Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Hi, I can give you the name of a book I got which I find helpful for alternatives if it's ok with Bev to post it. I would advise you to see a rheumatologist though as you may need aggressive treatment. I have had RA for almost 20 years now. Lynne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 In a message dated 8/2/04 5:23:10 PM, caittanner@... writes: Unfortunately, you may need the agressive treatment that Lynne talked about because RA is a disease that destroys tissue over time...and the goal of treatment is to retard the progress of the destruction. Good advice. Sometimes drugs, with all their side effects, are a better alternative than being crippled, in pain, and having to rely on others for simple chores. There ARE drugs that can apparently halt the damage.....to not take advantage of them, and allow this potentially horrible disease to destroy your qualaity of life is a step that you might ultimately regret. See a specialist and do not make assumptions. Pris Bored pig? ANY age pig can learn tricks and obedience the EASY way! Or, even become a star. "Potbellied Pig Behavior and Training" book www.valentinesperformingpigs.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 I recommend www.alternativemedicine.com and www.rheumatic.org sites. I have fought RA for 7 years and the last year or so now down to just anti-inflammatory and occasional antibiotic. I am very careful what I eat, take a lot of vitamin C, fish oil, and acidophilus. Good luck and God bless, Kay ----- Original Message ----- From: " katphisch " <katphisch@...> <Rheumatoid Arthritis > Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 5:32 PM Subject: Newbie > Hi. I have had arthritis symptoms for about two years. My md has > confirmed the rheumatoid factor in my blood test. I was wondering > where to go to find reliable, tested alternative therapies. I can > not take most drugs. Thanks for any info, you can send me. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Another board I follow has information on Diet and Nutrition, Antibiotic Threapy, and Chinese Medicine including Acupunctue. Most people on the board are on traditional Western medicine but a few are having good luck with the alternative therapies. The board is at arthritisinsight.com and if you want more information you can e-mail me and I'll probably give you more information than you really want. God bless. hvantuyl@... ----- Original Message ----- From: katphisch Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, August 01, 2004 3:32 PM Subject: Newbie Hi. I have had arthritis symptoms for about two years. My md has confirmed the rheumatoid factor in my blood test. I was wondering where to go to find reliable, tested alternative therapies. I can not take most drugs. Thanks for any info, you can send me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Hi Group, I am new to this group and of course I have questions regarding RA. My blood work had a positve ANA three times and the fourth time negative, all other tests were negative except Sed rate was slightly elevated. I had a bone scan and that showed inflammation. I have a boney growth on my left ankle and a swollen right ankle and my fingers, wrists, and elbows hurt all the time. I have also been diagnoised with fibromyalgia with lots of muscle pain. The doctor put me on a 3 week dose of predisone and then put me on a 400 mg dose of Plaquinil. My question is, my internal medicine doctor says I have inflammatory arthritis and my rheumatologist has not given me a dx. I am really up in the air about what I have and would like to know what I am dealing with. Has anyone else had this problem of being diagnoised? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 In a message dated 9/3/2004 10:10:47 AM Central Standard Time, sjtoulouse@... writes: Has anyone else had this problem of being diagnoised? My GP doc did a Sed rate test which came back at a 75, and referred me to the Rheumy. I had had several x-rays of my hands and my right knee, but a couple of docs who looked at them said the x-rays looked good. The Rheumy took a bunch of blood work, said he thought it was Reactive Arthritis (no such luck) and put me on Prednisone right away. When I went back he said almost all of the tests came back fine, except for one, which to him determined - along with my symptoms and swollen hands and feet - that I have RA, then out me on MTX and to taper off of Prednisone. (I don't remember the name of the test! It must have been the RA Factor though! I plan to ask him again when I see him this Tuesday) I was suppose to have cut down to 1/2 a tab of Prednisone by now, but I am having pain at 10 mgs now, so I called the nurse 3 weeks ago and she said to up the MTX to 6 pills and stay at 10 mg of Pred. til I am seen again. So far I have been on the Prednisone for a little over 2 months now. Recent blood tests came back yesterday, my iron is a little low and my White Blood Cells (WBC) is high - Rheumy said it was from the Prednisone. It will be interesting to find out what happens next when I go in again in 3 days. I am still in a bit of denial about the diagnosis, and one that came so quickly after I saw the Rheumy. I am famous for catching strange illnesses. I've probably had some things you folks have never heard of. ; ) Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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