Anyone With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

[Emmysweet]

Liz---have you tried eliminating sugar from your diet to get rid of the P? My P is on my knees on down now--was all over, but I have only been on my diet for less than 4 mths. Hoping that it continues to clear. I also do the teas from pagano's book.

[mushroom]

For all who have posted here who have been diagnosed--with anything, be it celiac, RA, Psoriatic arthritis--to me you are almost the lucky ones. Please believe me that I say that with deepest empathy for you and the utmost respect and sincerity. I am not so enlightened yet as to what is causing my pain and GI issues, and am crying while typing this because it can be soooo hard to deal with. It would be such a relief, bring some peace of mind, to KNOW why.

I can say to the positive, however, that my little girl has had no more joint pain symptoms since going gluten free

I feel your pain!

Rachel, I was just rereading this thread and noticed this post that I had not really seen and/or absorbed before. Are you making any progress in solving your issues? I had no idea that you were in so much pain. My heart goes out to you. At least your daughter is getting some relief

[mushroom]

My son was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about a month ago....similar to rheumatoid, just called psoriatic if you have psoriasis.

I was bummed b/c I had kept him gluten free for the past couple of years in hopes of improving his psoriasis, and hoping to prevent more auto immune diseases from popping up. I've had to realize that diet doesn't cure everything,

I somehow missed the remainder of this thread after I posted initially. I am sorry that your son went on to develop the arthritis part of psoriatic arthritis even while on a gluten free diet. It does seem like PsA is resistant to improvement on the diet, and I am not sure why. Certainly, I started the diet with high hopes that both would miraculously disappear, but it was not to be. Although I do feel loads better gluten free (and so does my husband). I think that stress can cause an arthritic flare; at least that is what I'm blaming my last one on. Does your son take any medication for his PsA?

[mimommy]

Rachel, I was just rereading this thread and noticed this post that I had not really seen and/or absorbed before. Are you making any progress in solving your issues? I had no idea that you were in so much pain. My heart goes out to you. At least your daughter is getting some relief

Thanks for asking, Neroli

Actually, I am having farrrr less pain than I was just a few months ago. I can't truly attribute this to going gluten free, however, although it does seem to have increased my energy level DRAMATICALLY being off of gluten (and soy, most of the time, too). But, as I said, my little girl RARELY has joint pain anymore (which is an incredible blessing!).

I was in such pain from Sept, 08 through Jan., 09 that I was actually having difficulty walking, however, I have had "pain" since I was a young girl (like my little girl now does). Sad, but true. Had blood tests and HLA's done for RA and PA, both negative. MRI showed arthroscelrosis and compression of discs, but doc. didn't get too excited about it.

I know this--my mother (who is now diagnosed with both psoriatic and osteo arthritis) did not test positve for any arthritis for nearly 3 decades, while suffering horribly and having body parts becoming deformed. My father is positive for RA, and his hands are getting more deformed every time I see him.

I do not take any meds for the pain, but have certainly been offered the full cocktail. Some days are diamonds, some are coal. Some activities guarantee days or weeks of pain to follow, including my work. What can we do? Such is life.

I no longer exercise, both because the pain became so much and because of other life circumstances that require my time and attention. I miss it terribly, and look forward to swimming season here--but even swimming is difficult for me. If the water temp isn't like a warm bath it makes me ache terribly.

I also get numbing bursts of localised pain that truly frighten me and often take my breath away.

It DOES bring tears to me to read/hear of others suffering joint pain. It's horrible and painful and robs you of your life. It saddens me, and heartens me.

Wishing you ALL the best and much comfort to come!

[Jestgar]

I no longer exercise, both because the pain became so much and because of other life circumstances that require my time and attention. I miss it terribly, and look forward to swimming season here--but even swimming is difficult for me. If the water temp isn't like a warm bath it makes me ache terribly.

I also get numbing bursts of localised pain that truly frighten me and often take my breath away.

Rachel, I find that if I don't exercise (something, walking, stretching) everyday, then over time my pain increases. If I have several days in a row at work where I'm only on the computer then my knees and hip ache so badly it can be hard to sleep. On the days where I'm doing a lot of sitting/standing/walking to get things (5 feet or so) then I feel pretty good the next day.

[RobinsEggBlue]

Try going to www.glutenfreedrugs.com

It is run by a pharmacist and he even lists within a specific drug which manufacturer is gluten-free and which isn't!

It's a good place to start. I have written to him about this issue but he is away at a conference so haven't had a response yet.

Most pharmacists are too busy to look beyond the insert that comes with the drugs.

ALL the biologics have the "possible" component of gluten but there is no way of knowing which lot could be gluten-free!!

I'm going to check with the company that sends me my Enbrel to see if they could ask for the lot that was made with gluten-free ingredients. I'll probably have to ask the doctor to write it into the prescription.

[RobinsEggBlue]

It took about 8-9 months to be pain free without Advil.

I do understand how busy it gets with little kids! Mine are now 17, 15, 14 and 11 and the first 3 were 3 under 3-1/2, so I know it can be hard. The soy free thing really might help you though.

FYI, 90% of the soy produced in this country is GMO (genetically modified and considered "round-up ready"). This is totally not a good thing to be ingesting, especially in children. For more information go to Mercola.com

Best of luck to you.

Mellan

[RobinsEggBlue]

Lonewolf---your story is so similar to mine. I just went and got mri results today and they said I had a tear in one of my discs in my neck---but I really, really think it is arthritis--mainly b/c the doc said that most people my age--39--would have a similar picture and "although its hard to tell, I think this disc here is the culprit." My hands hurt occassionally. since going gluten free, sugar free and a largely whole foods diet, my psoriasis has really improved (from all over to just my knees and below) and my arthritis in my hands has gotten much better. The arthritis in my feet is gone. BUT my neck-it still hurts. I started my diet on Jan. 1st. So it has only been less than 4 mths.

I have debated whether or not to go soy free. How did you come to this conclusion? My homeopath thinks soy is very very good for you. I have very little dairy---I eat eggs and the occasional plain, organic yogurt.

I also had the tingling sensation in my hands and that is mostly gone.

this forum is incredible and has really helped. To the person that was teary today---that was me in December. Hang in there--its a journey for sure but things do get better. E

Hi emmysweet, giving up soy for me was very easy, one because I was now allergic to it and two, I learned that 90% of the soy produced in this country is GMO. That did it for me. No way was I ingesting that stuff. My doc has me on totally organic, non-gmo food. No plastics and no microwaving. She asks me to not be near car exhaust or smokers, things I did already.....

Learning how to eat was very stressful until I figured it out. I substitute the flour I get at Whole Foods....Jules gluten-free Flour mix. It really works great and I don't notice any difference in taste. As long as I stay with UNprocessed foods, wheat and soy, I'm good.

Now I am trying to tackle the gluten-free drugs thing. Not easy when the ingredients list doesn't specify wheat....

Hang in there.....

Mellan