Ebenezer wrote:Hi
this is the first time I've posted on the forum but I read that you can't take Echinaccea with RA. I've been prescribed calcium and Vit D and read that Vit E is useful for RA - sure why however. I have currently got a nasty sinus infection - does the immune system being compromised mean that usual winter infections are more difficult to get rid of?
As only recently diagnosed I'm finding it all a bit daunting, I don't go back to the hospital until Jan as they need time to see now the medication is kicking in and I haven't been assigned a nurse yet. I'm finding lots of useful stuff on the web and this site looks really good.
As a general rule, and due to the cocktail of meds we get prescribed, you shouldn't take any supplement that you haven't cleared with your doctor. Some herbal remedies contain active ingredients that may conflict with prescribed meds.
Because RA is a disease caused by an overactive auto immune system attacking our joints, most RA drugs are designed to correct this and unfortunately that means we end up with a suppressed auto immune system. That means that we can pick up infections more easily, they hit harder and we take longer to shake them off. So some routine precautions are necessary - have you had your flu jab? And the pneumococcal vaccination? You should get these free. Antiseptic hand gel might be a good idea, esp at work, since viruses transfer well on hard surfaces such as door handles and bannisters
Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
