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.
Difficulty Breathing
Posted by Paula (Tulsa, OK) on 11/27/2007
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
re: MSM suppliment, 1000 mg -- I had some bad symptoms similar to Joanna's taking only 1 capsule a day for several days. I'm not allergic to any substances to my knowledge but awoke with difficulty breathing, very sharp pains in my sides, an ache in my back,and my eyes dried out. I'm not real fond of this MSM supplement. Also, my mood was downcast.Watch yourself with this one..
Burning Tongue and Lips
Posted by patricia (fairfield, usa) on 07/18/2024
★★★★★
i have been using msm for many years with good results and suggested to my boyfriend but when he uses only 3 drops he says it burns his lips and tongue. so after using citric acid activator I tried giving him the hcl activator and he said that burned more. wondering if any one is having this experience as I cannot understand why. I brush my teeth using 3 drops in 3 tablespoons of water and never had a problem.
Burning Tongue and Lips
Posted by Pick Nik (San Diego) on 11/10/2024
You are talking about MMS not MSM.
MMS is activated then put into an adequate amount of water.
Fatigue, Heart Palpitations
Posted by githe (cape town, south africa) on 12/15/2022
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and started using MSM to see if it will help with the chronic inflammation. I started with 1/4 teaspoon, and worked up over 2x months to 1 teaspoon after breakfast. Unfortunately I have started feeling extremely tired, my blood pressure has become erratic, and I am experiencing heart palpitations 2 to 3x per day! It has been the only change to my normal routine for the last few months.These are apparently known side effects... I did see a slight improvement in inflammation levels though, but with these side effects it is not worth it for me.
Gout
Posted by Lindell (Australia) on 11/03/2022
I'm looking for some answers regarding MSM.
I was taking about 1-2000mg daily at the same time as using milk thistle and siberian ginseng. After the initial pronounced detox and ceasing of menopausal hot flashes I developed gout in the heels. At some stage, I have also had plantar fasciitis years ago but I'm fairly sure this is gout as I've also had that before when I first became ill with fibromyalgic and other crazy symptoms about a decade ago. I'm certain I have some kind of kidney dysfunction and have had it all my life...maybe something like Gitelman syndrome.
So my question is why am I getting gout in relation to the MSM? When I ceased the MSM the foot symptoms receded. Are my kidneys in danger from using MSM if I have some undiagnosed kidney problem? I thought msm was good for kidneys. I can't find any info online, all info says that msm is great for kodney function and helps lower homocysteine.
Confused
🙏
Itchy Skin, Mouth Sores
Posted by rapidswimmer (lexington, ky) on 10/21/2022
I've been taking MSM for many months/years but only recently very consistently. I take a teaspoon or a little more each day on an empty stomach. I take for my teeth and bones. I also do fermented cod liver oil. It has always helped and I've never had issues until recently... I noticed I was getting sores in my mouth. A lot. I was also noticing the front of my shoulders itching like crazy. Only the front of my shoulders, on both sides.
Just as an experiment, I stopped only the MSM. My mouth sores immediately cleared up and I hadn't noticed until now, the itching has stopped. So, this week, I started taking it again. A much smaller dose and only every other day. Today is the second time I've taken it and my shoulders have started itching. No mouth sores yet but I think I'm going to stop.
I'm wondering, how long should I stop? Should I even start it again? I really think it helps for my teeth and bones, I just wonder if you should only do it for a certain amount of time and then stop a certain amount of time to get the advantages of it?
Anxiety, Dry Skin, Cold, Panic
Posted by Lance (Tennessee) on 10/29/2023
That is a massive dose of MSM. According to a study I read, the large dose for arthritis is 3 grams. A low dose is 500ml. 19 tablespoons is 57 teaspoons. One teaspoon is 5.5 grams. So, 19 tablespoons is 313 grams of MSM. I'm not sure how long it takes you to drink that gallon, but that's high-dose MSM for over 3 months.
