Anyone have experience with the treatment of rhuematoid arthritis and what was your results
132543
I have experienced joint replacement and it has helped me tremendously.  The most important thing is to do the physical therapy just as they tell you to.  It is painful but it will be beneficial in the end.  Today they can replace your finger joints also.  I am going to go for that too.  My hands are so crippled and they hurt so bad.  My knees feel much better.  Get them both done one after the other.  I have also had my hips replaced.  You might call me the bionic woman.  Or the million dollar woman if you could see my medical bills!  But you only live once and I wanted to be able to still do things in life.  I do take pain medication on occasion, especially when it is rainy and cold outside.  Mostly I try mind over matter.  There is no cure for this crippling disease so we must make the best of it.
111633
sounds like arthritis . . .I have it myself in most of my joints.  Advil, regular walking, a knee brace and will power.  That's all you can do really.
337568
I have AVN too. But I am not at the point of joint replacement yet. I don't know what it is like to have joint replacement but I can tell that you are a strong person. Good luck!!
263200
I have had it for 8 years. It is not pleasant. It is a sharp pain that never goes away and that pills will only barely help. It is an ongoing thing. I had surgery 6 yrs ago to open the blood flow back up b/c with AVN the blood supply to the joints gets slowed down. Eventually the hip ball joint will collapse and will need a hip replacement. If u need any info or any help or anything let me know. I'd be happy to help.
498479
My understanding is that it is treatable but not curable.  So if believe that there are "last stages" of cancer then I guess there could be "last stages" for Rhumatoid arthritis.  I have it and it normally dosn't bother me as much as it used to because I treated it when it was bad.  Now I just have to watch it and take care of it if it flares up.  I haven't had any replacements or illness from it so obviously mine was a lot more mild but to answer your question I don't believe there are any "last stages."
220851
RHEUMATOLOGIST dont work with osteo arthritis - they work with rheumatory arthitis. she needs to talk to a doctor in person. and doctor dont get on here and sit here and answers questions.
438724
Sweetheart, yours is falling but mine is gone!  I have rheumatoid arthritis too and my hair is in bald patches and spots and I wear wigs now. I have Systemic Lupus and hair loss is a symptom of the illness. Have you been screened for the anti body? If not you should be. There is no cure for the disease and it is terminal but not deadly, necessarily. Discuss this with your rhuematologist as it is a strong possibility that it's what's going on with you. There is no baldness in my family either, not even the males.
90483
You really should go talk to your doctor.  The problem with RA is that it's not just pain, its causing damage to your joints as the disease develops.  Even if you don't have inflammation your joints could still be deteriorating.  Some of the new meds (biologics) really help slow down the damage.  I've been on Enbrel for a six months and am in remission.  When I was diagnosed with RA one year ago I was in incredible pain whenever I tried to unlock the door, start my car, or open a bottle.  Now I feel very little. These meds don't work as well for everyone, but it has really helped me.\n\nAside from visiting your doctor to make sure you are getting proper treatment, you should stay active and eat right.  With a disease that effects the immune system, its important to stay healthy so things don't get worse.  You should try water exercises in a heated pool.  This will give you the exercise you need and is a lot less painful.  You can also ask your doctor what other remedies you can try or changes you can make so that life is a little easier.\n\nVisit http://www.arthritis.org for tips on living with arthritis and to reach out to others with RA - it has helped me a lot.  Good luck with your treatment!!\n\nBy the way... be aware of the difference between rheumatoid arhritis and osteoarthritis!!  They are two very very differnt illnesses, that just share the common name "arthritis." Lots of people get osteo, and they do just fine with a pain reliever.  But RA is a progressive disease.  You can't just stand by and leave it untreated.  It will likely only cause more damage and more pain the longer you wait.  I notice a lot of times people will answer questions about RA like it is the same as what their grandma always had, but it is far more serious and has much different treatments!!
