Auto-immune disorders

[SarzWix]

Hey gang

As you mostly all know, I've been not well on-and-off for ages now, the latest being Tietze's Syndrome and a dodgy thyroid

Been doing some of my own investigations, as the medics seem unable to join up any dots between their various disciplines, and it looks like lots of problems I'm having come under the heading of auto-immune disorders:

Tietze's syndrome - swollen/inflamed rib cartilages
Painful/underactive thyroid
Psoriasis & mild psoriatic arthritis
Dry mouth, throat and eyes

All of them seem to improve when I up my intake of artificial thyroxine, but the docs won't allow indefinite increases of that, as it carries its own risk.

So, I'm looking for natural ways to help myself, as the medications for immune disorders all look a bit scary. (I tried something known as a 'systemic' a couple of years ago for the psoriasis and it sent me into a psychotic episode, not going there again!). From what I can gather, sugar is bad for promoting inflammation, and being overweight triggers immune responses too.

Some things I've found that have natural anti-inflammatory properties include mushrooms of various types, oily fish and turmeric.

If anyone has any knowledge or personal experience whatsoever on this subject, I'll be interested to hear it

[Capsid]

My advice is to stick with what the the doctor tells you. Have you asked your GP if you have an auto-immune disease, they can test for likely candidates? I don't advise self diagnosis.

[SarzWix]

At the doctors in the morning Capsid. The thyroid, the Tietze's and the psoriasis are already [separately] diagnosed, so this isn't new news really. I just made the link between them all!

[bearded bloke]

Psoriasis is a fun one to research,the condensed version is that nobody actually understands why it happens & until they do they cannot cure it,they can however help reduce it if you are prepared to try enough things that have sort of worked to a greater or lesser extent on other people.The danger of course is that while trying things you will quite likely aggravate it at some point.
Ben Elton has spent a fortune on it & Jason Donavon is a close second,mine went away as if by magic after giving up smoking,for the next two years not a blemish then overnight it was back with me for no apparent reason

[horticultural_hobbit]

Auto-immune is stupidly scary. Ma had something similar to the Tietze stuff, chostoncondortis which is inflammation. (I put that down to digging up the allotment, she is still banned from playing on it, til futher notice.) She's had a really bad auto immune type rollercoaster for the last eighteen months. We've had to really bang on the doors of doctors, to get stuff done. There are three of us junior hobbits, all capable of deciphering the notes and taking the medics on toe to toe to investigate. Steroids are the one treatement of choice. Thankfully, Ma has reacted well so far. Medics have mentioned wagners, but that is still being looked at. Tis more complicated that one would think! Hugs though x

[SarzWix]

I've heard of nicotine being a trigger BB, and I'm guessing it's not helping that I'm on nicotine replacement patches and struggling to get off em Another thing to add to the puzzle!

Thanks for the reply HH, am realising that I need to be very proactive to get anywhere this this, mainly because the various medical disciplines seems unlikely to communicate with each other unless you make them...

Really, I was just wondering if anyone knew anything I could do to help myself via diet etc., rather than/as well as whatever complicated chemistry the doctors come up with - I'm known to have bad reactions to lots of medications...

[Incy]

Sarz, have you tried seeing a homeopathic doctor? In France it is common practice for GP's to deal in both types of medecine but homepathic remedies do tend to have less side effects and are frequently the first choice option over there.

[SarzWix]

No, but I'm going to look into it Incy, although I can't afford to be paying anyone really

[Seahorse]

All of them seem to improve when I up my intake of artificial thyroxine, but the docs won't allow indefinite increases of that, as it carries its own risk.

As you know Sarah, I'm in a similar position but I wonder what you mean by this? Obviously you (one) can't have so much that it switches you from hypo to hyper but it's my understanding that there's potentially a big difference between the 'recommended dose' and one that 'makes you feel well'. And it's not like painkillers etc where you end up needing more and more if you take too much. Genuinely asking.

[chris]

Some NHS clinics off it, Sarz - may be worth checking out locally. (there is a budget for homeopathic treatments, as it is cheaper than other alternatives in some cases).

[petal]

I have an underactive thyroid and find that eating healthily and getting lots of moderate exercise really helps boost my energy levels. and plenty of sleep- quality sleep.

[Ananke]

Sounds like you are having a time of it

Mr Ananke developed Psoriasis last year and has tried everything the doctors could throw at it with no success. Two months ago I bought him Aloe Vera gel and it has worked wonders. I'm growing a few plants but they are small and don't look like they will be big enough to use for a couple of years yet.

Rosehips could help with the arthritis side of it, i'll be picking a load of them this year to try out on him (there goes my rosehip wine)...
BBC NEWS | Health | Rose-hip 'remedy' for arthritis

Alas, these things are just treating the symptoms and not the disease but anything that helps has to be good I suppose.

Google "natural remedy for auto immune disorders", there is a mountain of information there, my advice would be to avoid any sites that have something to sell

All the very best of luck x

[Rabidbun]

I have Crohn's Disease and keep that under control at the moment by avoiding various foods/preservatives but also by eating foods that are alleged to have an anti-inflammatory properties such as banana (plantain being the veggie in a recent study that indicated positive effects on the disease) and broccoli (the other one that came out with good effects from the same study).

Incase that's of help (I also eat things with a fair bit of turmeric in them from time to time).

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I can understand why the Docs don't want you to take too much Thyroxine - you really don't want to go to go hyper (you don't want to be doing the "granny walk" or have your heart trying to punch through your chest wall) and taking Thyroxine is not without it's own side effects. Is your life stressful? What I've noticed is my symptoms get worse when ever I get stressed. The Graves disease only kicked in during a really stressful time. Another one for thinking the homoeopathic route might be helpful for you. The only NHS homoeopathic hospital I know is in Glasgow - perhaps a GP referral to one more closer to home.

[buzzingtalk]

I have had costochondritis for 6 years!! Also think I have same as you sarz, my joints have been getting progressively worse the older I get (I'm only 25!!) to the point i can't weight bear on one of my feet sometimes and my wrists are near on useless at times. I get random skin conditions come up and never heal, things come and go medically...it must all be connected somehow! I have had more illness than all of the people in my close circle of freinds and family have had in thier whole lives. I'd love for there to be a megic answer or cure, but i know it's not possible. even getting different doctors/physio/hospital staff to listen to each other takes years of convincing. its awful!

while I can't recommend much that others haven't already mentioned, i am keen to hear people's answers. I've found keeping myself active and warm (very important!), have a daily dose of vitamin c and zinc, get your vitamins down ya and sleep well can help...but nothing that holds it off, sadly.