Dear Red,

I wanted to welcome you to our group and assure you that we understand
your challenges for the future.  Keep reading and talking with us!
This is a great group.

And no I haven't noticed any changes in diet to help.  But others may
have an opinon on this as well.

Take care,

Vickie B.

Hi, Red. Diet is important, but not exclusive. Some people cannot do
nightshades (tomatoes, etc.) while others have no problem with them. Some
can't do citrus but others can. So you can see it's pretty individualized.
Have you seen a rheumatologist? That's crucial as they are the ones with the
specialized training for us. I have been on plaquenil, arthrotec, prednisone
and methotrexate for several years now. The side effects for me was the pill
form of methotrexate (MTX). It made me so sick I couldn't keep it or
anything else down. So now I'm on the injectible MTX once a week. Much
better for me.

It all comes down to the regime you and your rheumatologist (RD) come up
with. Remember that this is your body and that you need to be a proactive,
not just reactive patient. Educate yourself as much as possible. There are
several good sites on the web that will teach you all you ever wanted to
know about RA and all the little fun stuff that goes with it. Just remember
that millions live fairly full lives while battling this disease. Life is
not over, just readjusted.

Hope that helps. Welcome to our little sandbox. Come and play and tell us a
little about yourself. We're nosey here.

DeeTee (one word, two names)

HI Red,
I started out with plaquenil also, but then went to the MTX and now enbrel
also. The mtx only made me tired, no stomach issues, drink plenty of water.
As far as food, like everyone has said it is individual, I find that sugar,
onions and wheat are big triggers for me but sugar is the worst for me.
Good luck,
Becky

HI red,
Just a welcome here. I have osteo/ddd and can't help much on the ra side. I
can say I also
raised a son with whom I could do little physically. It was very frustrating
at times. I used to be very athletic and my son is physically talented. I
was unable to pass on my love of sports to him by example. He still has
developed into a fine young man (15) and I am only a little disappointed in
myself. Actually, not myself just the circumstance.
GaryZ

Hi, Red!

Sorry you have reason to be here. But I'm glad you found us. We are a
particularly warm fuzzy group (well, most of us).

I am 46 and was 'diagnosed' w/RA a couple of years ago, though we had been
trying to figure it all out for over six years. Am on Plaquenil and
Arthrotec. Working for me so far. I also got a huge amount of relief when I
started taking Vitamin D, too. Turns out I was such a veg on the couch that
I wasn't getting outside enough (and in New England, sunny days aren't
frequent during the winter so you have to load up when you can).  Vitamin D
deficiency causes joint and muscle pain, so I was making it worse by trying
to rest to ease the pain. Bad cycle.

I have two kids, 14 and 8. In the years before I was diagnosed, running
after the younger child was tough, so I can empathize. Four boys! What
energy! Are you able to enroll the older kids in some things that would keep
them active, but all you would have to do is drive? My kids are in karate.
When my son was younger, I had him in preschool. It's age appropriate
stimulation for them, and some time without demands for you.

I haven't really noticed a dietary component to the RA. Dairy fat (ice
cream, etc.) makes some of my random neurological stuff act up.

Just so you know, we are a group that loves chocolate. There are some
unscrupulous people here who steal other people's chocolate. I would be
happy to act in my official capacity as guardian of any dark chocolate you
might be concerned about safekeeping ;-)

Adelle