health
Well the rider must be as healthy as the horse, so my focus goes inwards on this entry.
I was tested for food allergies and my suspicions were confirmed. Every food I'd identified as causing severe but short lived flares showed up as strong positives as allergins. Some of these I'd eaten daily throughout my paleo diet induced remission and then BAM! Eat it again and watch right hand swell and go immobile for two days. Yes, new allergies can come on that quick - who knew? Of course Allergist doesn't believe that the RA flares have anything to do with the foods identified. She even refused to give me the whole list of minor allergies saying that I should still eat them. All she wanted me to do was sign up for environmental allergy shots to stop hay fever symptoms that I don't even realize I'm suffering (SAY WHAT!?!?)
I'll get the list from records. The GP and rheumy believe me. Heck, they'd tell me to drink lemon juice everyday if it keeps me in drug free remission! The longer I can go naturally - the better off my longterm life will be. So far, 11 years down and only 2-3 rough years. Doing good, no deformities.
Well anyways, last year I regained my health - this year I'm bringing in a new specialist to help continue it. The GP sent a Nutritionalist my referral. So I'm waiting for that office to call and schedule. As diverse as my food allergies are - I need guidance in how to continue to eat.
Check out my severe allergies (these foods will give me a severe flare lasting 2-4 days): chocolate, chedder cheese, bananas, oysters, barley, green peppers
And I have dozens of minor allergies that could instantly turn into major ones.
So do I think I'll be flare free now? Nope, my immune system will get bored and decide to add another food as a major target. So I'm eating rather bland. Just 1-2 items per meal. That way I can remember the 4-6 items I ate the day before if I wake up in a flare and figure out the new culprit.
But I thank God everyday that I'm able to control RA through diet for as long as I can. One year - or thirty.. I'll be grateful for this time and enjoy it to the max!
I was tested for food allergies and my suspicions were confirmed. Every food I'd identified as causing severe but short lived flares showed up as strong positives as allergins. Some of these I'd eaten daily throughout my paleo diet induced remission and then BAM! Eat it again and watch right hand swell and go immobile for two days. Yes, new allergies can come on that quick - who knew? Of course Allergist doesn't believe that the RA flares have anything to do with the foods identified. She even refused to give me the whole list of minor allergies saying that I should still eat them. All she wanted me to do was sign up for environmental allergy shots to stop hay fever symptoms that I don't even realize I'm suffering (SAY WHAT!?!?)
I'll get the list from records. The GP and rheumy believe me. Heck, they'd tell me to drink lemon juice everyday if it keeps me in drug free remission! The longer I can go naturally - the better off my longterm life will be. So far, 11 years down and only 2-3 rough years. Doing good, no deformities.
Well anyways, last year I regained my health - this year I'm bringing in a new specialist to help continue it. The GP sent a Nutritionalist my referral. So I'm waiting for that office to call and schedule. As diverse as my food allergies are - I need guidance in how to continue to eat.
Check out my severe allergies (these foods will give me a severe flare lasting 2-4 days): chocolate, chedder cheese, bananas, oysters, barley, green peppers
And I have dozens of minor allergies that could instantly turn into major ones.
So do I think I'll be flare free now? Nope, my immune system will get bored and decide to add another food as a major target. So I'm eating rather bland. Just 1-2 items per meal. That way I can remember the 4-6 items I ate the day before if I wake up in a flare and figure out the new culprit.
But I thank God everyday that I'm able to control RA through diet for as long as I can. One year - or thirty.. I'll be grateful for this time and enjoy it to the max!
Replies
Good re the allergy testing. I think it helps to have some firmer proof and giving up the list from a doctor specialising in allergy helped my daughter with migraines. I have probably already posted this on something you have seen.
I cannot think why you would not be given the results.. How secretive! Cant see a pattern in the foods you list but if giving them up stops the flares that is great.
It\'s good that what you had worked out as food allergies were validated by the allergist. Just proves that we know our own bodies best. I wonder why she refused to give you the list of minor allergies, especially as you say any one. .could turn into a major allergy overnight. At least you can get the list from records. I think it\'s a great idea to see a nutritionist. I hope that works out well for you. I hope that you\'ll be able to control your RA by diet for a long time to come and that you will be able to get back into equestrian before too long.
Hugs