Flares and dares!

Good Grief! It seems that there are forces in the universe that don't want this experiment or this blog to go forward. Since the first part of April/ last part of March, I have experienced 2 RA flares after going for more than a year with none.

I know they were brought on by changes in schedule and positions at work, both limiting my ability to rest and tiring me out more. It amazes me that people in supervisory positions don't educate themselves more about the ailments of the regular joes and josephines! They just blunder forward, not knowing or caring what they may be asking of someone. That's the end of my rant about uncaring, uneducated employers!

No matter what instigated the flares, they are very hard to deal with and very discouraging to the ambition of finding a new path. So much so that when my Doctor requested that I return to the rheumatologist, I did so.

Much to my surprise I was greeted by a rheumy with a different attitude, still the same person though. She was actually waiting for me in the exam room when I arrived. In 50+ years of going to the doctor I have never had that happen! She actually sat and talked about how I wanted to go forward with my treatment. We decided that we would run the full battery of tests before we took any steps. I explained to her what I had been doing and why I quit coming to see her to begin with. Still, I didn't feel any better.

I was so discouraged I actually considered taking the Mobic the doctor prescribed for me in April, knowing that stuff is so, so bad for you. While I was researching a natural alternative to NSAIDs I read that over 16,000 people die yearly fromf their extreme side effects.. That's right up there with heart attack and above some cancers! Ibuprofen (Motrin & Advil) is an OTC NSAID people (don't you just love all the initials, abbreviations, and acronyms)! Know what you are putting in your body.

Tylenol is not a safe alternative either. It is responsible for numerous deaths from sudden-onset liver failure. Don't expect your doctors to volunteer this information. These drugs are all they have for treatment of so many diseases they would quickly put themselves out of business.

Anyway, getting back to me! I was in a lot of pain and very frustrated. I couldn't get in to see my regular doctor when the flare was at it's peak and only after a cancellation was I able to get in this week! I think they would be easier to see if they actually worked 5 days a week, like the rest of us. I'm beginning to equate doctors with politicians! Surprisingly she was able to get me into the rheumy's office the next day. I guess it helps that they double book appointments there. Causes a lot of waiting when you get there, but you can at least get in when you need to.

To make a long story short (I know, it's too late for that) I am still taking my natural supplements only. In my research I found that curcumin is the most highly cited natural alternative ro NSAIDs, surprise, surprise! I'm already taking that, but only for about a month and a half. Like any good herb (or NSAID) it takes a while for the full effect to be felt in your body, so I will happily continue this herb. I also found that ginger root and to a lesser extent, rosemary, have anti-inflammatory properties also. Guess what I did this morning?! I set some ginger root and rosemary mascerating together, with vodka, in my kitchen/pharmacy. Got to get back to the liquor store!

You should see the stuff sitting, laying, and hanging around in my kitchen! Looks like a witchy kitchen or a mad scientist's lab. Minus the cauldron though. I can't use it on my glass-top stove! I'll take a picture soon and post it on the blog. Right now my old mind is too foggy from the flare to figure out the camera.

If I fail to post for a while know that more than likely something physical is going on with me. It's proving difficult to write a blog about RA while actually having RA. For everyone's sake, I promise not to give up! I dare not rely on a broken system to fix me! That's how I see it, anyway.  Just bear with me, please.

In love and healing light, I remain dedicated to us, to we, to you and me!

Pain meds

Good Saturday Morning!

I apologize for not posting recently. My hubby has been having some health issues of his own and I've been having job issues. But anyway, I'm back!

Today I am going to post the formula for my RA pain medicine. Keeping in mind that with most herbs it takes time to get their full benefit, I have to say that even from the first dose it seems to be toning down the aches and pains. Also, it is getting better day by day. So here it is:

Equal parts
Valerian
Jamaican Dogwood
Passionflower.
I mascerated this in vodka for 21 days. The taste is not quite as harsh as the tinctures mascerated in the 190 proof grain alcohol, but it's still not good (add a little honey if you just can't stand the taste). You SHOULD NOT water this down. Let it mascerate for 21 days, at least, shaking it once a day. By the end of 3 weeks the herbs should look pale and spent. I strain mine through a regular mesh strainer first then through a coffee filter, which can sometimes take a while, but you will see what it filters out when it's done. You can also use cheesecloth, if you prefer. I have found that a coffee filter traps more than cheesecloth. Like a good wine or fine liquor, it gets better with age!

