Re: Happy to Be Here With All of You

[Guest guest]

Welcome Prakasha. I'm so glad you decided to unlurk and join us. You

are a wealth of information. No criticism here. I did the same thing

myself and often wonder if damage was done while not on meds, but we

can't go back and we will never know. All we can do is what we think

is the best thing for us. I honestly believe the answers will come

from the alternative world. I just hope someone finds out soon! I've

been putting up with this for almost 30 years and I'm tired of

hurting!!!

What alternative treatments have you had luck with?

a

On Oct 12, 2005, at 3:39 PM, brightt@... wrote:

> Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

>

> I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for the

> group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

>

> First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that RA

> happens to some of the nicest people?

>

> Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and hard.

> Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a while.

> Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> deterioration.

>

> I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a writer &

> editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means or

> just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc. So, I am constantly

> approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their favorite

> cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have been

> affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this on,

> asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a good

> sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with my

> cane!

>

> I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I can

> come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you who

> have spouses, children and other family members in your home who don't

> really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with them. Of

> course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it worth

> it.

>

> Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher limping

> in,

> leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot of

> work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I feel

> that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I do

> more with those who face various challenges, and I teach meditation

> and

> philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to classes.

>

> Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with the

> group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I didn't

> unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's helped me

> in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have been

> wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps, my

> joints would be in the same condition regardless.

>

> Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in the

> future!

>

> I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> openness, sharing and support.

>

> Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

>

> Prakasha

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Prakasha. I'm so glad you decided to unlurk and join us. You

are a wealth of information. No criticism here. I did the same thing

myself and often wonder if damage was done while not on meds, but we

can't go back and we will never know. All we can do is what we think

is the best thing for us. I honestly believe the answers will come

from the alternative world. I just hope someone finds out soon! I've

been putting up with this for almost 30 years and I'm tired of

hurting!!!

What alternative treatments have you had luck with?

a

On Oct 12, 2005, at 3:39 PM, brightt@... wrote:

> Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

>

> I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for the

> group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

>

> First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that RA

> happens to some of the nicest people?

>

> Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and hard.

> Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a while.

> Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> deterioration.

>

> I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a writer &

> editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means or

> just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc. So, I am constantly

> approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their favorite

> cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have been

> affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this on,

> asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a good

> sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with my

> cane!

>

> I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I can

> come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you who

> have spouses, children and other family members in your home who don't

> really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with them. Of

> course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it worth

> it.

>

> Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher limping

> in,

> leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot of

> work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I feel

> that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I do

> more with those who face various challenges, and I teach meditation

> and

> philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to classes.

>

> Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with the

> group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I didn't

> unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's helped me

> in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have been

> wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps, my

> joints would be in the same condition regardless.

>

> Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in the

> future!

>

> I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> openness, sharing and support.

>

> Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

>

> Prakasha

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bless you!

- I look at it the other way, I may get longer relief now that I'm

going to have to start taking them. I feel so blessed that I have

not suffered like so many of the other people here have and

understand your appreciation of them. I feel it too!

>

> Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

>

> I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for

the

> group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

>

> First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that

RA

> happens to some of the nicest people?

>

> Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and

hard.

> Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a

while.

> Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> deterioration.

>

> I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a

writer &

> editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means

or

> just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc. So, I am constantly

> approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their

favorite

> cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have

been

> affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this

on,

> asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a

good

> sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with

my

> cane!

>

> I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I

can

> come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you

who

> have spouses, children and other family members in your home who

don't

> really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with

them. Of

> course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it

worth it.

>

> Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher

limping in,

> leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot

of

> work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I

feel

> that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I

do

> more with those who face various challenges, and I teach

meditation and

> philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to

classes.

>

> Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with

the

> group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I

didn't

> unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's

helped me

> in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have

been

> wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps,

my

> joints would be in the same condition regardless.

>

> Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in

the

> future!

>

> I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> openness, sharing and support.

