I need advice on RA Drugs and Natural Therapy

[Guest guest]

Hello. I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA when I was 6. I had a

few years of remission for the past 8 years or so and now it's back again.

I am not wanting to go on big side effect drugs like Methotrexate or

Prednisone and I am thinking about seeking Natural Therapy. I live in CT

and I was wondering if anyone had any luck with Natural Therapies and if any

of you might know of a good Dr.

Also has anyone ever tried Ayurvedic Medicine? This is a process of

cleansing the body of toxins through diet, etc.

I am so stressed out! I don't know whether to continue on the side-effect

path or venture down the new holistic approach? My flare right now is bad,

but there are better days. Mostly lots of stiffness and joint pain in my

hands, fingers, knees, & elbows.

Also, I am having issues with anti-inflammatory medication. I am currently

taking 500mg twice a day of Dolobid. It doesn't seem to be working that

well for me anymore. I am having trouble finding a new anti-inflammatory

that does not have lactose as an ingredient. I am also lactose intolerant,

so I cannot have a pill that has lactose in it. For those of you who don't

know, lactose is used in many pills that are time released, to keep them

together. Does anyone know of any newer anti-inflammatory meds. that may be

lactose free?

Any help that any of you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and

well wishes to all.

Vicki

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[Guest guest]

Vicki, I have heard of good things from natural therapies for some people with RA but all medical studies that I have heard of say there is no single diet that will help everyone with RA. Some benefit from one diet, others from another diet, and some get no benefit from diet changes. (The same thing is true for RA medicines.) Uncontrolled RA will almost always lead to deformity while many people have no bad side effects of drugs and most bad side effects are reversed when the medicines are stopped. Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory but not a DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug) that slows or stops joint damage. Prednisone is often used for temporary relief until the proper DMARD can be found and becomes effective. Prednisone usually acts promptly (a day or so usually) while most DMARDS take longer (several weeks to several months). I hope you consider the possibility of permanent joint damage with untreated RA and take appropriate action. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: Vicki Gagliardi

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2003 12:40 PM

Subject: I need advice on RA Drugs and Natural Therapy

Hello. I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with RA when I was 6. I had a few years of remission for the past 8 years or so and now it's back again. I am not wanting to go on big side effect drugs like Methotrexate or Prednisone and I am thinking about seeking Natural Therapy. I live in CT and I was wondering if anyone had any luck with Natural Therapies and if any of you might know of a good Dr.Also has anyone ever tried Ayurvedic Medicine? This is a process of cleansing the body of toxins through diet, etc.I am so stressed out! I don't know whether to continue on the side-effect path or venture down the new holistic approach? My flare right now is bad, but there are better days. Mostly lots of stiffness and joint pain in my hands, fingers, knees, & elbows.Also, I am having issues with anti-inflammatory medication. I am currently taking 500mg twice a day of Dolobid. It doesn't seem to be working that well for me anymore. I am having trouble finding a new anti-inflammatory that does not have lactose as an ingredient. I am also lactose intolerant, so I cannot have a pill that has lactose in it. For those of you who don't know, lactose is used in many pills that are time released, to keep them together. Does anyone know of any newer anti-inflammatory meds. that may be lactose free?Any help that any of you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and well wishes to all.Vicki_________________________________________________________________MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus