Echinacea

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonner,

I'm really not an herbal expert, but I buy a product that has both golden

seal & echinacea in it. I haven't used it in a while, though, but I never get

colds or the flu. My only problem is allergies. I think my hyperimmune system

fights off most germs.

[Guest guest]

So, you're saying it's safe for hyperT's for limited time/dosage?

Echinacea

From The Herbalist, which I found via Mike and Marsha's link:

" The properties of echinacea are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial,

anti-viiral, anti-fungal, and immuno-stimulatory. One of the most

appropriate times to take it is when you first feel the signs of an

infection coming on, or if you are around someone who is sick. Echinacea

supports your immune system and increase T-cells which help to prevent and

fight infection such as colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections,

urogenital infections, Candida, as well as other infectious conditions. It

helps promote tissue regeneration after an injury or surgery. It has a

cortisone-like effect which enhances the secretion of adrenal cortex

hormones which is useful for conditions such as asthma and arthritis. It can

be used during and after drug therapies such as antibiotics and

anti-inflamatories to help prevent yeast infections. For those who have

Epstein-Barr, Herpes simplex or are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation

treatments, Echinacea is of value for its immune stimulating properties. I

often hear about conflicting methods of taking Echinacea. Some believe you

should take it for two weeks and then take two weeks off. My belief is that

we are all different and not one set of rules applies to all of us. I

suggest to people to take Echinacea when you body needs it and this depends

on what your specific health care needs are, whether you are fighting an

acute condition or are trying to strengthen you immune system after it has

been compromised by a degenerative disorder. "

*******************************************************************

Elaine, we're BOTH right. It appears exhinacea is a prophylactic AND a

natural antibotic.

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[Guest guest]

From what I've been reading this years flu is supposed to be particularly

nasty. However, I'm still not going to get a flu shot. So Echinacea will

probably be my choice of preventive medicine if the folks around the office

start contracting the flu!

Echinacea

A little further reading indicates Echinacea is the preventive booster,

while Golden Seal is the " natural " antibiotic. Elaine is the expert, but I

wonder if the 2 weeks " on " Echinacea and 2 weeks " off " might be good

preventive medicine. Then, the use of Echinacea-Golden Seal for several

days, while exhibiting symptoms of colds or flu, might be appropriate.

EECHINACEA_GOLDEN_SEALchinacea-Golden Seal

Echinacea root has been traditionally used to increase the body's resistance

to infection, both bacterial and viral. Golden Seal has been traditionally

used for its natural antibiotic properties. Echinacea and Golden Seal taken

in combination are used to prevent and eliminate infection.

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..gif>

[Guest guest]

My friend swears by this stuff, I have used it also for a cold, but she says

she has never had a cold, at the moment she has a sign of one she starts

taking this Sambuco stuff and it never amounts to anything. It apparently

can't hurt you.

http://www.sullivancreek.com/Sambucol.htm

Here's the website on it!

In addition to the flu viruses, SAMBUCOLÔ is currently being tested against

other viral diseases. Laboratory tests have demonstrated

its abili- ty to

inhibit the replication of viruses such as herpes, the

common cold virus,

Epstein-Barr Virus, smallpox, and HIV. Clinical trials

will follow in these

areas of research which could prove very exciting for

persons suffering from

these diseases. (Please be sure to verify that these

studies have been

completed before attempting to use this product for any of

these conditions, and

be sure to consult your health professional.)

SAMBUCOLÔ is safe for persons of all ages as well as

pregnant and

nursing women. There are no contraindications with any

other product or drug.

If you do have trouble with stomach acid it is recommended

that you take it

with meals. The syrup should be refrigerated after

opening, but may otherwise

be stored at room temperature.

> Echinacea

>

>

>

> A little further reading indicates Echinacea is the preventive booster,

> while Golden Seal is the " natural " antibiotic. Elaine is the expert, but

> I

> wonder if the 2 weeks " on " Echinacea and 2 weeks " off " might be good

> preventive medicine. Then, the use of Echinacea-Golden Seal for several

> days, while exhibiting symptoms of colds or flu, might be appropriate.

>

> EECHINACEA_GOLDEN_SEALchinacea-Golden Seal

>

> Echinacea root has been traditionally used to increase the body's

> resistance

> to infection, both bacterial and viral. Golden Seal has been traditionally

> used for its natural antibiotic properties. Echinacea and Golden Seal

> taken

> in combination are used to prevent and eliminate infection.

>

>

> eGroups Sponsor

> <1/9624/13/_/6563/_/971992111/>

>

>

> <http://adimg./img/9624/13/_/6563/_/971992111/funfreasyPets468x

> 60

> .gif>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mona, you know I don't know the answers about echinecea ... I'm asking for

advice! Before having been diagnosed with HyperT, I thought zinc lozenzes

were great. I've yet to have a medical doctor tell me I should avoid them;

just the advice of our group. What does that say for dissemination of

information and healing oneself? Have you made cornbread yet? Fall is here

and it's soup time. I'd love to have a good recipe to go with my soups. We

never got a response about out idea of sharing healthy recipes, via our

e-mail boards. IS ANYONE INTERESTED?

=====

Bonner

[Guest guest]

I pulled out that barley soup recipe for you and it's sitting on my kitchen

counter!!! I'll make note to myself and post tomorrow. The only thing any

Endo told me to avoid was over-the-counter antihistamines. Also DMSO is an

apparent no-no for hyperTs too. Read that in a health food store. We need

a comprehensive list of what to avoid as hyperTs...food, OTC products,

supplements, etc! Nope haven't made cornbread yet, probably on Sunday.

Maybe can add a new section to his BB for " HEALTHY RECIPES " ? Mona

Re: Echinacea

Mona, you know I don't know the answers about echinecea ... I'm asking for

advice! Before having been diagnosed with HyperT, I thought zinc lozenzes

were great. I've yet to have a medical doctor tell me I should avoid them;

just the advice of our group. What does that say for dissemination of

information and healing oneself? Have you made cornbread yet? Fall is here

and it's soup time. I'd love to have a good recipe to go with my soups. We

never got a response about out idea of sharing healthy recipes, via our

e-mail boards. IS ANYONE INTERESTED?

=====

Bonner

[Guest guest]

Dear Bonner,

You asked about St 's Wort on the board, so I thought I would write

back, bacause I have taken it in the past and at the moment I am really

ANGRY alot of the time due to this hyperT and quite PARANOID the rest of the

time. It pains me as it feels like it damages the people around me as well

as hampering my own healing. I am not taking St 's Wort now because I

feel it excentuates my " high " feelings and I count anger in with them, but

this is just my experience. There is more about this below.

I'm interested in swapping recipes, but I don't have any yet - I have had a

very poor diet for a long time (always hated cooking, want to learn to love

it) and I think this is part of the cause of my hyperT problem.

I have been reading through the very good information about echinacia and ST

's wort, information can only be a good thing. However, it would be

great to know about people's OWN good or bad experiences with these things.

So the following information is anecdotal.

MY EXPERIENCE OF ST JOHN'S WORT: When I was subclinically hyperthyroid (I am

now overtly hyperT and more angry than sad) I was very low, very down. I

found that St 's Wort helped a great deal for a while, I felt that it

made me more level headed and less " glazed over " ; I didn't go off into my

own world as much, I don't know how it helps anger because at that point I

was not angry, just very sad and it felt like someone else had put the

brakes on in my life and I had no explaination of why. St 's Wort

helped me get through the grindingly slow day.

I don't think that St 's Wort accumulates in the body, but it felt like

it was doing just that, as my reaction to it changed over time. I found

that it gave me stomach pains sometimes and that I had more reflux when I

took it. Also, after taking it for about two months, I sometimes felt that

it overstimulated me I would be bouncing off the walls a bit, snapping at

people and makinng jokes even if they were hurtful. I also felt in fear of

taking an emothional dip, even though it generally made me more " up " than

down, I felt I was becoming dependent on it so I stopped taking it. Perhaps

on the other hand it was more that my condition changed over time, I have

become increasingly hyperT in this time, but it is so difficult to know.

I hope it is okay to wobble on with this information.. I love this site

because it gives me hard info, but also because it makes it feels that there

is the possibility of discovering similarities in the way we are all

responding to different things, and perhaps contributing to the big picture

in the end

MY EXPERIENCE OF ECHINACIA: is quite similar to the above: it seemed to

help my cold symptoms at first, but if I continued to take it for too long,

it didn't feel right. I used to put drops of echinacia tincture in a tea

pot with grated ginger and cinamon sticks and hot water, leave it to brew

and sip it down for a bad cold which had gone to my chest - it is very

warming. However, I have not had a cold or a flu in about 20 months and am

not sure why. I am neutopenic so my immune system is depressed, I thought I

would be picking up every bug, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

There is a tiny part of my mind that thinks that I am getting the bugs, but

because my immune system is not active I don't react and so the bugs don't

make me feel bad?... does anyone know if this is right? That is absolutely

a question, not a suggestion - a faint memory of a Readers Digest article or

a biology lesson!!!

