People who are no longer taking Vioxx may be turning to natural remedies and lifestyle modifications to ease their arthritis pain.

The Arthritis Foundation, based in Atlanta, offers two guides to patients, one on supplements and another on alternative therapies. (Arthritis.org or 1-800-283-7800.) Patients with arthritis can be helped by acupuncture, diet, exercise and supplements, said Hayes Wilson, national adviser for the Arthritis Foundation and chief of rheumatology at Atlanta Piedmont Hospital.

"I hope the ramifications (of the Vioxx withdrawal) are an increased emphasis on lifestyle modification, weight loss and exercise," Perlman said.