Alternative meds | Arthritis Information

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My brother who is very new age loves me very much.  He does not believe in traditional medication.  Since I am only on pain killers - they have been cut in more than half since I lost my good insurance - I only take percocet 4x a day and half the amount and prednisone.  My condition has accelerated rapidly.

 
My brother bought me a very expensive package of herbs and vitamins and other alternative treatments he wants me to try.  I figure if there is a time to try them - it is now.  The big thing is they are supposed to alkaline your ph.  My bro also says they boost the immune system but I do not know if that is for him personally and it could be harmful.  Anyway I want to try and promised my brother I would try it a month following directions strigently.  I do not know the name of the program but will tell you when I get it in the mail.
 
So I am just wondering how many of you are on a program such as this - to make your body more alkaline and take a lot of herbs, vitamins, cleansing, etc. 
 
Also, since I am only on pred., antidepressants, Lyrica and percocet - does anyone think it can hurt me.
 
I am here for information not pity.  I do appreciate the compassion, knowledge, and understanding I have received since coming back for questions I have. 
 
Again - if you can resist - try not to attack and just ignore me.  I really am trying to figure out what I can do in my situation and this place is the only place I have ever felt at home and it has been a consistant source of info and support for me from the beginning. 
I think that when you get the details of this prgram you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.   My understanding is that you don't really want to boost your immune system when you have RA.  Post what you find out, K?Yeah... I do not think we are to boost our immune system, like Link-a-doodle stated.
 
Oh and maybe you can ask about Minocin when you go back to your RD if he does not think retrying enbrel will help you. And it might help you... since you might have lymes.
I just got this article from my brother.  It makes me very excited about trying this program.
 
Lynn,  MY Rd as many doctors totally smirks at herbs and alternative medicine.  My gp too so that will do no good.
 
Thanks for the minocine suggestion Joonie.  I have taken every possible test, very expensive out of my pocket, to rule out Lymes.  It is pretty conclusive I do not have Lymes.
I hope some of you find this interesting.  I did.  I am excited to try this program.  I am sorry when I pasted it, it came out wierd in places but I am not computer savvy enough to fix it. 
 
Alkalinity

We live and die at the cellular level. All the cells (billions of them) that make up the human body are slightly alkaline, and must maintain alkalinity in order to function and remain healthy and alive. However their cellular activity creates acid and this acid is what gives the cell energy and function. As each alkaline cell performs its task of respiration, it secretes metabolic wastes, and these end products of cellular metabolism are acid in nature. Although these wastes are used for energy and function, they must not be allowed to build up. One example of this is the often painful lactic acid which is created through exercise. The body will go to great lengths to neutralize and detoxify these acids before they act as poisons in and around the cell, ultimately changing the environment of the cell. Most people and clinical practitioners believe the immune system is the body's first line of defense, but in actuality it is not. It is very important, but more like a very sophisticated clean-up service. We must instead look at the importance of pH balance as the first and major line of defense against sickness and disease and for health and vitality.

The human body is very intelligent. As we become more and more acidic the body starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acid from entering our vital organs. It is known that acid gets stored in fat cells. After all, if the acid does come into contact with an organ the acid has a chance to eat holes in the tissue. This may cause the cells to mutate. The oxygen level drops in this acidic environment and calcium begins to be depleted. So as a defense mechanism, your body may actually make fat to protect you from your overly-acidic self. Those fat cells and cellulite deposits may actually be packing up the acid and trying to keep it a safe distance from your organs. The fat may be saving your vital organs from damage. Many people have found that a return to a healthy inner biological terrain helps them to lose excess fat.

Benefits of Alkalinity

Today's lifestyle causes a multitude of disorders and malfunctions in the metabolism of our bodies. Despite the efforts of the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, our food supply, drinking water, air and soil are becoming increasingly contaminated with toxic chemicals. Never before has the human body been presented with such a heavy burden of foreign substances to metabolize and eliminate thus taxing the body beyond its natural capabilities of detoxification.

Many people just don't feel good anymore. Some find themselves being much more susceptible to colds, or to whatever "bug" is currently going around. Much more serious are the increasing cases of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. "Health" and "wellness" have become relative terms.

