Re: Rheumy visit part two

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris.

 

Sorry for the RA diagnosis, but at least you know what you are dealing with.

 

How great your bones are so strong.  Keep drinking your goats milk----so

healthy for you.  I am also happy your Rheumy visit went so well.  That keeps

our stress levels low!

 

I so hope you get your RA under control and begin to be pain free.  There is

always hope for us all.

 

Take care and rest as much as you can.  It does help so much.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: phylliscrubaugh <phylliscrubaugh@...>

Subject: [ ] Rheumy visit part two

Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 8:04 PM

 

Well folks, I " Officially " have RA as of my visit yesterday. After yet another

500.00 in tests, he told me what I already knew. I guess I should be happy about

getting a definitive diagnosis, somehow I am not. HOWEVER- he did treat me with

much more respect and spoke more candidly with me this time, which really was a

blessing. There is a protien that really spiked hard in my bloodwork and they

want to isolate it and know exactly what it is.

Some GREAT news came of this visit too. My Dexa bone scan placed me nearly off

the charts on the positive side for bone hardness, and I had been dreading the

results. After taking 40 mgs of Prednisone every day for months, I was concerned

to say the least. That is what raw goat milk can do! WhoHooo!!! Before anybody

squalls about the dangers of raw milk, let me state that I test my goats annualy

and am excruciatingly careful in my milk-handling. I feel like I won the lottery

since I have a long laundry list of diseases and syndromes and wow am I glad!

Thought I'd share. Gentle hugs to all-- Chris

[Guest guest]

- I am SO glad this visit went better!!! Sorry I haven't replied to your

last email personally- I do my short emails on my phone & then my longer ones on

my computer which I only get on every other week ! I know --- I'm slack! But

CONGRATULATiONS on feeling good about today!!!! I've been thinking about you &

wondering how it went!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2011, at 8:04 PM, " phylliscrubaugh " <phylliscrubaugh@...> wrote:

> Well folks, I " Officially " have RA as of my visit yesterday. After yet another

500.00 in tests, he told me what I already knew. I guess I should be happy about

getting a definitive diagnosis, somehow I am not. HOWEVER- he did treat me with

much more respect and spoke more candidly with me this time, which really was a

blessing. There is a protien that really spiked hard in my bloodwork and they

want to isolate it and know exactly what it is.

>

> Some GREAT news came of this visit too. My Dexa bone scan placed me nearly off

the charts on the positive side for bone hardness, and I had been dreading the

results. After taking 40 mgs of Prednisone every day for months, I was concerned

to say the least. That is what raw goat milk can do! WhoHooo!!! Before anybody

squalls about the dangers of raw milk, let me state that I test my goats annualy

and am excruciatingly careful in my milk-handling. I feel like I won the lottery

since I have a long laundry list of diseases and syndromes and wow am I glad!

>

> Thought I'd share. Gentle hugs to all-- Chris

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

The good news about your confirmed RA diagnosis is you know your enemy, and can

now better deal with treatment. Let us know about the spiked protein when you

get results.

You mentioned your excellent bone condition and attribute it to the raw goat

milk you drink. I have recently converted and reverted to drinking milk again

to get more Calcium. I always considered myself having strong bones throughout

my life being an ex-athlete and hard physical worker being a horsewoman. I am

65 this year and for the last 6 years since RA diagnosis, my bones have taken a

hit and I now have softened bones and test way low in Vitamin D. I don't

supplement as regularly as I should, but I wanted to do more than supplement for

the Calcium loss. So......raw milk.....not pasteurized, is my way of adding

much needed Calcium.

I have a friend who has been diagnosed with leaky gut syndrome who actually went

out and bought a milk cow to get the needed goodness that raw milk provides. I

won't get a cow but how about a goat? I'd love it if you could give me a little

background about goat keeping and what is working for you. I have never tasted

goat milk. How does it compare to cow's milk? Please answer privately if you

prefer.

We have a local health food co-op that carries raw milk, cheese and butter; but,

the big dairy industry is trying their damndest to run them out on a rail. I

may be forced to buy some goats!

I wish more folks would return to raw and unadulterated food as I believe it is

the key to better health,

Thanks and great news on your dexa scan.

in Grass Valley, CA

Posted by: " phylliscrubaugh " phylliscrubaugh@... phylliscrubaugh

Wed Jan 5, 2011 5:04 pm (PST)

Well folks, I " Officially " have RA as of my visit yesterday. After yet another

500.00 in tests, he told me what I already knew. I guess I should be happy about

getting a definitive diagnosis, somehow I am not. HOWEVER- he did treat me with

much more respect and spoke more candidly with me this time, which really was a

blessing. There is a protien that really spiked hard in my bloodwork and they

want to isolate it and know exactly what it is.

