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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / March 2006Always RA?
Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under contol with drugs. Thanks > Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it > sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under > contol with drugs. Thanks Please understand that you are asking for anyone's opinion,,,, not an explanation from a doctor about your specific case. You probably will get both sides of this but that will not help you to get specific information that concerns just you. There are several types of arthritis that can be called RA. My quick answer is that RA does not get cured but can go into remission for years or shorter periods of time. For many people,,,,, it is the stress of just normal life that when things go bad,,, RA flares up and medicine is needed to control the damage that RA can do. I myself have had periods of as much as 10 months where the medicine I can for RA was not needed and I donated 6 months to someone my RD thought was needy enough for them to take it. The truth of it is that inflammatory arthritis is very different for most people and which medicines and how much a persons takes IS why we pay the Rheumatologists the big bucks. The good news is they are just now starting to solve the cause of inflam.arth. and a person coming down with it today can still have a good life that does not mean that they have to use a wheelchair or have someone take care of them. I started to come down with RA when I was 38 even though I did not realize I was coming down with it and I am 67 and still have a active life with some pain here and there but its not bad enough to keep me from doing most things. I hope this helps a little. Harv >> Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it >> sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > keep me from doing most things. I hope this helps a little. > Harv As ever it does Harv, thanks Stuart I was tested first for RA when I was 6 and again when I was 17 and yet again in my early 20'ds. Always had the symptoms, but the tests came back negative. When I was finally diagnosed at around 42, they said I probably had it all along with very long remissions. I was in California for 7 years with absolutely no symptoms whatsoever. Kinda makes me wish I still lived there........It was a good time. DianeW > Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it > sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under > contol with drugs. Thanks Many people get relief by finding their Hidden Food Allergies (wheat, corn, dairy, etc.). Hidden Food Allergies may trigger arthritis, acne, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, fatigue, hayfever, migraines, ADD, and many other health problems. People don't realize this because a reaction can occur up til 72 hours after an offending food is eaten. Several doctors have written books about this. You should be able to find a few at the library. Try, "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution". You can also call either a naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org) or an alternative doctor (www.acam.org) for more info. It doesn't hurt to talk to them for 5 minutes. Brad_Chad >> Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it >> sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Brad_Chad Quack. Thumper NOT many people have food allergies that cause RA. When I asked my consultant 27 years ago how many patients she had with food allergies (out of hundreds) she said 1. Peter > NOT many people have food allergies that cause RA. > When I asked my consultant 27 years ago how many > patients she had with food allergies (out of hundreds) she said 1. > > Peter Diclidoph, I think that you should talk to a few alternative and naturopathic doctors. They might tell you otherwise. It may not cure it, but many people notice a measurable improvement. There are also a few books about this. You might be able to find a few at the library. Try, "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution". Brad_Chad I tried Dr Dong's fish diet for about 8 weeks when I first got RA. It seemed to make the RA worse and nearly drove me mad with boredom. That was enough. Peter > I tried Dr Dong's fish diet for about 8 weeks when I first got RA. It > seemed to make the RA worse and nearly drove me mad with boredom. That > was enough. > > Peter What does this have to do with Hidden Food Allergies? You didn't bother to study what I'm talking about, and you made yourself look like a fool, Peter. Brad_Chad >> I tried Dr Dong's fish diet for about 8 weeks when I first got RA. It >> seemed to make the RA worse and nearly drove me mad with boredom. That [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Brad_Chad Welllll, we gather here to talk about what has taken place in your lives and what we think about what took place. Your use of the word "fool" is out of place here. You are not the first person to talk about what you think and you will not be the last. Just try to do it with out the name calling. Harv Harv. Thanks. Peter > Harv. > > Thanks. > > Peter No,,, thank you for your story,,, your opinion and taking part here. It is what makes this newsgroup a real place to come where people help each other with what life has taught them. Harv > >> I tried Dr Dong's fish diet for about 8 weeks when I first got RA. It > >> seemed to make the RA worse and nearly drove me mad with boredom. That [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > calling. > Harv