Acupuncture to reduce inflammation

[Joy_1]

Hi All

I have UCTD and am in the final stages, I HOPE of getting off steroids. I'm down to 1.5mg Pred. It's taken me about 5 years to get to this point so I am super chuffed. However I cannot move on as my right hand (wrist, index finger + little finger) are objecting to a further drop.

My physio, who I am seeing for hand therapy treatment is suggesting I have acupuncture. I have had acupuncture in the past for pain both before developing an autoimmune disease (right shoulder - too much time spent at the computer sitting badly) + a couple of years back to ease the pain in my feet but never for inflammation.

I respond very well to acupuncture for pain relief so I'm keen to give it a go.

I'd love your thoughts/feedback.

Joy

[Horsewhisper]

Hi Joy, I have bi-monthly sessions - they certainly help with overall feelings of wellness and relaxation. The sessions seem to help with re-energising me for a while. I am UCTD, not on steroids just hydroxy. I try and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle as much as possible, which seems to help too. Xx

[Joy_1 in reply to Horsewhisper]

Thanks for your feedback Horsewhisper, much appreciated. Good to hear acupuncture has worked for you.

A combination of MTX and HCQ has allowed me to get to 1.5mg Pred. I would just like to try and get to 0 Pred if I can.

Yes a good lifestyle and diet really helps doesn't it. I am a food scientist so my diet has been in the healthy camp for many years, but since tipping into the UCTD camp I am also much more active in terms of exercise. Hitting the pool 3 times a week.

Thanks again

Joy

[Horsewhisper in reply to Joy_1]

Yes indeed, exercise is good for wellbeing - well done for swimming 3 times a week, you must feel great afterwards. I used to swim regularly but the last time I went my skin felt like it had burnt! I must have had a weird reaction with the chlorine, haven’t been since! Interesting to hear you are a food scientist, that must really help. Just through reading up on posts and advice on this site, I have bit by bit, reduced gluten, grains, lactose, nightshades and foods high in lectins from my diet and I think it has made a difference to energy levels and how I feel overall. Xx

[Joy_1 in reply to Horsewhisper]

Do you think there was more chlorine in the water the day your skin reacted? On the odd occasion the chlorine is a bit higher in the pool that I go to. I'm okay but we all end up with sore eyes!

Good to hear that the changes to your diet have improved your energy levels. I find that if I eat processed foods eg a shop bought pizza - I'm left with a bit of a 'food hangover' the next day. No doubt down to the high salt levels. But hey you gotta live a little.

Just be careful that when you cut back on grains, gluten, etc etc that you supplement. There are 2 issues brewing at the mo. in the UK. Teenage girls ending up with osteoporosis because they yo yo diet and cut back hard on dairy. And a gluten issue brewing because folk are self diagnosing and ruling it out from their diet. So it's good to hear you are cutting back rather than eliminating.

[KayHimm in reply to Joy_1]

Interesting about the problems with cutting out dairy. It seems if you give up one thing, something else suffers. So maybe just eating a little bit of everything is good? Including chocolate?!

[Joy_1 in reply to KayHimm]

Hi KayHimm

Yep that is what us foodies have said for a great many years. There's no magic really, just eat a balanced diet.

Of course there are always going to be exceptions, but too many folk are self diagnosing and brewing up problems for the future.

Ah yes ..... yum yum ... chocolate!

[Horsewhisper]

Thanks Joy for useful info about diet - yes I too feel a little “off” the next day after a take-away! I’ll check out chlorine levels and maybe take the plunge again soon, I do enjoy a good swim! Hope you are feeling well at the moment xx