Is it wise to take Immune boosting supplements when you’re taking Prednisone?

[ConventCassie]

Vitamin D eg

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You should have been prescribed a VitD/Calcium supplement at outset.

[ConventCassie in reply to DorsetLady]

So...isn’t that counter-productive?

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to ConventCassie]

Vitamin D3 helps deliver calcium to your bones. Both are necessary to counter side effects of pred.

While a D3 deficiency will have a detrimental effect on the immune system, we take it to counterbalance the effects of pred.

[pinks33]

I bought spirulina supplement recently only to subsequently read somewhere that it shouldn't be taken with steroids. As it's supposedly an immune boosting supplement, I'm wondering if it would help on very low pred doses when you want your own immune system to kick in?

[Harbel in reply to pinks33]

I am no expert but had understood that our immune systems are too active and we do not need to boost it. Perhaps it is adrenals that you want to boost at low pred doses?

[MhairiP in reply to pinks33]

I have been taking spirulina throughout PMR! For breakfast I have spirulina powder, chia seeds & chopped prunes & figs that have all been soaked overnight in coconut water. I also take spirulina tabs later in the day. It never occurred to me that it shouldn't be taken with pred! I'm on a very low dose of pred now, so I'm sure it won't matter.

[pinks33 in reply to MhairiP]

Thanks for your comments. Unlike you I'm some way off a very low dose of pred, but plan to ask my rheumy in due course about spirulina - currently consigned to the freezer. If you have been experiencing no adverse effects on the supplement it seems that it is doing no harm and may be doing you some good! Food and supplement interactions don't seem to be mentioned by medics when they prescribe us a drug, and we are left to discover things ourselves. I am also on amlodipine for high BP, and fortunately at the outset read a warning about grapefruit juice. I confess I do sneak in the odd tiny amount (40ml) but not every day, and yes it does make a difference.

[ConventCassie in reply to pinks33]

Sadly I just found that out about Dilitizide and I used to LOVE my GF juice. Or Grapefruits. I didn’t see much difference in my BP. But I struggle with the Pred with the BP meds.

[pinks33 in reply to ConventCassie]

In what way do you struggle with the pred with BP meds? I have found since starting amlopidine that I am more tired than usual, and need more sleep.

[ConventCassie in reply to pinks33]

It doesn’t seem to go “low enough”. Stays in 120-140’s with the BP med.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The primary problem in autoimmune disease is an overactive immune system and you are given immunosuppressant medication to manage them (that includes pred) - so why would want to boost your immune system? Most so-called immune-boosting supplements are warned against alongside pred (echinacea for example).

Vit D is a different matter - if you are deficient then it is needed but to ensure calcium absorption is adequate to avoid loss of bone density and as DL says you should have been given a calcium/vit D supplement at the same time as the pred.

[ConventCassie in reply to PMRpro]

Understand. Vitamin D was my concern and trying to do everything for the bones except other meds. I’m only “low” in it, but 4000 units a day is probably not needed then. You’re so dependable- as always- thanks. Magnesium isn’t one is it? Just because of high BP.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ConventCassie]

How low?

[ConventCassie in reply to PMRpro]

I looked. Can’t findbir on my labs. Not sure what area I should be looking in.

[Telian]

As DL says you should have been prescribed a supplement but not to be taken at the same time as the Pred. I take mine in the evening, Pred in the morning, and vit K2 to ensure the bones absorb the calcium.

[ConventCassie in reply to Telian]

No one told me when to take the V D.

[Hollyseden in reply to ConventCassie]

My doctor never told me when to take it either. That's another piece of good information I got from this forum.

[ConventCassie in reply to Hollyseden]

I split my Pred dose - so have no clue when to take it.

[Hollyseden in reply to ConventCassie]

I split mine too when I was on higher dose. If you do early and late dose, take your vitD/calcium in middle of day?

[ConventCassie in reply to Hollyseden]

Now that I’m on 2.5 I tried to go to all at am. No energy, so going back to most in evening. Any advice?

[Hollyseden in reply to ConventCassie]

Sorry, I haven't reached that level yet but I'm sure the aunties will have good advice. I have read on here about taking pred late at night affects cortisol production? I'm trying the split dose again for now. More at night and the rest in morning. It is such a guessing game and as so many have said, everyone is different and you have to experiment... trial and error 🙄 good luck

[ConventCassie in reply to Hollyseden]

I’ve just gone back to most at night & a little in the morning. My Rhummy wanted me to do all in the morning (said it was something about the “Moon”) Put me in total fatigue all day Long. I think I’ll go by when the IL-6 is most active & forget about the moon.

[ConventCassie in reply to Hollyseden]

(Vitamin D) Ha ha. OK and ?

[Hollyseden in reply to ConventCassie]

Umm I don't think I understand your ? I'm easily confused 🤪

[ConventCassie in reply to Hollyseden]

This thread is hard to follow- but my general comment about confusion regards Pred is immune suppressing and immune supplementing which someone brot up in a Facebook group as we all agreed here, is self-defeating for the Prednisone. However, I do not supplement I eat foods which I believe are healthy and while perhaps I should skip many healthy things which boost the immune system many of them also are anti-inflammatory. So I am confused about which healthy foods are good while taking Prednisone. For example:

Falling into both catagories are

Nuts

Fibrous vegetables

Berries

Turmeric

Full fat & fermented dairy

The immune boosting only ones I will not give up are sweet potatoes, apples, garlic, ginger, and cinnamon.

[Telian in reply to ConventCassie]

Leave a minimum of 2 hours either side of pred.

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Since the purpose of pred is to surppress our overactive immune systems, it would seem to be counter-productive to take a supplement that purports to boost it.

[Nitrobunny]

I take D3 with Calcium, Biotin for my hair and nails (it really helps) and a slow absorbing magnesium. I don’t know how much they help overall or not but I’m fairly stable and actually feel pretty good. My current prednisone dose is 6 and that along with synthroid are the only medications I’ve taken for the last 19 months.

[ConventCassie in reply to Nitrobunny]

My daughter takes synthroid & Vit D. Are they supposed to be separated?

[yogabonnie]

So I have taken Tumeric which boosts your immune system but is also has anti inflammatory capabilities.... ??????? shall I stop or continue?

"Immunity is your body's natural defense against disease causing bacteria and virus. ... According to a research published in the journal PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), curcumin, a compound found in turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that helps boost immunity."

[ConventCassie in reply to yogabonnie]

Yes. Very confusing.

[TooSore]

Elderberry is the new rage at the school where I teach to keep kids healthy. I haven't looked into it yet figuring it was a no-go with PMR. Thought?

[ConventCassie]

Jam?

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to ConventCassie]

Nah..Elderberry Wine! Brandy!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

For KIDS?????

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah, knock 'em out.

[Marcy47]

I was diagnosed with Hyperparathyroidism which gives you too much Calcium in your blood, so Dr took me off Calcium/Vit D supplement. I am taking Vit K2 instead which helps your bones absorb calcium. Seems to be working, blood tests for Calcium show only slightly raised levels.

[ConventCassie]

My Internist prescribed it.