Would love to hear from others who have Rheumatoid Arthritis (or other auto-immune diseases) and are taking a natural approach to treating their disease.

I'm currently on taking vitamins, as recommended by my Rheumatologist.

I'm also eating a Vegan diet, as well as yoga stretches and looking forward to swimming (water therapy in our heated community pool) when our weather improves.

When needed, I do take an over the counter anti-inflammatory. 

The combination of above, is much more appealing vs. the cancer treatment drugs and other solutions available in prescription form.  My Rheumatologist is very supportive, though, she said my efforts will obviously not turn around the damage that already is in my body.

Any experiences to share?

Hey Amelia,

I do not have Rheumatoid Arthritis, but I suffer from Fibromyalgia Syndrome. It comes with painful widespread arthritis, insomnia and many other awful symptoms.
I do not take any medication for it, and I have not taken anything to treat since I was 17. I was diagnosed at 15.
The medication that I was on did more damage than any good. I don't mean it in a bad way to medical science, not when they can cure other diseases, but the medications that the dr prescribed had more side effects than the symptoms of my own illness!

The only thing I take that I find helps, nettle tea.
I end up drinking peppermint & nettle tea, because the peppermint evens out the peppery taste of the nettle, I find it easier to consume. Nettle is a natual anti-inflamatory and its very high in calcium and antioxidents.
As long as I get at least 1 cup a day every day, pain seems to stay away, but I drink far more than just 1 cup, and on the plus side, there is no caffeine.

Have you considered the superhero plan?  Do you have access to a macrobiotic counselor?  

Hi Amelia -

my mom has RA and has had it for over 30 years now.  She started out with what the doctors told her - gold shots, prescription anti-inflamatory drugs, methatrexate etc....which resulted in sores down her esophogus (gold), a bleeding stomach (the prescription) and a chronic cough and sudden weight loss ( the methatrexate).  So she decided to take another approach, as she says she was sick of the doctors trying to kill her!  So we found an amazing alternative doctor and one of the things that had the biggest impact on her was a radical diet change - not just vegan, but no sugar, no artificial additives or preservitives.  She went into remission for over 15 years.  It did not cure what had been done - she has had to get both her knees and a hip replaced - but the disease went away for over 15 years.  And when she did have the joint replacements, we brought her all her meals (vegan, no sugar, unprocessed) to the hospital - no one could believe her recovery - bilateral knee replacement and up walking without crutches within I think it was two days.   Anyway, eventually the disease did start creeping back in - the diet had started to get sloppy and it just reared up from that or other reasons.  This time she was tested for food sensitivities and came off of wheat and soy and several others.  Again, the pain and swelling greatly diminished.  We also have done a ton of supplements as per our doctor, and actually at this point are doing some things from europe - not the first time we have engaged in using things not yet legal in this country!  Many of which she did 10 or 20 years ago behind closed doors and NOW they are all FDA approved here!  

I wish you luck - its a horrible disease, but I truly believe that you can greatly affect it by what you eat!  My mom is now 79 and is still medication free!

Hi ladies..

Ann - what an inspirational (and motivating) story, about your mom.  15 years of remission is incredible. 

Yes, I've been provided scripts for several of those same types of meds.  Honestly, I have two scripts (lost) somewhere in the house.. I never filled them, after reading the pamplets.  

My mom also has RA.. she is unhealthy, on a medicine cabinet full of prescriptions.. that is not the life that I want. 

Mags - thanks for noting nettle tea.  I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.. she has been in the field for over 30 years.  I'll ask her thoughts on it.  As well, I'm requesting physical therapy, until I can get into full swing with swimming at our community's heated pool. 

February - my husband is active duty military. The majority of our Tricare resources involve prescription medication.  We're fortunate to have a nutritionist and therapy services, available to spouses. However, prescription medication is pushed and the primary form of treatment.  At this time, I'm transitioning to vegan from lacto-ovo veg..

On a side note, I also have a neurological disorder, that I have managed for 25+ years with no meds.  The same as Ann mentioned with her mom (no artificials or preservatives..) there's also research on the connection between these (and food allergies) and my neuro disorder.

 

amelia - sounds like you really are on the ball with all of this!  regarding your mention too of the food allergies/sensitivities - you can totally figure that out in the comfort of your own home to some extent - there are books out there detailing going to a pretty allergy free diet and then adding stuff back in a little at a time and noting symptoms - with my mom, when she came off the wheat and soy overnight this massive edema she had in her feet/ankles disappeared!  and when she introduced a food that didn't work for her, she would get a flare up - but starting from a pretty hypo-allergenic diet is the only way to really determine it all, a pain in the butt but so so worth it!  good luck!

defintily go superhero as much as possible and experience the difference.

love alicia

I'm new (a month into it) to being a vegetarian/vegan approach to health and my mom has RA. She eats food that don't support a healthy body and I was wondering if anyone can give me a list of foods (those listed and those not listed in Alicia's book. I can't find a list in it.) that are anti-inflammatory. Thank you ya'll!

Ladies, thanks so much for the follow up..

I have an appointment with my Rheumatologist tomorrow... and I know she'll be updating my blood work.

Once I feel completely detoxed from dairy/eggs and have hit a stride, I'll address transitioning.

Ann, the same as your mom edema is an issue with me.  My joints hurt, and I hold fluid (pounds worth) in my body.  It's as visible as it was when I was 8 months pregnant. 

Amanda, Dr. McDougall (search online) is very helpful and has much research regarding autoimmune disease and a vegan diet (and in general, foods to avoid).

I can only share, the printout that my personal Rheumatologist provided with foods to AVOID. 

Keep in mind there are plenty more mentioned on Dr. McDougall's and many other websites. . and that this is just one doctor's recommendation for her patients.
Here it is:

*Red meat including beef and pork

*Chocolate

*Shell fish = shrimp, lobsters, crabs, etc.

*Tomato sauce

*Alcoholic beverages

*Beverages containing caffiene

*Sweets & Mangoes

*Citrus Fruits

Amelia,

Thank you so much for the help. I'm going to pass this on to my mother. She can take it or leave it, but hopefully the former. I don't want to seem pushy to her nor do I want to give up on this newly found info of mine.

 I just think we don't do enough homework and hate to see people whom I love continue to be victims of the media, of budget contraints, and of a lack of self-control that inflict so many of us.

 All of you are fabulous people,

Amandad

 

Amelia,

You are on the right track- and SO wise to go med/prescription free!  I have witnessed this disease completely destroy my aunt over the last 10 years, the change I saw when she began heavily medicating was devastating on her body.  She is only 48 years old and is home bound, on oxygen and completely dependant on her prescriptions. But what is worse is that she has lost her lust for life and any hope of a healthy existence.  It upsets me so much to see how little people experiment with alternative healing when it can be so beneficial, and in many cases a more gentle route than western medicine.  Good luck with everything and don't lose hope!  I have complete faith that you will notice amazing changes as you get more and more disciplined with your diet, just listen to your body, it will let you know what works and what doesn't.  

Best wishes, Natalie

Thanks so much for your kind words, Natalie.

Having another medical issue (neurological), that is also widely treated with heavy doses of prescription medications (most noted a med that is used for high blood pressure), I was ALWYAS leery of popping a pill to feel better.  Found with my other condition, that it simply masked the symptoms, if it helped at all, and created new symptoms due to the significant range of side effects. 

I'm on SEVERAL pages on Facebook and the stories are alarming.  The majority of the persons (also with RA) that post, the main focus of their posts are not the pain --- it's aggravating results w/regard to their MEDICATION. I think reading those posts over the past 6+ months, further reiterated my position that along w/my other disorder - medication is not going to make it all better, anyway.

This is not a 100%.. I'm still having some complicated days.  Certain there are more things that I should eliminate from my diet (e.g. being more careful about not consuming nightshade plants, the idea that perhaps gluten is a factor).  I do recognize Superhero/Macrobiotic may be the better route to go. However, I've got to get a handle on where I'm at currently, before eliminating more things.

I think when a doctor/specialist is so quick to prescribe a medication, without addressing all of the other variable factors that could have created the condition, that should be a red flag to the patient... 

 

I know someone with RA and you asked a natural appoach to treating this.  Please take a look at the following:

1.  http://www.chavadelight.blogspot.com/

Watch:  The Toxic Truth

2.  LISTEN to The Solution: DIAL 712-432-7592; CODE: 133655#; DATE: 082211#     

And LISTEN to dates: 071811#, 032811#, 013111# (30min)

3.  READ Results: www.testimonyinfo.com <-- Click on the letter "R" for RA, but any letter for any condition

4. LISTEN to Results: www.healthwow.net/stories<-- Click on any date to listen - compelling!

5. CHECK OUT:  www.ncdsupport.com  

Antoinette

Hello everyone,

I started to have joint pain in my hands, feet and knees when I was in my mid-20s.  Then I began to notice changes in my hand joints (knuckles on left hand were disfigured) so I went to my family doctor.  He took x-rays and noticed there was joint damage.  I was recommended to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me with RA at 29 (I'm now 32).  My Rheumatologist immediately prescribed Methotrexate, Plaquenil and Folic Acid supplements.  I decided to seek out information on alternative treatments, supplements, lifestyle changes, etc. while continuing with the meds.  I started regular acupuncture treatments (starting first going twice a week, then once and now I go once monthly to maintain) and they really helped to reduce the joint pain.  In addition, I have been practicing yoga for several years and I believe just trying to stay active makes a huge impact on the pain (although I know it's hard sometimes to push yourself to go especially when the pain is bad).  The biggest impact though I believe has been switching to a vegan diet about 5 months ago.  I went to see my Rheumatologist recently and he could not believe how well I'm doing.  I am now in remission and taking half the meds I used to (working on getting off meds altogether).  Unfortunately, my doctor refuses to believe that my diet or lifestyle choices have anything to do with it.  But, after 3 years of suffering I'm finally pain free and feeling great again.  I wish the best to all of you dealing with RA and hope that you find relief soon as well!