Monday, February 2, 2009

She Failed to Mention the Most Important Aspect

Friday night I joined my best girlfriends for dinner to finally exchange our Christmas gifts try a new Chinese restaurant in town. Not traditional Chinese fare, but that more modern overpriced but still pretty good, kind. Super martinis. And we've reached that age where we discuss, what else? Our health. Things like, I have this new mole I think the doctor should see. And, how long we had to wait for a referral to the dermatologist. And, decent health care coverage. Exciting things like that. I complained about how I've seemed to develop some kind of chronic dry eye and how applying 1-2 drops of Visine Tears as needed was not doing my mascara any favors every 30 minutes or so. So my girlfriend fills us in on her daily vitamin and supplement routine recommended by her doctor; part of which includes the fish and omega-3 fatty acids oil something or other. And how since she's started this, not only has it relieved HER dry eyes, but her skin as well. And I was all, sign me up!

I picked some up during my regular trip to the grocery yesterday [note to self: don't ever visit the grocery store on Super Bowl Sunday one hour before kick off ever again in your life ever because you've made it this far in life without, ya know, murdering someone - let's keep it that way...mmmmkay?] . Plus it was buy one get one free and I was set! The directions state to take one gel capsule with each meal. So after my hearty lunch of, um, Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal, I took my first capsule.

About 45 minutes later I would have sworn I'd eaten salmon for lunch. And for the next 8 hours, ladies and gentlemen, I belched fish. And probably won't be able to eat salmon again as long as I live.

That 8 hour belch fest was in the comfort of my own home. What about when I'm in public and try to do one of those lady-like discreet, under her breath and no that wasn't me, burpettes? There's no masking that. These things have legs. They have bite.

And those two full bottles of omega-3? They are currently in my father's possession. He's a man. He can pull off a fish burp.

44 comments:

Womandriver2@gmail.com said...

I was also recommended to take this by my doc. Besides the nasty burps I was running to the bathroom constantly. I tried for two weeks for the health benefits but the side effects never got better.

SCREAMING FOR CHOCOLATE said...

I would go to a health food store and tell them about your symptoms. I never had that problem. It could be as simple as changing brands. Some stores give you small packets of samples so you can try other brands. Perhaps they know of one that does not have that issue.

Coco

for a different kind of girl said...

The first time I took a fish oil tablet, I was at work a few hours later and the dreaded fish burp cropped up. I was all, "Hmmm...interesting. I don't recall eating fish at any time in the last, oh, five years..."

I now credit my reasonably glowing skin aside from ninja zit breakouts (Hi, I'm 41, so I ask WTH?) to generic brand facial products I go through like water in order to find one that works. Seriously, those burps are nasty and not worth it!

Unknown said...

I had the same problem with the fish burps til I tried the enteric coated fish oil capsules. No more fish burps ( I got mine at Costco)...NOw I can have glowing skin and hair and not smell like the salmon special!

The Mother said...

Walgreens actually carries a brand that promises "no more fish burps!"

It works, sorta.

So, do you want to live forever, or do you wanna have nice breath?

Nil Zed said...

however, going to the store, or the mall or almost anywhere that doesn't have a TV is a good plan.

Try flax oil. I belch that tastes like linen has to be an improvement.

Anonymous said...

Two words: Enteric Coated. Magic!

Anonymous said...

Mr. D just started the fish oil capsules--FOR HIS HEART and CARDIOVASCULAR health (NOT because there's a huge thin patch spreading across the top of his skull). He smells so foul that even HE is offended. I totally knew where that was coming.

Glennis said...

Well, I'm awfully glad that my natural procrastination prevented me from getting these things, weeks after a recommendation, now that I've read this.

JoeinVegas said...

Glad the gas came out as burps. Sometimes that oil stuff lubricates all the way down.

Lisa..... said...

Some side effects just aren't worth it huh?

FYI-visine can have that effect on your eyes where when you stop using it you get rebound dryness. SO then you use more. And then your eyes are dry. You should only use artificial tears.

Momma Mary said...

They come in the prenatal vitamins now. Imagine having really bad morning sickness. Right after taking that pill. I'll say two things about that. One: It certainly didn't cure my morning sickness. Two: I haven't eaten fish since. And promptly after, I switched to gummy bear vitamins.

Jennifer S said...

Been there. But just once. Might have to take your commenters' advice and try the coated pills. Anything has to be better than the burping.

Anonymous said...

My husband has been taking all sorts of these vitamins for years. He originally complained about the fish burps, then began taking the pills right before bed. He said that works for him (just in case you can't find the coated ones...)

I must admit - I haven't taken any of these vitamins he recommends due to that fish burp thing. I didn't realize though, that it could help complection. I'll do anything for vanity - why didn't he tell me!!! (oh that's right - he is a man - he probably doesn't know anything about the visual benefits he is receiving...)

lapoflux said...

Ooooh ya, the fish burps.
Gag.
Glad it's not just me, my husband doesn't get why I don't want to take them.
My chiropractor sells the coated ones, I need to get some. They do work.

Anonymous said...

I did not know they made enteric coated ones, I will have to try that. I can't get past the taste in my mouth while trying to swallow one, ick.

Tiffaney said...

