Urgent warning for arthritis sufferers
Without them, the pain would be unbearable. The simplest tasks -- buttoning a shirt, buying groceries -- would be nearly impossible.
Millions of arthritis sufferers depend upon a host of drugs every day just to feel close to normal.
But what happens when the drug you depend upon to have a normal life could kill you?
Last week, the FDA added new information to the black box warning on the label of the rheumatoid arthritis drug leflunomide (Arava). It warns of possible fatal liver damage.
This addition comes after the FDA received 49 adverse event reports. The reports came in between August 2002 and May 2009. Of those 49 cases, a staggering 36 resulted in hospitalization.
Most of the reports came within the first six to twelve months of treatment with the drug.
The label cautions doctors to monitor liver enzymes monthly for three months after treatment with Arava is started.
I don't know about you, but I don't find three months of monitoring to be much comfort when a drug could contribute to death from liver damage.
Of course, I have a personal interest in keeping an eye on arthritis drugs. Last year, I told you about a good friend of mine, who started struggling with RA when she was a teenager ("Arthritis drugs increase cancer risk in children," 8/13/2009).
She's since been able to ditch most of her meds thanks to natural treatments, but news of risks associated with these drugs still makes me worry. Especially since her mother's been hospitalized several times as a result of life-threatening side effects from RA drugs.
Of course, one of the reasons my friend was able to ditch the meds was because she did her research and found other options -- but not everyone has the resources to do so. So many people depend on their doctors to steer them in the right direction -- like my friend's mother.
When she finally raised the topic of her daughter's research on natural arthritis treatments to her doctor, his answer was "Oh, yeah, I heard that can sometimes work for people." Why didn't he bring up natural options, if he'd heard good things about them? Why instead did he push drugs that landed this woman in the hospital?
I think we all know the answer to that one.
How many people will actually be made aware of the new information that's been added to the Arava black box warning? You know the drug makers aren't interested in broadcasting this kind of news.
It's another illustration of why we must remain ever vigilant about our health. Just by reading and sharing these daily e-mails, you are doing so much to protect yourself and your family. Together, we can spread the word about dangerous patent drugs -- and the good news about natural alternatives -- no matter how much the mainstream tries to cover them.
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Christine O'Brien writes the e-letter Health eTips for Dr. Wright's Nutrition and Healing.
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Comments
Pamela Mainwaring
I've suffered with arthritis for years, really painfully especially in winter when it's cold and damp, and had been prescribed ant-inflammatory drugs by my doctor.
However, through a bit of research I read that Devil's Claw, a herb, could be beneficial in aiding arthritis.
I decided I had nothing to lose, and have been taking Devil's Claw for about a year now, and am happy to report that I don't have any trouble with my arthritis at all, and no need to take those anti-inflammatory drugs.
Perhaps this may help some of you to alleviate your arthritic pain without the need of harmful doctor's prescriptions.
Anonymous
I have had R/A for 10 years and now no longer take ANY drugs and have no pain, thanks to a combination of Omega 3's, Systemic proteolytic enzymes, 6000iu VitD, and a Glutathione product.
Margaret Forth
Whenever there is any change whatsoever in a prescription medication I take, the pharmacist always takes a moment to point it out to me. I really appreciate that attention to my welfare.
Steve
My father uses Devil's Claw, White Willow Bark, and Yucca. As well as vitamins and supplements. He is 87 and at the moment is working in the back yard!!!!!
My Martial Arts instructor had Rheumatoid arthritis when he was in his mid twenties. He was going to the Doctors who of course told him there is no cure. Mid 1970's. The treatments were painful, so he just stopped going as he was never going to be better, so why bother. He was on Crutches for two years. He worked as a roofer.
His whole family died of cancer. They were all big meat and potato eaters.
He changed his whole diet to vegetarian, and used herbs that he learned from one of his Martial arts instructors and his R.A. went away!!! He went back to work as a roofer!!!
We eat such impure food that those impurities get in our system and accumulate in places, be it an organ or joint, causing inflammation, or other problems. Also we eat a DEFICIENT DIET!!!!!! Denaturized, processed foods, with less nutritional value. Devitalized. With proper diet, herbs, and natural supplements, you can reduce if not get rid of most of your problems. Some things are SOOOOO simple.... Scurvy was taken care of with just vitamin C in limes!!!!!!!!!!
In the 1930's Pelagra was a disease in the Southern US. It was a Vitamin B deficiency. After fortifying foods, it went away.
What if Cancer is just some combination of vitamin deficiencies???? Would that not be a hoot???? Cancer can have many causes. Toxins that attack cells, or deficiencies that STARVE Cells...
You need to not only feed the belly...but your CELLS!!!! That is what LIFE IS..CELLS. That is what you are...an organized, organization of organs....Made by CELLS...feed them!!!!
Be well and happy.
Steve
RA
Every drug brings a side reaction with it.But it our duty to avoid it and go in a natural path.Recently,I tried yoga exercises for arthritis.It proves to be very effective and keeps my mind peaceful.
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