This document summarizes the author's experience treating autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis using an integrated Ayurvedic and allopathic approach. Over several decades, the author has developed a customized Ayurvedic treatment combining herbs like Triphala, Trikatu, and Ashwagandha with initial allopathic pain relief. The summary provides two case studies of patients who achieved sustained remission of symptoms and normal lab results after years of treatment. It acknowledges some failures but argues that Ayurveda is often the best choice for treating autoimmune disorders holistically without side effects while also improving organ function.

1. “ Evidence Based Ayurveda”

2. Autoimmune Disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Psoriasis etc.- Holistic/Integrated Approach. Dr. S.G.Patwardhan. B.A.M.& S. I-8599-A. E-mail- [email_address] , Blog URL- http://ibibo.com/drsudhirp , Health and Wellness M- 9922788323.

3. I started my GP at Birwadi, a small village 180 Km's south of Mumbai in Raigad district, Maharashtra State in the year 1975. I had presented a paper on “Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ayurvedic Treatment” at the first World Congress held at San Marino, Italy, 1985. Up to 1990 I used to prescribe available branded medicines without satisfactory results, then I started putting my inputs and the treatment went on evolving to this date. Continuous up gradation is on as per the feedback from the patients.

4. RA is Autoimmune progressive disorder affecting 1% of the population mostly Women, characterized by inflammation of synovium leading to destruction of joints. As per ACR (American College of Rheumatology) there are various scores (Disease Activity Score) but for practical purpose and taking into consideration our socioeconomic status we will consider main parameters like morning stiffness, CBC, ESR, CRP, RA factor, affection of small joints of hands and feet. Arthralgia and muscular pain of various degree and proportion, depression, fatigue, dryness of mouth and eyes etc. I am glad to let you know that my work has been assessed/evaluated by Hon’ble Dr.V.R.Joshi., Senior Rheumatologist and Research Director, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai in Dec. 2005. At present I am treating many patients of RA as well as Psoriasis successfully, achieving sustained remission without side effects.

5. When patient comes with severe pain, swelling, stiffness, initially allopathic pain killers ( NSAIDs) are to be used as per the sensitivity of that patient to that medicine, with specific/customized combination of ayurvedic medicines till patient gets proper control over the disease. My experience over the period of many years tells that there is no problem in treating the patients in this way. I have got clinical and pathological data of many patients and I am proud not a single patient has been spoiled so far in this way, on the contrary, functions of the vital organs found to be improved with ayurvedic medicines, which generally contain TRIPHALA, TRIKATU, AROGYAVARDHINI, ASHWAGANDHA, DASHAMOOL etc. I advise the patients to adopt Pure Vegetarian life style with suitable light exercise including breathing exercises, as per the patient’s condition, totally avoid sour and cold things from day to day diet. AHAR and VIHAR ( Diet and Exercise)--I do advise the patients to get exposed to early morning sunshine especially winter season for Vitamin D and Calcium in natural form. Our goal is to improve patient’s immune system in a natural way.

6. I can present few patients, Case 1— Mr. Talegaonkar, Age 42, NO H/O major diseases, was admitted at Deenanath Hospital, Pune IPD NO. 2202079,date-25-04-02, with multiple joint pain since 4 months, all major joints affected, restricted movements (especially in both the elbows) due to pain, Left elbow synovial biopsy done, X-ray Lt. Elbow-. Shows lytic lesion. CRP- Positive, ASO- positive, RA-Negative, After initial antibiotics, NSAIDs, MV, antacids pt. was discharged. S.Immuno.elctrophoresis and B.microglobulin report Negative advised for isotope bone scan including gallium. Patient came to my clinic in May 2003 in a very bad state with deformed elbows, after 3½ years of treatment in 2006 treatment has been stopped. Patient is in good health without any deformity, pain, swelling in any joint. All parameters within normal limits discharging his duties successfully .

7. Case 2 --- Miss Rashmi Malusare, Age 18, Came with persistent pain, swelling, tenderness on the left wrist and knee joint with low grade fever. O/E Left knee joint- suprapatellar tenderness, effusion+, since March 05 . At first treated at Mahad by orthopedic surgeons with DMARDs, NSAIDs without much relief with GI troubles. Afterwards she was treated by rheumatologists at Hinduja Hosp., Mumbai with Depomedrol 40 mg+ 1 % lignocaine intra articular Left knee joint. + Sazo EN 1 BD , T. dclofenac, Iodex gel local. On 3-06-05 pt. came to my clinic with Hb.-11.8,WBC-12100, ESR-96, Platelets-346000. Treatment -Date- 03-06-05--T. A 2-2-2, T. B 1-1-1, T. Crocin sos. After more than 2 years of rigorous and continuous treatment on 29-09-08- Hb.12.1, WBC-7900, ESR- 18, Platelets-222000, RA- Negative, CRP- Negative, No morning stiffness, No swelling on Lt. wrist and knee joint, No pain in any joint, pt. is in absolutely good health. After 3 ½ years i.e., in 2008, treatment stopped.Till today i.e. 8 th march 2009, patient is keeping perfect health having Hb.-11.1, ESR-12, WBC-6400, Platelets-281000, CRP-Negative.

8. While quoting many successful cases, I must confess failures too. Autoimmune diseases being chronic, unpredictable and having inherited nature of flare-up and remissions, whenever we consider failures and percentage of dropout, longevity of the treatment, socioeconomic status, cost of the treatment, lack of awareness, lack of knowledge/ignorance ( physician and patient), lack of patience, refractory nature of the disease in some cases, resistance to treatment (irrespective of any pathy), aesthetic part are the responsible issues. Another observation I would like to make is patient should come for ayurvedic treatment at earliest to achieve best possible results.

9. To summarize this very sensitive issue of debilitating autoimmune disorders, after spending so many years I must very honestly confess that Ayurveda is the best choice since it not only provides sustained remission without side effects but at the same time it improves the functions of other vital organs, true meaning of HOLISTIC. Another good aspect of ayurvedic treatment is, it improves the functions of vital organs, naturally it requires minimum bearable investigations and that too to assess/evaluate the improvement, not the damage!

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