All of the current treatments for RA started as an experimental drug or treatment. They do not become “accepted” treatments until they have undergone testing, clinical trials, etc. Only at that point do experimental treatments become part of the commonly accepted treatment regimen for rheumatoid arthritis.

So, today’s experimental treatments will b e tomorrow’s treatments. At a recent meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, researchers considered this very idea. In fact, they reviewed several promising drugs on the up and coming list, though for today they are still considered experimental. They have to finish Phase II and II testing, and then have to be submitted to approval to the FDA.

One of the most promising new experimental drugs is called Baminercept. Used in combination with methotrexate, it has caused some meaningful improvements in the ACR scores of test patients. (the ACR refers to the American College of Rheumatology core measurements for new drugs.) Patients are experiencing lessening pain and reduced inflammation.
Another promising drug is called Cimzia. It has shown promise in being able to reduce the amount of joint damage that often goes along with RA. It may even act to help repair joints.

Perhaps the best way to find out if experimental treatments can be used for your rheumatoid arthritis therapy is to ask your doctor about participating in drug trials. In many cases, these trials will be provided at no cost. You will need to fit the criteria needed for the experiment though.

If you go outside the realm of experimental drugs, you can also find experimental treatments available. Past experimental treatments included tai chi, acupuncture, and the use of herbal supplements like turmeric. In the case of experimental therapies, they may not require special circumstances to participate, like a drug trial would. You may want to have a discussion about current therapies under study.

So, can experimental treatments help your RA? They might very well be able to help. Do some research on the subject, have a discussion with your physician, and go from there. At the least, many of the treatments will cause no harm. Who knows, your next helpful treatment may be just around the corner.

Treatments that include use of the “thunder god vine” have been showing a great deal of promise. The use of this root has been a part of Chinese medicine for a long time. However, its use for the treatment of RA has only just begun. Preparations made from the root of the vine have been known to decrease inflammation, and help reduce the autoimmune response that causes RA. There are some side effects that go along with the use of the root, though. These side effects can include diarrhea, hair loss, and changes in menstrual cycle.

The oil of plants like black currant, primrose, and borage are also proving to be effective alternative treatments for RA. These type of plants contain a fatty acid that has been proven to help with rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness. You need to be careful using some of these treatments though, as some can cause liver damage in certain patients. If you would like to consider the use of plant oils in your treatment of RA, you may want to seek the advice of your physician first.

Fish oil is now being used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It’s use for the treatment of diabetes has been known for some time. After some study, it has now been found that fish oil can also help with early morning stiffness and pain. The most common complaint for users of fish oil is belching and a fishy taste that it can leave in the mouth. Fish oil can also interfere with some medications, so you will want to talk to a physician about its use. Otherwise, it is an effective and safe alternative treatment for RA.

Tai Chi has become a very popular treatment for RA. The nice thing is, it has no side effects, and can be done by almost everyone. Tai Chi involves the use of gentle motions, breathing techniques, and proper posture to help produce a sense of well being. The exercises have been known to decrease stress, increase flexibility and range of motion, and decrease pain. If you find a competent instructor, they should be able to help you learn the movements of tai chi in a safe manner.

These four alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as others, are providing RA suffers with proven relief of inflammation and pain. The treatments have also been useful in helping to reduce the amount of joint damage that comes along with chronic RA. Have a discussion with your doctor, and then consider putting into use some of these alternative treatments for RA.

Actemra is a new type of drug that works by blocking interleukin-6. Interluekin-6 is a protein that is over produced in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Interleukin-6 is responsible for an excessive inflammatory response in the joints as well as other body parts in those who have rheumatoid arthritis. As the interleukin-6 is blocked, the rheumatoid arthritis joints become less painful and there is less destruction of the joint tissue.

Blocking interleukin-6 is a new biological weapon in the arsenal of rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Some of the other biological drugs available block a different protein called TNF-alpha, or the tumor necrosis factor alpha. Other biological drugs work to block interleukin-1 and moderate the activity of Beta and T-cells.

Actemra may also help relieve other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as fatigue. However, this new RA therapy is not to be used without caution. In clinical trials, there were serious side effects reported including death.

Because of these serious side effects, this drug is being used on patients that have not responded well to conventional forms of rheumatoid arthritis therapy regimens. Patients should expect their rheumatologist to keep a close eye on their cholesterol levels as some patients have had a significant increase in their LDL levels.

