Rheumatoid arthritis - anyone try alternative remedies?

[swbsam]

My mom is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and has tried most every conventional therapy. Her last option is an immune system lowering treatment that has a risk of fatality and a long list of side effects, so I'm looking for some alternative remedies to suggest to her, so that she can give it a try before opting for the dangerous procedure.

Anyone have any experiences with acupuncture or other holistic remedies? She will, of course, continue to take her regimen of pills and will continue seeing specialists, I'm just looking for ideas and not medical advice.

Thanks

 

[mcmilljb]

Acupuncture could probably help with the pain. I responded well to Methotrexate as far treating the disease itself. You really need to find a good Rheumatologist. That's the hard part because there aren't many of them.

 

[Pepsei]

in japan, they soak in hot springs, it supposely help with the pain too.

 

[Red Irish]

Marijuana (not trying to be funny):

http://www.medical-marijuana-t...-medical-marijuana.htm

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4560

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: Red Irish
Marijuana (not trying to be funny):

http://www.medical-marijuana-t...-medical-marijuana.htm

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=4560

That's really funny - I joked to my wife that we should just bake my mom some "special" brownies, for when she's having an especially bad attack...

 

[SlowSpyder]

My buddy's wife has RA, it's not a 'natural' type remedy, but she takes Humira. According to her it is a miracle drug. It's pretty pricey though.

 

[AreaCode707]

Rheumatoid arthritis since age 17 here.

She could try cutting out nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, etc) from her diet; that tends to be one of the more scientifically supported things to try. I've heard of people cutting gluten or dairy from their diets with good success too, although I'm more inclined to consider that a placebo effect. Glucosamine and fish oil are generally good for joints. They won't magically make it go away but could provide a little relief or less damage in the long term.

There are MILLION scam holistic remedies for arthritis, most of which won't do jack. Don't jump on those too fast; they offer a roller coaster of hope and disappointment that will wear you out really fast.

I would guess that the treatment she's being offered is something like metholtrexate, right? The description you provided could really fit nearly any RA treatment; since RA is an autoimmune disorder all functional treatments suppress the immune system to some degree. That's what you want. I remember reading "sudden death" as a side effect on the mtx warning and thinking, "isn't that more of a main effect?"

She shouldn't be afraid of the medical treatments they're offering. Methotrexate and naproxyn really got me back on track, able to use my hands and walk without a limp again. I'm on Enbrel now (same class of drugs as Humira, as mentioned by SlowSpyder) and I LOVE it. Yeah, the side effects lists of these drugs look a little scary, but honestly it's not anywhere near as bad as the disease itself and they can be really effective.

[edit] For you mj fans, there's not much that mj would actually do in this situation. Save it for the folks that really need it.

 

[Ns1]

medical marijuana

i am 100% serious if you are in Cali


PM me for info

 

[waggy]

wish more states did Medical MJ. seems a good thing for those in chronic pain

hell as it is they are cracking down on even giving pain medication to many in Chronic pain.there was (think still is) a major shortage of ocxycodone on the market.


its amazing how the "war" on drugs is hurting people who need some of it.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Ns1
medical marijuana

i am 100% serious if you are in Cali


PM me for info

If someone had a medical marijuana prescription they can get it filled without PMing you.

:| You selling your illegally-grown pot is what is fucking my county over with illegal pot farms and armed guards defending random sections of forest. Go campaign to make it legal and then sell all you want but stop fucking over my home (literally; the house I grew up in foreclosed on the new owners recently and some pro organization moved into MY barn and set up a grow shop :|) with your illegal crap.

For the record, I'm pro legalization (for tax purposes, not personal use) and pro medical use, but my home is being ruined by the criminal organizations that are supplying pot to small time dealers like you.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Ns1
medical marijuana

i am 100% serious if you are in Cali


PM me for info

If someone had a medical marijuana prescription they can get it filled without PMing you.

:| You selling your illegally-grown pot is what is fucking my county over with illegal pot farms and armed guards defending random sections of forest. Go campaign to make it legal and then sell all you want but stop fucking over my home (literally; the house I grew up in foreclosed on the new owners recently and some pro organization moved into MY barn and set up a grow shop :|) with your illegal crap.

...what?



I wanted to give him info on prop 215 and SB420, as well as personal experiences with my GF on MMJ, but kudos for you for that rant! Really, it was quite spectacular.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Ns1
medical marijuana

i am 100% serious if you are in Cali


PM me for info

If someone had a medical marijuana prescription they can get it filled without PMing you.

:| You selling your illegally-grown pot is what is fucking my county over with illegal pot farms and armed guards defending random sections of forest. Go campaign to make it legal and then sell all you want but stop fucking over my home (literally; the house I grew up in foreclosed on the new owners recently and some pro organization moved into MY barn and set up a grow shop :|) with your illegal crap.

...what?



I wanted to give him info on prop 215 and SB420, as well as personal experiences with my GF on MMJ, but kudos for you for that rant! Really, it was quite spectacular.

Ok, I owe you an apology then. I interpreted your post as trying to solicit some new customers online, going around the actual medi marijuana laws. I'm sorry!

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Ok, I owe you an apology then. I interpreted your post as trying to solicit some new customers online, going around the actual medi marijuana laws. I'm sorry!

Fair enough

:beer:

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
Ok, I owe you an apology then. I interpreted your post as trying to solicit some new customers online, going around the actual medi marijuana laws. I'm sorry!

Fair enough

:beer:

:wine:

 

[IGBT]

might try fishoil caps. fishoil reduces inflamation. many arthritis suffers report great results with none of the side effects of drug pain killers..which over time contribute to the problem.

 

[Mo0o]

Talk to a good rheumatologist. Most holistic medicine treatments are bogus and mostly work via placebo effect. You might get transient pain relief but it doenst last. Feel free to try it out but not eschew real medicine

 

[mrrman]

my friend takes Limu( some kind of herbal drink), also goes in a sauna( infared type)I think thats the terminology...it helps her

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: mrrman
my friend takes Limu( some kind of herbal drink), also goes in a sauna( infared type)I think thats the terminology...it helps her

Seriously not trying to be a dick here, but these are very good examples of marketing over science, as a few folks here have warned about.

Limu is a seaweed-based drink that touts benefits not only for arthritis but also cancer, heart disease and diabetes, all from a secret that the natives of Tonga have known for thousands of years!

Infrared saunas supposedly purify and detox you, ridding your body of all the toxins that cause joint pain, and helps you lose weight, boosts immune system, increase circulation, and keep a clear complexion as side effects! (Hint: toxins do not cause rheumatoid arthritis, an overactive immune system that attacks the joints causes it.)

Always talk to your doctor about the health benefits of anything like this before you dive into it; you'll save yourself a lot of money, time and heartache. There are some good natural ways of controlling RA, like through diet and exercise, but there isn't a magical supplement out there that your doctor is hiding from you.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Most herbal and alternative remedies are overrated.
Don't waste your time with them.