Multivitamins/Prednisolone/Vegetarian?

[PMArrrrgh]

Hello,

Short background.

Diagnosed with PMR 2020, on Pred since December 2020, usual ups and downs/flares whilst learning about living with it and getting advice from here for the last few years.

Medication. I take Lansoprazole 30mg about 30-60 mins before breakfast every morning. After breakfast I take the tapering dose of Prednisolone (6.0mg currently). Later in the morning I take prescribed Fluticasone nasal spray for a long term Sinus problem.

Lunchtime I take Adcal D3 and Atorvastatin 20mg then a 2nd Adcal D3 with evening dinner.

I've been a Vegetarian for ~30 years and previously to PMR took Multivitamins every day as B12 deficiency can be a problem in veggies I believe.

Question.

Is there any reason not to take Multivitamins whilst on the above medication? Any known problems?

Ta.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No real reason NOT to take multivitamins any more than when not taking the medications. However, it has been shown that synthetic vitamins are not as good for you as those gained from a good and varied diet. Vegetarians have a more limited range of B12 containing foods but it is vegans who eat no animal derived products who are at most risk. And for you all - there is Marmite ... You don't need anything like as much of foods as you probably think to get your RDA:

healthline.com/health/vitam...

The promary problem with multivitamins is that it is possible to end up taking MORE of some vitamins than you need and it isn't always a case of the more you get the better - some things are bad for you in excess.

[PMArrrrgh in reply to PMRpro]

Ta for the reply PMRpro.

Marmite is one of our favourite B12 supplies, and breakfast cereals too, we're not too bad diet wise, my lovely Wife ensures that 😁

I was unsure if a typical one-a-day Multivitamin tablet would upset any other medication I'm taking or even affect the efficiency of the current treatment.

I've been doing ok since the last Adrenal insufficiency scare in September and October last year, I really hit rock bottom back then but now know what to look out for.

Ta again for the guidance and support, its much appreciated.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMArrrrgh]

Then unless you GP tests and establishes a deficiency - you almost certainly don't need multivitamins!

[CricketMonkey]

One thing to be aware of as you say you take Adcal at lunchtime and with dinner, is that the Adcal PIL advises that it “should not be taken within 2 hours of eating foods rich in oxalic acid (e.g. spinach and rhubarb), phosphate (e.g. bran) or phytic acid (e.g. whole cereals).

I tend to try and aim for the middle of the gap between lunch and dinner, and two hours after dinner (I’m not always up early enough for a 4 hour gap between breakfast and lunch!), particularly as I’m rarely organised enough to predict what I’m eating at each meal in advance!