Arthritis what to try?

[sms747]

Got it worse in the fingers but have not been to a clinic here yet. Reading earlier threads people suggest drugs like Naproxin and a lot of people seem to take losec with it to counter act stomach reaction to this and similar drugs like meloxicam. I already have been taking losec for 12 years for an existing stomach problem, ulcers and gastritis. Drs in the past have told me not to take aspirin and other anti inflammatory drugs which seem to be the ones used to treat arthritis, so I am wondering what to try.

[Showbags]

Bee stings....but if you have it everywhere that could be a problem

[olddoc]

There are different "types" of arthritis. Would suggest you consult a rheumatologist to secure a definitive diagnosis. Once that has been achieved treatment options can be identified.

Suggest yo avoid any self medication especially in view of your medical history.

[sms747]

Ok so how do they test to see what sort you have?

[olddoc]

Ok so how do they test to see what sort you have?

A clinical examination coupled with history will provide major clues as to the diagnosis. This will be confirmed by x-ray +/- blood tests.

[Kitsune]

Diet change

[CaptHaddock]

I was starting to feel what I assume to be osteoarthritis in my hands a year or so ago. It would come and go. I don't feel it any more. Since that time I have started taking vitamin D3 daily and I swim for an hour a day. Seems to have done the trick.

[Kitsune]

Diet & Arthritis

[sms747]

Not eaten meat or fish for 42 years so that's out

[Sheryl]

OP, see an orthopedic specialist to confirm the diagnosis.

If it is rheumatoid arthritis there are some disease modifying drugs which wopuld not be contraindicated for you. (Be sure, of course, to tell the doctor about your history of ulcers etc).

If it is osteoarthritis, given your inability to take anti-inflammatory medications, you might like to discuss with the doctor the possibility of injections of hyaluronic acid.

If it is gout, treatment is altogether something else. Ditto conditions specific to the fingers, which often relate to localized nerve compression.

BTW for both types of arthritis, heat applications are very helpful. In the west you can buy paraffin wax baths which give great (though of course temporary) relief. You might be able to get this online, or find paraffin wax locally.

[sms747]

thanks Sheryl I will book an appointment and look into heat treatment

[whoisyourdaddy]

I am little old fashioned and believe glucosamine is the way.

With minimal side affects, works great once settled in the body.

Glucosamine with msm is even better.

[Kitsune]

Not eaten meat or fish for 42 years so that's out

I have been a vegetarian for 20 years

I got sudden rheumatoid pains in my limbs last year, it got to the point that I had trouble to walk.

Went to my local hospital in BKK, did full blood/urine check said may be lupus or some other autoimmune disease, or just arthritis then referred me to another hospital Chulalongkom who asked me to do more blood tests, said after much quizzing that no it was not lupus, but may be some other autoimmune disease. Then Xray where they finally found a nodule in my lungs, they could not say if it was cancer or not then CT scan that could not say either if I had a beginning of lung cancer or not. then more tests, but never told me what I had or what they thought I could have. Totally zero feedback. Did I have cancer ? May be. Auto immune disease ? Probably

By then I was super panicked, as you can imagine :nearly crippled almost overnight with possible lung cancer and a couple of autoimmune diseases and that pain days and nights. I started doing my own research on these auto immune diseases/cancers: The first thing you learn about them and it's true for cancer too is how so very rare they are in some countries in the sub continent. Like some countries don't have a single case out of 1300 autopsies of cancer or even never ever had any case of any auto immune disease in the all country. And then you find out that many researchers have found it odd too and have conducted tests to explain this. In short, the finger is pointed at the Western diet (meat products, too much fat), and being a vegetarian like yourself I thought was not included, but I started watching my diet anyway, less fat, more vegs, and took a couple of "superfoods" nothing major.

And it nearly disappeared nearly overnight ! in 4/5 days it was much better. I still had some pains/stiffness in the morning but I attributed to "getting old" and I was so happy to finally be able to move again, that I was ok with a little pain.

