I'm very happy to report I'm feeling great. Had a few set backs over the last few months but one thing remains true and consistent, and that's when I clean up my diet, my arthritis improves drastically.
I'm still sticking to the same foods that have helped me over the last 9 months. Wow, 9 months since I started this "experiment" and I haven't had to go back on my long list of big bad drugs! (Humira injection, prednsisone, naproxyn, plaquenil) I'm so happy that I stuck through it and have reached this point.
How are you all doing out there? Are you finding relief through elimination diets?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
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??
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??
Friday, April 8, 2011
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 :)
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 :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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!!
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!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Things that make you go hmmmmmm
Well I'm getting out of my flare slowly but surely. It seems to take a good 4 days.
I had an interesting visit with a new friend yesterday. I was at Chapters perusing the Arthritis section and a nice man came by and I noticed he was doing the same. I took a peak at his hands and realized that he definititely was a sufferer of arthritis as well. I started a conversation with him and we ended up chatting for about 30 minutes.
He had some very interesting thoughts on RA after much research. I thought this would be a good forum to throw those ideas out there to see if any of you have heard about these theories and see what your experiences have been.
My friend (Louis) read that RA can stem from a root canal, resulting in a deep infection in your mouth. It sounded far off when he first mentioned it but then I got to thinking and I had a root canal when I was 17 (my first bout with RA started around that time, I think 18) then it went away for close to 10 years. But about 5 years ago(when my RA came back) I had to have that same tooth worked on again. I had damaged gums around that crown and an infection so they extracted it and now I still have a gap. Coincidence?
My younger brother has Ulcerative Colitis and RA. He's been suffering since he was about 16. He also had a root canal when he was younger due to a fall in gym. He knocked his 2 front teeth out. He has had trouble with those 2 teeth ever since.
The other interesting piece of info he gave me was on "oil pulling." I had come across this in previous research but never gave it much thought. It's kind of gross but I'm considering giving it a try. You take about a teaspoon of oil in your mouth and swish it around for 15 min. You spit it out (don't swallow it- as it becomes toxic) It draws all the toxins out through your mouth. I haven't done a lot of research on this... but likely will and post more.
Interesting eh! Things that make you go Hmmmmmm
I had an interesting visit with a new friend yesterday. I was at Chapters perusing the Arthritis section and a nice man came by and I noticed he was doing the same. I took a peak at his hands and realized that he definititely was a sufferer of arthritis as well. I started a conversation with him and we ended up chatting for about 30 minutes.
He had some very interesting thoughts on RA after much research. I thought this would be a good forum to throw those ideas out there to see if any of you have heard about these theories and see what your experiences have been.
My friend (Louis) read that RA can stem from a root canal, resulting in a deep infection in your mouth. It sounded far off when he first mentioned it but then I got to thinking and I had a root canal when I was 17 (my first bout with RA started around that time, I think 18) then it went away for close to 10 years. But about 5 years ago(when my RA came back) I had to have that same tooth worked on again. I had damaged gums around that crown and an infection so they extracted it and now I still have a gap. Coincidence?
My younger brother has Ulcerative Colitis and RA. He's been suffering since he was about 16. He also had a root canal when he was younger due to a fall in gym. He knocked his 2 front teeth out. He has had trouble with those 2 teeth ever since.
The other interesting piece of info he gave me was on "oil pulling." I had come across this in previous research but never gave it much thought. It's kind of gross but I'm considering giving it a try. You take about a teaspoon of oil in your mouth and swish it around for 15 min. You spit it out (don't swallow it- as it becomes toxic) It draws all the toxins out through your mouth. I haven't done a lot of research on this... but likely will and post more.
Interesting eh! Things that make you go Hmmmmmm
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Scatching my head.....
Super weird, out of the blue major flare up!! I am a real hurtin unit. Seems as though I've eaten something that I shouldn't have and boy am I paying for it.
It's been a very long time since I've felt like this. I need to go back to a simpler diet to get myself back to feeling good.
Could the weather be a factor? Stress??
It's been a very long time since I've felt like this. I need to go back to a simpler diet to get myself back to feeling good.
Could the weather be a factor? Stress??
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Long over due update
Well it's been quite a while since I've updated. We sure have a lot going on in our lives at the moment. Lots of good things too thank god.
