Rheumatoid Arthritis Help???

Originally posted by Art Johnson
Carman I can sympathize with you Catherine and I both have Osteo Arthritis and the medication sometimes seems worse than the disease. I use a hot wax bath for my wrists and hands and it provides some temporary relief. For exercise I use a sponge ball. Of course a couple of shots of Drambuie helps also.
A relative, by marriage, who lives in the Winnipeg area has Rheumatoid Arthritis she takes one pill a week and it seems to work for her I forget the name of the pill but I can find out from her as she just lives up the street from me here in Florida.

Cheers

Ah ... thanks a lot Art. Me too, for you two, regards this chronic stuff thats pain and interference with quality of life. By the way, I don't know why I so often think of you and your own physical problems ... but I do, when I think of my own progressive deteriorations. You're an inspiration to me Art. You help me to remember that my stuff could be a whole lot worse, which would be a whole lot harder to accept and adapt to I know this was one of your own sacrifices for all of us. I also have an incredibly deep fear about being physically helpless and dependent on others caring for me. I refuse to ever "go there" Period

Yes ... am interested in hearing about what pill your friend takes. Rheumatologist had recommended methotrexate if the gold salts didn't cut it. I said ... NO. Bad drug. All of them bad and not worth the risks as far as I'm concerned. And even though I stopped the gold injections more than a year ago, I could still have a delayed reaction to it in my system. : Charming.

The hot wax I want to try for sure... if only because it sounds absolutely soothing/comforting!

I'm interested in hearing anything, drug free especially, that can improve things. Muscle wasting is one of my problems ... so some program to 'get fit" is in order because I'm about to jump into a life of living and doing real life again and will need to lift that dammed frying pan when I need to

Hey Art, my Mom had osteoarthritis too ... had hip replacement surgery a few years before she passed away at age 61. I remember the hell of pain before and after surgery she had. Its no joke ... this stuff HURTS. Guess I'm in much pain often ... but not severe, though have had "times" where synthetic narcotics were needed. I HATE taking pills I prefer to avoid them unless I'll die without them

Drambuie ... YES ... I shall descend on you one day and lift a drink of this delightful little helper ... when are you back to Canada again? i'm thirsty, but not for pain, am just CRANKY and need to mood alter. I think Drambuie with you would do the trick!

Karmen says a special HELLO to CATHERINE.