My friend and I both bought the same multi-vitamin (capsule form) we take 1 with our breakfast and 1 with our lunch - Over the last 3 months I have experienced 3 bouts of "hives" - I get a prickly heat feeling, my face and neck go bright red and I get hot - this has happened to my friend 3 times in 1 month. Just wondered if anyone has experienced the same or similar reactions, there is nothing out of the ordinary (I think) in the vitamins.

Thanks.

Vikki

Hi Vikki,

Interestingly enough, I had the almost the same reaction as you and your friend when I tried taking a daily multi-vitamin. I just assumed the reaction was an aberration and happened to me only.

I took Bayer’s OneaDay. I felt some warmth, a slightly heavier heartbeat, and a little trouble breathing. Now, I’m not fully convinced there is a correlation between those symptoms I suffered and taking vitamins; but, for whatever reason, they’ve ceased since I’ve stop taking the vitamins.

I’m not sure if my symptoms were because of starting a low carb eating regimen or taking a vitamin for the first time. I’ve never taken vitamins before in my life. So, I’m not sure if I would have a reaction to them.

There might be a higher concenration of Niacin in that vitamin. Niacin is a vitamin B complex (if memory serves its B-6). Check the daily RDA%, especally if you are taking two.

You could be having a food reaction with vitamins. Perhaps you could keep track of what you eat and when you have those episodes you might be able to ascertain what it is causing the reaction.

You might want to change brands of your vitamins? Do they have anything in them that is "special"? Like lutein? The inconsistency of it leads me to believe it must be related to some food you eat at times though. Were you eating any kind of fish or shrimp at the times of your reactions?

Good Luck!

THanks all for your responses. I'll check them out. I eat nothing but old cheddar cheese every day for breakfast, so I know it's not that and my friend doesn't low carb, she eats muffins and bars and stuff. Very weird, we'rd definately going to change brands - P'ss me off though, the bottle was $56.00

Vikki

Could be Niacin. In some people it causes what they call a niacin flush. The face heats up and gets flushed and red. It's not harmful.

Niacin - makes sense. Thank you. Good thing I don't eat Special K. Thanks

Vikki