The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Hives
Posted by Nichole (Chicago) on 10/26/2017
i also had a horrible reaction from taking msm. My whole body broke out in hives/rash. I never go to the doctor and prefer to treat myself naturally but it spread from head to toe and I couldn't Take it anymore. My skin was burning I had to go to the emergency room. The doctor said it was the worst case of hives he's ever seen. He gave me an extremely high does of prednisone. Which got rid of the hives but damaged my adrenals so 3 years later I'm still healing my body from the damage of the prednisone.
How to Deal with Side Effects
Posted by Kimberly (Tallahassee, Fl) on 09/24/2017
Thank you for this information. I have Sciatica and it subsided until I started to take quality organic MSM (2 weeks now).
I will observe what will happen over the next couple of weeks.
Dry Mouth
Posted by Shelley (Québec) on 09/14/2017
MSM: So far I am having great benifits. Been 2 weeks. I was taking msm in pill form to start, then capsules. Now I am taking crystals. Pain is no longer keeping me awake at night but dry mouth is. Could the dry mouth have something to do with the product coming in contact inside the mouth or did it just take me that long to develop it. I really do not like the pills or capsules. This dry mouth is really annoying. I have to sip water all night.
Rash
Posted by Louise (Nc) on 09/14/2017
I've also had an extreme skin reaction (itchy rash that looked like psoriasis on lower arms and legs) when taking MSM. And yes, MSM seemed to be the culprit, since I was taking nothing else new; and when I stopped it, the itching stopped immediately and the rash gradually faded. Would like to hear from others who experienced a similar reaction? It's wonderful to read about the advantages of supplements, but it would also help if we take the time to report setbacks as well. Thanks!
Digestive Problems
Posted by Timh (Ky) on 08/03/2017 2048 posts
It appears you are not properly absorbing the MSM. Try Oil of Oregano softgels + one spoon of Milled Flax Seed once or twice daily for couple wks, then add one gram Vit-C taken with the MSM, and you should notice some positive changes.
Digestive Problems
Posted by Darlene B. (Us) on 08/01/2017
★★★★★
I have ibs and for some reason after supplementing with msm for about a week, I start to suffer a lot of bloating, gas and eventually diarreah. It seems to need to build up in my system for about a week before the symptoms begin. I stop for several weeks and then try again and again the same thing happens.
Rash
Posted by Cee (Wa) on 06/27/2017
Rashes are a common detox symptom. I have read that MSM can initially cause detox reactions as the body purifies. In my own case, I had a headache at first, but it went away with continued use.
Pale Stools
Posted by Angela (Connecticut ) on 05/27/2017
I did have a lighter stool at the beginning but later on it was normal, so I thought I was detoxing. After four years I stopped using it because I started to have panic attacks and flashing lights.
Digestive Problems
Posted by Joannaelizabeth123 (Los Angeles, Ca) on 05/16/2017
Per your article on MSM, asking to hear from people using it.. here I am! I thought to take it for flexibility. I'm in my 40's and I do circus classes for fitness, and I'm strong but more stiff than in my youth. Well, yesterday I took Jarrow Formulas powder (1/2 tsp) with a meal and felt fine. Today I took the same, but about an hour after my meal... and my gut aches! I feel like I've got acid happening... Now I see many websites say "intestinal discomfort" is a common side effect, but NONE of them suggest what I can do while experiencing it. I hope to never, ever have this sensation again (if I try it I'll do it with meals and take even less) but if it happens again, and for all the other sufferers, what the heck can we do???
Thanks!
Anxiety, Insomnia
Posted by Cheryl (Philadelphia ) on 05/06/2017 2 posts
I have had insomnia for a long time. I currently had it under control when put on nature throid for Hashimoto's. I also take sleep mess which weren't really working before. Then I started MSm and started with 1 gram and increased by a gm/ day for 10 days. Fine until the 10th day when I started to become anxious and couldn't sleep and had a massive headache for 3 days. I cut back to 1gm and the headaches and anxiety went away but I still have the insomnia. Don't sleep at all for 2 nights and 3rd night sleep 3-4 hours. Thinking of stopping the MSm for a few days to see if it helps the sleep. I was using the MSm because I have chronic neck pain and some back pain and most recently injured my rotator cuff and want to avoid surgery.
Progesterone
Posted by Rvee (Finland) on 02/28/2017
I have used MSM powder(Doctors Best) two periods. I started with a small dose 1/4 teasp to 1 tablespoon.
It helped my back pain but what really scared me off was excess hairloss and PMS. I´m not kidding, I lost both periods on MSM half of my hair. I was really sceptical it was MSM what was causing those, but had to believe since it happened twice.
I created very sore breasts and I act like a maniac before menses so I had to get rid of MSM.
