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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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I am a newbie to the site and quite getting into it ! It s so good that you know other members can understand all your ups and downs and helps you to feel more positive and not alone.
Besides RA I have a condition called Barretts, its where the oesophagus has been badly damaged by acid reflux, consequently I have had to be very careful with my diet so it doesn t get any worse. Anyway, I would be very interested to learn what other people feel about diet and how good you really need to be, I know omega 3 is known to be good so I take plenty of them and as ever, what works for one doesn t necessarily work for another.
Many thanks, Julia[/color][/size]
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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hello Julia and welcome to the forum.
I'm sorry to hear about your other problems- ufortunately I can't offer any advice.
Maria x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
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Hello Julie and welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you also have the other problem which must be horrendous. Life is hard.
I also take Omega 3 just in case. Who knows if it is good or not but can't do any harm.
Eleanor x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Julia, Welcome! I'm not an expert on diet but I've always tried to eat sensibly and as healthy as possible (however, frequently fall foul of temptation  ) I'm of the belief that most things in moderation will do you good. Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Hi Julia,
I so wish there was a magic herb one could take to cure their RA or even push it into remission but sadly there is not.
There are plenty of natural remedies to try. The omega fish oils are one of the only ones medically proven, and therefore accepted by rheumatologists, to help reduce inflammation and provide a good source of Vit D and A. I take cod liver oil, 3,000g aday which is a high dose but the RA requires it!
I also take a herbal tonic prepared for me by the herbalist, which has various anti-inflam herbs plus other ones for various other maladies.
Nettles are an excellent source of iron and amazing for the blood flow and Milk thistle protects the liver and blood too. There are thousands more, so if you are interested I can e/mail you off line.
Oh, regarding gastro problems like Barretts (my Godmother has this and it is very very painful isn't it)...Slippery Elm powder is so good. It helps with most types of stomach related problems and is very gentle and safe.
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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amanda_lewin wrote:Hi Julia,
I so wish there was a magic herb one could take to cure their RA or even push it into remission but sadly there is not.
There are plenty of natural remedies to try. The omega fish oils are one of the only ones medically proven, and therefore accepted by rheumatologists, to help reduce inflammation and provide a good source of Vit D and A. I take cod liver oil, 3,000g aday which is a high dose but the RA requires it!
I also take a herbal tonic prepared for me by the herbalist, which has various anti-inflam herbs plus other ones for various other maladies.
Nettles are an excellent source of iron and amazing for the blood flow and Milk thistle protects the liver and blood too. There are thousands more, so if you are interested I can e/mail you off line.
Oh, regarding gastro problems like Barretts (my Godmother has this and it is very very painful isn't it)...Slippery Elm powder is so good. It helps with most types of stomach related problems and is very gentle and safe.
Love,
Amanda
Evening Amanda.
It was lovely to receive you message, thank you. I have been thinking about you as I saw your recent message, I hope you feel a little better now and thanks for giving me your time with all the good advice. The cod liver / omega three does seem the stuff I take quite a large dose too. I ve given the rose hip a good go at the moment, I m just started leflunomide about three weeks ago - talk about suck and see ! I will give the milk thistle a go, sounds good one especially for blood flow as I have raynauds.
With the Barretts because my anti reflux was so bad I had an opertion to sort of repair it and now I don t have any problems which is good, if you would like any more on that please let me know.
Thanks Amanda for all your help, thinking of you.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 1,035
Location: in a house
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i have Raynaunds and acid reflux ( slceroderma over lap ) i do have live yoghurt its meant to help the bowel and tummy and meant too help scleroderma i make the yoghurt my self .I think brought ones are usless even avtamil .Belives it helps with bloating . i make yoghurt chesse as well and it turns out fine with skimmed milk . overwise no junk food only as a treat . diet won,t cure R.A BUT THINK IF YOU HAVE STUFF WRONG you should eat very well watch fat intake sugar and 5 fruit and veg a day . Christine The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Christine
I agree, diet won t cure us but a good healthy diet won t do any harm and I keep off processed food and try and eat limited amount of sugar and fat etc.
I will definately start having yoghurt, could I ask, my friend she doesn t have RA has suggested Greek yoghurt ( only Total, name of make ) would that be as good?
