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By: spudchick on 12/06/2008
effects on par with rx COX2 inhibitors, w/o typical side effects
I've suffered from arthritis and general joint inflammation almost everywhere in my body (not rheumatoid) for years. Celebrex did help me for a year or so, but when I resumed it after a break to reset my tolerance, I experienced more side effects than before; difficulty breathing, palpitations, fluid retention. Devil's Claw has been about as effective, and almost as immediately, as Celebrex was without those side effects. Also, it is cost-effective, since many insurance companies don't cover Celebrex and its cousins. I also use a cox-2 blend with turmeric and scullcap but it can cause drowsiness, thus I can't take is as regularly as I can Devil's Claw.
It is not completely without risk or side effects, however. I have to use DC with caution as I have a history of ulcers, and do find that I have to stop taking it when under high stress or having other stomach problems. I also learned that it can cause blood sugar crashes if I am taking it regularly and don't bother to eat breakfast (as is a bad habit of mine). This is apparently a common side effect -- one study showed DC caused glucose drops on both fasting and diabetic animals. Therefore DC is not recommended for diabetics, and it is necessary to eat regularly while taking it (not lots, just regularly).
Devil's claw can be an effective tool for managing joint pain, but as with any potent herb, it is important to know your own system and learn all you can about the supplement before taking it. DC has negative interactions with a few prescription drugs, so do your homework before taking it.