New here

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone. I am new here. I was diagnosed about a year ago. I

was organizing a golf tournament in my father's memory and I think it

brought on a lot of stress left over from taking care of him before

his death. We were close and it was difficult, but very meaningful,

you know? But anyway, I started with painful swelling in both of my

hands and feet. I went to my doctor who did some blood work which

came back positive for rheumatoid factor and for c reactive protein

so she sent me to a rheumatologist. Also had very dry eyes so sent

me to my eye doctor. Before I went to the rheumatologist I read up

on healing with whole foods and went on a diet of no meat, no eggs,

no dairy, no sugar, no wheat, no peanuts, no oranges, no chocolate,

no coffee, no soy and no nightshade vegetables. The inflammation and

pain was gone in a week. I saw the rheumatologist who put me on

Plaquenil. Said I'm in the early stages and gave no credibility to

the dietary stuff. I saw a naturopath who agreed with the diet but

told me to eat soy and fish. Also gave me a rice protein liquid

supplement and did some other blood tests that show I'm growing

thyroid antibodies though my TSH is okay. So she gave me a thyroid

activating supplement. I about went broke doing this and found it

very difficult to stick to. I went to a different rheumatologist who

has written a book called Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and I

really liked her. She said the diet would probably make anyone feel

better but is very difficult to maintain. She suggested just giving

up wheat if I wanted to and kept me on Plaquentil which is what I am

taking today. I no longer have the swelling in hands very often,

just once in awhile. I do have pain in hips, knees and feet,

sometimes hands, but it's not debillitating or anythings, just

aches. I just had xrays and my hands and feet have not changed since

last year so I am very lucky.

Sorry I've gone on so long. Just wanted to introduce my story.

Thanks!