Saturday, May 14, 2011

I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and my doctor has recommended infliximab. Should I go for it?


Infliximab is a newer disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug. It works by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha. So far, most people who have undergone treatment with infliximab indicate that the drug is great. It is administered as an injection every few weeks. The symptom improval is marked and it also slows down progression of disease. The only negative is the cost.

I have developed osteoarthritis in both my knees and my doctor recommends glucosamine. Should I use glucosamine. Does this work?


To put it in simple language- Glucosamine is about as good as drinking your own urine. It is crap. Doctors and other health professional have been selling glucosamine to consumers just to make money. There is not a single study which shows that glucosamine is effective for osteoarthritis.  Sports personalities say positive things about glucosamine because they are paid millions of dollars to promote fake products.  Glucosamine does not decrease pain nor does it prevent progression of arthritis. So save your money for something that works. And please change your doctor –anyone who recommends bogus therapies to patients is a scoundrel.