My friend at work suffers from arthritis, and her dr. put her on Celebrex. She's has been hearing stories of liver damage and wants to go off it.

Has anyone had success using natural alternatives? Please let me know what you've tried....and thanks in advance!!!!

I have had success with using a multivitamin, extra C, E, B150, Chondroitin and Glucosamine, Fish Oil, MSM, DHEA, Calcium, and coated aspirin. Before this worked, I had to do the elimination diet. I don't eat the same foods every day but I can eat anything now in moderation. I noticed that my outlook on life has much to do with my arthritis. If I sit and worry about it, it gets worse. I have been in remission since May although have some loss of range of motion. Exercise is VERY important as well. I walk or do arobics. Hurt at first, then was OK. I enjoy it.

You wanted to know about the Celebrex.
I would be glad to help you. I work for a group of Rheumatologists and They use Celebrex a lot. It is one of the safer drugs out today, It is easy on the stomach and as far a liver problems, Advil has liver side affects as well. I would stay on the Celebrex and make sure to have some regular bloodwork done.

Have had Arthritis for many years. Gave up as futile all prescription medicine. Have used most of the vitamins and herbals and the best has been the Glucosamine. GS500 plus plenty of WATER. Not tap water but purified water to keep the painful joints moist. Drink till your kidneys float. Water, water, water is the best best pain medicine. Best wishes and hope for a pain free future. Jugghd.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Doozy:
I have had success with using a multivitamin, extra C, E, B150, Chondroitin and Glucosamine, Fish Oil, MSM, DHEA, Calcium, and coated aspirin. Before this worked, I had to do the elimination diet. I don't eat the same foods every day but I can eat anything now in moderation. I noticed that my outlook on life has much to do with my arthritis. If I sit and worry about it, it gets worse. I have been in remission since May although have some loss of range of motion. Exercise is VERY important as well. I walk or do arobics. Hurt at first, then was OK. I enjoy it.[/QUOTE)

Dear Doozy:

By the time I discovered what my aches and pains were, I was about 44 years old, and
was diagnosed with congenital osteoarthritis.
It never hurt before, although I did have
some bone deformities from birth (in my feet)
that I wondered about, but doctors never
told me it was arthritis. I see you also
tried the elimination diet, as arthritis can
wreck havoc with the digestive system and one
has to be careful about what they eat. My
weight has been up and down with this one,
and now going through menopause at age 49, it
is up again. If I had known earlier in life
I had arthritis, I might have tried some
herbal remedies, but had no pain until later
on.Have tried unsuccessfully using herbs in
the past and had many sensitivities to some.
Now, however, have found an herbal product
I use in minute amounts that helps a "great"
deal although it is not for arthritis. I've
gotten to point now, where I'll be having a
second hip replacement surgery in about two
weeks time. First one went well, a year ago,
but I'm still crippled and cannot stand totally erect until other one is done. Am
not anticipating any problems and recovery
time is 12 weeks. I can't wait.

Glad to hear the herbs helped you. I'll keep
searching for some remedy to use after I'm
healed. Those harsh pain medications for
arthritis have got to go. In the long run
they are harmful, habit-forming and do not
help heal bone cartilage, which wears in
patients like us over time.

Also, anxious to try herbal products for
menopausal symptoms.

Cheers!!

It is possible to treat arthritis with natural remedies. It is recommended to eliminate read meats, alcohol, cigarettes and other toxic elements.
Take:
Omega-3 natural fish oils with olive oil
Aloe vera with cranberry
Zinc, Vitamin C, Ginseng, Garlic, Chinese lycium and licorice.
Rub Aloe vera heat lotion mixed with eucalyptus onto areas of inflammation and pain
royal jelly and bee propolis are also recommended

I've been in remission for about 5 years from RA, but in September started menopause. My doctor recommended Soy Isoflavones to help with the hot flashes and sleeplessnes. It could be all in my head, but it's working. I also started getting stiff and I know menopause can irritate the joints. For this I started taking Glucosomine, again, it could be in my head, but it's working.

Just to add that I definitely believe in moving and exercising and I'm a big Vit C and B Complex fan. I didn't know that a lot of water would help joints, but I've always been a water drinker, at least 50-60 ozs. a day, so maybe I've been helping myself all along.

Celebrex is easier on the stomach but may give someone lower intestinal pains, and/or upper respiratory problems. I have tried it and Vioxx and am now on Voltaren. Yuck!

A natural anti-inflammtory is EPO, evening primrose oil,which can be found at Walmart, drugstores etc.
Supposedly if you take 1000mg per day per ailment it should kick in within a couple months and it will help you feel better. You can find out more by going to yahoo groups and accessing the pa-social group (psoriatic art.) where a few of the members are using it and having success.
PatB