Low-level toxicity from many sources can be very difficult to detect. The combined action of all these toxins creates a "toxic cocktail" effect which can seriously weaken the body and the mind through a process we call "fermentation" or the over-acidification of the blood and tissue as a result of the proliferation of yeast, fungus, and bacteria.

Yeast and fungus are single cell life forms which inhabit the air, soil, water, and many of the foods we eat. They are more highly developed than the intermediate states of bacteria or the early stages of viruses. Over the years, they have developed into over 500,000 different species. They are opportunists and survivalists. They are constantly looking for new places to house themselves where they may begin to colonize and proliferate. Being that they are single cell life forms, they can only be seen under a microscope but once colonized, these cells make a visible presence in the form of mushrooms, and molds on food.

Yeast, fungus, bacteria, mold, and viruses tend to house themselves in very specific sites in the body, depending on their particular requirements for nutrients and colonization conditions. All are capable of causing severe fermentation through the by-products of their metabolism, which enter the extra cellular fluid or the blood and then are distributed throughout the body. This culminates in the over-acidification of the blood and tissues which systemically poison and destroy the cells of the body. This condition we call over-acidification is a direct result of an inverted way of eating - the abundance of animal protein, especially red meat and pork, dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream), sugar in any form (sucrose, fructose, glucose). Therefore, there is only one sickness and one disease.

The primary source of nourishment for yeast, fungus, and bacteria is sugar. As these organisms feed off the sugar and proteins of our bodies they produce and excrete waste called toxins. These toxins effect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The solution to this growing problem is to cleanse the blood and nourish the cells. We do this by eliminating those foods which create over-acidification and eating more foods that are alkaline. Yeast, fungus, bacteria, mold, and virus can only survive in an acid base, they cannot survive in an alkaline base. It is, therefore, very important that there is a proper ration between acid an alkaline foods in the diet. When an ideal ratio is maintained, yeast fungus, bacteria, mold, and virus will revert back to their normal healthy state. The ideal ration in a normal body is 4 parts alkaline to 1 part acid which will allow the body to maintain a pH factor of 7.365. To avoid a lengthy chemistry lesson, we will get right to the point that pH refers to the relative concentration of Hydrogen (H+) ions in a solution. Low pH values indicate higher concentrations of Hydrogen ions or acids, and high pH values indicate low concentrations of Hydrogen ions or alkaline. For example, 10 to -1 is more acidic than 10 to -14.

An ideal diet should consist of dark green and yellow vegetables, soy beans, sprouted grains and nuts, and essential fatty acids. This ideal way of eating would reduce our susceptibility to toxins, detoxify the body, and reduce or prevent future exposures allowing for cellular regeneration leading to "health" and "wellness."


