Diagnosis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
History of illness:
Sudden onset of disease still persisting after 8 weeks
Symptoms:
Severe oedema and inflammation and stiffness of various joint which were symmetrical and typical of RA. Joints affected: ankles,
knees, hips, fingers, wrists, jaw, elbows and shoulders. My mobility was very poor and I needed considerable help with my personal
needs. All activities were painful, the majority severely.
Seen urgently by Consultant Rheumatologist and treated with steroid injection ( which I was told would last only 1 month ) this within
days gave considerable relief from oedema and pain. X-rays showed no joint damage. Unfortunately after 2 weeks the symptoms
started to return and I was seen again and started again and started on 10 mg of oral steroids and 3 weeks later on Methotrexate.
In spite of anti inflammatory medication ( Arthrotec ) and other painkillers which included Tramadol I found the pain, particularly in
my shoulders, unbearable.
Reason for consulting Dr Yu :
I had previously had acupuncture of back pain, with good results and decided to try acupuncture for pain, which I know has been
shown to be useful in RA.
Consultation with Dr Yu:
I saw Dr Yu about 1 month before I started with Methotrexate but I had just started on oral steroids a few days prior to the
consultation, I was delighted that Dr Yu had a PhD in rheumatology and thoroughly understood the illness and the medication I was
taking.
After taking my medical history he prescribed a course of acupuncture, acupressure massage and Chinese Herbs, explaining that
they would not interfere with my western medication but would not only help symptoms and pain but would help with the side
effects of the western medicine.
Response to treatment:
From the 1st treatment I began to have relief from pain. While the herbs are very bitter, I had had only 2 treatments and then there
was a 2 week break because of Christmas and I felt a bit panicky at the thought of not having the acupuncture which I felt was really
helping. I had the herbs to take twice a day and need not have panicked as I began to really improve, I had much greater mobility
even going for a short walk on my own. I need less help with personal needs and I began to see the real possibility of my life returning
to normal. From the comfort of my armchair I felt that I could soon return to work which was a little over optimistic and both my
hospital consultant and Dr Yu advised against such a plan. After only a few more weeks I returned to work a few hours a week and
after a month back to my full hours. I have been back at work full time for 3 weeks and I am taking care of myself taking regular breaks
through the day. I have acupuncture every 2 weeks and the herbs once a day.
My health has really improved and I am virtually back to normal, I am a bit slower in a few things and get tired more easily but the
improvement overall is amazing when I look back and see how ill I was. I do hope I continue to improve but if not I can live quite
happily as I am now.
I feel the help I have been given by Dr Yu and TCM has been a considerable help in my recovery. RA is not a curable disease and the
quicker that damage is prevented the better. I am glad I sought help early on. Methotrexate takes 3 months to work, and as I only
started it in mid January to be able to return to work in March something else must have been working!!! My hospital consultants
team know I am having TCM and are happy for me to do so long as it does not interfere with the prescribed medication.
I can thoroughly recommend this clinic which is very professional and I have been treated with the utmost kindness and
professionalism by Dr Yu.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
History of illness:
Sudden onset of disease still persisting after 8 weeks
Symptoms:
Severe oedema and inflammation and stiffness of various joint which were symmetrical and typical of RA. Joints affected: ankles,
knees, hips, fingers, wrists, jaw, elbows and shoulders. My mobility was very poor and I needed considerable help with my personal
needs. All activities were painful, the majority severely.
Seen urgently by Consultant Rheumatologist and treated with steroid injection ( which I was told would last only 1 month ) this within
days gave considerable relief from oedema and pain. X-rays showed no joint damage. Unfortunately after 2 weeks the symptoms
started to return and I was seen again and started again and started on 10 mg of oral steroids and 3 weeks later on Methotrexate.
In spite of anti inflammatory medication ( Arthrotec ) and other painkillers which included Tramadol I found the pain, particularly in
my shoulders, unbearable.
Reason for consulting Dr Yu :
I had previously had acupuncture of back pain, with good results and decided to try acupuncture for pain, which I know has been
shown to be useful in RA.
Consultation with Dr Yu:
I saw Dr Yu about 1 month before I started with Methotrexate but I had just started on oral steroids a few days prior to the
consultation, I was delighted that Dr Yu had a PhD in rheumatology and thoroughly understood the illness and the medication I was
taking.
After taking my medical history he prescribed a course of acupuncture, acupressure massage and Chinese Herbs, explaining that
they would not interfere with my western medication but would not only help symptoms and pain but would help with the side
effects of the western medicine.
Response to treatment:
From the 1st treatment I began to have relief from pain. While the herbs are very bitter, I had had only 2 treatments and then there
was a 2 week break because of Christmas and I felt a bit panicky at the thought of not having the acupuncture which I felt was really
helping. I had the herbs to take twice a day and need not have panicked as I began to really improve, I had much greater mobility
even going for a short walk on my own. I need less help with personal needs and I began to see the real possibility of my life returning
to normal. From the comfort of my armchair I felt that I could soon return to work which was a little over optimistic and both my
hospital consultant and Dr Yu advised against such a plan. After only a few more weeks I returned to work a few hours a week and
after a month back to my full hours. I have been back at work full time for 3 weeks and I am taking care of myself taking regular breaks
through the day. I have acupuncture every 2 weeks and the herbs once a day.
My health has really improved and I am virtually back to normal, I am a bit slower in a few things and get tired more easily but the
improvement overall is amazing when I look back and see how ill I was. I do hope I continue to improve but if not I can live quite
happily as I am now.
I feel the help I have been given by Dr Yu and TCM has been a considerable help in my recovery. RA is not a curable disease and the
quicker that damage is prevented the better. I am glad I sought help early on. Methotrexate takes 3 months to work, and as I only
started it in mid January to be able to return to work in March something else must have been working!!! My hospital consultants
team know I am having TCM and are happy for me to do so long as it does not interfere with the prescribed medication.
I can thoroughly recommend this clinic which is very professional and I have been treated with the utmost kindness and
professionalism by Dr Yu.
Herbs & Acupuncture
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pamela C. Senior Clinical Hypnotherapist, Sale, Cheshire
Pamela C. Senior Clinical Hypnotherapist, Sale, Cheshire
© www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk 2005-2010.
Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
All Rights Reserved.
Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
All Rights Reserved.
21 Marsland Road, Sale,
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk