Hi

this sounds a bit dopey so hope i make my self clear.

I havnt been well for some time and in quite a bit of pain in my joints. Had loads of blood tests at the Drs and now been refered to the hospital. My appointment has arrived for 20 April. We are thinking Rhumatoid Artheritis (sp)  I was telling someone yesterday and she suggested i take Rhus Tox a herbal suppliment. looked it up and sounds perfect.

should i start taking it now with the hope it will relieve some pain or am i better waiting till i have been to the hospital in case it masks any symptoms and something is missed?

I really cant make my mind up what to do. 

Thanks

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and get very painful hands wrists after driving long distances, doing a lot of baking, painting etc Someone suggested I tried Rhus Tox cream and it has made a big difference! Any ache I have and I use the cream but I don't know how effective it would be for rhumatoid arthritis.

Most definately wait and get a doctors opinion . Taking this may alter blood tests etc .
Or you could always ask your GP - but personally i would wait .

Hi, to be honest I would wait for a definitive diagnosis from the Hospital first. There are illnesses that are very similar to RA(like Lupus) so you would be better, in my humble opinion, to make sure you know exactly what is wrong with you! I know it's hard to wait, I have suffered from severe Arthritis since my late twenties(I'm 49 now with 2 new hips and a new knee), but had to go through the loops to find out exactly what was wrong. Taking a herbal/homeopathic cure before the Hospital appointment you may well mask or send them down the wrong track. HTH all the best, Dawn

Hi

Thanks thats what i was thinking. i will wait and see what the hospital says. I will stick with the pain killers for now.

I love this site lol

It's better to be safe than sorry eh? You need to find out exactly what it is, I can appreciate your frustration! I'm praying you get good news, the right treatment and some ease of the discomfort hun x

I can sympathise as Ive just had bloods and x rays for the same problems I was recommended Super Flex - 3 Glucosamine 1500mg, Chrondroitin 1200mg, plus MSM at 250mg by my specialist. I also take Cod Liver oil 1,000 mg and It does help. But some days I could cry for the pain in my hands and knees. I can walk the dogs ok but going up and down the big steps they have or stiles is a real no no with a dog on a lead. My two have learnt "wait" and go up and down the office stairs and wait for me to get up (or down). I am allergic to asprin so Ibruforen and anti inflamatries are also out so if they work let me know!! until then I sympathise its no fun is it.

Hi Lumphy

Hope all goes well at the hospital.  If it does turn out to be RA I would recommend looking at the Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) websites as they have lots of useful information and ways to help manage arthritic conditions.

I would also go with the advice of waiting until after your appointment before taking any supplements. 

i'd also not suggest trying it till you've taken a good run with whatever they give you, you don;t want to be unsure which is working for you.

If you do get the chance see if you can get ultrasound treatment Ive had 3 of 6 treatments and feel a lot easier with my hands only takes 6 minutes for both hands and 45 minutes to find a parking space!

Hi i had suspected RA all blood tests showed this is what i had but when we went to the hospital they said i had fibromyglia you should look this up and ask your doctor about this

Rhus Tox is a natural remedy so shouldn't interfere with any blood results and it doesn't mess with any other medication you take.

You can take Balladonna 6x to reduce inflammation and Rhus Tox 6x to help ease the arthritis. 2 tablets every hour for the first 6 to 8 doses or until the pain eases then 2 tablets 3 times per day - just remember not to touch the tablets with your fingers. 

Not people but dogs - my Akita has recently been diagnosed with an immune problem and is on medication for this but I also treat her homeopathically - the vets agree this is a good idea and she has to have blood tests every 2 to 3 weeks and the remedies do not effect the results they just make her better!