Hi Members,
I recently went to a health professional continuing education conference of which the topic was the immune system, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. When it came to the autoimmune diseases there was not much on sjogren's. However, I did learn that those of us with driness should NOT be using ginseng. Ginseng increases or boosts the amount of IgA antibodies. This means that there will be more antibodies to attack your moisture producing glands! Especially in the eyes. According to Web MD:
"IgA antibodies are found in areas of the body such the nose, breathing passages, digestive tract, ears, eyes, and vagina. IgA antibodies protect body surfaces that are exposed to outside foreign substances. This type of antibody is also found in saliva, tears, and blood..."
As you can see it can possibly cause all around driness, SO PLEASE AVOID GINSENG! Please get your energy boost another way :)
ps. I posted that there is a blurb about increased prolactin (lactation hormone) causing flares in sjogren's patients in the Sjogren's syndrome foundation handbook. But it is just a blurb so if you are breastfeeding and suffering greatly with symptoms you might want to research or contact them for more information:
Sj?gren's Syndrome Foundation
6707 Democracy Boulevard
Suite 325
Bethesda, MD 20817
Toll Free: (800) 475-6473
Local call: (301) 530-4420
Fax: (301) 530-4415
I plan to call tomorrow. I will post whatever info I get.
Nur
Now if this don't beat all! I just went to the doctor two days ago for flare of exhaustion and what do you think he gave me?? GINSENG!!!!!!!!!! SO THAT WAS ANOTHER WASTED, TIME CONSUMING VISIT??????? You know what, that's why sometimes I just keep my behind home and wait these things out! I can't take going back and forward sitting for 3-4 hrs. in that freeing office when I am totally exhausted! I WANTED another B12 shot in the first place.
Anyone with an autoimmune disease and LOW counts of IgA aren't affected by the IgA mediation of gensing, and may actually benefit.
It really pays to have testing for immunoglobulins to see exactly where you stand with the various counts, exactly because of the specific actions of some drugs and supplements.
Totally agree with you Bernice. Mine won't even give B-12
Good point Linda! I'm going to have to chat with the rheumy about it the next time I see him.
Patze
Probably a stupid question, but what is lgA? My rhuematologist names off a lot of stuff (SSb, SSa, compliment, white cell count) but that's not one I heard before.
What does the B-12 do?? My dr just checked mine and I didn't ask why. It was fine so I never pursued it but now I'm curious.
Voiceteacher
Johnson, IgA is one of the immunoglobulin complexes, and is the main immunoglobulin found in mucous secretions, including tears, saliva, colostrum and secretions from the genito-urinary tract, gastrointestinal tractprostate and respiratory epithelium. It is also found in small amounts in blood. You can see it can be an important part of the immune response in SjS.
Voiceteacher, vitamin B12 plays a part in nerve health, and is a common test for neurologists to suggest in early neuropathy, to see if the condition is simply a deficiency of the vitamin, and as a result, easily treated.