Yes, ginger and tumeric are suppose to be great! There's ginger tea as well. Garlic is suppose to work well..........I do take that. Fish Oil too. B vitamins. One thing I have yet to try but have read a lot about is taureen supplements. I have drank the occasional rock star drink and beleive it helps! Good luck! -Sarah

Hi,
I take omega 3 fatty acids - 3 grams per day. Plus folic acid, of course. Recently added DLPA. Here's some info re: omega 3s http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/71/1/349S
This was the first thing my rheumy reccommended when I was diagnosed. I also follow an anti-inflammatory diet - avoiding white flour, sugar and wheat gluten. I recently read about tumeric but haven't added that as yet. Was thinking of taking a supplement not using it in cooking.

I would rather take turmeric as a supplement vs as a spice. Ive been reading up on it and I think I will buy some of it this weekend. I do take calicum, fish oli, folic acid, a multi vitamin, pro biotic, what the heck just add another pill lol.

I take a multi, fish oil, echinachea and folic acid every day. I use lots of garlic and tumeric in my cooking. Tumeric is usually in curry powder which I put on lots of things, but I also use it alone sometimes too. I try to have ginger at least twice a week in my cooking. I also drink tulsi (holy basil) tea and green tea often. They seem to help. I also eat bee-pollen every morning which I swear by! It does ward off sickness and allergies. I should probably take additional b vitamins though...

Let's see....since my primary doc. is a naturopath and I like to treat myself as holistically as possible...

Here are the supplements I have been taking...

Zyflamend - specifically for inflammation. It has alot of different herbs, including turmeric

Ashwagandha (Ayurvedic) - it is an adaptogen. It helps with energy, *or* it can help at night for more restful sleep. I take one pill twice a day

Shatavari (also Ayurvedic)- it has a natural progesterone function to help with post-menopausal symptoms. My 'flashes' are reduced to one or two a day from dozens!

5-HTP - it helps with getting a natural, restful sleep

Vit. D drops - about 4,000mg a day

Liquid Omega-3 oil (high potency)

Vanilla flavored Calcium/Magnesium...My doc recommended that I take it at night, since studies have shown that it is better absorbed then *and* it seems to have a positive effect on relieving muscle discomfort and stiffness.

I have been taking all of these for almost a month now, and I am noticing a very positive difference overall. It might be a placebo effect (doubtful), but I am noticing that my sleep is definitely improved - deeper and generally more rested. I am not *quite* as tired during the day, and it's a huge relief not to be perspiring so much. That part was becoming a huge energy drain. I also notice that my overall stiffness/discomfort is down to about a 3 or 4 (very manageable), compared to a 7 or 8 much of the time. The stiffness in my hands is down quite a bit, although still a fair amount of swelling. Any relief is a big deal in my books. :-)

Peace all,

Jenn

I take a multi-vitamin, and Caltrate everyday. This is going to sound gross, but I take 4 cloves of garlic every morning and microwave for 45 seconds and then pour maple syrup on these and eat. I'm not sure if it is helping my RA, but I haven't been sick (with a cold or flu) in 3 years. I also drink a cup of green tea every afternoon. I'm trying to go gluten free, and I do notice that the days that I eat my wheat free/gluten free bread I do feel better. I see several people have listed folic acid--I don't take that, so I am going to look into that this week. I hope you have a great week--Shannon

Jenn mentioned Zyflamend and I also read about it on another site - but when I asked at my usual health food store the guy had never heard of it. I don't like to order things online - anyone find it locally?

My supplement is Mona Vie Juice. Is full of omega's. the acai berry, and all the benefits of that,vitamins of 19 fruits. Since I started drinking this I have been able to stop swallowing some of the supplement pills since its in the juice. More energy, and less pain pills taken. Still have to take the folic acid, but I do feel more energized, and sleep all night! That hadn't happened for about 10 years!!

Shannon, the reason why I take Folic acid and most of everyone else, is that we are taking Methotrexate and by taking the folic acid it reduces the chance of getting mouth sores from the Mtx. If Im wrong let me know people. Thanks.

I take the methotrexate but I have never been told to take Folic Acid. I take Lecuvoiran Calcuim. Also, I havent taking any "vitiman" supplements and I dont really know where to start

Thank you krisann for letting me know about the folic acid. I see my doctor tomorrow and will ask him about it. Have a great day!
Shannon

Peaceful, first off I would probably start with just a typical multi vitamin you can get anywhere. As we get older we need those vitamins we are missing. and as for women we need calicum. My reg dr had me start calicum when I was 40. So starting both of those won't hurt anything. Then you can ask your dr about the folic acid. Seems to be very common to take it with the Mtx. Now for other supplements I think its personal choice. I take the fish oil for cholesterol but I am looking into taking turmeric. Been doing some reading and my RA dr said it wouldn't hurt to try it.

Peaceful Storm - the Leucovorin is a follonic acid, so that would cover you (I take that too). I was taking Zyflamend and fishoil, but I got the worst heartburn. I couldn't take it anymore, so I stopped.

I take folic acid because of the MTX, and I also take calcium, but that's it.

Every since I found out I had RA this past May, I have started taking a lot of supplements. I was already taking a multi-vitamin but I now take vitamin D, Omega 3 fish oil, calcium/magnesium, and natural anti-inflammatory pills by Orthopedic Apothecary. The main ingredients in the anti-inflammatory pills are skullcap root, tumeric and bee pollen. When I go to my next doctor visit Ill see about adding folic acid. Due to hassles with my insurance I just started taking Arava one week ago. So far the side effects are mild with a little stomach cramping and loose stools.