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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Cutting Edge Research

2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Apparently my Rheumy is now involved in cutting edge research involving gut ecological impacts on autoimmune disease development. He recommended that I read the book 'Epidemic of Absence'. He's actually doing a lecture concerning the research behind it to a meeting of rheumatologists at Vanderbilt.

And to think, when I met him five years ago he was the typical 'go aggressive treatment first' trained rheumatologist. I was apparently the first of many patients that stood our ground and showed him that nonaggressive therapies can work. Unlike many doctors, he observed these phenomenon and decided to get involved in research.

Perhaps now that I've given him a copy of the scientific evidence (food allergy test results) that supported my observation of RA symptoms being triggered solely by foods - he'll get involved in more research on that front as well. So glad I found a rheumy on the cutting edge! Granted he still prescribes plenty of MTX and Biologics....

Now, time to pick up the Celebrex he prescribed. Now that my tomato allergy has gone from mild to strong, I've had RA flares in my hands/wrists. Tomato is in like EVERYTHING! Having hard time eliminating it completely.... But trying...
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Oh, also saw my Gynocologist this week. She has psoriasis fairly bad. She's tried all the meds, even humera, with little success.

A nurse practitioner patient of hers (who works for an immunologist) convinced her to come in for testing. Turns out she was allergic to Brewer's yeasts.

She pulled up her pant leg to proudly show off clear skin. She's been staying away from the foods containing her allergen - and the psoriasis disappeared after three months.
nomorera
nomorera
yes and more research is out now on the role gut bacteria plays in the onset of RA. Something I have been reading about for a couple years. I would LOVE to find a Dr like yours when we move to TX.
ILoveHuskies
ILoveHuskies
I also have done much research on food and inflammation. I just quit coffee and non dairy hazelnut creamer 2 weeks ago and much of my aches & inflammation went down. And that was just quiting coffee and trying to stay away from processed foods. I also switched to green tea with a little honey. Honey is good for inflammation also. It restored my thinking into food might be causing most of my problems. I had no RA until I reached menopause. The more weight I lose the less aches I have. I might try taking zyflamend from the GNC store again. It has many of the herbs that are good for fighting inflammation in the immune system. I firmly believe in the leaky gut syndrome.
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
I know a terrific doctor that tried to treat me for leaky gut. It did not work for me, but it is worth a try. In the Los Angeles area, I can give you the docs name & address, just PM me.
He successfully treated me for mercury poisoning.
Lynne
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hello, how did you approach getting the question of leaky gut as an avenue to explore? What can be done to test for it? And what are the treatments? Is it an issue of nailing down unknown food allergies? Many thanks.
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Gretagg, go get food allergy tested. Takes three hours to learn what your trigger foods may be. Lot easier than elimination diets - though you can give those a shot as well.

Still in a mild flare. Been off tomato for 4 days now. Terrified it might be coffee too! Going to consider switching to black tea for a few day. Might even do a 3 day fast and the document reintroductions and symptoms. But at least the Celebrex the rhuemy prescribed me is working well and my body agrees with it.

Praying it's not coffee. Be Tues before I could even start a fast - if I decide I can handle one :)