Zinc

[DDKRM]

Since being diagnosed with macular degeneration recently I have been taking a supplement containing lutein. It also contains zinc. I seem to remember hearing/seeing something about zinc being contraindicated for taking when using predisolone for pmr. I have pmrgca, into third year, down, at second attempt, to 5pred. Has anyone any information? Thanks.

[HeronNS]

Zinc may strengthen the immune system, which is why we are told not to take it. On the other hand, pred will deplete a number of our minerals, including zinc, so .... And I suppose most doctors won't know as they get so little training in nutrition. Personally I'd take a little zinc, or increase my intake of foods high in zinc, just because pred does deplete it and we need it.

I do wonder why we have to be so careful to keep our immune system as depressed as possible. I don't think it's that our immune system is too strong, instead it's deranged and needs to be retrained. Just this morning I learned that an acquaintance of mine is in hospital with a serious virus and because she has been treated for RA her immune system couldn't deal with it. Her friend who was telling me this is worried about her, doesn't know when she'll be out of the hospital or whether she will ever get back to normal. My step uncle acquired an infection on a cruise, and developed dementia, a direct result of the illness.

So the moral of this tale is, we want to control our immune system, not kill it!

And I've just remembered (1:30 pm here) that I forgot my pred this morning! Eeek....

[DDKRM in reply to HeronNS]

Argh! Have you taken it now?

Thanks for your reply. Food for thought. I haven’t found any lutein med that doesn’t include zinc but I’ll investigate more.

There’s a lot of suppress or augment the immune system discussion around at the moment. So much trending advice is given in general for supporting the immune system. Often via expensive supplements! But I think we might be special cases. The new adjuvanted over 65 flu jab is worrying me.

[HeronNS in reply to DDKRM]

Yes, I know what you mean. On the other hand, our depressed immune systems mean we tend not to mount as effective a response to vaccination as we otherwise would, so maybe strengthening the vaccine is a good thing? I suppose we, guinea pigs that we are, will find out in due course!

I had my pred with lunch instead of breakfast. Fortunately it's a very low dose and I've been taking pred for ages so it's not as bad as it would have been in earlier days!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This

pennstatehershey.adam.com/c...

says

"Immunosuppressant medications -- Since zinc may make the immune system stronger, it should not be taken with corticosteroids (such as prednisone), cyclosporine, or other medications intended to suppress the immune system."

I'd suspect there isn't much to worry about at 5mg.

[DDKRM in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. Thought I’d check.