[Sandy]

I do and got RA (rhem. arth.) from taking lithium for 1 yr. and prozac for one month. Now I can't take any bipolar meds because they all cause my RA to flare. So it is really hard to be bipolar without any meds.

Any help would be so appreciated.

Thanks y'all,
Sandy

[Mrs. Bear]

Oh wow. That has to be tough.

It would help to know what the docs have tried and maybe we can come up with what's left that helps. Then we can look into what isn't going to flare the RA.

Man, I wouldn't be able to do it.

Have you learned meditation or tried exercise? They are natural mood stablizers, but they can't do the whole job alone. (and yes, I imagine exercise is not the easiest for you. My mom and sister water walk to lessen the impact.)

I wish I knew more about RA, but all I really understand is that it's an autoimune disorder that reaks total havock with a body. I am sorry.

[Sandy]

Yeah, it is really tough..........I have just tried everything the pdocs can give and they all cause the RA to flare. I have come up with some stuff on my own that work for about 4-5 days and then I have to take zyprexa for 2 days to get my brain back in order (more than that makes the RA flare and nothing else works as fast as zyprexa despite its horrid side effects like weight and cholesterol).

I take Omega 3, borax/flax oil, Bvitamins, 4gr. vit. C, 5HTP, Calcium for the bipolar and that, for me, works pretty well for 3-5 days (oh, plus acupuncture every week or every two weeks). I have tried Margot Kidder's regime and it makes my RA flare immediately (so that means it must work as good as the pdoc meds, cuz it reacts just as fast and I felt wonderful on it until the evening when the RA flared).

I am so glad you answered my post...........just knowing there are others here who understand helps.

Thanks and Hugs,
Sandy

[fiberowendy2000]

I know that I don't have RA per se but I do have FM and so far, I've been very lucky about drug and body interactions. Then again I don't have the inflammation aspect of RA as you do.
I wonder if there is something out there that is RA neutral for you to take.

[Sandy]

Hiya, thanks for answering............sounds like a good forum for us with autoimmune diseases. I take omega 3, flax/borax oils, minerals and Bcomplex, plus 5HTP and do acupuncture once a week, now twice a month and do okay with the bipolar except around day 4-5 I have to take two doses of zyprexa to keep my mind from blowing..........but I have gained 10 pounds on this regime and it is hard.

I tried Margot Kidders regime and it worked, I was very happy for a day, but it also gave me an RA flare.

Tell me more about yourself, I need a friend.

Hugs,
Sandy

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Sandy

I do and got RA (rhem. arth.) from taking lithium for 1 yr. and prozac for one month. Now I can't take any bipolar meds because they all cause my RA to flare. So it is really hard to be bipolar without any meds.

Dear Sandy,
Have you checked some common allergens like milk? wheat?


Here is an MD who uses science to talk about food irritating the system:

http://drklaper.com/answers07.html

Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases, Nutrition, And (Un?)Common Sense

Numerous articles published in prominent medical journals confirm what I have witnessed for years in my medical practice: many people with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disease really are reacting to substances in their food.

The studies also demonstrate that identification and elimination of the offending foods - a therapy completely free of cost and risk - often provides dramatic improvement, or complete remission of joint pain and disability.

Why are physicians so reluctant to consider the possible connections between painful joints and what the owner of the joints has been eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

A major reason is that in medical school, most physicians-to-be learn that fragments of food proteins are simply too large to be absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream, and thus cannot be involved in inflammatory reactions in distant organs, like the joints.

Consequently, the patient's diet as a causative factor is usually discounted and instead, powerful (and expensive) anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed as the foundation of therapy.
Both physician and patient then settle for mere suppression of inflammatory symptoms instead of effective treatment. This "relief" often inflicts severe side effects, like intestinal bleeding, inflammation of the liver, and/or depression of bone marrow function, where new blood is made.

Does treating the RA make the BP worse and treating the BP makes the RA worse? Yuck.

I am on Verapamil (calcium channel blocker) for a mood stabilizer. I mention this because it is likely on that your pdoc has not tried it. It works wonderful for me. Premedicated, I mostly had mixed episodes.

I guess that the best things are the thing that we are all supposed to be doing:
-alkaline diets for many (not all of us perhaps)
http://www.trans4mind.com/nutrition/pH.html

-sleep
-exercise
-sunshine
-fun

I had an dx of Chronic Fatigue around 1992.
I think that I have grown past it now. (can't tell 100% thanks to the side effects of the bp meds.)

How did the accupunture work?
Did you have a dr of chinese med?

I take Omega 3, borax/flax oil, Bvitamins, 4gr. vit. C, 5HTP, Calcium for the bipolar and that, for me, works pretty well for 3-5 days

Just a thought in case you have not tried it: Instead of the whole shebang, maybe your system could handle ONE of these. Like try a gram or two of Omega 3.

Then stop it. Next try the B vitamins.

See if one works a little for you.
I have read that people with BP tend to be short zinc.
So mabye zinc.
Do I make sense?

I hope you find a better solution than the one you have now.




Mari

[Mrs. Bear]

Sounds like very good advice Mari. Food and autoimmune appear to be a large issue in my family. Once the offenders are removed, the disease tends to be more managable.

(and you have also reminded me that I need my B12 shot. Mayhaps I can feel more human. Thanks, love.)

[Sandy]

Hi Mari,
I find unless I take all the stuff I mentioned I get depressed. I worry the B vitamin complex may make the RA worse (I take minocycline and dicloflenac for the RA...........it works for me and I hate to go off it and try other things because the ones I have tried don't work and my mom tried everything and was in constant paing.........I have little or no pain until I take the bipolar meds), but the B vit. seem to make me happier, so I sure hope they don't make the RA worse.

I must get off the zyprexa as I now am gaining two pounds every day or two. I will suggest verapamil to my pdoc. Thanks so much for all the advice. Food seems to have little effect on my RA, I have gone off dairy and wheat and no difference. It is just the bipolar meds that make me bad. Yet I need something about every 4 days.

Thanks and hugs,
Sandy

[Isis]

Hi Sandy,
I have Systemic Lupus, and I really don't know if the BP meds are effecting the pain levels, as I am on regular NSAIDs and Plaquinil to control the inflammation and pain.
But I really could not give up one treatment for the other. FRIGHTENING THOUGHT.
Weight is an issue, but it has now steadied - like after 48lbs.
I just try and eat healthy and excercise.
Alternative treatments did recommend giving up every food item with iron. That really wasn't viable with the haematology problems I have with the Lupus.
I am not suggesting anything, just letting you know what I have found to work for me as of now. In the end all these treatment options are so subjective. Keep your eyes and ears open, anything is worth trying once, as long as it doesn't get your hair to stand on ends. Duh!
Serengeti