I've been so busy that I neglected my blog :(
The good news is, I'm feeling excellent. I have been sticking to my restricted diet and loving it. I had a small flare up this past weekend though. My husband and I went to his work Christmas party and I ate steak and potatoes. I knew I would likely pay for it and I did. I imagine there was cream and butter in the potatoes! Luckily it was only a day.
It's so funny because I sometimes shock myself that I am controlling my diet and not cheating. It just feels so wonderful to feel good and normal upon waking that it makes it easy to eat this way.
Speaking of food, not much has changed. I'm still eating the basics (which is actually quite a long list) I avoid wheat, dairy, corn, sugar and banana's) I avoid anything with sugar or preservatives. I eat simple things- salad with chicken, goat cheese & avocado. I eat nuts and larabars for treats. Still loving the chocolate almond milk. I guess you could say I'm sort of avoiding testing foods for fear of a flare up. I'm ok with that. I've got enough variety to keep me happy!!
My hands are strong in the morning! I can change a diaper, open a jar and do up my bra. They don't look normal (permanent joint damage, swollen looking nuckles) but they feel normal!! Yay for me.
For all you others out there on restricted diets... are you worried about getting through the holidays or are you prepared?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Perfect combo
I feel so lucky to have the right combination of foods and supplements. I have been feeling great and loving it.
Not sure what changed... perhaps the new Vitamin D is helping me. Perhaps I've finally got the right combo of foods- a good mix of healthy and satisfying. I love my unsweetened chocolate milk and nuts for treats. I started having some almond butter on brown rice cakes and it's yummy.
I've got lots of energy to work out everyday and my hands and feet work like they are supposed to when I wake up!
It saddens me that some people with RA that are in such terrible pain feel they can't give this nutrition test a try. What do you have to lose.... you would know if food was the culprit in about 4 days.
Not sure what changed... perhaps the new Vitamin D is helping me. Perhaps I've finally got the right combo of foods- a good mix of healthy and satisfying. I love my unsweetened chocolate milk and nuts for treats. I started having some almond butter on brown rice cakes and it's yummy.
I've got lots of energy to work out everyday and my hands and feet work like they are supposed to when I wake up!
It saddens me that some people with RA that are in such terrible pain feel they can't give this nutrition test a try. What do you have to lose.... you would know if food was the culprit in about 4 days.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time to regroup!
My corn/ nacho chip test has sent me spinning out of control! Eek. That or the cheese that I've been having. I know it's bad when I feel it in my feet.
It reminds me of when my RA first reared it's ugle head. I was 18 and had just started working for a hi tech company. Within days of starting I noticed me feet were really sore to walk on. I limped around for months. People would ask what was wrong and I would just shrug my shoulders and say I didn't know.
Anyway, like I always say- I know what I need to do to get back to good ;)
I did finally find some new Vitamin D pills. I took Kat's advice and tried the NOW brand. Nothing in it other than vit D and olive oil. Thanks Kat!! Hopefully that will make a difference in bringing down my inflammation.
My achilles is totally healed up. I've hung up my running shoes (for now) and have been spinning everyday on my bike on a trainer.
Question for all you healthy eaters!! I am looking for good tasting treats. You know, something that is healthy but doesn't taste healthy. I have come to terms with knowing that I'll likely not ever get to induldge in some of my faves (cheese, chocolate, warm bread with butter!) But I know there's some good stuff out there! My current treats are apples and nuts (um, can you say boring!) I also use unsweetened chocolate almond milk, and while I love it, it's getting a little old.
So...let me know what your treats are!!
It reminds me of when my RA first reared it's ugle head. I was 18 and had just started working for a hi tech company. Within days of starting I noticed me feet were really sore to walk on. I limped around for months. People would ask what was wrong and I would just shrug my shoulders and say I didn't know.
Anyway, like I always say- I know what I need to do to get back to good ;)
I did finally find some new Vitamin D pills. I took Kat's advice and tried the NOW brand. Nothing in it other than vit D and olive oil. Thanks Kat!! Hopefully that will make a difference in bringing down my inflammation.
My achilles is totally healed up. I've hung up my running shoes (for now) and have been spinning everyday on my bike on a trainer.
