NHS 'failing' arthritis patients
Geoff Adams-Spink
BBC News Online disability affairs reporter
The NHS is not providing proper care for people with musculoskeletal conditions (MSCs) like arthritis according to a survey of health professionals.
The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) - a consortium of 28 organisations which carried out the survey - says the result is that people are in pain, forced out of jobs and struggling to remain independent.
"People are finding it impossible to get the healthcare they need and are entitled to," said consultant rheumatologist and ARMA chairman, Mike Webley.
Researchers spoke to 84 doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
They found that more than 90 percent said they were unable to provide the level of service needed by people with musculoskeletal conditions as a result of the government's health service priorities.
It is estimated that more than eight million in the UK have an MSC.
But the Department of Health says it is taking real steps to improve treatment and access to services for people with arthritis and similar conditions.
"There are now more doctors and nurses than ever before, and more medicines are being provided than ever before," said health minister, Stephen Ladyman.
The ARMA survey also found that none of the professionals questioned rated their service for people with MSCs as 'excellent'.
ARMA says it has come across examples of patients who have waited a number of years to get a formal diagnosis, patients who have been unable to get prescriptions for appropriate medication, people who have been forced to stop work, and people whose independence has been limited because they are on waiting lists for urgently needed operations.
The organisation has published a set of standards which it hopes will help health providers as well as people who need treatment.
Of those who responded to its survey, more than 90 percent said having a set of standards could improve the services they offer and more than two-thirds felt that having standards would help people with MSCs to get back to work.
"We know the establishment of the new standards could mark a new beginning for the millions of people who need more support from the health service," said ARMA chief executive, Sophie Edwards.
'Failed promises'
She says the government has failed to keep its promise of including people with MSCs in its national service frameworks for the NHS.
"People's needs don't go away just because there isn't a service available - the impact ripples through families, communities, employers and the tax payer."
"More than half a million people claim incapacity benefit because of MSCs, meantime health and social services are spending £5.5bn a year."
The government points out that NHS patents now have access to two new classes of drugs to treat arthritis.
"We recently announced there will be specialist teams across the country, based in every Strategic Health Authority, who will provide advice, care and treatment for people with chronic diseases like arthritis," said Mr Layman.
The minister said that the government will be publishing a national service framework for people with long-term conditions later this year.
"This will consider some of the common issues that can promote independence and reduce disability for people with long-term conditions like arthritis."
Patient power
Thirty-one year-old Ben Mitchell was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when he was in his mid-twenties.
"The most worrying thing was not knowing what it was - it was really quite distressing, and I didn't have a clue what I could do," he told BBC News Online.
"I was quite lucky though - it took between six and nine months for me to get a diagnosis."
At the moment, Mr Mitchell's condition is in remission and he works full-time as a sales manager for a London photographic agency.
But he says that he is no longer able to take part in team sports like five-a-side football and hockey which he used to enjoy.
When he was first diagnosed he was living in Oxford but has since moved to London.
He says there is a significant difference in the quality of treatment offered to people with conditions like his in the two cities.
"In London they're more interested in working with you to help you manage the condition," he said.
"There seems to be a greater willingness to get me referrals to other services like physiotherapy".
Mr Mitchell thinks patients feel more in control of their conditions if a doctor gives them a range of options and involves them in the decision as to which is the most appropriate for them.
"Luckily I am now in that position - it's more empowering and better for your general wellbeing," he said.
The Department of Health says it wants to extend people's opportunities to take an active part in the management of there own conditions.
"Through the Arthritis Care self-management programme and the Experts Patient Programme (EPP) we are helping people to develop these skills," said Mr Layman.
The government is planning to make the EPP available nationally by 2008.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/4000651.stm
Full Version: NHS 'failing' arthritis patients
Edgar Cayce had an interesting explanation on arthritis..it's worth looking at...
PH:: http://www.edgarcayce.org/rheumatoid_arthritis.asp
The detox.. cleanse he suggests, is very involved..I wonder if it could be simplified????
Atkins diet or the Rosdale or South Beach diet and Epson salt baths with some deep tissue or lymphatic drainage massages???
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/epsom_salts.html
PH:: http://www.edgarcayce.org/rheumatoid_arthritis.asp
QUOTE
The readings would likely imply that the development of arthritis is an attempt on the part of the ligaments and the joints themselves to meet the needs of the system which is being poisoned. With the drosses present in the bloodstream, the lymphatics and the lymphocytes with all their resources are unable in conjunction with the hormones, to bring about a full (what Cayce calls) coagulation, or a building up of tissue from energy -a reconstruction in a sense of the cells of the body. Thus, the type of arthritis is determined to a great extent by the derangement of function prior to the onset of improper eliminations. It is probably more closely associated with the hormonal disturbance in rheumatoid arthritis, whereas in osteoarthritis the body is better balanced in all of its activities and not subject to such a derangement as comes about in the atropic manifestation of the disease.
The detox.. cleanse he suggests, is very involved..I wonder if it could be simplified???? Atkins diet or the Rosdale or South Beach diet and Epson salt baths with some deep tissue or lymphatic drainage massages???
QUOTE
http://www.urbansaltbox.com/products.html
http://www.homeremediesweb.com/arthritis_home_remedy.php
Arthritis Natural Cure Using Flax Seed Oil
Arthritis Home Remedy Using Epsom Salt
Arthritis Home Remedy Using Alfalfa Seeds
Natural Treatment for Arthritis Pain Using Cinnamon
There is a home remedy for arthritis using white raisins soaked in gin.
