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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/14/2011
Posts: 8
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Hello, First I would like to say hello as this is my first post. I am 32 and was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago, I controlled it the first year with a pregnancy (obviously not a long term solution, but new it was our last chance  !) Three months after my son was born I had to stop breast feeding and was put on Methotrexate plus other drugs. After six months I was told my RA is completely under control and I still see the consultant every six months. Over the last two years I have been getting tireder and tireder, putting on weight slowly (even though my diet and exercise hasn't changed) and also having problems with foods I eat ie stomach aches a couple of hours after eating ( I can no longer eat ice cream, fresh cream or drink coffee at all!  ) I am just told they are just thing I have to adapt to! I feel it is my tablet that are to blame! I bought the book 'Diet & Arthritis - Dr Gail Darlington & Linda Gamlin' out of curiosity and would like to give the main Exclusion diet a try, this consists of eating only trout, salmon, cod, carrots, pears, kiwi fruit, sweet potatoes, bottled mineral water and salt, for 7-10 days then, depending on results, adding in other foods in a specific order at a rate of 3 a day with 5 hours between foods seeing if any give reactions. There is even a section describing different types of results and when you should give up. From reading this book I know that this will not work for everyone and they even state to 'beware of any book, practitioner or potion offering all arthritis sufferers a total, lifelong, guaranteed cure!' Only a small section of the book is devoted to this diet and the rest I have found very useful in finding more about studies that have been done regarding food and RA, (the good results and the bad) aswell as information on supplements such as fish oil and when other foods can effect arthritis, the book clearly spells out that arthritis is different in everyone and no-one will get the same results for everything. I would like your comments and experiences, and would like to know if anyone else has read this book or tried this? Thanks Karen
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Karen.
Welcome to the forum. I am Sheila married with 2 grown up sons. I was diagnosed 9 years ago and currently on mxt. I know that we would all love to have a cure for this awful disease or even a natural control of symptoms but I suspect neither exists - yet! I know the items of food in this diet are very healthy foods but there are some very important items missing and it doesn't sound like an all round healthy diet to me. Please think very carefully before you take on any diet and definitely consult your GP first.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Karen,
Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have been diagnosed with RA at such a young age.
I am 61, married, with a 22year old daughter and have had RA for 10 years.
I haven't read that book or tried the diet so can't give you any help there. I know some people have found some foods that affect their RA, but I can't really say I've found that any foods affect mine.
Good luck if you decide to try the diet.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/14/2011
Posts: 8
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sheila_G wrote: I know the items of food in this diet are very healthy foods but there are some very important items missing and it doesn't sound like an all round healthy diet to me. Thanks for your comments, you only stay on a restricted diet for 7-10 days then add other foods after that to check for a reaction (once no reaction you can carry on eating them adding them to your list of safe foods), there reasoning is that if you are affected by a staple food that is eated regularly such as wheat then you may never know if it is a factor until you cut it out completely. It also says that reactions are not always immediate which is why some foods are never detected along with most people being effected by several foods. I am by no means expecting a 'cure' as I know no such thing exists but I think it is worth a try as all the information seems to fit and no one is trying to sell me anything (obviously I have already bought the book  ) Thanks Karen
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Karen.
Well, 7 - 10 days doesn't sound too long. If you feel you can stick to it then I hope it works for you. Good luck with it and I look forward to speaking to you again.
Sheila x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/14/2011
Posts: 8
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Thank you, I appreciate the comments.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Karen Welcome to the forum, you will find so much support and advice, quite invaluable with RA sometimes  I hope all goes well for you with your approach to diet. I gather you have had a word with your GP about this problem with some foods, I presume you take some type of stomach protector like omeprazole, still might be worth mentioning this when you next see your consultant. Look forward to receiving your post. Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Karen Tried all these diets, eliminations, magic tips, pills, potions, homeopathy, acupuncture and natural spa treatments over the last 23 years and have had no success whatsoever. In the early days there were no disease modifying drugs, only tablets to control the symptoms of the disease. I probably spent thousands of pounds over the years looking to find some way to help cope with severe RA using alternative methods. Many of these diets are useful for osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis caused by an allergic reaction. RA, an auto-immune disease and is unlikely to respond to dietary influence. Here's a link from the NRAS website about this. All that said for the sake of a week or so it is probably worth giving it a go but as Sheila says it is rather lacking in some components! Where's the carbs and proteins??  I bought loads of books ... they ended up in charity shops! Anyway, welcome to the forum. A great place to be for support and information; lots of folk, lots of knowledge and a wealth of tried and tested experiences! Glad you have found us and NRAS! I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four children (well I call them children but perhaps it's time to stop!), Abby 23, Ian and Jake 18, and Louis 16. All four in various stages of education! We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA 23 years ago and have since run the gamut of medication (although more options are popping up now and again thankfully!) and had lots of surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Methotrexate, Prednisolone and Naproxen, and a wagon load of pain killers! But heyho... Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Karen,
welcome to the Forum.
