Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (also known as chronic polyarthritis) is a painful rheumatic disease in which inflammation in several joints leads to severe limitations. Women are affected more often than men. Rheumatoid arthritis is often accompanied by flare-ups, which usually occur for the first time between the ages of 50 and 70. The disease initially affects the small joints in the fingers or toes, often symmetrically, for example in the same finger joints on both hands. In addition to pain, swelling, and heat in the joints, patients often suffer from fatigue,

malaise, fever with night sweats, and weight loss. In many patients with rheumatoid arthritis, so-called rheumatoid nodules, i.e., small hard nodules on the affected joints, develop during the course of the disease.

The pain was very severe. Basically, every joint hurt terribly, except perhaps my jaw joint. My toes, fingers, elbows, and knees—everything hurt unbearably. So much so that I needed a wheelchair and my husband had to help me with everyday things like washing. I also felt constantly cold and had a cough because my lungs were also severely affected."

"In the hospital, I was given high doses of cortisone for three weeks and later underwent rehabilitation. Thankfully, I responded very well to the cortisone and my symptoms improved quickly. But in the long term, I also had to contend with side effects. I suffered from acute sleep problems and was constantly tired and exhausted during the day. I only used cortisone as a short-term shock therapy when there was no other option."

My doctor recommended it to me, but I'm quite skeptical when it comes to medication, so I always waited. I then heard about the treatments in the Gastein Healing Gallery quite quickly, but I didn't go at first.

"My doctor recommended medication and advised me against a healing cave treatment. The heat and high humidity would not be good for my body."

I got talking to another doctor during treatment at the hospital. He himself had ankylosing spondylitis and told me about his positive experiences with healing cave therapy. He encouraged me to definitely try radon therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery. His symptoms were alleviated in the long term by the treatment. So I decided to apply to my health insurance company for a course of treatment. That was in 2007, five years after the first flare-up."

Yes! After the 12 visits, I was able to stop taking painkillers immediately. The healing gallery really helped me from the very first moment. Even during the visits, I noticed that the pain and swelling in my fingers were reducing. And in the long term, I haven't had any serious flare-ups since then. I was able to go to work as normal and didn't need any painkillers for up to nine months after the treatment. Of course, I can't do a handstand, but I can manage everyday life well and, except for one finger, all my fingers are straight and fine."

"When I was still working, I was paid for a full spa treatment with 12 visits every year. I usually came back a second time in the fall on my own for a refresher with a few visits. However, since I retired, the PVA no longer covers the cost of the spa treatment. As I now have to bear most of the costs myself, I have reduced the number of visits and only go to the healing gallery for two weeks. Unfortunately, this also reduces the period of relief from my symptoms. The difference is clear, and my test results are no longer as good. Four to six visits are simply not enough. That's why I've now decided to go back to the spa for another three weeks in September. Unfortunately, fewer visits don't help me. And after all, health is the most important thing!"