Re: sister recently diagnosed with RA

[Guest guest]

I think rheumatoid arthritis is really a family of diseases instead of a single disease. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. Even the best rheumatoid arthritis drugs only help about 2/3 of the people but another arthritis drug may help those that the best drug does not help. I'm on Methotrexate and Remicade, and reasonably well controlled. Other people get a lot of relief from diet, but a diet that works for one person may be quite different rom the diet that helps another person. My approach is to have a generally healthy diet (sort of like the Mediterranean diet) and use the medicines that work best for me. Unfortunately I think rheumatoid arthritis is a matter of trial and error. The important thing is to get aggressive treatment to control the disease before permanent joint damage occurs. I can't answer your specific concerns but I hope this helps some. Thanks for trying to find out things for your sister. God bless both of you and good luck.

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

From: crysk_68

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 11:20 AM

Subject: sister recently diagnosed with RA

Hi everyone. My name is Crystal. My sisters been diagnosed with RA. She's young and a mom of 2 young kids. Other than prayer, I'm at a loss for what to do for her. I've been scouring the web for information...something that might help her besides just the meds she's on...and no, I don't know what they are at this time.I checked out the "alternative" support groups too but they sound a bit too alternative for me.Is there something that she could be doing/taking in conjunction with her meds? I found something about plain Knox gelatin (including Knox Nutrajoint) but I'm skeptical. Has anyone here ever heard or tried it before? Was there any relief/improvement? There really are no true scientific studies on it just testimonials and sites that talk about scams.Also...Calorad. I know it's touted as a weight-loss formula (which may or may not be true) but I have heard from at least one person that it has helped them with their RA (pain). But, I don't want to go on just the testimony of one person. Has anyone here heard of it/tried it specifically for RA? Is it bogus or has it offered relief?I feel I must say that it is not my intention to mislead anyone with this post. I am not promoting anything. I would hate for anyone to read this post and think that there is a miracle cure/relief. I am just trying to find out if what I've run across is helpful. Yeah, maybe I am grasping at straws myself, but she's my sister. Thank you, Crystal

[Guest guest]

Hi Crystal,

Your concern for your sister is a wonderful thing. I would advise you

to not present her with too much information about alternatives right

now, because (speaking from experience) she will probably get a lot

of that and it can be very, very overwhelming. In my opinion, and I'm

somebody that takes supplements, gets regular massage, acupuncture,

and chiropractic care, eats a brown rice and vegies-type diet, does

yoga, etc., her best bet is a good rheumatologist. Time is of the

essence in the treatment of RA, and disease modifying anti-rheumatic

drugs (DMARDS)can prevent joint destruction if started early. I never

thought I'd become a proponent of mainstream medical care, but here I

am!

Perhaps the best way you could help would be to watch the kids so she

can take naps. Bring meals. Listen to her. Give lots of hugs.

Sierra

> Hi everyone. My name is Crystal. My sisters been diagnosed with

> RA. She's young and a mom of 2 young kids. Other than prayer, I'm

> at a loss for what to do for her. I've been scouring the web for

> information...something that might help her besides just the meds

> she's on...and no, I don't know what they are at this time.

> I checked out the " alternative " support groups too but they sound a

> bit too alternative for me.

> Is there something that she could be doing/taking in conjunction

> with her meds? I found something about plain Knox gelatin

> (including Knox Nutrajoint) but I'm skeptical. Has anyone here

ever

> heard or tried it before? Was there any relief/improvement? There

> really are no true scientific studies on it just testimonials and

> sites that talk about scams.

> Also...Calorad. I know it's touted as a weight-loss formula (which

> may or may not be true) but I have heard from at least one person

> that it has helped them with their RA (pain). But, I don't want to

> go on just the testimony of one person. Has anyone here heard of

> it/tried it specifically for RA? Is it bogus or has it offered

> relief?

> I feel I must say that it is not my intention to mislead anyone

with

> this post. I am not promoting anything. I would hate for anyone

to

> read this post and think that there is a miracle cure/relief. I am

> just trying to find out if what I've run across is helpful. Yeah,

> maybe I am grasping at straws myself, but she's my sister.

> Thank you, Crystal

[Guest guest]

Crystal,

I have tried many drugs and now using supplements - chicken cartilage (where your gelatin idea comes in), fish oil, and vitamin C. After so many drugs, I feel closer to normal on these supplements. There IS scientific study about the chicken cartilage. My doc is alternative and the chicken cartilage is called Rheumashield that helped so much with joint pain. I got relief very quickly. Don't get me wrong. It might not work for everybody. I also take 5,000 mg. of vitamin C every day and that is a lot of vitamin C. I think fish oil helps also. I am also very careful what I eat -- no sugar, no milk, no wheat, no fried food, more veggies, brown rice, chicken and fish either baked or broiled or grilled. Drink plenty water, too.

Glad you are trying to help... Yes, good advice about helping with kids so sister can nap. She needs to get the inflammation under control for sure. That will enable her to feel better. Do what you must to get swelling and inflammation under control for starters.

Best of luck,

Kay

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

From: crysk_68

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 1:20 PM

Subject: sister recently diagnosed with RA

Hi everyone. My name is Crystal. My sisters been diagnosed with RA. She's young and a mom of 2 young kids. Other than prayer, I'm at a loss for what to do for her. I've been scouring the web for information...something that might help her besides just the meds she's on...and no, I don't know what they are at this time.I checked out the "alternative" support groups too but they sound a bit too alternative for me.Is there something that she could be doing/taking in conjunction with her meds? I found something about plain Knox gelatin (including Knox Nutrajoint) but I'm skeptical. Has anyone here ever heard or tried it before? Was there any relief/improvement? There really are no true scientific studies on it just testimonials and sites that talk about scams.Also...Calorad. I know it's touted as a weight-loss formula (which may or may not be true) but I have heard from at least one person that it has helped them with their RA (pain). But, I don't want to go on just the testimony of one person. Has anyone here heard of it/tried it specifically for RA? Is it bogus or has it offered relief?I feel I must say that it is not my intention to mislead anyone with this post. I am not promoting anything. I would hate for anyone to read this post and think that there is a miracle cure/relief. I am just trying to find out if what I've run across is helpful. Yeah, maybe I am grasping at straws myself, but she's my sister. Thank you, Crystal