The RA is rheumatoid arthritis. Right now my hands are throbbing. At least it's not bad every day so that's good news.

I'm not on any meds for it. In the past I've been on two... sulfasalazine and Vioxx. The first one made me sick to my stomach and Vioxx, wow, what can I say about that. After 3 days of taking it, I had an LSD experience. I was glad to see they took that off the market.

Until the pain gets so bad I can't stand it, I'm remaining medication free. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease.

OK, the pity party is over.

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How long have you had it? I've had it for 20 years now and tried so many medications, including going the health route. I will say that that I managed it better than I thought for a few years on a vegetarian diet w/no sugar and very little processed foods. I took vitamin packets daily and followed advice from Marilu Henner, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Whitaker (where I got my vitamins from). When things took a turn for the worse for us financially, I had to stop buying the pricey vitamins and food. Such a shame that it works that way.

Anyway, currently I am getting Remicade infusions every 8 weeks, which makes me feel (almost) like I don't even have RA. I'm also on methotrexate, though it makes me sick to my stomach and I find myself skipping it more than I should. I still have flares from time to time, but no more feeling so bedridden and dependent. I had reservations about getting on this drug as I have w/all medications, but ultimately, decided my quality of life was more important than the quantity of it. I'm still hoping for both of course! LOL

One of the girls at my most recent infusion talked about Poke berries. She SWEARS when she took 3 or 4 a day she didn't need meds. She got off them for some reason and was saying she wants to resume. Have you tried them? I've done some research and found that the Amish make a wine with them that you can take for RA. I guess there is concern about the seeds being poisonous.

Yep, I can definitely relate. I've had it for over 10 years now. Right now I'm an Enbrel girl myself. I loved the Remicade infusions when they first started, but kept having reactions to it on the 5th and 6th infusion and so had to stop.

I second the poster that suggests using vitamins and healthy eating habits.

Have you tried rubbing peanut oil into your joints?

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All we are and all we see is but a dream in a dream, All that you see or seem, is but a dream within a dream--Edgar Allan Poe

I used to sell Remicade and the success rates are incredible. You might speak with your doctor about it.

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Kim

Thanks for all the input. I really don't have it too badly but it's been slowly getting more noticeable over the past couple of years. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Mornings are the worst as you can see by the time I posted my whine. By this evening I felt good enough to plant some flowers.

I take so much medication because of my thyroid and heart problems, I just hate the thoughts of putting anything else in to my system unless I absolutely need it. I will keep all your suggestions in mind though.

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As with a lot of disease:
If you're overweight--lose weight. The additional weight on joints is bad, even when you don't have RA.
Healthy diet and moderate/mild exercise. Yoga, Tai Chi, Water Aerobics--all low impact, core strengthening activities.

My niece had juvenile RA when she was 18 months old. Lasted about 2.5-3 years. Then she had horrible stomach issues because of all the meds. But, she's been in remission for about 18 years. I hope you can find some relief.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"