Thread: Rheumatoid Arthritis

In January this year I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had just recovered from an infection I had picked up during surgery for a replacement knee.

At the moment I still live in the Uk. But I am planning on retiring in Thailand.

I am on the following medication for the Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and folic acid.

These drugs reduce your immune system, I have no pain as long as I take this medication and still work full time.

Does anyone have this illness? Where could I get treatment and medication?

Originally Posted by Dapperdan

I am on the following medication for the Rheumatoid Arthritis, Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and folic acid.

Originally Posted by Dapperdan

Where could I get treatment and medication?

The cheapest place to obtain treatment and medication in Thailand would be your local government hospital.

Cheers for the reply, I`m in Thailand in November, will check it out then.

Good luck with your treatment. Have you used hospitals in Thailand before?

Never used any hospital in Thailand, the English ones are not brilliant but are free. The hospitals in Thailand look the business but they cost.

I don`t mind paying as long as the treatment is good.

Originally Posted by Dapperdan

The hospitals in Thailand look the business but they cost. I don`t mind paying as long as the treatment is good.

The government hospitals are cheap and okay in my opinion. What treatment you need other than medication I do not know but I all I can say is the medication is cheap. Due to your condition being long term it should pay you to register at your local. Your wife should know how to go about that.

What part of Thailand will you be coming to?

Many of the government hospitals are very good and not at all costly.

You will likely be able to purchase you meds from a local pharmacy. No prescription needed.

Originally Posted by Dapperdan

I am on the following medication for the Rheumatoid Arthritis, Methotrexate

From another forum.

Due to its toxicity methotrexate is a "Category S"drug, not legal for sale over the counter. Needs to be obtained from a hospital pharmacy for which a consultation with a doctor will be needed. You should in any case have monthly labs done (CBC, liver enzymes).

When I first came here to Thailand I met an old German guy in Hau Hin called Gunter he told me he had left Germany to escape the cold and had suffered from your complaint for years whilst living there , he used to go to the beach for 4 hours every day soaking up the Sun and also through hos Doctor in Germany was advised to take turmeric in his food ,the guy told me a virtual miracle had took place and he had no pain whatsover for quite some time , this video may explain everything ,BTW as any one will tell you turmeric here is as cheap as chips and widely availableTurmeric Works Better than Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Heres another article about the old current bun Sun helps stop arthritis | Health | Life & Style | Daily Express

Piwanoi, tumeric is a great substance that reduces inflammation causing arthritis and gout. Diet is a very important part of treating these two ailments and can be even more effective since they attack the cause and not just mask the symptoms.

I have had arthritis for a number of years along with a herniated disc. I used to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and naproxen for my pain, but now use tramadol, which can be purchased over the counter in Thailand, along with acetaminophen or aspirin. Without these meds, I can not even make a fist. Once taken, I gain mobility and am pain free.

I would personally stay away from methotrexate since it is actually cytotoxic at higher doses. The folic acid will reduce the toxic effects of methotrexate. I would stick to other less toxic medications and do some reading about what foods can actually reduce inflammation. The warm weather and water will also relieve symptoms.

Originally Posted by piwanoi

he used to go to the beach for 4 hours every day soaking up the Sun

The Sun is a critical point as well. In the UK, the vast majority of people have vitamin D deficiency which is a key criteria in the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. If you are in the UK, start taking Vit D supplement and at least that will curtail the advancement. Also increasing Vit C as well up to about 4000 IU a day will help. I would suggest this firm who supply organic vits in the UK

Vitamin D3 | Ancient Purity - Revealing the Secrets of Health & Longevity

Try Kefir (the real stuff-homemade).
True health comes from within.

^ True....there has been a lot published recently about the link between gut bacteria and health.


Rickschoppers is correct about tumeric.

Read these links :

Turmeric Works Better than Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

6 Ways Turmeric Benefits in Rheumatoid Arthritis | Turmeric for Health!

And please note that this one is by The Arthritis Foundation :

Turmeric for Arthritis | Curcuma | Curcuma longa | Cur[at]cuma domestica

Originally Posted by Latindancer

^ True....there has been a lot published recently about the link between gut bacteria and health.


Rickschoppers is correct about tumeric.

Read these links :

Turmeric Works Better than Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

6 Ways Turmeric Benefits in Rheumatoid Arthritis | Turmeric for Health!

And please note that this one is by The Arthritis Foundation :

Turmeric for Arthritis | Curcuma | Curcuma longa | Cur[at]cuma domestica

I do believe I put one of those links about turmeric in my post#9

Good on you. I just got them off my bookmarks.