Thats interesting about the scleroderma overlap, I ll have a look into that !
Many thanks for all your help
Julia
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 312 Location: Surrey
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Julia17 wrote:...... I ve given the rose hip a good go at the moment...... Hi Julia, I tried the rosehip extract about 6 months ago! I took it for 3 months and found my blood results went awry! However, I also found I was feeling much better as regards pain etc. The general consensus was that the rosehip was retaining the Mtx and Leflunomide in my liver and so giving the effect of taking a much larger dose of drugs and thereby making me feel better! I stopped the rosehip and my bloods returned to normal again! Stewart. A friend is someone who knows all about you but loves you anyway!
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
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Hi Stewart,
I was just thinking about you, how's the liver? You live and learn, didn't know that Rosehip is retained in the liver.
love,
Barbara
XXXXXX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
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Hi Julie,
A warm welcome to the forum. I have said this before, Amanda is a very wise woman when it comes to knowing about what herbs are helpful in managing RA symptoms and other ailments. Herbs and diet may not cure RA, but I have found that they do help and take a lot of supplements and try to avoid certain foods in the nightshade category.
You may find a book by Patrick Holford helpful called "SAY NO TO ARTHRITIS" the book focuses on the benefits of following an RA diet, but be mindful - what may work for one person may not work for another; I have found it's a trial and error exercise and one of a process of elimination of certain foods.
Love,
Babara
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hello Julia, As Barbara says ("what may work for one person may not work for another; I have found it's a trial and error exercise and one of a process of elimination of certain foods.") this is absolutely true! Do be very careful with diet and supplements these have over the years caused me lots of additional problems, even the most innocuous of natural products! Stewart's 'rose hip' is a prime example. Omega 3 oils are the only recommended product, tried, tested and deemed safe by Rheumatologists. I tried milk thistle to generally boost the blood (Raynauds in mind!) and ended up with very much lowered AST and ALT levels that threw everyone into a panic and me into emergency hospital admission! Ended up having to admit what I'd been taking  . It was never established whether it was the milk thistle or the combination with a prescribed drug. I quickly recovered without the thistle!! I tried almost every natural/homeopathy product available in the first 10 years of being diagnosed and it cost me a small fortune! Nothing provided worthwhile relief so to this day I stick with what the doctors give me and hope for the best. Julia, as you've only been on the Leflunomide 3 weeks or so I think it might be advisable not to change anything in the next three months or so until you know how the drug is working for you. You might actually mask a potential problem by introducing an unknown, however natural, into your diet. Just my thoughts and I am very cautious!! Good luck with the Leflunomide it does work well for many people. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
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Lyn w is right, just because something is natural doesn't mean it's without any dangers. Think of deadly nightshade, or hemlock! I don't mean to scare you, and hope you can find something to help. I've tried many things over the years, but now just take high strength cod liver oil. I did take Evening Primrose, which I swear helped me through the menopause.
Lyn
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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[Evening everybody who has kindly replied about the diet issue, you have all been so good ! words fail me really I was out in the wilderness for many months and there s nothing better than understanding souls - I think we are all great !!
I will get the book Barbara , I think its good to have something thats recommended and can always have a flick through.
I think I will come off the rose hip for now due , at least til the lef... kicks in but keep up the omega 3 of course.
Must just say, bit of an idiot today managed to spill tea over my NEW best toy ever - the lap top . Its staying in over night for lots of TLC with the computer doctor and hopefully will recover and come home to me asap I am missing it dreadfully ( having to go back to my sons bedroom - not ideal !! )
Sending my best wishes to you all.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Yes, it is true that one must be cautious about taking any herbs especially when taking them alongside coinventional meds. Most Drs and nurses will say no herbs at all but some are more willing to see that they can work well too.
I come clean and tell the rheumy exactly what herbs I am taking, more honest than how many SLZ pills I pop! LOLOL
I take one Milk Thistle a day never with the meds and have no problem at all but of course everyone is different.
Thank you for asking after me..I am having a really tough time emotionally at the moment but have a lovely husband who is very attentive! (LOL)
Love,
Amanda
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