How To Deal With Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis

just loving these double posts tonight....

sorry.

reply to post by Akragon


Yes! I left that out of my post but I agree with you one thousand percent. It definitely helps the pain.

reply to post by speculativeoptimist

I don't think Celebrex is a good idea. I quit because of the bleeding ulcers it caused. And prednisone is a steroid, right?

I've heard that the natural herb skullcap is a natural anti-inflammatory and is also good for digestion and is calming. I'm going to buy some soon, for my own medical condition, which is similar.

Also, thanks to autowrench, I will be trying the WD-40!

speculativeoptimist, I hope your mom feels better soon. It's so hard to live with the pain. Blessings to her.

reply to post by FissionSurplus


Wow, thanks FS, that is what I was hoping for here. It seems like she would really benefit from a transformative lifestyle change, including diet, exercise and supplementation. I think I will put a plan together will all these suggestions thus far.

Again thank you for both suggestions and well wishes
spec

reply to post by imalitehaus


Thanks for the kind words and yes, she is on both Celebrex and steroids. She is down with trying other options, but I don't think she is going to drop the pharmies yet. Hopefully some of the suggestions in this thread will serve as an alternative or complimentary approach, and she can discuss the progress with her doctor, and ultimately abandon the pharmies. Wouldn't that be nice?

spec

Sorry to hear she is in so much pain. My mother suffers/ed from RA as well. She began taking Humira and all advancing stopped. No on going pain either!!! It is amazing she no longer is taking pain meds. She still has many fingers that are frozen which occurred in her thirtys. She had/has psoriasis RA. She was covered 85% of her body, since taking Humira shots its all, let me repeat, completely gone! My suggestion is take her to a Rheumatoid specialist, her GP can refer her to a respected dr. I don't recommend taking advice like this over the internet without further discussion with doctor. So be real careful with supplement and allergies etc.

reply to post by SunflowerStar


She does have a Rheumatoid specialist, and I will ask her about Humira. Is it the RA or psoriasis that is 'completley' gone? How are her fingers now, have they gotten better?

I don't recommend taking advice like this over the internet without further discussion with doctor. So be real careful with supplement and allergies etc.

Good advice and I have taken this into consideration for sure. I just wanted to hear of direct experience with this ailment and what has worked for some here. But yes, your point is paramount.

Thank you for the input.
spec

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


My aunt has been dealing with severe arthritis for years. It's seems to be an auto-immune syndrome, so she takes methotrexate (sp?). It has been been working for for the last 10 years and she is fully mobile. She has to get blood tests once a month to make sure she isn't getting liver damage, but hey, a little blood loss is worth the mobility. I've seen her when she has missed her shots, her fingers start "curling"and it is painful from what she says. Methotrexate is an immuno suppressant from what I have read, it apparently "resets" the immune system. Hope this helps.

A Link Here

Cheers - Dave

reply to post by bobs_uruncle

Thank you Dave, I have not heard of that but will look into it. It is a horrible affliction and I swear it accelerates the overall aging process. I hope your aunt stays ahead of her arthritis.

Peace,
spec

reply to post by speculativeoptimist

Her psoriasis is completely gone which is part of the RA. Its auto immune directly linked to RA. She also takes methotrixate (sp). As far as her fingers there is no more pain or advancing, but the damage is done doesnt go away. The pain she experienced was through RA advancement of the condition. So the deformity remains, just doesn't hurt anymore. She self administer a tiny needle every two weeks. She is 76 yrs old and get around better now than when I was growing up. Hers started in her early twenties, so she has decades of damage. But her skin and nails look incredible now. Since the results are so tangible she never misses a dose. I hope this helps.

Topical treatment she could have a go using arnica gel.

Just needed to add, if one takes methatrixate, it is imperative to take folic acid supplement. Also the arnica gel is a good topical, its over the counter and found in most health sections. So agreed with prev post, good add, by the way.

