Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Each of you has probably in your travels met someone who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis and if you haven’t already you most likely will at some point in your life.  You will also know how damaging this disease is.  Rheumatoid Arthritis often causes incapacitating deformity and pain.

You may have joint inflammation for a variety of reasons, including:

Broken bone

Infection (usually caused by bacteria or viruses)

An autoimmune disease (the body attacks itself because the immune system believes a body part is foreign)

General "wear and tear" on joints

Often, the inflammation goes away after the injury has healed, the disease is treated, or the infection has been cleared.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is essentially an ‘auto-immune disease’. A process in which the body's immune system causes illness by mistakenly attacking healthy cells, organs, or tissues in the body that is essential for good health. Our bodies have what is referred to as an ‘immune system’ that protects us from disease and infection.  If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system is very busy attacking itself, by mistake.  It literally means “as a result of the breakdown of our immune system”. When the immune system breaks down, it immediately attacks the normal cells and tissues in our body. Any time there is cellular and/or tissue damage, you experience the inflammatory process. If the process continues long enough and it's strong enough--whether it involves wear and tear or something else--it will lead to disintegration. Rheumatoid arthritis, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, and diabetes, are examples of long term inflammation.

When it attacks the joint space, this is when it becomes Rheumatoid Arthritis; if it attacks the bowels it is called Chrohn’s Disease; if it attacks the myelin sheath of our nerves it is called Multiple Sclerosis. With R.A you now have symptoms like inflammation beginning in the tissue lining your joints and then spreading to the whole joint.  Inflammation is a goal-oriented, specific biological process your body deploys in an effort to restore function by eliminating toxins, repairing damaged cells and regenerating damaged tissues.

The joints in the hands are the most common site, but it can affect most joints in the body. With RA, pain is often symmetrical. Or if it hurts in the muscle or joint of one hand it could hurt in the same place on the other hand. To add to this you may have muscle pain, deformed joints, weakness, and fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and even becoming confined to bed in very severe cases.  Those first twinges of pain alert you to a degenerative and painful experience, taking you from dysfunction to disintegration, if left unattended.

Inflammation is the body’s natural method of repairing or replacing damaged or dead tissues. Damaged, the body informs the brain of the extent and location of the destruction by a phenomenon we call pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when the immune system begins attacking the cartilage and the synovial lining of the joints.  As a result, an unbalanced (ie, unhealthy) inflammatory process begins significant destruction of healthy tissue.  Not only does this inflammatory response create excessive free radicals, it also attacks cytokines, especially TNF-a. Studies show that TFN-a is extremely high in the plasma of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. As you may anticipate, the oxidant levels in person with RA, lupus, MS, Chrohn’s and Scleroderma are significantly decreased.  Low antioxidant levels have also been shown to increase one's risk of developing RA or lupus. 

Studies also indicate that free-radical production is 5 times higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared to patients with normal joints.  Thus tremendous oxidative stress is at work, causing damage to the joints in those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis.  

Even though sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis have significantly greater oxidative stress than those with Osteoarthritis, the damage of the cartilage in both of these diseases comes from ‘oxidative stress’. 

Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and many other chronic degenerative diseases, including the acceleration of the aging process (which is related to the disease process) are all related by one common denominator, ....excessive oxidative damage to cells, DNA, cholesterol, and tissues. http://powerofcellularnutrition.blogspot.com/

The clinical indicators of oxidative stress are also very high in these patients, especially during a flare-up period of these diseases. This now becomes a good reason to optimize the natural antioxidant defence system, to build it back up. And the quickest way to do so is with anti-oxidant supplements.  Not only does this optimize the natural antioxidant defence system, but can also enhance the immune system and help control the inflammatory response. In other words they can help bring oxidative stress back under control and circumvent this entire vicious cycle. 

It is very important to understand the underlying causes of these diseases as you consider the traditional treatments offered in the medicine world today.  You may be offered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or NSAIDS as well as aspirin for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. These are the basic traditional ways of treatment that your doctor will be trying.  While these drugs do reduce the inflammation in the joints, they can have frequent adverse side effects that you do not need.  Such things as stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding (GI) can be caused by the use of these NSAIDS. 

Although Rheumatoid Arthritis affects women 3 times more often than men, this does not mean they are exempt from ever getting it.  In the United States alone, nearly 1% of the population has Rheumatoid Arthritis and the statistic for this disease is climbing.  Out of the 1% affected most of these are women but the male generation is not left out.  When the male generation is afflicted by Rheumatoid Arthritis, it appears more severe. This disease usually occurs between the ages of 20-50 but it can affect children as well.  In affected children it is now referred to as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.  

