**Update on diet changes & RA

*Update* I am having huge successes in alleviating my symptoms from changing my diet!! Please if you are visiting and have RA...try this. Or contact me... I am not only a mission to fix myself but to help others!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Appt. & Update

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.

9 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. You 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!

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  3. There 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

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  4. Wow! 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??
    Keep posting! I love your blog!

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  5. @ Deb: Thanks for your post. I've heard about this antibiotic thing, I am going to do some researching, thanks!!!
    @ 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!!!

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  6. For some reason it doesn't let me log into my own blog to respond... so shows up as anonymous :(

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  7. Please 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

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  8. Have you looked into the GAPS diet or Robb Wolfs Paleo Solution? They have really helped my son!

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  9. @ 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!!

    @ 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!!!

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