Wow, um. Okay. I'll do my own research and keep my questions out of this thread. Sorry.

Jess, your original question didn't sound like just a question; it sounded like, "I don't believe this stuff; why would you take it?" When you include phrases like "roll my eyes" and "generally suspicious," that doesn't come across to me as a neutral question. And I don't really feel the need to defend something that you're already disinclined to accept as effective. That's not an irrational response on my part; it's a practical one. Saves everybody time.

You're right, I don't believe in this stuff. However, I'm willing to listen to any evidence that's put in front of me and possibly change my mind. If you'd rather not engage, that's fine, but my question was a genuine one. If immune-support supplements really work, I would like to know how they do it. But clearly this thread is not the place to ask that question.

But clearly this thread is not the place to ask that question.

Given that more people than the 2 of us post in this thread, I think that's a faulty assumption.

I have mixed feelings about supplements. I'm generally a very committed 'prove it with an article in a peer-reviewed journal' type, especially where my money is concerned. The humanist/atheist/rationalist movement here (UK) has had some very convincing campaigns around the pointlessness of homeopathy and other alternative treatments - in terms of evidence under double-blind trials, at least. Ben Goldacre's 'Bad Science' is a very funny contribution to the debate [link] . All of that said, I take vitamins (especially vitamin B), fish oils and feverfew. I've tried a lot of other things, and these are supplements that actually seem to help me. The vitamins and fish oils were suggested by my consultant and GP (to encourage energy and help my joints), but the feverfew was a suggestion from an entirely un-medically-trained friend who said they helped with her migraines. I'm willing to try things that make a difference. I quickly move on from things that have no observable effect. I know you have to take the placebo effect into account, but even if that's all it is, it's entirely worth the £10 or so per month I spend on supplements. I'd still like to see more evidence and testing of alternative medicine under double-blind trials.

I'm curious about it myself.

And now I'm going to mememememe. Briefly. Shit, meet fan. University lack-of-support services are screwing me. I cried down the phone to Houston for half an hour, now I am asking twitter PhD networks about how easy it is to change universities, and next I am going to bed for a bit. It's handy that I was planning the week off, really.

To balance this with happy thoughts, my niece has reported that when she grows up she wants to be "a grandma, then a doctor, then a spy." Apparently the exact career trajectory is important. I also had the loveliest not-hen-party, courtesy of my awesome sister, this weekend.

I took Frisco to urgent care and they sent us to the ER. they are testing for rotavirus but I swear he had the vaccine. Anyway, I guess I'm glad I brought him although at almost 4 hours in we are both tired/hungry.

Also, the cultured the "sample" I brought in which made me feel better about bringing in such a stinky sample.

Also, the cultured the "sample" I brought in which made me feel better about bringing in such a stinky sample

Heh - I'd bet they've seen worse. ER docs don't squick easily!

Hoping they find something quick & easy to treat.

What Jess said. Hope Frisco feels better soon!

Glucsoamine chondroitin has made a world of difference in my knees and was recommended by an orthopedic surgeon. Magnesium definitely makes a difference on leg cramps. I've also been instructed by doctors to take D and Calcium. Beyond that, the great cornucopia of supplements is a mystery to me.