I got same type of problem in my feet. Since last week I started following remedy and feeling better. Apple Cider Vinegar 2 table spoon + Honey 1 t.s stir in warm glass of water. Take 2-3 times a day.
http://www.homeremediesweb.com/arthritis_home_remedy.php
Arthritis Natural Cure Using Flax Seed Oil
Arthritis Home Remedy Using Epsom Salt
Arthritis Home Remedy Using Alfalfa Seeds
Natural Treatment for Arthritis Pain Using Cinnamon
There is a home remedy for arthritis using white raisins soaked in gin.I got same type of problem in my feet. Since last week I started following remedy and feeling better. Apple Cider Vinegar 2 table spoon + Honey 1 t.s stir in warm glass of water. Take 2-3 times a day.
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/epsom_salts.html
http://www.simplynatural.org/id19.html
QUOTE
A little about Castor Oil:
Castor Oil was used many years ago. Some of you may remember your mother or Grandmother spoon feeding you some of this when you were little.
The famous Edgar Cayce, called the “sleeping prophet,” popularized the use of castor oil in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, especially in the form of castor oil packs, which resulted in amazing health recoveries for many people. The most frequently recommended use of castor oil by Cayce was as castor oil packs, which were recommended for many conditions such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), poor eliminations, epilepsy, various liver conditions such as cirrhosis and torpid liver, scleroderma, headaches, appendicitis, arthritis, incoordination between assimilations and eliminations, colitis, intestinal disorders such as tricture and colon impaction, incoordination between nervous systems, neuritis, toxemia and more.
Castor Oil is often refererred to as the “hand of Christ” and was used for thousands of years by many cultures, especially for skin and whole body detoxification. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, a unique, potent, immuneboosting fatty acid. The Castor Oil Pack can promote proper bowel, eliminations, good digestion, regular menstrual cycles, increased lymphatic circulation, better assimilation of nutrients. When purchasing the Castor Oil buy the purest form, Cold-pressed, certified organic.
Epsom Salts:
Epsom salts is the name originally given to hydrated magnesium sulphate, MgSO4.7H20. Millions of people all over the world have asked for Epsom salts, and used it with recognisable effect, without knowing anything about Epsom.
The name was first used, as far as is known, by Nehemiah Grew in 1695. He lists other wells around London, including Barnet, Acton, Dulwich and Streatham, where the water was of the same nature as Epsom. He was granted a Royal patent for "The Way of Makeing the Salt of the Purging Waters perfectly fine...very cheape". But though Epsom gave its name to the water, the quantities available from the Epsom wells were relatively small.
Castor Oil was used many years ago. Some of you may remember your mother or Grandmother spoon feeding you some of this when you were little.
The famous Edgar Cayce, called the “sleeping prophet,” popularized the use of castor oil in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, especially in the form of castor oil packs, which resulted in amazing health recoveries for many people. The most frequently recommended use of castor oil by Cayce was as castor oil packs, which were recommended for many conditions such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), poor eliminations, epilepsy, various liver conditions such as cirrhosis and torpid liver, scleroderma, headaches, appendicitis, arthritis, incoordination between assimilations and eliminations, colitis, intestinal disorders such as tricture and colon impaction, incoordination between nervous systems, neuritis, toxemia and more.
Castor Oil is often refererred to as the “hand of Christ” and was used for thousands of years by many cultures, especially for skin and whole body detoxification. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, a unique, potent, immuneboosting fatty acid. The Castor Oil Pack can promote proper bowel, eliminations, good digestion, regular menstrual cycles, increased lymphatic circulation, better assimilation of nutrients. When purchasing the Castor Oil buy the purest form, Cold-pressed, certified organic.
Epsom Salts:
Epsom salts is the name originally given to hydrated magnesium sulphate, MgSO4.7H20. Millions of people all over the world have asked for Epsom salts, and used it with recognisable effect, without knowing anything about Epsom.
The name was first used, as far as is known, by Nehemiah Grew in 1695. He lists other wells around London, including Barnet, Acton, Dulwich and Streatham, where the water was of the same nature as Epsom. He was granted a Royal patent for "The Way of Makeing the Salt of the Purging Waters perfectly fine...very cheape". But though Epsom gave its name to the water, the quantities available from the Epsom wells were relatively small.
QUOTE (crystal sage @ Feb 15 2008, 06:55 PM) 
There are variios home remedies for arthitis such as:
Soak black gingerly seed overnight in water and massage it frequently over joint pains.
Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey in a cup of warm water. Drink it twice a day.
Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of boiled water. Drink once a day.
Mix one raw clove of garlic with castor oil and apply over the affected area.
Soak seven leaves of rosemary in warm water and massage it daily over joint pains.
http://www.homeremediesguide.com/arthritis.html
That report is not wrong. I suffer from a MSC/Arthritic ailment in my neck and spine, that causes increased vertabrae wear. I have been told by consultants that my cervical vertabrae are at a dangerous level of wear and causing me chronic pain, yet they won't do anything about it because I am 33 (too young!!!!). They won't even prescribe pain relief or any other drugs because all that they have tried so far has had no effect (they refuse point blank to consider prescribing morphine, oxycodone or even entirocoxib). Basically I am in limbo, as the DWP (Department for Work & Pensions) have signed me off work and will not allow me to work, I don't qualify for Disability Benefit, so I am stuck on Incapacity Benefit (cannot even run my own business any more as the insurance premiums are too high because of the illness).
Going private is also out of the question due to the advanced nature of the ailment as BUPA etc will not even consider a health plan because of it.
I have a friend that works for Solgar, and is looking into natural remedies to see if they do anything that may help.
Going private is also out of the question due to the advanced nature of the ailment as BUPA etc will not even consider a health plan because of it.
I have a friend that works for Solgar, and is looking into natural remedies to see if they do anything that may help.
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