Some GREAT news came of this visit too. My Dexa bone scan placed me nearly off

the charts on the positive side for bone hardness, and I had been dreading the

results. After taking 40 mgs of Prednisone every day for months, I was concerned

to say the least. That is what raw goat milk can do! WhoHooo!!! Before anybody

squalls about the dangers of raw milk, let me state that I test my goats annualy

and am excruciatingly careful in my milk-handling. I feel like I won the lottery

since I have a long laundry list of diseases and syndromes and wow am I glad!

Thought I'd share. Gentle hugs to all-- Chris

[Guest guest]

Hello !

 

I would LOVE to tell you about goats, their milk and the benefits they provide.

I will contact you off-list and I extend that invite to info to anyone that

desires it.

 

Barbara & also-- thanks for your kind words. I have to say that I am no

longer scared, just more prepared to fight to live my life as normally as I wish

to. This disease is a bugger, but I am strong inside, even when my body is weak.

 

Hugs to all-- in SC

 

Hi

The good news about your confirmed RA diagnosis is you know your enemy, and can

now better deal with treatment. Let us know about the spiked protein when you

get results.

You mentioned your excellent bone condition and attribute it to the raw goat

milk you drink. I have recently converted and reverted to drinking milk again to

get more Calcium. I always considered myself having strong bones throughout my

life being an ex-athlete and hard physical worker being a horsewoman. I am 65

this year and for the last 6 years since RA diagnosis, my bones have taken a hit

and I now have softened bones and test way low in Vitamin D. I don't supplement

as regularly as I should, but I wanted to do more than supplement for the

Calcium loss. So......raw milk.....not pasteurized, is my way of adding much

needed Calcium.

I have a friend who has been diagnosed with leaky gut syndrome who actually went

out and bought a milk cow to get the needed goodness that raw milk provides. I

won't get a cow but how about a goat? I'd love it if you could give me a little

background about goat keeping and what is working for you. I have never tasted

goat milk. How does it compare to cow's milk? Please answer privately if you

prefer.

We have a local health food co-op that carries raw milk, cheese and butter; but,

the big dairy industry is trying their damndest to run them out on a rail. I may

be forced to buy some goats!

I wish more folks would return to raw and unadulterated food as I believe it is

the key to better health,

Thanks and great news on your dexa scan.

in Grass Valley, CA

[Guest guest]

Hello, all...

I have not posted in this group before and thought I might share some

information with you that has helped me. I was diag. with mod. - sev. RA in 2001

at age 40. It was hell as you all know. I used a cane and have been on Mtrx.,

Pred., Arava, and Enbrel. The disease is depressing enough, not to mention the

limitations and changes in our bodies that go a long with it... We also need to

be our own advocates, since no one will do it for us...

I have a great rheumy, but also sought out a great general med, doc. that seeks

out underlying issues of various conditions. He has helped me a great deal. Body

pain, swelling edema, etc. is tough for us to deal with. I am a teacher and

musician and have really tried to do as much as I can for myself to be able to

continue working at school and also play the piano, cello and guitar - - a great

challenge in the past. Here are some things that have helped greatly for me that

may help you as well, so I would like to share:

1.  Low vit. D - My level was 18 when it should ideally be 60 - 80. In order to

get the level up, I was given a prescription vit. D of 50,000iu per day for a

month to get the level back up. After testing again, I was up to 77 and now take

2000iu daily to maintain. My body pain has been significantly less because of

this.

2. My hip and shoulder pain was so bad, that it interfered with my sleep - -

lying n my side - - waking up from pain. My doc told me to cut out all gluten

for a week, and if I had a sensitivity to it, I would know it within 5 days. I

did just that and I was finally able to sleep through the night. He told me so

many people have gluten sensitivity and don't know it -  it is in sooooooooooooo

much of what we eat. I as told some people show sensitivity through allergies,

itestinal distress and body/joint pain. Therefore I really limit my gluten

intake. I love pasta, and eat miracle noodles instead as well as the grain,

quinoa.

3.  Sugar and processed food is my enemy as well as protein overload / too much

red meat and animal foods that lead to greater stiffness/inflamation in the

body. I was told to eat a more whole food diet with more focus on and focus on

raw fruits and vegetables - - especially dark greens because they are a great

source of vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C, etc. We are what we eat, I guess...