document.getElementById("MsgContainer").innerHTML='\x3cp style\x3d\x22\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d5 color\x3d\x22\x23276400\x22 style\x3d\x22font\x3a18.0px Verdana\x3bcolor\x3a\x23276400\x22\x3e\x3cb\x3eAlkalinity\x3c\x2fb\x3e\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dTimes size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Times\x22\x3eWe live and die at the cellular level. All the cells \x28billions of them\x29 that make up the human body are slightly alkaline, and must maintain alkalinity in order to function and remain healthy and alive. However their cellular activity creates acid and this acid is what gives the cell energy and function. As each alkaline cell performs its task of respiration, it secretes metabolic wastes, and these end products of cellular metabolism are acid in nature. Although these wastes are used for energy and function, they must not be allowed to build up. One example of this is the often painful lactic acid which is created through exercise. The body will go to great lengths to neutralize and detoxify these acids before they act as poisons in and around the cell, ultimately changing the environment of the cell. Most people and clinical practitioners believe the immune system is the body\x27s first line of defense, but in actuality it is not. It is very important, but more like a very sophisticated clean-up service. We must instead look at the importance of pH balance as the first and major line of defense against sickness and disease and for health and vitality.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eThe human body is very intelligent. As we become more and more acidic the body starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acid from entering our vital organs. It is known that acid gets stored in fat cells. After all, if the acid does come into contact with an organ the acid has a chance to eat holes in the tissue. This may cause the cells to mutate. The oxygen level drops in this acidic environment and calcium begins to be depleted. So as a defense mechanism, your body may actually make fat to protect you from your overly-acidic self. Those fat cells and cellulite deposits may actually be packing up the acid and trying to keep it a safe distance from your organs. The fat may be saving your vital organs from damage. Many people have found that a return to a healthy inner biological terrain helps them to lose excess fat.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp style\x3d\x22\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d5 color\x3d\x22\x23276400\x22 style\x3d\x22font\x3a18.0px Verdana\x3bcolor\x3a\x23276400\x22\x3e\x3cb\x3eBenefits of Alkalinity\x3c\x2fb\x3e\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eToday\x27s lifestyle causes a multitude of disorders and malfunctions in the metabolism of our bodies. Despite the efforts of the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, our food supply, drinking water, air and soil are becoming increasingly contaminated with toxic chemicals. Never before has the human body been presented with such a heavy burden of foreign substances to metabolize and eliminate thus taxing the body beyond its natural capabilities of detoxification.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eMany people just don\x27t feel good anymore. Some find themselves being much more susceptible to colds, or to whatever \x26quot\x3bbug\x26quot\x3b is currently going around. Much more serious are the increasing cases of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. \x26quot\x3bHealth\x26quot\x3b and \x26quot\x3bwellness\x26quot\x3b have become relative terms.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eLow-level toxicity from many sources can be very difficult to detect. The combined action of all these toxins creates a \x26quot\x3btoxic cocktail\x26quot\x3b effect which can seriously weaken the body and the mind through a process we call \x26quot\x3bfermentation\x26quot\x3b or the over-acidification of the blood and tissue as a result of the proliferation of yeast, fungus, and bacteria.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eYeast and fungus are single cell life forms which inhabit the air, soil, water, and many of the foods we eat. They are more highly developed than the intermediate states of bacteria or the early stages of viruses. Over the years, they have developed into over 500,000 different species. They are opportunists and survivalists. They are constantly looking for new places to house themselves where they may begin to colonize and proliferate. Being that they are single cell life forms, they can only be seen under a microscope but once colonized, these cells make a visible presence in the form of mushrooms, and molds on food.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eYeast, fungus, bacteria, mold, and viruses tend to house themselves in very specific sites in the body, depending on their particular requirements for nutrients and colonization conditions. All are capable of causing severe fermentation through the by-products of their metabolism, which enter the extra cellular fluid or the blood and then are distributed throughout the body. This culminates in the over-acidification of the blood and tissues which systemically poison and destroy the cells of the body. This condition we call over-acidification is a direct result of an inverted way of eating - the abundance of animal protein, especially red meat and pork, dairy products \x28milk, cheese, ice cream\x29, sugar in any form \x28sucrose, fructose, glucose\x29. Therefore, there is only one sickness and one disease.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eThe primary source of nourishment for yeast, fungus, and bacteria is sugar. As these organisms feed off the sugar and proteins of our bodies they produce and excrete waste called toxins. These toxins effect us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The solution to this growing problem is to cleanse the blood and nourish the cells. We do this by eliminating those foods which create over-acidification and eating more foods that are alkaline. Yeast, fungus, bacteria, mold, and virus can only survive in an acid base, they cannot survive in an alkaline base. It is, therefore, very important that there is a proper ration between acid an alkaline foods in the diet. When an ideal ratio is maintained, yeast fungus, bacteria, mold, and virus will revert back to their normal healthy state. The ideal ration in a normal body is 4 parts alkaline to 1 part acid which will allow the body to maintain a pH factor of 7.365. To avoid a lengthy chemistry lesson, we will get right to the point that pH refers to the relative concentration of Hydrogen \x28H\x2b\x29 ions in a solution. Low pH values indicate higher concentrations of Hydrogen ions or acids, and high pH values indicate low concentrations of Hydrogen ions or alkaline. For example, 10 to -1 is more acidic than 10 to -14.\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cp align\x3djustify style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont face\x3dVerdana size\x3d4 style\x3d\x22font\x3a13.0px Verdana\x22\x3eAn ideal diet should consist of dark green and yellow vegetables, soy beans, sprouted grains and nuts, and essential fatty acids. This ideal way of eating would reduce our susceptibility to toxins, detoxify the body, and reduce or prevent future exposures allowing for cellular regeneration leading to \x26quot\x3bhealth\x26quot\x3b and \x26quot\x3bwellness.\x26quot\x3b\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fp\x3e\x3cdiv style\x3d\x22text-align\x3ajustify\x22\x3e\x3cfont class\x3dEC_Apple-style-span face\x3dVerdana size\x3d3\x3e\x3cspan class\x3dEC_Apple-style-span style\x3d\x22font-size\x3a13px\x22\x3e\x3cbr\x3e\x3c\x2fspan\x3e\x3c\x2ffont\x3e\x3c\x2fdiv\x3e\x0d\x0a';
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roxy2008-06-01 18:24:22Yeah, but it can still help you. I know when I took it for that week it did help with my swelling, but it made me light-headed and I was having problems out of my right hip/leg and balancing was a problem. So... I stopped taking it until my right hip/leg issues resolved, but still have not started it back up... as the Remicade is helping me greatly.
 
