Well said Prakasha...

[Guest guest]

In my opinion, there are no answers or we would all be cured. It is

like swapping recipes for what works for you and what works for me.

It is all trial and error. What works for me, others get no relief

from only side effects and vice versa. There are old and tried meds -

- mtx, plaquenil, sulfasalizine, gold injections, etc. and many new

biologics such as Enbrel, Remicade, humira, kineret, etc., and mtx

alternatives such as arava. We just have to see what works by trial

and error in addition to staying active, eating right, etc. and even

alternative from time to time may help some but not all. For

instance, I hate it when they snap you neck at the chiropractor's

office and they love to snap my neck when I go. But definitely

think the disease is being approached from the wrong angle, need more

research and research money, in the meantime symptom relief seems to

be what's available and slow down the disease but no banishing it

forever.

Best wishes to everyone just the same.

Ebony

RA 10+ years

and very bad hips for 3 years

> My diagnosis came 6 years ago. I, too, balked--big time--at taking

the

> regular meds. I embarked on a quest in alternative medicine and--

to

> make a long story short--found help that way with pain management

and

> improved health in many ways. However, the RA has continued to

> progress; perhaps its progress has been slowed a bit by the diet,

> supplements and so on; but, there's no doubt it has gotten worse.

So,

> later this month I will see a rheumatologist and at least try what

she

> recommends in the way of traditional treatment. I'll still

continue

> with my special diet and so on as additional support. It's scary,

no

> doubt; but it's also scary each time I realize a new joint has

become

> involved and that my knees and wrists are worse. :-(

>

> It's a very personal decision, and each of us must make our own

choices

> while we respect the choices of others. Our duty is to take the

best

> and most well-informed control we can over our health and

healthcare.

> I've found that the wonderful people in this group have been

invaluable

> in helping me learn and communicate so I can make decisions for

myself.

>

> So, do what *you* feel is right for your own health, keep an open

mind,

> and continue to learn everything you can about RA and its possible

> treatments.

>

> Wishing you comfort,

>

> Prakasha

>

>

> On May 1, 2006, at 7:27 PM, wrote:

>

> > Hi Lavndr..thanks for the response.

> > To make it short.........I was diagnosed with RA last September.

Was

> > on Prednisone for 2 months. Rhummy wanted me to go on Methatrex,

but i

> > balked. Went off Pred. and have tried homeopathic and acupuncture

for

> > the last 3 months. Has given some relief. But the flareups are

very

> > painful. Will be going back to Rhummy on Thur. this week and am

trying

> > to make a decision as to wether or not to do Methx. I have read a

lot

> > and have looked at some of these emails and wonder what to do.

Seems

> > even when people are on high powered drugs they still are looking

for

> > pain relief. I find that two beers in the afternoon helps me deal

with

> > the pain if Aleeve or Tynenol Arth. does not kick in.(I switch

between

> > the two). So which way to ruin my liver? Wild-K

> > [ ] Hi, I'm new here too...need insight too

> >

> >

> > I have Fibro, Lupus, and 3 bulging ervical disks (they say

from my

> > cartilage disintegrating basically). I'm seeing a pain

management

> > specialist and receiving Vitamin IV Therapy for energy, PT

for

> > trying

> > to strengthen muscles, Davrocet (not working) Tramadol (causing

> > swelling) Lunesta (still not sleeping) Skelaxin (who

knows...)

> > they're

> > considering putting me on a morphine trial pump but I'm 35 and

feel

> > I'm too young for such drastic measures, yet I'm in pain.

> > I also seem to be noticing something very wierd and would like

to

> > kow

> > if anyone has insight? I seem to be noticing that I have no

energy

> > during the day at all. NONE..an dyet I can't sleep at night.

> > However,

> > I've noticed that my energy increases after the sun sets, my

pain

> > lessens, I'm fully awake and ready to go. It's been very weird.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >