Do any supplements work?

helpatpol

Good morning everyone. I have just received a leaflet through the post about a supplement called Revitalise claiming to be a wonder formula for both RA & OA, priced £14.99 for one months supply Has anyone tried it - if so did it do anything. Have you used any other supplements with any success. I am clutching at straws here! I have RA and not too good at the moment. I am on Sulfasalzine but reluctantly due to start Meth this week. Thanks, Helen

dreamdaisy

I get these these advertising things on a regular basis and find them a great source of annoyance. If they worked for people like us then this forum would not exist. It does because they don't. Those who swear by their supplements are, I think, people who like to think they have arthritis. Some with OA do find them of use but for the auto-immune types they are a non-starter. I spent years clutching at straws (I tried homeopathy and acupuncture) but now accept that these things are not for me. I empathise, life is tough, yes? DD

knuckleduster

Hello

I agree, these supplements do sound wonderful when you read all the blurb
but in my experience they do not work. If they did, none of us would have OA or RA. All you can do is listen to the doctors at the clinic and take their advice on what is best for you. What we can do for ourselves is to eat a healthy sensible diet which will hopefully lead to weight maintenance and exercise when and if we can to keep our joints mobile and muscle strength maintained.

I wish you well. Keep the forum posted as to how you get on.

Janet x

stickywicket

I checked it out. Here's some of what the Advertising Standards Authority say about it.

While we noted that Revitalise referred to information provided by their suppliers, we also noted that we had not seen that information or any other evidence relating to the efficacy of the product.
In the absence of robust scientific evidence to support the claims in the ad, we concluded that they had not been substantiated and that the ad was misleading.

Because the ad made medicinal claims for an unlicensed product, we therefore concluded that the ad breached the Code.

the ad could discourage readers from seeking essential treatment for a serious medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner.

I'm sorry. You are right that you're 'clutching at straws'. We've all done it. I rather hope there's a particularly nasty place in hell for those who seek fraudulently to make money out of other people's diseases. Stick with the real meds and, if they're not working, ring your rheumatology helpline.

LolaCrayola

I tried Glucosamine for months and it did not work for me. I have ordered some Magnesium Oil to apply topically. When you have arthritis it makes you desperate. I try whatever is going, so far heat patches help, an electric heat pad and an acupressure mat. Am always on he look out. I wondered about Joint Mud but have read some very negative reviews. Good luck.

Helenbothknees

According to my GP, Glucosamine works for a lot of people. He even insisted on giving it to me on prescription, but I tried it three times and it did nothing for me. What did work for me for a while is a cream called Capsaiacin (slightly wrong spelling, I think). Made from peppers, you rub it in and it works quite fast. Just don't touch your eyes afterwards, even if you've washed your hands! You can get that on prescription too, and I would, as it's expensive and hard to get otherwise. And greenlipped mussel extract worked for a while for me too - about as well as paracetamol anyway.

That's my experience, for what it's worth. Everyone's different, and sometimes these things seem to work if your arthritis isn't too bad. But I agree with everyone else basically - there are no miracle cures or we'd all be using them.

earthspirit

i am a practicing homeopath and during decades of undiagnosed RA i had resorted to using my own meds which DID help with pain and inflamation...to a point. there is no cure for RA and certainly no homeopathic remedy which effectively reduces severe inflamation without an aggravation of the condition.

glucosamine will stop tissue from crumbling and retains moisture within the joints - i think that it can be effective if you do not already have bone damage as it wont help the bones. i take it every day.

i also take rosehip which is a powerful antioxidant and its cheap to buy (sainsburys sell for a fraction of price of boots or holland and barrett)
- my attitude about this little pills is that they are protecting my overall health and stop the lingering low level infections/inflamtion that make us feel unwell.

i think its unsafe to take some of these wonder remedies as we dont really know what they contain and therefore cannot predict side effects or possible harm to our health.

i dont do herbal medicines as these can be incredibly harmful and even with a trained consultant they cannot know the actual potency of what they are prescribing you.

each to their own i say but always proceed with caution - at least with prescription meds, the side effects are always well recorded.

dont waste money on stuff that is likely to have limited use or effectiveness on a disease that is ravaging to the body

helpatpol

Thanks everyone for posting replies. I know logically that if these supplement worked so well they would make the national headlines but like many of us I just keep hoping! I am going to try taking some fish oil supplements as that has some research behind it to help with joint stiffness but I am starting methotrexate this week - not looking forward to it as it seems to have many nasty side effects but its inevitable as the RA is attacking more of my joints more severely. I only went to see my GP 12 months ago with a bad knee. I thought I had damaged it dancing as I went ballroom dancing every week (sadly no longer) but after ruling this out with tests and the fact my knee was very swollen here I am and I now have it in other joints. Not at all symmetrical as the information would suggest but randomly all over the place! I do find steroid injections into my joints amazing - they are like a miracle cure for a while but I need to do something more long term. Thanks again. Helen

mig

If you read the leaflets that come with your meds wether you get them from your consultant or gp it always say's do not take supliments without consulting them ,this should be remembered as some of them can clash with your meds.Mig

LignumVitae

I went to see a very well qualified and renowned chinese herbal medicine person for my alopecia when I was 21. After two months treatment my arthritis symptoms suddenly turned up out of the blue. It may have been coincidence or it may not, I never bothered to investigate but despite thousands of offers for snake oil products (the most weird possibly being tablets made from Swedish peat :?: :?: :?: ) for arthritis I have stuck with the meds prescribed. I, like those above, feel that if the other options worked then the NHS would be throwing them at us and they aren't. I am sure somethings can be helpful but there isn't a wonder cure out there, if there was it wouldn't be advertised, we'd all know about it and we'd be taking it.
LV

LolaCrayola

I also believe that prescription meds improve my quality of life. I can't imagine life without them. My mum uses Glucosamine and swears by it, but my bones are already damaged and it did nothing. I get a gel called Movelat on prescription, that helps, along with the rest.