At first you are not sure if you have Arthritis or what type it is but you will recognize certain symptoms. For instance when you went to bed last night you seemed to be pain free but when you got up this morning your hips and knees just ached with a pain you have never had before. You ask yourself what is going on?  At breakfast time when you went to pour your tea or coffee did you hands feel stiff that morning? 

Lots of us toss these first aches and pains aside thinking we may have slept with our hands or arms twisted, or done something the day before and our muscles were now paying for it, or used a part of our body that hadn’t been used for a while.  You think that a few pain killers should get you back up and running quickly again.  Eventually however you find yourself not doing the things that give you pain, even things you once loved to do.  Now these aches and pains are making you think and look for an answer.

Now that you are experiencing pain and swelling in your fingers, wrists, knees or any other joints, it is easy to immediately think that these joints are ‘wearing down’ from use, just like the old car sitting in your drive way, or some of the parts of your current one. 

Many times it is inflammation, not just old age that is causing this to happen.  The pain you feel is your body’s way of telling you that it is irritated and needs your help.  It is so important to take the time to listen to your body and don’t just brush off this warning  by trying to fix it with a painkiller or two but you need to go seek professional help.

There is no sure way of being tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis. So to assist your doctor at this point it is imperative that you collect some family history.  Doing so will help him make his diagnosis.  Your doctor will take a detailed medical history to see if arthritis or another musculoskeletal problem is the likely cause of your symptoms. He may also ask for a medical examination to be taken along with some X-rays.  These tests will eliminate the possibility of other things that could be causing these symptoms.  He may also ask you to follow up with him at various times and by this he will then see when and where the symptoms are forming. Your doctor when he/she thinks it is necessary will probably be referring you to a Rheumatologist.  A Rheumatologist is a doctor who has received special training in this area which includes the joints, muscles and bones.

You ask yourself why is this disease steadily climbing? As Oxidative Stress is climbing so does Rheumatoid Arthritis. We live in a very toxic world, and the numbers of those with autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, in fact almost all of the chronic degenerative diseases, continues to climb and this will remain going forward in an upward spiral until we do something to combat this.   

In here we have been speaking much about ‘Oxidative Stress’.  To explain more about Oxidative Stress and how it affects us in many ways go to www.bionutrition.org   In there, Dr. Strand has an article not only on Oxidative Stress but also one on Cellular Nutrition and why this is so very important.  If you look closely at family pictures with many generations, you will be able to identify the significant difference and age just by looking at the skin of each of them.  The effect you see is due to Oxidative Stress affecting the skin.  The same decay is happening inside our bodies as well. 

Early Arthritis Symptoms

Early arthritis symptoms can be vague and confusing, but they are important to recognize. Newly diagnosed arthritis patients quickly realize that early symptoms are just the first layer to be uncovered before a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan can be established.

Symptoms linked to arthritis usually include:

·         Joint pain

·         Joint swelling

·         Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning

·         Tenderness in and around the joint

·         Limited range of motion in one or more joints

·         Redness in the joint

Should you have a history of Arthritis in your family you would be even more at risk. 

Other Parts of the Body

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also have symptoms in places other than their joints. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis develop anaemia, or a decrease in the production of red blood cells. Other effects that occur less often include neck pain and dry eyes and mouth. Very rarely, people may have inflammation of the blood vessels, the lining of the lungs, or the sac enclosing the heart. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60768&page=2 

If treatment is started early enough you should hopefully be able to keep it under control and avoid damage to any of the joints.  Above all you must now learn all you can about this disease.  How is it going to impact your life?  Are there any tools you can use besides the treatment/medications given to cope with this disease?

In recent years, research has led to a new understanding of rheumatoid arthritis and has increased the likelihood that, in time, researchers will find even better ways to treat the disease. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60768

Aggravating factors– Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, overweight, lack of nutrition, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion can all contribute to symptom flare-ups.

The root cause of your pain is inflammation, once you get rid of the inflammation the pain will naturally disappear. Our bodies are made up of living cells that can actually strengthen and grow when fully nourished and used properly.

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Maraika and Julie. Thank you for setting up your Rheumatoid Arthritis Website and for using my Testimony to encourage others.

May you be greatly blessed! - Sandy Blaser

Sandy's testimony  "Released from the Chains of Rheumatoid Arthritis"

Sandy was a prisoner of her own body,

For more than 11 years, degenerative diseases forced Sandy to live with Narcotic Pain Killers and multitude of organ damaging prescription drugs. Doctors had tried everything including 3 years of Chemotherapy for her Rheumatoid Arthritis and other connective tissue diseases. She was no longer wheelchair bound but still the pain was unbearable!. She prayed for God to grant her a miracle. Then a friend gave her some potent Pharmaceutical Grade supplements to try. Little did she know that this would be the key that would open the prison door and free her from all of the drugs.

