Diet on rhumatiod arthritis

[Soundofmusic52]

hi I was reading an article and some one is thinking of stopping there medication and just trying a certain diet to help with there RA . I’m not sure I would do this as anyone on here done this before .

[Deeb1764]

I think you can change your diet to be healthier with a touch of naughty BUT to give up medications I just don’t get! Why would they spend so much giving us biologics etc if we just need to change our diet.

I was off Ra meds for 12 weeks and it’s been hell .

[AgedCrone]

A few have tried it…..but with little success,

Do you honestly think all the highly qualified doctors who prescribe RA meds would still bother if something as simple as eating the right food was the answer?

Obviously eat sensibly…but “THE DIET” has apparently yet to be found.

[HappykindaGal]

Doctors are learning more and more about diet and nutrition and yes, it probably will increasingly play an important part in treatment and prevention. Tim Spector is an expert in this area and its worth reading his books.

However, they don't advise to rely entirely on diet changes as that may not limit future damage caused by RA. Its important to remember that RA isnt predominantly about joint damage, but affects heart, lungs etc…as it's an all system disease.

One of my clients Taher Mahmud runs the London Osteoporosis Group. A private clinic in London and he often talks about gut health and the importance of it for prevention and support of disease. He’s also a very renowned NHS Consultant rheumatologist at London Bridge and Tunbridge Wells. He espouses using both traditional medicine and non prescription meds and holistic therapies. He’s a brilliant man and worth a look too.

Combining diet and medicine may be a good way to go as theres not enough evidence around diet changes alone. And also, everyone is different of course so what suits your friend may not suit me. And beware of some of the american sites on socials. They can be a bit extreme.

[Blackberrywine]

Yes I have. I had so many drug reactions to arthritis meds that after discussion with my rheumatologist I decided to quit all meds. I take aspirin or paracetamol from time to time. It's not a quick fix, but I'm in less pain, no swelling, and my inflammatory markers are now under 5. So far no further damage to joints. I do still have some psoriasis, and have to be careful not to overdo things.

I think the answer is that it does work for some people so shouldn't be dismissed. We know there isn't a magic pill that fixes everyone. For some people the drugs appear to cause more harm than good. I'm one of those people. Sometimes thinking outside the box works. I think it might depend on what caused the autoimmune condition, and the severity of the disease. Who knows! What works for one person doesn't work for another.

Interestingly, once I fixed my gut issues everything else seemed to get better. I had an awful bout of colitis that wiped the floor with me. I suppose it could have been that that triggered inflammatory arthritis? Again...who knows!

[lovemydoggy in reply to Blackberrywine]

Wow! Does that mean you’re in remission? I mean because of no more joint damage. I have to say cutting out added sugar and complex carbs lessens my flares, but I need meds. Can’t measure anything because my inflammatory markers are always at low normal, even at my worst. 🤷‍♀️

[Blackberrywine in reply to lovemydoggy]

I don't know. I am not sure what remission means. If it means I'm back to the way I was before arthritis, then no. Things could always get worse. I've no real way of knowing. I will have to rethink things should the shtf. For the time being I am better than I was a year ago. I have to be really careful with what I eat...tricky at Christmas! If you need meds and they help, then you should stick with them. I'm not telling people they should give up meds. I was very grateful for the steroids which were the most helpful drug for me. Peoplemust do what is right for them.

[lovemydoggy in reply to Blackberrywine]

I haven’t tried methotrexate, Ive been on hydroxychloroquine until it stopped working, but it was amazing. Not thrilled about a stronger drug, but I’ve decided to do it. I’m really impressed you are doing so much better. It’s a good reminder for me to pay more attention to my diet. Horrible timing for that, but I do think diet helps a great deal. Thanks for explaining. I hope you continue to get better!

[Blackberrywine in reply to lovemydoggy]

Thank you that's kind. It's not all great. Just spent 10 hrs travelling to Scotland. Seized up like I'd been hit by Medusa! I could barely walk to hotel. I've recovered this morning though, but will take it easy. Certainly better than previous years. Good luck on your journey. 😊

[lovemydoggy]

I’ve read posts about people trying diet and other natural remedies, but I have yet to see a post where it worked. I’ve seen replies of people who put off meds and very much regret the decision.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi for lots ,a good diet and wellbeing etc

Can improve your health pain and help reduce meds

Everyone is different though

[pammi2]

some people say carnivore diet cured them . loo k up clive de carle

[Happy5]

In my early days of life with RA ,friends who lived in Canada got into what they call "plant based diet" it greatly improved her auto immune condition. Result was every time we were on messenger they would bang on about me doing the " cure " diet, did my head in. I'm super pleased they found summat that worked for her, but they need to appreciate diet is one aspect to keeping as healthy as possible.

What was amusing many of the things they applied I been eating in my diet all my life pre RA. Sadly diet only isn't a "cure" (hate that term) but as HappykindaGal says there's lots more to how to treat RA, one thing in particular is the uniqueness of us all, so trying a bespoke treatment is what we look to. I'm very grateful for the meds we have to treat RA even though at times side effects are not always great better than the alternative.

Have a good un.

[lovemydoggy in reply to Happy5]

I agree about the “cure”. I see that word and am immediately put off. Remission is the goal. I have no idea how many of us get there, but I do know there isn’t a cure. I know I feel better if I cut the added sugar, eat very little complex carbs and processed food. Overall, healthier eating makes us all feel better-even the healthy. I’m a stress eater so I’m not only overeating, but eating the taste good/feel not so good stuff. 😬

[Chockyuk]

I can’t really imagine there would be a diet to put you in completely in remission. Although my son sent me a YouTube from Mikhaila Peterson who says she only eats beef I think it was, she’s had RA all her life and has joint replacements as a consequence. I’m not sure if she still takes MTHX, but she says a change in her diet has made a change to her symptoms - it’s an interesting watch though. I’ve never had the courage to even try it myself.

I am of the belief though that autoimmune conditions can start from the gut, I’ve always had stomach issues, so did my mum who ended up with Crohn’s. So maybe there is something with the re-set of the gut by eating just meat who knows? I’ve always found the theory interesting.

I do find myself though if I eat a lot of sugary things it seems to make me worse.