How I Control My RA

I've been the conventional therapy route. I've been the natural therapy route. I've done the mind/body/spirit exercises. I've done just about everything trying to get a handle on this disease.

Early on I was placed on the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), the corticosteroids, and the sulfa drugs. All helped a bit, given my condition wasn't too bad at the time.

Later I was placed in a clinical study involving Enbrel (a newer medication called a 'Biologic') which did help a lot but I had to stop do to a reaction to the drug and possible serious consequences.

The Rheumatologists I have seen in the past all wanted me to try the 'chemo' drugs but after much research I found those drugs to be as dangerous, if not more so, then RA itself with no guarantees that they would help much.

Today, and for the past several years, I have settled on a combination of conventional and natural therapies.

A Combination of Conventional and Natural Therapies

I take 10 mg of prednisone each day along with 800 mgs of ibuprofen, up to 3 times in a 24 hour period based on how I feel. In addition (and this is my secret weapon) I have learned how my body reacts to certain foods. So I try to watch my diet closely.

Knowing that prednisone can cause bone loss, skin problems and other issues AND too much ibuprofen can cause kidney problems, I try to supplement with vitamins, calcium, garlic, hawthorn and an occasional liver and kidney cleanse.

The above routine keeps me alive, walking and functioning within a specific set of limitations, which I have come to accept in my life.

As a side note, and no offense to all the MDs out there, I have found that most general practitioners have no clue about RA, let alone a moderate treatment plan such as this.

Unfortunately I am one of the millions of Americans who has no health insurance, so going to a Rheumatologist is simply out of the question right now. Therefore I see a GP doctor at a walk-in clinic nearby and thank god he hasn't argued with me about taking prednisone each day for several years straight. It seems if you mention prednisone to most doctors they flinch and about fall out off their chair. "Prednisone is dangerous!", they caution.

Yeah, well, so is Methotrexate as it slowly destroys your liver and lungs.

I choose the lesser of the two evils.

Finally, I have to say this. Most Rheumatologists associate themselves with allergy clinics, charge big bucks for their so-called specialized knowledge and generally have no clue about other factors that can and will influence the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. If it isn't approved by the AMA, then it is considered snake oil.

I educated the very first Rheumy I saw in the effects that certain foods can have on RA patients. At first he blew me off, but then he told me he HAD seen a pattern in his patients with the foods that I mentioned to him. He became very excited.

The next thing I knew he couldn't wait to see me to compare notes on food items I had been studying and how they can effect RA. He eventually applied my findings in his practice and he did help many of his patients. All of that, and he still charged me up to $400 a visit! Such a nice guy.

YOU are In Charge of Your Body

My point is this: Take control of YOUR medical problems. Research, learn, ask questions. Find out what works for you and what doesn't. Find out what other factors may aggravate your RA. Visit your doctor with a detailed list of questions. After all, this is your body, not his!

And remember, when you leave that doctor's office, you become an after thought. Period.

YOU are in charge of your body...not a doctor.

Proceed accordingly.