update: gluten free diet , H1N1 vax, and genetics study

October 22, 2009

Hi everyone, just wanted to update on my gluten free experiment. I've been off

gluten for about a week. Although I crave carbs, I find it easier to follow

than other plans I've tried like Weight Watchers or South Beach. I just avoid

grains, but I can still have dark chocolate which helps! I didn't weigh myself

last week before starting, but I'd noticed my clothes seemed looser. I stepped

on the scale this am and I'm back to Navy standards for the first time since I

had Tommy 16 mos ago. I'd estimate I lost 3 pounds in the past week. Very

motivating! I'm going to keep it up for another 2 weeks and see what happens.

I also scored an H1N1 vax and did just fine with it. I'm overdue for an Enbrel,

but wanted to wait a few days for the vax to start working. I also got my DTAP

booster and that was fine too. I was encouraged that when I was in officer

school and didn't know I had RA, I got a zillion shots and didn't have a flare,

so I don't think immunizations are a trigger for me. Who knows, maybe it gives

my crazy immune system something to do with its spare time instead of bothering

my joints.

I'm struggling to coordinate flu vaxes for the boys. Charlie has had the flu

for a week (took Tamiflu) and with his reactive airway, it's tough to

coordinate. He's fever free and back to school, but at night if we don't give

him Motrin he gets increased respiratory rate. I have a call in to peds to see

what they want to do. Tommy got his 15 mo shots 3 weeks ago, so he's still

within the window that the CDC recommends waiting for H1N1 vax. Hopefully we

can get both boys vaccinated soon.

I also completed my participation in the Long Island Health Center's RA genetics

study:

It was very easy, a few questionnaires, medical releases for info from my docs,

and 5 vials of blood I threw in a Fed Ex envelope and that was it. It was a

good feeling to contribute to science. My two cousins with RA are also

participating and they're comparing our genes with those of our non-RA sibs.

Very neat!

Hope everyone is doing well! I start with the VA on Monday!

Kate

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