So... think about the minocin and see what your RD thinks of it. Mine brought it up with me and I did not even mention it to her.
There's something to be said for trying to build up your body naturally. Unless there is something contraindicative in the herbs versus what you are taking now and you can simply add them to your regimen and wean off the modern meds if it's working--and you are willing to risk it, it might help.

I wouldn't drop a program that works for something that is unknown. Unless I wanted to factor in a recovery period if it threw me into a bad flare or worse.

I agree with what you've been told here about boosting your immune system.  Check it out with your RD first.  When I asked about taking something (can't remember what it was now) that was supposed to be very healthy and immune boosting, my RD sort of rolled his eyes and said boosting the immune system was exactly the wrong thing to do. It's totally counter-productive.  Please be careful. 

ask your pharmacist before you take anything.. he/she will know if there's any worries about mixing the herbs w/ your meds....  some things herbal will thin your blood. and others will work against what you're attempting..
 
ask a pharmacist....  please
I don't know much about the natural cures you're/your brother is helping you get started with....but a lot of that stuff can be very expensive as well and may not work at all. From what you've told us you have decined rapidly and you can't really afford to get much worse while testing out some hockus pockus crap. Not saying that's what this is you are talking about.....just saying; be careful.
 
RA is a serious disease as you well know from your own experience. I sure hope your brother has researched this disease and doesn't make things worse for you in the process of trying to help you. I'm sure he means well.
 
I wish you luck. I'm sure you're starting to think you don't have much left to lose; but please be careful.
I don't know anything about the natural cure but Roxy YOU NEED MEDICINE! Can the doctor help you out by giving you samples or what about getting help from the drug companies? I don't know if I didn't read your other post thoroughly enough but when I just read what you are taking and how bad you are feeling....you just have to get on some DMARDS. I'll say some prayers tonight that you find a way.I can only add to what others say about checking with your dr. You do not want to take anything that messes with your immune system without an OK from them. I had always been taking immune boosters since I am a teacher and I am surrounded my germs. Dr. was quick to inform me that I was to stop and to run anything else by them.

My docs rolled their eyes a lot.  Must be a requirement to get out of med school. 
 
I wouldn't take anything without knowing what is in it and where it came from.  And I would make sure non of it is a problem on any med I'm on.
 
That being said I know people that are completely controling the disease naturally.  It can be done.
 
Pip
P.S.  Just want to mention that I don't think the body is attacking itself.  I do think it's attacking an infection and the only way it's going to beat it is if you strengthen the immune system.  Anything else is letting the buggers win.  That being said, how many non-APers have reported that they feel better on probiotics here?  This is strengthening the immune system.  And they report less pain.  Same thing - cut the inflammation naturally and you don't need as many meds.
[QUOTE=Pip!]   Same thing - cut the inflammation naturally and you don't need as many meds.[/QUOTE]


Beautifully stated Pip. Sorry it has taken me so long to reply.  Have not been on computer - just staring at the tv.  Fingers...........  I received the package and the only ingredient it talks about is silver.  I told my brother I cannot take it unless I know all the ingredients and I consult my rd.  It is wierd that there is no list of ingredients but touts the importance of alkalinizing your body.  It does list RA as one of the diseases it has been used for but I am not taking until I get more info.  Thank you for all your great feedback.
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