Anyone ever use colloidal silver?

[tjdee]

I was talking to someone about the sore tooth I have in addition to everything else, and she suggested colloidal silver for that (and my allergies).

Now, I know that many here feel homeopathic remedies are quackery, but this lady says it worked for her, googling shows lots of 'buy my stuff' sites, but some testamonials... I know, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. But if I can save the hundreds of dollars, even until a few months from now (getting a few bucks then), I'm for it.

You know, right now universal health care is looking REALLY attractive. Who was it on DU that predicted this wasn't going to be the best month for DUers? Khephra? Sigh.

[The Zanti Regent]

1. Remember the blue-skinned Senate candidate?

He took a lot of colloidal silver and his skin turned blue like an Andarran out of Star Trek

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/02/offbeat.blue.candidate/

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/bluecandidate_021003.html

http://www.badnewswire.com/badnews/000017.shtml

[tjdee]

10. Whoa!

That's pretty bad...

Why did that guy drink it every day even AFTER Y2K?

I'd be afeared to make it myself....oy....

[donco6]

2. You need to be careful.

Silver does have some antibiotic properties, but I've been reading about some of the solutions on the market being contaminated themselves with bacteria!

And the blue skin condition is called argyria - "argent" is the latin name for silver.

"Colloidal silver is a suspension of submicroscopic metallic silver particles in a colloidal base. Long-term use of silver preparations can lead to argyria, a condition in which silver salts deposit in the skin, eyes, and internal organs, and the skin turns ashen-gray. Many cases of argyria occurred during the pre-antibiotic era when silver was a common ingredient in nosedrops. When the cause became apparent, doctors stopped recommending their use, and reputable manufacturers stopped producing them. The official drug guidebooks (United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary) have not listed colloidal silver products since 1975."
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html

[tjdee]

9. Quackwatch....*that* was the name of the site.

I typed in something else, that's what it is...

One of the problems with taking it, as far as I can see, is regulation--as you say, it's hard to tell what exactly you're getting.

Some of the online places, anyway, look kind of sketchy.

Thanks for the quackwatch link!

[Mel]

3. my friend makes his own

he also makes the machine that makes the stuff btw he's never turned blue.

I do know he had the toenail fungus he used colloidal silver on that and now it's gone. I did see that with my own eyes so take that for whatever it's worth.

Don't know about tooth pain but the allergies they use it and squirt it up their nose and claim that it helps. Stuffs expensive though you'd be better off getting your own machine and making it yourself.

Far as homeopathic, I don't see all of it as quackery if it works it works.
Thing is, isn't a lot of the medicines that drug companies make are taken from plants and then sometimes turned into man-made synthetics?

Also, some of the medicines the drug companies makes are straight from plant, they just want to make the $ off of it? Another thing a lot of the crap they make is awful for you too. Trusting the FDA blindly to do the right thing by the people in this corporatist state? I don't think so, can't do it! I know they are suppose to do the right thing and it's their mission, but lately their record hasn't been all that great.

I just don't have a lot of trust in drug companies telling me what's good or bad. Reason their greed tells me what they care about.

[tjdee]

11. See, yeah...

It's hard to tell what's legit and what's not.

Like, the toenail fungus drug that is approved by the FDA, is hard on the liver (?) and takes a really long time to work--but if you use collodial silver, or vinegar, for example, you spend a lot less and it doesn't hurt you.

But then, some of the unregulated drugs scare me, because there's no government (or anyone) oversight. You *could* make it yourself as your friend does (I think once you have the machine you only need to buy distilled water?), but how do you know you're doing it *right*?

I'm not confident enough to make it myself...but I might try a drop or two if I can find a reputable company.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. It can work if used in moderation

I have used colloidal silver as an emergency remedy in several situations, and it has helped. I've never used it on a continuous, long-term basis and I wouldn't suggest it.

Homeopathic remedies have been around since the eighteen hundreds, and their use predates 'modern' medicine. I have used remedies with great success, but it takes a certain amount of education on their use to utilize them effectively.

I would suggest you find a holistic MD to help you with your problems. Mine is open to alternative medicines, herbs, therapies, but also uses the conventional form of medicine as well. Holistic physicians base their practice on maintaining wellness rather than treating sickness, and their approach of compassionate listening is very refreshing to anyone who has felt like "just another patient" at a conventional doctor's office.

[tjdee]

13. Not covered by my insurance...

I like the idea of being told "why don't you rinse with hydrogen peroxide" first instead of "here let me prescribe this $50 drug"... I don't mind taking the drug if I have to, but I do wish more doctors would try other things first.

When I'm making my millions (and ironically will have more access to better healthcare), I plan on checking out a holistic doctor. I don't like to take drugs (although I'm in love with Ibuprofen currently), and I'd like to see if I would do better with a holistic doctor.

[Interrobang]

5. One word: Don't.

As the two previous posters have pointed out, argyria, argyria, argyria.

Argyria or Argyrism is an irreversible blueish-black discolouration of the skin, mucous membranes or internal organs caused by ingestion of, or contact with, various silver compounds.

From The Safety Glossary of he Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University.
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/glossary/argyria.html

(See also http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_a_60zPzhtm )

Pardon me, but what is wrong with you people? If you're going to pay good money for medicine anyway, why not pay for the allopathic kind, I mean, the kind that actually works, because it's based on the Scientific Method (only the best tool yet discovered for determining how things really work)! It's even more incomprehensible why people with access to socialized medicine (to wit, that's already been paid for through their tax dollars) would pay for quack remedies, but still, as far as I'm concerned, there's still no excuse!

Also, sore teeth are nothing to fool around with. It's really, really easy to get a systemic/blood infection from diseased teeth, and that isn't just an inconvenience, it's a trip to the hospital, or the morgue. See a dentist; don't just swallow some metal because some flake swears it worked for her. There are lots of emergency/dental student clinics around, and/or I'm sure if you asked, you could find the bucks from somewhere. (Canadians have to pay for their own dental care, too, so I've been in this position. It isn't pretty, but if it has to be done, it has to be done.)

[tjdee]

8. Believe me, I'd LOVE to see the dentist.

I don't want to think about this further than calling up and making my appointment. But I honestly don't have the money--$250 bucks just for an exam and cleaning, no idea how much more for actually filling the tooth (or whatever!). Collodial silver, $30. I was just hoping that tales of the blue skin were myths....

I'm going to give the students' clinic a call and see how much they are. You're right, though, this has to be taken care of regardless. I'm just glad I'm not in excruciating pain yet!

[JackSwift]

6. Don't do it

Misuse will turn your skin deathly gray/blue and it will remain that way forever. There are other effective drugs for whatever your condition.

As for the pain in your tooth, it is there for a reason: your tooth is probably infected, and treatment can be had at the office of a licensed dentist.

[Paragon]

7. Snake oil

That stuff reminds me of those old-time "tonics" that were supposed to make you strong and healthy, but was actually sugar water or something.

[DrWeird]

12. Or you could swallow a big fat placebo.

It's all the same crap.