Help with pain

[Koko]

I was wondering if anyone knew of some alternative methods for helping the pain of arthritis in the hands.  I have possibly rheumatoid arthritis(not showing up in the blood yet) in both hands with the left one getting pretty severe in a couple of fingers.  I have been taking meds from a rheumatologist since November 05 and it seems to not be working to well now.  I have been unable to get in contact with the DR due to having to jump through military medical hoops.  I am needing an alternative so that I can quit hurting so badly.  I is so that I just ache all over, and I am thinking it is from getting so worn down from the new pain in the fingers.  I appreciate any assistance that anyone can give.  Oh, I have a parafin bath and it is not working, either.

[Reemya]

Hi, Koko.

I'm very sorry to hear that you're dealing with RA pain. Often the RF test won't show it in the blood, but you might see about getting an ANA blood test--it checks for autoimmune diseases. Often with RA you'll also test positive for another autoimmune disease.

Have you tried making dietary changes? The most important one you can make is to increase your long chain fatty acids. Try eating more fatty fish, like salmon and taking fish oil capsules (the enteric coated ones are the best if you don't want fish breath.) The is one of the few dietary items that has been proven to improve RA inflammation.

My other advice would be to make sure you aren't drinking carbonated beverages, and other than fish eat a mostly vegetarian diet, and reduce or eliminate tomatoes (due to the acid in them). Other trigger foods to avoid are dairy products, wheat, salt, caffeine, and nightshade vegetables (like potatoes and eggplant.)

Try your best to keep you weight in check, as RA pain tends to be worse with any extra weight. Make sure you're getting your basic vitamins, too. Take a multi-vitamin and folic acid everyday, which we should probably all do.

Stress can be an RA trigger, so try to relax and meditate whenever you can. If you can't get your paraffin bath to work, then at least soak your hands in some warm water with Epsom salts in the evening--it should soothe some of the discomfort.

I really hope you start feeling better soon. Best wishes...

Namaste,
Reemya

[Koko]

Thanks for the info.  So many of your suggestions make sense, but it will take time to do them.  I am so set in my ways, but they are ideas I will work on incorporating into my life.  Thank you again, so much.

[Reemya]

Koko,

I was very happy to pass the info along, although I'm sorry I couldn't offer any quick-fix advice. Sadly, I don't think there are any quick-fix things that can help. (Though it might still be good to keep an open mind regarding massage, acupuncture/acupressure, and various healthful healing treatments.) Many people have spontaneous remission cycles with RA--they can last years. Here's hoping there's a remission right around the corner for you.

I really hope you are able to incorporate some of the dietary changes (especially the fishy ones!) But I know it can be really hard to make those kind of changes.

Anyway, because I was a caregiver for someone with RA for many years, I have a good background with the disease, medications, and treatments. Please feel free to contact me anytime if you need any info, or if you just want to vent about how you're feeling.

Namaste,
Reemya