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I have just been diagnosed with RA at 32 anything I can do to lessen the symptoms?

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caroline90579
caroline90579

I am awaiting an appointment with a specialist but wondered if any changes to my diet might help? Any foods to avoid? Etc.

Thanks

Caroline

0 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • susan342
    susan342 caroline90579

    Posted

    For people who would like to look at the research and evidence on rhematoid Arthritis for themselves I suggest you go to evidence.nhs uk. It does give information on different aspects of the condition.  Although a few so called patient organisations are completely funded by a drug company the main  UK rheumatoid arthritis  one is not and tends to give a balanced view on all aspects of care. It is however very important that people with early RA get effective drug treatment to stop the damage to joints that my mother has had to live with. There were not the effective treatments available when my mother was first diagnosed over 50  years ago.  All treatments have risks, and it iis important that you decide with your clinicians which ones are best for you. Other people with RA are the best source of learning how to deal with coping with everyday life, and be supportive when those close to you fail to understand the effects of the condition.

    A

     

    • TreatMeGently
      TreatMeGently susan342

      Posted

      Susan - the website you suggest lists this book as good reading reading for arthritis. A nod to what I have been posting about. There is a line in the book that describes other physicians scepticism with the uses of diet to help with RA - Gail Darlington says to them regarding placebo

      "to suggest that all these patients went in to a spontaneous and sustained remission at exactly the same time they begun the elimination diet is stretching coincidence to incredulity'...As for placebo, this is a temporary surge of well being powered by the enthusiasm of the doctor and high hopes of the patient...some of our patients that we first treated with an elimination diet in the early 1980's remained well even after 12 years.  Any doctor that can generate this sort of placebo has missed their calling and should instead practice as a faith healer" wink

      Diet and Arthritis: A Comprehensive Guide to Controlling Arthritis Through Diet

      An easily understood guide to diet and arthritis. It examines the evidence and explores the myths.

      Authors: Gail Darlington and Linda Gamlin

      Publisher: Ebury Press, 1998

      ISBN: 0091816599

      However the "evidence" website itself does not contain as many medical studies as ncbi - it is a good reference guide for looking up drugs.

      BTW - Dr Darlington still practices today.  If you doubt 100 years of the same studies look up the practice of John Turnbull of Boston Massachusetts from 1924 - who treated 100s of people with an elimination diet approach for over 20 years. Leading to this in 1944!

      Study of one hundred and twenty-seven cases of arthritis (with notes on gastro-intestinal features) -

      'The cutaneous tests for protein sensitization permit the selection of a diet which in most cases will relieve an arthritic patient of all or the greater part of his symptoms. This therapy is so simple and so readily carried out, requiring nothing more than a little self-denial on the patient’s part that it deserves a trial in every case presenting arthritic symptoms.'

      How far we've come in 100 years that we can ignore real evidence - it is less time consuming for a doctor to give out drugs than to apply be rigour that Dr. John Turnbull would have had to do - and I know this because my own Dr when I was 19 was Dr John Mansfield.

    • Light
      Light susan342

      Posted

      Susan,

      you may have missed my request (above) to hear about those detrimental decisions you made when you say "I have been there my self and some decesions made were detrimental."

      Could we hear about the "detrimental" ones you experienced? It might be helpful.

  • murray2
    murray2 caroline90579

    Posted

    Thank you treatmegently, Light and mu111 for your information about alternatives to drugs. I am also doing a lot of research and trying different supplements. I would add that colloidal gold,  LD colostrum, and ayurvedic medicine are worth checking out and experimenting with.
    • mu111
      mu111 murray2

      Posted

      Hi Murray, you're welcome. It's what forums are about, to give advice, info, share opinions and experiences and discuss topics like these.
  • raralady
    raralady caroline90579

    Posted

    Hi Caroline,

    I'm working with a nutritional immunologist who has given me a number of dietary changes to implement, but these are individual and based on tests. She has told me that pulses and grains seem to trigger inflammation for me, you could research 'lectins' to find out more. It's also important to get the fats right - particularly more Omega 3 and less Omega 6 & 9. The problem with dietary changes are that they can take a long time to make a difference, months or even a year, but on the plus side they could have a real effect. In my case I don't have allergies or strong intolerances. For some people dietary changes can mean instant relief. I'd say don't be put off by people who say that strong drugs are the only way, although they can help. There are other things to try which have worked for many people, and they're not all placebos or hype.

    Good luck 

  • jo52244
    jo52244 caroline90579

    Posted

    Hi,  Avoid sugar, nightshades, coffee, alcohol, oranges and diary.  Avoiding refined sugar has been the best thing for me to avoid flare ups.  I have now trialled a few times when I ate a biscuit and then I get a flare up in my hand or shoulder.  I have had RA since July 2014.
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