Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Beer used to be my friend.

goawayRA
goawayRA
I just started casually drinking again because I've been off methotrexate since August due to the fatigue and the fact that it was doing nothing for me... I have been having a glass of wine or mixed drink here and there when I go out with friends and doing fine. Last night I went out to a restaurant specializing in beer and wings, and my friends already had a beer ready for me when I got there.... I figured why not????

Three more beers and by the time I got home I COULD. NOT. MOVE. This morning I am stuck on my couch in severe pain. My hands, wrists, shoulders are aching.

Anyone else have this issue with beer? My god... Never again. Maybe the grain free diet is worth an honest shot after all.
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
I actually tested positive to allergies to barley. If I eat bread or drink a beer - my joints swell and lock up and I'm miserable for several days until the barley is out of my system.

Food allergies/sensitivities to grains with gluten in them are well documented to cause joint pain. That's why going gluten free is such a fad right now.
goawayRA
goawayRA
I tried the gluten free diet for 3 months and I felt ok, but no big change, so I gave up on it. I try to not eat a ton of bread or grains now, I'll eat an occasional pita or serving of brown rice, but I don't react to it. Beer is DEFINITELY a trigger and I will be avoiding it from now on!
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
You may be sensitive to barley like I am. Start reading labels on your grain products and avoid ones with barley. Multigrain products are usually filled with it.
goawayRA
goawayRA
I will, thanks!

Also added corn to my list of things to avoid. Popcorn is my favorite snack. sigh.
lhowemt
lhowemt
I did a lot of food experimenting over 2 years. I found that what seemed to be direct correlation ended up being just erratic RA. If I were you I'd stay off it and try reintroducing it again, and make sure you have nothing else new.
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
Maybe you could ask your doc about allergy testing. I am allergic to yeast. Thank you for reminding me that I should not be eating bread (or beer) !
Lynne
depotblue
depotblue
gluten free beer? who knew? really? and if all else fails, make a libation out of hard cider. :)

http://www.glutenfreeandmore.com/issues/2_2/gluten_free_beer-1319-1.html

depot