"New research reveals that ginger supplements may offer a promising approach to managing inflammation in individuals with autoimmune conditions. As a natural supplement, ginger might be beneficial in addressing inflammation and symptoms for people with various autoimmune disorders."
Anyone for ginger? Role suggested in autimmune di... - PMRGCAuk
Anyone for ginger? Role suggested in autimmune disorders
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Ah, so all those home made curries I eat are doing me good after all. 
My grandmother would agree with you and my sister!
Thanks PMRpro, an interesting read. I wonder if this extends to my favourite ginger biscuits 😂
That's really interesting Pro.
When I had a sore throat last year.... three or four times a day I made myself a cup of hot water and added a substantial chunk of fresh grated ginger in the hope it would ease some of the inflammation in my throat.
I did this for almost two weeks till I'd used up all the ginger. (My husband bought me the fresh ginger.....I think he thought he was buying for our whole street! 😄)
I remember thinking at the end of this period, that all my 'residual' everyday aches & pains definitely felt less evident and even the mild stiffness in my hips seemed to have diminished.
At the time I didn't particularly consider the potential role that the ginger may have played in this reduction. I just assumed I was experiencing a general improvement!
I now wonder having read your post if the amount of ginger I ingested was a large enough amount to make that difference?
What exactly is gingerol though? Obviously some kind of component part of ginger, but I've never heard it referenced before.
I feel like it's something I should know so feel a bit stupid having to ask.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/262....
What makes ginger ginger ...
It's another interesting one , but , much like the Turmeric option you posted yesterday, it has to be double checked carefully against other medications .And, from my personal experience of using it ,before I was on a blood thinner ,it didn't do anything to help my joint or muscle inflammation when taken orally, although I did get some relief in using it in a topical lotion on my joints before and after exercise.
It was , however. just like the Turmeric , a godsend when it came to my digestive system and helped my acid reflux and GERD , relieved indigestion and helped calm my intestinal pain.
But these supplements require care.
Turmeric , Curcurmin, Ginger , Ginko. The Ginger Family are all classed in having the same effect on blood clotting , they shouldn't be used with blood thinners, like aspirin or warfarin.
The jury is also out on using or eating ginger if you take beta blockers or suffer with atrial fibrillation with Arrhythmia, as many people have ginger products as a trigger for episodes.
And just as Turmeric isn't recommended on beta lockers some patients have an interaction on those medications from ginger too.
Ginger and ginger family products can help to lower blood sugar which is why it can be helpful to use if you are prediabetic or a Diet Managed Type 2 Diabetic but not if you are on diabetic medication.
Ginger should be avoided if you are on medications for Type 2 Diabetes because it can increase the level of the medication in the bloodstream and cause more hypos.
It's also important to check if you take certain types of neuro pain medications and you should probably check if you are on certain types of cancer or kidney treatments too in case it can't be used like Turmeric can't be.
Although the occasional ginger nut or slice of ginger cake and a small amount in a fragrant curry may still be something you can enjoy , as long as it's not eaten within two hours of the time you take these medications , but you can't take the supplements or even drink ginger tea.
That was gutting for me because Pukka Three Ginger Tea was my " go to " remedy for flares in IBS and helped relieve the pain during bouts of pancreatitis and stomach infections.
Much like Magnesium and Garlic supplements and anything from the Grapefruit Family , Hearties, Blood Pressure Patients and Diabetics, need to be careful about what natural products and foods they can combine with their daily medications .
The two together can act like a double whammy and cause more events.
It's part of the many frustrations of having various chronic health problems at once .
Often what could help you and prevent the need for medications for one condition can trigger problems and require urgent treatment for a different condition.
But , some good news .
Most people can often use topical lotions and gels to ease joint pain and reduce restless legs at night because they don't interact with medications in the same way as supplements do ; as long as the medication isn't taken at the same time .
I don't have the link at hand , sorry, but this was checked as safe for people using oral aspirin and topical antiinflammatory lotion , and when using magnesium lotion whilst on beta blockers.
But, if you aren't getting drug treatments for any illnesses which can interact with Ginger Family or Turmeric products, I would recommend giving it a careful trial over a couple of months to see if it helps.