God answered Sandy's prayers.

Is God answering your prayer today?

Maybe YOUR answer is the same as Sandy's.

From Sandy who shares her personal story with us below.

Life was good and I was living it to the fullest. My Husband owned and operated a Computer Store, which often required my assistance. I was a Mother to two Teenagers, a Music Evangelist on weekends, plus a full time Hair Designer?Barber. Needless to say I was under a tremendous stress load. But, like many of you, never once did I ever dream my whole life could fall apart so quickly!.

In 1991, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, plus 3 Connective Tissue Diseases. I immediately began a daily regiment of powerful drugs.

Within less than a year of the first symptoms, unbearable pain and inflammation engulfed my whole body. Suddenly all my daily functions came to a screaming halt. I cannot begin to explain to the the broken-ness I bore in my heart as I watched my world, as I knew it, slowly drift away.

As part of the disease my hands drew into locked fists, my wrists curled and jaws locked, and my body drew into a fetal position. But the worst thing for me was - having to live on strong addictive narcotics around the clock. I literally became a prisoner in my own body.

The Physician's at University of Missouri informed me, "We don't know what causes R.A, therefore we can only treat the symptoms". The disease was so aggressive, that they went for the strongest medication they had at that time, "Methotrexate". (Chemotherapy)

Dr. Strand's book "Death by Prescription" really spelled out for me the truth about prescription drugs. With massive drug therapy comes --terrible side effects. My Immune System was being destroyed, which led to a constant battle with infections. But, the real danger was that the drugs also covered up other warning signals, which led me to death's door.

In September '94 my husband rushed me to hospital with severe pain. They found I had a blood sugar count of 893. I slowly slipped away in a semi-coma. My husband tells the story: the doctors told him, "there is no way we can save her". His reply was, "If she walks out of here, then you are saying it would have to be a miracle from God, right!". The doctors agreed. A week later, I walked out of the Hospital!. The doctors confess that I am truly a walking miracle!

For more than 11 years, degenerative diseases forced me to live with Narcotic Painkillers and a multitude of organ damaging prescription drugs. Doctors tried everything including 2 years of Gold Shots and 3 years of Chemotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and othe connective tissue disease. I was no longer wheel chair bound but still the pain was unbearable!

In the year of 2000, while in prayer the Lord clearly instructed me,"Your problem is in your diet".

So, I diligently began searching for nutritional answers, vitamins and other supplements. I began juicing fruits and veggies and tried some horrible drink mixes! The change in my diet did give me energy, but did nothing to relieve the pain and inflammation. Therefore, I had no choice but to continue a daily regiment of drug therapy.

For those 11 years, I diligently cried out to God to grant me a miracle. Then in the Spring of 2002, a dear friend gave me the information that changed my life. Little did I know that this would be the key that would open the prison door and free me from pain and suffering and the use of prescription drugs.

It's still hard for me to comprehend what happened! You see for 1 years I had dreaded waking up in the morning to an unbearable surge of pain. After 5 days of starting the program, that surge is gone! After one month of severe detox, I was completely off all prescription drugs! I was now using Tylenol instead of narcotics for pain.

Needless to say, my husband wanted to know more about what gave me this incredible turnaround. So he did his own research and the program came up trumps.

Since the Spring of 2002, I have been faithfully staying with this program and can honestly say - it has leterally given me my life back!. I have undergone a total life change, which has taken much persistence and great determination on my part. But the key is - Never, ever give up!!!

Once again I am able to walk every day with my husband, and enjoy traveling and working full time in our World Mission Ministry.

This program does not work miracles, but gives my body what it needs to heal itself, which takes time. I do experience an occasional R.A Flare Up. But I refuse to get discouraged. I quickly remember what my life was like before.

Along with this program I try to stick with an anti-inflammatory diet, drink lots of filtered water and get exercise daily. This life style also has great added benefits - lower Blood Pressure, weight loss, general good health and a high energy level! To hear the comments of "My, you're looking great" does wonders for ones self-esteem!

This is truly an answer to my prayers.

I am ever so grateful to my dear friend for giving me the gift of sharing her knowledge. Thank you to Dr.Strand  www.bionutrition.org for sharing your much appreciated recommendations. And last but not least, Thank You to my wonderful friend - my faithful-loving Husband (God only knows where our feet have trod!)

Sandy Blaser

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