My mom was diagnosed with Lung cancer back in December. It has been a real rollercoaster these past few months getting a firm diagnosis, getting the facts, and starting treatment. We are all extremely positive and I know that things will be ok. It will get much worse before it gets better, but I know it will get better.
Through my process of healing my RA with nutrition and gaining all this amazing insight to alternative therapies, we have found an amazing Naturopath doctor to work with mom and now I'm seeing him as well for my RA.
For my mom, he has recommended therapies like hydrotherapy, castor oil packs, Vitamin C through IV, acupuncture, probiotics, juicing vegetables (she tried it and hated it ;( nutrient dense high calorie smoothies, special compounds, and chinese tea. Mom is doing amazing and trying everything. I know it will help with her immune function and energy levels!!
After hearing him recommend all these therapies to my mom, I realized that there is probably more that I could be doing for my RA. I have come a long way but I felt ready to go further. I met with him and we discussed everything I've done thus far. It was really nice because I could tell he cared and he was impressed that I've been able to go off my meds and stay fairly strict on this diet. (I hate to call it a diet, that makes it sound like I'm trying to lose weight... I prefer nutrition plan?) Anyhow, he has lots of ideas that I'm very excited about. I really really want to try the Vitamin C IV but he told me to slow down... not yet ;( We are going to be focussing on healing my gut. Yep, that "Leaky Gut Syndrome" thing again. He's quite concerned about all those meds I ingested over the last 3-4 yrs. Especially the prednisone. Here's the plan for the next 4 weeks:
- Good quality probiotics (which I believe really help me- I ran out and was lazy and flared...)
- Chinese tea that he mixed for me (for gut healing) (1-2 cups per day or more)
- Homeopathic little pill called RHUS-TOX (1x per day)
- Castor oil packs on my abdomen (2-3x per week)
- Hydroptherapy (1x per week) *This was neat- I did it yesterday for the first time!
I'm rammbling.. but I'm excited to have some new things to focus on. My RA has been well under control and I'm doing great. I've cheated a few times (not fallen off- just a few cheats along the way) and boy do I pay for them!!!!!!!
I will go into more detail on the hydrotherapy and castor oil packs in a few days.
Hope everyone is well!!
My mom was diagnosed with Lung cancer back in December. It has been a real rollercoaster these past few months getting a firm diagnosis, getting the facts, and starting treatment. We are all extremely positive and I know that things will be ok. It will get much worse before it gets better, but I know it will get better.
Through my process of healing my RA with nutrition and gaining all this amazing insight to alternative therapies, we have found an amazing Naturopath doctor to work with mom and now I'm seeing him as well for my RA.
For my mom, he has recommended therapies like hydrotherapy, castor oil packs, Vitamin C through IV, acupuncture, probiotics, juicing vegetables (she tried it and hated it ;( nutrient dense high calorie smoothies, special compounds, and chinese tea. Mom is doing amazing and trying everything. I know it will help with her immune function and energy levels!!
After hearing him recommend all these therapies to my mom, I realized that there is probably more that I could be doing for my RA. I have come a long way but I felt ready to go further. I met with him and we discussed everything I've done thus far. It was really nice because I could tell he cared and he was impressed that I've been able to go off my meds and stay fairly strict on this diet. (I hate to call it a diet, that makes it sound like I'm trying to lose weight... I prefer nutrition plan?) Anyhow, he has lots of ideas that I'm very excited about. I really really want to try the Vitamin C IV but he told me to slow down... not yet ;( We are going to be focussing on healing my gut. Yep, that "Leaky Gut Syndrome" thing again. He's quite concerned about all those meds I ingested over the last 3-4 yrs. Especially the prednisone. Here's the plan for the next 4 weeks:
- Good quality probiotics (which I believe really help me- I ran out and was lazy and flared...)
- Chinese tea that he mixed for me (for gut healing) (1-2 cups per day or more)
- Homeopathic little pill called RHUS-TOX (1x per day)
- Castor oil packs on my abdomen (2-3x per week)
- Hydroptherapy (1x per week) *This was neat- I did it yesterday for the first time!
I'm rammbling.. but I'm excited to have some new things to focus on. My RA has been well under control and I'm doing great. I've cheated a few times (not fallen off- just a few cheats along the way) and boy do I pay for them!!!!!!!
