Can anyone recommend vitamins?

Kmit

Hi, I take methotrexate and roactemra injections. On a Friday, folic acid. My diet is not always the best so I think I could do with topping up my system with supplements or vitamins. Any recommendations? Thanks 😄x

Mike1

I take an over 50s multivit as my diet is rubbish because I have to rely on ready meals.

Kmit

Thanks Mike, I know the feeling well x

MoWW

Hi Kmit,

you may wish to check out our website section on complementary medicine

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/

Mo

Lilymary

I’ve never found a supplement that made the slightest difference to my health and well-being, and haven’t the patience to try those you have to take for ages to see the benefit, not least because I might have got better anyway (independently of the supplements) over that period. But then I do eat reasonably healthily, mostly because my husband does the cooking. Left to my own devices, due to lack of energy and mobility I would be eating more ready meals and junk than is good for a healthy person, let alone a wobbly one like me.

I had a load of blood tests a while back when I was suffering from CFS, and the only deficiency they found was vitamin D, so I do take those (when I remember, and particularly during winter etc). Also calcium to fend off osteoporosis.

dreamdaisy

The only one I bother with is VitaminD with added calcium. We ensure we eat a good diet (which takes planning, time and effort) but is beneficial for overall health. The whole vitamin industry is somewhat suspect as many of the so-called 'benefits' are not proven (unlike the VitD) and the quantities they contain are so tiny they are quickly excreted via the liver and kidneys. Cod liver oil can ease some of the sympoms of OA, as can green lipped mussel and other stuff but they have to be taken long-term: eating oily fish once a week is better.

I was the cook until my husband retired and now he does it, including making our own bread (only wholemeal, no added salt). The only ready meals I have are the occasional Kabuto pot noodle and fish fingers but we do use a great deal of frozen peas and broad beans for ease and value. Talking of which . . . . guess what's on the menu tonight! Cap'n Birdseye's best with homemade oven baked sweet potato chips and frozen peas. Yum. DD

Kmit

Thank DD. Getting the impression that VitD is really the main thing take. Enjoy dinner, sounds delicious wish I had a retired husband 😂 x

Lilymary

Most people in Northern Europe are VitD deficient, I think it needs to be taken long term to feel any benefit. I had a scan recently and know my bone density is ok (which surprised me as osteoporosis and arthritis run in the family) but am taking calcium to be on the safe side. Need to keep decent bones ready for a new hip

frogmorton

I take a vegan vitamin supplement @Kmit . Plenty of vitamin D in it and even better it's orange flavoured and chewable :) You can get them from the vegan society.

I see you were not after something to help with your arthritis rather to make sure you aren't deficient in any vitamin due to diet.

Kmit

Hi, thanks for the info. I only asked about Vitamins because I’m vegetarian and sometimes my diet can be poor due to mobility. Going to check out other sections of VA about pain relief. Stuck in a catch 22 just now and don’t know what’s to do for the best. Thanks again Frogmorton x

JaneM

I have been on a diet created by a complementary health expert (and former GP) and have stopped being vegan as I need more protein and legumes are not recommended for RA. I take a lot of supplements now including B vits, D, magnesium and boron. Since starting my new regime seven months ago I have slowly seen my CRP and ESR levels return to near-normal without further increase in my methotrexate. It's great to see some progress within my control.