Submitted by: Nick Workman

e-mail: nvjr@fireflyuk.net

5/22/06

I have been an asthmatic for 24 years. Initially my asthma was mild and was controlled simply with Ventolin inhalers as required to relieve attacks. About 4 years ago a routine asthma review with my doctor revealed that my lung function had declined and my Peak Flow readings had fallen. At this time, I started taking Becotide regularly and then switched to Flixotide. For the past 8 years or so I have also used Beconase nasal spray on and off to relieve perennial allergic rhinitis. Ventolin is the only one of these drugs that has not given me unpleasant side effects. Although not linked to asthma, I was also regularly taking antacid drugs to combat persistent heartburn, which had been going on for several years.

In September 2005, I read a couple of Linus Pauling’s books about vitamin C and began taking it on a regular basis gradually increasing from 500mg per day to 6 grams per day (his lower recommended amount). The regular attacks of heartburn cleared up within the first two weeks and have not returned since. The allergic rhinitis symptoms resolved gradually over a period of about 3 months and have not returned since.

The asthma itself was more stubborn and also it was difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the vitamin C when the Flixotide was masking the asthma symptoms. Initial attempts to come off the Flixotide on a dose of 6 grams vitamin C per day and later at 10 grams of vitamin C per day were unsuccessful although I was able to reduce my dose of Flixotide from 250ug per day to 50ug per day. Eventually, on a dose of 14.5 grams of vitamin C per day, I was able to come off the Flixotide completely. 14.5 grams a day may seem like a lot, but its actually in line with Robert Cathcart's suggested maintenance doses for people who suffer from allergic conditions.

I have now been free of asthma drugs for 6 weeks. With Dr Steve Hickey's theory of dynamic flow in mind, (see the excellent book Ascorbate-the science of vitamin C, Lulu publishing) I have been controlling it with 6 doses of vitamin C per day spaced at 2 to 4 hourly intervals. If I am >90 minutes late with a dose, sometimes I can feel my chest beginning to tighten up slightly. When I take the dose, it takes about an hour to return to normal. My Peak Flow readings on vitamin C are comparable with what they were on Flixotide. Also, I would say that vitamin C is as effective at preventing exercise-induced asthma as Flixotide was. When I go out running, I still carry a Ventolin inhaler but I haven’t had to use it yet.

I use sodium ascorbate powder in water in the morning because it is neutral and pleasant to drink first thing, then ascorbic acid powder and tablets during the day, calcium ascorbate in the evening, and timed-release tablets before bed. Vitamin C works out more expensive than the asthma drugs at this dosage (the NHS doesn’t help out with the cost of vitamin C), but then, vitamin C won’t give me the unpleasant side effects and I know it’s been controversial since Pauling wrote his book on the subject but I have had had fewer colds since taking vitamin C. My doctor has just called me back for an asthma review. I’m looking forward to that this year!

(Nick, thank you for this detailed account. Your experience shows that even as deep-seated and chronic a problem as asthma can be, vitamin C can help - when your body gets enough. I would not be surprised if your therapeutic dose might lessen somewhat over time although I have been taking about 14 grams a day for 16 years. And, very different from the medications, the "side-effects" are all positive! - Rusty)

Submitted by: Mark Neyrinck

9/25/03

I have battled asthma since I was a child. My life was miserable and I could do little because of inhalers and wheezing. Summers in the midwest were the worst time for me as I fought allergies with over the counter medications and perscriptions to help me breathe. I was even washed out of the Air Force because of my problem.

In March of 2000 I happened to read a quick story about the benefits of Vitamin C for smokers and thought "What have I got to lose." After 3 weeks of high doses of vitamin C I began to notice a change. I could go outside without watery eyes and a blocked nose. The next thing I noticed was that I didn't need my inhaler as often. Soon, I didn't use it at all!!! 2003 is almost over, my inhaler and perscription medications have all expired. I have used my inhaler twice in 3 years.

I read from time to time about the dangers or side effects of Vitamin C mega doses. Some people may have problems with mega doses but I have none that I know of... I also had battled with chronic constipation which now only returns if I stop taking my Vitamin C.

I will take Vitamin C as long as possible. Thanks for the site.

Submitted by: Steven Taylor

I have been an asthmatic since childhood. Up until 1995 I regularly took Bronchiodialators and Steroids to keep me breathing. I also suffered constantly from colds, bronchitis and laryngitis.

Around 1992, while I was in the hospital for treatment, I read an excerpt from Dr. Pauling's book about the benefits of mega-doses of Vitamin C. Once out of the hospital I read his book and began taking V-C
in small doses of 1000mg daily. Over one month, I increased my dose to 10,000mg every day. From 1992 until present, I have had probably 1 or 2 colds which lasted no more than a day. I have never once had Bronchitis or laryngitis. Two colds in Six years. Not one serious chest cold or bout of laryngitis.

As well, from 1993 my asthma began to improve. By January 1994 I quit taking all of my asthma medication including my ventolin inhaler and I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ASTHMA MEDICATION WHATSOEVER SINCE. I have no symptoms of asthma and do not suffer from any side effects that are
immediately observable. Few people know this story because I have quit telling it. No one ever
believes me. I hear people say that they have tried V-C and that it didn't work for them, yet I suspect that they take small doses (60mg)-(1000Mg). I don't care if people believe me. I take Mega-doses of V-C and I am no longer an asthmatic, and I NEVER get colds.

In 1995 I was scuba diving over rainbow reefs in Australia, and breathing just fine. In 1994 I took up running--something I could not have done in 1992-- and in June of 1995 I completed a 10K run in Sydney Australia in 45 minutes.

It's my Vitamin C Secret.

(Hopefully, Steven, your experience with vitamin C is now less of a secret than it was. - Rusty)