I made my doctor's visit Tuesday and we discussed my blood tests. I have always been a seronegative RA patient and that hasn't changed. As I understand the prognosis for seronegatives, they will either (1 remain seronegative and have a greater chance of escaping the deformity of seropositive RA patients or (2 over time the seronegative will become seropositive. As I believe I've had this disease for a decade, maybe longer, I am hoping that I will remain seronegative. I know at some point in 2009 it showed up in my blood work, it hasn't since then and I know it didn't in 2002 when I was first tested for RA. So, I am saying my prognosis is better than most.

However, my GP wants me to go back to a rheumatologist. She believes I should be on NSAIDs, if not DMARDs. I agreed to go visit a new rheumatologist, if they would set it up and make sure the new rheumy has all the medical records she needs. If she is like the other rheumatologists I've seen one visit will be all she gets!

I'll bet you can guess now what my GP thought of my natural idea. She really does go along with some natural cures (or improvements), mostly a healthier diet. She is also the one who took me off the cholesterol lowering drug and told me to take fish oil. When it comes to RA or my other problem rapid heart rate/high blood pressure she believes in taking the drugs. For the bp/heart rate problem I will continue to take the meds she prescribed until I see that the new EFA/DHA oil from the naturopath and/or my homemade heart tincture is controlling the problem. Actually, I have seen some lowering of the blood pressure without the drugs, but not the heart rate.

My overall cholesterol is back in the 'good' range, but my bad cholesterol is still a little high (118). They want it under 100. It is on it's way down though. Last blood work it was 154, so she was happy and I know that one of the natural remedies is working!  :-)

I found another group on Facebook that claims to be for the RA patient. The link is below if anyone would like to visit them. I did and they seem to stick to their point and have some volunteer opportunities, too.
https://www.facebook.com/rheumatoidpatientfoundation?ref=stream

I would love to hear from some other seronegative RA people. Please respond in the comments section and we can compare our challenges.

Next time I will post my formula for peripheral neuropathy, nerve pain in hands and feet caused by the irritation and inflammation of RA or diabetes. My son will also be taking some of this for the nerve pain in his leg caused by deteriorating discs in his back. We'll prayerfully see if it helps him.

Until then, Peace, Love, and ((((Gentle Hugs)))) to you.

Here we go - part 3

I am straining the Four Marvel Tincture now. It is on the last strain which goes through a coffee filter and takes quite a long time, so I am thinking it will be ready to test tonight when I take my last medicinals before bed. I will begin with 1 tablespoon daily.

Here is the formula for the 4 Marvel Tincture:
Huang Bai    (33%)
Yi Yi Ren     (33%)
Huai Niu Xi  (17%)
Cang Zhu     (17%)
Mascerated in a liquid of Everclear (190 proof grain alcohol) and water at a 1:1 ratio

If you don't want to spring for Everclear you can use another liquor as long as it's 40% alcohol, which most are. The other liquor used most often is Vodka. Don't buy the cheap stuff and don't water it down. Use it full strength.

My experience with the heart tincture and pain tincture I made is that these tinctures taste bad. If you can't stand it the way it is add some honey to it, just be aware that you are also adding calories. Also, this wouldn't work for diabetics.

This is not an attempt to prescribe a course of treatment and I certainly don't advocate suddenly stopping your current medical regimen. This is something to be stepped into on a graduated scale, hopefully you won't have to experience the liver problems that I had or other serious side effects of traditional medicine. Natural medicinals are not for everyone and keep in mind that they also contain chemical compounds and some have side effects of their own. On the other hand, our bodies also contain chemical compounds and many chemical reactions take place within us daily, even healthy bodies. So speak to your doctor and find a good naturopath to work with you. A good naturopath will be able to get your body back in line and set a good foundation for the beginning of a wholistic treatment.

I'm smiling  :-)  and excited to be on my way to good health. If this formula doesn't help, I'll keep looking til I find one that does. Next Tuesday I will know the results of my bloodwork and I'll have the opportunity to speak with my GP about my decision to go natural. I don't believe she will have too much problem with it, she has advocated several natural method to me already; the Daniel fast, and Fish Oil Capsules. I think she will be OK with it and I will certainly need her to keep a check on my bloodwork.

I have several more tinctures still mascerating which will be ready in a few days. I'll post more about them later. Got to get back to the liquor store soon. Until then, be blessed.....blessed be.

Here we go.....Part 2

After a little more than a year of going to the rheumatologist, with her increasing my overall intake of meds and increasing the dose of the old meds, my liver began to be negatively affected. Suddenly I received calls from the rheumatologist and my GP to stop taking the methotrexate and the cholesterol meds, immediately! My feet and legs were swelling from fluid retention and I had to wear those really tight hose they use to have some control over the fluid. Getting those things on everyday was great aerobic exercise and weight training! I've never worn clothes that I had to fight with, until then. Of course, they prescribed Lasix and Potassium so I could sustain the dose of Lasix. They do this with Methotrexate also. They prescribe Folic Acid to keep the methotrexate from killing you quickly! While all this was going on, I was thinking......something is not right with this plan.

