Is it safe to take Vit C with MS?

[cz1970]

Hi everyone...

Ok another question. I'm sick of getting sinus infections and it's the flu season and I'm constantly around sick people (I'm a RN Student... part of the job :) Anyway, I thought about taking 2000 mg of Vit C a day but someone told me that its bad to boost the immune system w/ MS.  My concern is the DMDs suppress the immune system so you get sick easier.... What to do?

Thanks!
cz

[Erin0313]

Hi! My doctors (all 4 of them) recommend taking vitamins including vitamin C. Every time we go over my list of medicines we go over my vitamins too. The only thing they told me to stop taking is extra Calcium with my Vitamin D because I am a vegetarian and get more than enough Calcium in my diet and I am on Boniva for Osteopenia.
Good luck with your sinus problems.
  Erin :)

[cz1970]

Thank you!  I love the rodeo clown analgy. I too am ALMOST a RN.. in 5 mo months. I knew it was immune modulating but I still thought of it more as suppressant until now.... your rodeo clown thing makes more sense!  THANK YOU! Ok..... I bought some Vit C today. I will check into Montel WIlliams book too. Thanks again.

cz

[jensequitur]

Elaine is absolutely right - the DMDs are immuno-modulating drugs, not immunosuppressants.  I call them rodeo clowns.  Their job is to distract the disease from attacking your neurons, while they hide behind the barrel.

[monotreme]

I hope that Quix can visit this post and offer her insight.  I will give you my approach with my husband and you can decide for yourself.  I am a registered nurse but not working.  I have done lots of reading on alternative medicine.  

Alternative medicine believes that you should support and boost the immune system when you have an autoimmune disease.  That's the only way towards any kind of recovery in the body and restoring the immune system to fight off cancer etc.  In the case of MS and taking DMD's, I believe that they are immuno-modulating drugs, not immunosuppressants.  Their net effect is to suppress the immune system, but they are not clasified as actual immunosuppressant drugs.  Vitamin C is valuable to fight colds and infections as well as keeping cells healthy.  

So I would say it is perfectly safe to take vitamin C when you have MS.  In fact, getting sick is worse for your MS than vitamins.  You should read, when you can, Montel Williams' most recent book about his attempts at staying healthy with MS.

Good Luck with your nursing education.
Elaine

[Wobbly]

hi there, well... I can't help...wish I knew that answer.. I'm not yet Dx and I'm sure someone with my knowledge will come on to answer this soon..

take care
wobbly
undx