Start on a low supplement to reduce side effects on your stomach , as natural products cause the same issues as prescription medications when you first start them as your body adjusts to the changes.
It probably won't make a noticeable difference upon inflammation in the joints , but it could make the side effects on the stomach of taking steroids easier and improve blood sugar.
Thanks for the link , Pro.
There is a very dramatic paper about ginger with DOACs - "can be fatal". Patient was on apixiban and took a large amount of ginger - had a nasty GI bleed. All I can say is that my husband was on that DOAC and he managed to nearly pop his clogs with a blood level of apixiban 10x therapeutic level. I can't imagine he'd had anything herbal, particularly ginger ...
Gosh , how awful. Yes Ginger us a big No, No with DOACs.I wonder what caused that issue for your OH, of course there are so many things listed that could effect DOACs and so many things that might have ingredients in them you don't know about ( particularly toiletry products) it becomes really hard to tell.
They gave him a cardiac drug that shouldn't be taken with apixaban - taken at the same time the excretion of the apixaban is slowed and the blood level doesn't fall properly. The baseline steadily rises and it isn't noticed as the DOACs are supposed to not require monitoring. If they monitored it is said there would be at least 20% fewer bleeding incidents. The surgeons knew about it, medics didn't.
Same for me actually but the head of the lab investigated and I separated the drugs and it was OK.
It's so frustrating isn't it.It's why I feel like I need to triple check anything now before I take it, even if it's been prescribed by a Specialist that I have confidence in. I've nearly been caught by this interaction issues a few times.
At the moment I'm still on the fence about using the Ajovy biologic my neurologist is organising for me to try for my Migraines.
She said she's double checked it against my other medications but I'm not sure if she's taken into account that the most common side effect is a racing heart beat , and I'm already struggling to manage my tachycardia.
I'd be more happy to take it if it was a daily or weekly dose as if things go wrong it would be out if my system quick enough not to cause excessive issues, but it lasts a month, and I'm not sure how they could rectify it if things go amiss.
Any thoughts?
Is there an antidote? I chose my DOAC on the grounds it was 2x daily and there was an antidote - only one at the time!
Lord - says it can stay in the body for up to 5 months and side effects can last that long!
Exactly, I've not actually discovered if there is an antidote yet. Plus, more importantly. If it's not used that often in Wales as I suspect , whether they'd be set up and trained to deal with the problem or have the antidote readily on hand.
I did write a question on the Migraine forum and there seems to be a 50/50 split in it being effective anyway.
You don't get as many responses as you do here and the people whom did respond didn't seem to have other health problems which is the main issue for me feeling confident trying it.
The one person whom had an allergic reaction seems to have a similar pattern of hypersensitivity to other medications and things to me , unfortunately.
I was hoping that if she had only reacted to that particular injection so that it couldn't have been a likely possibility for someone else with autoimmune reactions.
A few people mentioned that there is a new daily injection which is hopefully about to be approved by NICE. I'm just wondering if I would be better waiting for this.
Trouble is I also don't want to annoy the Neurologist as sorting out the injection takes a hell of a lot of paperwork which she has already begun. And I don't want her to be put off treating me anymore , she's already a bit peeved because I refused nerve blockers ( I've had them before it was an epic fail because of the EDS) as she hasn't even started addressing my body spasms and weakness yet I don't want to be left at sea without a paddle!
It's a quandary, be honest. If it was you would you try it or give it a miss?
I honestly don't know - I don't usually have any problems with drugs though MTX wasn't a bundle of fun!! But if I did, as you do, zomething as persistent as that, without a way of washing it out like you can leflunomide, wouldn't be too appealing.
That is so helpful as I just started Eliquis for an episode of afib. I love ginger in hot teas, but better watch out for it now. Anyone else on Eliquis?
I was told once, on a boat trip, that eating ginger sweets would combat seasickness. They didn't work for OH who spent the whole trip stretched on a bench groaning, and worse, while I watched dolphins playing!Ginger beer gives me explosive sneezing fits. But taking it as a supplement would probably bypass the sensitive bits. Interesting reading.
