Questions and Answers
My Dad is very grateful for your advice on Devils Claw. He has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since 1970 and his wrists and fingers are the main victims. This has until recently been quite effectively controlled with Indomethacid (25 mg 2 x per day). Unfortunately since retiring in 1987 things have become worse and more of his joints (except the spinal column) are affected. A further complication is the development of diventicular disease and three quite nasty G.I. bleeds. The pain and suffering has become a real problem over the last 4 months and he has been advised to stay away from further NSAIDS (Apart from Indocid the others seem almost totally ineffective anyway). So he turns, with many reservations; almost in desperation., to Devil's Claw. This he will try for two months and will willingly let you know the result. Have you any reports - good or bad- resulting from properly conducted clinical trials of this remedy?
Like most folk remedies, this herb's reputation is based, as far as I know on anecdotal evidence (as I mentioned earlier, there were a couple of reports I haven't been able to trace, but naught seems to have come from that) ... your Dad may benefit from the use of a sustained-release preparation of indomethacin (gives more even blood levels) ... anyway, I can sympathize with him - this old age isn't all it's cracked up to be!