Don't provoke me by being sarcastic or condescending. Which Peter was. His comment about the fish diet was meant to belittle me. He had it coming. Brad_Chad >> Welllll, we gather here to talk about what has taken place in your lives >> and what we think about what took place. Your use of the word "fool" [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Brad_Chad How long have you been on the internet, Brad? If you are easy to provoke, you will be nothing else. Harv Harv Actually, the fish diet item was true. I DID try Dr Dong's fish diet. No provocation, or condescention intended, just a straightforward account of something I did. It didn't work. I am sure Dr Dong would be as dissapointed as some of the other people mentioned by Brad, but I don't see why Brad should be so upset. If you have'nt read Dr Dong's book Brad, perhaps you should. I do not believe that food allergy is a significant (though it may operate in a few cases) cause of RA AND I am also entitled to my opinion. Peter My RD has told me to avoid luncheon meat, sausage (all kinds), hot dogs, etc. He swears that kind of stuff will make the RA flare. Not sure if it does or not because hubby and I don't eat it anyway, so avoiding it wasn't a problem. Jean > My RD has told me to avoid luncheon meat, sausage (all kinds), hot dogs, > etc. He swears that kind of stuff will make the RA flare. Not sure if it > does or not because hubby and I don't eat it anyway, so avoiding it wasn't > a problem. > > Jean Agreed, agreed,,, I take flackseed pills for the omega oils and I am sure that some foods will bother some people and really bad for other people butttttt I can not say that it is a cure or a cause of inflam.arth.. In the same kind of thing,,,, the latest info about gluco and condr. is that is does nothing for you but all of us have seen people here that swear by it. Cush comes to mind...... I can read people speaking both ways AND NOT CALL ONE OF THEM A FOOL OR both of them. Now if they are trying to sell what is being talked about,,,, that another story. Harv >> My RD has told me to avoid luncheon meat, sausage (all kinds), hot dogs, >> etc. He swears that kind of stuff will make the RA flare. Not sure if it [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Harv One huge problem with RA studies is that at any given time up to a third of the people with RA may be on the leading edge of a flare, a third in a stable stage and a third on the decline from a flare. Combine that with placebos and it's a very long and tricky study. Ra as we all know, is highly unpredictable. It doesn't behave like most diseases that progressively bet worse in a straight line. You can be doing everything in your power to take care of yourself, be feeling great and suddenly spiral into a severe flare in a matter of hours. 6 days or 6 weeks later the flare can go away just as suddenly. Try to put your finger on the cause, LOL Thumper > Ra >as we all know, is highly unpredictable. It doesn't behave like most [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >days or 6 weeks later the flare can go away just as suddenly. Try to >put your finger on the cause, So true, Thumper. I woke up this morning and hurt all over. Had a shower and felt a little better, broke down and took two Tylenol, and actually ended up having a pretty good day. Other days I start out fine then bam! In other words, I hardly know from one day to another how I will be. Until I joined this forum I wondered if I was imagining things, the way it jumped from joint to joint. I came here and discovered I wasn't crazy after all. That was a relief. :-) --- Joan > Agreed, agreed,,, I take flackseed pills for the omega oils and I am sure > that some foods will bother some people and really bad for other people [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Harv Well, I have never been sarcastic or condescending with anyone, so I wouldn't deserve to be called a fool. Brad_Chad > Well, I have never been sarcastic or condescending with anyone, so > I wouldn't deserve to be called a fool. You have been nothing but condescending... and it would benefit all of us if you would show enough respect for the folks here to at least scan the archives of this group before you jump in head first. Food allergies have been part of the discussion for many years. The wisdom and first hand knowledge possessed by many of the 'gimps' that hang out here would humble you ifn' ya turned that megaphone down a notch.. Every few months someone shows up with the notion that if we poor ol' gimps would just stop eating so many tomatoes all would be right with the world. The assumption always being that after living with, treating, researching and discussing Arthritis for decades the novel idea that diet might have some effect on disease slipped right by us. DUH. After coming in here and insulting several hundred intelligent, creative people living their lives with dignity and humor despite constant and crippling pain you should be grateful no one has strung you up by your ankles and spray painted "condescending fool" on your skinny butt. johnie Excellent comment Johnie Peter > You have been nothing but condescending... > and it would benefit all of us if you would show enough respect for the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > you up by your ankles and spray painted "condescending fool" on > your skinny butt. I'm not sure that you know what "condescending" means. I never said that food allergies have not been talked about here. I said that you obviously didn't get it. I never