For Those With Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Ann1231]

I have improved a great deal with gluten-free and I've been following a vegetarian diet but feeling like I need more to my diet. Does eating meat bother you once you've been gluten-free for a while? I'm thinking of adding in meats but I'm not sure whether it will set me back or not. I'm finally able to cut back the prednisone and not go on biologics as of yet so I sure don't want to do anything to mess up the progress I've had.

thanks

Ann

[plantime]

I have RA, but the factor does not show in my blood, so my doc refuses to treat it. I eat beef and pork, I did not notice any difference in flares when I did an elimination diet. I did not get any improvement when I went gluten-free, either. I do lots of stretches for flexibility, and have started lifting things (not formal weights) trying to add strength. I am glad that you are making progress! You would have to try the meats for yourself, to see if they would cause any problems for you. As with celiac disease, RA is different in different people!

[lonewolf]

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis about 10 years ago. The rheumatologist told me it was just like RA, but without the R factor. I went gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free... Well, actually, all I ate for the first year was rice, vegetables (not nightshades), fruits (not bananas), olive and canola oil, sunflower seeds and a few other nuts occasionally (NO peanuts), small amounts of corn and fish. I took flax seed oil regularly. I got 100% better in that year and lost a lot of weight. I still don't eat eggs, dairy or soy as well as being gluten-free. I am now joint pain free and I teach PE and coach basketball. The doctors (several of them, including 2 rheumatologists) told me that I would be on medication for life and that changing my diet wouldn't help. Haha to them!

If you want more in your diet, I would suggest lots of salmon, tuna, halibut, etc. If you eat soy, you might want to eliminate it - I realized it caused me almost instant joint pain after I had cleared my system of all the other food intolerances. Red meats, dairy products and peanuts all have an acid in them that can aggravate joint pain, so it's good to avoid them for at least a while.

[Ann1231]

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis about 10 years ago. The rheumatologist told me it was just like RA, but without the R factor. I went gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free... Well, actually, all I ate for the first year was rice, vegetables (not nightshades), fruits (not bananas), olive and canola oil, sunflower seeds and a few other nuts occasionally (NO peanuts), small amounts of corn and fish. I took flax seed oil regularly. I got 100% better in that year and lost a lot of weight. I still don't eat eggs, dairy or soy as well as being gluten-free. I am now joint pain free and I teach PE and coach basketball. The doctors (several of them, including 2 rheumatologists) told me that I would be on medication for life and that changing my diet wouldn't help. Haha to them!

If you want more in your diet, I would suggest lots of salmon, tuna, halibut, etc. If you eat soy, you might want to eliminate it - I realized it caused me almost instant joint pain after I had cleared my system of all the other food intolerances. Red meats, dairy products and peanuts all have an acid in them that can aggravate joint pain, so it's good to avoid them for at least a while.

thank you! great information and congratulations on your success! I'm printing off your post to hang in my kitchen. I like salmon and tuna...is canned tuna alright? I don't eat soy. It's never agreed with me. Why don't you eat bananas? How do you take the flaxseed oil, isn't it pretty disgusting? Sorry for all the questions but you've given me a great place to transition to.

Ann

[lonewolf]

thank you! great information and congratulations on your success! I'm printing off your post to hang in my kitchen. I like salmon and tuna...is canned tuna alright? I don't eat soy. It's never agreed with me. Why don't you eat bananas? How do you take the flaxseed oil, isn't it pretty disgusting? Sorry for all the questions but you've given me a great place to transition to.

Ann

Canned tuna is good. If you haven't tried fresh tuna though, it's REALLY yummy. We cook it on the grill with just a little lemon, salt and pepper. I didn't eat bananas for a long time because they showed up as a reactive food on a food allergy test I had done. I eat them now with no problems. The flaxseed oil is gross. I have juice or something waiting to drink after gagging it down. I like cod liver oil better - the lemon or mint flavor, but I still try to take the flax occasionally.

Good luck - I hope you keep improving! I've done the whole prednisone thing and it's great that you've been able to cut back. I hope you're able to get off it soon.