Ahhh...that's better

After a rollercoaster of feeling really bad, then ok, then good then really really terrible....I think I've finally got back to a feeling of good.  I have narrowed down my flares to SUGAR..... My absolute favorite thing!!! 

See, I don't mind not eating corn or banana's or wheat..... I get my cheese fix from Goat cheeses.  But the sugar... there's just nothing like a good decadent piece of cheesecake or a hunk of velvety milk chocolate.  And the wine... it seems that what they say is true, it's full of sugar.  Perhaps I should learn to drink vodka soda's for a treat?  I like my unsweetened chocolate milk with stevia but it just doesn't fill that "treat" void.

I went a solid 6 months being super strict and not cheating.  For the most part, I felt terrific.  Then all of a sudden I really seemed to get off track.  Anyway- I feel remotivated and strong.  In fact, I'm afraid all these flares have caused some permanent damage to my feet. 

To all my fellow RA sufferers.... do you have large ugly balls of inflammation on your heels, well more above your heels?  This is new for me and I'm trying to figure out if it's RA related or perhaps injury from all the exercise that I do??   They are literally the size of big grapes and they are so sore.  It really hurts to put on shoes. 

Anyone have this?? 

Quick Update

I am so much better.  Since Sunday I have been super careful and back to my safe foods.  I can't believe how much pain I was in.  That'll teach me!! 

It's funny because I am reminded of how much fatigue comes into play with RA.  I always used to think my only symptom was stiffness and pain in my hands and feet.  When my rheumatologist would ask about fatigue I would always shake my head no, I'm good.  But now, I feel it.  Maybe its because I'm off all my drugs so I have lifted the heavy fog.  I woke up today with tons of energy and the ability to make a couple of fists again!!

It's Diet people.... I tell ya :)

OUCH....

Yikes....I've been in bad shape for some time now.  It has been accumulating over the past 2 months or so.  I was doing so well that I started to get a little bold and have some "non legal" foods!  Just a bit here and there.... some dark chocolate and wine...then a cookie....then more wine.  Then a little grated cheese in my salad.... 

I was coping ok with a little bit of the returned pain and stiffness but I'm officially out of control in a bad flare at the moment.  I think that when I'm good, I can tolerate the odd little treat (for me that's white wine or cheese or chocolate)  but when I'm already in a bit of a flare it's a bad idea to have those foods and that's where I've gone wrong.

Since Sunday I have gone back to a super duper clean diet.  No sugar whatsoever and no dairy or wheat.  A typical day is something like :

Breakfast:  Sunwarrior protein (clean & vegan) with water, flax seeds and blueberries
Snack:  Apple
Lunch: Salad with cucumbers & avocado (no nightshades) dressing- olive oil and vinegar
Snack: Nuts
Dinner:  Chicken and brocolli

I do have a lot of stress in my life at the moment with my mom being ill...I realize that this can impact my RA.

I am going to see my Naturpath doctor tomorrow so I'm hoping he can fix me up before I grab for my naproxyn & prednsione!  (just kidding.... I won't)

That's it for now!!