My mother is 81 has RA and possible lupus arthritis which has just onset since mid-May. She's lost 10 lbs, has no appetite and now can't even walk. She has osteoarthritis and Crohn's disease for years. She can't take anything stronge than a Tylenol and refuses to take immunosuppresants, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs or narcotics since she's allergic to medications in general due to the side effects. At this pace I am afraid she'll end up in the hospital for good or soon die. Other than this, she has nothing else and looks amazingly young for her age. Until May she was efficient, agile and alive. What should she do?
Q: If someone can't take any medication for RA, what do they do?
Answers (3)
7/28/08 4:12pm
I would advise plenty of exercise and rest, also look in to food groups that are good and bad, she could write down what she eats every day, and how she feels afterwards, so she can take away and add certain foods to her diet, most of all she needs laughter and things to look forward to in her life
11/ 2/08 11:28am
Hi Mary,
Sorry to hear about your Mother. My Mother had RA and now I have it. I've been looking into various treatments, news, etc... about RA. There are natural remedies that can help with the pain like accupuncture, physical and occupational therapy, water aerboics (there are specialized classes for those with arthritis or other medical conditions) and herbal supplements. Do you think she'd try any of those? Good luck to you. :)
12/ 4/09 7:10pm
So sorry to hear of this. How cruel to have this on top of everything else... I have had RA for 10 years and it has been awful. I reacted to everything too, except the one I am on now. Laflunomide or Arava, which is also very strong so possibly would not be good for your mum either. I need blood tests every month to check my liver function as it is an immune modifier and very toxic to the liver. But I am also now taking very superior nutritional supplements and have found that my whole body is so much healthier and I feel more energy and happier. It is very well worth a try when you get to this stage. I hope you find what you need. Keep in touch. Lindsey Dixon, Perth WA, Australia.
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Do you know what natural remedies work? I tested negitive for RA but the RA doctor said He wanted to put me on the drug. I told him I didn't do well with drugs and he had to start me out on a well tolertaed drug with low side effects. My first mistake was to trust him. He put me on methotresate 4 pills once a week. I wound up in the hospital for three days with a blood pressure of 207 / 110 and pulse rate 132. So I did it his way and now I'm taking my life back and I'm looking for alternatives. Can you have any suggestions.
Roberta