My RA Journey

Another rheumatoid arthritis patient asked me recently to go into more detail as to what was helping me with my rheumatoid arthritis.  This post is a summary of my journey and what has helped and a bit into my research and choices.

I was diagnosed with RA 9 years ago.  I was able to cope for the first couple of years with sticking to natural foods as much as possible, but I also had to use over the counter Aleve daily to deal with the pain.  I also did ayurveda, Indian healing foods and massage.  I have been a vegetarian now for 30+ years, and made that decision because our meat supply is so tainted with antibiotics, hormones, disease, gmo feed, and bad animal husbandry, and grass fed and pastured meats were not readily available 30 years ago.  I did research into if my vegetarian diet could be helpful or make my RA worse, and almost all of the research I read was positive for vegetarian diets helping RA, so I stayed a vegetarian (ovo lacto vegetarian which means I eat eggs and milk-no meats).  I also noticed improvement when I stopped eating nightshades:  tomatoes, potatoes, peppers (not black peppercorns), eggplant, blueberries, there are more lists online as to what plants are in the nightshade family.  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=62

At some point in those first three years, the over the counter Aleve stopped working, it was also tearing up my stomach, so eating anything was difficult.   My rheumatologist at Kaiser wanted me to go on methrotrexate, but when I did the research, I discovered that MTX is an abortive.  While, my husband and I are not Catholic, we do not use birth control for spiritual reasons and, as I am still getting my period at age 50, we do not feel comfortable with me going on the methrotrexate.  So as the next best solution, my rheumatologist prescribed sulfasalazine, which is a combination drug of sulfa antibiotics and aspirin.  I felt more comfortable with that option as some of my research has led me to the Road Back Foundation which supports the use of antibiotics in RA control.  http://www.roadback.org/

Again, after about 2-3 years I had to stop taking the sulfasalazine because it was becoming less and less effective and I was in pain more and more and having to take more of the sulfasalazine to have any effect.  Also, the sulfasalzine in larger doses was tearing up my stomach and intestines and making digestion difficult.  Again, my rheumy wanted me to go on methrotrexate, or one of the new biologics:  Enbrel, Humira, etc.  I opted to go without drugs as my journey has led me to see that I have had more success with natural alternatives, and I do not want the side effects of MTX, or the biologics which are made with questionable ingredients and manufacturing.

All through this period, I have been eating mostly organic, vegetarian, low sugar, high fruit, high vegetable, low grains, no nightshades diet.  I even started in with raw cow's milk and dairy which I currently get from an Amish farmer 3 hours away.  http://www.realmilk.com/  

I also began harvesting spring water from a spring in Frederick which I found via: http://www.findaspring.com/  I go up once a month and fill glass bottles, because I noticed the water tasted different when I collected it in plastic.

At various times, I have kept a food diary, and begun to note other foods that bother me, either due to my digestion or to the RA, since much of my research has pointed to digestion issues either being affected by the RA or digestion itself being the cause of RA symptoms.  I have difficulty with:  cashews, mangos, papaya, and most cruciferous veggies, green beans and soybeans (unless prepared right, eaten slowly).  

I had tried everything in terms of diet changes: vegetarian, ayurveda, vegan, raw, juicing, green smoothies, fasting, and Weston A Price and GAPS to some extent.  In my RA research, I had run across the milk diet and had discounted it in my brain as faddish and as a last resort.  Well, when I had to start using a cane due to the pain of a flare in my right foot, I decided to give it a try.  It was difficult to do, but not impossible and I did find some relief.  It was when I did the milk diet with goat's milk that I really noticed an improvement and was able to put my cane away.  http://www.milk-diet.com/

I currently am on no prescription or over the counter medication.  I eat 95% organic.  I use raw  goat's milk as a meal replacement at least two times a day, sometime's cow's milk if I am out of goat's.  A meal replacement serving for me (I am 5'2" and weigh 120 lbs) is 1-2 cups milk, followed by 1-2 cups spring water.  I eat lots of fruit, like cherries, grapes, bananas, dates.  I usually eat one meal with fruit per day, during daylight hours.  I eat salads about once a week, usually without dressing, or with a home made dressing of organic balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  I eat raw goat's cheese occasionally and eggs occasionally for extra protein if I'm feeling tired, maybe once a week.  I eat organic bread with butter or cheese occasionally, maybe twice a month.  I drink organic decaf coffee or tea maybe once a week.  I eat rice and beans or lentils about once a month.  I occasionally allow myself a treat out with my family, but I try to drink 2 cups of raw milk before we go out to eat, so I'm not as hungry and I don't order as much that way.  The only sweeteners I use are maple syrup and honey, very sparingly.  I occasionally allow myself chocolate, either something made myself with organic cocoa powder, or something I buy at MOM's Organic Market.  http://momsorganicmarket.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=113&storeID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288&RedirShopperID=A6B40AE98C7842A98FC8DE4784880288

I take Vit D supplements 5000IU, as well as B12, at least every other day.  I never do flu shots or over the counter medications.

I still have some of the side effects of RA: fever and flu like symptoms (achey all over), chronic fatigue, depression, gum infections, pain in my hands and feet and sometimes my neck, shoulders, and knees and hips.  However, I am not walking with a cane, and I am having more good days than bad right now.   Rest is important as well.

If I had an unlimited account for spending on my health here is my wish list:  

Regular massages by a therapist who understands RA

Regular physical therapy work with a good PT

Have my amalgums removed, and my wisdom teeth (I do oil pulling to help with gum issues:  http://makeuphairlashes.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/natures-best-kept-secret-oil-pulling/ )

Explore acupuncture

Explore antibiotic therapy with a physician who is familiar with the Road Back protocol and the Cowden protocol  http://www.nutramedix.ec/ns/lyme-protocol

Build my own house on my own property with a spring, with all natural building materials, a greenhouse, garden, barn and pastures with my sweet goats and hens :-)

My animals keep me active, there is something about an animal depending on me to really motivate me to move.  I'm not such a great wife to my husband, or mom to my teen sons some days, but my animals always get me up and moving.  My husband and sons can take care of themselves and they've been very understanding and supportive, but they still like it when I cook something for them, so I try to do that at least once a day, too.  I also groom dogs part time (been a groomer for over 30 years, too).

I pray, read, try to stay physically active, go barefoot, and be with my family in happy ways as much as possible.  I believe God is healing me through his created foods, so I stay away from foods that man has meddled with as much as possible.  

I hope some of this is helpful to you if you are on a similar health journey, and I don't come off as a certified kook :-)

Kathe