Diet and RA

[JEM95]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just before Christmas, with my readings being alarmingly high. I was completely shocked as I had no symptoms and was within the healthy BMI range. I’ve just recently started on insulin (2 more injections every day on top of Methotrexate and Benepali weekly!).

I have totally overhauled my diet - no sugary things any more, reduced carbs, no pastry, limited bread, rice, pasta etc - all of which are now brown/wholewheat, all meals cooked from scratch etc. I’ve also reduced portions. I’ve been really strict.

My diabetes is coming under control, hurrah!, but it seems the my RA is very much enjoying my new diet too. It feels the best it’s been in a long time.

I’m convinced it’s the new diet - which is more of a lifestyle change as I can’t and don’t want to go back to how it was before.

Has anyone else's RA benefitted from a diet change?

[springcross]

Well done JEM95, good for you.

[Bettina82]

Hi Jem95,

So great you managed to make changes in your diet to get your diabetes under control! With my RA I have definitely noticed a difference between a healthy diet (no meat, no sugar, no refined and empty carbs) and a diet containing high sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

For me the biggest difference was eliminating sugar and foods high in salt and fat. If I eat a pizza now (maybe followed by a chocolate cookie) I will start flaring within hours.

[JEM95 in reply to Bettina82]

That’s interesting. To be honest, if I had realised how much better I could feel I would have made the change a long time back. I’m not quite under control yet, but the Diabetes Nurse is confident I can come off insulin in a couple of months time.

I am determined to maintain my new diet! x

[Annpisan]

I also have type 2 diabetes, and was put on insulin as soon as I started prednisone, as my sugars skyrocketed. I'm not so sure my diet improves the pain symptoms, but I do know that I experience significantly increased pain when my sugars are high, unrelated to diet (I.e stress). Sort of the chicken or the egg syndrome I'd say.

[JEM95 in reply to Annpisan]

Thanks for the reply. It’s very interesting about Prednisolone - I had a short course earlier in 2022, before that my last BG test was 36 (I was tested about 3 years back), just before Christmas (23rd) I was informed it was 129 😱 It is coming down well at the moment, but I didn’t have the best Christmas!! x

[helenlw7]

I was diagnosed as being pre diagnosis before Christmas. I too have changed my diet, but so far no improvement in my RA pain.

[JEM95 in reply to helenlw7]

That’s interesting. I made a massive change overnight - I think I had sugar withdrawal symptoms for a while, but once that had passed I feel marvellous! I’ve cut my carbs massively too, which is tough as I am a chip-aholic!! x

[JEM95 in reply to helenlw7]

That’s interesting. I made a massive change overnight - I think I had sugar withdrawal symptoms for a while, but once that had passed I feel marvellous! I’ve cut my carbs massively too, which is tough as I am a chip-aholic!! x

[Hidden]

Going gluten free helped me enormously.

[helenlw7]

I think my issue is that my husband has been diabetic for about 20 years so we already eat a fairly healthy diet, actually me more so than him, so changes that can be made are small. I’m on long term steroids, 10 mg a day at the moment, so I mentioned cutting down to my gp yesterday, after he told me the x ray of my knee I’d had done before Christmas, showed it was shot at. He said cutting down to 7.5 mg would make a big difference so that’s my plan.

[FloozieDuck]

Yes I have,flares are a bit fewer and generally feel more active win win.