Friday, April 22, 2011

WE finally have our own non-profit organization!

Kelly announced today that she has created a non-profit organization called the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation. This is important, because, until now, we didn't have one.

Take a look at the article I linked to learn more.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

There is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

That's a period at the end of that sentence. As of this moment, there is no cure for RA. If any product or "method" claims to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis, don't buy it. Or at least don't buy it from the person or company making that claim.

There are some things that may help with symptoms.

My god, a good massage helps me so much it makes me speechless. For a few hours, sometimes a day, maybe two. Then it's back.

Omega-3 fatty fish food stuff (not just fish, look: This is the most comprehensive one I've seen, but google for more info can reduce inflammation a bit in some patients.

I hear acupuncture can help, though I've never tried it because of the simple fact that it actually opens the skin, which, well, if I'm on MTX or something like that, no way. I'll do some research on that pretty soon.

Yoga helps some patients; stretching can be good to keep muscle tone if your joints can handle the exercise.

Heat is absolutely my friend. It relieves 18% of my pain (that's a joke, for those who haven't already laughed).

But the bottom line is there is no cure. Anyone who's trying to sell you a cure is trying to sell you a lie. I hope that there's a cure tomorrow, but today, there's not.

I know we're all desperate for relief. Seek relief! Seek knowledge about this disease! Be customers, rather than "privileged to be the patient!" Read about the latest medicines! But don't buy a jug of juice because it claims to cure RA. Buy it if it relieves your symptoms, of course, but, don't worry, we will ALL know the day a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis is announced.

This should have been my first post. Oh well. :)