herbs and such

[Guest guest]

We've had some interest in different ways to treat sarcoidosis. As we all know, prednisone stills stays at the top of the list.

Plaquenil and Methotrexate are regular alternative choices, and for most of us have done some good.

Still, we have no cure.

It is so very important to realize that anything that increases the immune system may very well increase the sarcoidosis disease progress. For that, I suggest everyone really read up and study the various medications that are suggested. Talk with a Naturopath, or a Doctor of Homeopathy.

We still have to remain vigilant, as even these docs know very little about sarcoidosis.

As most of you know, I have gotten my information from various practicioners, with various degrees. Never have we suggested that you take something that we haven't tried first, and thoroughly researched.

That is why the only choices I'd recommend are the MSM Powder. It helps to bulid cartlidge, and is a mineral that should be in our foods. IT has been engineered out of our food, both by overplanting the fields and not replenishing this nutrient in the soils, as well as by processing food-- in any manor. Heating, microwaving, freezing, dehydrating-- all take what tiny amount of MSM that might have been in the food--- and destroyed it.

For anyone on any of the DMARDS, Immune suppressants, anti-inflammatories, BRM's-- it is imperative that you get a prescription for Folic Acid. This important B vitamin is wiped out by these drugs-- and without it the chances for us to develop pernicious anemia is raised to much higher levels.

Hydration-- water -- is so very important for all of us. With a systemic inflammatory disease, you run low grade fevers constantly. This keeps you dehydrated-- or right at the crucial line of being dehydrated. If any of our electrolytes become imbalanced, you will have more inflammation and pain. Our joints have to stay lubricated, and the correct balance of proteins and nutrients is what keeps those levels in order. With granulomas in your muscles, in your joints and ligaments, in your bones (bone spurs??) ignoring the hydration issue is a ticket to extreme pain. Synovial fluid, the lfluid that lubricates the joints, keeps the mylin sheath that covers our muscles and nerve ends calm- is imperative for us to be comfortable. Lose the coffee, the caffeine, the sodas, the alcholol-- as well as the juices with high fructose corn syrup-- and drink decaf teas, water, 100% juice, and you will notice a huge

difference.

These are not issues you want to experiment with. Many of us have already done the herbal immune enhancers, and have built our immune systems into the machines that are attacking our body. If you are going to try these choices, do so with the supervision of a medical(Nph) or chiropractic(D.C.)or osteopath (D.O.) so that you don't end up in more trouble than you are already in.

Sarcoidosis is a disease where our bodies produce too much TNFa as well as other immuno reactors- and these look at the normal healthy cells as being something to attack, and that cycle builds upon itself. (I've done numerous posts and have articles in our Message ARCHIVES for your use.) To increase the power of the immune system is dangerous. Do not jump into this without professional supervision. We don't want to hear that you tried something and ended up even worse off.

Yes, the medications we take are hard on the body-- and have known and unknown side effects. So do herbal medicines. There is no quick fix-- and we should never start multiple medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs at one time. This is because should you end up with a reaction-- you won't know which medication- et. al, has caused the problem. So do only one step at a time-- and give it time. Most of the meds we have take time to build up to therapeutic levels.

Please, chose wisely, ask questions-- know that if there was a cure-- as some sites suggest-- we'd all be beating down that door-- and we aren't there yet.

Eat healthy, hydrate, beware of snake-oil promises, and use good common sense. WWW.arthritis.org has an annual issue of medications available for inflammatory diseases, as well as a vitamin and mineral guide that it puts out each year. You can go to that site and pull up the information, print it out-- and read up!

Most sincerely,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator