I found when I kept a small notebook in the past and record everything I ate/drank that bothered my autoimmune diseases, I had a better luck weeding out what bothered me or set my symptoms off.

Good luck and {{{hugs}}} :-)

mmztcass, If you don't mind my asking, what other autoimmune disease do you have? I have primary Addison's Disease. It is a rare autoimmune disease where the adrenal glands are shut down by the body. I've had this for over 40 years. I started complaining about sore joints and muscles over 5 years ago, but my primary doctor, endocrinologist who is the Addison's specialist, and a neurologist I saw all told me it was from years of steroid use. Hydrocortisone/prednisone are used to treat the Addison's. In June of 2008 it got to where I was unable to do get out of bed due to pain, etc. A rheumatologist finally diagnosed severe rheumatoid arthritis in Apr., 2009. Since then I've had trouble with the treatment for RA interfering with the Addisons and vice versa. Neither doctor has information on treating both. Nothing on the internet searches for both diseases. Either 1 alone would be bad enough, but both are very difficult when I'm the one deciding on a day to day basis what to take or not. I do hope you're not having the same problems I am, but I would appreciate any information I can get from you, or anyone else who might have Addison's and RA. Thank you for listening.

Hi VJMP:

I hate to tell you this, I have Adrenal problems as well. I do not know if it is the extent to the same problem as yours though, I also have Graves' Disease. I used to be hypOthyroid prior the GD. Then I have RA and Fibromyalgia symptoms.

I did not know for you that RA and Adrenals for treatments can interfere with one another. Do you mind my asking what treatments are you using for both? I did use Hydrocortisone for just about two years in low dose.

{{{hugs}}}

VJMP,

Under the threads "Diet" and "RA and Anemia" I posted on RA patients inability to break down dietary proteins and release B12 and also carry protein bound calcium. In addition if the body cannot break down dietary protein, it will not be able to create amino acids. Tyrosine is one of the amino acids.

The hormones in the adrenal medulla norepinephrine and epinephrine are both derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine. You will not be able to make the adrenal hormones if you lack Tyrosine. That of course could lead to adrenal failure.

I just had some blood tests done and my B12 was in the high normal range. My iron level was better than it has been but the % of absorbtion was 11% which is low. So therefore my red blood cell count is low also. The notebook is a good idea!

Under the diet thread, I posted some info about the levels at which the US has set for B12. In the US the low is around 200pg/ml. That is the level at which the most SEVERE MANIFESTATION of the deficiency is seen, pernicious anemia. In Japan for instance, the low level is 500 to 600pg/ml. At that level, you will see dementia and memory loss! Their normal is between 600 to 1300pg/ml.

All of the symptoms associated with Fibro and Ra can be traced back to a B12 and protein deficiency. For instance, 50% of RA patients also have Fibro. In studies done on spinal fluid of Fibro patients, 60% showed low levels of B12. That is cellular level, which is what is important. And remember, that is the US low. What would the number be if they had used Japan's low?

Well then I guess in Japan I would be low.

22% of the US population has been diagnosed with Arthritis. That is 49.9 million people. As D141092 stated under the diet thread, Japan has some of the lowest rates of Arthritis in the world.

I know this sounds too simple. The proof is there. They are very aware of the B12 absorption and metabolism connection to Autoimmune disease.

Just the other night on the Sharks TV show a man came on with a good idea to stop bacteria and viruses from being breathed in. They must have thought it was a good idea, they offered him 4 million for his company. The sharks asked him why he had not taken this idea to a drug company. He said he had taken it to the largest US drug company and this is what they told him.

" Why should we make a dollar trying to prevent disease, when we can make 14 dollars treating it?"

These B12 levels are too low. Why are they set so low? If your gas light came on to tell you your car was low on gas, but by the time it did, it had caused major engine damage, wouldn't you think maybe the light should come on before there was any damage done?

I have had problems absorbing nutrients from food for many years, including anemia, scurvy and protein. I even went back to eating animal protein (fish) for a year to try and bring up the protein levels, and it did not help. I have always taken B12, because I am vegetarian. Of course, how much is absorbed is another issue. I think nutrition is important, but I have never noticed any foods that bother my RA. The only thing that bothers my RA is not being on strong enough meds.

You hit the nail on the head. Calcium is protein bound. If you cannot digest dietary proteins, you cannot carry calcium and you "become a candidate for arthritis" as was stated by the Doctor on the RA and anemia thread. This could be the sole cause of your arthritis. So, what is responsible for the digestion of dietary proteins? Proteases. These are enzymes found in your pancreas. Almost all meds will further weaken your GI and damage the enzymes needed for proper digestion. One of predisone's side effects (and it is listed as minor) is it "clears intestinal flora".

Just giving you an idea that has worked for me. I eat normally, but half of what I used to and the weight keep coming off.

Lynne