said that tomatoes affects everybody. The whole point of Hidden Food Allergies (HFA) is that different foods affect different people in different ways. The thing that I don't understand is why people would spend 10 times as much energy talking about it, than they would spend doing it. It only takes a few days to see if you have Hidden Food Allergies, and it isn't just about arthritis. It is about overall health. Some people love the fact that it has given them more energy. Others love the fact that it has stopped their food cravings, and helped them lose weight. Brad_Chad > johnie > Every few months someone shows up with the >notion that if we poor ol' gimps would just stop eating so many >tomatoes all would be right with the world. The assumption always being >that after living with, treating, researching and discussing Arthritis >for decades the novel idea that diet might have some effect on disease >slipped right by us. DUH. Right on Johnie! I get so tired of the preaching to the "uninformed". I tried all sorts of diets and they did not help, but Remicade put me in remission, so I will stick with conventional treatment. -- MZ MZ Yes this is basically what I was trying to get across to the preacher person at the beginning of the thread. Was it worth the effor?. No not really, but it is a thread that has stimulated interest. Peter > Right on Johnie! I get so tired of the preaching to the > "uninformed". I tried all sorts of diets and they did not help, but > Remicade put me in remission, so I will stick with conventional > treatment. -- MZ Conventional medicine is in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. Alternative doctors know that diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way. People try many diets, but they don't try diets given by a highly trained professional. My alternative doctor is a licensed M.D.. He graduated from a state medical school just like other doctors. He says that he gets rid of ADHD in about HALF of his ADHD patients, by finding their hidden food allergies. He gets major improvement in about another third. This isn't 100%, but it shows that drugs are overprescribed. He can't "cure" anybody from arthritis, but diet can get you part of the way there. I had eczema, hayfever, severe joint pain, chronic fatigue, and IBS. They all went away after I found my Hidden Food Allergies. Everybody won't get the same results, but it is worth a try. Brad_Chad > Right on Johnie! I get so tired of the preaching to the > "uninformed". I tried all sorts of diets and they did not help, but > Remicade put me in remission, so I will stick with conventional > treatment. -- MZ Conventional medicine is in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. Alternative doctors know that diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way. People try many diets, but they don't try diets given by a highly trained professional. My alternative doctor is a licensed M.D.. He graduated from a state medical school just like other doctors. He says that he gets rid of ADHD in about HALF of his ADHD patients, by finding their hidden food allergies. He gets major improvement in about another third. This isn't 100%, but it shows that drugs are overprescribed. He can't "cure" anybody from arthritis, but diet can get you part of the way there. I had eczema, hayfever, severe joint pain, chronic fatigue, and IBS. They all went away after I found my Hidden Food Allergies. Everybody won't get the same results, but it is worth a try. Brad_Chad > Right on Johnie! I get so tired of the preaching to the > "uninformed". I tried all sorts of diets and they did not help, but > Remicade put me in remission, so I will stick with conventional > treatment. -- MZ Conventional medicine is in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. Alternative doctors know that diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way. People try many diets, but they don't try diets given by a highly trained professional. My alternative doctor is a licensed M.D.. He graduated from a state medical school just like other doctors. He says that he gets rid of ADHD in about HALF of his ADHD patients, by finding their hidden food allergies. He gets major improvement in about another third. This isn't 100%, but it shows that drugs are overprescribed. He can't "cure" anybody from arthritis, but diet can get you part of the way there. I had eczema, hayfever, severe joint pain, chronic fatigue, and IBS. They all went away after I found my Hidden Food Allergies. Everybody won't get the same results, but it is worth a try. Brad_Chad Brad - watch it. Looks as tho your are getting finger lock. (3 copies of your posting !) Peter > Brad - watch it. > Looks as tho your are getting finger lock. (3 copies of your posting !) > > Peter Well, it is better than brain lock. Brad_Chad Have you got that as well ? Obviously an allerghic response to asa Peter >> Every few months someone shows up with the >> notion that if we poor ol' gimps would just stop eating so many [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Remicade put me in remission, so I will stick with conventional > treatment. -- MZ just keep them away from me! I'm planning to ahve 4, count 'em 4! kinds of otmatoes in the garden this year.  SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Nann I eat tomatoes every day. Love em. Also, whatever they say about RA, they are supposed to keep prostate cancer at bay. Maybe they do maybe they don't but they are a very good food. Peter >just keep them away from me! I'm planning to ahve 4, count 'em 4! kinds of >otmatoes in the garden this year. Nann, my husband wants to know what kind of tomatoes. He lives for tomatoes and we have tried many kinds. If tomatoes cause RA and MS, we are doomed. :-) --- Joan >> just keep them away from me! I'm planning to ahve 4, count 'em 4! kinds >> of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > --- > Joan ummm, let me see---- the classic Burpee's Big Boy, then Viva Italia paste tomatoes, Yellow Pear and Cherokee Purple (bought all my seeds from Burpee). The last 2 are new to me, but we have such a lovely place for a sunny vegetable garden I decided to try lots of stuff. Also, we learned last fall that you can freeze tomatoes to use in wintertime cooking so I'm not worried about having too many! SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare >ummm, let me see---- > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >try lots of stuff. Also, we learned last fall that you can freeze tomatoes >to use in wintertime cooking so I'm not worried about having too many! We have grown Cherokee Purple, they are lovely. Good luck! --- Joan >My RD has told me to avoid luncheon meat, sausage (all kinds), hot dogs, >etc. He swears that kind of stuff will make the RA flare. Not sure if it >does or not because hubby and I don't eat it anyway, so avoiding it wasn't a >problem. > >Jean Ask him for the studies that show this. Thumper > My RD has told me to avoid luncheon meat, sausage (all kinds), hot dogs, > etc. He swears that kind of stuff will make the RA flare. Not sure if it > does or not because hubby and I don't eat it anyway, so avoiding it wasn't a > problem. > > Jean Finding your Hidden Food Allergies should be done in certain steps. You just don't choose a food out of thin air. This is why I have said that you should read some books about it. You can also talk to a naturopathic doctor or an alternative doctor (www.acam.org). Brad_Chad >Harv > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Peter Did it ever occur to these people that finding a food allergy that affects RA might just prove that the supposed RA that it affects may not have been RA in the first place? Thumper > Harv > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Peter Explain this. I had eczema, severe hayfever, severe joint pain, chronic fatigue, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Within days of eliminating corn derivatives and dairy products from my diet, they were all gone. My co-worker eliminated dairy from her diet, and her psoriasis disappeared, along with her IBS. There was an article in The Wall Street Journal in 2005, about some doctors trying to find out why some people with autism had significant improvement once they removed certain foods from their diet. I have talked to several alternative doctors that have said that their patients made significant improvement with this. You can find many people throughout Google newsgroups that will explain how Hidden Food Allergies had an effect on their arthritis and dozens of other health problems. This is about significantly more energy, healthier skin and gums, and better overall health. Brad_Chad >> Harv >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Brad_Chad And we are saying the above is not true for some people. Dealing with inflam.arth. is not easy. The pain and swelling is real. The loss of function is real and with most people with inflam.arth,,,, the joint damage is real. Brad,,,, I tested positive for TB and had to take what a person takes to get TB out of their system. Powerful antibiotic that completely cleaned me out in an explosive way,,,,, Zipppp, 10 months without the need for my Enbrel shot. Aaah man,,,, no morning pain,,, life is very good annnnd slowly it came back and I take a shot every now and then. I did start taking Acidophilus to put the good bacteria back in my system which made me better than normal shall we say. The thing is that it has be proven that with some inflam. arth. ,,, you get from your parents and with other inflam.arth some people get it early in life, others late in life.... me,,, I was 38 and was in the prime of my life. I want you to understand that I do not think anyone is saying your words about diet are wrong but then most everyone will say that it is not the only answer. nuffff said by me..... Harv >>> Harv >>> [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] >nuffff said by me..... >Harv And it is far from proven that it has any effect on RA. Most of us have other things wrong with us and diet may help with those things. The trouble is that you can turn on TV any day and see somebody claiming that diet will cure all. Don't you think that any of us have completely changed their diet since being diagnosed with RA? Thumper > And we are saying the above is not true for some people. Dealing with > inflam.arth. is not easy. The pain and swelling is real. The loss of [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > nuffff said by me..... > Harv Your statement proves that people don't pay attention to what is actually said. You took what I said and distorted it. I never, ever said anything about Hidden Food Allergies being the only answer. Brad_Chad Brad. I am better qualified than you will ever be. Don't tell me about research. I'll take you to the moon and back on this subject, you insulting little squirt. You are ntitled to your opinion, but don't make it personal when you don't know who or what you are talking about Peter > Brad. