immune sysytem

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Becky - 04 Apr 2006 00:32 GMT

I am a little confused on how the immune system plays a role in RA, Is the
immune system overactive when you get RA, and if so does that mean we
shouldn't take any vitamins or supplements that say they boost the immune
system? I have a friend who keeps giving me stuff that strengthens the
immune system but I thought that would make the problem worse, am I correct
or does it help?
Thanks
Becky

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Joan Carter - 04 Apr 2006 00:42 GMT

> I have a friend who keeps giving me stuff that strengthens the
>immune system but I thought that would make the problem worse, am I correct
>or does it help?

That is the general opinion re MS and the immune system. We take drugs that
modulate the immune system, not those that boost it. I can't say for sure with
RA but it could be the same, sounds reasonable. I would also make sure your
physician knows everything you are taking, including supplements.
---
Joan

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Charrlygrl1 - 04 Apr 2006 17:38 GMT

Becky,
Are you on any RA meds, such as methotrexate or Enbrel?

If so, you should probably be talking with your rheumy.

Even regular supplements and vitamins can interfere with some RA meds.
I ran into this recently with methotrexate. I also take a folic acid
supplement. I then realized that I was also taking a multivitamin with
a lot of folic acid in it, which when I checked with my rheumy, he
assured me I should NOT be doing.

Charlene

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Becky - 05 Apr 2006 06:21 GMT

Char,
Thanks I didn't know that, I take cal, mag and zinc, milk thistle,
pantathoic acid, flax seed oil, and a daily vitamin, guess Ihad better check
with him, I don't take a pill of folic acid he said that wasn't necessary
unless I got sores in the mouth or stomach problems. I eat very healthy to
guess I better check all these things out, I did go to a web site that
checks for interactions and put all this in and it came back okay but thanks
for the advice.
Becky

> Becky,
> Are you on any RA meds, such as methotrexate or Enbrel?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Charlene

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Nanny - 08 Apr 2006 01:47 GMT

I didn't know that either. Thanks for bringing it up, Becky. I take MTX
and Plaquenil, and have also been taking a multi-vitamin, Calcium, and
Vitamin C. I'm still a bit confused on vitamins. On one hand, you hear
that if you eat well, you are getting enough of the right vitamins, while on
the other hand, a multi-vitamin is recommended. Any thoughts? Nanny

> Char,
> Thanks I didn't know that, I take cal, mag and zinc, milk thistle,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>>
>> Charlene

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Thumper - 08 Apr 2006 06:07 GMT

>I didn't know that either. Thanks for bringing it up, Becky. I take MTX
>and Plaquenil, and have also been taking a multi-vitamin, Calcium, and
>Vitamin C. I'm still a bit confused on vitamins. On one hand, you hear
>that if you eat well, you are getting enough of the right vitamins, while on
>the other hand, a multi-vitamin is recommended. Any thoughts? Nanny

I think the vitamin industry is run by a bunch of crooks.
Thumper

>> Char,
>> Thanks I didn't know that, I take cal, mag and zinc, milk thistle,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>>>
>>> Charlene

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Nann Bell - 05 Apr 2006 04:58 GMT

> I am a little confused on how the immune system plays a role in RA, Is the
> immune system overactive when you get RA, and if so does that mean we
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Thanks
> Becky

It's more a matter of the immune system mis-directing its actions than of it
being over-active. That's why so many of us feel better arthritis-wise when
we have some other virus to fight off - our immune systems are busy with the
cold or flu bug so lay off attacking the joints, muscles and/or tendons for a
while. My arthritis is often worse for a while after a bug though and I
attribute it to my immune system having been fired up by the virus and now
looking for something else to do! LOL

The big mystery is WHY the immune system decides to attack parts of our
bodies. When they get to the bottom of that, they may really be able to stop
these diseases. Our DMARDs now block the immune system in a variety of ways
because they don't yet know how to redirect the immune system's attack to
what needs attacking while leaving our "normal" parts alone.

Anyway, you want to do normal things that help you have a reasonably healthy
immune system such as eating right and exercising as much as your body will
allow, but you don't want to "boost" the immune system. You need to be able
to fight off other illnesses, but if you boost your immune system now, that
will just strengthen its attack on your joints. Bummer, hunh?

In fact, they specificallly say NOT to take echinacea and such if you have
auto-immune diseases. (My past naturopathic guru said not to take it daily
anyway because your body adapts to it - but to take it in huge doses when you
feel like you are coming down with soomething. If I do it now though, I'll
have a huge arthritis flare afterwards.)

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Nann
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Becky - 05 Apr 2006 06:24 GMT

Nann,
'Thanks for all the infor it is so confusing on what to have and what not
to.
Your words are appreciated.
Becky

>> I am a little confused on how the immune system plays a role in RA, Is
>> the
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
> I'll
> have a huge arthritis flare afterwards.)

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Duckie - 05 Apr 2006 07:58 GMT

When I get the beginnings of a cold, I do take Airborne which has
echinacia [sp] which is suppose to boast the immune system. It never
affects my RA like it would others but does nip my cold. Probably like
food bans, works for some and not for others.
Duckie

> I am a little confused on how the immune system plays a role in RA, Is the
> immune system overactive when you get RA, and if so does that mean we
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Thanks
> Becky

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