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what supplements are you taking?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/14/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...my husband is starting Humira tomorrow and mercaptapurine in a few weeks. Anyone have any recommendations of supplements he should be taking? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 6/14/2011 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
In general, he should consider an omega 3 supplement (I take flax seed oil) and vitamin D.
Posted 6/14/2011 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, all IBDers should get their blood levels of vitamin D measured. Omega-3 is also a good idea. Some find that fish oil is more easily assimilated than flax, but both are good.

Two other popular supplements are a soluble fiber such as psyllium in Metamucil or Citrucel, and probiotics. Probiotics are the good guy bacteria found in yogurt and kefir and can be taken in concentrated pill form esp. for those who are lactose intolerant.

Many times it is not so much the supplements that need to be added but the foods that need to be avoided that may trigger symptoms. Keep a food diary to isolate foods that may be a problem.
Posted 6/14/2011 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the above. But I also get B12 shots biweekly, and folic acid is another one that is helpful for us. The folic acid really helps alot when you have hairshedding caused by some of our meds. Calcium should be in there because of all the steroids we tend to have to use, that along with Vit D3 help our bones. Hugs!
Posted 6/14/2011 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
None. My blood work is always normal for some reason even when I'm hitting the bathroom more than 10x a day with blood. My 25 hydroxy vitamin D lvl is above 50ng/ml so Vitamin D supplementation is not necessary for me. Just get a lot of sun! It's free!

Plan on adding VSL3 DS to my regimen though.
Posted 6/14/2011 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I always forget about folic acid because it's one of my prescriptions, LOL. I suppose it's a supplement though. My GI first prescribed it when I was taking a ppi (prevacid). I stopped the ppi in February but continue to take the folic acid.
Posted 6/14/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
My regime is listed in my sig below....I don't take any Rx as I'm either allergic or non-responsive to them. Wishing your hubby best of luck!!
Posted 6/14/2011 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys! Have taken note...we just picked up the Humira to start today...vet nervous. How quickly should he see results?
Posted 6/16/2011 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
It can take a few months with some folks, I started it in March, and really just started seeing results in the last 2 weeks.....then again, I'm terrified of needles, and stress makes my symptoms worse, so that may have been a factor....

Word to the wise, it stings quite a bit going in, DON'T rub the area after, just hold some gauze to the site of the injection....the soreness goes away quickly!!

As to supplements, I have a good results with calcium, flaxseed oil, chamomile and saccharomyces boularrdii....it helps keep the loose stool under better control....just be sure to run any you take by the pharmacist (not the doc) in case of any contraindications if your hubby needs antibiotics anytime....calcium in particular can cause cipro to be less effective.

Oh, and be careful of any live vaccinations, or being around anyone who gets live vaccinations....if hubby gets flu shots, that's ok, but NOT the mist, and chickenpox exposure might be an issue, due to the Humira (I just went through all this, as I have a 2 year old, the info comes straight from the pediatrician, the Humira folks, and the CDC)

Good Luck to you and your husband!!
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