1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Immune system boosters

Posted by christi48 @christi48, Jan 7, 2023

In the past I have always taken Vitamin C, Echinacea and garlic when I had a cold and the combination seemed to lessen the symptoms and duration. Should people with PMR take these supplements, even short-term?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 7, 2023

@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard of echnacea and garlic for helping boost the immune system. If it helps that's what's more important in my non medical opinion, although I normally run the supplements I take by my primary care doc or my pharmacist. There are a lot of articles similar to this one on diet and supplements for PMR but haven't seen any on what supplements you should not take with PMR:
-- Diet and Supplements for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR):
https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/diet-and-supplements-polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr
Have you thought about asking your doctor or pharmacist?

REPLY
3 replies
mnmom1 | @mnmom1 | Jan 7, 2023

Thank you for the tips above….

REPLY
marmak | @marmak | Jan 8, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard of echnacea and garlic for helping boost the immune system. If it helps that's what's more important in my non medical opinion, although I normally run the supplements I take by my primary care doc or my pharmacist. There are a lot of articles similar to this one on diet and supplements for PMR but haven't seen any on what supplements you should not take with PMR:
-- Diet and Supplements for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR):
https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/diet-and-supplements-polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr
Have you thought about asking your doctor or pharmacist?

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing that article. Early in this journey I had been using various mushroom compounds for my immune system, then came across an article in Well Being Journal about the mushroom Chaga as being a substance that would interfere with prednisone. Stopped taking all mushroom supplements and other than a good multivitamin and a cal/mag supplement I try to get all nutrients through minimally processed foods.

REPLY
1 reply
Teri | @tsc | Jan 8, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard of echnacea and garlic for helping boost the immune system. If it helps that's what's more important in my non medical opinion, although I normally run the supplements I take by my primary care doc or my pharmacist. There are a lot of articles similar to this one on diet and supplements for PMR but haven't seen any on what supplements you should not take with PMR:
-- Diet and Supplements for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR):
https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/diet-and-supplements-polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr
Have you thought about asking your doctor or pharmacist?

Jump to this post

Hi @christi48, I think the key is food, and possibly supplements, that reduce inflammation, but do not boost the immune system. With PMR and GCA, the immune system goes into overdrive and attacks healthy tissues so the key is not to stimulate the immune system, but to calm it. This is why there are cautions attached to the use of melatonin with autoimmune disorders. I use a lot of garlic in my cooking and have always taken Vitamin C. Neither of these really impacted my PMR or GCA. I have been in remission for a few months after taking prednisone for a year and a half. I wish you the best.

REPLY
christi48 | @christi48 | Jan 8, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@christi48, I take vitamin C along with turmeric and a few others but have not heard of echnacea and garlic for helping boost the immune system. If it helps that's what's more important in my non medical opinion, although I normally run the supplements I take by my primary care doc or my pharmacist. There are a lot of articles similar to this one on diet and supplements for PMR but haven't seen any on what supplements you should not take with PMR:
-- Diet and Supplements for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR):
https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/diet-and-supplements-polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr
Have you thought about asking your doctor or pharmacist?

Jump to this post

I don't ask pharmacists or doctors about things related to PMR because they all seem to be clueless. I've learned more from this forum than from any medical providers...Thanks for your reply.

REPLY
1 reply
mary4 | @mary4 | Jan 9, 2023
In reply to @christi48 "I don't ask pharmacists or doctors about things related to PMR because they all seem to..." + (show)
@christi48

I don't ask pharmacists or doctors about things related to PMR because they all seem to be clueless. I've learned more from this forum than from any medical providers...Thanks for your reply.

Jump to this post

Amen to that John bishop! I completely changed my tapering schedulenbased on everything I have learned on this site and after feel better that I have in two years, and.fornthe first time feel optimistic about the potential of a future without PMR. Someonenshould write a paper gathering the themes of this site. Have you.presented on the content of this site at conferences for physicians and other health care.providers. should be required reading in med schools. You would.be doing a wonderful community service, and greatly contributing to the community of practice. My rant for the day.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 9, 2023
In reply to @mary4 "Amen to that John bishop! I completely changed my tapering schedulenbased on everything I have learned..." + (show)
@mary4

Amen to that John bishop! I completely changed my tapering schedulenbased on everything I have learned on this site and after feel better that I have in two years, and.fornthe first time feel optimistic about the potential of a future without PMR. Someonenshould write a paper gathering the themes of this site. Have you.presented on the content of this site at conferences for physicians and other health care.providers. should be required reading in med schools. You would.be doing a wonderful community service, and greatly contributing to the community of practice. My rant for the day.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the post @mary4 but as far as presenting on PMR, I'm just a messenger boy trying to help out 😂🙃 I learned a lot from this site and talking with other patients myself. I get as much from this site as all of you. This site was a gift for me and really helped with my second occurrence of PMR - 1-1/2 years to taper off vs the first time taking 3-1/2 years.

We do have a great presenter in @colleenyoung who does make the social media rounds with healthcare industry groups to let them know the benefits of Connect for patients and the healthcare industry.

REPLY
1 reply
mary4 | @mary4 | Jan 9, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Thanks for the post @mary4 but as far as presenting on PMR, I'm just a messenger..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Thanks for the post @mary4 but as far as presenting on PMR, I'm just a messenger boy trying to help out 😂🙃 I learned a lot from this site and talking with other patients myself. I get as much from this site as all of you. This site was a gift for me and really helped with my second occurrence of PMR - 1-1/2 years to taper off vs the first time taking 3-1/2 years.

We do have a great presenter in @colleenyoung who does make the social media rounds with healthcare industry groups to let them know the benefits of Connect for patients and the healthcare industry.

Jump to this post

I wonder if Colleen's reach extends to Canada? Our PCPs could use this kind of info and education.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 9, 2023
In reply to @mary4 "I wonder if Colleen's reach extends to Canada? Our PCPs could use this kind of info..." + (show)
@mary4

I wonder if Colleen's reach extends to Canada? Our PCPs could use this kind of info and education.

Jump to this post

I'm sure it does...right @colleenyoung 🙃

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 9, 2023
In reply to @mary4 "I wonder if Colleen's reach extends to Canada? Our PCPs could use this kind of info..." + (show)
@mary4

I wonder if Colleen's reach extends to Canada? Our PCPs could use this kind of info and education.

Jump to this post

Thanks, Mary. In fact, my most recent presentation was at a global conference held in Toronto, Canada. 🙂

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.