Now I´d like to know, since there is so little information of MSM and women hormone balance, what is actually causing this? My own opinion is that women with oestrogen dominance suffer the most of MSM. MSM might somehow decrease progesteron levels on pre-menopausal women. I found earlier a link about the progesterone levels and MSM, but I lost it.
Do you have any information about this?
Cough
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 01/23/2017
Thank you, Earth Clinic. I looked over all the MSM comments, and noticed several people say they were unable to take MSM because of a sulfa allergy, which I also have. This coughing and chest tightness is actually the same symptoms I got (only worse) when I was prescribed sulfa pills for a throat infection a long time ago. I was under the impression that sulfur was different from sulfa, but there may be some crossover. Although many people seem to benefit from MSM, I don't think it is going to work for me. So happy you directed me to those comments! Thanks!
Cough
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 01/23/2017
★★★★☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have been reading about the many health improvements that can come from taking MSM, so I ordered some 100% OptiMSM Silicon Dioxide. I had read it could help with muscle pain, stress, seasonal allergies, sleep, etc, and I did notice that a couple of hours after taking 1/4 tsp., I could breathe through both sides of my nose, not usual for me. However, at the same time I began coughing, which I thought was a fluke.
The next day, I took another 1/4tsp. and the same thing happened. Clear nose, increased coughing, until I woke up this morning with a lost voice, much coughing and tightness in the chest. Has anyone else had a similar response?
I have no temperature, so I am not sick. I was pretty much unable to understand the article that Art posted, (my lack of knowledge, nothing against the article, Art) so if that was a warning, please post in simple terms so I will understand.
Could this be an allergy to MSM? Maybe just a fluke?
I also want to let people know that I stopped taking my LDN for all of December in order to try Daisy's recommendation for non-alcoholic Essiac tea tonic, (which I feel helped to detox my system, but did not alleviate the Lichen Planus as it did for her), and I have been very achey, and feeling less well than normal. I will not be doing that again!
I didn't realize how much better I felt all the years I have used it, and I can't remember even having a cold in over six years that I have been taking it. I am thinking about trying the GAPS diet soon to see if I can rid my body of these autoimmune problems.
Joint Pain
Posted by Joan (Ny) on 10/25/2016
MSM causes joint pain...
I now realize that msm is the culprit behind my wrist pain. I had stopped taking it about 1 year ago and I just restarted. I am taking .5 tsp. of Kala health OptiMSM.
Palpitations
Posted by Nikit (California) on 10/01/2016
Take potassium and magnesium.
Palpitations
Posted by Sharon (Perth, Western Australia) on 09/13/2016
MSM helps with my fibromyalgia but I also get heart palpitations...if I keep taking it will heart palpitations go away?
Anxiety
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Usa) on 07/25/2016
I use a lot of msm and vitamin c and it can deplete molybdenum and that makes some problems.
Molybdenum reduces symptoms of candida die off and also helps create enamel on teeth, from what I have read.
Anxiety
Posted by Trisha (Columbus, Indiana) on 07/22/2016
I believe this is my problem! I've had other issues with high acetylcholine with fish oil supplements. I never put two and two together that MSM could affect choline levels. My joints and muscles have gotten terrible since starting MSM. Did your symptoms go away quickly after stopping MSM?
Anxiety
Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 06/07/2016
In response to Cat from Nevada's post in the arthritis section regarding anxiety and heart palpitations from MSM
I began after using the MSM gel for my arthritic knees and thumb. I experienced almost immediately within 2 days better movement and no pain in my knee, hip and thumb. On the 4th day I even walked a mile with my grandchildren which I was unable to do since April of 2014. My allergies were gone, and so was brain fog, I felt fantastic and could move around and be normal but? I began experiencing heart palpitations on day 5 and felt quite uneasy. They continued until I became frightened. I wrestled with feeling fabulous or heart problems as I do not like feeling disabled at 56, but have discontinued the product. This morning my walking is worsened, the pain is coming and my allergies are terrible. So extremely sad. I was taking 1/8 teaspoon once a day and had increased to 1/4 2 times a day. Any ideas?
According to the 'inventor' of MSM, Dr. Stanley Jacobs, MSM is a "cholinesterase inhibitor. Cholinsterase is an enzyme that stops excessive passage of nerve impulses from one nerve cell to another."
https://jacoblab.com/FAQs.pdf
So if this cholinesterase enzyme is INHIBITED by MSM, then one may develop worsening anxiety, muscle twitching, cramping, and yes, heart palpitations, etc., -- all the symptoms of excess choline or acetylcholine.
I found this out the hard way, experiencing worsening leg cramps, muscle twitching and anxiety.
