Hello, I had been reading about cinnamon and how it helps to reduce weight and especially stomach fat, which has been a problem since I started taking the steroids.
I have tried dieting and have just started a sugar free regime last week, after ordering and receiving the supplements today, I have been doing some research.
Putting the cart before the horse, so to speak, I think I may have made a mistake as I read that people on steroids shouldn't take cinnamon as it can cause kidney damage.
I have supplements of Ceylon cinnamon which is supposed to be the purest.
Has anyone taken any of these and are they said to be a no no for us people on steroids.
I wouldappreciate any comments.
Many Thanks.
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Riversnan
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Please forgive me, I was getting confused on going back over my history pages I found I had made a mistake, it was statins it shouldn't be taken with.
I have over reacted and there wasn't anything to connect steroids and cinnamon. If it does what it says in conjunction with honey and a diet, it may be a good thing.
I have a shaker full of cinnamon powder and another with ginger powder - I combine the two in my porridge, smoothies and stir fries every day - I know both are beneficial however can't say it has helped my tum even though I follow absolute low carb diet.
Wouldn't be without either, they are a flavorsome duo all the same.
One warning I've received is that statins shouldn't be combined with grape juice due to adverse effects. In fact it is a warning on my prescription and on the label of the pills box containing my statins. The other thing I was advised is not to combine corticosteroids with aspirin - but paracetomol is ok for pain issues. I haven't heard anything about cinnamon.
Hi Brantuk, Can I ask who advised you not to combine aspirin and steroids please? I have just been prescribed aspirin at the first signs, for my newly diagnosed migraines. I take pred.
Steroids and any NSAIDs do not mix well and normally patients are told not to take them together on a regular basis. Both of them can lead to gastric irritation and even bleeding - and both of them tend to make bruising/bleeding worse. There has in the past been a recommendation to give low dose aspirin to GCA patients. Despite this also being available in a gastro resistant version it has now been decided it probably isn't worth the added risk as there is no good evidence it helps avoid anything.
Are they SURE these are migraines? You say newly diagnosed - are they new onset as well?
I'm not sure that are migraines, they are... This started last October. My whole head hurts, my face hurts and is tender & sensitive, my neck is painful; but I have had a couple of sickly horrid headaches which does sound like migraines.
A neurologist advised soluble aspirin 900 mgs as soon pain gets bad, but should avoid using regularly. If inadequate try a triptan.
My ESR & CRP were very high at the beginning, I was started on 60 mgs of pred. Neurologist says bloods are normal so it cannot be GCA. I gather fFrom posts on this site, one can have a "flare" even though tests are low.
I will keep a watch, if the pain continues I think I will increase my dose.
Marion. I also had high numbers when I first was diagnosed with GCA (104) but when I had a flare two years later my numbers were good . My sed rate was 3 ... my doctor did not believe I was having a flare and I almost lost my eyesight. When I researched it ( John's Hopkins ) I found that some people do not have raised markers if they have been on prednisone for awhile. After much carrying on he did acknowledge he had missed the boat. So....be careful ...you always have to rely on your symptoms first. Usually the blood catches up but by then it could be too late. Just a caution.
I'm glad you got through it OK - but I'm also very glad to hear of a real live example of what I keep saying! My argument is usually if I know it from my reading - why doesn't a rheumatologist?
MARION7. That is exactly how I felt, when diagnosed 10 years ago, for GCA. They are the symptoms. My Neuro put me on a strict regime of Pred, starting dose 60mg, and that's what gave me relief. Am still on Pred...3mg daily.
"Hi Brantuk, wondering if you have a source or a reference for the 'no' to cortersteroids and aspirin?"
Hi Whittlesey - it's not something I deduced from research so can't give a reference - it's just something my Rheumatologist told me - to not take aspirin whilst on prednisalone due to possible stomach upset or (worst case) damage.
It has generally been accepted that the use of low dose aspirin together with pred represents an acceptable risk but in a lecture given by Dasgupta about the latest recommendations for GCA he said this was now felt to be debatable and the guidance was to be withdrawn.
This is a study done in dogs - and the risks there are significant.
However - I don't know if the effect in dogs transfers to humans - it's the same with most animal studies!
The NHS says
"Combining NSAIDs and corticosteroids can increase your risk of developing stomach ulcers and internal bleeding. If you need to take both medications, you may be given an additional medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers."
Though I suspect it is using supplements that is the problem rather than the small amounts you would use in cooking. The FDA wants a warning put on statin packs.
It doesn't matter what a supplement is, natural or otherwise, it doesn't make it safe to mix with other medications. If it is powerful enough to achieve something, it is also powerful enough to cause trouble.
Hi Mation7 - it was my rheumy who advised - and PMRpro pretty much covers it in her post above. And yes - grapefruit juice not grape juice - my bad - thanks for the correction PMRpro.
Hi I am on steroids since june 2016 i put two and half stones the doctor told me that it will settle down . No way I cannot see this happening I don t know about cinnamon can do to help. I think sugar and salt and carb should get reduced. I know that this week end I am going to do some research they must be something and changes need to be done to lose some weight. I hope so I feel so bad. Good luck to you I will post mail if I find something useful. VIVI
Salt will make a difference to fluid retention - which happens with pred and also registers on the scales!
If you cut carbs you automatically cut sugar - and cutting both helps lose weight with pred since pred changes the way our bodies process sugar and increases the likelihood of fat being deposited in the expected places. Cut carbs - and you reduce that.
I have read that cinnamon is an appetite suppressant and that is the main reason I am taking it. I have only taken it for 2days so far but I am on a sugar free regime and eating as healthily as I can. Trying to cut out carbs too.
There is also an article in a diet book I bought that recommends glutamine as an appetite suppressant.
Maybe you could look it up and see if you think either may help you.
I will post on here again in a couple of weeks and let you know how I am doing on the cinnamon.
I've just explained over on the other thread you started. There was a post on here that WAS advertising, a link to some drinks website put up by someone who had just registered that day. I reported it to HU and they have referred it to Kate. Because this forum doesn't show who a response is to, and the post concerned has been deleted by someone, it appears it is to you. It isn't meant to be.
I am so sorry Riversnan - that reply was addressed to the Ceiba Drinks person who was doing blatant advertising. I did the post on my phone and so I really thought that I was replying to their reply! So I have now deleted the mistaken reply that went to you with my apologies. I also sent a private message to ceiba drinks and asked them to leave the forum. Kate
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slightly anxious and just looking for moral support 
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