Ankylosing Spondylitis

Boswellia Serrata

2008-06-05T10:01:00.014+05:30

Boswellia Serrata is a plant. The gum resin extract of this plant is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties. It is considered good for inflammation caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis ,Osteoporosis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. In animal studies, these acids have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in several ways.
Boswellia Serrata is used in India to reduce the inflammation usually found amoung race horses. The qualities of Boswellia Serrata was informed by a Doctor who found significant success treating such horses. The drug was taken as prescribed be the doctor. The Hemogram and ESR were examined before taking Boswellia Serrata.
After a period of 2 months hemogram and ESR were again examined. The ESR had infact gone very high. The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis too had gone high. The Boswellia Serrata was discontinued. The Boswellic Acid may be helpful in the case of athletes. I do not know whether it would be helpful in case of arthritis. I would never say that you shouldn't try Boswellic Acid but always keep a good check on your hemogram and ESR.

Infliximab

2008-05-23T14:35:00.011+05:30

Infliximab is one of the best drugs available in the market for ankylosing spondylitis. The infliximab is administered by intravenous infusion and requires hospital admission. I would prefer a hospital admission because it could be allergic to some people. I took three infliximab infusion of 200 mg on each occasion. My ESR level which was above 100 mm/hr before the first infusion. The ESR level came down to less than 10 mm/hr within first week. I would strongly recommend to take Remicade infusion if it is financially affordable. The result could be felt with in a weeks time.
P.S. Please send me your experience with Infliximab, Enbrel or Humira through email.

Ayurveda

2008-05-03T15:51:00.008+05:30

At the initial years of my Ankylosing Spondylitis, I was tempted to try alternate treatments like Ayurveda mainly due to the rapid cure of my uncle's Ankylosing Spondylitis. I was advised to undergo navarakizhi followed by vasti.
The fact is that almost for 45 days I was relieved of my pain and stiffness completely. Unfortunately the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis re-surfaced after that period. Though I continued taking ayurvedic medicines almost for a year after that, the symptoms did not subside unlike my uncle's history.
Ayurveda considers each individual as different entity. Unfortunately in my case it did not work. My opinion is that if it is possible to try, go ahead, and if your body responds to it consider yourself lucky as ayurveda doesn't have any side effects.
I did get something out of Ayurveda. I was able to keep my psoriasis under control using an Ayurvedic oil called Dandapala (Scientific name:Wrightia tinctoria)coconut oil. This could be easily made by immersing the leaves in a earthern plate filled with coconut oil and then keeping it in bright sunlight for approximately 3 days. Apply this oil often on the affected areas.