Has anyone used rhumatol to treat rheumatoid artheritis and if so what were the results. PLEASE does anyone know.

As I reported/posted in August, 2007, I began taking Rhumatol with great results and have continued until now. Recently I learned of FDA arrest and prosecution of some (previous?) Micronutra people for alleged false testimonials, fraudulent test result claims, money laundering, etc. You can read about this at these links:

Kentwood company owner faces felony counts - mlive.com (http://www.mlive.com/grandrapids/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-40/1204355757277340.xml&coll=6)
And Companies, owners face federal fraud charges for selling dietary supplements | KY3 | Local (http://www.ky3.com/news/local/16085487.html) and you can download a copy of the full 60 plus page indictment here: http://media.ky3.com/documents/thao_indictment.pdf

Apparently Micronutra, the maker of Rhumatol, has now been taken over by new owners and new management. Notice that the legal action apparently does not challenge the Rhumatol product/ingredients itself, only the marketing and health claims.

This all is terribly discouraging because the product -- as originally constituted -- was very effective for me.

HERE IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE, in my opinion:

In researching all this, I have discovered THREE DIFFERENT FORMULAS labeled on Rhumatol: (1) the original formula with which I have had great success (ingredients start with "A Barbadensis Mill") and 650 mg total per capsule; (2) Another formula (ingredients start with "Guar gum") and 850 mg total per capsule; (3) Formula being sold today by Micronutra (ingredients start with "Acetylated mannans") and 650 mg total per capsule.

Obviously Rhumatol is not Rhumatol is not Rhumatol.

My success with this product was a formula that is no longer being sold. Who knows what formula you would get if you buy the product. Who knows if the particular formula you would get works or not. What a mess!

To make matters even more alarming, there is a post here that I never saw before:

Jun 22, 2007, 06:08 PM
Kamiapte
Elevated Liver Enzymes
I have been using 2 Rhumatols a day for past 4 months. My liver enzymes have gone up. Any connection, should I reduce Rhumatol to 1 a day?

Who knows whether there was any connection between "Rhumatol" and the liver enzyme increase?? Who knows WHICH "Rhumatol" that poster was taking??

I do notice that BETWEEN the "original" formula (at least the one I've been taking -- I ordered a 6 month supply all at once) and the "latest" formula, Rhumatol had significant mushroom ingredients added. Possible culprit in increased liver enzymes?? (The mushrooms have now apparently been taken OUT in the "latest" formula.)

Sorry to post with so many questions and so few answers, but that is my point. It is terribly unfortunate that "alternative medicine" is beset with these kinds of problems and issues. In my experience there IS a natural product formula that works miracles for my RA condition with no apparent (I've not had my liver enzymes checked) side effects and now that product is no longer available for whatever reason. (I'm guessing the reason is something related to the founders involved in the indictment, perhaps contract rights, royalties, commissions or whatever, but I have no way of really knowing.)

Bottom line: proceed very carefully with "Rhumatol". Know what you are getting and let the results speak for the product and watch carefully. IF a formula works for you, make certain you continue to get THAT formula -- or you have to start your explorations all over again. Plus, perhaps using any "Rhumatol" formula suggests that you should keep an eye on your liver enzymes and maybe your overall blood chemistry too.

Is any product/herbal formula worth all this hassle? That's for you to decide and I am none too pleased about it, but also I'm not so sure it is less hassle to turn yourself over to "conventional medicine" and all their highly expensive drugs, tests and potential horrible side effects either.

We RA folks are on an adventure together, I'd say. Best of luck to all. I'll post more about my experience when I decide what the heck to do now.