MSM Side Effects: What You Need to Know Before You Take It

Fatigue, Rash

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Posted by Patience (Fishers, IN) on 04/06/2021
★★★☆☆

MSM said to take a 1/2 tsp 2-3 times a day. So I took 2. I was so exhausted. Told to take with Vitamin C so I did. When I took it I felt fine, then a couple of hours later I felt stoned and tired.

My scalp broke out badly. I have been on MSM for 2 weeks.

I have went down to a 1/2 tsp a day and I take it in the evening around dinner time. It helps me sleep but if I take it too close to bedtime it keeps me awake.

This has been a strange drug for me. I also broke out in a rash on my arms. That has seemed to subside but the stoned feeling I can't wait for it to go away. Good luck to all. Remember what doesn't affect you may affect someone else.


Gout

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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

🙏


Hair Loss, Fatigue

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Posted by Denise (Norfolk ) on 05/14/2022

I have been taking MSM in crystal form approx 1-2grams, although the knee pain in my joints improved, I noticed that my hair was coming out a lot! I have also taken DE for about 3 years which thickens my hair and makes my nails so strong. But my skin has gone crepey and dry ( I noticed this when starting DE, and was told to drink more water and eat more vegetables and fruit.)

My husband is now on MSM for pain and is experiencing much more fatigue. I think I will have to stop for a while to see if it is the MSM, maybe stop DE too, as my skin is painfully dry and my hair still falling!!! Any advice please 🙏

Replied by Art
(California)
05/14/2022
2125 posts

Denise,

It seems reasonable to stop the FGDE for three months to see if your reported symptoms reverse. Three months is a reasonable amount of time when testing effects on the hair because it grows slowly. It clearly does not seem to be working for your hair at this point anyway. There are silica containing supplements which may also be effective for your hair and nails if it turns out the FGDE is the cause of your problems.

As far as the MSM, it can be used topically as a cream or spray that you can make yourself and may be similarly effective as oral consumption. You can spray it directly on the affected joints. Usually 4 to 5 grams of MSM per ounce of distilled water is what I have found useful.

Art

Replied by Art
(California)
05/14/2022
2125 posts

Denise,

I forgot to mention that fatigue can be a symptom of MSM, but maybe topical application may allow you to avoid that symptom.

Art

Replied by Charity
(faithville, Us)
05/14/2022

MSM is for repairs and requires added vitamin C.


Headache

4 User Reviews
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3 star (1) 
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(2) 
  50%

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.

Replied by Janet
(Indiana)
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

Replied by Mary
(Tn)
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.

Replied by Zmerrill4361
(Upstate, Ny)
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


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).


Headache
Posted by Joyce (Manteca, Ca Usa) on 04/13/2013

I was so happy to find this site. I took 2 tsp MSM for 2 days and 1/2 tsp for 2 days and 3 weeks later I'm still having reactions. I wake in the middle of the night with my body buzzing and I'm having headaches (which I've never had in my life). My energy level is very low. I'm 75 and very healthy otherwise; I'm still working as a substiture teacher. I'm allergic to sulfa and that may be the problem since some others on the site said they were unable to take MSM because of that. I was really hoping it would help with my shoulder problems. I have a damaged rotator cuff (inoperable) from hairstyling for 34 years.


Hives

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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.

Replied by Charity
(Faithville, Usa)
10/27/2017

Msm is a sulfur the body uses and gets depleted as we age. I use it daily . When you use it, it depletes other things it works with to restore youth and vitality and I use it for pain control. I know it depletes C and molybdenum, so if you use it and throw other nutrients off balance then your body produces histamine( hives is one sign of this) to let you know you are out of balance.


Hives
Posted by Lana (Carthage, MO) on 03/12/2009

I have learned something interesting with MSM. I took the NOW brand for 30 days to help with Lupus. It was working great w/no side effects other than insomnia, which stopped when I cut the dosage down from 4000 mg daily to 20000 mg daily. (take it first thing in the morning) After finishing that bottle, a friend offered me a bottle that she was not going to take. It was a different brand than I had taken previously. Within 2 days, I had hives & swelling up my arms & a severe headache. I talked to the owwner of a Health Food Store in town & she said some MSM products are not as pure as others. This particular brand had 345 mg of sulfur in it. The reaction I had was to the sulfur, not the MSM. I stopped it & the rash & headache went away. I am back to taking the NOW brand with no problems. Make sure you buy your MSM at a reputable dealer, not just anywhere. Talk to the salesperson & be sure it is pure MSM.


How to Deal with Side Effects

2 User Reviews
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Posted by Anne (Vancouver, Bc) on 06/08/2012
★★★★★

I had been suffering with horrible muscle pains for a few years. So I started to read on what would help this pain. I started to take MSM and the pain I endured was worse but then.. read on to find out what happened.