>

> Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

>

> Prakasha

>

[Guest guest]

Bless you!

- I look at it the other way, I may get longer relief now that I'm

going to have to start taking them. I feel so blessed that I have

not suffered like so many of the other people here have and

understand your appreciation of them. I feel it too!

>

> Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

>

> I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for

the

> group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

>

> First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that

RA

> happens to some of the nicest people?

>

> Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and

hard.

> Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a

while.

> Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> deterioration.

>

> I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a

writer &

> editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means

or

> just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc. So, I am constantly

> approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their

favorite

> cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have

been

> affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this

on,

> asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a

good

> sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with

my

> cane!

>

> I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I

can

> come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you

who

> have spouses, children and other family members in your home who

don't

> really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with

them. Of

> course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it

worth it.

>

> Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher

limping in,

> leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot

of

> work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I

feel

> that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I

do

> more with those who face various challenges, and I teach

meditation and

> philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to

classes.

>

> Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with

the

> group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I

didn't

> unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's

helped me

> in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have

been

> wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps,

my

> joints would be in the same condition regardless.

>

> Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in

the

> future!

>

> I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> openness, sharing and support.

>

> Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

>

> Prakasha

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the warm welcome, a.

You asked about alternative treatments I've been using:

I've been a vegetarian for many years, but I've refined that quite a

bit since being diagnosed with RA--eliminated many foods that might

encourage inflammation (It's a long list.) and put more emphasis on

those that have anti-inflammatory properties.

I started a program recommended by a wonderful Chinese herbalist. It

includes, of course, Chinese herbs as well as some Ayurvedic herbs and

other supplements, including UltraInflamX, a tasty but pricey powdered

drink mix of many vitamins and herbs.

I play with acupressure but haven't felt like trying acupuncture for

this. (I was treated with acupuncture for bronchitis many years ago,

and it was very helpful; so I'm not afraid of it, just not drawn to it

right now.)

I'm not able to practice yoga as I once was; and, for a while, I was so

discouraged that I did no exercise except walking my dogs. However, I

finally stopped moping (at least most of the time) over what I used to

be able to do and started working with a yoga therapist friend using

gentle Structural Yoga Therapy (very different from regular yoga),

which seems to help me with flexibility and strength and keeping the

joints moving--though I'm just learning how to carefully build strength

without hurting my joints. Without health insurance, I can't afford

physical therapy.

Meditation, prayer, and breathing practices also help in many many ways.

Those are the basics.

I'm still studying and learning and trying to make informed,

intelligent choices.

Like you, I'd love to see some fantastic alternative discovery for RA.

<sigh>

Prakasha

On Oct 12, 2005, at 8:02 PM, a wrote:

> Welcome  Prakasha. I'm so glad you decided to unlurk and join us. You 

> are a wealth of information. No criticism here. I did the same thing 

> myself and often wonder if damage was done while not on meds, but we 

> can't go back and we will never know. All we can do is what we think 

> is the best thing for us. I honestly believe the answers will come 

> from the alternative world. I just hope someone finds out soon! I've 

> been putting up with this for almost 30 years and I'm tired of 

> hurting!!!

> What alternative treatments have you had luck with?

>

> a

>

>

>

>

> On Oct 12, 2005, at 3:39 PM, brightt@... wrote:

>

> > Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

> >

> > I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for

> the

> > group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> > might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

> >

> > First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that RA

> > happens to some of the nicest people?

> >

> > Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and

> hard.

> > Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a while.

> > Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> > deterioration.

> >

> > I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a writer

> &

> > editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> > alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> > acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means or

> > just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc.  So, I am constantly

> > approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their

> favorite

> > cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> > saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have

> been

> > affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this

> on,

> > asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a good

> > sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with

> my

> > cane!

> >

> > I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I

> can

> > come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you who

> > have spouses, children and other family members in your home who

> don't

> > really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> > around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with them.