That time,I had my long waited referred from my previous doctor appointment at Burumgrad with someone who was the specialist in BKK for what I had, so I thought I just go anyhow. I tell the doctor, it nearly disappeared like a miracle 2 days ago and I was not sure if I should come or not. So he did more tests anyway and his diagnostic was "BAD LUCK" (his words), that's it ? I asked, "yes come back to see if it recurs" That guy was the person I have being referred as THE specialist of what I had and who had been waiting to see for weeks, and all he could say was "BAD LUCK" and "that would be 5000 Bahts please".

By then it was like 4/5 months and I was really pissed off, I decided 1/ I was not going to waste more time and money on these idiots and 2/ I was going to make sure that, this sudden arthritis/lupus/cancer/autoimmune disease or whatever it was, was not coming back.

Went back to researching. Cutting short I found out that diet is indeed responsible for all of these autoimmune/cancers but also heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes etc. And that dairy for the body is like liquid meat, as harmful if not more for the body and also all the oils are harmful too.

So I stopped all these, start eating whole grains and guess what? the morning pains disappeared literally overnight: in 2 mornings it was over !

I also found out it was fibromyalgia, well that's my own diagnostic and the closest thing that can describe my condition. At least I have a name now.

I also realized an awful lot of other things that I took as "normal" disappeared too : PMS, ear infections, constipation, skin problems, psoriasis, abdominal pains, bloating sensation after eating, cravings, no energy, always tired, overweight problem, which are all problems I had since childhood (except weight and energy) and thought I would never get rid of.

Now I have been on this diet for 4 months and I do sometimes miss some of the fried food especially here the fried spring rolls or deep fried tofu which are so lovely and everywhere you go. But when I see them I think of all the consequences these oils have on me and it's enough to put me right off. Strangely I do not crave cheese or chocolate like I thought I would, probably because I don't see it as much.

After 4 months, I never felt better in my entire life, the arthritic pain and stiffness has completely disappeared, no PMS (i had horrible pain every month for over 30 years), no ear infections (due to dairy), no constipation, etc, I have lost 2 sizes without any restriction ( I eat a lot, 3/4 times a day) no cravings. It's the easiest weight loss ever! The greens and whole grains are very good at sending the message to your body that it is filled and you feel satiated and have a lot of energy.

I went back for my check up lungs Xray and guess what ? the nodule/lump had disappeared, as usual they gave no explanation as to why, but guess what? I don't need to ask, because I know now cancer especially at early stage is reversible by diet, if you put the right food in your body you can reverse many conditions. My new moto is from Dr T Campbell : "I know of nothing else in medicine that can come close to what a plant-based diet can do" Food is the first and most powerful medicine you can get.

I know most of you think it is extreme to become a vegan and it's "mumbo jumbo science" to say diet can reverse cancer, but the studies are available to prove it, please ask for any further information. I am so thankful for having my health back that I feel it's only normal that I share what I learnt on my researches with others for I wish to no one to find oneself in the situation I was.

[Sheryl]

thanks Sheryl I will book an appointment and look into heat treatment

I forgot to add, but after doing the heat and while the area is still bright red in color (indicating vasodilation) rub on a topical NSAID ointment like Voltaren. Systemic aborption is minimal so no problem with your stomach. Normally rubbing these ointments on does almost nothing as it does not penetrate to the tissues. However with heat applied immediately beforehand local absorption improves.

If you problem is solely in the fingers/hand, the best hand specialist in Thailand is PROF. DR.PANUPAN SONGCHAROEN. He is at Phyathai 2 Hospital Fridays 6 - 7:30 PM and at Chaophya Hospital (pinklao area) Thursdays (call in advance to confirm, and arrive early as it is first come first see; call center at Phaythai is 1772). It might also be possible to see him through Siriraj's new private hospital, http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html as he is on faculty at Siriraj.