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Peter My opinion is shared by many licensed doctors, who went to med schools just like any other doctor. Many of them have lots of credentials. They have written several books. Why don't you go to the library and read some of them. Try, "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution". You can also try, "Food Allergies and Food Intolerance" by Dr. Jonathan Brostoff. There is another book called, "Hidden Food Allergies" by Dr. Stephen Astor. Write them and tell them that they don't know what they are talking about. Brad_Chad >> Brad. >> [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Brad_Chad No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is what is being disputed here. Thumper Thumper. Thank you. Peter > No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is > what is being disputed here. > Thumper Somebody in this thread has already said that their arthritis got better by removing nightshade vegetables from their diet. There are thousands of doctors in the USA that say that many of their patients improve. Remember, I said that it is not only about arthritis. It is about OVERALL good health, like more energy, healthier looking skin and gums, etc.. Some people say that they get better sleep. Brad_Chad >> No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is >> what is being disputed here. >> Thumper > > Somebody in this thread has already said that their arthritis got >better by removing nightshade vegetables from their diet. I don't recall that but even so, what proof is there that it affected RA at all. Most people here will tell you that for years and years the only reliable thing about RA id that it is constantly changing. >There are >thousands of doctors in the USA that say that many of their patients [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Brad_Chad Then maybe it doesn't affect arthritis at all maybe it affects the overall good health. Thumper > >> No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is > >> what is being disputed here. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > RA at all. Most people here will tell you that for years and years > the only reliable thing about RA id that it is constantly changing. On Feb. 21, Navy1 wrote that nightshade vegetables seemed to cause some improvement in her husband's arthritis (I think it was her husband). Read it for yourself. On Feb. 24, Jean kind of hinted that luncheon meat seemed to have an affect. Both of these statements are in this thread. I didn't say that it always causes a complete cure. Brad_Chad > >There are > >thousands of doctors in the USA that say that many of their patients [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > overall good health. > Thumper Read the above statements, carefully. Brad_Chad >>>>No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is >>>>what is being disputed here. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > affect. Both of these statements are in this thread. I didn't say that > it always causes a complete cure. n=2 Signaturespammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ >> >> No one says food allergies don't exist. The connection with RA is >> >> what is being disputed here. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Brad_Chad "seemed to cause some improvement in his arthritis? Hinted that luncheon meat seemed to have an effect? There is no medical evidence that diet affects RA. Thumper >> >There are >> >thousands of doctors in the USA that say that many of their patients [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Brad_Chad I suggest you read the statements carefully. Thumper My husband noticed a definite connection between potatoes, tomatoes, and other nightshade family foods, and his arthritic pain. By no means, was it the whole cause, but there definitely was a difference. Loujean >> Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it >> sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Brad_Chad >My husband noticed a definite connection between potatoes, tomatoes, >and other nightshade family foods, and his arthritic pain. By no >means, was it the whole cause, but there definitely was a difference. > >Loujean Some people swear by copper bracelets and magnets also but that doesn't make it so. I don't know everything about RA but I do know that just when you think you've learned something about it such as "I hurt more when I eat Apples." It jumps up and kicks you in the a.s and completely changes. Next time it hurts when you DON"T eat apples. Thumper >>> Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it >>> sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >> >> Brad_Chad > My husband noticed a definite connection between potatoes, tomatoes, > and other nightshade family foods, and his arthritic pain. By no > means, was it the whole cause, but there definitely was a difference. > > Loujean Thanks, Loujean. There are many people that have a Hidden Food Sensitivity to nightshade vegetables. Like I said, it isn't a complete cure for arthritis, but it does make a difference. Hidden Food Sensitivities do get rid of symptoms for some people who have certain conditions. For example, my alternative doctor says that he can get rid of ADD in about half the people that he sees, about 30% have measurable improvement, and the rest cannot be helped with food. It is still a better alternative than drugs that can cause a heart attack. Brad_Chad > Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it > sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under > contol with drugs. Thanks Afraid it does, Teddy. Although