Yeah, Baby!

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I couldn't a little Austin Powers-ism.(she says as she blushes

profusely for liking Austin Powers).

Well, I'm in the study!!! I have my first infusion this Tuesday. The DEXA

bone scan showed my bone density is normal for my age, which was added good

news. The study doctor said he thinks I have moderate to severe RA, so it

was nice (and bad!) to have corroboration of my rheumy's diagnosis. We

didn't discuss the back problem very much, because it's not really hurting

right now. He did say that I have obvious peripheral involvement (hands and

feet). He also said he could feel inflammation in my chest wall that he

would consider RA related. I know I've been avoiding wearing a bra at home

because it hurts so much, but compared to other times my chest has hurt,

this is pretty minimal. Anyway, the study rheumatologist was a very nice

man. He spent a lot of time examining me, and then about a half hour

answering my questions about the biologics. He said he's had such good

results, he's to the point he gives his newly diagnosed patients the option

of starting on a biologic immediately. I know there's the chance that this

won't do much for me, but I certainly feel great having hope for feeling

better. The past few months have been really rough, as I'm sure all of you

can relate to.

He asked me how long I've had symptoms and I told him over 3 years before I

talked to the Dr. about it, which it was probably more like four, but oh

well. When I told him I tried dietary modifications first, he really perked

up. He asked me what worked, and I told him I've most recently been doing

wheat and dairy, but after adding them both back, I'm convinced dairy is

more a culprit than wheat. He said " you have really good instincts. " He's

been working on a study at the University of Florida that was sponsored by

some people out of CA trying to prove that RA is could be completely cured

by diet. That failed miserably, he said, but they did show using capsules

of different foods (with no additives to corrupt the results) that avoiding

dairy and meat can reduce symptoms in some. Not eliminate, by far, but

reduce. I don't know if the study has been published yet, but something to

look for. I've tried avoiding all meat, but I really felt crummy. But I do

feel the dairy is significant for me. Especially milk.

Oh, one more cool thing. Stan wanted me to make a reservation for a hotel

for Tuesday so I don't drive 2 plus hours after the infusion. I went to

hotwire.com and got a room for $44 --- at the Doubletree! That's the nicest

place in Gainesville. Very cool.

Well, back to reality. I have a final in my Database Admin. class to take

on Monday night, so I need to start focusing on that.

I hope everyone is having a good day, and is ready for a nice weekend.

Love and hugs,

Carol