Disappointed in My Efforts

[Guest guest]

I am SO disappointed, because previously I reported how well the Paleo Diet

was working for me--I felt like a new woman from that. Well, it didn't last

and after about 5-6 weeks, I had a real big flare and I've had several since

then. I guess I thought this dietary restriction would be my " magic bullet. "

That's not to say that dietary restrictions don't help at all. Besides RA,

I also have irritable bowel syndrome to contend with. I did learn that I'm

better off eating only small amounts of the flour mixture I use (I can't

tolerate gluten): soy flour, brown rice flour, amaranth flour, and (I can't

remember for sure) but I think I added a little Quinoa flour to this last

batch. I picked these grains because, except for the brown rice, they are

all high in protein, as grains go. If I go real easy on the grains, I have

fewer IBS symptoms. I've also stayed cut back on dairy, though I eat a

little each day and am no better and no worse for it. What a ridiculous

disease this RA is!!! During the time I was feeling better--a short 6 weeks

overall--my RBC went up by 4 points, though it was still below normal. Now

it's back down again.

You know, I don't look real sick. I don't often limp when I walk because I

have more pain usually on my top half than my bottom half, so unless my knees

or feet are being affected, I walk okay. I'm extremely pale, but otherwise

don't look especially sick. I'm beginning to believe that my rheumie sees so

many badly crippled people that when he sees me coming he thinks I'm not

really as bad off pain-wise as I say. I hear of people on this list using

metho and Remicade and not having to take any NSAIDS, only Tylenol. I have

to take maximum amounts of NSAIDS on top of my metho. I can't take

Prednisone because I'm diabetic and cortisone raises blood sugar. I do have

Darvocet for really bad pain, which I sometimes need, but I hate to take it

because it puts me into such a brain fog and doesn't relieve pain all that

well for me either. What do you do when you feel your rheumie is not taking

you seriously? I'll be seeing him again at the end of this month. End of my

big Whine.

Sheri, I'm so sorry you have such destructive relatives. I think you should

not even consider them as family. After all, you didn't choose them. Your

friends can be a better family. Those people could only be nuisances at

best! I've had the same trouble with some, but not all, of my family and

I'll bet many of us have. Would you be worse off if you told them to just

stay away unless they have something kind and supportive to say?

Last week I thought I'd know by now whether or not I'd get SSDI, but even

though I talked to the caseworker and he questioned me and said he'd finish

up on my claim that week, I still haven't heard. A little more Whine. Maybe

it's partly because the weather has been SO beautiful here in Oregon for the

last few days, then beginning today it's turned colder, dark, and rainy

again.

Hey--one good thing did happen. When I saw my PCP on Wednesday of this week

I learned I've lost 10 pounds since my last visit 3 months ago. Can't

complain about that!

A tolerable day, at the least, to all.

lie