debbers58
06-13-2009, 10:06 PM
I know that I'm not supposed to take immunine boosting vitamins and herbs, but what about antioxidants including vitamin C? Do they have the same effect as immunine boosting herbs like ginko or are they O.K. to take?
Thanks!
Debby :confused:
Thanks!
Debby :confused:
Sponsor
MSJayhawk
06-13-2009, 10:10 PM
I take antioxidants because they take on free radicals. When i feel a cold coming on I take big doses of C, but the last cold I had was in 1995. When I lived in Tokyo and LA, I took vitamin C often because of the smog and other pollution. :angel:
MSNik
06-14-2009, 11:02 AM
US recommended levels of Vitamin C are still okay for MSers...but you should reallly talk to your Neurologist about taking anti-oxidents. Mine, has the opinion that you only take what is included a daily vitamin- a good daily vitamin. I supplement my daily vitamin with allot of other things, but antioxidents are not part of it. I take Vitamin D3, Calcium, Magnesium, Lysine, B12 and Fish Oil, Primrose Oil and a really good probiotic. None of these are considered antioxidents....
debbers58
06-14-2009, 11:07 PM
Thanks for your replies.Just curious though Niki - why did you decide to take Rebif instead of Avonex?
MSNik
06-15-2009, 07:37 PM
Rebif was introduced after Avonex. The reason was because many patients were claiming that since Avonex is a once a week drug, they felt "yucky" and like they needed a medicine fix by day 5 or 6. Since Rebif is administered 3 times a week, it keeps your blood levels more level, never really dropping off. I do my shots Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, giving me a "normal" weekend, fridays and saturdays off. I have never felt that "I need my drug fix" and my MRis, which I have every 6 months have not shown any new activity in over 3 years. Im headed for my 4 year check in August.
I also wanted to mention that Rebif is subcutaneous- its under the skin, not in a muscle. I am really thin and dont have allot of body fat. when I used to do b12 injections, into my muscle, I was always soar and bruised, with Rebif I dont get any kind of site reaction. I also mention that because you take Rebif 3x a week, its a faster process, getting used to the flu like symtoms. I know people who after 6 months, still get sick once a week on their Avonex. My symtoms completely stopped after 4 months...
Rebif also, for the record, has a better track record of trials with less excaberations and symtoms over 5 years...
So, that was my reasons...do they make sense? They do to me- and my doctor left it up to me. I did allot of research and have never regretted my decision.
Nikki
I also wanted to mention that Rebif is subcutaneous- its under the skin, not in a muscle. I am really thin and dont have allot of body fat. when I used to do b12 injections, into my muscle, I was always soar and bruised, with Rebif I dont get any kind of site reaction. I also mention that because you take Rebif 3x a week, its a faster process, getting used to the flu like symtoms. I know people who after 6 months, still get sick once a week on their Avonex. My symtoms completely stopped after 4 months...
Rebif also, for the record, has a better track record of trials with less excaberations and symtoms over 5 years...
So, that was my reasons...do they make sense? They do to me- and my doctor left it up to me. I did allot of research and have never regretted my decision.
Nikki
debbers58
06-16-2009, 01:16 AM
Thanks Nikki! Yes, it does make sense. My doc never gave me any options, he just said you need to take Avonex. Also I have ntoiced that by Thursday of each week, I take my shot on Thursday nights, I start feeling kind of crumy like I need my shot - I thought it was my imagination, but good to know others have experienced that too.
Thanks everyone for the advice on vitamins! Sorting through all of this stuff would be much harder without your feedback!
Thanks everyone for the advice on vitamins! Sorting through all of this stuff would be much harder without your feedback!
MSNik
06-16-2009, 09:35 AM
Debbie, glad I was able to help (and make sense!). Anytime you have a question, ask away...
As for the Avonex/Rebif thing....your doctor might not be aware of the studies which were done which proved the need for a 3 day treatment, however, you havent been on Avonex that long. The good news is, since Rebif is stronger then Avonex- when you have your first 6 or 8 month checkup and MRi after being on the Avonex, heaven forbid there is any activity, or you have any new lesions, he will want to put you on something stronger (assuming you continue to tolerate the Avonex as well as you have been) in which case, you can switch to Rebif, not experience any side effects that you havent already had with the Avonex and know there is another "choice" out there for you.
The drugs are practically interchangable and everyone I know who went from Avonex to Rebif had absolutely no problems in changing....but again- its stronger, and there is no need to change drugs if this is working for you, its just good to know there is a "next step" if the time comes when you find out that Avonex isnt doing its job. YOu can always ask to switch if the weekly feeling becomes too much for you....but honestly, starting it at the lower dose (avonex) is not a bad idea!
Nikki
As for the Avonex/Rebif thing....your doctor might not be aware of the studies which were done which proved the need for a 3 day treatment, however, you havent been on Avonex that long. The good news is, since Rebif is stronger then Avonex- when you have your first 6 or 8 month checkup and MRi after being on the Avonex, heaven forbid there is any activity, or you have any new lesions, he will want to put you on something stronger (assuming you continue to tolerate the Avonex as well as you have been) in which case, you can switch to Rebif, not experience any side effects that you havent already had with the Avonex and know there is another "choice" out there for you.
The drugs are practically interchangable and everyone I know who went from Avonex to Rebif had absolutely no problems in changing....but again- its stronger, and there is no need to change drugs if this is working for you, its just good to know there is a "next step" if the time comes when you find out that Avonex isnt doing its job. YOu can always ask to switch if the weekly feeling becomes too much for you....but honestly, starting it at the lower dose (avonex) is not a bad idea!
Nikki