Does Turmeric Help?

[Macadoo]

Has anyone had success using Turmeric to reduce pain and inflammation? If yes, what amount per day do you take...any particular brand?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are people who found using it in cooking - and also garlic - who swore it made a difference.

In terms of the OTC supplements there are people who shouldn't be using it in combination with their other medication:

"If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use turmeric or curcumin in medicinal forms without first talking to your health care provider.

Blood-thinning medications: Tumeric may make the effects of these drugs stronger, raising the risk of bleeding. Blood-thinners include warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin, among others.

Drugs that reduce stomach acid: Turmeric may interfere with the action of these drugs, increasing the production of stomach acid:

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Famotidine (Pepcid)

Ranitidine (Zantac)

Esomeprazole (Nexium)

Omeprazole

Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Drugs for diabetes (that lower blood sugar): Turmeric may make the effects of these drugs stronger, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)."

It does seem to cause GI problems for some - so be careful with the dose if all you are taking is pred and none of the stuff listed above.

[Blackcatlover in reply to PMRpro]

I started taking turmeric when I was diagnosed with PMR because I read that it could help with inflammation. After starting on Prednisone, I had trouble with diarrhea daily. This went on for a year. I assumed it was the Prednisone causing it. Later I read that turmeric could cause gastrointestinal problems so I tried skipping my daily dose of turmeric. Within three days my diarrhea was gone. It has never come back.

[KellyInTexas in reply to Blackcatlover]

Trace amounts upset my GI system quite dramatically

[TheMoaningViolet]

Hi Macadoo, I use it but I can't tell you how effective it is as I don't know how I would have felt without it.

I use viridian brand (400mg twice a day) and I also have a turmeric drink (with non-dairy milk) every day. I also use it if I make hummus (I add a grated root of turmeric into it), or if I am juicing some pears (very good with pears), with scrambled eggs and of course whenever I make curry of any kind. I am not aware that you can overdose on it and I quite like the taste, so I try to use it as much as possible. I am progressing reasonably well so far (almost down to 7mg from 15mg in December last year), so maybe turmeric is helping.

[Marijo1951 in reply to TheMoaningViolet]

I have to echo those sentiments. I take it but don't know exactly what good it's doing me. I just think it must be a good idea to take something harmless and widely believed to be anti-inflammatory (harmless to me because I don't take any of the medicines mentioned by PMRpro) I haven't experienced any GI symptoms either. Certainly I remain almost pain-free as I reduce my pred dosage and maybe the turmeric is helping along the way.

Currently I'm taking Nu U nutrition organic turmeric but this is nearly finished and I'll be replacing it soon with Nature's Best high potency Turmeric; both of these are one per day. Both are UK brands.

By the way I've just read on the Nature's Best label that it isn't recommended for women under the age of 50 (i.e. child bearing age) and definitely not for any woman who is ''trying to conceive, pregnant or breast feeding''. Reading a little further it seems that, although culinary amounts of turmeric are harmless to women, taking larger amounts in supplements may affect the body's oestrogen level and could cause early contractions and possible loss of a pregnancy. All the research so far has been done on rodents, but nevertheless pregnant women are recommended to be cautious and avoid large amounts.

[miss-philosopher in reply to Marijo1951]

I read you are supposed to take black pepper with it, or it has very little effect.

[KellyInTexas]

Hello Macadoo!

I will only add my two cents worth , ( you get what you pay for😉)

Sorry it’s not about turmeric-

Try to limit your wheat and sugar if at all possible. ( you may already do that. Sorry if I’m being redundant.)

These ingredients are known to be pro inflammatory in many auto immune diseases- and I’m going to assume it holds true for PMR- an expert will have to come on and confirm.

( it is the first ingredients lupus patients are asked to ditch by their Rheumatoligists .)

Sadly please do as I / my specialist suggest, and not as I’m doing at the moment... I’ve totally gone off any sensible diet! I’m not paying the price too badly but ... yum. I think it’s worth every bite right now...)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to KellyInTexas]

The general indications are the same - lots of people find their symptoms are worse after binging on sugar and wheat bread products.

[Macadoo in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

[remission]

I tried tumeric for some time but it did not help at all, from what I read it would require a very large amount to make a difference.

[Jackoh]

I am one of those who have no idea if it works but I use it most days on roasted vegetables ( courgettes, tomatoes and red pepper) I sprinkle over turmeric, ginger, smoked paprika and garlic with a glug of olive oil, I really have no idea if it helps or not. On the “ Trust me I’m a doctor “ series they did say it was more effective to use in cooking than to take it as a supplement.