Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; NSD cold busters

Thanks for that Mig, i'll check it out.

In reply to:

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my first iritis attack (which has continued to haunt me now for over a decade).

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That's one big flare....
Iritis made me go strict NSD and it worked - i have had two mild "niggles" since August - used only two drops Prednif. per day for a few days till it eased away as gently as it came. Before it had become three weeks of blurred vision, dry eyes and stress. I've never had more than superficial pain and no redness at all.
Those recent episodes could correspond to the Echin, but i'd have to be convinced on that so will look for the articles.

Ted
proAS_KickAS

Hi again Ted,

From what I can remember, I actually read a warning to this effect listed right on the label of a bottle of Echinacea. Here is all I could find in a brief search:

Botanical Contraindications and Drug Interactions
By Ian Lloyd, BSc (Pharm), Chartered Herbalist

ECHINACEA
There are three species of echinacea (E. angustifolia, E. purpurea, and E. pallida) that are used medicinally. Extracts of echinacea exert several actions on the body's immune system: increasing phagocytosis, increasing production of interferon and interleukins, increased production of white blood cells and other non-specific immunostimulatory actions.3,6,7Echinacea extracts do have some direct antibacterial properties. However, this is not considered to be significant.3,7

There have been no documented cases of drug interactions with echinacea products.7 Due to its stimulation of the immune system, this botanical directly opposes the effects of immunosuppressants.7

People with allergies to daisies or sunflowers may experience mild allergic symptoms while taking echinacea products.31 It is generally considered to be contraindicated in systemic and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis,5,11 although, there is no clinical evidence or case reports to support this.7 It is considered to be contraindicated for AIDS and HIV patients because it can enhance secretion of tumor necrosis factor and alpha-interferon. This may lead to depressed CD4 cell levels and increased HIV replication.11Echinacea products are thought to be contraindicated in tuberculosis because they contain arabinagalactan constituents that may be similar to arabinagalactans found in Mycobacteria cell walls.11 These arabinagalactans are associated with the suppression of the lymphocyte response observed in tuberculosis.11 Again this evidence is considered empirical.

And this from Pub Med:
Herbal medicinals: selected clinical considerations focusing on known or potential drug-herb interactions.
Miller LG. Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo 79121, USA.

Herbal medicinals are being used by an increasing number of patients who typically do not advise their clinicians of concomitant use. Known or potential drug-herb interactions exist and should be screened for. If used beyond 8 weeks, Echinacea could cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used with other known hepatoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole. However, Echinacea lacks the 1,2 saturated necrine ring associated with hepatoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate the usefulness of feverfew in the treatment of migraine headaches. Feverfew, garlic, Ginkgo, ginger, and ginseng may alter bleeding time and should not be used concomitantly with warfarin sodium. Additionally, ginseng may cause headache, tremulousness, and manic episodes in patients treated with phenelzine sulfate. Ginseng should also not be used with estrogens or corticosteroids because of possible additive effects. Since the mechanism of action of St John wort is uncertain, concomitant use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is ill advised. Valerian should not be used concomitantly with barbiturates because excessive sedation may occur. Kyushin, licorice, plantain, uzara root, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with either digoxin pharmacodynamically or with digoxin monitoring. Evening primrose oil and borage should not be used with anticonvulsants because they may lower the seizure threshold. Shankapulshpi, an Ayurvedic preparation, may decrease phenytoin levels as well as diminish drug efficacy. Kava when used with alprazolam has resulted in coma. Immunostimulants (eg, Echinacea and zinc) should not be given with immunosuppressants (eg, corticosteroids and cyclosporine). Tannic acids present in some herbs (eg, St John wort and saw palmetto) may inhibit the absorption of iron. Kelp as a source of iodine may interfere with thyroid replacement therapies. Licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of spironolactone. Numerous herbs (eg, karela and ginseng) may affect blood glucose levels and should not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus.


Sounds like a pretty complex issue, but I'm primarily influenced by my first-hand experience. Hope this helps.

mig

Hi Peggy,

I have yet to have a cold with NSD.... actually have not really had a cold since January 1998. Eat healthy, take some supplements and I believe having AS and a ready at arms immune system precludes me from getting colds anymore.

Take care,

Tim

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it - Helen Keller

Hey Peg hope your feeling better!

I don't get many colds and I think it may be the vitamins I am on but when I do feel a cold coming on I use Zicam Homeopathic nasal gel. It's the same idea as the zinc lozenges but it will get into your system quicker and without the stomach upset that the lozenges can sometimes cause. I was amazed that Zicam worked for me as not even some of the most powerful drugs doctors had me taking would work . I don't even use it more than a day or two and my cold is gone!! Best to use it at the first sign of any symptoms.
Anyway, give it a whirl

peace
Kathy

"The most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the waters and polished to brilliance by life's strongest storms."

Thanks again Mig - i also posted on Arjan's thread re immune stimulation and colds. I'm happy taking no immune stimulants, am doubtful about so-called immune modulators and see no reason to not take immune stimulation when disease threatens or happens.

In reply to:

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There are some who claim immune-balancing properties for Echinacea, and even recommend it in auto-immune disorders. My own experience has shown that those with auto-immune disorders can benefit from Echinacea. I believe it does have such a wide range of activity it can be of benefit in different ways for these folks. Some say it can, and in a few cases has, temporarily aggravated such problems.

Avoid herbs that stimulate the immune system such as Echinacea, Zinc, Cat's claw, and olive leaf.:

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Above two portions of what's out there on Google "echinacea auto-immune". Most literature is anti, however i'd be worried about anyone telling me to not take zinc because it may be worse for me than a zinc deficiency. I take it in the winter for colds and flu with Vit C and not as a general supplement. However, i remember that Copper is antagonistic to zinc and that a copper bracelet does actually seem to work for many arthitic conditions so maybe copper absorption helps to shut down excess immune activity via lower Zinc!!?!!
It's all a big complex question and balancing act as usual.

Ted
"There are no specific diseases; just specific disease-conditions". Florence N.

I'm on LSD but when I get a cold I just take Dayquil and Nyquil. I swear by it at least one or two weeks out of the year.

My biggest problem with a cold is postnasal drip....which makes me cough/have a sore throat/feel nauseous, the whole nine yards. The Dayquil/Nyquil combination really dry up my sinuses, which basically makes me feel pretty normal.

I am not diagnosed with AS, but one thing that intrigues me is I *only* have to take Dayquil/Nyquil for a few days, and I never miss work for a cold. I am more likely to miss work from head/back pain. I just don't feel bad enough to miss when I have a cold, and usually my back/neck/TMJ pain disappears....so in some respects I actually feel better when I have a cold.

The same cold that knocks others out for days (coworkers, my mom) is just minor irritation to me. I have read that these are some markers of autoimmune issues.

Rox
SURIYAH!!!


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