I will go into more detail on the hydrotherapy and castor oil packs in a few days.
Hope everyone is well!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tried & True
So, I've been back to eating in my own kitchen. Back to having control. Back to eating clean and nutrient dense food. And my flare up is better each day!
On another interesting note- my son (who is 2 and has major food allergies to dairy, eggs & nuts) has had an old problem of itchy eczema pop up on his lower legs. He had severe eczema as a wee baby, so bad we were frequent visitors to the hospital with him. He had been allergic to wheat back then and when we removed it, the eczema disappeared! Anyhow, all this to say that since we got back home 5 days ago, I removed wheat out of his diet again (allergist says he's no longer allergic) but his legs have cleared significantly!! It goes to show that just because you aren't allergic to a food, doesn't mean you don't have a sensitivity to it.
I still believe so many more people can find relief of their health problems through diet.
On another interesting note- my son (who is 2 and has major food allergies to dairy, eggs & nuts) has had an old problem of itchy eczema pop up on his lower legs. He had severe eczema as a wee baby, so bad we were frequent visitors to the hospital with him. He had been allergic to wheat back then and when we removed it, the eczema disappeared! Anyhow, all this to say that since we got back home 5 days ago, I removed wheat out of his diet again (allergist says he's no longer allergic) but his legs have cleared significantly!! It goes to show that just because you aren't allergic to a food, doesn't mean you don't have a sensitivity to it.
I still believe so many more people can find relief of their health problems through diet.
Monday, January 24, 2011
I'm back!! Again!
Hopefully all of my followers haven't forgot about me! It's been over a month since my last post. As mentioned in an earlier post, my family was faced with some shocking news about my mom's health. My RA was the last thing on my mind obviously. She's not out of the woods by any stretch, but we know she will get better after a long road :)
As for my RA...I had it under control and was feeling fantastic! I've basically steered clear of dairy, sugar, corn, any chemicals (MSG and anything else I can't pronounce!) banana & wheat. I managed to get through Christmas and New Years with no flare ups. Then last week I went on vacation to Palm Desert and we ate out every night. I was nervous but figured I could order carefully and stay out of trouble.
Not so much..... after my first meal I felt stiff. Then it got worse as the week went on. I arrived home yesterday and am back to being vert strict. I know why it happened (no real control of what they are spraying or injecting into meat or on salads/veggies) and I know what I need to do!! I would guess a few more days of swollen knuckles and feet, then I will start to feel better again. I will keep you posted!!
Oh and the fatigue that comes along with it- I had almost forgot that part! On that note, I'm off to lay down!!
As for my RA...I had it under control and was feeling fantastic! I've basically steered clear of dairy, sugar, corn, any chemicals (MSG and anything else I can't pronounce!) banana & wheat. I managed to get through Christmas and New Years with no flare ups. Then last week I went on vacation to Palm Desert and we ate out every night. I was nervous but figured I could order carefully and stay out of trouble.
Not so much..... after my first meal I felt stiff. Then it got worse as the week went on. I arrived home yesterday and am back to being vert strict. I know why it happened (no real control of what they are spraying or injecting into meat or on salads/veggies) and I know what I need to do!! I would guess a few more days of swollen knuckles and feet, then I will start to feel better again. I will keep you posted!!
Oh and the fatigue that comes along with it- I had almost forgot that part! On that note, I'm off to lay down!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Break & Happy Holidays
Hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner.
I am continuing to do well with controlling my RA with nutrition. I feel strong and know that I will continue with this method. I hope there are others out there finding as much relief as I am.
On a scarier note, we have been faced with some potentially bad news regarding my mom's health. I have decided to take a break from this blog and focus all of my attention on her and our family. I believe in the power of positive thinking so send good vibes our way!! I will be back when I can.
Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy your holidays and give your mom's a big kiss. xx
I am continuing to do well with controlling my RA with nutrition. I feel strong and know that I will continue with this method. I hope there are others out there finding as much relief as I am.
On a scarier note, we have been faced with some potentially bad news regarding my mom's health. I have decided to take a break from this blog and focus all of my attention on her and our family. I believe in the power of positive thinking so send good vibes our way!! I will be back when I can.
Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy your holidays and give your mom's a big kiss. xx
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