Discussion Board

Hey all,

I've been taking Dr. Fuhrman's daily nutritional vitamin just to sort of make sure I cover all of the vitamins and minerals, and my doctor suggests I take calcium.

I don't really want to keep taking this vitamin, one because its expensive, and two because I don't think I really need it (besides the B12 and some other stuff)

Does anybody have any good vitamin recommendations, specifically for Lupus is you can? Thanks!

Brandon

I've had lupus for almost 30 years and the only vitamin I ever needed was B12. I had some early problems with anemia, but after becoming veg, I didn't have any issues. Are there any reasons for the suggestion like bone density issues?

Oregonmom,

Thanks for the reply.

My doctor has me on prednisone and plaquenil, and not too long ago I was on methotrexate as well. I'm assuming she wants me to take calcium because prednisone is known to reduce bone density?

I think I will switch to just taking B12 though. All these supplements are costly.

I'm really sorry. I was 12 when I was diagnosed and at some point there wasn't much they hadn't tried me on. Prednisone can deplete your bones of calcium, but I think eating things with calcium is still better than supplements. Vitamins give me heartburn anyway so I can't take them. I had a bone density test recently that said my bones are fine if that makes you feel better. I hope you can get to a point where you don't need those meds anymore.

I was diagnosed when I was 12 as well, and I've been on prednisone ever since (I'm 18).

I've been having flare ups recently, a lot of arthritis and I can't figure out why :/ So my doctor upped my prednisone dosage. I just can't get a handle on it, even eating this way.

Thanks, I appreciate the support!

Well I am quite a bit older than you. My whole family has lupus. My father was diagnosed when I was 8, then me at 12, then my sister about 8 years ago. We've all given blood so that genetic testing could be done to hopefully help others. My dad is doing well for 65. I have been in remission for 10 years and my sister has been for 4. What helped me the most was a positive attitude. It may sound silly but it really did help. I never felt good until I stopped all the drugs I was on. My best advice to you is reduce stress, get plenty if sleep, and eat right. It's ironic that I started feeling better when I moved away from family (stress), and became a vegetarian (for ethical reasons). I hope you start feeling better soon.

Oregonmom,

Thanks for the advice. I feel like stress might be a big cause of flare ups, but I'm not entirely sure. I really want to find out how to stay healthy, WITHOUT medicine. I hate taking all these pills, and I know they're just hurting me in the long run.

Brandon