Introduction

Myer's Cocktail is an intravenous procedure to improve the nutritional state. The ingredients of this solution are a mixture of water-soluble vitamins and minerals.

There are many reasons to receive this infusion. Many people are nutrient deficient secondary to a routine diet of fast food and conventionally grown foods. There are also many disease and/or metabolic states that render us malnourished. Many people do not even know they are malnourished. Examples of possible states that produce malnutrition would include Diabetes Mellitus (both Types I and II), Short-Gut Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Connective Tissue Disorders, Autoimmune Disorders, Cancer (current and past), Asthma, Migraine or Severe Headaches, Coronary Artery Disease, Chronic Allergies, Sinusitis, Acute and Chronic Infections. Those who have sought out bariatric surgery as a means of weight loss, have had part of the small intestine removed, or have difficulty digesting and metabolizing carbohydrates will especially benefit from this infusion. Because of the loss of Intrinsic Factor, many people are unable to process B-Vitamins. This, in turn, interferes with Iron absorption, often leading to an anemic state. Also, "normal" aging often interferes with the absorption of vitamins.

Because high-dose Vitamin C/Myer's Cocktail is an intravenous infusion, it bypasses the intestines and is more quickly and efficiently absorbed. Higher doses of Vitamin C can be administered via IV than could ever be absorbed by mouth.

This is a brief overview of the purpose of high-dose Vitamin C/Myer's Cocktail and why we at Medical Spa of Midland administer it and believe in it.

Vitamins

Vitamins are necessary for production of enzymes and hormones. They are classified as water-soluble and fat-soluble. We use only water-soluble vitamins in our IV infusion. The amount of vitamins needed for proper nutrition varies at different times in our lives. The amount needed increases during times of stress, both physical and mental Illness, surgery, and the normal aging process may make it necessary for increased amounts of vitamins.

IV NUTRITIONAL THERAPY (aka Myer's Cocktail)

John Myers, a physician in practice in Baltimore, Maryland, pioneered the use of IV nutrients as part of the overall treatment of various medical conditions. While the "Myer's Cocktail" is not a definitive treatment for any disease, it has the potential to effect many different medical conditions due to the enhanced immune response to the infusion of vitamins and minerals.

IV nutritional therapy may be used to treat any of the following diseases/conditions:

Short-gut syndrome or malabsorption
Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Connective Tissue Disorders
Autoimmune Disorders
Cancer (Current and past)
Asthma
Migraine or Severe Headaches
Coronary Artery Disease
Chronic Allergies and Sinusitis
Inability to swallow oral nutritional supplements
Patients with acute or chronic infections
Magnesium deficiency symptoms
Those wishing to improve their overall nutritional status
Hepatitis/Liver Failure
Poor wound healing
Post-operative care

The potential side effects include but are not limited to:

Common:
Low blood sugar (common, especially if you haven't eaten the day of treatment)
Low blood pressure and dizziness (common)
Sensation of warmth
Lightheadedness

Rare:
Blood clot in the vein
Kidney Injury
Bursting of blood cells
Infection
Seizures
Severe Allergic Reaction
Intolerance, febrile reactions
Heart rhythm problems
Congestive heart failure
Hypokalemia and muscle spasms (those taking glucocorticoids, beta agonists)

The ingredients of the Myer's Cocktail include B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium, and an amino acid called Glutathione. We feel that IV administration is superior to (these same vitamins and minerals taken orally because) the IV route bypasses the intestinal tract and goes directly to the cell where is it needed. IV administration produces concentrations much higher than oral, and in a sense is a "bigger gun" than a pill.

While most of these potential side effects are rare, at Medical Spa of Midland, our staff is trained and equipped to handle any emergency. We are very pleased that the staff at Medical Spa of Midland includes former ICU, ER, and OR nurses. We feel that their prior hospital experience and our continuing training make Medical Spa of Midland the best place to receive any of the treatments (for any condition) of any place in the Permian Basin. We may not be the only medical spa, but we were the first.

Upon deciding this is a treatment that would benefit you, the process is simple. You may receive the treatment that very day. Or if more convenient, you may schedule your appointment. For most conditions, several treatments will be needed. Your IV therapy practitioner will determine how many treatments and how often based on the severity of your symptoms, your condition, and your tolerance of the treatment. Treatments should not be painful, but you may feel burning at the insertion site. This is not an uncommon problem and you should not be alarmed. Your nurse/technician will take measures to bring comfort and relief should this occur.

IV NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
Frequently Asked Questions

What is IV Nutritional Therapy?
IV Nutritional Therapy is a way to take vitamins and minerals which achieves high concentrations in the blood. This allows the body to process the vitamins and minerals without having to go through the intestinal tract.

Why is it important to bypass the intestinal tract?
For many people, it is not necessary to bypass the intestinal tract. However, as we age, it becomes more difficult to absorb the nutrients needed. Those with absorption problems need an alternate route for obvious reasons. Some examples of those who may have absorption problems are people with chronic infection, Crohn's Disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome, frequent yeast infections, food allergies, diarrhea, and those with a history of stomach or bowel surgery. These are just a few examples.

Don't I get enough vitamins and minerals in my diet?
Some people eat a lot of veggies and salads. Years ago, it would have been enough. However, today, because the soil is depleted of trace minerals and other substances, our food source is also depleted. We strongly suggest you consume a diet of organically grown food. These meats and vegetables are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers (which destroy the trace minerals and bacterium needed to produce vitamins and minerals in the plant) or hormones and antibiotics. Milk and dairy products are especially sensitive to the hormones and antibiotics given to cows. These hormones and antibiotics show up in very small quantities in daily supply. Over the course of years, it adds up to be a major factor in health and health care today.

How are the vitamins and minerals administered?
Although oral vitamins and minerals are frequently prescribed, to achieve the high plasma concentrations needed to boost the immune system, the IV route is used. The levels achieved by the IV route are impossible to achieve orally.

How often will I need it? It depends on which therapy you are receiving and for what reason. A course of treatment may range from 1 to 40.

Will my insurance cover this treatment?
Most of the time, it will not. Sometimes, IV Iron is a covered service, but this is the only IV Nutritional Therapy that may be.

Does it hurt?
While every precaution is taken to insure comfort, the procedure involves needles, tape, and IV solution. Other than the insertion of the IV catheter, the procedure should be painless. If you feel discomfort, just tell your technician/nurse and he or she will take measures to make you more comfortable. The pain is usually associated with the speed of the infusion, the concentration of the infusion, or the temperature of the infusion.

Is it expensive?
We try to minimize the cost in order to make it available to as many people as possible. The cost of supplies needed to make the nutritional therapy family of treatments goes up from time to time. You may pay for your treatments by cash, check, credit card, or Care Credit.