Question for all you healthy eaters!! I am looking for good tasting treats. You know, something that is healthy but doesn't taste healthy. I have come to terms with knowing that I'll likely not ever get to induldge in some of my faves (cheese, chocolate, warm bread with butter!) But I know there's some good stuff out there! My current treats are apples and nuts (um, can you say boring!) I also use unsweetened chocolate almond milk, and while I love it, it's getting a little old.
So...let me know what your treats are!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Doubts about food test
Well, I've been a busy little girl. Buying, preparing, cooking all my safe foods. Things are going swell!
I did however get to thinking back to my food test and started to wonder how accurate it was/is. Here is a little blurb about the test:
The Biotron electrodermal testing
device works on traditional Chinese acupuncture points for
sensitivity using low levels of electricity rather than needles.
You simply hold a probe in one hand and the technician
touches your finger with another.
I was desperate when I went. I was suprised to find that some of my most sensitivie/allergic foods were things I was consuming every day!! (sugar, banana, corn to name a few).
Anyhow, on Friday I decided to eat 3 nacho chips. The primary ingredient being corn! I knew it was risky but felt I wanted to test it. I woke up yesterday stiff in the hands and today while my hands aren't quite as bad, my feet are bad. So, I agree with the food test- staying far away from corn! Feels good to really truly believe it now.
Hope everyone is well!
I did however get to thinking back to my food test and started to wonder how accurate it was/is. Here is a little blurb about the test:
The Biotron electrodermal testing
device works on traditional Chinese acupuncture points for
sensitivity using low levels of electricity rather than needles.
You simply hold a probe in one hand and the technician
touches your finger with another.
I was desperate when I went. I was suprised to find that some of my most sensitivie/allergic foods were things I was consuming every day!! (sugar, banana, corn to name a few).
Anyhow, on Friday I decided to eat 3 nacho chips. The primary ingredient being corn! I knew it was risky but felt I wanted to test it. I woke up yesterday stiff in the hands and today while my hands aren't quite as bad, my feet are bad. So, I agree with the food test- staying far away from corn! Feels good to really truly believe it now.
Hope everyone is well!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Super duper
The last few days, I've felt super! I am quite certain that my Vitamin D pills have been the source of some recent flares. Since removing it, I feel so wonderful again. It really goes to show you that even health products, vitamins and supplements can not be good for certain people.
I still have to go and replace the Vit D. It's seems to be all I read about, how crucial and important it is these days. Especially at this time of the year when we see little sunlight.
I had chili for dinner on Sunday. It was risky but most of the ingredients were safe, new to the list was tomato sauce and kidney beans. So far so good and to make sure I tested them again I made a big pot of chili a few days ago and have eaten a few bowls. I also have had some cheese the last few days. Cheese has always been one of my absolute faves so it was something that would be nice to be able to have! So, the list is growing and I'm feeling good!
Today it is Rememberance Day and we are going down to the Mission to volunteer with lunch in honor of my recently passed away mother in law. I'm sure that once I see the food there, I will never complain that my food list is on the small side. We are all so lucky.
I still have to go and replace the Vit D. It's seems to be all I read about, how crucial and important it is these days. Especially at this time of the year when we see little sunlight.
I had chili for dinner on Sunday. It was risky but most of the ingredients were safe, new to the list was tomato sauce and kidney beans. So far so good and to make sure I tested them again I made a big pot of chili a few days ago and have eaten a few bowls. I also have had some cheese the last few days. Cheese has always been one of my absolute faves so it was something that would be nice to be able to have! So, the list is growing and I'm feeling good!
Today it is Rememberance Day and we are going down to the Mission to volunteer with lunch in honor of my recently passed away mother in law. I'm sure that once I see the food there, I will never complain that my food list is on the small side. We are all so lucky.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Lucky gal I am
I've spent the last hour or so catching up on some other RA blogs. I love reading other people's trials & tribulations with this disease. It makes me realize that when I feel like I am the only one, I am not. And in fact, I have it pretty darn good compared to a lot of people. I am lucky that it's not worse.
Surprisingly, I am finding a lot of other young mom's that are struggling with RA. So many people think that it only strikes old people. So many people really have to idea what it's like to have RA.
I'm sure a lot of people who come across my blog think I'm nuts for going off my meds and seeking relief through nutrition. I wish that some of those people would try it.
Speaking of going off meds, does anyone have any advice on tapering off of prednisone? I am down to 2.5 and would like to continue down to 0!!
