arthritis - both OA and RA?

March 24, 2011

I have a male client in his late 60s that I have been treating for a year for

osteoarthritis in his knee. In his youth he was an international sportsman and

the knee damage apparently stemmed from that time, however he also complained of

arthritic pains in other joints, especially hips and fingers that came and went.

My initial prescription of Filipendula, symphytum, petroselinum, rosmarinus &

cimicifuga was very successful and having had to take taxi to initial

appointment he enjoyed to walking a mile or so to subsequent appointments.

Although it took a long time for swelling on knee to subside, the pain was

greatly reduced and the other moving arthritic problems did not recur. He did

try stopping the tincture for a couple of weeks last autumn and although knee

remained fine, other joint pain started to recur so he recommenced the tincture

- by this time I had replaced the symphytum, which I only use short term, by

Harpagophytum & a small amount of Hydrocotyl. Again he had almost complete

relief. However about a month ago he started to get a lot of pain in his hands -

worst being middle joint of middle finger of both hands. Both are swollen and

hot, with nodules more like rheumatoid than osteo arthritis and I am wondering

if fellow herbalists have found it common to suffer both? I am thinking of

slanting the prescription to more alteratives such as arctium/urtica/smilax but

would be grateful for any insight from this most helpful group.

Other points of note is that he is very tall (6ft 5 " ), suffers ankle oedema

(medicated by bendroflumethiazide only partially successful), asthma (pulmacort

- soon to be changed as this drug is being withdrawn apparently) and takes

lansaprazole and lactulose for digestive problems (I have tried to wean him off

these but had no success). He lives alone and is on a low income so prefers to

stick to GP prescribed (and therefore free) medicines when they work so I am

really only treating the arthritis - not very holistic but sometimes we have to

be pragmatic.

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