rheumatoid arthritis

[pinkcowprint]

my boyfriend has just been diagnosed with this,and they are putting him on medication but the side effects sound awful,are there any foods/vitamins which could help with this?there isnt much advice on the internet only scary stuff which isn't helping!!!!any advice or anyone got this would be appreciated.

[beejaybee]

Tell him to go to see his local health shop & talk to them there. They can advise him of what`s best for him.

[bednobs]

i also have ra. Lots of things have been recommended to me in the past but to be honest i think it depends on the person. My opinion is that if there was a herbal remedy that was proven to help, doctors would know about it and recommend it to him. I think that the most medically established one is glucosamine which you can buy in holland and barret. I have also heard of dragons claw before.
As regards to food, the best thing to try is an elimimation diet - where certain food groups are excluded one at a time to see if it makes you feel better

[shaneystar2]

I developed RA when I was in my late forties . The Nsaids do have side effects and he may need to try different sorts until they find one which suits .His GP should also give him a stomach protector drug as well if he is going to be on them for any length of time .I had a whole load of different ones and in the end came off them completely as I could not tolerate them .Mine has burnt itself out over time but has left me with severe osteoarthritis but occasionally I will get a flare up . I take painkillers and go bed until it goes off. !

Have a look here
http://www.healthywaymagazine.com/issue30/05_k eep_moving.html
Tells you what you can eat and what you can avoid ..certain foods do trigger it off.
And here ..managing the pain
http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?artic le_id=85

It is painful and I sympathise ....I hope he soon feels a bit better .

[hawkwind]

Theres lots your boyfriend can do. He needs to cut down the amount of acid in his system. Certain foods will make you more acidic eg red meat, dairy, sugar, caffeine. Make sure he drinks plenty of water 1.5litres a day. Eat lots of good fats eg oily fish, seeds, olive oil, avocadoes. Devils Claw is a herb that targets the cause which is an auto immune condition. Its also anti-inflammatory. Liquid best, cant be used if he has a stomach ulcer. Also Rosehips are great for inflamation. Get a Omega 3 supplement too. 1000-2000mg of fish oil a day great. Hope that helps!!