Antioxidants - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

debbers58 · 06-13-2009, 07:06 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

MSJayhawk · 06-13-2009, 07:10 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.

MSNik · 06-14-2009, 08:02 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, 08:07 PM

Thanks for your replies.Just curious though Niki - why did you decide to take Rebif instead of Avonex?

MSNik · 06-15-2009, 04:37 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