Rheumotoid Arthritis

[trexhater]

Has anyone out there suffering from RA tried acupuncture and natural remedies for this disease instead of taking Dmards? And do they work?

[Deeb1764]

I have done acupuncture as an add on but never without DmARDS as told need to have something to fight the RA.

Acupuncture helped a little at the start of my RA journey 5yrs ago and going to try it again next month to see if there is any relief from pain 🥰

[trexhater in reply to Deeb1764]

Thanks for replying. Heard that too but was hoping I could replace the dmards with it. Just dont want to take the trex!! I go off the trex in summer here in Australia and im fine, but need it in winter.

[Barrcroom in reply to trexhater]

As a matter of interest do you do anything different in winter that causes flares. For example what kind of heating system have you

[trexhater in reply to Barrcroom]

No, its just the cold weather that effects it. We have reverse cycling airconditioners in all the rooms have to use warm gloves/hand warmers for sleeping as we dont keep the heat going all night. As long as I keep my hands warm, I fare a lot better. But seeing a new rheumo in april for lower dose of trx 10 down to 5mg or alternatives.

[trexhater in reply to trexhater]

By alternatives I mean alternative dmards. Ty for replying

[helixhelix]

when i was first diagnosed I tried everything alternative. I became e much healthier overall, but it did nothing for my RA.

[zen4]

Me too! I have tried all sorts of complementary therapies over the years including acupuncture The only thing that ever worked for a while was a TENS machine You have to try for yourself though as we are all different !

[zen4]

Also forgot to say that I have always found physio OT and yoga helpful over the years

[Madmusiclover]

if it worked we’d all be doing it and symptom free.

[welsh12]

Tried reflexology aromatherapy acupuncture massage all lovely complimentary therapies which means I part with money regularly and keeps me relaxed but that is all they are.

[Spanelmad]

Had acupuncture through my local pain clinic, it worked for me but with the normal RA meds

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

I tried years ago got a referal from ot at rumatologist department, never helped me have other issiues as well was worth a try though ,The rumatologist told me and it was a doc who done mine seeming he does it some times with his past experience,

They both said it help lots and lots with Ra

With reducing their symptoms greatly ,

Give it ago if you do good luck

[AgedCrone]

You can try all the natural treatments you can find, but never miss out the DMards…. because they are the ones that protect your joints..& once the damage is there you are stuck with it. DMards are not retrospective.

[davannh in reply to AgedCrone]

This is so true. Once a joint is damaged there is no way back. You are lucky that there is a range of good drugs to help you.

[bpeal1]

Have you discussed alternative medications with your rheumatologist? If you are really not liking methotrexate there are plenty of other alternatives.

Have a look through this information leaflet. nras.org.uk/product/medicin...

[trexhater]

Thanks for all the very helpful replies.🙂

[pammi2]

i tried it while on drugs , in your head it helps but it doesnt. have you tried Oestheopothy, I liked that it aligns the body nad helped release some of the tension inflamation in my joints

[Tkat10]

rather than instead of DMARDS as complementary additions to treatment if my RA.

[Chester1975]

DMWARDS slow the progression of the disease and protects your joints from damage and deformity. I take YFLYMA biologics now. I have tried everything from ginger, lemon, turmeric and black pepper shots in the morning on an empty stomach. It can help a little. I’m gluten, lactose and wheat free and eat a very healthy diet, mostly organic to remove pesticides or you can remove pesticides.by soaking veg and fruit in bicarbonate of soda for twenty minutes. I limit alcohol. I’m not overweight. I’ve tried yoga and Pilates, walking, regular soaking in Epsom salts in the bath. Swimming helps as it’s not too much pressure on the joints. We must take our drugs aswell, so that they can help to dampen down the immune system to slow the progression and future damage. I havre tried acupuncture, I have seen a chiropractor which helped with my neck and shoulder joints. I have had complimentary massages but all of this was literally short term relief of a few days following the treatments except for the chiropractor who fixed my neck and shoulder issues. I have started to incorporate the lymph man shuffle into my routine very other day. I rotate and drop my shoulders twenty times. It stimulates the lymph glands in the neck and at the top of the chest and helps them to flow to remove toxins which can also help with inflammation. If you google the lymph man shoulder shuffle there’s a you tube video and instagram page x

[rawillbebeaten]

Hello, I have had Accupuncture but not specifically for the R.A. I am having regular sessions again for knock on effects, for example stomach and digestive issues and an issue which doctors think was triggered by Humira. I'm now on Abatacept. I find it does work in the short term in specific targeted area. Some things have improved a lot. A few times one joint has been especially swollen and painful, but a few, well placed needles have brought amazing relief. My Rhumatology team said it was OK to try but not something they would fund or refer for. There are a lot of spots that help Inflamation generally, I can't see it replacing my other meds, but it's hugely beneficial, for me. Also with most Holistic therapists they give you time to speak, and fully explain all your symptoms and worries and treat the whole of you. The NHS can't give you that time and overview. There are specialist compartments they put you in, as they need to do. It's something I find frustrating, having had issues in many different areas. Try it, as we always say, everyone is different and different things will work or not work. Belief that it will help is a fantastic start to it doing so. Wishing you well. Michele

[cathie]

basically no. I tried acupuncture and a careful diet years ago but the only thing that arrested the progress of ra for me was biologics, first infliximab and later rituximab. Everyone is different but ra is not to be trifled with. Hope you find a way forward.