So on my experience of Echinacia and St s' Wort, I think it is correct

that things like Echinacia can overstimulate hyperT people, but they can

also be helpful if you get the right dose for your body at the time. I

think it's back to the old song that we do have to be our own doctors - I do

try remedies which people recommend for me, but (and I am sure you already

do this too), I do trust how I feel over and above anyone elses advice or

opinion. It rings so totally true that this is a " backwards disease " I

have made myself worse I am sure, by many of my efforts to get healthy...

among them, eating seaweed and adding sea salt to my food on a shiatsu diet

for six months!!

I agree with Mona that we need a comprehensive list about what to avoid

eatin, taking etc... sure there is one, but damned if I can find it!

Okay. Hope that all makes sense, it's mainly just reporting my own

experience .

Cheers!

DAWN ROSE.

>From: " Horten, Mona " <mhorten@...>

>Reply-hyperthyroidismegroups

> " 'hyperthyroidismegroups' " <hyperthyroidismegroups>

>Subject: RE: Re: Echinacea

>Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 15:44:43 -0700

>

>I pulled out that barley soup recipe for you and it's sitting on my kitchen

>counter!!! I'll make note to myself and post tomorrow. The only thing any

>Endo told me to avoid was over-the-counter antihistamines. Also DMSO is

>an

>apparent no-no for hyperTs too. Read that in a health food store. We need

>a comprehensive list of what to avoid as hyperTs...food, OTC products,

>supplements, etc! Nope haven't made cornbread yet, probably on Sunday.

>Maybe can add a new section to his BB for " HEALTHY RECIPES " ? Mona

>

> Re: Echinacea

>

>

>Mona, you know I don't know the answers about echinecea ... I'm asking for

>advice! Before having been diagnosed with HyperT, I thought zinc lozenzes

>were great. I've yet to have a medical doctor tell me I should avoid them;

>just the advice of our group. What does that say for dissemination of

>information and healing oneself? Have you made cornbread yet? Fall is

>here

>and it's soup time. I'd love to have a good recipe to go with my soups.

>We

>never got a response about out idea of sharing healthy recipes, via our

>e-mail boards. IS ANYONE INTERESTED?

>

>=====

>Bonner

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Hi Jules,

I think my hyperimmunity is due to a complex reaction induced by my

allergies. If I could ever get my immunoglobulin levels down, there might be

hope, but as it is I produce antibodies to most everything. I have high

levels of IgE, IgG, and IgG with low IgA levels. I also exercise a lot which

raises my white blood count and helps ward off viruses.

I am indeed hypothyroid 10 years post RAI but my thyroid antibody levels are

still super high. I'm thinking that once I successfully avoid gluten for 6

months (i have high titers of gliadin antibodies, indicating gluten

sensitivity enteropathy), I'll be able to reduce my thyroid antibodies and

hopefully my antimitochondrial antibodies will disappear as well. I'm also

allergic to soy, though, which is hard to avoid when you're addicted to

chocolate. And I'm allergic to dogs and most all trees, and I have 3 dogs and

live in the mountains.

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn Rose,

Re your question on not getting colds, etc, has a theory that because

we hypers are so low on iron, viruses and bacteria cannot survive - but I

believe Mike mentioned that there are some viruses that can survive without

iron - and therefore that is why we are so 'healthy' ie not succumb to a lot

of the common colds and flus. Anyone correct me if I haven't understood

this correctly.

I used to subscribe to what Elaine wrote in a recent post about having a

'hyperimmune' system and just not getting all those illnesses - I have 3

children and was subject to many runny noses, coughs, sore throats, etc and

would only occasionally get any of them. It is only this year since being

in remission that I have become sick. I am still enjoying this phenomena

(!) and I choose to see it as having a more balanced immune system - it

helps me to think like this!

Out of curiousity, Elaine, do you contribute your hyperimmune system to your

thyroid antibody levels, or a more complex interaction between your

antibodies and the general immune system? You are hypo at the moment or is

it euthyroid with thyroid hormones (have I remembered correctly that you

have had RAI)?