Head over to Whole Foods, they have the best variety and the sales people will steer you to the good quality stuff; not all vitamins are created equal. I use the Nordic Line Omega 3-6-9 combo and have never had a problem.

Anonymous said...

I, too, had the fish burps. I threw mine out. I'll have to check into the coated ones. Why don't they put that on a warning label though?

calicobebop said...

Oh yeah, I hate the fish burps. I've started taking the Omega-3 oil with a Tablespoon at dinner time. Less in the burp department.

Anonymous said...

Ugh -- the SAME thing happened to me when I tried it. The whole reason I gave it a shot was because I can't stand fish but wanted to get the Omega-3. So much for that stroke of brilliance.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Anything I have to take at every meal is a no go. I can always remember to eat, but remembering the pills?

Reeky said...

@Nil Zed said...

Yes, flax is a good alternative to the fish burps. Oily still but no fish taste.

I can handle the fish ones, my wife had to move to the flax.

Tyne said...

So so so good for you... try taking them at night before you go to sleep if you are a good sleeper.

Anonymous said...

My husband took them for a while for the cardiovascular benefit, but I had to ask him to quit because they didn't give him burps, they gave him the most nasty gas known to man. Seriously, the smell would wake me up in the middle of the night! Ugh!

Debbie said...

Ooooohhhh, the fishy burps... My Dr. mentioned that when he told me to take the Fish Oil, he said to look for "Enteric Coated" on the label and that puts a stop to the nasty burps.

I only take one a day -- I usually chew up a bite of breakfast and then swallow the jelly-ish Fish Oil Capsule with that. I've avoided the fishy burps except for that one time when I bit down on it by accident, which was baaaaaad.

Mary said...

I could never even swallow the capsules because they smell so much. Yuck. To alleviate dry eyes, try something called Genteal Severe Dry Eye gel eyedrops. My husband swears by them -- they work really well.

AutoSysGene said...

And this is why I don't use the really big bottle in my cabinet. I was reading not to long ago there are some kind of capusles out there that don't make you burp but I never did find out which ones they are...I'm going to have to look into that.

Stacie said...

Hey I have tried and tried to deal with this whole fish oil thingy. The easiest way for me to get those silly Omegas is to buy Smart Balance stuff like peanut butter and butter and whatever the heck else they make with it. Once serving usually has what you need. Hope it helps.

Anonymous said...

I tried those pills and ... gag! Fish burps. I tried the coated ones ... fish breath. I couldn't handle it. I guess someday I'll have a quadruple bypass instead. In the meantime, I'm quite kissable.

Anonymous said...

I had that same problem. Fish burps-yuck! I don't like fish--that's why I take the pills! I agree with others; you might try "enteric coated" fish oil capsules--I've had better luck with those...

Pamela said...

Yeah, put me down on the fish burper side. I still have a HUGE bottle of 'em. Maybe plant fertilizer?

Jason, as himself said...

Eww, I know! But I do believe they have the kind out there that aren't so fishy.

Nastiness!

Anonymous said...

Oh Miss Farklepants, we do so sympathize with the eyedrops and the mushy mascara issue! We struggle with this almost daily!

And we also understand the Fish Oil situation. The in-laws gave us an enormous bottle as a gift and we just couldn't hack it.

Grins & Giggles for the rest of your week,
tp

Hair Bows & Guitar Picks said...

My mom told me the same thing so I will not try them.

Anonymous said...

Eat them with tarter sauce.

Unknown said...

I need to get in the habit of taking vitamins...not sure if I wanna burp fish tho
;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi
FLAX SEED OIL!!! Same benefits w/o fish burps! I have tried both and flaxseed oil is the way to go. No dry eyes or skin if you take it on a daily basis plus all the heart benefits of Fish oil.

Unknown said...

Oh my ! I can totally relate to:

1) The health conversations - frightening. All there is to it. Is that really ME talking?

2) Grocery store one hour before super bowl - was I insane? What was I thinking? And did I really expect to find party wings? They were friggin' sold out!

3) Those burps! The fish thing would've had me gagging but I've tried all this other herbal stuff and the burps are simply not acceptable. Why does healthy have to be so disgusting? I'll go pack to popping M & M's when I need a pick me up.

Housewife Savant said...

You slay me.
I'll mention you by name when hubby comes home and nothing's done.
He suffered the fish burps, so he'll understand how I got hooked. (Get it; HOOKED?)

"Enteric" yep. That's the ticket. Worked for him.

JCK said...

Ummm...yes, definitely a downer. And let's just be honest....YUCK.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

I have a whole bottle of fish oil, but those tablets just gross me out. My lasik left my vision crappy and my eyes dry. Would I have fit in at your Chinese dinner party?

Katie said...

Dude! That fish oil stuff is nasty! Try Flax oil, same good stuff no fishy aftertaste. Or burp fest.

Baby Favorite said...

You have a blog award waiting for you at my blog! :)

Wineplz said...

I keep mine in the fridge and no fish burps (cuz yo, had some nasty ones when I took similar supplements while pregnant). I also got mine from Costco (Kirkland brand) and even before I started keeping them in the fridge, they seemed less fishy than others I've tried. Plus there's the added bonus of paying $3 for a whole pallet of them.