Six months ago I was told that I needed a biopsy of my shoulder after an MRI showed a potential problem underneath a large calcification that was floating in the joint. My rotator cuff is 80% torn and my orthopedic doctor told me that he wanted to do surgery, but wasn't sure what was going on with the inflammation in the joint. He didn't like the size of the chunk of gunk in there, or what he was seeing in the bone, but that we'd wait 6 months to see what a new MRI showed us before a biopsy. Two months later (April) started taking this vitamin. I was encouraged to do so by a girlfriend at the gym who lifts weights regularly as I do, telling me it gave her more energy. I was skeptical, but decided to give them a try after reading the ingredients and knowing the formulation is specifically designed for female athletes. I liked that the Opti-Women vitamins don't upset my fussy gut, and 2 a day of these average sized capsules is easy enough to remember. I don't notice a huge energy surge, but I have fibromyalgia and don't expect them either. I didn't notice much of a change until I ran out for a few days and then I did note a definite drop in overall energy, so I went back on them pronto! Yesterday I went to my doctor expecting to hear I'd be in for a biopsy - despite my shoulder gradually feeling much better than before. I'd modifyed my workouts in terms of limiting movements that aggravate rotator cuff injury symptoms, but hadn't babied it at all. He did an x-ray to take a quick look prior to ordering another expensive MRI, and came back astonished saying "I've never seen this before." We looked at the x-ray together and compared it to the one 6 months ago, as well as the MRI. The calcification and inflammation was completely gone from my shoulder! The only thing I've done differently was to consistently take these vitamins and Spring Valley - Vitamin D-3 5000 IU, 100 Softgels daily. I still have the cuff tear, but in terms of a biopsy, there's no need to do one now. The doc said "Keep up with whatever you're doing. I can't take credit for it, but that shoulder is healthier than its been in years!" I'm convinced of 2 things: these are great vitamins and with their help, my body has experienced a small miracle in self-repair! I'm sold and will continue to take Opti-Women Multivitamins for a long time to come. Highly recommend! ----------------------------------------- UPDATE: 1/20/15 Having run out of these vitamins for several months I tried a couple other brands I could easily find locally. I knew they didn't have all the good stuff the Opti-Women's vitamins had, but I got lazy and just didn't order some more. BIG mistake! Not taking these vitamins my hair became dry and brittle. My energy levels dropped and it seemed I was more susceptible to colds. I experienced stomach upset with the other vitamins - something I'd not had with these. Now back on Opti I feel better overall and my hair is looking better too. I'm not nauseated by these vitamins - taking two when I think of it each morn, without worrying if I've eaten or not before taking them. NOTE: I can't say enough good things about this vitamin, but will warn those on blood thinners NOT to take them! They have Vitamin K which will muck with your blood thinners - specifically Coumadin. (My mother's on it and can't take these vitamins.) I'll keep buying and taking these supplements for as long as they make them. Love 'em and the way they make me feel. --------------------------------------------------
