Straw clutching....

[rab333]

In my series of straw clutching I am at present grasping my Chinese medicine straw. I read on internet that a Chinese herb called Chang Shan is good for RA. So I went into local Chinese medicine shop to see if I could purchase it. The Chinese doctor said he did not believe I had RA but would offer me treatment that would help me. He gave me acupuncture, massage and cup treatment and sent me home with pills called Xiao Huo Luo Wan...I have to say that I am in the best period of wellness I have been in since my diagnosis 2 years ago...I don't know if its the lasting effect of steroid injection I had on 13th March or has the Humira finally kicked in where previously I have felt no difference since I started it in Dec.2011...or is ther anything to this Chinese treatments...???

[Hidden]

Oh, if I had a pound for each straw I have grabbed, ...

The steroid injection has probably been a great help.

Do be careful with Chinese medicine, especially the tablets they gave you. Who knows what is in them, and whether or not they may react with the other meds you are on.

However, I think that massage and acupuncture will probably not harm you and may help.

Please be careful. And do remember that RA fluctuates all the time whatever we do.

[lynn-bel]

Hi, I've toyed with the idea of acupuncture but not done it yet. My husband used Chinese "tea" for psoriasis a few years ago and it worked extremely well. But expensive, so had to stop. the tea looked like it had been scraped up off a forest floor, but it worked! As Phoebe says, be careful and make sure your GP knows what you are taking in case they do interfere with your meds. But I am open to any form of medicine - whatever works! Did the Chinese dr. give you an exam first? I do think they have some good knowledge, but get as much info. as you can before going on with it.

My steroid injection took a week or so to kick in and then it made me feel like a spring chicken for 6 or 8 weeks so you may be feeling that effect as well.

Lynnx

[helixhelix]

I've had acupuncture before and even tho' I'm a sceptic it worked! But I remain a sceptic about unidentified medicines, partly 'cos they could be dangerous and also because some contain things that are downright cruel. A friend of mine used a chinese herbal potion for a skin rash, and ended up with very nasty blisters that left a scar. So your choice of course, but do be careful about what you take. And 3 months is about the time it takes for many RA medicines to work, so it could well be Humira finally kicking in. Polly

[Gina_K]

Hi, In the early clutching straw days, I ambled into Chinese medicine , and got cup treatment and herbs etc. I don't like to dis complementary medicine, but all I got was poorer. Sorry.

Gina.

[rab333]

I had tried acupunture years ago for back pain , again when I felt I had exhausted every other avenue. It worked for me so I was open to it this time...something is definately different this time...I don't just feel better...I feel well and my wife says that mentally " I am back in the room "...

[swoodge]

Hi great to try other things just not the pills without the ok of your doctor and i know what hes going to say. Everything else go for it, it must all help if you feel better and can afford to have it all done then why not?? Pity you did it all at the same time as you'll not know which one is actually helping. Hope it all continues for you Sue

[rab333]

Ahh that's the problem...I'm not sure what is helping or what combo...and the other thing is the cost...I cant really afford to have it done all the time...