one does hear of the mythological case of 'RA BURN OUT' after 27 years of waiting for it to happen to me I have yet to meet even one person who knows of any other person who has lost or misplaced their RA. I believe any anecdotal cases that do exist were likely mis-dagnosed at the off-set. The reality is once RA becomes a part of your life it truly remains a lifelong companion. Like the traditional marriage vow "til death do us part"... johnie Johnie, Just thought I would add this to our discussion. My neighbour had RA very bad - had terrible crippled hands and could not get about. The doctor put her on MTX, she had a bad reaction to it and went into a coma. After 3 months her husband requested the life support to be turned off - a miracle , she held her own and the arthritis was gone. She still has the crippled hands etc but no pain. I don't wish this remedy for anyone but for her it was a blessing. >Johnie, >Just thought I would add this to our discussion. My neighbour had RA [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >She still has the crippled hands etc but no pain. I don't wish this >remedy for anyone but for her it was a blessing. Many of us have gone into temporary remission while having the flu or some other ailment. It seems that the body may do so simply because it has something real to pay attention to and sets aside the RA while the autoimmune system is doing so. Thumper There's always the possibility of remission. From what I've read, remission is no symptoms and no drugs. > Does RA stay with everyone forever once it's diagnosed or does it > sometimes just' 'go away'? I'm not talking about getting it under > contol with drugs. Thanks Hi Teddy, What wonderful hope we would all have if we could say there was a cure. I prayed every day for 14years for a cure. This week I have been asked to help some researchers - had to answer lots of questions and my health will be followed for the next x years - I hope my little contribution will help find a cure. I have noticed that some people find the potato, and tomato family to irritate their RA. I find sugar and any food high in sugar to irritate my arthritis. Just take notice when your arthritis gets bad what you have eaten at least in the last 24 hours. You may not be allergic to any foods. Best of luck Gail When I went to see a rheumatologist in 1998 after about 12 or so years of the nearest I am ever going to get to remission (no DMARDs, bloodwork more or less normal and only 100 mg diclofenac daily for the pain), he told me that my RA had burned out. I thought the man was something of a fool and I had an inkling that my RA might be starting up again. I the went to see another rheumatologist and he told me that the RA was in remission and unlikely to come back. So 20 years after getting it I was supposed to be in remission. The second rheumatologist ate his words when about a year later I was well on the way to developing full blown RA again. I did, with an CRP of around 100. I took sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and gold. Nothing had any effect until I started on enbrel - and that took 3 months to kick in. I am still not in total medicated remission, but am close to it, but a lot of damage has been done to my joints. In general if you have severe RA, it will be with you for life, active or in remission. You can hope for remission and you may be lucky and get a long one. I know of one lucky lady who had RA and had a remission during pregnancy and the RA had not come back 18 years later ! That, I think, is the best you can hope for. Gold is one of the few drugs which has put some people into permanent remission. I knew a man who got RA when he was in the RAF during the war (say 25 years old) and he was still in remission at age 70. He WAS lucky. Keep hoping folks. One day a cure (or total control) of this devastating disease will come. Peter Peter Regarding diet and the symptoms Brad was talking about: psoriasis, irritable bowel, etc.. Those ALL are signs of spondyloarthropathy which would be either: AS (ankylosing spondylitis, which I have), RA (REACTIVE arthritis, not rheumatoid), or PSA (Psoriatic arthritis), NOT RHEUMATOID, though the symptoms can be sort of close in some cases. Diet has worked for some with spondyloarthropathies, because it has a different orgin than RA does. Most with spondy have a gene hla b27, but not all with that gene have spondy. One theory is that bacteria escape from the gut and our bodies attack it. Because this bacteria (mainly klebsiella p) has a surface look that is close to hla-b27, the theory is that the body attacks the bacteria and the genes, causing the inflammatory arthritic process. Molecular mimicry plays a big part in this, but I won't get into that part of it here. Anyway, this bacteria feeds on starch. Therefore the theory that a no starch diet will starve the bacteria and cause the symptoms to dissipate. There are many, many people with spondyloarthropathy who claim this has helped them. The other scary part of this theory is (if it's true), is that NSAIDS thin our intenstinal linings. This is something we would NOT want to do, if it is bacteria escaping through our intestinal linings which sets off the original problem. (Just an interesting aside.) Since all of this has absolutely nothing to do with the origins of RA, I doubt that it would work for most people with RA. BTW, even though I have AS, I have tried a low starch diet which did nothing for me. Best to all with any type of arthritis, Char |
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