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Author
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Topic: Miserable
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zenwarner
Knowflake Posts: 431
From: tx, usa
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted June 16, 2008 04:43 PM
 
Im so miserable right now. I have been on a high dose of prednisone for about 10 months now. I have finally been tapering off, and am now on only 7.5 mg.
My doctors and I agreed that the weight gain has become a huge problem. I have now put on a total of 84 pounds.
I have severe rheumatoid arthrtis and the weight has been hell on my joints.
But now that I am almost off the prednisone, my joint are very swollen and I can hardly move.
I have been on a very strict diet for the past two weeks or so. I've been juicing vegetables. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables, and have cut out sugar, salt, bread, etc....
Basically the only thing Im eating right now is fruits veggies, black beans, and baked fish.
I still managed to put on 7 pounds in the last 8 days. I dont know what to do.
My motion is severely limited right now. walking and standing is pretty much out of the question, so exercise is difficult.
Im at the end of my rope. I dont know what else to do right now.
Any advice?IP: Logged |
Azalaksh
Knowflake Posts: 6855
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted June 16, 2008 09:41 PM
zen, I'm sending some strength and hope along with my post 
I have a friend in her 20's who also suffers from this. I forget what the synthetic medicine is that she's taking. She's from India, and has been a vegetarian all her life. Have you exhaustively googled "rheumatoid arthritis natural remedy"?? One of the first hits I got was Dr. Weil -- he has some suggestions:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA153653/rheumatoid-arthritis Researchers are discovering that many people on our polluted planet are suffering from food sensitivities and don't know it. For instance, I'm trying to heal my psoriasis and one of my books recommends avoiding the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes). My psoriasis gets better when I don't eat these foods. Your diet sounds very good, but I wonder if you're staying pH neutral or alkaline?? I've been reading a book called "The pH Miracle" by Dr. Robert Young -- see if your library has it, if for no other reason than some of the healthy recipes at the end. Swimming would be good exercise and keep stress and weight off your painful joints, is there a swimming pool you can use?? I hope you start feeling better soon and can get off the steroid..... {{{ hugs }}}
~ Zala IP: Logged |
zenwarner
Knowflake Posts: 431
From: tx, usa
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted June 16, 2008 10:31 PM
Zala,
Thanks so much for the reply. And yes, I have tried alot of the natural remedies. Including keeping an eye on what I eat. I usually eat very well. And I have been since I was diagnosed three years ago when I was twenty.
I've tried it all. I've tried the natural cures, the diets, reiki, prayer, etc.
As much as I hate it, western medicine is the only thing that has given me any relief. But of course you have to deal with the risk of side effects. Like eighty four pounds.
I will look into reading that book though. I've read up on the subject before though. It's very interesting. P.s. no pool available, but that is something that i need to do. IP: Logged |
Anam
Knowflake Posts: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Registered: May 2008
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posted June 21, 2008 09:09 AM
I'm so sorry you're going through this . I have RA too and I understand the pain involved.Unfortunately, Steroid drugs like prednisone are widely prescribed even though they cause serious long-term side effects. I'd do some major Googling of Prednisone & it's dangers. With warm regards,
<3 Anam IP: Logged |
hippichick
Knowflake Posts: 2130
From: The Ether
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted June 21, 2008 11:54 AM
ZenLook into a diet based on your blood type, suppose to decrease generalized inflamation in the body. My bfriend follows this way of life and it has done wonders for him. I am going to try it myself when I get all of my info together. blessings t IP: Logged |
zenwarner
Knowflake Posts: 431
From: tx, usa
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted June 21, 2008 01:33 PM
Anam,
I'm sorry to hear that you have R.A. also. If you dont mind my asking, how are you handling it? What sorts of treatments help you?
And yes, prednisone was never something I took lightly. In fact, I've always resisted being on it longer than a week or two. But I got to the point in my disease where I wasnt even able to walk to the restroom. And from lack of movement, my knees now have contractures, which means they are bent at all times. Even while walking. So it came down to the fact that nothing else could be done but the prednisone. At first, it was amazing to be able to move with so much less pain. It wasnt until the massive weight gain that it became a problem.
I dont have insurance(which is the real problem) but there is a foundation that pays for Enbrel.It's looking promising. hippichick,
I've never heard of a diet based on blood type. Now that I think about it. I dont even know what my bloodtype is. I guess I should find out! Im sure willing to try anything  IP: Logged |
Azalaksh
Knowflake Posts: 6855
From: New Brighton, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted June 25, 2008 01:43 PM
I just read the following article today, zen & anam. Inflammation is the basis of many chronic conditions, so anything we can do to reduce inflammation could help us throughout our bodes.....From: http://www.naturalnews.com/023503.html (NaturalNews) Higher vitamin K1 intake may decrease the incidence of the inflammation that has been linked to a variety of diseases, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. "Our findings provide one potential alternative mechanism for a putative protective effect of vitamin K in the progression of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, since both diseases are characterized by inflammation," the researchers wrote. Researchers analyzed data from 1,381 participants in the Framingham Offspring study to determine blood vitamin K levels and dietary intake of vitamin K1 and vitamin D, as well as the occurrence of inflammation biomarkers. The participants had an average age of 59, and 52 percent were women. The researchers found that higher blood levels and dietary intake of K1 was correlated with lower levels of 14 different inflammation biomarkers. After the researchers adjusted to exclude people with heart disease, increased vitamin K1 intake still correlated with lower levels of five specific biomarkers: a 15 percent reduction in CD40 ligand, 8 percent reduction in interleukin-6 concentration, 4 percent reduction in serum osteoprotegerin concentration, a 4 percent reduction in tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 and a 3 percent reduction in intracellular adhesion molecule-1 concentration. Increased vitamin D intake was correlated with a decrease in one inflammation biomarker, urinary isoprostane. The correlations held up even after the researchers adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, use of drugs including aspirin or statins, time of year and whether female participants were using hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Vitamin K occurs in three main forms: phylloquinone or phytonadione, known as vitamin K1; and menaquinones, known as vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 can be synthesized by the human gut, and is also found in meat and fermented food products. Vitamin K1 is found in green leafy vegetables, including broccoli, lettuce and spinach. Vitamin K3, a synthetic form, is not recommended for humans. IP: Logged |
Anam
Knowflake Posts: 7
From: Phoenix, AZ USA
Registered: May 2008
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posted June 28, 2008 11:22 AM
Hi zenwarmer, Sorry about taking so long replying...I totally forgot where I had posted. As far as the RA drugs go (Enbrel, Humera etc)..I'm not a candidate because of liver problems. I also have Fibromyalgia, disc issues & Sciatica and see a Pain Management doc. for those and the RA. Thanks Zala for the Vitamin K info. IP: Logged | |
Lindaland
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