Does low carb help with Sjögrens pain?

[Curious20]

Hi,

I’m a newbie

My husband is newly diagnosed with sjogrens. I have secondary sjogrens. My husband gets painful flares mainly in the hands and shoulder. I was watching Dr.Berry on YouTube who was saying that Keto diet helps with joint pain etc as less carbs and only eating certain dairy ie cream, hard cheese, no milk, causes less inflammation. I was wondering if any of you that suffer with the pain aspect have tried a low carb diet and has it made any difference with your pain? Thanks.

[wgsuzy]

Hi Curious20,

You should talk to your Rheumatologist about best diet. My friend went on Keto diet and now has Ulecerative Colitis, a lot of people are getting it now, I would be wary.

People like us with autoimmune immune disease are on No sugar (trigger inflammation) no white bread, rice, and potatoes or alcohol. We are prone to infections and can get Colitis easier because of this.

I'm personally on Mediterranean diet minus bread, white rice, potatoes. Pita is made with chickpea flower so good substitute. Peace and light, Suzy

[Curious20 in reply to wgsuzy]

Hi Suzy, unfortunately the rheumatologist isn’t great lol. We have been doing the diet for a week and hubby has found it difficult being that restrictive in carbs, as we are both vegetarian. So we are being more flexible with adding some more carbs such as low carb bread. I have heard good things about the Mediterranean diet. I’m cooking with olive oil. Thanks

[SusieW2 in reply to wgsuzy]

Pita here is made with wheat.

[wgsuzy in reply to SusieW2]

Most mix wheat and chickpea flour. I like only chickpea flour

[Lijuan]

You can try aip diet. This has no slide effects. I know many patients get benefit from that. Or you can try large dose vd. You can Google coimbra protocol . I know CP is very useful for MS. I try aip ans cp. I feel better.

[Curious20 in reply to Lijuan]

Thanks, Lijuan. I will google that diet.

[Hidden in reply to Curious20]

I don’t know but I agree with wgsuzy - there’s no one diet fits all. I got really sick on AIP diet - I just think we have to avoid all refined foods, all sugary foods and I try to stick to a low carb diet because I’m now glucose intolerant.

[SusieW2]

I try to stick to a low inflammatory diet which excludes gluten, limits other grains and sugar, alcohol and for me, low acid foods. I do eat some dairy that is lactose free or in small quantities or I'm cheating with ice cream. I don't do low-fat. But I admit to being a sugar-aholic. So I'm working on lowering my intake and eat a lot of dark chocolate. I generally feel good and my pain level is pretty low. I judge by how stiff are my hand joints. He and you may need to try different combinations to find the best balance for you. The desire for carbs does diminish over time. And any diet has to be workable for you without feeling unduly deprived. But lower inflammation is a key practice to deal with auto-immune conditions.

[Emmijen]

I am very leary on diet advice. Firstly, discuss with regular doctor and make sure they monitor nutrient and vitamin deficiencies that may arise. I was told by my rheumatologist to do Mediterranean, which was helping a lot. however then they told me to cut out sugar. And bread as it was causing a lot of pain. Long story short had a severe non diabetic hypoglycemic episode and will never be the same. I say take advice and ask a doctor who knows you and your husband. Aspirin is what I use besides anti-inflammatory diet, and partial soft food diet, but I have digestive issues slower than a snail. And thats me. Everyone is different with the same disease. Get to know your limits on food and activity. If I over do things during the day it can hurt me later or even days later... talking limping crutches weakness. Your husband may never experience these, or he might. Just focus on the what is and makes him most comfortable and happy. Personally I don't listen to fads anymore as they almost killed me so paleo, keto, bleh. Pay attention to your husband if he eliminates something from diet and starts to seem irritable, tired a lot, try feeding him that item, example what I thought was fatigue was actually symptoms of hypoglycemia warnings. If I had known I could have ate a snack box of raisins and been fine instead of seven hours in the ER. Take care, diet is not a simple answer, work with the doctors (and depending it could be a lot of them) If you don't like a doctor, find a new one. Its not helpful to have a doctor that doesnt help, just besure its not petty reasons versus they actually are rude and not listening. Have a blessed day.