Re: Response to intro and query re diagnosis and alternative approaches

[Guest guest]

Hello Molly:

I have been reading posts without joining in, but your email prompted me to

reply. I have always exercised, ate healthy organic food (except for chocolate

binges the last few years) and avoided conventional medicines.

I'm 51 and was diagnosed with RA several months ago. My blood RA level is

positive, but low-to-medium. I have swollen joints in my hands and wrists (and

minimal pain), and an MRI of those joints showed minimal joint damage.

My feet, with very high arches, hurt terribly only temporarily after I've been

sitting. MRI of my feet showed nothing! My rheaumatologist has a very good

reputation and does lots of research on RA. Incidentally, my feet began hurting

in this way almost 20 years ago, and I've always considered it to be

osteoarthritis.

Unlike many members, I have no pain or very slight pain in my affected hands and

wrists. I do not need pain medication for anything. Interestingly, most of my

mild flares have been right before a menstrual period. Now that I'm experiencing

menopause, I hope that the RA symptoms will stop, too. (Maybe I'm in denial.)

Yet, my rheaumatologist prescribed methotrexate (plus folic acid) and

prednisolone. I decided to investigate other options, instead.

Fortunately, I know a chiropractor (whom I trust--that's important) who also

treats with alternative medicines; she has successfully treated someone else

with disabling lupus. She put me on an herbal formula which is adjusted

periodically, depending on how I'm responding. Twice daily, I take a formula

that includes tinctures of turmeric, ginger, salvia, ashwaganda, reishi, and one

other ingredient (I can't remember them all, and hope I've spelled their names

right.) I feel great and have not had a flare since beginning.

Of course, my rheaumatologist wants me to take methotrexate. I figure I'll

continue with the alternatives and periodically re-evaluate. It makes no sense

to take a medicine that wrecks havoc on my immune system and organs, when my

symptoms are minimal to absent! If my symptoms were more severe, I would at

least try the methotrexate...and maybe I'll have to do it in the future.

You might want to have a look at Dr. Weil's website, too.

Best wishes,

Pat

---------------------------------

for Good

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

Hello Molly:

I have been reading posts without joining in, but your email prompted me to

reply. I have always exercised, ate healthy organic food (except for chocolate

binges the last few years) and avoided conventional medicines.

I'm 51 and was diagnosed with RA several months ago. My blood RA level is

positive, but low-to-medium. I have swollen joints in my hands and wrists (and

minimal pain), and an MRI of those joints showed minimal joint damage.

My feet, with very high arches, hurt terribly only temporarily after I've been

sitting. MRI of my feet showed nothing! My rheaumatologist has a very good

reputation and does lots of research on RA. Incidentally, my feet began hurting

in this way almost 20 years ago, and I've always considered it to be

osteoarthritis.

Unlike many members, I have no pain or very slight pain in my affected hands and

wrists. I do not need pain medication for anything. Interestingly, most of my

mild flares have been right before a menstrual period. Now that I'm experiencing

menopause, I hope that the RA symptoms will stop, too. (Maybe I'm in denial.)

Yet, my rheaumatologist prescribed methotrexate (plus folic acid) and

prednisolone. I decided to investigate other options, instead.

Fortunately, I know a chiropractor (whom I trust--that's important) who also

treats with alternative medicines; she has successfully treated someone else

with disabling lupus. She put me on an herbal formula which is adjusted

periodically, depending on how I'm responding. Twice daily, I take a formula

that includes tinctures of turmeric, ginger, salvia, ashwaganda, reishi, and one

other ingredient (I can't remember them all, and hope I've spelled their names

right.) I feel great and have not had a flare since beginning.

Of course, my rheaumatologist wants me to take methotrexate. I figure I'll

continue with the alternatives and periodically re-evaluate. It makes no sense

to take a medicine that wrecks havoc on my immune system and organs, when my

symptoms are minimal to absent! If my symptoms were more severe, I would at

least try the methotrexate...and maybe I'll have to do it in the future.

You might want to have a look at Dr. Weil's website, too.

Best wishes,

Pat

---------------------------------

for Good

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

pat

my flare was just before my period too

something to think about and check for next month

mel

Re: [ ]Response to intro and query re diagnosis and

alternative approaches

Hello Molly:

I have been reading posts without joining in, but your email prompted me to

reply. I have always exercised, ate healthy organic food (except for chocolate

binges the last few years) and avoided conventional medicines.

I'm 51 and was diagnosed with RA several months ago. My blood RA level is

positive, but low-to-medium. I have swollen joints in my hands and wrists (and

minimal pain), and an MRI of those joints showed minimal joint damage.

My feet, with very high arches, hurt terribly only temporarily after I've been

sitting. MRI of my feet showed nothing! My rheaumatologist has a very good

reputation and does lots of research on RA. Incidentally, my feet began hurting

in this way almost 20 years ago, and I've always considered it to be

osteoarthritis.

Unlike many members, I have no pain or very slight pain in my affected hands

and wrists. I do not need pain medication for anything. Interestingly, most of

my mild flares have been right before a menstrual period. Now that I'm

experiencing menopause, I hope that the RA symptoms will stop, too. (Maybe I'm

in denial.)

Yet, my rheaumatologist prescribed methotrexate (plus folic acid) and

prednisolone. I decided to investigate other options, instead.

Fortunately, I know a chiropractor (whom I trust--that's important) who also

treats with alternative medicines; she has successfully treated someone else

with disabling lupus. She put me on an herbal formula which is adjusted

periodically, depending on how I'm responding. Twice daily, I take a formula

that includes tinctures of turmeric, ginger, salvia, ashwaganda, reishi, and one

other ingredient (I can't remember them all, and hope I've spelled their names

right.) I feel great and have not had a flare since beginning.

Of course, my rheaumatologist wants me to take methotrexate. I figure I'll

continue with the alternatives and periodically re-evaluate. It makes no sense

to take a medicine that wrecks havoc on my immune system and organs, when my

symptoms are minimal to absent! If my symptoms were more severe, I would at

least try the methotrexate...and maybe I'll have to do it in the future.

You might want to have a look at Dr. Weil's website, too.

Best wishes,

Pat

---------------------------------

for Good

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

pat

my flare was just before my period too

something to think about and check for next month

mel

Re: [ ]Response to intro and query re diagnosis and

alternative approaches

Hello Molly:

I have been reading posts without joining in, but your email prompted me to

reply. I have always exercised, ate healthy organic food (except for chocolate

binges the last few years) and avoided conventional medicines.

I'm 51 and was diagnosed with RA several months ago. My blood RA level is

positive, but low-to-medium. I have swollen joints in my hands and wrists (and

minimal pain), and an MRI of those joints showed minimal joint damage.

My feet, with very high arches, hurt terribly only temporarily after I've been

sitting. MRI of my feet showed nothing! My rheaumatologist has a very good

reputation and does lots of research on RA. Incidentally, my feet began hurting

in this way almost 20 years ago, and I've always considered it to be

osteoarthritis.

Unlike many members, I have no pain or very slight pain in my affected hands

and wrists. I do not need pain medication for anything. Interestingly, most of

my mild flares have been right before a menstrual period. Now that I'm

experiencing menopause, I hope that the RA symptoms will stop, too. (Maybe I'm

in denial.)

Yet, my rheaumatologist prescribed methotrexate (plus folic acid) and

prednisolone. I decided to investigate other options, instead.

Fortunately, I know a chiropractor (whom I trust--that's important) who also

treats with alternative medicines; she has successfully treated someone else

with disabling lupus. She put me on an herbal formula which is adjusted

periodically, depending on how I'm responding. Twice daily, I take a formula

that includes tinctures of turmeric, ginger, salvia, ashwaganda, reishi, and one

other ingredient (I can't remember them all, and hope I've spelled their names

right.) I feel great and have not had a flare since beginning.

Of course, my rheaumatologist wants me to take methotrexate. I figure I'll

continue with the alternatives and periodically re-evaluate. It makes no sense

to take a medicine that wrecks havoc on my immune system and organs, when my

symptoms are minimal to absent! If my symptoms were more severe, I would at

least try the methotrexate...and maybe I'll have to do it in the future.

You might want to have a look at Dr. Weil's website, too.

Best wishes,

Pat

---------------------------------

for Good

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.