having read what you can eat albeit over 7 - 10 days, it reads to me that you would lose weight.
i managed to lose a vast amount of weight, going to a Clinic with a specially planned diet tailored for me. i have now kept the weight off two years. so i know i am doing the best i can food wise for myself.
i think perhaps a lot of us look for answers outside of the drugs we have to take,
personally i would ask your Consultant about your stomach problems, although it's great news that your meds are working for you.
i've failed on Methotrexate and Hydroxy and currently waiting to start on Humira soon.
i'm 58 married with a 29 year old daughter who's long flown the nest.
you will find a lof of information and support on here,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hello Karen and welcome from me too!
I am on Lyn's wave length on the diet stuff- tried pretty much everything and apart from helping with the weight it has made absolutely no change for the RA- apart from making me aneamic on the meat free ones...!
I once tried this eastern company based chinese medicine teas.... oh lordy they were BBBBBAAAAAAAD! LOL! nearly £400 a month and the humiliating painful hobble back into rheumatology in agony begging for the drugs...!
Anyway- that being said- the general rule is if it doesnt suit you or clearly upsets the RA DONT EAT IT. Fish oils and stuff fine for osteo arthritis but no extra help for repairing wonky immune systems that cause RA.
I have read some good evidence for ginger and turmeric reducing inflammation and fish oils helping in OA.
I have met some RAers that really are terribly badly effected by certain foods. I find the only thing that really clearly upsets the RA in me is mono sodium glutimate rich foods like chinese takeaways and other junk food so I tend to have things cooked from scratch.
I am Jenni, married 3 children (almost 16, 13 and 3.5yrs) and I have severe RA. Been through pretty much every treatment going and I am 35. I have a dynamic and exciting life (honest) and involved in social enterprise developing wrap around supports for adoptive families and doing volunteering. I am a medically retired primary teacher- I do writing and also I do training in engaging children who have early trauma.
I hope to see your name again as you are very welcome here.
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Karen
Welcome to the forum. It is good to hear your are being proactive about your RA but I am not sure that a special diet will help. I spoke to my RA Consultant about diets and which foods to eat and not to eat when I was first diagnosed two and half years ago. He said he believes that food does not affect RA and he has not heard of any diet that has ever helped. He said that if there was, he was sure it would be available on prescription. Obviously losing weight will help the impact on joints but I think just sensible eating and a little gentle exercise is really the only way to a better control of RA.
Keep posting as it keeps us talking and thinking. My fingers are definitely not fat with all the "talking" I do online.
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Karen, and welcome to the forum. Good luck if you try the diet, but I have to say I don`t feel food plays a part in controlling RA, and nor does my rheumy team. I try to eat reasonably healthily, for weight reasons. I`m Kathleen diagnosed over 5 years ago, and currently on humira. Take care, Kathleen C x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/14/2011
Posts: 8
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Julia17 wrote:I gather you have had a word with your GP about this problem with some foods, I presume you take some type of stomach protector like omeprazole, still might be worth mentioning this when you next see your consultant. When I was diagnosed I met a wonderfully consultant and rheumatology nurse, unfortunatly that was the only time I saw that consultant as every other appointment was with one of 'his doctors' and since he retired last year I have only seen 'his doctors' and have no idea who my actual consultant is! The doctors I see are only interested in the blood test results and not how I am! I was told that I could live without the foods that were giving me problems so just stop eating them (I am on Lansoprazole for my stomach)! When I asked about diet one doctor bluntly cut me off and said 'we don't perscribe diets for rheumatoid arthritis' then refused to discuss further. The rheumatology nurse was wonderful but unfortunatly she left and the next nurse I saw decided I did not need to see their department again, I have left a message to speak to a nurse regarding this diet but no-one has rang back and I have left 2 messages so far (1 a week). I have an appointment to see my GP on Friday regarding this diet but she seems to prefer to leave things to the hospital so I'll wait and see what she has to say. I feel I have to look for alternatives as I don't have faith in the people who are perscribing my medication. Thanks for all your comments.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/14/2011
Posts: 8
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Just like to say sorry for complaining so much!