Jules

Re: Echinacea

> >

> >

> >Mona, you know I don't know the answers about echinecea ... I'm asking

for

> >advice! Before having been diagnosed with HyperT, I thought zinc lozenzes

> >were great. I've yet to have a medical doctor tell me I should avoid

them;

> >just the advice of our group. What does that say for dissemination of

> >information and healing oneself? Have you made cornbread yet? Fall is

> >here

> >and it's soup time. I'd love to have a good recipe to go with my soups.

> >We

> >never got a response about out idea of sharing healthy recipes, via our

> >e-mail boards. IS ANYONE INTERESTED?

> >

> >=====

> >Bonner

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________________

> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

>

> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at

> http://profiles.msn.com.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Isn't the function of MTX to suppress our immune system? It works on the

same principal as anti-rejection drugs, to suppress the immune system. I read

somewhere that Echinacea is not good for arthritis patients because it

stimulates the immune system, isn't our problem in the first place is an

overactive immune system? I would call your RD IMMEDIATELY and tell him,

infection is a problem they need to know about. It's odd your gyn wouldn't

understand the arthritis, go figure. I would get a second opinion on the

surgery for sure. On the other hand, to have the surgery is not that big of a

deal, I had similar but much more extensive surgery at 33 and got along just

fine 15 years ago (the olden days), I recovered from the surgery in days.

There is an emotional aspect to this type of surgery, some doctors refuse to

acknowledge it but, if it comes to that feel free to email me personally I'd

be glad to tell you how it was for me.

Go call your RD!

Ilene

[Guest guest]

- I have read that taking echinacea with MTX is a big no no - I

forget why though - talk to your rheumy

[Guest guest]

I would aslo suggest acupressure and massage to help your female organs

along (...we women

tend to put alot of emotional baggage there for " safe keeping " ) Visualization

is another big helper.

,

I don't think I was using " that " part for a storage device, but your

treatment methods sound a bit interesting.

With my eyebrows raised,

Ilene

[Guest guest]

,

In the past I wanted to take echinacea to help with a cold. I didn't

do it because on the box it cautions people with autoimmune diseases

to check with their Dr before taking. I would definately say this is

one for your Rhumy.

Tempe, AZ

[Guest guest]

I agree. I was told that echinacea can actually be detrimental to the

working of your other meds. Check with your dr.

Ada

[ ] Re: Echinacea

,

In the past I wanted to take echinacea to help with a cold. I didn't

do it because on the box it cautions people with autoimmune diseases

to check with their Dr before taking. I would definately say this is

one for your Rhumy.

Tempe, AZ

Please visit our new web page at:

http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again

soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a

weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

I agree... I don't know anything about MTX... but if it is an immunosuppressant,

and you have an infection problem...the doctors should both be on the same page.

I had an ovarian cyst four years ago, as a result of Norplant gone bad... and

there was definately an emotional scar from that type of body invasion. I think

surgery is SUCH a last resort! I would aslo suggest acupressure and massage to

help your female organs along (...we women

tend to put alot of emotional baggage there for " safe keeping " ) Visualization is

another big helper.

I have taken echinacea for colds before and though I am not on any meds, I don't

seem to get that much of a flare from it. Herbals are usually more subtle and

gentle than the chemical ones..

good luck, hope you feel better soon!

-Li

CHLOE1212@... wrote:

> Isn't the function of MTX to suppress our immune system? It works on the

> same principal as anti-rejection drugs, to suppress the immune system. I read

> somewhere that Echinacea is not good for arthritis patients because it

> stimulates the immune system, isn't our problem in the first place is an

> overactive immune system? I would call your RD IMMEDIATELY and tell him,

> infection is a problem they need to know about. It's odd your gyn wouldn't

> understand the arthritis, go figure. I would get a second opinion on the

> surgery for sure. On the other hand, to have the surgery is not that big of a

> deal, I had similar but much more extensive surgery at 33 and got along just

> fine 15 years ago (the olden days), I recovered from the surgery in days.

> There is an emotional aspect to this type of surgery, some doctors refuse to

> acknowledge it but, if it comes to that feel free to email me personally I'd

> be glad to tell you how it was for me.

>

> Go call your RD!

> Ilene

>

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again soon- we

will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a weekly chat on

egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

One of my doctors told me that Echineacea would " rev up " the wrong part of

the immune system for someone with PA, but that Goldenseal works on a

different aspect of the immune system and therefore is fine to take.

