Has anyone tried any treatment that doesnt involve medication? Has it been effective? What's worked and what hasnt?
I'm on supplements (so it's not really meds). Taking 14 capsules of fish oil/day. I'm newly diagnosed so I'm not really sure if it's helping or if it's just the natural ups and downs of the disease that I'm experiencing. But there's good research out there to show that there is significant clinical improvement of symptoms with high dose fish oil therapy. And it's good for the heart too. I'm trying to manage without taking meds ... there are good days and bad. The joints are still mildly hot and swollen but at least pain levels are more bearable. My decision is if I suddenly decline or if a joint blows up, I'll start the drugs.
In the meantime, it's fishy business for me now. Oh btw ... on such high levels of fish oil, odourless ones are crucial
I do an anti inflammation diet and it does help. I'm not nearly as strict as some are but I am strict about no sugars, low sodium, and small amounts of whole wheats only. Mostly fresh and small amounts of meat, beans, some fruits, and no prepared or boxed foods. It works for me and is worth a try.
Have tried accupuncture and herbals with no success. Have some moderate success with massage and accupressure. Anything that will give you relief is what works for you. Lindy
LinB2008-09-29 21:18:39
After my recent and ongoing eye problems I realized that I have inflammation in every organ and body part from my toes to my eyes. I've even had respiratory problems which is inflammation in my lungs, I've even had inflammation in my testicles. My eye cleared up for a few months but pain and redness just returned a few days ago and I am on steroid drops to help it.
I'm pretty certain I know why my eye pain and other assorted pains flared up. I had been eating a lot of chocolates, and other junk over the holidays. As well as a lot of eggnog. I've gone through this cycle enough times to to realize I flair up after junk food and especially dairy rich foods. My first eye flair up occurred last august after my local grocery store had a huge sale on ice cream and I couldn't resist buying loads of the stuff.
If I had the willpower to stay away from dairy, chocolate and junk, minimize starchy and acidic foods, then I'd probably be living a pain free life. I've quit smoking long ago, I've quit drinking and I'll tell you they're nothing compared to quitting junk food. I'm drinking more eggnog as I type this! I know I've got to overcome this food addiction or I'm looking at an early grave and I know a lot of you other PA sufferers need to do the same. The drugs will not cure you, the steroids, the immune suppressants, they may take the pain away for a short time but they will kill you in other ways.
I have to change my lifestyle, YOU have to change your lifestyle, We need yo change our lifestyle!
relax2008-12-31 14:53:35Hi Relax Yep we all have our downfalls choclate milk etc etc. I take the meds. A diet will not cure an auto immune disease it will help but not cure . Someone in these posts made a brilliant statement and I take it to heart. Fear the disease not the meds. Yah the meds are bad but if you are suffering your overall health suffers too. Believe it or not my doctor says I am really healthy if you excuse the auto-immune disease. So drink Soy nog it's good for you and get exercising and see your rheumy for some meds. Better yet ask to see someone to help you get over this rough spot you seem to be in.
I know there are some people who firmly believe that certain alternative and diet changes will CURE them of RA but to date according to all the scientific research there is NO CURE.
Eating an anti-inflammation diet will keep you healthy and in turn if you're on dmards and biologics will help you stave off colds and infections. It may or may not reduce your level of pain but it won't take the pain away entirely.
Diet and alternatives may help the symptoms but the damage is still occuring. You can only stop the damage by achieving clinical remission. Damage causes joints to fuse, requiring surgery and/or replacements. That's what the future holds for you if you don't achieve clinical remission. In some people it takes years for joint damage. It took me 5 years of denial to have major wrist, finger, knee and ankle damage. People can stay in CR with their current medications and some need to move to another drug. It's a juggling act because there's no certain drug or combination of drugs that will work for everyone. It's not an exact science.
Fear the disease and not the meds has been my motto for the last 5 years. The first 5 I spent in denial, the next 4 trying to find a combination of drugs so I could achieve clinical remission. I've been in clinical remission for over a year. I now golf 18 holes, do aqua exercise, hike (with my new knee) and travel everywhere. Nothing is stopping me at the moment. Sometimes the damage slows me down. That could change overnight and if it does it will be onto the next drug. I don't need anymore damage. Lindy
Hi. I have been living with Psoriatic arthritis for 10 years now. I was hit by a truck (not literally) one day and couldn't get out of bed. Turns out I had P.A. it took months to diagnose me. they thought I also had fibromyalgia but I don't. they put me on methotrexate, celabrex, ARAVA, and got knows what other anti inflammatory meds. They about did me in with side effects. The ARAVA is VERY dangerous and 6 years of being off of this I still suffer from high blood pressure, numbness in my hands and feet and foggy headedness. My arthritis is attacking my hands, lower spine and hips, and feet. They say I am at risk of being in a wheel chair, but they also said I would be in a chair in 10 to 15 years when I was diagnosed. I am FAR from that point. I think it has to do with my attitude and outlook on this condition. IT WILL NOT BEET ME! THAT IS MY ATTITUDE ABOUT IT. you have to fight!
Being a 10 year vet with P.A. I have discovered a few things over the years. THERE IS NO PAIN FREE LIFE WITH ARTHRITIS. no drug out there will cure it so you have to learn to manage it. I learned to listen to my body. I actually have been ARTHRITIS medication free for 6 years and do better with self care. I have a hot tub. I use it 1 to 2 times a day, I changed my hobbies and my work so I don't have to do physical work. I only do things around the house as I can. some days I do nothing, some days I can. I do acupuncture 2 to 3 times a month or as needed. this is very effective for arthritis pain and swelling. I see my primary doctor regularly and get Xrays yearly to monitor joint damage. I take trazadone for sleep and regular use of Darvacet for pain management. all of this together works for me. When and if I ever get to the point where I am taking a sever turn for the worse then I will consider going back on a proven med. the risks of playing with your immune system is very dangerous and the drugs out there are not well tested.
Hope some of this helps. Just don't go on meds without very thorough research. |
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