Pred and Liquorice

[Nuff1]

Info with OH's pred states to avoid liquorice; anyone have experience of this please?

AFIK iquorice can raise blood pressure but OH is wondering re some locally made award winning sausages which do have some in the recipe - he's certainly not contemplating eating Pontefract Cakes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

It’s not recommended as it can increase BP, as you say, and can affect the way the Pred works - not sure how.

The occasional one or two may be alright as I doubt there’s much liquorice in the sausages, and he’s not going to be eating them very often is he.

But suggest you check with GP or pharmacist just to make certain.

I guess they’ll probably advise against it.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Well they say you learn something new every day! I never knew of this and I am very partial to liquorice, but never knew it can raise blood pressure. There is a stall on Peterborough market that sells pontefract cakes and although I haven't had any from there recently I indulge myself from time to time. While on holiday at the beginning of the month we came across a shop that sells Italian liquorice, which is is hard like rock. I bought and enjoyed 2 sticks of it. I also bought 100g of chopped pieces which are a little bigger than imps and I have some occasionally. I don't have more than 3 or 4 bits at a time and not very often, but I haven't noticed any side effects; however I am not currently taking steroids as the PMR is in remission so I'm only dealing with fibromyalgia as an autoimmune problem and a few issues needing operations. (Bilateral severe carpal tunnel, spinal mass, disc compression in lumbar area and neck and a few others). Does it cause any issues normally when not on steroids?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Chihuahua1]

Hi,

See attached from nhs -

nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

But I think - all things in moderation! Unless you notice any of the side effects listed.

There’s always some report telling you not to eat certain foods - a bit of common sense covers most!

Take care.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DorsetLady. That is very informative. I shall make sure I don't over indulge

[Constance13]

Cooo! Haven’t heard that one for years - Pontefract Cakes.😀 I don’t think I’d mind having a few ‘twinges’ if I could get at them!😂

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Constance13]

I shouldn't encourage you, but if you are in the UK I have seen them in pound shops and also in a couple of the larger supermarkets

[Constance13 in reply to Chihuahua1]

No can do! I live in Germany. Thank you all the same.💐💐

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Constance13]

Sorry! Didn't mean to get your hopes up.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Don't you have them there? I usually find a brilliant selection of Fisherman's Friends - I got lemon, cherry and raspberry from Edeka the other day. And the Dutch have liquorice flavour FFs!

Since Haribo make them you'd think the German branch might be able to help although this site

lakritzplanet.de/2012/01/14...

says they aren't mentioned on the German Haribo website though they say you can get them online.

haribo.com/enGB/current-inf...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Can get Haribo liquorice in every grocers/kiosk in Germany. They’re not Pontefract Cakes though, are they?😏😏

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

But Haribo own Pontefract Cakes...

[Hidden]

Never expected liquorice to be in sausages but who knows what's in them! The were on the menu for this evening with mushrooms & tomatoes! Don't want any more un"pred"dictable body reactions to add! Off to check the labelling! Thanks.

[fmkkm]

Interesting, I did not know what these were so I did a Wikipedia search. They actually have a health warming listed saying a woman overdosed leading to low potassium and muscle failure. I imagine if you overdose on anything it can kill you though!! I do know licorice makes my blood pressure go up. fm

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Is it liquorice or fennel or aniseed that is in the bangers? I eat/drink products made with both aniseed and fennel (love it as a veg) without problems. Even the odd Pontefract cake is unlikely to do much harm - I think it is larger amounts that do it.

It is the root liquorice that is said to potentiate the effects of pred - they mean side effects but maybe it also potentiates the effect - a steroid sparer in effect. Methotrexate, that supposed steroid sparer, certainly potentiated pred side effects in me but that didn't seem to worry the docs!

[Nuff1]

He's going to try a couple of sausages:

facebook.com/saVaughanFamil...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nuff1]

Now THEY sound worth it!! Even worth itching for for me since I assume they have wheat in them...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Nuff1]

looks good!

[Rosbud]

I do know liquor ice can cause headaches x

[karools16]

Knowing that I shouldn't eat liquorice, whilst on Pred, I gave in this week and had some. I buy them for a dear friend I visit ,monthly, in a dementia care home.Her face lights up when she sees them.

[Nuff1 in reply to karools16]

We did like the little liquorice and menthol "Imps" - I bought a whole outer box on ebay - lasted for years; infact I still have some in my car.

[Chrob in reply to Nuff1]

Imps not had them for years , now they are all I want .