Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Don't Rule My Aud Life

A frustrating aspect of arthritis is the fact that what might work and relieve pain for one sufferer may not do the same for another. There is no one remedy for this condition, especially the auto immune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis. But many with osteo-arthritis have found chondroitin to be helpful.

Chrondroitin, along with glucosamine, plays a  part in normal, healthy cartilage. Also known as chondroitin sulfate (chondroitin with mineral salt), chondroitin sulfuric acid or chonsurical; it can be made from natural sources such as shark cartilage, pig or cow cartilage or it can synthetically be made in a laboratory.

Taken together with glucosamine can help restore the cartilage in the damaged joint, therefore possibly relieving pain for the sufferer. With fewer side effects than ibuprofen, this may be a good avenue to take for many arthritis patients.

Like glucosamine, chondroitin comes in tablet, capsule, liquid or powder and sometimes may be already combined as one form instead of taking them separately.

In the research that I have done on chondroitin there have been 2 sides, some sing it’s praises and some say it’s no better than a placebo.

Since I need to be on high amounts of blood thinners, I’ve been strongly advised not to take chondroitin because of possible interactions, but I would love to hear from someone who has experience with this supplement.

I’m very interested if anyone who has rheumatoid or osteo arthritis and has taken chondroitin and/or glucosamine and what they thought of it. Drop me a line!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

2 Comments »

I think that one of the most frustrating things about my Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments has been my health care. I have other health issues besides my RA, and really should have a family doctor, let alone a few specialists- but I don’t.

I moved from Ontario in 2001 to Michigan, and left behind doctors I’d had for years. When I moved back in 2006 and notified their offices, they were full and were not taking any new patients. When I told them I wasn’t new, just returning, I was told that I had been away over 2 years and was not considered a patient of theirs any longer and so I was put on a 5 year waiting list (I have 3 years to go).

The city I live in is one of many Ontario centers where there is a lack of doctors, which is very unfortunate. When a blood test or prescription is needed, I go to the doctor on call at the walk-in clinic and wait for several hours with other people who do not have a family doctor as well.

Just a couple weeks ago I wrote a post that included my 7 hour wait with my daughter at the clinic just to have a blood test! I was so stressed that my arthritis flared.

I had a wonderful doctor and Rheumatologist in Michigan and I am thankful for the loads of information they gave me, and because of their encouragement, I sought out other avenues of pain relief and prevention of the damage of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I looked into Naturopath/holistic healing and therapy. I was very, very skeptical at first and wasn’t too keen on the idea. A few years ago my husband tried to get me to try holistic healing, but at the time I was newly diagnosed and really didn’t know a thing about it. But with more research under my belt, along with being exasperated with my symptoms, I booked an appointment and was happy and very satisfied with my results. It did take time, good things always do, but it was worth it and has continued to be a part of my daily life and routine.

I still need to make a trip down to the walk-in clinic at least once a month to have blood tests for coagulation, prescriptions filled, or one of the kids needs medical attention, but I don’t have the angst and concern that I had a year ago. 2 prescriptions, methotrexate and plaquenil, have been eliminated from my list because I have been dealing with the arthritis differently and no longer need to take them for my Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment.

Finding a good, knowledgeable, compassionate doctor is so important to the life of a patient dealing with a serious disease. For me that’s a luxury I don’t have at the moment, but that’s okay because I have a wonderful Naturopath therapist who is doing a fine job filling in.

So you know how I feel about my health care situation, how’s yours?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

7 Comments »