Just struggling to cope at the moment and I need to cope as my children need me.
X X X X
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Never say sorry on here Karen, you can complain as much as you like. It certainly sounds as if you have not got a good rheumarology team (nor are you alone there !). Is there any chance you could change to a different hospital? Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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crisscross wrote:Just like to say sorry for complaining so much!
Just struggling to cope at the moment and I need to cope as my children need me.
X X X X
well I DO UNDERSTAND this about the children- but you need a drug review and stomach protector. Eating more fish wont help with an immune system disorder. sorry but it wont. I fully appreciate how desperate it can feel when you hoped things would be better so easily but things arent always like that and you need to have a drug review. There are literally dozens to choose from and they give peoples lives back.
It sounds like the rheumatology team need to be disposed of and so I suggest you make an appt to see the GP and explain the situation and ask for a second opinion. I have gastric issues and it turned out I had a peptic ulcer and that was so easily sorted and I have NO ISSUES that end although I have got colitis (the other end!).
I am going to be a bit bossy now (you have been warned!) GO TO THE GP AND GET YOUR TUMMY THINGS CHECKED. stomach ulcers are ever so serious if untreated. PLEASE PLEASE GO. If you have one you may also be really anaemic which goes someway, with the RA to explain the fatigue. PLEASE!
Where abouts (roughly) in the country are you? lots of good heads on here can tell you about the various good teams about to go and see.
My youngest child is 3 and she is a very lovely little bubbly person who is always on the go. I get support with being an independent Mum which means we lead a very happy life together. This is paid for through the direct payments scheme through the council.
Sorry no-one was able to say this diet bk had saved them from RA and the drugs which is, I guess, what you were hoping to hear. Diets are not the answer to RA- people make millions out of peoples misery on diet scams and if there was a diet or supplement that had strong evidence for, well! we would all be on it and saving the NHS a fortune!
I certainly would!
With kindest support and a bit of bossy finger wagging!
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Karen
Welcome to the forum.
As many others have said - there is no quick fix for RA and I, too, have tried all the diets under the sun and they have all ended up in the bin! However, I find that tomatoes and citrus fruits "upset" my joints so I tend to avoid them whenever possible.
I also think you should ask your GP for a second opinion, especially as you have tummy probs.
I'm Jean, a scary almost 68, maried to Steve with one daughter, Lucy, fab s-i-l and 2 gorgeous grandchildren.
Take care and keep posting - oh yes and beware of old bossy boots Jenni!!!!!
Lots of love
Jeanxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello and Welcome from me.
Sorry you have RA at such a young age. Poor you. Never moan on here we all do at times and it does
not matter as we all understand this horrid RA.
Jenni has really been through the mill and she has young children so I am sure you will find solace
chatting to her.
My name is Rose aged 57 from Somerset. Diagnosed 2008 failed in 3 DMARDS and just had my first
injection of Humira. No improvement so far but early days. I am married to Mike and have 2 grown
up children and 1 Granddaughter.
Keep posting
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Karen, I am Barbara, married with four kids, well grown ups really, youngest goes to uni in September. I am afraid I agree completely with everyone re diets, like Lyn and Jenni say, if they really worked we would all be on them courtesy of the NHS. Obviously, with stomach issues its certainly a good idea to get chcked over by your GP.
I'm sure its hard work with your little ones, I actually childmind two little boys of 2.5 and 15 months, three days a week, and yes, its very hard going but I do enjoy it and will carry on as long as I am able. You can be an amazing parent without being fully mobile, so long as you have some support, Jenni has the right idea and uses the direct payment scheme, this will give you support and also enable you to join in with what your little ones want to do.
I hope you will continue to post on here, its lovely to "meet" you and I wish you well BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/26/2010 Posts: 71 Location: London
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Hi Karen,
Welcome to the forum, there's always lots of good advice on here!
I'm 34 and was only diagnosed Autumn 2010, so still trying to find the right meds. I agree with the others that there is no magic 'cure' and that medication is really important to limit joint damage. I have, however, found that dairy and I no longer get on since getting RA. I've been vegetarian most of my life and always been lactose intolerant -avoiding milk and cream completely but able to 'get away with' some cheese. Since RA if I accidentally eat a bought sandwich with butter on it I soon know about it and cheese makes my joints unbearably painful, so now I'm almost vegan (I still eat free-range eggs).
I'm really interested in diet and RA as I think some of us could really benefit from adding or excluding foods to limit our symptoms, which in conjunction with the right meds may give us a better daily life! I'd be really interested to hear how you get on...
Vicky xx
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