 @ 12:34 pm

I would like to know if d-ribose has been used to treat Post Polio Syndrome symptoms of muscle pain and weakness, debilitating fatigue, low energy/stamina.

Comment by Joe S

December 20, 2008 @ 6:40 pm

I am 42 and have had fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome for 19 years.

I have researched and tried everything under the sun and hands down, ribose is the greatest supplement I have ever used.

I am back in the gym. I have more energy, sleep better, and rebound exceptionally quicker using ribose. Sometimes I would hit a wall with massive fatigue, and would wait days…weeks, sometimes months to get a little better.

With ribose- and a host of other effective suppliments- I get a turn around the same day often.

I take 5 grams ribose (sometimes 10 grams) 3 times a day with l-glutemine (5-10 grams), powder vitamin C(1-2 grams as tolerated) mixed in water
And, co-enzime q-10 (30 to 60 mg. 1x a day), malic acid (1000-2000 mg 1x a day), magnesium (300-600 mg 1x a day), Chinese ginsing 2000 mg,a good multi- vitamin (”nature plus” food for life) and a few more.

I am treating “adrenal exhaustion” or “adrenal fatigue” as it is known. Google it to get the regime that is right for you.

You may look up candiasis too.

I think, after 19 years, i have more hope than ever– not just from the ribose, i have an all aROUND HEALTHY LIFSTYLE THAT INCLUDES MEDITATION, {ops, caps}, but the ribose is the key.

This stuff is expensive, but where there is a will there is a way (google “law of attraction”).

I shop at vitacost: all shipping is a flat rate of $5. Just make sure to opt-out of any programs they offer including the $20 off or someting after you buy. Best prices.

Comment by Bea

January 6, 2009 @ 9:11 am

HI, I am just beginning to try ribose for Chronic Fatigue. I can tell after just 3 days that it helps with energy levels, but it seems to be causing gas, mild constipation, and cold sores. Has anyone had this happen? Any thoughts on how to make this work for me would be appreciated!

Comment by Dawn

January 13, 2009 @ 3:35 pm

My father is 62 and has chronic fatigue and pain issues… and my uncle, his younger brother, has fibromyalgia. I’ve heard a little about ribose and just started researching it. The conversation on here has really been helpful, and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed. I would love to see both of them with less pain and able to enjoy life more than they do… and I think this is worth checking out further.
Would there be any suggestions on things that should not be done or used in conjunction with ribose? Any ‘heads up’ tips or warnings anyone can suggest?
Thank you so much! And my deepest hope for health and happiness for all of you!

Comment by linda

January 23, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

i can recommend the perrin technique for cfs and fibromyalgia. the information is available on the internet.

Comment by Ronda

February 19, 2009 @ 3:05 pm

I love D-Ribose. I have alot of drug intolerances and was at my wits end with the fibromyalgia pain. Off the meds and on D-Ribose 3 times a day @ 1 tsp each time. Love it. I wish I could find it cheaper and in larger containers in Canada. Life changing for me.

Comment by Anne

March 4, 2009 @ 7:27 pm

Hi - this is a question for BEA, who wrote on January 6 2009, that D-Ribose “seems to be causing gas, mild constipation, and cold sores.”

I was wondering if you heard from anyone else having these side effects and also wondering if you meant canker sores (on the inside of the mouth) or the other kind, that come from the herpes virus (usually the outside of the mouth, on the lips). THANK YOU!

Comment by Amy

April 22, 2009 @ 6:58 pm

I’ve been taking the ribose for nearly a year and it continues to be working for me. I’ve been ordering it through Amazon in bulk (Nutrabulk is the distributor) and it is much less expensive. It is the same product, as all Ribose here is manufactured by one company (Bioenergy I think) and then distributed by different distributors. This has made a huge difference!

Comment by Linda

May 12, 2009 @ 8:13 pm

I just googled “d-ribose manufacture” and the first site I looked at shows about 5 manufacturers, so it is not one company that supplies all. Only 1 is in the US. The rest are in China. chemindustry .com/chemicals/488868.html

I came to this blog looking for info on d-ribose manufacturers because not all vitamins are made the same. I will probably order what Puritan’s Pride has–it is not their own brand, but someone else’s–because Puritan’s Pride always comes out with a perfect rating on consumerlabs.com (unlike my old favorites, Solgar and Now) and because I have used their vitamins for the last 5 years with excellent results.

If I find more info, I will post.
Thank you to all who have posted here. Your comments are to the point, not rambly, and that is much appreciated.

Comment by David

May 22, 2009 @ 2:08 pm

To Maynard (re: comment posted March 22, 2008)

Are you on the forum here? Would like to hear more about your success in controlling your hypoglycemia. Please post a comment back if you can.

Comment by MARYBETH

May 27, 2009 @ 5:41 pm

ATTN: Comment by Nancy Mc # 47443

Haven’t tried the D-ribose yet. just ordered it. Found this source that you might want to consider:
nutrabio. com/Products/ribose1.htm?gclid=CNTQ28HK2poCFQNaFQodhxx83g

The NOW costs $.132 per gram. The above in the 500 gram container including shipping to Wisconsin from New Jersey is $.10 per gram. (227 grams of this would equal $23.39 as compared to the NOW product FOR $29.99). The 500 gram container incl shipping is $51.74 for 100 SERVINGS… a little over a month if you took it 3 times per day. Taking it once per day gives you a little over 3 months.

The cost per gram decreases as larger amounts are purchased. They say they have a 34 MONTH shelf life, so if this works I plan on getting it in bulk. I figure that getting the 5 POUND size would last 5 months with an average cost of approx. $32.00 a month for 3 times a day n ot including shipping. (151 days divided by 30 = 5ish mo.)

This manufacturer recommends 3 weeks at 3 times per day then dropping to 2 times per day for maintenance.
Following this schedule the 5 POUNDS would last 216 days or approx 7.2 months = approx $22./mo.

If you were taking it 2x/day maintenance the 5 pounds would last 228 days or 7.5 months.

I’m not strong in math, so check my figures. Calculations should be pretty close.