4.  I also drink a lot of water daily, sleep 8 - 10 hours, keep moving, follow

am exercise program 3 times a week and find some " me time " every day

(meditating, praying, enjoyable activities)..... de-stressing.... trying to be

positive

I have now been off of all pred. for one year. I no longer take Mtrx. or Arava

and take Enbrel if I feel I need it (rare). I do take Naprox. or Aleeve to help

with pain if I need it. I still take folic acid every day, a multi, mag. for leg

cramps, omega 3 capsules, vit. D, calcium, vit. C and CoQ1o enzymes (Ubiquinol).

I try to walk more every day and do light cardio. and strength training at Snap

Fitness as my joints allow. I also enjoy warm water therapy at the heated pool.

I am so grateful for the help and support of this doctor who helped me. I feel

and look so much better, sleep better and have also lost a great deal of weight.

The nutritonal aspect has been huge for me in improving my life / living with

RA. It is only my intention to share in order to possibly help others living

with this terrible disease. You are all in my prayers.

God bless,

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Jo.

 

It was so nice of you to share all the things that are helping your RA.  I am

very happy that you are doing so well.  Good for you!

 

I hope you continue feeling this good as  I know your life is so much better

now.  Great to read this.  Rest as much as you can and I hope your RA stays

like this.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Jo <maryjo_56601@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Rheumy visit part two

Date: Saturday, January 8, 2011, 5:07 AM

 

Hello, all...

I have not posted in this group before and thought I might share some

information with you that has helped me. I was diag. with mod. - sev. RA in 2001

at age 40. It was hell as you all know. I used a cane and have been on Mtrx.,

Pred., Arava, and Enbrel. The disease is depressing enough, not to mention the

limitations and changes in our bodies that go a long with it... We also need to

be our own advocates, since no one will do it for us...

I have a great rheumy, but also sought out a great general med, doc. that seeks

out underlying issues of various conditions. He has helped me a great deal. Body

pain, swelling edema, etc. is tough for us to deal with. I am a teacher and

musician and have really tried to do as much as I can for myself to be able to

continue working at school and also play the piano, cello and guitar - - a great

challenge in the past. Here are some things that have helped greatly for me that

may help you as well, so I would like to share:

1.  Low vit. D - My level was 18 when it should ideally be 60 - 80. In order to

get the level up, I was given a prescription vit. D of 50,000iu per day for a

month to get the level back up. After testing again, I was up to 77 and now take

2000iu daily to maintain. My body pain has been significantly less because of

this.

2. My hip and shoulder pain was so bad, that it interfered with my sleep - -

lying n my side - - waking up from pain. My doc told me to cut out all gluten

for a week, and if I had a sensitivity to it, I would know it within 5 days. I

did just that and I was finally able to sleep through the night. He told me so

many people have gluten sensitivity and don't know it -  it is in

sooooooooooooo much of what we eat. I as told some people show sensitivity

through allergies, itestinal distress and body/joint pain. Therefore I really

limit my gluten intake. I love pasta, and eat miracle noodles instead as well as

the grain, quinoa.

3.  Sugar and processed food is my enemy as well as protein overload / too much

red meat and animal foods that lead to greater stiffness/inflamation in the

body. I was told to eat a more whole food diet with more focus on and focus on

raw fruits and vegetables - - especially dark greens because they are a great

source of vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C, etc. We are what we eat, I guess...

4.  I also drink a lot of water daily, sleep 8 - 10 hours, keep moving, follow

am exercise program 3 times a week and find some " me time " every day

(meditating, praying, enjoyable activities)..... de-stressing.... trying to be

positive

I have now been off of all pred. for one year. I no longer take Mtrx. or Arava

and take Enbrel if I feel I need it (rare). I do take Naprox. or Aleeve to help

with pain if I need it. I still take folic acid every day, a multi, mag. for leg

cramps, omega 3 capsules, vit. D, calcium, vit. C and CoQ1o enzymes (Ubiquinol).

I try to walk more every day and do light cardio. and strength training at Snap

Fitness as my joints allow. I also enjoy warm water therapy at the heated pool.

I am so grateful for the help and support of this doctor who helped me. I feel

and look so much better, sleep better and have also lost a great deal of weight.

The nutritonal aspect has been huge for me in improving my life / living with

RA. It is only my intention to share in order to possibly help others living

with this terrible disease. You are all in my prayers.

God bless,

Jo