Boosting Immune System and RA | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I have RA & Fibro and take injectable mtx and humira. I was talking with a doctor friend about my overal health (I am overweight and always weak and sick.) He suggested I do other things to boast my immune system like stay away from sugar & wheat, take suppliments, lots of green vegetables, walk when I can, etc. This all makes perfect sense in just being healty in general.

But I am confused because I know the RA meds are used to shut down your immune system, so would bosting it in other ways have an adverse reaction?

RA meds don't shut down you immune system but they do affect it and they affect it differently in each person. Vit. D, Fish Oil, Calcium and a multivitamin aren't going to rev your immune system enough to conteract the RA meds you're taking but these vitamins will enhance other functions such as Vit. D levels, your joints and bones and your mineral levels. Some of our meds and RA leach these vitamins and minerals from our systems and replacing them only makes sense. Talk to your RD about starting these. Has your RD ordered a Vit. D level? I don't eat sugar and prepackaged foods and I eat mucho vegetables, fruits, whole grains and grass fed and antibiotic free meats. I've lost close to 20 lbs. in the last 4 months and I feel super. Is it my diet or is it Simponi? Maybe it's a combination of the two. How much Pred. are you on. That may be making you feel unwell and not helping with your weight. I gained most of my weight the 4 years I was on 30mg. daily of Pred. Good luck. There are several good low inflammation diets. I follow the Mediterranean diet. Lindy LinB2010-06-22 17:41:02Tara and Lin,

Back when i was doing enbrel, mtx and prednisone, I ran out of my regular vitamins. I decided to buy the top of the line vitamins, very expensive. With-in three days I was in great flare pain and couldn't figure out why. Finally figured it out. The vitamins were loaded with immune boosters. Gotta be ever so vigilant, don't ya just love this disease?

LEV

LinB.. awesome on the weigh loss.. I've done it too.. lost 25 lbs without trying much only eating all fresh.. I even eat cake.. but it's homemade... no preservatives.. no white sugar!!

also.. good explanation about how things help us!!
Lev, All we can do is live and learn and like you I've learned the hard way. I use a vitamin that's low in C, E and the other immune boosters but has the minerals I need because I don't want to buy 10 bottles of different minerals. You found out you can't just go out and buy the best because of your experience with the mega vitamin. I think you can safely take a vitamin, just make sure you're not getting a large dose of C and E and some of the other immune boosters. Once again some of us are more sensitive (Lev LindyThere are a lot of things I've given up or greatly reduced due to this disease... my wine being in the forefront of that list...

I still indulge.. just very selective about how often and when..

same with all the other goodies.....

moderation..

actually less than moderate in my indulgences... but I am feeling pretty damn good..

and I have at least as much as you still to get to my fighting weight!! Great informaion and it really helps me to understand a little better.

I eat way too much sugar and it really does make me feel awful. I have also gained about 60 lbs since this all started-especiallyduring the 1 & 1/2 year of prednisone.

But I am going to quit eating sugar and sart eating lots of veggies-and I have another friend who has also suggested the mediteranian diet. Congratulations to those of you have been able to lose weight!!!

Really makes sense about watching the type of vitamins you take and being dilligent about researching other suppliments.