Alternative treatments/supplements besides prescriptions?

Hi @rtr097u1‍,

I have found two links that seem to be pretty helpful; unfortunately, I do not have any personal experience with acupuncture for RA. However, I did use it for cubittal tunnel syndrome and it seemed to calm the effected nerve down.

http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/mind-body-pain-relief/ra-acupuncture.php

- This link explains a bit on how accupuncture works and that it may be worth a shot!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2174514/

- This is a recent study from 2007. Here is its conclusion "Our preliminary evidence suggests that electroacupuncture and traditional acupuncture were no better than sham acupuncture in terms of changes in the pain score. Acupuncture is safe and may be effective as an adjunct in reducing the number of tender joints, although no clear anti-inflammatory effects had been demonstrated. Further preliminary studies may consider including both pain score and tender joint count as the main outcome assessment. This pilot study has allowed a number of recommendations to be made to facilitate the design of a large-scale trial, which in turn will help to clarify the existing evidence base on acupuncture for RA."

However, I know many people that have benefited from acupuncture with chronic pain. So while acupuncture may not help "treat" RA, it may help soothe the pain some.

I am hopeful some of our members will lend a hand soon!

Does anyone have any advice on alternative treatments, foods, supplements, etc. that can help with pain! I have been dying in pain lately.

@jack48‍ have you ever tried acupuncture? Some members have seen benefits from this form of treatment for RA and pain.

@jack48 I have recently been practicing Whole30 as a plan to relieve inflammation and it is working wonders for me.  I have gone from pain and stiffness to almost no pain or stiffness.  I recommend you take a look 

@zrjsval Whole30? Is this a diet plan?

@zrjsval I just Googled it... What do you do after the 30 days?

For my pain - I use MSM and glutathione and have removed certain foods that trigger my pain (grains, dairy and eggs).  I also try to walk and do mild forms of exercises that warm my body and joints without a lot of stress. MSM for me is a daily dose, I cannot go without it as my body aches terribly if I miss it.  Glutathione is a antioxidant, I use PURE brand and feel it has helped from a detoxification stand point as I’m finally slowly decreasing my weight. I’m hoping this will help with the joint pain.  I am on no prescription medications and have never tried them, however there are times I want to try as being so disciplined can be trying and my mind wants to convince me maybe the meds would be better.  I may try just to compare, but haven’t yet.  Hope this helps

@Taurus17 though what you just stated, have you been limit the progression of the disease? Do you know if the disease is still progressing with your changes?

What exactly is gluthatione supposed to do in terms of benefiting the symptoms of RA?

I have tried MSM and glucosamine and never felt any benefits... For your MSM, what brand do you use? How much?

@jack48‍ How RA effects me is mostly joint/muscle pain, nerve pain, extreme fatigue, I’ve had eye issues, gut issues, itchy skin - it’s been systemic.  As far as it limiting me, thankfully I own my own business and work from home so can ‘flex’ my schedule as needed as some days are harder than others. Winter is way harder on my system, luckily eliminating certain foods helps as well as moving, walking, stretching, foam rolling.  Working up a sweat always makes my body feel better, I just have to go easy at it.

Re: supplements I read a holistic healing book, in it MSM was mentioned.  I looked MSM up a few months ago on internet, read reviews and a woman swore by it noting it helped her joint pain.  Many people seemed to like MSM, this one review just stuck out. When I took it, my muscle aches and pain went away along with my fatigue and I felt great.  I cannot explain how it effects RA specifically.   I take 1 tsp powder in water (I use spring bottled water)  - 7 lights sulfur defense is the brand.  It’s only MSM.  Some days I do two tsp split am/pm.  Depends on day and how I’m feeling.  On the container it shows sulfur being needed to move vitamins, minerals, antioxidants into our cells, maybe my body just needs this and that’s why it’s helping? 

Re: Glutathione - Our bodies naturally are exposed to air, water, food, radiation, all of which contain chemical toxins that build up in our system over time &/or damage our cells.  Glutathione is our bodies largest antioxidant and is needed to help detoxify our systems.  I read  that as we age and especially people with chronic disease tend to have very low levels of this antioxidant.  I chose to take it to help my body detox and by doing this hope to add strength to my immune system and body in general.  Kind of like giving my system an oil change if you will, hoping to help support it.  I have no specific way to monitor this, so I’m not sure what else to say...  I also take B12, methylfolate, vitamin C, ALA, zinc and silica,  What I have noticed is my nails are strong and vital looking, my skin looks healthy and my husband noticed how smooth my skin was.   The cracks on my feet/heals have smoothed out and they’ve always been rough and dry.  My stomach tends to hurt/ bloat less, my skin stopped itching - I attribute these healthier aspects to the changes I’ve made above, including eliminating certain foods.  I believe healing is a process and many things can work together to help.  I’m just trying to give my body things I feel are of the most value in an effort to support it based on what I’ve read and from what my body is relaying back to me.