I was interested to read the recent thread on liquorice too. You can buy a liquorice and aniseed syrup in France (Antesite) which I like. Just a few drops in a glass of cold water is really refreshing. There is a warning on the bottle that people with high BP should avoid excessive use, but nothing about avoiding it while on cortisone. No warning on red wine, so...
I'm down to 2.5 mg now, bloods all good. Fatigue still, but only when I overdo it, so things are bobbing along ok.
Yes both liquorice and aniseed are another two that can be beneficial but should be avoided on lots of medications too.
Oddly, it is a taste I crave. The good body knows.
I know what you mean .Ginger cake is my favourite cake and my body seems to crave my ginger tea.
I ate a low Fodmap stew tonight ( my daughter is doing the regime). I had to cook the onions and garlic in the oil and then remove them so you got the flavour but not the stuff that could cause the digestive problems , it's a recommended Fodmap trick. Then you could add them back in to the stew for non Fodmap eaters ( the rest of us are usually fine with onions).
But the stew involved more oil than I would usually have for my low fat needs ( no gall bladder; PEI hypercholesterolemia) . It also contained a lot of peas instead of my usual beans.
My daughter really enjoyed it and has had no problems.
I , on the other hand , have been struggling with worse acid reflux and indigestion tonight than I've had in years despite having my prescribed enzymes and using my yoghurt trick before I ate!!!
I could do with my Ginger Tea now as in the past it would have calmed things down but I can't have it because of my medication.... a Nairn's Ginger Oat Biscuit and even the yoghurt hasn't cut the mustard.
I might even have to bite the bullet and take an omeprazole for a few days. It's been years since I've needed one!
On antibiotics and dealing with a jaw abscess at the moment as well so I could do without this on top of everything else.
Just goes to show we aren't lying when we say one diet does not fit all and what is a miracle for one person could be murder to another!
How are you doing? Hugs , Bee
Our household is getting complex we have pescatarian, vegetarian, Gluten free, no processed foods, and me now with diverticulitis +possibly IBS with odd things that aggravate it. The main, talented chef, my husband, is on the point of resigning. I think the Fodmap free or low -in, things would suit me apart from I love a naughty gluten free buttercream sponge. Love kafir with blueberries. Alcohol is like putting salt on a poor slug. I really like your posts they are bursting with information - needs must I guess. I have been struggling somewhat not sure why, everything is complaining. I have an MRI scan on 2/10/23 and cannot remember which part of my beleaguered insides it’s going to look at, I have waited soo long.
Trouble is when you are like us if one thing plays up all the others kick off too, like babies in a nursery!Most of the low Fodmap options are quite user friendly all around , I believe it's probably just the amount of fat used in creating the onion oil infused dishes that has caused the problem. I can't do alcohol either!
If you are interested in Fodmap or the Elimination Diet to help target what is triggering your IBS the Monash University is the go to place for information they began the whole protocol off.
They even have a patient's course now to learn how to use the diet and control the symptoms. It's not free ( £29) but that does include the App subscription for the food calculator.
It's what is used by Dietitians and Low Fodmap Recipe creators to manage these issues rather than some sort of money making diet fad website.
Futurelearn also has a free online course , An introduction to Fodmap which is worth looking at.
It's worth trying the Fodmap with various digestive and inflammatory problems including IBS because you can find that it is only certain individual foods and not whole food groups that are the problem. You could even discover that you are alright having the odd gluten free buttercream sponge.
My daughter has discovered so far that she can eat gluten , but not wheat. She can tolerate most dairy as long as it's lactofree . She can't manage most beans but can eat kidney beans , chick peas and pearl barley.
It's made the cost of her food shop each week come down considerably,
The Monash University, A little bit yummy , and , Fodmap Everyday are really good , free. recipe resources for recipes that have been adapted for gluten free , IBS. Low Fodmap and dairy free families.
The stew was a dud for me but the oat and banana pancakes we had in the morning were lovely. We've been looking after my daughter again because she got a kidney infection which was causing her to faint but she's back to normal now so I can have a rest and look after my own problems again from Monday!
Good Luck with the MRI , hope they find out what's going on , Hugs , Bee
Do ginger snaps and milk nightly count? 💞
My mother used to give me that at bed time in a mug with a night cap on to keep it warm. Happy nights. Xx
It works wonder for people with bowel problems like me (IBS)
Yep. That's why I miss it so much!
