Rheumatoid arthritis: Can you really avoid deformities

A lady known to have Rheumatoid arthritis for 9 years came to me after an interval of four years. She had already developed a severe form of dry eye called "keratoconjunctivitis sicca" when last seen.

There had not been much difference but for the facial swelling and visible deformity of fingers.

When asked, she revealed that she was under care of a neurologist and in addition taking medicines prescribed by Baba Ramdev.

"Do you have relief with his medicines?", I asked.

After a thoughtful pause, she said, "yes", skepticism evident on her face.

"But as per records, you did not have these deformities in the small joints of fingers when I saw you last!, And you have been taking herbal medicines....".

"Yes, but I understand there are no side effects....".

"That's right, but there has not been any effect either!", I said.

I explained why it was essential to be under care of a rheumatologist, who would have prescribed disease modifying drugs, and also why she needed to go for physiotherapy to prevent other deformities.

The modern medicine as I said in a previous post are maligned for having side effects. But whatever is known about those side effects is accepted and published. So it is a very transparent .... .

I hope chronic patients would understand that. Instead of having a false sense of well being, let a good doctor be in charge of your problems!

When deciding your choice between drugs prescribed by a rheumatologist and those by someone advocating alternative medicines, please understand that the goal of treatment should not be mere control of pain but prevention of deformity as well.

Happy recovery!

Chronic ailments: What is the role of alternative therapies ( I )

Hi,

Do alternative therapies really work?

Dr. Christian Bernard the South African cardiologist, who pioneered the first heart transplantation suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis. After this feat he was famous the world over. Concerned people across the continents poured in a lot of suggestions for his rheumatism. All were essentially “alternative medicines”, some claimed to be practiced “over generations” by the “prescriber”. I recall, keeping an onion in your pocket was one of them, as mentioned in a book by Dr. Bernard.

I intend to answer one basic question here: why does a person seek an alternative therapy.

One reason is, the mainstream therapy failed to live up to patients’ expectations.

The other reason is the chronicity of the disease itself.

Next is a “negative image” imparted to modern medicines: “they have too many side effects” any one using alternative medicine would tell you.

Modern medicines emerge after a rigorous multi step operation that includes trial on animals and human volunteers. Whatever side effects are encountered, are documented and admitted by the medical fraternity. They are there for everyone to see.

Another reason is a highly populist strategy adopted by those who practice alternative medicines. Do you come across a well groomed doctor claiming to cure azoospermia, inability father a child due to lack of sperms? This and many other ailments are claimed to be treated by the quacks! It is because of this populist measures that the likes of Baba Ramdev have survived in India, but strangely enough, you find such practitioners even in countries like the USA.

The last and a very important reason is people’s belief that miracles exist: something will appear out of no where and they will be cured. Gullibility out of despair!

I will follow up these views with more in subsequent posts. Dr Bernard was overwhelmed with the global concern for his ailment, but certainly did not practice these

Educate yourself before falling in for alternative therapies!