I stopped taking my Vitamin D and I feel good. Still working at getting back to where I
was and I know that I will be there soon.
Surprisingly, I am finding a lot of other young mom's that are struggling with RA. So many people think that it only strikes old people. So many people really have to idea what it's like to have RA.
I'm sure a lot of people who come across my blog think I'm nuts for going off my meds and seeking relief through nutrition. I wish that some of those people would try it.
Speaking of going off meds, does anyone have any advice on tapering off of prednisone? I am down to 2.5 and would like to continue down to 0!!
I stopped taking my Vitamin D and I feel good. Still working at getting back to where I
was and I know that I will be there soon.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Today Part 2!
I have good news... I figured out what caused the flare.... I'm not 100% sure but pretty darn sure.
Remember a few months back, I went for food sensitivity testing to help me along with this process? Well my big red flags were Corn, refined sugar, banana, orange, chocolate and my beloved caffeine.
I have been taking 2 Vitamin D pills every morning. Sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes one at breakfast and one at lunch.... anyhow, I changed it up and have been taking 3 pills at night right before bed. I have been doing this for about 4 or 5 days.... and I checked today when I realized that it was the only new thing I've done and guess what it has in it.... CORN!! Yikes. My number one food to avoid.
Problem solved! I am going back to the way I was eating and avoiding my Vitamin D's for a few days! I will get a good quality replacement with no corn!
Big sigh of relief! I was starting to go crazy!
Remember a few months back, I went for food sensitivity testing to help me along with this process? Well my big red flags were Corn, refined sugar, banana, orange, chocolate and my beloved caffeine.
I have been taking 2 Vitamin D pills every morning. Sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes one at breakfast and one at lunch.... anyhow, I changed it up and have been taking 3 pills at night right before bed. I have been doing this for about 4 or 5 days.... and I checked today when I realized that it was the only new thing I've done and guess what it has in it.... CORN!! Yikes. My number one food to avoid.
Problem solved! I am going back to the way I was eating and avoiding my Vitamin D's for a few days! I will get a good quality replacement with no corn!
Big sigh of relief! I was starting to go crazy!
Back to day 1?
Yikes...woke up very sore and stiff in the hands today. I'm pretty stumped. I have been careful and adding food slowly. I can't see the knuckle wrinkles on a few fingers so that's not good.
I have a very busy day of appts and clients, not to mention teaching a bootcamp class tonight so I'm going to go back to the food basics (and I mean basic) and I think tomorrow if I'm no better, I will go back to the bare bones and magnesium citrate to start fresh.
Growing up, I was an avid sleepwalker! My hubby thinks maybe I'm sleep eating!! Haha.
Here's my new list of basics:
coffee
carrots
celery
sweet potato
apples
rice protein with water
That's it! I still have a ton of faith in this process.... it just seems to be testing me. Eating out proves to be a bad idea.
I have a very busy day of appts and clients, not to mention teaching a bootcamp class tonight so I'm going to go back to the food basics (and I mean basic) and I think tomorrow if I'm no better, I will go back to the bare bones and magnesium citrate to start fresh.
Growing up, I was an avid sleepwalker! My hubby thinks maybe I'm sleep eating!! Haha.
Here's my new list of basics:
coffee
carrots
celery
sweet potato
apples
rice protein with water
That's it! I still have a ton of faith in this process.... it just seems to be testing me. Eating out proves to be a bad idea.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Truckin' Along
Well, rough few days... but getting there. Every time I eat out, although I try to order very carefully, I have a flare. And the flares seem to last 3-4 days or sometimes longer. I am being so very careful and drinking lots of water to flush myself.
I appreciate everyone's opinion/advice on the supplements. So far, I must say that I don't notice a big difference with anything but I know that they are providing something. I don't eat fish so I know I am low in efa's. I will be purchasing a good quality Vit C supplement for sure!
I know a few people have contacted me and are trying the diet... Goodluck to you all (you know who you are..) I'm here if you need an ear or have questions! It's a toughie!
I appreciate everyone's opinion/advice on the supplements. So far, I must say that I don't notice a big difference with anything but I know that they are providing something. I don't eat fish so I know I am low in efa's. I will be purchasing a good quality Vit C supplement for sure!
I know a few people have contacted me and are trying the diet... Goodluck to you all (you know who you are..) I'm here if you need an ear or have questions! It's a toughie!
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