Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hi, I seen where you posted you use your whirlpool all the time and stopped the meds. how is that working for you? I am in the process of testing for R.A. lung disease. Im leaning towards the mtx as the culprit, along with more pain and problems than before all these meds !!very very frustrating. Im at the point Im not sure anymore if Taking these meds are worth it and if I should just take my chances without them?? Ive had others tell me I should invest in a whirlpool...or spend all this money out of pocket for specialists and tests just to find Im worse off...did you have to stop all the meds or was this your choice? thanks for any input. Tina
If you haven't yet looked into Low Dose Naltrexone I suggest you do. Try ldnaware.org or lowdosenaltrexone.org.
the only side effects are sleep disturbances and scary dreams (I've had one bad night in 2 months).
This drug is working wonders for autoimmune diseases. It is not easy to get but after a month on MTX and the drop in my hemoglobin, fear by the doctor that I might have a blood clot in my leg and bleeding gums, I was willing to try the alternatives.
I also suggest reading "The Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone". You can find it on Google books to download for about $15.
This is a patient advocated drug. It is FDA approved but not for autoimmune diseases. It can and is prescribed but it can be challenging finding someone to prescribe it. I drive 3 hours to a nurse practitioner.
In addition to diet changes and supplements the LDN has given me 75 - 95% relief of RA symptoms, and some relief within 24 hours.
There is also an LDN Group on this site.
good luck to you.
Alicia
I was on so many different meds for over 1 yr, MTX all the time, had sooooo many flares that I said ENOUGH. I felt no different with or without. I got sick of trying and then not being able to take them and the wasted money was enough for me. Some might say that you have to find the right mix and maybe that is true but in the mean time the pain was still there! Rheumy said pain clinic, i said NO, he said how about this, i said NO, i am thankful that he will let me choose what i am willing to try and what i am not. I pop him with so questions and i like the fact that he is straight forward. I thought of going to other doctors but WHY, blood work is blood work when you test positive, again why waste the money, i'll take 1 good day over non.
I find the whirlpool a ~ Wonderful Fix ~..... It helps with the pain and relaxes the body. Like I said i would rather have a high water bill then take all the black box meds, but that is a personal choice. Some of the meds i had to stop due to reactions and the rest was ME saying Im done..... It's such a hard choice and to figure out what is the best thing to do, there is no one that can help you get those answers. I also have back issues that will require surgery and the neuro said straight out, why do it, you will always have the RA so this is just a temp fix, there's your sign....... I have gained so much information from the group and I love how everyone shares to the degree that they do, that has helped a lot. I wish you the best of luck and know all your RA Sisters * brothers are here for you.. :O))
I was on the plaquenel for over a year but due to an eye issue while taking it the doc thought it best to go off it, so i did with a smile :O))
Mine is indoor, I have a huge bathroom so we did it like a spa, it's my get away from the world, candles, read a book, bubbles and of course don't forget the lavender for stress and to help you sleep... I wish I had one outside on the deck, we are talking about it but i think it might be to hard to get in & out of on a day with more pain...
Have a read about the Minocycline if you are put off by the harsher drugs, but don't expect your rheumy to be on board. Most people in the US see an AP doctor which is someone who treats autoimmune diseases with low dose antibiotics. On that website I linked before there is a forum with volunteers who can get you in touch with one near you, if you are interested. I've been on it for nearly 2.5 months and am really happy with the results so far.
I think there is a book also, "The Infection Connection", which is worth reading.