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i'm unsure of which foods i should avoid. Just been diagnosed with RA

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michelle65680
michelle65680

I have been suffering with extreme pain for 3 yrs and just had it confirmed that yes I do suffer with RA.. I have found this site extremly helpful..Im told my scoring is very high and have to be around 2.5.. at the moment i am 5.31. Is this high? I have taken my 1st MTX tab and am on 15 mgs per week with Folic acid 5 mg every day but not MTX day. Im on day one and feel so sick and have been sick.. I cannot face food but have drank lots of water. I have read that red meat is not good and wondered on the effect of other foods? I am really worried about the side effects and just hope this sickness does not last long as work will be a massive problem although im now aware my job role will not be the best with this disease. im told to be aware of infections due to the meds and my job as an ambulance crew is also very demanding with lifts which i cannot manage at this time. I have been taken off road due to my pain and really miss my work. Im on desk duty at present and am unsure how long until i can go back to my normal position. Its made me very low to be honest as this is masive life changes for me and need as much info as i can get...many thanks..

2 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie michelle65680

    Posted

    Hi Michelle

    hang on in there- the first year after diagnosis is difficult while they find what meds work, but you are in the way up now they ve found out. I was a teacher when diagnosed- unable even to carry a laptop or walk across the playground without hobbling. I couldn't lift my grand daughter into a car seat.The fatigue was immense. I ve actually ended up on several DMARDS ( like methotrexate) and a biologic and am almost back to what I could do before ( though have retired now)

    keep in touch with rheumy nurse esp about feeling sick after mxt. Some  rheumies suggest different timing of dose to help, different regimes of folic acid .

    with regard to immune system being reduced I was careful about hand washing- used hand gel - extra careful about not exposing myself to dodgy food. You can imagine I was in the direct line of germ fire working with a group of young children but have rarely got a cold and only 1 chest infection in 2 and half years.

    with regard to food, I have looked into diets but they all seem to say something different so I ve kept to unprocessed food and very little sugar, lots of fruit and veg, limited red meat, dairy and bread. I can't tell you if it's making any difference!! But I feel like it s a healthier diet than I was on before.

    but exercise makes a difference to joint movement and sense of well being. I go swimming but still can't face a cool pool so have invested in a membership at a hotel where the water is warmer.

    i do feel for you as you adapt to both the diagnosis and medication. There will come a time where it improves , and you ll find how to adjust and cope in different ways. It sounds like your work are being understanding which is great.

    • michelle65680
      michelle65680 Rowbirdie

      Posted

      Many thanks for your reply.....still very early days for my meds but this sickness makes you feel lethargic and not wanting to go out...I'm back to work on desk duty tomorrow and yes my work and team have been really understanding and supportive...this also means a lot of hospital apps and blood tests so it's going to be timely for me too....

      I'm trying to stay positive and I'm lucky to have a fantastic partner who has also cut down on alcohol to help me as we did love a vino with our meal most evenings....

      Thank you for the ideas on foods...red meat is deffo no... swimming is my 1st choice of fitness and will be starting as soon as I don't feel sick...

      As for the low immune probs I think my RA team were concerned that in an ambulance there is always a risk of infection...I will have to make a decision on this..but not at this point..too much else to look into...is 5.31 a high score?? ..once again this site has really helped me..I felt so alone in this as you feel that moaning is an everyday thing and sometimes to say nothing about your own well being g was better than to moan......

    • Rowbirdie
      Rowbirdie michelle65680

      Posted

      Yes 5.31 DAS score is high-  it s in active disease category. NRAS website has an explanation of the DAS 28 score they use. It has other useful info also. Your rheumy will be looking closely to see if mxt works over next 12 weeks. Did they give you a jab of cortico steroid too to help with immediate pain and inflammation?

       

    • michelle65680
      michelle65680 Rowbirdie

      Posted

      Yes I did have steroid injection...which did work for a week and now pain s back...I will have a look at that site as unsure how it works with Das score....have my NXT app in 4 weeks...I have a list of questions and queries...lol...
  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 michelle65680

    Posted

    Processed foods and foods high in sugar should be avoided as they can increase inflammation. More inflammation, more pain. Good luck to you!
  • icab1995
    icab1995 michelle65680

    Posted

    Hi Michelle I am going through something similar, I am 21 and going to start my 4th semester in university tomorrow  and im so scared, im in a lot of pain. I have zero negative arthritis, meaning it doesnt show on the blood tests but my fingers are deformed and my pain started at 15 yrs old. the pain has transferred to the wrists and ankles. i went to the dr today and assigned naproxen, prednisone and mtx, i started everything today and the mtx will come in a few days. im nervous and dont know what to do  cause i cant walk. im trying to stay positive, please share your progress in this site, it helps people including me. take care and best wishes
    • michelle65680
      michelle65680 icab1995

      Posted

      ahh bless u....i can understand why you are scared what with stating university and this disease.. which uni are you going to? My daughter also starts this week at Norwich...back to this disease.. Im really struggling to work this week,, day 4 on first dose of MTX and i have a very sore throat but the sickness comes in waves...I feel better at the end of the day and can eat a small meal...but i feel next morning i pay for that with sickness...making me not want to eat to see if there is a change? I actualy feel as though i have a massive hangover today. (note i have not had any alchole since last week) headache too..If things dont improve im really going to struggle with work as I do 12/14 hrs shifts and am finding this so difficult. Keep us posted on how you are doing...i am still in pain in my hands and foot but this wears off about 11am and i feel little pain from then until eve again when im less active...I know we should be positive as in my job i do see alot of less unfortuate BUT am i going to feel like this for the rest of my life as this disease is not curable but can be controlled with the meds that make you feel so rough....Im going to call the RA team and have a chat and see what other options i have but i will get over this week and maybe next to see if anything improves...Im also very hot and seem to have a temperature.. god its never ending! take care..be stong..Uni is a fantastic achievment.. enjoy that experiance and please dont worry or be scared... 
  • martin_F
    martin_F michelle65680

    Posted

    Hello, I've had RA for about 14 years, I have always been on sulfasalazine and naproxen, tried methotrexate for a week ended up in A and E, but I also take Turmeric 95% curcumin with piperine and I am sure it's helping reduce stiffness and pain so could be worth checking out if not having good results with methotrexate.

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