Question about vitamins

I hope it is okay for me to post a question here, but I figure since we are talking about vitamins this week, it might be a good place to get an answer. Has anyone had any reactions to their vitamins? I developed a couple of spots on my skin about the size of a quarter. My dermotologist thinks they are related to my vitamins. But it's not like I can just stop taking them to find out. I did switch from a sublingual B12 pill to the shots and that seemed to help a bit. Then this week a started on a new bottle of Flintstones after finishing a bottle of the generic version. Suddenly I had a new spot. I'm wondering if it isn't a reaction to the food dye. I've read about red dye #40 causing rashes and hives. I found a dye free version at GNC, but would like to know if I'm the only one having this problem. Thanks for any information, Sally

Of course it is okay to ask questions! Related to the topic of the week or not, this is the place to post! I wanted to say that I have had a similar reaction (well, not spots, but real itching) with a one-a-day that was a bright red color... I take one that is an orange shade and no trouble, but the red ones make my skin crawl! LOL (well, not really funny....) I'd say change vitamins if it were me. I know that I'll never buy those again! Lea

I'm so glad to see this--not that I'm glad you had the problem! My surgeon just looks at me when I tell him. I was taking a generic version what had less red dye #40, and the two spots at least weren't getting worse. But now I've gone to a no artifical dye vitamin. It is a bit low on iron, so I may have to add an iron supplement. Just what I need--yet another pill! Sally

Glad to help. I've never had a reaction to a dye before (that I know of). But, I also used to take a daily med for my allergies and don't take it anymore. I actually stopped once I was postop as my surgeon said to because he said that antihistamines were meant to dry things out and that it may very well dry out your pouch. Even months later when that shouldn't have been an issue, I never went back on them. Just one less pill to take (as you mentioned). But, I do take them when I'm sick (like now) only it is a generic OTC instead of the Rx ones. I had bought a box of the One-A-Day women's formula when they were on sale. Those went well, so the next time the regular (not women's) was on sale and I bought those. Well, those were the bright red ones and I realized the issue reasonably quickly. I next bought the BIG bottle (200?) of the generic Centrum from Sam's Club. I actually dumped the One-A-Days in to that bottle and take one now and then. At least I only itch occasionally instead of every day morning and night! And, I didn't have to toss them... Gotta get your money's worth out of those vitamin $$! When this bottle is gone (like 3 more weeks), I think I am going to go with the lab-formulated ones that my surgeon actually prefers his patients use. I may wait till after my labs are done the first week of Nov to decide. If those are okay, I am not going to pay $25 a month when I can get two months for less than $10 with the Centrum generics from Sam's! LOL Hope you figure something out. In the meanwhile, are you treating the "spots" on your skin with something? Lea

My dermatologist gave me some cream to apply, but it really didn't seem to do much. He said it is unlikely that they will go away at this point. One is on my right forearm and the other is on my right lower hip area. The new on is on my stomach. They aren't bad and don't itch anymore, but I definately don't want any more of them! Have a good weekend. Sally