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[42Tess]

Has anyone tried a herbal supplement being advertised by Dr Raphael Perez to help with pain and swelling caused by RA? The product is called Easy Flex. Thank you.

[springcross]

Just had a look, they are quite expensive!

[nomoreheels]

Be wary, read up on this & other products marketed under this Doctor. Seems very expensive given that the 3 ingredients (in total) can be bought separately very easily & much cheaper, check first though if any could interact with your meds. rxlist.com/consumer_boswell... rxlist.com/turmeric/supplem... & rxlist.com/collagen_type_ii...

[42Tess in reply to nomoreheels]

Thankyou -pretty much what I was think ing

[Nyreedw in reply to nomoreheels]

Boswellia interacts with immunosuppressants and this that affect the liver so basically our meds especially mtx.

[Mmrr]

Be wary, if something as simple as this worked I suspect the NHS would be recommending / prescribing it.Some supplements can interact with your meds too, so best check with your rheumatologist first if you decide to go ahead.

[42Tess in reply to Mmrr]

thankyou good to hear another opinion

[DelicateInput in reply to Mmrr]

A lot of things I use for various ailments work well but the NHS has never heard of them.

[Mmrr in reply to DelicateInput]

Me too, but if there was a cheap cure all for RA I guess it would be available on the NHS and used worldwide by all health services.

[nomoreheels in reply to DelicateInput]

You use a Chinese medicine practitioner though don't you DI? If so I might expect your Rheumy to have some idea given you are under his care but not the rest of the NHS medical personnel.

[DelicateInput in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes, I did use doctors qualified in Chinese medicine and also Western medicine. The owner has several clinics in SW London and one in NE England. The practitioners are all qualified doctors. Coincidentally, friends went to the same clinics for different reasons - back problems, injuries - and they found the acupuncture wonderful and only needed four/five sessions. I have not been for a few years now on account of lockdown, inability to import the tablets, costs, plus have been OK. My hands are pretty mobile and I just get flare ups in them and around the body. I don't use conventional drugs as I am frightened at my age (73) of the side effects and also of picking up the virus.

The NHS does use acupuncture but I prefer the real McCoy, so to speak, and I specifically uses electro acupuncture which I think Western medicine has copied.

[nomoreheels in reply to DelicateInput]

I have to admit I did find acupuncture helpful after an accident. It was one part of different physio treatments/manipulations.

[HappykindaGal]

I take every one of those listed ingredients separately. Like many of us, when we first have RA everyone has an opinion. Particularly my clients as they’re all in healthcare. I was also besieged by multi level marketeers. An osteo recommended Boswellia, someone else organic sulfur MSM, was already taking turmeric etc..and glucosamine.

So off I went and bought every suggestion under the sun. Including the ones listed here. Most I dropped, except for these. Do they make any difference? I have no idea but worried about stopping them now 😂

It’s doubtful they do as I ended up on biologics anyway.

To be fair, he looks a genuine chap and espouses a Cretan diet. As does Tim Spector who’s very well regarded. Like many things, some work for some, others don’t. Might be worth a shot for three months.

[Happy5]

No I haven't. It's good to discuss supplements with your rheumatologist nurse/ consultant.Some supplements can effect the efficacy of the medication used to control your symptoms.

[KittyJ]

Oh I wish it were that simple.

[oldtimer]

The product has a very high price-point for a 30 day supply.

There are ingredients missing that might have been helpful, including glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. The supplement contains a number of filler ingredients.

The collagen is derived from chicken sternum cartilage, If you are vegans or vegetarian you might not be happy. There are many people who are allergic to collagen.

Generally, I'm not in favour of supplements, preferring to get mine from a good variety of food.

[nomoreheels in reply to oldtimer]

I read all that too. It's no wonder pill.

[allanah]

Hiya Tess, oh I wish there was a magic pill or supplement although definatly certain things do help us. I know that nras.or.uk have a very good section on diet and their ideas on what supplements help . Happy reading xx

[bienassis]

My RD goes back to the Stone Age - and I can't count the number of "doctors" who have advertised their potions as being just what I need.

I am very sceptical. I stick to looking after my general health rather than looking for a magic bullet for the disease. Others have found acupuncture works for some pains - and I believe it is available on the NHS.

Remember this is an auto-immune disease. The immune system along with the nervous system and the brain are still a bit "mysterious", but are being given more attention these days so perhaps that's where the "eureka" moment will come from!

Just eat healthily, keep moving as much as possible without strain, get enough sleep, try to avoid stress (perhaps the most difficult).

My rheumy, years ago, suggested a Vitamin C supplement - patients are often anaemic (iron deficiency) and Vit C helps the absorption of iron from food. I also take Vit B12 as I don't eat meat.

Good Luck. x

[OmaM]

Hi Tess. Having researched Dr Perez he is not a qualified doctor, he has used the name and some qualifications of the real Dr Peter. He is not qualified to produce the products. He has used information from various people, for the majority they will do nothing. A few do find it helps a little. He certainly is not qualified in the U.K. hope this is helpful.