MSM can and will reawaken your previous injuries. When I first started taking MSM I was in horrible pain.. So I stopped taking it and the pain went a way. Then I read that MSM detoxifies the body and will reawaken old injuries.. That you need to keep taking the MSM until the pain is gone (usually 2-3 weeks) So I started to take MSM again and the same pain returned. I had a horrible two weeks. After that the pain was less and less. That moment when I woke up and there was no pain at all I was in disbelief, as I was told by my Doctor's I would always suffered pain.. So I say.. If this causes pain, it means its cleaning out your system so drink lots of water while you are taking it and know that it's getting rid of that pain for good. :) A usual dose to start is one three times a day.. Work up to two three times a day. Of 1000mg each. Best of Luck all

Replied by Kimberly
(Tallahassee, Fl)
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.

Replied by Dawn
(USA)
05/21/2022
★★★★★

I've had the same experience. Started taking for my back pain I've had since a really bad accident years ago. The pain got excruciating for a week or two then it went away after so kept taking. I still take daily and have none of the severe pains I was living with for the last 15 plus years.


Insomnia

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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?


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?

Replied by Zmerrill4361
(Upstate, Ny)
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.


Insomnia
Posted by Nicole (Australia) on 12/23/2013

Hi everyone, I first decided to take msm sulphur because I wanted to detox and see if it could improve my rosacea and keratosis pilaris, among other health problems. I took 1 tsp for a week, the first few days I noticed it make my insomnia worse so I decided to take it in the morning, but nothing changed my insomnia was still worse, I also noticed my constipation was worse. I decided not to take it today and actually had a bowel movement. I just wanted to know am I taking too much? how much should I start off with? I was only taking 1 tsp why was this happening? Thanks in advance for your help:)

Replied by Timh
(Ky)
12/24/2013
2063 posts

Nicole: This could simply be "die-off" reactions as the detoxification is undergoing. You may want to consider taking Vit-C at different time than MSM as they will compliment each other. Alpha Lipoic Acid will also sync w/ the C & MSM. 3-12mg Melatonin prior to retiring w/ help detox as well as sleep.

Replied by Nicole
(Australia)
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?

Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
03/16/2014

Nicole,

Re nausea when taking MSM with Orange Juice;

Idea: Orange Juice is acidic and the combo might cause the reaction. Try taking the MSM with a milder juice. I take MSM with water...along with a dozen other nutrients...never get nausea.

I NEVER drink orange juice unless I know I'm alkaline. OJ is worse than coffee and is hard on the body.


Insomnia
Posted by Alijawales (Wales, Uk) on 11/08/2013

MSM has triggered severe insomnia in me, but it's because it is dealing with parasites in my body. They are always much more active at night and the MSM is driving them nuts. Hopefully this will pass.

If MSM is keeping you awake, it may not actually be the MSM that is the real issue...

Also, the body does its housekeeping at night when we are resting and not diverting our energy to other things. As Sulfur is one of the elements that helps the body detox, and absorb nutrition better, which helps in the healing process, it is very likely to trigger rashes, headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, coughs, colds, etc., in fact anything that could be used as a route to get unwanted matter out of the body.

We assume these things are 'illnesses', but they are just the body's way of cleaning itself. We go and get medications to suppress these processes, often driving toxins even deeper into the body instead of giving the body the tools, and the recognition for its amazingly designed ability to heal itself.

Replied by Sophia
(South Africa)
06/04/2018

Thank you for a simple and very informative comment.


Insomnia
Posted by Ellen (London , Uk) on 04/21/2013

I am one of those people for whom MSM did not work. I had insomnia. What does this mean? Do I need to detox? My joints are very creaky and noisy but are less painful than they used to be. MSM might not be an option for me. Any advice? Thank you!

Replied by Cb
(Blaricum, Netherlands)
05/07/2013

Hi, you can try Paida and Lajin, it is introduced by Hongchi Xiao. You 'clear' the meridians with Lajin (streching) and toxins will be expelled by Paida (slapping on the joints). It's is a holistic approach and is good for your overall health.

Replied by Alike
(Wales, Uk)
11/08/2013

The body does a lot of healing and cleansing at night, so taking elements that help this process can trigger insomnia.

Some say that taking MSM late can keep them awake, but it's more likely the healing and detox response. Also some people may be unaware they have parasites. They become active at night. Taking MSM can help to deal with them, but initially it may make them very aggravated, and trigger a lot more activity.

Persevering with the MSM will usually find those detox or other issues resolving. Sulphur (MSM) aids the detox process and helps the body assimilate and use nutrition far better, so healing responses are often enhanced.


Insomnia
Posted by Kim (Macomb, MI) on 08/15/2008

It was good to read it's not just happening to me. I've been taking a liquid form of MSM, glucosamine, & chondroitin for one week STOPPING today. I have been experiencing rapid heart rate and chest tightness/pain. One night I didn't sleep at all. I've taken the gluc/chon before with no issues, so I'm sure it's the MSM. No more. Also of note, I'm allergic to sulfa as many women are, and I just learned that a person allergic to sulfa shouldn't take MSM. It was good to read your feedback. I hope mine helps someone too.



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