Arthritis suggestions?

Hi!

I wish I could help you, but i can't.. I'm going through the exact same thing. The arthritis started kicking in, in Nov and since then it's gotten allot worse. I've been on remicade which they just stop, and switching me to humira, the doc said this would work especially with the arthritis. But it's not helping you, makes me worry. As I am still young and about to get married and want a  a family, the doc wont put me on MTX so she put me back on Imuran and going to start Humira sometime next week. I feel like there is no hope right now. I want my life back. Most important I want to walk down the aisle.. as it stand right now I can't =(

I hope you find something that works for you.Try to keep this tread going.. I would like to know if there is a light somewhere down here.

 

Hi lenagirl.

yes I was Imuran before remicade, they took me off of it while on remicade (now I got the RA from the antibodies from remicade) Now back on Imuran but only for the last 5 days. Not sure when I should see a difference.

Thanks.  I will look into/ask about the Plaquenil.  lenagirl, I was on 6mp for about a year, but it didn't help.  Haven't tried azathioprine, though. 

I have been dealing with arthritis pains in my ankles, left jaw, left knee and right pinky for more than 4 mos now. It is so frustrating. A colonoscopy in May showed two spots where Crohn's has become active again, though I have not had problems with my gut. At one point, I was on crutches for almost two weeks and was using a soft cast on my right ankle for nearly 2 months. I could not wear closed shoes! My GI wanted to put me on Remicade or Imuran. I was scared to death, but grateful the options existed. I wanted to find a way around the drugs though.

about two months ago, I started seeing an acupuncturist. I was very skeptical, and after three weeks was thinking I was just wasting my time. Still, I stuck it out. My acu slowly started suggesting various herbs to offer to my supplement regimen. She put me on the Chinese herb Isatis Cooling to calm the inflammation in my gut. Next, she had me switch from Osteo-Biflex (Glucosamine/chondroitin) to a vegetarian glucosamine (within 2 days of this switch, the pain in my knee was gone!!) and most recently added Thyroid support. I also take resveratrol, Align probiotic, vitamin E, fish oil with borage and primrose oil, vitamin D and Pentasa. Just this week, I started feeling PHENOMENAL. My ankles still swell marginally each day, but the pain is all but gone! I have stopped taking the prescription Mobic (NSAID) that I counted on to numb the pain each day. I am continuing with acupuncture weekly for a few more weeks. My acu also ordered a gut analysis for me. Those results should show contents of my intestinal flora/bacteria and parasitology from which the acu can more specifically target my needs. I am very quickly becoming a VERY STRONG believer in complementary/natural medicine.

I cannot tell you how well I've felt. It has been fantastic! I am walking with pep in my step again. My feet can still get fatigued at the end of a day if I'm on them a lot. But not like I did. I am not horrifically stiff when I get up in the morning or off the couch in the middle of the day. I can wear normal shoes. I can walk around the neighborhood. I am not able to run or walk rapidly on my treadmill - YET! But I see both normal-looking ankles and a treadmill jog in my future. I could not have said that three months ago. And, so far, I do not see Remicade or Imuran on the horizon (I am still glad they exist if I need them, though).

Best of luck!

JHicks do you know the name of the vegetarian glucousamine you are taking. My Crohns is in remission, but my joints are really bad, and I am also trying to put off a possible Total Knee replacement and would be willing to try something to help there.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

Hi Nanners,

I take a product called VegeGlucosamine Plus Comprehensive Joint Formula with Vegetarian Glucosamine. Looks like it is by Karuna Responsible Nutrition. I got it from my acupuncturist. I had been taking a nonveg Glucosamine/Chondroitin product before, but was still experiencing pain. It's hard to pinpoint which product is responsible for what (is it the cumulative affects of acupuncture with all the other supplements or the addition of the vegetarian one), but I did notice the pain in my knee go completely away w/in 2 days of adding this product. I've been on it almost a month now, and my arthritic pain/stiffness in my ankles is just about gone all around. They do still swell marginally by evening. I also added resveratrol to my regimen about a week and a half ago and my energy has increased markedly as well (though I'm still no good after 9 p.m.). I went bowling yesterday, and the pain in my pinky did return. I think the weight of the ball on that finger was just too much. It's not bothering me today. My ankle pain is almost completely gone, but this has only been for a few days, so I am reluctant to declare victory over it yet. My jaw still hurts when I yawn, but it's not as bad as it was months ago.

Best of luck to everyone. If I could bottle how well I've felt this week and give it to all of you, I would, free of charge! I just hope it continues!!

Has anyone tried Bee-stings? I have CD and for the most part ...gone the conventional Dr. route...however, my Brother has MS and swears by the more natural route... Bee's, accupuncture, vitamin supplements.... I'm starting to really re-think over the counter drugs. So, many side effects. So many options that eventually are ruined. I guess looking back ...your in a life threatening flare and you go through the ropes of drugs your Dr. prescribes without even thinking....what are these doing? It's all very scary what drugs you trust your doctor to prescribe and then down the road... find it may have damaged you more. Worrying about....food, allergies, preservatives, bacteria, colds, flu's, rashes, liver enzymes, c-diff, yada yada..soooo overhelming.
My joint pain really bothers me most days. I haven't gotten diagnosed with a title of arthritus yet because...once I'm diagnosed..I'll have to take another drug. The pain is so bad somedays I just whine and cry. Kinda wasted days. I ended up taking a leave of absence from my job because of all together feeling swelled and yucky every day! Just trying to weigh out my choices.
GI doctor says to take Glucosamine. I remember reading somewhere one time that Glucosamine is (Glucose).. total sugar. What oil's are joints ...adrenalin...what makes adrenalin.....SUGAR!!!! taking Glucosamine is like putting sugar in your body that "oil"!! your joints ....well it will work!.. but your chances of getting diabetes down the road rises significantly
Anybody ever hear of this happening?