When it appeared, based on blood tests and lack of fluid retention, that my liver was functioning again the rheumatologist wanted me to begin the methotrexate regimen again. I attempted to discuss this with her and realized I was trying to talk to someone as they walked away, after spending less than 5 minutes in the exam room with me. Plus giving them $50 every visit! None of that made sense to me and I decided I wouldn't accept it any longer. That's when I stopped taking all the RA meds, including the NSAIDS, which are also very dangerous if used over an extended period.

After about 3 months of no poison I began to notice that I didn't bruise every time something touched me, I didn't have to take Prilosec everyday because of the acid reflux caused by the NSAIDS, and I realized that I didn't feel any worse than I did while taking all those meds. Through it all my feet continued to hurt and my fingers swelled up every night. The meds never stopped that. And it's still true now. After coming through the worst flare I've ever had and reuniting with the dreaded steroid I knew I needed a more pro-active plan. As a certified herbalist, using natural meds and a good naturopath I am stepping onto a new path.

At this point the herbs are mascerating in my kitchen. They have to mascerate at least 3 weeks and today is the 3rd week anniversary of the 'Four Marvel Tincture' for treating RA. Tomorrow morning I will strain it, bottle it, and begin using it. I'm really excited about this tincture. It is made from medicines used for centuries in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). They make 'Four Marvel Powder' and compress it into pills or put it in capsules. I am trying the tincture for 2 reasons: 1. Alcohol is known to extract more of the useful substances and 2. liquids are faster acting. In my next post I'll put all the ingredients of my tincture, if anyone wants to try it. The naturopath and I both agree on daily intake of curcumin. It's nature's version of prednisone, the dreaded steroid. I'll also post this along with the dosage size and amount as well as the other tinctures and herbs that I am using for creating a good foundation for this new beginning.

Thank you for joining me on my journey! Hopefully, this will benefit others besides me. That is equally important to me.

Here we go!

All right! Getting started on a new way of life; both exciting and a bit worrisome. Having already tried the mainstream medical ideas I know they don't work for me. It really seems that naturally is my only choice. Therefore, I am attempting to give myself the best start possible, but first let me give you a little of my history with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

I believe I've had this disease for several years, even before I was diagnosed in 2009. In 2002, I believe it was, I hurt my wrist at work and they sent me to their workers comp doctor. He took x-rays of my wrist and hand and that's when I got my first picture of arthritis. He only took pictures of the one hand (my right) so it never dawned on me at that time that the other hand may be affected also.

Several months later, in 2003, I went to another doctor because my fingers would swell up at night, to the point that I had to remove my rings every night before I went to sleep. If not, I would wake in the night because the rings would be hurting my fingers and it would take soapy water to get them off. This was happening to both hands now. She drew blood and ran an arthritis profile but the RA factor didn't show up in that test. Since then I have learned that lots of people with RA test serum negative on their blood work. But at the time I thought I was free and clear!

Time passed with not much change until 2007. I got to the point that I could hardly sleep because it hurt my feet to lie on the bed. My feet and hands had also started burning, sometimes even turning very red on the soles of my feet and the palms of my hands. We were spending a lot of time away from home by then, working on the pipeline. It took 2 more years and some other ailments to force me to come home and go to a local doctor. I showed him my hands, which by now were staying swollen most of the time. His comment was "Well, there's arthritis and then there's Arthritis." He ran the arthritis profile and this time it showed up in my bloodwork. He prescribed an NSAID pain reliever which gave me no relief at all. When I returned to him 3 months later he added methotrexate and changed the NSAID to Celebrex. After a few months I did notice some improvement in the pain and was able to get a better night's sleep. I thought we were on the right track. In the meantime, he retired!

It was about a year later, in November of 2010, when I experienced my first flare-up. I had some knowledge of this from doing research on RA and had put myself into flare (by over-doing it in the garden) once before without it. This one though, seemed to come out of nowhere and it laid me out. I hurriedly found another local doctor because I needed help bad! An RA flare feels like the worst case of flu imaginable plus arthritis. This is where I got my first taste of Prednisone, the RA drug everyone has a love/hate relationship with. She started me off on a high dose that gradually tapered off. It rescued me immediately from the miserable grip of something worse than death; that's how I felt anyway. My new doctor set me an appointment with a rheumatologist. Then she moved! I don't know what it is about me and doctors now. They just don't stick around, for some reason.

I'll finish the background in the morning. Need to rest now. Been a very busy 3 days!

Thank you all for stopping by and sharing this journey with me.