Holistic Approaches!????

dizzybizzum
dizzybizzum Member Posts: 26
edited 16. Jul 2012, 15:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Good Evening
Was just wondering if anyone had tried any holistic treatments and if anything had worked.
After using Amber anklet on my daughter and the difference it made to her (for teething and reflux) I looked a bit further into adult use and have ordered one for myself.
I've also had reflexology in the past for other problems and found it to work for them...
Fee x

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'd try anything in my early years but, as far as I'm concerned, it's all snake oil. I stick with the meds these days.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Have to agree with Sticky, I love natural remedies. None have been effective and a few have landed me in hospital. That may be a lupus reaction to stuff though.

    Refexology killed my joints. I used to love it but now it is just too painful. I think finding something that helps you relax is a good thing.

    I do still burn essential oils.
  • earthspirit
    earthspirit Bots Posts: 278
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi i am glad amber is working for your child - this is far preferable to medications. i tried amber myself and found it way to powerful in its electromagnetic attractions - somehow, it seemed to increase my pain.

    im am a homeopath and treated my own RA for decades with mainly homeopathic remedies and for which i seemed to suffer no ill effects. the RA had no dx until until last year. some remedies are still slightly effective for the pain, sometimes, but im on paracetamol dihydrocodeine & diclofenac now and could not exist on homeopathy alone! hom wont give any cure and can only serve to alleviate any symptoms.

    personally i am against taking dmards due to the large amount of people who then appear to suffer OA as a result of taking them, as well as other severe side effects and the fact that the immune system gets used to them over time and they stop working.

    ive had to think very deeply about how i have treated my aggressive RA over the years without the consultants conventional treatment and try to work out if i have been better or worse without it. sadly i havent worked that one out yet :?

    i know there are many people try to control arthritis through diet eliminations and nutritional supplements and they feel more well with that than other meds they have taken.

    its a very hard one to advise on and as they all say what works for one wont work for another and each person is so totally different in how the disease presents itself.

    a holistic approach may help you deal with a flare but up to now i cant convince myself it will stop the progression of the disease and it is this causes the damage and destruction of our joints as well as potential harm to our internal organs.

    the nhs do not monitor any form of holistic treatment and only monitor those who take their drugs so the actual info out there and the advice they can give is totally one sided.

    the choice therefore, is between you and your gods.
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    I'm not a homeopath but have used homeopathic remedies years ago {under the care of a homeopath} apart from arnica belladonna etc :D
    It was pre arthritis for me and a lot of it was used with the children as well and i was happy. Now I think ....well if it works for you {like anything else} go for it if its not going to do you any harm.....but are any of the remedies contra-indicated with the meds you would take? I know you aren't useing remedies as such but if you ever did use them? A question to ask yourself.
    Holistic is whole....so they treat the person not the disease or illness
    Different people can have different outcomes to things they take.
    I know its much the same with conventional meds
    Sorry I'm rambling :wink:
    Just my experiences...neither for nor against them....would try them again if I thought they would help {not cure}

    Love
    Hileena
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That's a good point Hileena's made. Don't assume that because something's herbal or 'natural' it's always OK to take it. Some of these things shouldn't be taken with certain meds or illnesses. Always check first with a pharmacist or doc.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dizzybizzum
    dizzybizzum Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks folks.
    Its interesting to hear ur views and experiences. My Amber anklet arrived this morning so I'm going to give it a try. As for homeopathic stuff - it seems the jury is out...
    I also start the MTX on wednesday and pain management drugs have all been changed so we'll see how it goes.
    And if the amber anklet makes no difference at least its really bonny lol
    Hope u all have a good weekend - I'm counting down til 9pm on sunday because my Beloved is then on holiday and we have a fantastic week of 'not a lot' planned and I can't wait :D x
    Fee x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    All the best for Wednesday, Fee. And have a lovely week with your beloved.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dizzybizzum
    dizzybizzum Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks sticky. We'r house sitting for his folks so I'll have internet on my computer :) instead of having to be on my phone all the time so I'll manage to catch up with replies I've had and look about the site much better xx
    Fee x
  • earthspirit
    earthspirit Bots Posts: 278
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    as a professional homeopath i would strictly advise against any homeopathic remedies whilst taking dmards. its a total no go as there is likely to be conflict and possible harm caused.
    i cant see there being any issue with food supplements or eliminations and i know 100% that its ok to take rosehip (something i take every day)

    herbals are a different ball game altogether and even drinking ginger tea can trigger off a healing response that might not be in tune with dmards.

    i actually avoid ALL herbal medicine simply because i dont trust it and have seen some really quite devastating results from its use. one of these was a minor rash that turned into the most horrendous all over body scarring of the person who used it.

    proceed with caution
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When I was searching for a 'solution' to my undiagnosed problem we spent a large amount on money on a homeopath, I think I saw her for about a year, but alas her skills didn't extend to diagnosing an auto-immune problem let alone provide a solution (but then a solution does not exist). I have OA thanks to the joint damage caused by an un-treated-with-conventional-meds- for-seven-years PsA, my OA has not been caused by the DMARDs I take. DMARDs won't erode your cartilage etc but not taking them will. There's only so much un-treated inflammation one's joints can take. :wink: It must be doubly tough if one cannot take the DMARDs for any reason, I am lucky on that front.

    Like others on here I've tried diets etc, I've swigged the cider vinegar (YUK), I've lost weight (and yay! stuff still hurts) but for me it's the meds all the way. Complementary therapies can work if one has the right sort of illness. I wish I had. :roll: DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fee,

    Yes, I saw a homeopath near the beginning of my illness, so perhaps a couple of decades ago when I was about 12. It was my mum's idea, but afterwards she dismissed him as a quack, perhaps because she'd paid just short of £100 for two tiny bottles of sugary pills and no good came of it. He asked me a lot of questions, many of which I found extremely embarrassing, so perhaps I wasn't the ideal client!

    I've seen a couple of osteopaths too, around my early 20s. One of them was all ego and spent many of our sessions rambling on about his personal beliefs, but the other was pretty sound and admitted he wasn't sure whether his methods were appropriate for auto-immune types of arthritis.

    I've messed around with my diet too, but I've no discoveries to report other than the usual stuff! Sorry…

    I am in favour of holism in that I believe in treating the mind/spirit as well as the body when dealing with chronic disease, but I have to admit, however grudgingly, that my best results have been achieved through anti-TNFs, conventional medication. Just my experience!

    Great news about your daughter, by the way, and I hope that whatever you try brings you some relief :)

    Best wishes,
    Phoebe
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • Airwave!
    Airwave! Member Posts: 2,469
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    These holistic approaches do not in themselves work but they do distract from the symptoms of arther, which is a very powerful remedy, just make sure you don't pay a lot for them if thats your belief!

    Try something like singing in the choir or gentle exercise for that unbeatable high! S*x, humour, food etc, I'm sure others will mention what they use.