Today...Part 2

Hi...

Thought it might be neat to post a pic of my hand.  It gives you an idea of how thick my inflammation is... I would love to see yours.  Is that weird!?  LOL.  Because I'm boy cotting my rheumatologist... I don't really know how bad/ serious this is. 

Also- wondering if any of you out there have tried low dose naltrexone or hormone therapy? I'd be very interested in your experiences.  My RA came when I went off the pill and got much better when pregnant (hormones!)

Do you think my hand modelling days are over? 

If you want to email me one of your hand pics... I'd post it on here!  jen_mcconnery@yahoo.ca

Lots to report- New Beginnings

Hi All.  Well... what a month.  A terrible, inflammation filled, painful month.  It has been one of the worst ever.

As I sat with my Naturopath, scratching my head... as it didn't seem blatantly obvious what had changed...we realized the following:

- over Xmas, I cheated much more than usual
- I got off track with my Intravenous Vit C & B injections
- I ran out of 2 important supplements a few months ago and never replaced them (Probiotics & Fish oil)
- I'm going through more stress than normally (life stuff)

So really, it should be no surprise that I found myself in a huge bad nasty flare up.  It got really bad. Like the old days where I couldn't open doors, couldn't start the car let alone grip the steering wheel.  I needed help getting dressed in the morning. I couldn't use my hands at all until popping pills and many hot baths. 

Anyway- fast forward to today.... it's Day 3 of my crazy strict elimination diet.  The one I started with!  Remember?  http://www.frot.co.nz/dietnet/reviews/mcferran01.htm

And just like it did the first time...it's working.  I'm already feeling better.  It's hard as hell to do... I'm hungry and bitchy! But my swelling is going down.  In a few days, I will be a new woman. I know it.

Thanks everbody for your comments and suggestions.  I am inspired by you guys and what you've done and tried to help with your own RA.  A lot of things I've never heard of (sea cucumber) but I will look into it!

I'll keep you posted on my flare up... and diet... I anticipate being in top form by Monday!

Flare up!

Hi Fellow RAer's!  I need your help.

I'm in a very bad flare up.  Have been for over a week now.  It's not that I went crazy off my nutrition or anything, a little bite here or there over the holidays so it's leaving me confused. 

When I usually flare, it's in my knuckles located in the middles of my fingers.  This time it's further up, in the knuckles that attach my fingers to my hand.  I also have developed hard bumps on the tops of my hands.  And they hurt.  My wrists are also affected.  My feet are bad too.

So, my question to you is, what do you do when you're really inflamed and flared?  What helps get your RA calmed down the quickest.  I know the most damage occurs when you're in a flare up so I am trying hard to get this under control.

So far, I am resting, eating only safe foods, epsom salt baths, tylenol/advil.

Anyone??