After being very very I'll in methotrexate and then sulfasalazine the consultant gas agreed that I can go on biologics I dont know which one the nurse is ringing me on Tuesday to tell me all about it.
I'm very nervous and excited I feel positive and maybe after 4 years on steroids I can get off them
Any advice on boosting my immune system. 😊
The last thing your immune system needs is boosting .....it’s already working overtime ....... that’s what’s making you poorly.
Just eat well, plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables & fluids - and get as much exercise as you can manage....all that will help you ... don’t start taking all sorts of supplements and vitamins unless they are prescribed by your doctors,
Good luck with the Biologics.
You might like to have some more information about the treatment being suggested. If you look at the treatments pages on the NRAS site there is balanced information to read so that you have the right questions to ask the nurse.
Information is power!
Hi Pasjc
Aged Crone and Old Timer have given you excellent advice. I hope your consultant has selected a biologic for you that gets to work quickly and suits you well; it can be a bit hit and miss unfortunately!
The only supplement that is recommended to help reduce inflammation in RA is Fish Oil (from the body of the fish not the liver so avoid cod liver oil) and if you don't eat oily fish you could consider a supplement.
The NRAS website states,
"There is good evidence that omega-3 fats when taken as supplements can improve symptoms of RA."
The NRAS website contains good advice on healthy eating along the lines suggested by Aged Crone.
More important than trying to boost your immune system is to avoid catching infections. Apparently, many infections are picked up from touching hard surfaces such as doors, handles, supermarket trolleys, on public transport etc. after someone with an infection has spread their germs on it. Frequent hand washing, using anti-bacterial hand liquids and wipes are important as too are avoiding people with colds, sore throats etc, especially small children I was told by my Rheumy nurse.
One thing I think we should consider is that sadly a Biologic drug is not necessarily a Magic Bullet.......so to anyone about to try a Biologic drug, please remember not to put all your eggs in the Biologic basket.......yes of course they can be great...but hundreds never take them, & do very well....but as we read here....they don’t work any better than Dmards do for some people, so please don’t get fixated on thinking a Biologic drug will fix everything 100% for everyone.
I have always thought we should approach every new drug we take with the expectation that it will work - without constantly worrying when we are going to get the nasty side effects we have read about.
Why anyone with RD (or any autoimmune disease) wants to boost their immune system is beyond me. No point taking drugs to control your RD if you are going to make it worse!
Just wrote my concern wrong.
I think this post member may be meaning 'support'the immune system rather than boost it. Help it in other words.
If that's the case then healthy foods, rest, exercise. A brisk walk is perfectly fine.
All good in helping to keep immune system from boosting out of control . 
Good luck with Biologics x
Brandy ....
Yes! Taken in small quantities, for medicinal purposes, brandy helps pain, calms nerves & helps sleep.
I got a nutribullet and made smoothies, you can add kale , spinach frozen fruit ginger etc and any of the drinks i made tasted grand , even with kale . I haven’t made any in a while but im going to start again coming into the Autumn/ winter. Best wishes and keep well 🌸
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