Thread: Just need to vent.

My wife has R.A so l grew her some "swamp penny wort" ( Centella asiatica ) 10 years ago, but she didn't like its peppery taste (very mild) .

So l tried it, as l have some degenerative arthritis from working in a heavy industry, l find it takes a slight edge off the sharp twinges (reduces those grabbing pains) but you have to eat a few leaves every day.

Can be purchased from most nurseries, its also know as gotu-kola as well as several other names depends on what country you are from.

So if someone here has R.A its probably worth a shot, nothing to lose - BUT there is some concern is certain circles that it can affect the liver, l have just taken up drinki8ng after a 10 yr absence, and l do notice if l have toooo many l feel it for a few days, in the gut region.

Stevo

I tried pennywart 16 years ago for OA, made no difference for me. But then again I also tried many other so called remedies like no tomatoes, glucosamine, etc, again for no difference. Now I have RA and about to try the gluten free diet. Not really expecting any improvement, but what the hell, I will try anything to be rid of the pain.

Bee stings do wonders for RA type symptoms.

A good stinging, and I am good for circa 6 months.

Originally Posted by sacc51

I tried pennywart 16 years ago for OA, made no difference for me. But then again I also tried many other so called remedies like no tomatoes, glucosamine, etc, again for no difference. Now I have RA and about to try the gluten free diet. Not really expecting any improvement, but what the hell, I will try anything to be rid of the pain.

Hi there,

I think it's definitely worth trying a gluten free diet, and here's why.

My old man has had rheumatoid arthritis since he was 18 (quite unusual), and as such has had a pretty hard life. A couple of years ago, he happened to undergo a gastroscopy, and was diagnosed with coeliac disease. My sister has it, and I believe I do as well (although I haven't had the gastroscope). Since then, he has had a mainly gluten free diet. When he had a blood test a couple of months ago, the indicator of inflammation was at the level of a normal person (non arthritis sufferer), and the only thing he can think to attribute it to is the change of diet.

Several coeliac disease websites mention rheumatoid arthritis as being linked to the disease, and one site I looked at claimed that the first thing that should happen after a diagnosis of RA is a test for coeliac.

I wish you all the best - RA is not one of the better inventions. At least there are treatment options, and continuing advances in the understanding of interactions between various conditions.

Side note - I have had a couple of gout attacks in the last few years. This is a type of arthritis, and another inflammation-based autoimmune issue. Before the last attack, I had warning signs for months beforehand. Since I have moved to a gluten free diet myself, those symptoms have disappeared.

Gluten free as of today, now we'll see!

By the way, if you go by America's definition of gluten free, Coronas fit into the definition D

Hi Sacc51 Rant away, I know the feeling of frustration. I contracted one sort of unexplained chronic illness 3 years ago. Being a motivated and handy person who always seen problems worked out what needed to be done and got on with it, the feeling of hopelessness when it comes to these sorts of issues is hard to deal with. If it was becuase I was too fat I'd exercise if it was becuase of what I ate I'd change it but all you can do is sit on your take what ever pills the doc thinks might help and hope it might some how go away. The frustration of feeling one day that you can do some manual work then paying the price for that moment of enjoyment for days after towards. The never ending suggestions of things that people suggest you should try who mean well, even that is exhausting after awhile.

It's frustrating not to be able to do what I once took for granted: canoeing, sailing, cycling, playing guitar. Only being able to spend short periods in my workshop and being laid up with pain for days on end if I over do it are the most frustrating. Yesterday I spent nearly a whole day in my workshop - first time in weeks, paying for it today though. I would so love to be able to use a hammer or file again; fortunately there is such a thing as a power file; unfortunately though, no one has come up with an electric hammer that will fit in my shed.

On the positive side, today I bought a Li-Ion hedge trimmer from Aldi, after two minutes use I found it was beyond me, but that's a good thing, sometimes I can even get away with not drying the dishes.

But, mustn't whinge, I'll get accused of crying in my soup again!

Don't eschew tools that you might have in the past like a nail gun instead of a hammer for instance. I think we all need to adapt as we get older even learning to ask for help now and then.

Yes but my wife doesn't like hammers - says they're noisy and dirty! And then there is my thumb. hand, knees, head to worry about when she strikes!

I'm sorry to read that you are so unwell.

I used to think Dr's were like gods, don't question what they say.
But Don't hesitate to get second opinions.
I have had a chronic pain issue for 3 years and that has ment changing GP 4 times in 6mts, till I found one who would listen. I have been referred to 7 different specialists, including different rhumortologist, lots of blood tests, scans. And still no answer. I did my own research, but limited it to medical research papers using Google Scholar. Some didn't like that but I didn't give.....
Add your own expletives.
Ironically on the second visit several specialists repeated the diagnosis I had suggested the first time.
Now I'm sitting on the lounge going through the forum, and waiting the test results of a shoulder and calf muscle biopsy(large chunks of meat)
I have already told my family I'm taking my tools with me to the nursing home.
Humour always helps.
Again please don't hesitate to ask for a referral to specialists even of your own choosing, your GP might hesitate, but insist on it.
One of the GPs I had a lot of respect for even said "I don't know, I'm just a GP "

Yes my GP admitted he was stumped and referred me to the specialist. Since coming down with this disease I don't put a lot of stock in Doctors opinions, they only play a guessing game and rely totally on what's in their medical books, if it's not in their medical book it can't be right. The problem with getting second opinions is it takes three months to get in to see a specialist, the Rheumatologist I see is pretty good, has a very good reputation and is very thorough, so I guess I'll be sticking with him. Same goes for my GP, he seems quite knowledgable, doesn't mid explaining things, is in no hurry to kick me out and most importantly doesn't have a problem with admitting he was wrong or doesn't know. Very difficult to find god Doctors!

been thru that 'guessing game' with a previous GP myself, confidently stating 'it's flat feet' one visit, 'it's gout' the next, and so on.

When your GP starts that caper, run a mile, beg and plead with a reputable GP to get on his/her list.