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nutritionCan you give me advice about supplements and my medical condition?
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When I was younger I had a condition called Dermatomyositis which is a muscle wasting disease, I had this for the best part of 6 years and coupled with years of physio-therapy, Hydro-therapy and medication they saved my legs but my arms and upper body suffered. I am a free-runner and as much as my legs aid me, upper body strength is a critical element and I want to improve on that, so far everything I've tried has made very little if no effect at all.
I have been advised against creatine for a number of reasons both medically and personally and I have been looking for as much information about this as possible.
If you could provide any information on any of this, nay products that would help or any training methods I would be grateful.
I have been advised against creatine for a number of reasons both medically and personally and I have been looking for as much information about this as possible.
If you could provide any information on any of this, nay products that would help or any training methods I would be grateful.
By Leighton Paginton – almost 2 years ago
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Dermatomyositis is certainly not a common problem, though interestingly I treated a lady 2 weeks ago who had a combination of inflammatory myopathies.
I'll be honest, I need to do a little research here so I can give you the best answer and advice. I will be back to you by lunchtime tomorrow.
Health and Fitness Doctor
As a side note, I have an appointment with my GP for thursday so hopefully i may get some answers there also but I can only hope.
Cheers
Health and Fitness Doctor
A few more questions:
1. When was the last time you had any symptoms of dermatomyositis?
2. Do you have to take any regular medications for it?
3. Who has advised you not to use supplements?
Health and Fitness Doctor
I haven't had symptoms of dermatomyositis for a number of years now, I had it for around 6-7 years and it then went in remission, I've been advised although I seem to be past it there is always a small chance it could come back.
I had to take regular medication when I was suffering from it and can provide a list if need be but not any more.
I haven't been advised against supplements, I have been advised against Creatine only, mainly for personal reasons from my mother. The medical side of things I am not 100% sure of as I have seen some articles online that have had some information about dermatomyositis that prevents the body from processing Creatine? Whether there is any truth in this I have no clue.
Also sorry for the late reply.
Thanks
Leighton.
I'm very sorry for the delayed response. Check this out.
Arthritis Rheum. 2007 May 15;57(4):694-702.
Creatine supplements in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies who are clinically weak after conventional pharmacologic treatment: Six-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Chung YL, Alexanderson H, Pipitone N, Morrison C, Dastmalchi M, Ståhl-Hallengren C, Richards S, Thomas EL, Hamilton G, Bell JD, Lundberg IE, Scott DL.
Source
King's College London School of Medicine, and the MRC Clinical Science Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To test the hypothesis that oral creatine supplements with exercise are more effective than exercise alone in improving muscle function in patients with established dermatomyositis or polymyositis receiving chronic medical therapies who are clinically weak yet stable.
METHODS:
In a 6-month, 2-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, patients were randomized to receive oral creatine supplements (8 days, 20 gm/day then 3 gm/day) or placebo. All patients followed a home exercise program. The primary outcome was aggregate functional performance time (AFPT), reflecting the ability to undertake high-intensity exercise. Secondary outcomes included a functional index measuring endurance and muscle bioenergetics on (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS). Patients were receiving stable immunosuppressive treatment and/or corticosteroids.
RESULTS:
A total of 37 patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis were randomized (19 to creatine, 18 to placebo); 29 completed 6 months. Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated that AFPT improved significantly at 6 months with creatine (median decrease 13%, range -32-8%) compared with placebo (median decrease 3%, range -13-16%; P = 0.029 by Mann-Whitney U test). A completer analysis also showed significant benefits from creatine (P = 0.014). The functional index improved significantly with both creatine and placebo (P
CONCLUSION:
Oral creatine supplements combined with home exercises improve functional performance without significant adverse effects in patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis. They appear safe, effective, and inexpensive.
So this would imply that creatine supplementation IS safe even with active dermatomyositis based on the research. I hope this helps!
Health and Fitness Doctor