I had my appointment with my rheumatologist. He came in smiling and opened up with "Wow, I haven't seen you in a year and you look great." I proceeded to tell him that I was great and very pleased with my RA for the most part. I had decided not to go into all of the detail of what I have done, I just told him I made some nutrition changes and food eliminations and have been managing very well with no medications.
Now, to give some background- these last few months I've been about 50/50 flare up to normal. I have had a harder time keeping my RA under control with the added stress in my life and a struggle to stick to a very strict food plan. I have realized that for me, I have to be 100% on with my food in order to feel good. If I stray, even just a little bit, I flare very easily. I know I can do it, I just need to go back to the drawing board to know exactly what is and isn't allowed.
My doc did a joint evaluation and told me I have 15 effused joints. Last July I had 16. He told me that even though I am not feeling as much pain as I used to, that while there is inflammation, there is damage occuring. He's sending me for hand and feet x rays, blood work and will see me again in 4 mths. He also sent me home with info on a drug called Simponi. I don't intend on trying it.
So, what to do.... well, as mentioned- I have no intentions of going back to any big bad drugs (with the exception of the odd tylenol or naproxyn if I'm really bad) My plan is:
- go see my Naturopathic Dr. and get a blood test (IgG test) to help identify major & obvious food sensitivities
- continue to eat only clean and whole foods (ie. no processed foods, packaged foods, chemicals, etc)
- continue to take my probiotics, good quality vitamins & supplements
- go back to my earlier days of being on my elimination diet and not guessing that a particular food must be ok (even if healthy- still may be a problem) * I have read so much lately on how healthy coconut is (milk and oil) and I went ahead and added it without properly testing it.
Anyone else out there experiencing this? What do you recommend- starting over? Detoxing and adding foods back in 1 at a time??
I'm coming up on a whole year of eating super clean ! I haven't fallen off the wagon and gone on a crazy binge on my fave foods (large cheese pizza, DQ Peanut butter cup blizzard, fresh warm bread to name a few) It's been hard but I'm still on this mission and I know I will get there but it will take lots of perseverance and time.
Any advice or thoughts are always welcomed fellow bloggers! Thanks.
Since I am not doing the same food plan as you I can't offer how to "get back on it". And if this plan doesn't work as well as you had hoped, I know of others who are following this two year antibiotic protocal plan. I haven't done that one either but it is antibiotics which have a more well known reporting of adverse events rather than these newer ra meds. It could be your plan B if this plan doesn't put you were you want to be personally. This is such a long journey we take with ra..one for the rest of our lives. I truly hope your clean eating and all works for you and that the naturalist will be able to further guide you down a healing path.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration. I am so impressed with you. I am thinking of going to see a nutritionist. I would like to get back on track with my food and maybe do some food allergy testing. I find your posts very interesting. Keep posting things you eat, I need ideas!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much information on diets that at times I find it overwhelming. Especially when at times you read contradicting articles. Eggs? Do you eat eggs and if not what do you eat for breakfast? I am going to go see a nutritionist on July 27th for my RA. I stopped my Meds January 2011 (CIMZIA)and it has been more or less a roller coaster ride. I function quite well but can still feel the RA. I follow a primal diet. Dairy, I still use but very small amounts i.e. for coffee, butter and cheese. Would like to know more about your diet. Thanks.Marybeth
ReplyDeleteWow! One year! That's amazing. I'm with you! I'm almost on a year of eating gluten, dairy, & sugar free. I've also had ups & major downs. I've attempted a strict elimination diet a couple of times, each last about 5-7 days, but I've always been confused about "safe" foods & have never eliminated RA completely - I always wonder how long that would take? I am also considering an IgG test. But I wonder how fleeting the results would be - if I were to consistently get same results? Or would my sensitives fluctuate with .... I don't know what??
ReplyDeleteKeep posting! I love your blog!
@ Deb: Thanks for your post. I've heard about this antibiotic thing, I am going to do some researching, thanks!!!
ReplyDelete@ Rhe"mom"oid: Thanks for your kind post!! Do you have an email address you can send me so I can answer your question? Basically I eat gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free- sort of paleo like. I can give you more detail though. Goodluck and I totally recommend seeing a nutritionist!!
@ Mary Beth: Thanks for the message. Congrats on being med free (it's a tough decision!) I eat a lot of eggs (for breakfast, lunch & dinner!) but I actually stick to a very clean brown rice protein shake in the mornings that I seem to do well with- SunWarrior protein. It takes a little getting used to tough!! It's great with ice, flax seed and choc. unsweetened almond milk!
@ Zoey- good for you!! It's challenging isn't it! Do you find it also keeps your weight down? A nice side effect ;) I think part of it is, if you feel deprived then it's easier to fall off the plan. That's what I struggle with. I am going tomorrow morning to see my Naturpath Doc and he's doing the IgG so I will ask a lot of questions and let you know! Keep up your great work!!!
For some reason it doesn't let me log into my own blog to respond... so shows up as anonymous :(
ReplyDeletePlease post about your appointment with the Naturpath doctor!! I'll check into the Sun Warrior protein. I have given up all starches including brown rice. The reason I asked about eggs, there are some thoughts that eggs are a no no with RA. I am a big believer of plenty of exercise such as spinning and strength training with weights. It seems to help me - use it or loose it ;) I will be looking for your next post. Thanks Marybeth
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into the GAPS diet or Robb Wolfs Paleo Solution? They have really helped my son!
ReplyDelete@ Monica: Thanks for the post! I've actually just starting researching paleo/primal eating and while I need to continue fniding out about it, I think I pretty well eat that way now. (with a few exceptions) May I ask what your son has- is it RA? Thanks!!
ReplyDelete@ Marybeth: I will let you know how the appt goes!! Interesting about eggs- I tested them last summer and I had no adverse reactions. I am actually a fitness trainer and I agree about the exercise- gotta keep moving!!!