Outside of medication

[APS1993]

You have all been quite helpful since I found this group. Outside of medication, has anyone been given a treatment plan to improve cognitive impairment? Thanks

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, I certainly explored, my vitamin D, B12 and Iron, plus my Thyroid, and also went totally gluten free, this has helped me an awful lot. I do eat well and exercise daily, I still get bad flares but I am much better than how I was ten years ago. MaryF

[Lure2]

Hi again,

I agree with what MaryF has told you.

Also I would suggest you should try to find that Specialist and be anticogulated and after that figure out what will come next.

Do you have high titres? I have all three antibodies positive with high titres since 2002. Warfarin has helped me a lot but then I am also primary APS (no other autoimmun illnesses so far). We are all individuals but we have the thick blood that has to be thinned in common I think.

Best wishes from Kerstin in Stockholm

[Kerlampert]

Yes, keeping in range on the INR.

Outside gets you poor cognition.

Exercise is super importanttkeep the blood flowing. I swim every day, walk, and do yoga or stretching. ...makes me feel much better.

Good luck!

Kerstin from Hawaii

[GinaD]

I found on my own ( since confirmed by reading) that nutritional deficiencies can add to or even create cognitive impairment. As our body ages we lose efficiency in our gut and oft times just because we eat it doesnt mean we absorb it. Another issue to discuss with your doctor. With me the big issues were anemia due to undiagnosed gluten sensitivity and low heat tolerence due to low magnesium level (if I eat a banana a day I can hike in 90F sun, and though I sweat a lot, I feel fine.

[Bebe in reply to GinaD]

Hi GinaD. Since I was diagnosed with primary APS in 2011, I find heat affects me badly, I sweat loads, and it really makes me feel ill. Instead of the occasional banana I'll eat one each day so thanks for the advice.

[GinaD in reply to Bebe]

This sounds gross, but if one banana a day doesnt do it, you might try banana tea. Banana peels supposedly have 3x the magnesium of the inside fruit. So, to access all that magnesium: wash banana thoroughly. Cut off both ends,. Peel banana and put peeled banana and peel in a pot of water. Heat and steep until water turns black. Voila! Banana tea. ( Doesnt sound tasty somI havent tried yet, but I havent needed to.)

[a_schaider]

I am at my best when I my INR is 3.5-4, I have no sugar ( fruit OK) , no gluten, and little dairy, drink 22 ml of water per kg of bodyweight, elevate legs for at least 2 hours at night, sleep 8+ hours and exercise for an hour a day preferably swimming because it works your entire body and stationary biking using an oxygen concentrator bc it moves more oxygen to all those cells, an oxygen boost to the brain! Think oxygen to the brain is key. And stretching is key as well..20 minutes per day!