509022
Hi Djinn\n\nHere are a few ideas to help the healing process.\n\nCause: \nArthritis is caused by acids and waste matter in the body, which eventually become solidified and lock the joint. This condition is caused and aggravated by improper diet. Some of the worst intakes are eggs, bread, milk, meat, salt, sugar, etc., because they cause arthritic calcification. The use of extremely hard water (generally of twelve or more grains in hardness) will often accentuate an arthritic condition where softer water will help relieve it. Sometimes an individual with a good inherent structure can throw off the hardest water without arthritic effect. The weaker person may drink water that is not very hard and absorb from it relatively larger quantities of the inorganic minerals. \n\n\nQuick Action Plan for Rheumatoid Arthritis\n\n1. Acupuncture treatment helps to reduce the body's aggressive defenses that inadvertently attack its own joint tissue. \n\n2. Massage affected joints with rosemary, benzoin, chamomile, camphor, juniper, or lavender. \n\n3. Diet plays an integral part in reducing or preventing the onset of all types of arthritic conditions. A diet rich in an abundant selection of fresh vegetables, and a wide variety of sweet and non-sweet fruits, soaked nuts and seeds, and whole grains is recommended. \n\n4. Tomatoes, cayenne, black and long pepper should be avoided by person's with rheumatoid arthritis. Minimize protein intake, choose small quantities of fish, legumes, eggs, soaked nuts and seeds. Eliminate beef, chicken, shellfish, and pork completely. Eat no hydrogenated fats, processed sugars, dairy products, alcohol, coffee, or black tea. \n\n5. Use the following powerful aids to speed and assist healing: Goji, Acai and Noni juice, bee pollen, royal jelly, and evening primrose oil are recommended, as is Shark cartilage, Wobenzyme, DMSO, MSM Manganese Cetyl myristoleate with lipase, and vitamin C.\n\n6. Test for food and environmental allergies and avoid all foods and substances to which you are allergic. \n\n7. Cleansing and Detoxification including colon and bowel cleansing therapies, fasting, kidney and gallbladder flushes, physical medicine, and homeopathic remedies. \nIsometric exercises, stretching, and yoga can help ease arthritis pain. \n\n8. Constitutional hydrotherapy (apply two to five times weekly) or heating compress (apply once daily to affected areas). \n\n9 Drink the juice of half a lemon before every meal and before going to bed. \n\nBest of health to your family.\n\nCheers
183964
If you find that you have this condition or not. May I suggest  Tahitian Noni Juice? because it can help in improving your health. the tahitian noni juice is the only product listed in the 2005 medical PDR with zero side affects. I use to have arthritis and type 2 diabetes before my doctor cleared me of both conditions. it helps improve your circulatory, immune and digestive systems. if you have any questions for me, feel free to send IM or email
656811
My best friends husband has rheumatoid arthritis but he never had pain in his ribs always in his joints. He sees a specialist for it he was young when he got it in his mid 30's. that's all I know.
641875
There are many.  First I would write down when and what you are doing when this happens.  Arthritis, RSD, Hypocalcimeia,,, I have had the same thing and it took two years before the doctors could do tests and eliminate each.  Surgery and alot of work from myself keeping a daily notebook regarding my symptoms.  In the end I had all of the ones I mentioned.  You need a good doctor of immunology who can tests and find out exactly what needs to be done and find a course of treatment.
314046
I've had arthritis for about 15 years now and it's miserable. I try to take hot baths a couple of nights a week, unfortunately take pain killers and Conair has an awesome pad you put in your tub that makes it like a jacuzzi - does wonders and you can get it at Sears. Have you tried Glucosamine? The only time it really ruins my activities is if a storm is coming in. I can tell the minute the barometric pressure changes. Good Luck and God Bless both of you.I understand.
142565
As someone who has had JRA since age 14, and OA since 35, my best advice is exercise and rest.  There is no cure for RA, and it is a mysterious disease, even to doctors.  It is known as an autoimmune disorder, where the body attacks itself, thinking there is an infection, when there is none.  \n\nI truly believe there is a VERY strong correlation between physical, and mental stress, and RA symptoms.  I have had different blood test results at different times, and it didn't always agree with my symptoms.  \n\nTry hot and cold packs for relief without side effects.  Heat draws blood to the joint, and is good for stiffness.  20 minutes maximum, min 10 minutes or until relief is felt.  Ice draws blood away from the joint and is good for when the joints are inflammed, meaning literally hot to the touch.  Ice can provide great relief where prescription medicines fail.  \n\nHave her read a book called the Mind Body Connection, by John Sarno.  There is a great deal of medical evidence that symptoms of asthma and arthritis are directly related to stress and how the body reacts to stress.  \n\nBelieve me, I'm not saying it's in your mind.  These are very real symptoms.  I have spent months on crutches due to its debilitating power.  But I have NOT received any significant or long-term relief from any pill.  Find the root of the cause, and why.  Deal with how you react to stress, and change it.\n\nAgain, as a sufferer of arthritis and asthma for most of my life, I know that doctors will profit from your suffering, but have little to offer in relief.  She needs to think of why this would happen now.  I'm sure the baby has a lot to do with it.  Obviously, or it would never have cropped up.\n\nDo NOT take her to a chiropractor, unless you want to be at their mercy for life.  Good luck and don't forget to breathe!  Breathing delivers oxygen to the tissues and joints, and lack thereof creates pain and injury.
126279
http://www.webmd.com/hw/arthritis/hw213456.asp\n\n\nHere is some info on it.  My boss had the surgery on on hand and is very happy with the results.
314626
George,\n\nI'm so sorry that you feel that way.  I've done a little research, and although most of the treatmetn sites are conventional, you can go through them and get a lot more insight that I can provide here.  I hope someone else can come through and recommend something more to your liking as well.\n\nlink to the PA sites:\n\nhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=&cat=&meta=&num=&ie=utf-8&q=Psoriatic+Arthropathy
108317
No, but a man I know who had it has been in remission for over 5 years.  Best wishes.  It must be scary wondering if it will come back.\n\nThink positively and get lots of exercise to boost your immune system!!