Monday, March 22, 2010 inchek asks

Q: Is anyone cured from Rheumatoid Arthritis? Or using any homeopathy way to cure RA?

I'm 26 years old and have it for 2 years almost. I dont want to use medication anymore so I was wondering if there is natural ways?

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Lene Andersen, Health Guide
3/25/10 8:07pm

as Ellen said, there is presently no cure for RA.  The only thing that can suppress your RA enough is the DMARDs (disease modifying antirheumatic drugs like methotrexate, Plaquenil and the Biologics).  However, alternative medicine can be used to supplement your other types of medications and more traditional Western medical care and thereby make you healthier in general.  if you want to look into homeopathy and how can be used to keep you healthier, you may want to consult a licensed naturopathic doctor.

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3/23/10 9:05am

This is a very loaded question.  There is not a cure (There are often hereditary factors involved), but there is sometimes 'remission' for a period of time.  Usually in getting off meds, the symptoms will return within 2 months.  I have never heard of homeopathy curing it, however, there are some things you can do that may lessen your symptoms. I say, "may" because it is a very individual disease in that some people find that dietary changes help, but it may be different foods that aggravate for different people.  So it's again trial and error, just like with meds.  (It might be helpful if you share what meds you are currently taking, but that is up to you - is it that side effects are bothering you, or that meds are inconvenient and/or expensive?)  Foods that bother some people are:  potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers and eggplant (the so-called nightshade family, solanaceae I think is the official name; dairy products; gluten (the part of wheat that causes celiac disease); caffeine.

     Research has shown the RA patients who go on a vegan or veggie diet have seen their pain & other symptoms lessened. 

     There is good info on the Arthritis Foundation website about nutritional factors.  But many of us COMBINE meds with alternatives like acidophilus (to help digestive symptoms), yoga/meditation,diet, etc. for the best results.  I have used Yucca AR as an herbal supplement (a friend of mine had great success with it - she couldn't take regular meds), but it's in addition to the Enbrel injections - takes care of the pain left-over.  There is also something called "Zyflamend" - another herbal combination that's supposedly been tested  clinically, that targets inflammation. But I found its effect rather mild - good for relatively healthy people, but not as effective as yucca (which was used by native americans for arthritis).  A

     Exercise is very important but you also have to make sure you get enough rest and do not hurt your joints.

    The problem with totally stopping meds for a long period of time is that RA tends to progress, and joint damage can happen very quickly (in a matter of months for some).  So - you need to be aware of the risks of doing nothing.  But I myself have taken 'drug holidays' when I've been able to, to see how I'm really doing, and then gone back on when the disease starts to kick up again.  And for VERY longterm concerns, RA can also affect your inner organs: lungs (fibrosis), spleen (enlargement), heart (heart disease is a big one) with inflammation. 

     You are young, so of course you do not want to be on heavy-duty medication with serious risks for decades. You may be able to make some compromises if your disease is not disabling you at present.  Just be aware that you may need to adjust your perspective depending on how things go.  None of us wants to be in this predicament, it is a major life-change.  It does requirement a serious commitment to our own health and well-being.

     I wish you well -

    

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By inchek— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 03/22/10