Arthritis "cures"

Archeron

hi all,
a family member of mine suffers from arthirtis. Its quite bad at the moment, but i suspect its going to get a lot worse. I've searched around eBay quite a lot out of frustration, and see all manner of "cures" out there. From ointments to milkshakes, to jewellery to magnetic slippers (no joke). Am I being naive to think that theres any possibility that any of these could actually work? Even googling "arthritis cure" brings up more sites that you can shake a stick at. Trying them all isnt an option as it would cost literally millions to try everything.
My family member is now at the stage where prescribed medication does pretty much nothing to alleviate the pain, so if anyone has found something that helps, I'd appreciate the name of the product. Anything is worth a try, right?
I am open to all suggestions at this stage. I used to be very cynical, but i just managed to give up smoking with hynosis so my mind is waaaay more open that it used to be on alternative medicines!!! thanks.

snorlax

i'm going to move this to Medicine from the disability forum, Acheron i hope you don't mind as im sure your questions can be answered better over then even if i do know a bit about anti inflammatories etc.

if you have questions that are more disablity rather then the meds focused feel free to start a new thread there. thank you

Archeron

thanks Snorlax.

djmarkus

My dad used to have it quite bad, he tried this recipe that my mum got from some doctor, basically it's celery seed boiled for a half a day and strain the water off and drink it, about a half a cup full per day, it cured him up in about a year(altho i wasnt about at the time).
I can get more information about it if you want, but be warned, it tastes disgusing.

Rgds.
David.

DrIndy

The problem with alternative cures is they have no evidence base and as such do no good or at worst can cause harm. There are many options out there for arthritis and speaking with her doctor for a specialist referral is the best start.

Discussing arthritis is ok here, but not recommending is a nono.

What type of arthritis does she have?

snorlax

well i can tell you what an OT does (i pasted the pistures off an Arthritis website to give you a good picture of what we do, although it's not a cure in itself i thought i would expand a bit on my own knowledge of what role therapists have in reducing pain).

ps ;there's a good arthritis clinic in Harold's cross if you are in Dublin which is attached to st Vincent's hospital.

OTs help by:

1> giving practical advice on how you can overcome everyday problems (Activities of Daily living)

For example, you may need to rethink the way you do things:

for example:

1) Carrying things: Use a shoulder bag or a trolley
2) Unsteady on your feet: Remove loose mats and clutter, keep walkways clear
3) Reaching up to cupboards: Use lower cupboards, keep the things you use most on the bottom shelves or on the work surface

If if grip is poor, making handles larger and extending levers helps, for example on cutlery, keys and taps. If youhave difficulty reaching back or down, longer handles on combs and shoehorns make a difference.

You may need to use equipment (AT/ assistive technology) to get the ADL done. The OT will help you choose which equipment suits your needs. Some items are easily available such as a wide-handled vegetable peeler to improve grip or a lightweight vacuum cleaner.
Something like a kettle tipper to help you pour, or a bath lift, come from more specialist sources
If you need a lot of help with personal care from another person, you may be entitled to claim the Disability Allowance.
(iv a sticky on entitlements in the disablity forum)

2. By discussing your condition, how it affects you and what you can do to help yourself (Eg through assessments, and interviews etc)

If you have rheumatoid arthritis you need to know how to look after vulnerable joints. If you feel tired you can learn to make the most of your energy. You may also have other practical difficulties and questions about dealing with your condition on a daily basis. You can discuss these with your GP. OTs teach joint protection etc, and risk factors as to identify what exacerbates the condition, and estabish a dialy routine around this to avoid activities that exacerbate pain.


3. we also splints to rest or support painful or damaged joints
After assessment, a variety of splints may be provided or made to help you in your activities or to ease your discomfort. Splints are removable and should be comfortable. They can be reviewed as your needs change.
4. By teaching you activities to help improve strength or movement (active and passive range of movement)

This may involve you coming for treatment as an outpatient, usually combined with physiotherapy. The aim is to improve the function of your joints. It may mean discussing activities you can do to help yourself at home. keeping up a certain amount of mobility in joints is important so they don't lose their function altogether.

5. techniques to help you cope with pain
These may be very simple ideas which you can use at home, for instance placing a bag of frozen peas on a hot joint or wrapping a warm towel around a stiff joint. You may also be taught relaxation methods

OT's often run support groups for families and clients, chronic pain management groups (where some of the techniques above are reitorated), they also provide education in the form of leaflets. you'd be amazed the difference adapted cutlery can be to a person who has arthritis, in that they can feed themselves independently and the pain invoved in finger/ wrist movements is greatly reduced. physios may advise on proper foot wear also.

Pet

There have been studies on anti-malarial drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory conditions, which are controversial to say the least (the drugs work, but have lots of side effects).

here is one abstract on pubmed, there's a lot more in relation to hydroxychloroquine, although they all mention the side effects.

There's also a suggestion that people who have undergone root canal surgery are likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, here's another pubmed abstract about that. I know my aunt had crippling rheumatoid arthritis, and once she got the tooth extracted, it cleared up within a month..

But there are hundreds of factors involved in the disease, so you have to be careful not to fall for the next ebay scammer.

DrIndy

I know about chloroquine, it is used frequently now to treat RA, but more often Lupus, saving the need for steroids and other more potent immunosuppresants.

The issue of root canal treatment being related to RA is very interesting indeed as not only did the symptoms resolve (here I would be sceptic as it could coincide with the end of a flareup), but that serologically, she improved with the reduction of rheumatoid factor.

Interesting........

Dental opinion?

Regarding Snorlax's post, management of a chronic condition is often more important that medicating it. It is important to salvage and maintain residual function as much as possible.

Archeron

All,
thanks for the replies. I believe its rhumatoid arthritis that she has (its actually my mum) and its in her legs and appears to be spreading into her arms now. she is essentially bed ridden already, and it is getting worse. This is the reason why I'd like to try alternative options. DJMarkus, The celery seed thing sounds interesting, as I cant forsee any bad side affects from this. If poss, more info would be much appreciated.

I do intend to discuss this with her doctor, but I'm not very confident about the particular GP as she only sees my mum once every 8 months, and isnt very helpful. Not dissing the doc or anything like it, I'm sure she's very busy, but its just that its kind of shaken my faith in the mainstream medical services.
Also, due to a combination of another medical complaint, and the inability to exercise, she is quite overweight, which makes things even more difficult for her.

snorlax

it is important to treat RA as early as possible if there is a remission /flare up (involves the immune system), eg get splints etc and try and maintain active and passive range of movement so the person can still function independently in their daily lives in so much as is possible, and to prevent deformities forming.

Archeron if your doctor is no use i suggest you change her, has she recommended your mom to a rehab unit or to a specialist? although ireland has one of the lowest numbers of Rheumatologists per head of population then anywhere in Europe she still should get treatment in a proper rehab unit to prevent any lose of function/ learn how to control the pain.

may i suggest you get in touch with the Arthritis foundation of ireland if you haven't already (voluntary organisation), they may answer some of your questions better then anyone here and provide educational leaflets about the condition http://www.arthritis-foundation.com/old/facts/subfacts.htm and complementary therapies, they also provide informational evenings across the country ,check http://www.arthritis-foundation.com/old/facts/subfacts.htmhttp://www.arthritis-foundation.com/old/events/events_06.htm

and there's some questions answer by a Rheumatologist from St James hospital
http://www.arthritis-foundation.com/old/question/subquest.htm

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION OF IRELAND
1 Clanwilliam Square, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. Tel 01 6618188 Fax 01 6618261
Email: info@arthritis-foundation.com
Website: www.arthritis-foundation.com