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


I've had some luck with shoulder pain relief by drinking tart cherry juice. I was amazed, it worked almost the first day I tried it.

Tart Cherry Health Benefits

Research continues on the extraordinary health benefits of tart cherries. Emerging evidence suggests Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate:

• Contains Natural Melatonin, which helps maintain Healthy/Normal Sleep Cycles*
• Supports Healthy Joint Function*
• Supports Healthy Cardiovascular Function*

Tart Cherry Juice

Here's another article on the stuff. The Health Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice

You can pick up a bottle at Wegman's or maybe a natural foods mart to see if it helps. Its a bit pricy, about $5-$10 for a 32 oz bottle. I found you can buy it in bulk from the Sam's Club website (its not in the stores in my area) for a lot cheaper 8 46 oz bottles for about $22.

It beats trying some weird drug but, you have to get used to the taste. It tastes like drinking cherry pie filling. Very sour and bitter. They don't call it "tart" cherry for nothing.

reply to post by Suspiria

Thanks Suspiria

reply to post by SunflowerStar

Thanks for the clarification SS

reply to post by FortAnthem

Very interesting FA, I have not heard of this and will give it a try. Thank you

I am really pleased with the responses guys. I knew some folks here had some kind of experience with this affliction, and I appreciate the responses. My mother has an appointment later this week with her RA specialists, and I look forward to the doc's input on some of these suggestions.

Peace,
spec

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


Greetings, speculativeoptimist,

Firstly, my upmost best to your mother. Mine is in the same boat, for the last 12 months her RA has been getting worse, and it beginning to cripple her. It breaks my heart to see, as I'm sure many of you can understand.

I would like to thank all of your for your contributions to this thread - my mother has always been a fighter, an alternative finder, and IMO is the most brilliant woman I have ever known She has tried a couple of the methods I have read here, so I know many of you are on the right track.

I understand that at one point she was rubbing some oil on her wrists and knees, mixed with TURMERIC (I read somewhere on ATS that this was speculated to have cancer-fighting properties, so why not suggest it?). I will find further details of her remedy ro forward to you all, but I can tell you that after about an hour of the mix being applied, wrapped in cling-wrap, and rested, she reported movement restoring. NOTE! The Turmeric cause severe staining of her skin - she had orange patches on her arm for about a week! But, she saw the humor in it, bless. :]

The WD-40 suggestion is surprising, I will surely forward this to her! Mind you, she has always been quite sensitive to petrochemicals (exhaust fumes, paints, the cleaning-aisle at stores); the smell of which often leaves her with migraines, and fatigue... [Does anybody know anything related to this, off topic?].

Finally, I would like to share with you all her remedy to the greatest success against RA she has been having. Although dire, it does make a lot of sense.

--- FASTING ---

For periods of 4 or 5 days, my mother will not eat. Plenty of WATER, but no food. She explains that after the hurtle of the first couple of days, it becomes not too bad. After the fasting has flushed all the crap out her body, she really does seem so much better - as if back to normal. It is an extreme measure to restore quality of life, but it really does show that DIET can affect so much.

I cannot see at the moment who posted it, but someone earlier mentioned NIGHTSHADES - this is one she has already picked up on, in conjunction with WHEAT and GLUTEN - all these things seem to flare her RA right back up, so she is starting to ear organic, and certain food groups at a time to try and narrow down the main culprits.

My best wishes to you and all of yours. The human spirit is strong. Be there for those who are suffering; your ears and your heart will be a stronger aide than you can imagine.

P+L
-derp.

You and your mother need to get on a serious RA med like enbrel or humera. i can't believe her doctor is only treating her with celebrex, that barely works on OA. Especially if she is showing joint damage. He is going off a very old treatment.

RA is a very progressive disease, that breaks down your joints as a result of an immune response. A diet or rubbing your hands with peanut oil isn't going to help it.

The only diet that may help would be a diet to help neutralize your bodie's acidity levels.