Omega 3, Chondroitin and Glucosamine.

[Sarah A]

Hello, :)

I ask this question because for the last 3 weeks i have been taking a combination of all three and have noticed a slight difference. Now i know that i could simply be passing through a good phase but it got me thinking about complementary therapies. :huh:

I looked at the amount of each of the three substances that i was taking 100mg of omega 3, 50mg of glucosamine and 50mg of chondroitin.

Some one told me that they were quite small amounts and advised me to take more, so i thought that i would ask what everyone else here takes, if they take any at all. :erm:

Could they react with the normal meds i am taking ie depo medrol, plaq, diclofenac and other pain meds? :nurse: :shrug:

Please share your wisdom :whisper: :whisper: :flowers: :flowers:

Sarahxx :jump: :wiggle: :jump: :wiggle:

[raggedyann1]

Sarah,

This site on medications also includes herbs and supplements. Enter one of your meds and then click on the drug interaction checker. I do this when I am put on a new med and it is nice as it will do all 19 of them at once.

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home

I have tried a couple of times in the last 2 years to take the omega supplements but my intestinal tract clearly complains that it doesn't like them.

Remember that even supplements can be toxic if taken in mega doses. Please discuss with your doctor or look at medical sites like emedicine, family practice notebook or other true medical sites that you have bookmarked. You will find articles on supplements on them and it might help you. But in the end discussing with your doctor is really better.

Take care,
Karen

[Clare.T]

I don't think it can be overemphasised how important it is to consider how lupus and associated conditions are affecting the person who's thinking of using them.

Also what other medications they are on.

It isn't easy to get reliable information partly because so few studies have been done in general especially for lupus as opposed to other forms of arthritis.

Quite a few of the products are used for mainly for osteo arthritis which isn't autoimmune. Lupus arthritis doesn't usually damage the joints so it's not evident ( to me ) why we would want to take a substance that's supposed to rebuilt cartilage
I feel the same is true of therapeutic supplements as for medicines- more is not necessarily better, so take the least dose needed to be effective, and also that different people have different needs and reactions.

Many doctors have little knowledge of supplements so often one has to do the groundwork oneself.
I find that googling the substance is a good approach ([name of substance] side effects contraindications) eg (chondroitin side effects).

I look for non commercial sites as they are more likely to list warnings and give the fullest available information and refer to studies.

For chondroitin I see that it may thin the blood so people on blood thinners might need to take care as they may suffer bleeding or it might affect the INR at first.
Plaquenil slightly thins the blood by the way.

I note what it's made from - that might not suit vegetarians, certain religious dietary restrictions or indeed anybody who is concerned about even a theoretical risk of BSE and in some cases there are possible allergic reactions.

It seems to me that informed caution is needed.

See for example http://www.arthritis.org

- oh drat I have lost the exact reference I'll add it later, but they have a lot about supplements. Look at several sites to get an overall picture, confirmation and so on.

Cheers
Clare