For what it's worth

April

[Guest guest]

,

They had to take me off my MTX. I was on 17.5 mg per week and started

running temps and my eardrum ruptured. After that they couldn't get me off

the antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist wanted to put in a

central line and give me IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks.. I had a CAT scan

and they found an abcess in my left sinus. They stopped the MTX, I had the

abcess removed, and after all was healed they started me on Arava. So far

so good, no illness and no temp. Not only was I running temps on the MTX

but my hemoglobin was dropping and my hair was falling out by the handfull.

I'm hoping the Arava doesn't do the same, but I've been on it for 1 month

and no ill effects except tiredness and the flu x 1 (but I think that was

coincidence).

HTH

Rae

[ ] Echinacea

> I have been seeing my gyn for about two years for an on going problem.

> Basically I have a low grade infection that keeps returning. I am taking

> 22.5 mg of MTX a week plus 50 mg of Vioxx daily. My gyn seems to think

that

> my immune system isn't up to par because of the meds and suggested I talk

> with my rhuemy about trying Echinacea. If I don't get this problem under

> control my only options are to either stop the MTX to see if it is

inhibiting

> my recovery process or to possibly have my uterus removed. I am 34

although

> I never plan on having anymore children I am too young for such drastic

> measures (in my book) If I stop the MTX I am going to have major problems

I

> have already noticed this fall season that it is not working as well as it

> used to. Any input anyone can give me on any of this would be greatly

> appreciated.

>

>

> in St. Louis, MO

>

>

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again

soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a

weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have also read that if you have hayfever then you shouldn't take Echinecea

because of allergic reactions.

Rae

[ ] Re: Echinacea

> ,

>

> In the past I wanted to take echinacea to help with a cold. I didn't

> do it because on the box it cautions people with autoimmune diseases

> to check with their Dr before taking. I would definately say this is

> one for your Rhumy.

>

>

> Tempe, AZ

>

>

>

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again

soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a

weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

wrote...

>-...My gyn seems to think that

>my immune system isn't up to par because of the meds and >suggested I talk

>with my rhuemy about trying Echinacea.....

It's my understanding that our immune systems are already overactive, and

that an herb such as echinacea would actually stimulate the immune system,

most likely resulting in making the problem worse, not better...

I'm not sure that I would encourage anyone with our type of condition to use

anything to boost the immune system..

I know I also have similar problems with recurring infections...

and it's not uncommon for me to have multiple infections of different types

at the same time...

my gyn stopped giving me antibiotics for those repeated incidents as it was

only a temporary fix and would just come back as soon as I stopped the

antibiotics. She instead suggested using baking soda in my bath to

neutralize the

ph which would in turn help some kinds of infections..

I think natural remedies can be very useful for people with our conditions,

and there may be something else you can use effectively, but please research

carefully what you take (even through these are available OTC-it doesn't

mean it's safe for everyone) I wouldn't want to see your condition to get

any worse! Let us know what your doc says and what you decide.

Good Luck!

Christie

_________________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

ARAVA. What is arava? I've not heard of it. I want to get

away from the MTX and hopefully find something less destructive

to the liver and other organs. What does arava do for P.A.? How

is it taken? Are there any side affects? I would appreciate any

info on this. Thanks, Randy in Va.

Larry and Rae Farrell wrote:

> ,

> They had to take me off my MTX. I was on 17.5 mg per week and started

> running temps and my eardrum ruptured. After that they couldn't get me off

> the antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist wanted to put in a

> central line and give me IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks.. I had a CAT scan

> and they found an abcess in my left sinus. They stopped the MTX, I had the

> abcess removed, and after all was healed they started me on Arava. So far

> so good, no illness and no temp

[Guest guest]

I have been on Arava for sometime now, I too was on MTX oral and then shots.

I also take Nerol 250 mg. The two together helps my pain and skin.

I have had P.A. for 13 years and this is the only medicine that has kept it

stable. I recommend the Arava 20 mg.

L. Hudson

Re: [ ] Echinacea

ARAVA. What is arava? I've not heard of it. I want to get

away from the MTX and hopefully find something less destructive

to the liver and other organs. What does arava do for P.A.? How

is it taken? Are there any side affects? I would appreciate any

info on this. Thanks, Randy in Va.

Larry and Rae Farrell wrote:

> ,

> They had to take me off my MTX. I was on 17.5 mg per week and started

> running temps and my eardrum ruptured. After that they couldn't get me

off

> the antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist wanted to put in a

> central line and give me IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks.. I had a CAT scan

> and they found an abcess in my left sinus. They stopped the MTX, I had

the

> abcess removed, and after all was healed they started me on Arava. So far

> so good, no illness and no temp

Please visit our new web page at:

http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again

soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a

weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info, . Are there any known side affects with

taking this medication?