It's when you read the the sort of brilliant and well researched information that is provided in posts like this one, that you realise how lucky we are to have this forum. The detail and the depth of information provided in this post is fantastic. Thank you to all who posted. 🙂🙂
Absolutely love ginger. Nairn ginger oat biscuits have a great hit but the Moju Ginger Shots drink is a huge hit and I love it. Also have dried ginger granules that I use to make tea....
I have tryed ginger on and of for the past 4 years - also because I love fresh ginger, in food or in juices as a shot. I also tried a ginger/turmeric homecooked shot where the two are boiled toogether for an hour.
I have NO effect, except the pleasure of drinking and eating it. I did expect it to have effect, as I worked with this many years ago in clinical trials testing ginger extracts for osteoarthritis and RA.
I started taking ginger capsules when I was getting a lot of palpitations. I read that it's all linked to your digestive system. Taking a ginger capsules after every meal cured the palpitations, which were virtually constant, within 10 days. The ginger also relieves bloating and I still take it when I occasionally get this. The relief is almost instant. But it does give you wind (both ends). Better out than in I suppose!
But I didn't know until I read this post that ginger shouldn't be taken with anticoagulants. I've been on them for years. I take turmeric daily too (ginger now only when needed). I've never had any bleeding issues. Even with my GCA biopsy.
PS I haven't noticed any benefits with my PMR, but then I rarely take it these days.
The Turmeric isn't recommended with anticoagulants either.It's not just because of bleeding but the need to take care in respect to clots , and you will bruise more easily.
I haven't noticed that I bruise easily.
This is very interesting …I was put on Asprin 75mg a year ago and regularly make ginger tea to help with IBS-like symptoms which appeared after about a year of taking pred. I also have peppermint tea, I hope that’s ok with Asprin? Maybe I should stop the ginger. There’s so much we wouldn’t know without your help.
The low dose Aspirin should be ok as long as you don't have a ginger tea within 2-3 hours after the aspirin dose , although ginger shots and supplements are probably not advisable because they contain a higher amount of the active ginger compound .
Peppermint tea isn't advised while you are on warfarin or have had heart valve replacement but is safe with aspirin.
Although peppermint can be good for acid reflux it isn't recommended for IBS symptoms because it can aggravate the intestines. Many IBS sufferers report getting worse symptoms while using peppermint but don't realise this is the cause because people expect it to help the whole digestive system not just the stomach. Spearmint is the one that is commonly advised as a replacement by IBS groups.
Thank you Blearyeyed. I had no idea about the peppermint….will try to find a spearmint tea.,
Thank you PMR pro , I love ginger 😊
Just like to add .. I have not had any PMR symptoms for quite some time now and took my last prednisolone doze 3 months ago so hopefully it has run its course over the past 4 yrs ( touching my wooden table ) . I shall keep logging in to this site to read all the posts and share my personal experience when ever I can . Oh and take my ginger regularly . 
I read it’s not recommended while taking blood thinners as it may increase bleeding.
I read that too
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To all: this is what I use for digestion. I’ve also used an unflavored aloe product with great results. It’s allowed me to decrease my morning ppi by 20 mg. It’s very soothing throughout the entire digestive tract. It says 2 doses a day but I would start with one. This can not hurt you in anyway that I know of. Too much and well, could be in the bathroom a lot!
I’ve tried turmeric and ginger. They were both too harsh for my system. I think they stimulated my immune system too much. Which is too bad because ginger tea is wonderful. I hope this helps.
Sadly I can't tolerate it as it's high histamine so it sets off my immune system. Ditto garlic, which is also supposed to be anti-inflammatory, and Vit C tablets. Everybody is different
I make my own ginger shot with cider vinegar added and take before meals.
Now THAT sounds fun!!!!
Delicious!
Recipe???
Google Ginger Shot Recipe BBC Good Food.I make my own unsweetened apple juice by stewing 4 eating apples with skin on in required amount of water, then sieving it. I double up the recipe and keep in glass bottle in fridge. Dead easy. 😋 Enjoy. It tastes sweeter after a day
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