High blood pressure and increased liver enzymes can also be a side effect of Actemra. So while this drug is very promising, patients who take this drug will need to be monitored closely like they are with most other drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis therapy. It is always a fine balancing act between medications and their negative side effects with the pain and destruction of the rheumatoid arthritis joint.

Actemra is given by intravenous infusion once a month. It may be given in combination with other RA therapies depending upon patient response to the drug.

Unfortunately, there is not a simple medication for the patient to take to alleviate all the symptoms. Rather carefully selected medications, reduction of joint stress, gentle exercise and surgical intervention will be needed for a comprehensive rheumatoid arthritis therapy program. RA is a complex disease and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatmentcan be complex as well.

Some of the drugs used as an RA therapy are very familiar. Other drugs will be totally unfamiliar, or at least do not come to mind when thinking of drugs associated with RA. Probably the group of drugs that is the most familiar is NSAID’s (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

The use of NSAID’s for the Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment has been around for years. Probably the most recognizable member of this class of drug is aspirin. While aspirin has fallen out of favor, because of its possible gastrointestinal complications, it is still used in Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment.

The most commonly used NSAID’s are the ones that will require fewer daily doses than aspirin to achieve the same affects, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. However, these drugs also can have gastrointestinal side effects. It is always a balancing act with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment, to mediate the effects of the disease with the least amount of medication possible. The Cox-2 inhibitors are also used with good success with some patients. Again, the benefits of the treatment and the risk of the drugs are always balanced.

Corticosteroids are the other grouping of medication that is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis therapy. Corticosteroids are drugs that help relieve the inflammation from the disease process, and help to mediate the autoimmune response from the disease. Corticosteroids will be used in as small a dose as possible to achieve the desired result.

Corticosteroids do have side effects that range from minimal to life threatening. Do not ever increase your dose, or suddenly stop your dose, without talking with your physician. Steroids must be tapered off in a controlled situation. Corticosteroids are often prescribed to help with flair ups and then tapered back as a normal part of rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Both NSAID’s and corticosteroids will increase patient comfort during flair ups of the disease. But neither one will truly mediate the disease process. Another class of drugs is now being used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. These are the DMARDS (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs). It looks like alphabet soup with all these drug abbreviations!

While DMARDS are not a cure for RA, they do slow down the joint degeneration. With the advent of DMARDS, rheumatoid arthritis therapy has made some clear advances in fighting this debilitating disease. DMARDS will not give the patient immediate relief from the symptoms of active RA like the NSAID’s and steroids will. Rather the effects may take several weeks to notice. But the real payoff is in the drastic slowing of joint degradation.

DMARDS are an interesting group of drugs that include chemotherapy agents, anti-malarial agents, and antibiotics just to name a few. These drugs may be used alone, or in combination with each other in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment. The RA therapy dosages and combinations are dependant upon patient response.

These drugs in combination with rest, physical and occupational therapy, and surgery are all part of the rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Every patient is different and some will need all these interventions and some will only need a few. The good news is advances are being made in fighting this painful and debilitating disease.

Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) are the mostly used pain medicines that doctors prescribe. Some of the NSAIDs are available over the counter. But be careful; NSAIDs are not free of side effects.

NSAID Side Effects:

• Vomiting and Dizziness
• Nausea
• Stomach Pain
• Skin Rash
• Reduced Appetite
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

If you have been taking NSAIDs for long time, you may suffer from ulcer or bleeding in intestine and stomach! People who are already diagnosed with ulcer should avoid NSAIDs.

So what’s the solution? What the rheumatoid arthritis patients can do to reduce joint pain? Is there any medicine with no side effects?

Yes. Try Selective NSAIDs. These medicines have lower risk of developing ulcer. People who are sensitive to NSAIDs should be treated with Selective NSAIDs. For example, COX-2 selective inhibitor is a type of NSAID that has lesser risk of ulcer. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Corticosteroids are selective nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs.

Is it safe to use OTC Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief Drugs?

I think you know the answer, don’t you?

It is strongly recommended to consult a rheumatologist before taking any NSAID – selective or non-selective. Doctors may suggest suitable proton-pump inhibitor to reduce the risks of ulcer. Patients with heart and kidney problem should be VERY CAREFUL about using these drugs. Consult your doctor before taking NSAID drugs always.