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Autoimmune Disorders Community
This is an un-mediated Patient-to-Patient Forum only. This forum is for questions and support regarding Autoimmune topics such as: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Addison's disease, Ankylosing spondylitis, Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), Aplastic anemia, Autoimmune hepatitis, Autoimmune Oophoritis, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Diabetes mellitus type 1, Gestational pemphigoid, Goodpasture's syndrome, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Hashimoto's disease, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Kawasaki's Disease,
Lupus erythematosus, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS), Optic neuritis, Ord's Pemphigus, Pernicious anemia, Polyarthritis, Primary biliary cirrhosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, Takayasu's arteritis, Temporal arteritis, Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Wegener's granulomatosis
Autoimmune disease meds proving risky
by dixter, Jul 06, 2008 10:32AM
Autoimmune disease meds proving risky
If you're taking a TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocker for either rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, you may want to take this opportunity to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. And if you know any young folks on it—pass this information along to them, as well.
The FDA has embarked on a safety review of this class of drugs due to a link to an increased risk of infection, and a particularly troubling association with cancer in younger patients.
TNF blockers work by making your immune system relax from its usual hyper- intense state, which can help with disorders where the immune system is essentially attacking the body. But this relaxation effect may be what leaves patients susceptible to infections.
The prevailing wisdom right now is to weigh the benefits with the risks. So if you haven't had that conversation with your doctor, it's time you give him a call—and see if there's a drug-free option.
There's plenty of solid evidence to support the use of carefully supervised periodic fasting and a vegetarian diet in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Both fasting and vegetarian diets can cause problems if not properly supervised. Remember, we're talking about treating a serious progressive autoimmune disease with fasting and food being used as strong medicine. And there's no reason anyone with either disease shouldn't be on omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil or cod liver oil for a total of two to three grams of EPA plus DHA for general anti-inflammatory support, no matter what medication you're taking.
DR.Inglis, MD
If you're taking a TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocker for either rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, you may want to take this opportunity to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. And if you know any young folks on it—pass this information along to them, as well.
The FDA has embarked on a safety review of this class of drugs due to a link to an increased risk of infection, and a particularly troubling association with cancer in younger patients.
TNF blockers work by making your immune system relax from its usual hyper- intense state, which can help with disorders where the immune system is essentially attacking the body. But this relaxation effect may be what leaves patients susceptible to infections.
The prevailing wisdom right now is to weigh the benefits with the risks. So if you haven't had that conversation with your doctor, it's time you give him a call—and see if there's a drug-free option.
There's plenty of solid evidence to support the use of carefully supervised periodic fasting and a vegetarian diet in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Both fasting and vegetarian diets can cause problems if not properly supervised. Remember, we're talking about treating a serious progressive autoimmune disease with fasting and food being used as strong medicine. And there's no reason anyone with either disease shouldn't be on omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil or cod liver oil for a total of two to three grams of EPA plus DHA for general anti-inflammatory support, no matter what medication you're taking.
DR.Inglis, MD
Member Comments (1)
by kitonthemoon, Jul 06, 2008 10:54AM
To: dixter
Thank you for this useful information. I'll definately try to remember if I am ever going to be prescribed to take such class drug. Thanks again.
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