> Of

> > course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it worth 

> > it.

> >

> > Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> > classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher limping 

> > in,

> > leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot of

> > work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I

> feel

> > that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I

> do

> > more with those who face various challenges, and I teach meditation 

> > and

> > philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to classes.

> >

> > Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with

> the

> > group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I didn't

> > unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> > object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> > treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's helped

> me

> > in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> > point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have

> been

> > wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps, my

> > joints would be in the same condition regardless.

> >

> > Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in

> the

> > future!

> >

> > I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> > openness, sharing and support.

> >

> > Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

> >

> > Prakasha

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the warm welcome, a.

You asked about alternative treatments I've been using:

I've been a vegetarian for many years, but I've refined that quite a

bit since being diagnosed with RA--eliminated many foods that might

encourage inflammation (It's a long list.) and put more emphasis on

those that have anti-inflammatory properties.

I started a program recommended by a wonderful Chinese herbalist. It

includes, of course, Chinese herbs as well as some Ayurvedic herbs and

other supplements, including UltraInflamX, a tasty but pricey powdered

drink mix of many vitamins and herbs.

I play with acupressure but haven't felt like trying acupuncture for

this. (I was treated with acupuncture for bronchitis many years ago,

and it was very helpful; so I'm not afraid of it, just not drawn to it

right now.)

I'm not able to practice yoga as I once was; and, for a while, I was so

discouraged that I did no exercise except walking my dogs. However, I

finally stopped moping (at least most of the time) over what I used to

be able to do and started working with a yoga therapist friend using

gentle Structural Yoga Therapy (very different from regular yoga),

which seems to help me with flexibility and strength and keeping the

joints moving--though I'm just learning how to carefully build strength

without hurting my joints. Without health insurance, I can't afford

physical therapy.

Meditation, prayer, and breathing practices also help in many many ways.

Those are the basics.

I'm still studying and learning and trying to make informed,

intelligent choices.

Like you, I'd love to see some fantastic alternative discovery for RA.

<sigh>

Prakasha

On Oct 12, 2005, at 8:02 PM, a wrote:

> Welcome  Prakasha. I'm so glad you decided to unlurk and join us. You 

> are a wealth of information. No criticism here. I did the same thing 

> myself and often wonder if damage was done while not on meds, but we 

> can't go back and we will never know. All we can do is what we think 

> is the best thing for us. I honestly believe the answers will come 

> from the alternative world. I just hope someone finds out soon! I've 

> been putting up with this for almost 30 years and I'm tired of 

> hurting!!!

> What alternative treatments have you had luck with?

>

> a

>

>

>

>

> On Oct 12, 2005, at 3:39 PM, brightt@... wrote:

>

> > Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

> >

> > I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for

> the

> > group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

> > might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

> >

> > First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that RA

> > happens to some of the nicest people?

> >

> > Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and

> hard.

> > Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a while.

> > Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

> > deterioration.

> >

> > I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a writer

> &

> > editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

> > alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

> > acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means or

> > just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc.  So, I am constantly

> > approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their

> favorite

> > cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

> > saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have

> been

> > affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this

> on,

> > asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a good

> > sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with

> my

> > cane!

> >

> > I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I

> can

> > come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you who

> > have spouses, children and other family members in your home who

> don't

> > really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

> > around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with them.

> Of

> > course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it worth 

> > it.

> >

> > Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

> > classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher limping 

> > in,

> > leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot of

> > work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I

> feel

> > that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I

> do

> > more with those who face various challenges, and I teach meditation 

> > and

> > philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to classes.

> >

> > Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with

> the

> > group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I didn't

> > unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

> > object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

> > treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's helped

> me

> > in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

> > point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have

> been

> > wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps, my

> > joints would be in the same condition regardless.

> >

> > Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in

> the

> > future!

> >

> > I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

> > openness, sharing and support.

> >

> > Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

> >

> > Prakasha

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >