Anyone with RA?

[Padame]

I was diagnosed with RA almost six years ago. I can not seem to lose the weight! I want to write more but I have a clogged sink and the timer just went off to check out the drano is working.. grrrrr.....

Will check in later but wanted to say "hi" and I'm with you all!!

[Joasia]

Hi all,
I just joined the 3FC and found this thread. It is sure comforting to know I'm not alone, as at the time you get your diagnosis it sure fills like you are.
I'm not big by any means, but I know that when I was at one point only 128 pounds my knees did not hurt, I was happier. My goal is to loose all the 20 pounds I have put on in the past year. I was diagnosed with RA just 4 weeks ago and it was like a blow to the face the only thing what changed is that I could put a name to my pain. All the pains I had, I was interpreting as the aging factor. I am not a complainer and I will work through the pain. To take a pill for my pain is the last thing on my mind. I have never suspected that I would have an autoimune disorder as there is no family history of any.
Well, here I am, 48 years old and my hands are sometimes so much in pain that it fills like my digits are going to fell off. I have to stop and massage them to be able to touch something again. I am trying to ease the inflamation with ginger tea and turmeric suplement, but how long is this going to be able to help me, who knows. I did not do any elimination diets yet, but I guess this would be an alternative, just hate farmacauticals.
I am on a low impact exersise program to keep good muscle mass, as muscles support the joints, you can not loose the muscle mass in order to fanktion.
My daughter is a kinesiologist so I have to listen to her in this case.
And yes, you can not knit or cross stich as holding the needle is just to painful, but squeezing a stress ball is an welcome exersise.
Well all the best to all of us RA kids on 3FC and everywhere in the world , may the 2011 be pain free for all of us.
J

[joyful retiree]

Hello All,

It's been awhile since I have been here, so I'm just checking in to see how you are all doing. Amirillo - Did you ever try The Insulin Resistance diet? Joasia - So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Yes, the hands thing can get really bad, & it seems like you just need them for everything, no matter how much they hurt. If I can be blunt, sometimes, when in a flare, it is just excruciating to pull panties up & down. Even the lightest touch or pressure can hurt. Let us know how you are doing & how the treatments you are trying work for you.

[joy3]

I was diagnosed with RA 7 years ago. The first three years were horrible and it got to the point where I had level 7/8 pain in multiple joints with no relief from medications. I had to have several shots in joints to just keep moving....could barely walk because of how it hit my hips so badly. I eventually even had to leave my job which I loved so much!!! Finally went onto a new medication that worked....took three and a half months to start working, tho. I have been on it since 2006 but it was a hard decision as it has some bad risk with taking it. Now, I am not 100 percent like I was before RA, but so much better that I am not depressed all of the time. I have gotten to participate in lots of fun family activities that I would not have before so for me the risk have been worth it. However, it seems like it isnt working as well as it has so that has me worried!!!!

I hope we all find what works to help relieve RA pain!!!

[joyful retiree]

joy3 - What medication are you on? When I was functionong at my best & had the least pain, I was on a cocktail of Methotrexate injections, Enbrel injections, a NSAID, & using predinsone during flares. The Enbrel was an absolute miracle. It was what really kept me functioning at a very satisfactory level for about 5 years before it became ineffective. Sometimes medications just stop working. Maybe your doctor can give you something else to try. Let us know how things go for you.

[joy3]

Hi joyful retiree, I tried several meds until finally going on Rituxan...get infusions every six months. Also, take Arava daily. Try to stay off pred unless I just have to! Also, take pain meds. So glad you had those good five years, but sad that the meds became ineffective! I go to a online support group and some of the girls there have told me the same thing about the meds becoming ineffective after a time. It is very interesting to me about the carbs causing flares at different levels. Think I will track mine and see if it does the same for me. Exercise is a challenge with RA for sure!!! I do workout six days a week, but can't do anything to strenuous...have back issues, too. I do the Leslie Sansone walking DVDs and they have really helped me cardio wise. Tried weight lifting but caused elbow and shoulders to flare up. I have the drive to workout but not the body!!! Darn RA!!!! I just had my set of infusions in Dec so will see how it works this six months or may move onto something else. Hoping to stay in touch as it is nice to have support as we go thru life with RA.

[joyful retiree]

Like you, joy3, too many carbs can cause flares for me, but so can too few. Sugar seems to bring on the worst flares for me, so I need to eat that infrequently in very small amounts.

Just experiment to find what works best for you. What has kept the carbs at a level that my body seems to like is The Insulin Resistance Diet's method of linking. I think it's because you never go above 30 carbs at a meal, & you must have at least 7 gms protein for every 15 gms carbs. I do better with a higher protein to carb ratio, & I rarely eat more than 90 or 100 carbs a day. I also follow their advice about not eating more than 32 carbs in any 2 hour period & if hungry eat protein &/or free veggies. The only veggies they count carbs for are corn & potatoes. What I don't like is that they are okay with too many processed foods & I feel a lot better eating as simple as possible with emphasis on whole foods.

It's quite a balancing act with the RA to find out how your body reacts to food & exercise. I have found that getting enough rest is also a part of the equation, & since retiring, the quite significant decrease in stress & being able to pace myself better has been a huge blessing. Maybe I will get a handle on this some day, but I've yet to get accustomed to the decreased functioning & the continual pain & stiffness. Even at it's best, they never go away completely. The good news is that even if meds lose their therepeutic value, there's always a new one to try & I have great hope that a cure is just around the corner. Lots of research is going on & it's just a matter of time.

[fat 2 fabulous]

Hello ladies,

I was diagnosed with RA when I was 32 (four years ago) at that time, I was only experiencing swelling in my right knee so at first my rheumatologist didn't think I had RA but sure enough the lab work confirmed my diagnosis

Since then I have had pain in my hands and my feet. The pain in my feet was by far the worse... It lasted about a month and it was the loooongest month!! I have very active 7yr twin boys and it was depressing not being able to run around with them.

I have felt great the past six months and treasure every day!!

[erinrenae80]

I'm so excited to find this thread! I was diagnosed with RA last April. That was after taking a minor spill and not being able to walk on my right leg for five months. After three months of repeated trips to the doctor, an aspriation (never doing that again!), and an MRI (for nothing) he finally sent me to a Rheumatologist. That particular one didn't work out but my current one is being very helpful. He actually listens to me and wants my input on my treatment. I was on Prednisone and Methotrexate for six months and gained 40 pounds for my trouble. I've been off both since October. I started Meloxicam last week. I have seen some improvement but nothing remarkable. I currently have RA in the middle finger and thumb of my left hand, both knees, right shoulder, neck, and all the way through my back. I'm trying to lose the 40 pounds and maybe some of pregnancy weight from my three year old. I have a lot of issues with the grip in my left hand. When I have time I crochet to keep up the movement. I do bookkeeping for a friend's home based business. I've noticed I have a lot of swelling in my hand if I sit in certain chairs at different heights. I'm also a full time college student with three kids. We are constantly busy so no matter how I'm feeling I have to push through and keep going. I think that helps me in my case.

[Violet73]

I'm reading the book "Wheat Belly" and so far there is some good information on wheat causing some major health problems. RA is one of them. I know I've gotten much better being gluten free. Leaky gut causes an immune response and your immune system starts attacking your joints. Not to mention the heart disease, cancer, and other problems. I take no RA meds and I feel better now than when I did when I was eating whatever I wanted and taking mtx, Arava, naproxen, and prednisone.

[ValRock]

I have Lupus with an RA component but I'm in remission without medication .

I find that keeping my diet high protein/healthy fat and low carb helps immensely! I have to be careful not to stress myself out.

I have a mild case and hope to keep it there... building muscle has gone so far for helping my joint pain. They told me my left knee would need to be replaced back in 2004. I was barely walking. That was the last straw for me. I lost the weight, started exercising, totally overhauled my eating, and today the knee gives me 0 problems! I saw a doctor in March who was amazed I was the same person as my medical chart presented to her .

Getting healthy changes everything!

Also! My little miracle food, coconut oil! I eat obscene amounts of it and soak with it in my bath a couple times a week. It's delicious, smells divine, and my hair and nails are shiny shiny - Plus, there is evidence it helps with joint problems (and a ton of other problems) . Make sure you get the organic, raw, unfiltered kind!

[Violet73]

ValRock, I'm so glad you were able to turn things around for you

I still have a lot of weight to lose. I'm doing LC now and hoping this weight will come off.

I love coconut oil too! It has antiviral and antibacterial properties to it also. That reminds me that I need to make a visit to the health food store before I run out

[goalhourglasss]

Hi Ladies,

I am following RA diet and yoga. I have started eliminating foods that are sensitive to my body .
avoiding Wheat , White rice, Dairy ( Oh my god Ice cream too ) salt, processed and canned foods.
I prepare my own food fruit salads, Smoothies, veg salads, Cooked veg salad with indian seasonings ( which have healing nature like turmeric, ginger, black pepper, garlic, Cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, coriander etc.)

I started with slow stretching yoga, and now am able to do power yoga like Sun salutation for 12 to 15 rounds in 30 min . Feeling great. lost 15 pounds in 3 months ( also on steroids ) still to go 20 pounds.

Hope i will reach my goal in 2 to 3 months.

[Violet73]

Goal, I'm glad things are working for you. Where did you find an RA diet plan?

I have also eliminated so many inflammatory foods and I get frustrated sometimes, but I know I feel better when I don't have them. I've been gluten free and have limited dairy. I'm now going completely grain free.....no corn, rice, etc too. I'm cutting back on processed foods too. It's a process for me.

I have a teenager in the home, so we are on the go a lot and some days I don't do as well as other days. I do try my best and feel better when I do.

Good for you for the weight loss and the ability to move your body easier with eliminating inflammatory foods

[goalhourglasss]

Thanks Violet,
I have friend in US who couriered me a book by Barbara Alan " conquering arthritis " what doctor does not tell you. This book changed my life.
She has a web site you can have glance. search google by the title i have given. hope it works for you too.
past 3 weeks i am not losing a pound this is frustrating


Its difficult to cook for family and to cook separately for us. I know the pain , daily i am tempted to have carbs, Ice creams chocolates, sweets ...... But control, control, control... hahahha

But keep going.