Hi Mandy,

I'm one of the few people in this group who have gone the alternative route. You would probably be interested in the two things that have helped the most. They are Low Dose Naltrexone and Serracor-NK. You should look into these and there is an LDN group on Daily Strength. Thanks for joining this site! Also, LDN should be able to help you with your kidney problems.
many hugs,
Sarah

Hi Mandy. I am currently in between meds as I have recently developed an allergic reaction to plaquenil just as it began to work..at around 7 weeks. I take tumeric (an herb) known to have substantial anti-inflammatory properties, along with ginger (which is good for digestive probelms, as well. Ginger and tumeric are well documented anti-inflammatories. Also, remember to have your Vit D levels checked regularly if Scotland is overcast, as healthy levels of Vitamin D ward off inflammation. One other thing I add to my smoothies in the morning is mangosteen juice. It is a rather delicious fruit from Thailand again, with strong anti-inflammatory properties. My doc is very worried about consistently elevated CRP levels as seen with RA patients. He would like to bring the CRP level down as close to 0 as possible, so I add the above supplements to help me get there. I hope this helps. Nice to have corresponded with you! Let me know how things go

Hi there
I agree about the ginger and turmeric, I incorporate this into my diet somehow. put it in Stir fries, dinners, salads, home made juices.
Have you a juice extractor? I juice fresh juices and include ginger root in there. Celery, carrot, lemon, etc...
It is a good way to alkalize our bodies, most of us are probably overly acidic which can increase inflammation. We probably consume too much processed foods, refined and sugar products. It can help to eliminate or limit the consumption of these things.

There are ways to reduce inflammation in our bodies by adjusting our diets by removing certain foods and increasing in others.
Not a cure, but certainly has helped me.
I also adhere as much as possible to eating gluten free, I noticed that eliminating gluten grains, wheat, rye etc... also helps.

There are herbal and homeopathic products out there too that you may want to look into.
Boswellia is a herbal anti inflammatory. In fact I just ordered some more.
I also believe that good joint supplements are worth trying aswell.
chondroitin, glucosamine, msm with hyloronic acid formulas.
Also collagen type II and collagen types I and III.

I wish you all the best

I'm going to take a different approach from the previous posters - who gave very good advice :)
But..
From your profile, it looks as if you are still on MTX and prednisone. Is it possible that if you increased your MTX dosage that maybe you wouldn't need the anti inflammatories? - perhaps your body needs more MTX to keep things under better control?
Just a thought.
I'm sorry you had such a rough go of it with the stomach ulcer but glad you are feeling better now.

Am glad you've found our site!
Welcome!

Tort

Thank you everyone for your messages and advice and I will certainly be looking into these. I am quite happy at the moment as I am not taking as many drugs as I was and can cope with the amount of pain I have considering I work full time too. The downside at the moment is I fractured my ribs last week through sneezing and am now in agony and off work for at least 4 weeks. I had a dexa scan last year after cracking 4 ribs without knowing and was told I have osteopenia, but my doctor seems to think it is now osteoporosis but is reluctant to give me anything other than calcium tablets because of other drugs I am on and the problem with my kidneys.... Oh the joys!!