Old-fashioned treatment is good as gold

[Guest guest]

Old-fashioned treatment is good as gold

By JOE AND TERESA GRAEDON

King Features Syndicate

Rheumatoid-arthritis patients have been on a roller coaster the past

couple of years. Their potentially debilitating disease still remains

mysterious, and promising treatments have turned out to have serious

side effects.

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Unlike osteoarthritis, which is associated with aging and mild

inflammation in several joints, rheumatoid arthritis affects the entire

body. It can affect children (juvenile rheumatoid-arthritis) as well as

adults.

Joints are attacked by the immune system and, without intervention, can

become gnarled and crippled. People can experience aching muscles,

anemia, exhaustion, fever and nerve damage.

A few years ago, an entirely new class of high-tech medicines was

introduced. Enbrel, Humira and Remicade are injectable medications that

alter the course of rheumatoid-arthritis. These drugs keep a natural

immune-system compound called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) from starting

a cascade of events resulting in joint destruction.

For many patients, these anti-TNF drugs have revolutionized treatment

by relieving symptoms and restoring the ability to move without pain.

But such relief comes at a cost. These medications are very expensive,

and they may also have worrisome side effects.

TNF plays an important role in the body when it comes to fighting

infection. By blocking TNF, these medicines can increase the risk of

tuberculosis and several other serious infections.

Concern has been raised that such drugs may worsen heart failure or

multiple sclerosis. There is also controversy about their role in the

development of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.

Another group of medications that was supposed to relieve joint

inflammation is the COX-2 inhibitors. Rheumatoid-arthritis patients

were happy to learn about Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx because regular

use of high-dose conventional anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin,

ibuprofen or naproxen can lead to bleeding ulcers.

But the evidence that these medicines can increase the risk of heart

attacks or strokes has dampened enthusiasm for them. This has left them

looking for alternatives. Some are returning to old-fashioned

approaches. One reader shared the following thoughts:

" I do not understand why you ignore an alternative remedy my

rheumatologist uses. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and for nearly 20

years she has been giving me, at five-week intervals, an injection of

the gold solution myochrisine. I also take small daily doses of

prednisone and methotrexate.

" I have a blood test and urinalysis each time I get a shot. So far,

there are no bad effects, and I am quite mobile and pain-free. Why do

people ignore an old remedy that works so well, apparently just because

it's old? "

Gold shots have been available for more than 70 years. Not everyone can

tolerate gold because it can cause an itchy rash, mouth ulcers and,

more seriously, kidney damage. But some patients, like this reader, do

surprisingly well. Gold salts are also available in an oral formulation

(Ridaura).

Given all the disappointing news about the COX-2 inhibitors, it makes

sense for doctors treating rheumatoid-arthritis patients to consider

all the options and not just the latest, most heavily advertised

products.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/features/3104375

a

[Guest guest]

Gold really? I've never even heard of that.. Has anyone on this list ever

been treated with gold? Really gold.. that's shocking

[Guest guest]

I believe that Uncle Rusty was back in the day. Correct me if I am wrong

- thought I remember reading that at some point. It was common once.

Michele

Re: Old-fashioned treatment is good as gold

Gold really? I've never even heard of that.. Has anyone on this list

ever

been treated with gold? Really gold.. that's shocking