[Leics]

I had acupuncture which I was referred for by the NHS. Unfortunately for me instead of switching the pain signals off it had the opposite effect and I ended up in more of a mess than I already was. (It can happen, approximately 1/7) so be aware that it may not have the desired outcome. If you hate mtx so much see if there’s an alternative DMARD but I definitely wouldn’t go without them it may not be immediate but you might regret your decision. At the end of the day it’s your choice.

[Evie3]

i have tried everything under the sun from exclusion diets to taking coral calcium in the early years of my 44 year RA journey. It has been a costly exercise. I was told it is a systemic disease and now grateful for the relief the Biologic meds give me, albeit with side effects.

You do need to try everything yourself…you never know you might find something that helps. Good luck

[fred42]

When I was first diagnosed 13 years ago I had a relative who was an acupuncturist, she said straightaway that she could not do anything for RA - I believed her.Have tried all the normal diets etc, the only thing that helps is the biologic, which keeps me comparatively normal and pain free.

Given up on Methotrexate after many years the side effects on my stomach are just too much. Other Dmards all had side effects.

Soo, my conclusion is to keep as healthy as possible with a good diet, lots of gentle exercise and an occasional steroid injection for a bad flare.

[Blackberrywine]

I found acuncture helpful, but it's too darned expensive for me at the moment. Also a diet change for me specifically has helped. I think different things help for different folks.

[Maxim1]

Yes!!! I started finding alternative ways as I felt so sick on methotrexate and biologics did not work either so had to explore as such a poor quality of life. I have found lymphatic drainage massage and hydrotherapy really helped with pain. I used acupuncture but felt pain return with 3 days or so, changing diet has helped and I am using traditional Chinese medicine (specialist in auto immune ) to manage the condition now. Everyone is different but I think it’s worth exploring all avenues to find what works.

[Numptybrain]

I’ve tried all kinds of supplements but it won’t take away the pain, I have ra and oa also osteoporosis. I am on prednisone but started on MMF almost full dose but it inflamed my colon so had to stop, now waiting for RTX infusions since Christmas and I really wish they’d hurry up, rheumi nurse rang me last week to say they are just waiting for respiratory consultant and rheumatologist to discuss recent CT scan of lungs. I’ve even tried inflammatory diet. I still take regular turmeric and black pepper also cinnamon in things as overall they are good for you.

Take care

Wendy xx

[DelicateInput]

Yes, I tried electro acupuncture in early 2015. I used it in combination with Chinese tablets (containing Dong Quai, Danshen, Frankinsence, Myrrh, Liquorice which are all highly oestrogenic).

I used it on my hands - my fingers were jammed and after 35 minutes I was able to move them. I had had RA for 9 months which came on overnight. It was an immense relief because I had been unable to write my name, fill the kettle, turn the tap, open the door with a key, do up zips or buttons) and kept dropping things.

I think the key is electro acupuncture rather than acupuncture. It has been copied by conventional medicine with an electrode placed under the skin, in Holland - I just can't remember all the details offhand but you might be able to get that nowadays on the NHS.

The effect for me was permanent. I also had it in my right shoulder which improved with a combination of electro acupuncture, an injection and hydroxychloroquine . I noticed a slightly improved result in my hands when taking hydroxychloroquine at the same time. It also depends on how high the electro acupuncture machine is switched to - you might find they are trying to sell you more sessions than you need because the machine is on low.

I have been in remission ever since so have not used anything. I would not say it has been cured but I have not needed to take anything since 2015 or to see anybody whereas initially my hands, right arm and shoulder were paralysed.

[Green230461]

My husband had acupuncture on the NHS for his neck and that helped him

[PurpleSE]

I tried acupuncture which was very relaxing but did nothing for my pain/inflammation. I have found a vibration mat very helpful to stimulate the lymphatic system. I lay on it every day or every other day for 45 mins. Early on my shoulders felt like they had knives in them and one night, whilst on the mat, it just stopped. For me, its easy as I can lay down and watch tv and have a treatment. I got the mat from a car boot, so also really inexpensive! I ve tried loads of things and I think the mat, epsom salt baths (when I can get in the bath), and red light sauna plus walking have made me feel the best in terms of additional therapies.

[trexhater]

Thank you for all the very helpful feedback you all have given me, very helpful and informative.

[CoastalLiving]

I have read the replies with interest as like you do not love the 'tree' and frankly even the nurse said the side effects for me were too terrible and I should stop taking. I have had acupuncture from the very start and I find it helped with pain immensely. I also think it helped my anaemia when the doctors couldn't offer anything to help with that.

Like many here, I have made lots of changes to diet, supplements, using fasting and so on but as others have said it can get costly and doesn't always bring relief. And we are all different so what works for one doesn't always work for another. One of the challenges I have come across in my research is that if the gut is the centre of issue and healing, the DMARDs unbalance the gut making it hard to fully repair it. The is all a lay person of course and I have simplified what has been in fact many many hours of research. Also that general medicine treats disease, essentially is disease management rather than being interested in any root causes.

Most helpful and or inspiring books I have found are ....

Dr Gbaor Mate, when the body says no (specifically talks about RA in there but you can also here him talk on interviews about autoimmune in general)

Brave New Medicine, Cynthia LI MD

The Autoimmune Cure, Dr Sarah Gottfried

Say No to Arthritis, Patrick Holford

There is no way I would be functioning right now if I wasn't doing the alternative things whilst I wait to find a DMARD that I can tolerate. So I may not have put myself into remission but it has all felt pretty essential to me.

I wish I could do an Australian summer too! I am sure it is better then (I lived there for years) - I have noticed such a difference when I have been in warm countries even if briefly.

[trexhater]

I found your post very interesting, ty for that. I will definitely check the books out.