It may help some who have very low levels of choline, but should be avoided by others.
Insomnia
Posted by Zmerrill4361 (Upstate, Ny) on 04/29/2016
Since it oxygenates your blood it gives you energy. so start with small doses and take it first thing when you get up. I take it instead of coffee. never before bed. (I learned that just like you did.)
Good luck.
Headache
Posted by Zmerrill4361 (Upstate, Ny) on 04/29/2016
★★★★★
Here is an update for any interested. I went off it for a few days to stop going through detox and purchased the MSM powder with no additives, then went from 1000 MG each morning and added 1000 MG to the regiment every week till where I'm currently at (8000).
But then I added some more supplements.
Since I work overnights and rarely see the sun I started taking vitamin D3 and K2 as I hear they are a good combo and milk thistle since the MSM detox your liver and kidneys. Also I'm taking Rhodiola for stress. I still take the blood pressure meds but its as low as its been in years and off the anxiety all together.
So thank you for all your advice
Insomnia
Posted by Vicky (Vic) on 04/25/2016
Hi, I've been taking msm sulfur because I've heard good things about it, but when I take it I can't go 2 sleep and I don't know why. Can anyone explain?
Headache
Posted by Mary (Tn) on 04/23/2016
Sounds like your dosage is too high too soon. Headaches are a sure sign of that. Start low, and add dosages week by week. If you get headaches or any undesirable affect back down on dosages for awhile then proceed to desirable dosage.
Headache
Posted by Janet (Indiana) on 11/15/2015
Zach, When I started MSM the first time I could not breath, felt awful. Found Earth Clinic, got off wheat products. Then I tried MSM again. No problems. First check the ingredients if it contains titanium dioxide, it can make you sicker than whatever you are taking the supplement for. There are other ingredients that are not great but titanium dioxide seems the worst offender. I have read much about it and the new nano technology and it is the first additive to be used with this in it. I inadvertently took MSM with it and was very ill for 2 months headaches aches tiredness just terrible feeling. I also had some chest tightness. I upped my usage of alkalizing drinks of Apple Cider Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to three a day, and used hydrogen peroxide spray from Earth Clinic's video to push it out of my system .I am almost over it, it took awhile, about a month. Janet
Headache
Posted by Zach (Upstate, Ny) on 11/14/2015
I recently started taking MSM (about 3 days ago) first day I took 1000 mg tablet on my way home from work (I stopped at a local supermarket at 5:15 am cause I work overnights) and had insomnia that night... should have read not to take it before bed. So I tried it the next day 1000 mg 2x's. Felt exhausted, slight headache and I drank distilled water about half a gallon.
Next day I took 3 tablets (1000 mg each) finished the other half a gallon of distilled water and had same symptoms. I woke up after that my eyes were pounding in my skull worse headache and exhausted more than usual. I want to take advantage of the benefits but I can't do 2 weeks of the detoxing.
Could it be I got a low quality (wegmans brand MSM), taking too high a dose (i weigh 230 6'5 male) , or is it just not for me? I take atenolol for pre hypertension celexa for my social anxiety, and aderal for adhd. my anxiety gives me slight ocd like behaviors as far as "ticks" go. I have zero emotion on the meds so I'm trying to get off them.
Headache
Posted by Nikki (Usa) on 09/17/2015
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
In a nutshell, MSM is amazing, but not for everyone. It erradicates my allergy symptoms at "moderate" doses 5grams/day but I have to take much more for relief from spine pain. However when I got a routine of taking 1 tbsp (Crystal form which by volume is a lesser dosage than fine powder) once or twice a day. My skin looked great (more youtheful but without the blemishes) and my body was starting to feel flexible with much less pain. Sadly, I had headaches daily. The migraines I had grown to expect came with the same frequency as before, but I had this other less intense but certainly very unpleasant headache day and night. Perhaps I was detoxing, but it went on for two months and I had to stop MSM to see if it was the culprit. The headaches cleared up in a few days. When I went back to a moderate dose of 4-5 grams per day, allergies were mostly erradicated and I didn't have a daily headache, but the back/neck pain and inflammation in general didn't seem very much improved. I have just read the notes here on MSM posibly depleting Molybdenum so I will research this and try taking Molybdenum as well, if it appears safe to do so. I believe MSM is a useful detoxifier and might be especially helpful to detox after vaccination (at any point after, but certainly the sooner the better).
I appreciate links to research and notes on these matters as well as personal experience of MSM and it's ability to cause headache (indirectly or however).
Pale Stools
Posted by Leila (Europe) on 06/16/2015
Hello
Recently I started taking MSM and noticed a change in the color of my stools, much paler, wondering if anyone has had the same experience or know if this is a normal reaction? Many thanks! Leila
