need infor about high-dose IV vitamin C

tanstaafl said:

home sweet home

The Univ of Kansas protocol initially tests for G6PD deficiency and ramps IV C dosage up over 1-2 weeks.  Dosage is sometimes based on Riodan's technique of measuring blood levels of vitamin C.  At our house, it is simply how much C solution my wife is willing to regularly infuse, historically 60-80 grams C, and how long she's willing to sit, ca 1-1.5 hrs. This is running fast, probably too fast.   An IV 1-2x per week is common for cancer patients on chemo, a week is stretching things for us. Another CSN patient here, LuvinLife2, had a clinic in BC that used both vitamin C and K3 with Folfiri, 1-2x per week. She was ready to quit Folfiri when she started IV vitamin C and got years of mileage out of that.    

A Previous discussion

Costs are very, very situational, depending on locale, restrictions, your network, skills and efforts.  

Some typical single infusion costs at US doctors' offices range $125-$250, depending on locale and dosage, typically ranging 15-100 grams. Adults under 50 grams is usually too low in our view.

You ability to get and store bulk supplies (C, catheters, sterile water, magnesium chloride or sulfate solution, tubing etc) cheaply is one important area of cost control. Thanks to FDA interference several years ago, costs for the injectable vitamin C liquid concentrate vary wildly. The largest manufacturer then, McGuff started from ~$6.50 per 25 gram vial in 2010 to this current chaos, up to ~$75 in US but delivered under $15 in Canada. Probably various deals elsewhere.  Some of the old time C doctors, like Robert Cathcart, started from pure, sterile sodium ascorbate USP powder, with much, much lower costs. 

Cost of administration is another. In many cases, my belief is that informal home service is likely to be least expensive, if you can find a skilled infusionist/RN who will make stops before work, day off, or on weekends.  Skill of patient preparation and IV insertion are key to long term use. We are capable of many tasks ourselves. One major area of cost and regulation is whether the infusionist stays to the end. My wife isn't left alone but often pulls the catheter herself, an immense improvement in RN schedule flexibility.  Again, specific local conditions and arrangements will vary greatly.  

Also my wife after 5 years of chemo, has to take time release potassium tablets and monitor her blood levels of potassium.  The first year she didn't do anything much with potassium even though she had IV C 3-5x per week.      

I was hoping you'd post for this person.  You're definitely the expert on Vitamin C in our group!  Traci

You may have already found these previous discussions from CSN crc members with direct IV vitamin C experience:

Jan 2013   Pete, LuvinLife2, Tanstaafl

Oct 2012  Traci43 (with Xeliri)

Aug 2012  Pete, Tanstaafl, LuvinLife2, Lepperl

Dec 2010  Lesvanb 9/10  2/11

Oct 2010  Lesvanb, Tanstaafl

I found one mention of $75 IV C from early 2011, that might still reflect previously lower cost C supplies and/or lower doses.  In the 1990's I heard of a place offering 30 grams C for $75 for "general health purposes". 

Not calling it a cancer treatment but my energy, immune system, and joints are fantastic. It isn't the prescribed course of treatment, (Cut, Burn, Poison), by the AMA. I use a holistic care approach with a ketogenic diet among other interventions.

I did have robotic surgery for the removal of my tonsils and surrounding tissue. About two week recovery time. Had we known now back before surgery we may have let a healthy life style correct the issue.

This information was researched by my wife. My treatment through the course of the first 4 months. Maintenance continuing. Two years and no signs of any reoccurring issues. Not sure if it helps but I feel great.

My holistic Doc is Dr.Robert Grafton - PSI Medical in Wixom and Rochester, MI

Cost $120 for 120g Vit C and B complex

He has a shared office in Grand Rapids, MI - Holistic Care Approach