Depression, Exhaustion, Mental Fog
Posted by Joy (Manila, Philippines) on 09/06/2022
I am experiencing same. Like a clamp on my brain. 3k mg per day. I also am searching for remedy! Lots of brain fog and blurry vision here. 😩😫
Depression, Exhaustion, Mental Fog
Posted by Magnolia16 (VA) on 09/12/2023
It effected me by a huge amount of anxiety. I quit taking it and will never take it again. It was scary and am happy that I quickly looked at all the side effects of the various things I take. I was just on it for about 2 days and it was gone in the same amount of time.
Taste and Smell Affected
Posted by JBC (Grand Rapids, MI) on 07/16/2022
I recently began taking MSM after being diagnosed with osteoporosis. After taking the supplement for a few days I began to notice that foods like bacon, ham and all colors of peppers had a foul taste and smell- rotten food taste. I keep reading how beneficial it is so I am trying a different brand. Are those symptoms common?
Urinary Retention
Posted by Kathryn (Ephrata) on 06/05/2022
I tried the supplement Osteobiflex with MSM by the recommendation of my primary care physician. It was horrible. I couldn't pee and going online I discovered it can cause urinary retention. I almost ended up in the ER. Any suggestions of what I can take that will help my back pain caused by osteoarthritis?
Insomnia
Posted by Pauline (Canada) on 10/07/2021
Good morning....I have MSM granules and take a teaspoon with water in the early a.m....however, I was experiencing insomnia so I stopped and restarted to ensure if was the MSM causing the issue which it was so I cut back to 1/4 teaspoon and it still gives me insomnia...could this be a herx reaction or would it mean that my body is not compatible with MSM?
Bladder Irritation
Posted by D (South Carolina) on 02/17/2024
I've read msm lowers molybdenum from Chris Masterjohn. Can cause glutamate toxicity and other problems especially neurological related. It's related to sulfites and sulfates. Learn more from C MasterJohn
Rash, Pain
Posted by Burt (Elyria, Ohio) on 10/18/2020
MSM:
Sometimes I feel that it aggravates my skin and increases aches all over I my body....
Panic Attacks
Posted by Diana (Florida) on 07/12/2018
It helped with my pain but I was having panic attacks and an uneasy feeling. I eat only plants and am healthy but this was not for me. Sad about this
Fatigue, Lethargy, Tinnitus
Posted by Msue (Texas) on 10/27/2017
Very concerned that MSM is related to a SULFA drug as I experienced Liver Rejection Post-Transplant after taking Batrim. My transplant coordinator said MSM was ok since it is sulfur based and not related to a Sulfa drug.
After taking MSM for 2 weeks I have become fatiqued, lethargic, ears ringing, and insomnia.
Can someone please explain.
Fatigue, Lethargy, Tinnitus
Posted by Robbie (New York) on 04/29/2018
Were you able to resolve the side effects? In particular the tinnitus. How much MSM were/are you taking?
Cough
Posted by Wyandotte (Canada) on 07/28/2024 14 posts
Thank you for pointing that out. You are correct.
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?
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
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.
Sore Gums
Posted by Emily (San Francisco, CA) on 02/14/2015
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Are sore gums a side effect of MSM detox? I have been noticing that my gums are sore since starting MSM.
Insomnia
Posted by Nicole (Australia) on 03/16/2014
I'm still having this problem if anyone can please help me. When I take msm in a glass of orange juice I either feel nausea or actually throw up.I try taking it in low dosage and build it but but it eventually makes me sick. Could it be because I don't drink enough water during the day?
Urine Retention
Posted by William (Colorado) on 07/27/2013
Seeking information and assistance on the following:
I started on MSM several months ago hoping to alleviate a trigger finger and thumb condition. I took it in the morning along with fruit and high quality Kefir that I make myself.
After some two months the trigger problem finger diminished, however one day after an increased dose of the msm I developed an inability to urinate. I stopped the MSM and Kefir and the dysuria condition abated. When I resumed the MSM and Kefir it came back. I've done this three times so I believe I have established the connection.
Now that I've been off the MSM a few weeks the trigger finger has shown up again. Please share your thoughts with me. William
