Wellness

[GingerPeach]

Totally up to you, always.

No fewer than three rheumatologists recommended it.  

(I realize the website I posted looks hokey, @Moonchilde.  Don't just go by how that site looks.)

[Moonchilde]

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wrote:

Totally up to you, always.

No fewer than three rheumatologists recommended it.  

(I realize the website I posted looks hokey, @Moonchilde.  Don't just go by how that site looks.)

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@GingerPeach, frankly, I enjoy my cocktails too much to totally give up all alcohol in order to take it; that’s why I wouldn’t be interested.

Now waiting for the “well then, you must be an alcoholic!!!” posts (not from you, I know). 

[GingerPeach]

@Moonchilde

I completely forgot about that love of yours!

So sorry, and I call myself your friend.  (Hanging head in well, not exactly shame, but close.)  

When I started methotrexate, one of the warnings is also not to drink (which I actually don't do other than once a year or so), so that wasn't a thing I even thought about.

If that ever changes for you, let me know since I'm always on the lookout for remedies without side effects.  I just think doctors are much too cavalier about prescriptions that do have side effects - some more serious than others.  (Like those commercials for drugs for which "cancer may happen" as a side effect over time.)

[GingerPeach]

@Moonchilde

I had to re-read the data re the low dose naltrexone and there are no contraindications to drinking alcohol.   I just never thought about it for myself since I don't drink and thought you'd found something.

It occurred to me just a few minutes ago that you may have confused it with the higher doses of the drug that are used for completely different purposes.

I also wanted to point out that it is important to research "low dose naltrexone" and not simply "naltrexone."

Anyway, totally up to you re moving forward.  I didn't want to let the evening go by without mentioning that.

[twinkies]

f you are on methotrexate then you should take milk thistle to protect your liver , It will protect your liver and help keep your blood sugars regulated and lower cholesterol . Make sure you have your bone density checked and keep regular dental appts because methotrexate affects both.Milk thistle will keep your liver enzymes from going up .

cath from ma

[LilacTree]

@Moonchilde

At the age of 14, I came down with rheumatic fever, scarlet fever and mononucleosis all at the same time, brought on by an untreated strep infection.  I spent several weeks (seemed like months) in a hospital dedicated to TB patients.  I was allowed no visitors except my parents once a week who had to sit in the doorway with masks on.  This happened with the onset of puberty.  I was seriously ill, but no one knew what it would lead to in the future.  I survived, obviously, but was never really strong again. 

My next bout with autoimmune disease (also not known as such at the time) was hypothyroidism at the onset of menopause.  No one mentioned that was an autoimmune disease at the time (if they knew). 

I was okay after being prescribed Synthroid, which worked, and which I still take.  My menopause lasted five years.  During the time RA officially hit at age 66, I had back problems, was diagnosed with osteoporosis, and odd rashes and swellings, but was still mostly okay and able to work. 

I retired at 66 and the RA hit six months later, first in my wrists and quickly to my hands.  I went to a rheumatologist who diagnosed the RA and said I had seven years to live.  I went to several others who lost interest in me when I refused the biologics.  I asked one of them about my tests (RA Factor, C reactive protein, anti-CCP and sed rate) and he said they were all "off the charts," and that he thought I may have had low level RA for many years.

I now have four diagnosed autoimmune diseases and just overcame a P. aeruginosa bacterial UTI infection at the end of December, which is third under only MRSA and one other bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.  I am lucky, and very glad my intuition told me not to take biologics because the first most serious side effect of biologics is infection.

I believe my mother had it, but don't know for sure, as she died of lung cancer at age 49.  I believe my beloved sister had it also, she tested positive, but had very minor symptoms.  She also died of colon/lung metastatic cancer almost seven years ago at age 72.

If you have bent finger tips, that is osteoarthritis.  However, you can have both OA and RA, which affects the mid-finger joints and knuckles and leads to disfigurement, which I have in my right hand.  It has also hit my toes and ankles, and most of my internal organs.

I take a low dose of prednisone (8 mgs) and rarely take a pain killer other than a dose of Aleve when the pain is really bad.  I know that osteoarthritis hurts just as much as RA, but fortunately, it does not affect one's internal organs . . . so I hope OA is all you have.

All of this does run in families.

[GingerPeach]

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wrote:

f you are on methotrexate then you should take milk thistle to protect your liver , It will protect your liver and help keep your blood sugars regulated and lower cholesterol . Make sure you have your bone density checked and keep regular dental appts because methotrexate affects both.Milk thistle will keep your liver enzymes from going up .

cath from ma

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Thank you, @twinkies  I do take milk thistle - have been for years.  I am aware of all the supplements needed.  And I have seen the difference this supplement makes.  

None of which my rheumatologist told me.  Doctors are frustrating.