New here need guidance

I think I'll wait on Hoodia until further testing is done. All the meds I take now affect the liver, including the prednisone.

This was reprinted with permission from about.com

Q: What are the side effects of hoodia, if any? Most articles I've read about hoodia say it's a gentle and safe and I can't seem to find any information about side effects anywhere.

A:Hoodia gordonii is often touted as a herbal diet pill without side effects, although there's a lack of published studies on the safety of hoodia in humans.

Hoodia marketers often claim that hoodia has no side effects because the San Bushmen in the Kalahari desert of Africa have been using hoodia for thousands of years. But hoodia simply hasn't been around for long enough in North America and it hasn't been subjected to safety testing to uncover any possible side effects, drug interactions, and safety concerns.

Jasjit S. Bindra, PhD, former researcher for hoodia at Pfizer (the pharmaceutical giant that licensed the rights to develop hoodia for $21 million but later returned the rights), stated in a letter to The New York Times that although hoodia did appear to suppress appetite, there were indications of unwanted effects on the liver caused by components other than the active ingredient p57 that could not easily be removed during processing.

Bindra added, "Clearly, hoodia has a long way to go before it can earn approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

If hoodia does affect liver function, it may also interact with other medications a person is taking. The San Bushmen are a tribe of hunter-gatherers, and probably did not take same pills for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, depression, and other diseases, that we do, another reason why unconfirmed reports of safe use by the San should not be relied on.

People with diabetes should be cautious about using hoodia. One of the theories about how hoodia works is that it tricks the brain into thinking that it has enough blood sugar. Without proper feedback regulation, it's possible that a person's blood sugar could drop dangerously low while taking hoodia. And with the regular hunger mechanism turned off, the normal warning signs may be suppressed, until it's too late.

Hoodia is believed to suppress not only appetite but thirst. There have been unconfirmed reports of shepherds in Africa who took hoodia to take the edge off hunger pains, but died of dehydration because they didn't feel thirsty.

And as a general precaution, because the safety in pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with liver or kidney disease hasn’t been established, these people in particular should avoid hoodia.

I am so sorry you are going through so much at such a young age.
What brought on all your allergies?
I assume you are very young. What is your age?
You getting a lot of support at home?
If it were in my power, I would take all that bad stuff out of your life.
For now, I am just having to deal with all the weight I have gained. The Dr. said, I will never be able to get off these perednisones.
My name is Chris. My wife's name is Margarita and she has a daughter, 11 named Elvia. I have 3 kids. They are old but, I can still call them kids. Jenny is 31 and has a daughter 10 and a son 8. Rachael is 29 and has a daughter 12.
You take care and it was nice meeting you.

Ms Carla,
I've been on 10mg, 2x a day for about a year and a half. For the last 6 months, I've been able to stay out of the hospital. Before that, I was being admitted up to 2x a month over a year. Those attacks sure let ya' know what the most important thing in life is.
I have gained 90 lbs in a year. I'm up to 270 now. It's a good thing I'm tall, almost 6'. I don't eat much and am working on the salt thing. I do drink a whole lot of water. I am outside a lot, when I can fight the depression and fatigue. I also do a lot of physical activities cleaning my yard, working on the vehicles, building projects, etc.
If you come up with any ideas, I will be open to them.
And thanks for responding, Chris

Yes Maam, I sure do hear that!
The VA assigned me a Gen Practitioner here. When I am scheduled for my next checkup, I'll ask him about Xolair.
I take, theophylline, Singulair, and Spiriva, combivent, and albuterall with the nebulizer also. I carry that Ocean Mist and use it a lot. Helps was stuff out.
My legs and feet, especially the right side has been swelling. Cut back on salt but drink a whole lot of ice cold water. Feel dehydrated a lot.
Kinda' depressing talking about all the ailments, LOL!!
I'm not always online, however, if you care to just chat, let me know.
Take care and have a great night, Chris