" Hudson, " wrote:

> I have been on Arava for sometime now, I too was on MTX oral and then shots.

> I also take Nerol 250 mg. The two together helps my pain and skin.

> I have had P.A. for 13 years and this is the only medicine that has kept it

> stable. I recommend the Arava 20 mg.

>

> L. Hudson

>

> Re: [ ] Echinacea

>

> ARAVA. What is arava? I've not heard of it. I want to get

> away from the MTX and hopefully find something less destructive

> to the liver and other organs. What does arava do for P.A.? How

> is it taken? Are there any side affects? I would appreciate any

> info on this. Thanks, Randy in Va.

>

> Larry and Rae Farrell wrote:

>

> > ,

> > They had to take me off my MTX. I was on 17.5 mg per week and started

> > running temps and my eardrum ruptured. After that they couldn't get me

> off

> > the antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist wanted to put in a

> > central line and give me IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks.. I had a CAT scan

> > and they found an abcess in my left sinus. They stopped the MTX, I had

> the

> > abcess removed, and after all was healed they started me on Arava. So far

> > so good, no illness and no temp

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

> www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again

> soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a

> weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

>

>

> Please visit our new web page at:

> http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/pa

>

> This past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at

www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again soon- we

will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a weekly chat on

egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

I haven't had any side affects, except weight gain but that comes with age .

I did have some trouble with my insurance, so my doctor changed my diagnosis

because Arava isn't covered for P.A., good luck it works on me.

L. Hudson

moderator note: I have deleted your work info and phone number etc from

your signature a couple times. Hope that is okay since it gives you more

privacy. You can get a free email addy from a site such as hotmail, excite or

to keep your business signature off your postings. Just a thought. Don't

want your workplace to ??. PatB

Re: [ ] Echinacea

>

> ARAVA. What is arava? I've not heard of it. I want to get

> away from the MTX and hopefully find something less destructive

> to the liver and other organs. What does arava do for P.A.? How

> is it taken? Are there any side affects? I would appreciate any

> info on this. Thanks, Randy in Va.

>

> Larry and Rae Farrell wrote:

>

> > ,

> > They had to take me off my MTX. I was on 17.5 mg per week and started

> > running temps and my eardrum ruptured. After that they couldn't get me

> off

> > the antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist wanted to put in a

> > central line and give me IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks.. I had a CAT

scan

> > and they found an abcess in my left sinus. They stopped the MTX, I had

> the

> > abcess removed, and after all was healed they started me on Arava. So

far

> > so good, no illness and no temp

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Elaine,

I find all these antibodies and their complex interactions fascinating - do

you suppose that all of us having such different levels of different

antibodies, and in different combinations could contribute to the many

different symptoms we all experience (even tho i know there are many the

same )? Just a rhetorical question, really.

I checked out your website and particularly liked the hyper daisy!

I'm glad your allergies don't stop you living amongst the trees and with

your dogs - i couldn't imagine life without both of these essential

ingredients.

Jules

Re: Re: Echinacea

> Hi Jules,

> I think my hyperimmunity is due to a complex reaction induced by my

> allergies. If I could ever get my immunoglobulin levels down, there might

be

> hope, but as it is I produce antibodies to most everything. I have high

> levels of IgE, IgG, and IgG with low IgA levels. I also exercise a lot

which

> raises my white blood count and helps ward off viruses.

> I am indeed hypothyroid 10 years post RAI but my thyroid antibody levels

are

> still super high. I'm thinking that once I successfully avoid gluten for 6

> months (i have high titers of gliadin antibodies, indicating gluten

> sensitivity enteropathy), I'll be able to reduce my thyroid antibodies and

> hopefully my antimitochondrial antibodies will disappear as well. I'm also

> allergic to soy, though, which is hard to avoid when you're addicted to

> chocolate. And I'm allergic to dogs and most all trees, and I have 3 dogs

and

> live in the mountains.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jules,

I think that the various antibodies contribute a lot to our symptoms, but the

nutrient deficiencies may play even a bigger role. Our metabolisms are so

fast we burn up all our nutrient stores early on, then the deficiencies

contribute to our symptoms, like the leg cramps, hair changes, etc. This

quick metabolism causes food to pass through our gut too quickly and we have

malabsorption of nutrients. That's why addressing these issues helps so much.

Thanks for visiting my web site. Let me know if you have any ideas for future

topics. Keep well, Elaine