Yes!! I finally catch up to the end of the thread. I had blood tests this morning, then collapsed all afternoon I was so sick with this sinus infection. And no, I gave up all milk years ago, I actually like almond milk better than cow's milk.
First, I was put on blue green algae for 2 years by an allergist in the 1990's. He did say he had never heard of a case of allergies in medical literature, or seen one in his huge medical practice. He was the top paid physician in BC a few years back. The blue green algae, I never got used to the taste or figured out a way to eat it that made it palatable. And that daring doctor who was trying out alternatives, was the one who put me on allergies shots, which likely triggered my RA.
The psalmist - a really good, easily useable source of B vitamins is Engivita Yeast. I put about a tablespoon in Orange juice every morning. I've run out of it a few times, and end up with B vitamin deficiencies, coming in the form of sores around my mouth. (not cold sores). When that happens, I get on top of finding a health food store and getting a few big packages. It is also really good on popcorn, although I don't eat that anymore.
As far as diet helping RA, it is absolutely true. I have two friends who are controlling their RA with diet. One is extremely active, travels all over the world. The other is a country girl, loves to hunt and fish. I tried the diet the second one did for months. I got no results.
Which brings me to the ignorance people have about RA. It is an auto-immune disease that attacks the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys and skin. Oh yes, the joints, which gives the most pain and causes deformities.
There are many different "families" of RA. That is why the biologics (read: cancer drugs) target different parts of the immune system. I've been on drugs that targeted TNF, B cells, T cells, interleukin 1 & 6, and Jakinase molecules. The only ones that have really worked for me have been the ones that targeted the TNF and interleukin 1. I am not on those drugs, currently because of side effects.
In my travels to various clinics, I have met people on most of the biologics. One woman told me Actemra gave her, her life back. Actemra was a total fail for me. I have met others who said Orencia was their magic bullet. Well, going into the 7th month, it is totally inadequate. I am trying to get back on the Interlukin 1 drug - Kineret. But it helps so few people, it might not even be manufactured any more, and the provincial health care doesn't cover it.
So many drugs to treat the various families of RA. My rheumatologist told me again yesterday, that I am the most severe case he has ever seen. And to be happy with what I have. I think he realizes I don't belong to that "family" of personalities! LOL I am going to keep looking at going back to Kineret, if I have to sleep in front of the legislature for a whole session to get it approved.
So there are all kinds of things that help different people. I simply am not someone that eating better, or differently works. I am a very careful eater, I eat all the right things. I also drink a huge amount of water daily. We had an old friend visit and for the first two days, he harped on me that I needed to drink more water. Then he stopped. About the 5th day, he said he couldn't believe how much water I consumed. And he learned about sipping water gradually as the day progressed. All filtered, of course!
I take a whack load of drugs. Every few years, I wean off a number of them. NOT the RA meds! But then I get worse, and I have to add them back. I got off the toxic prednisone last week. My rheumatologist wants me back on it! Well, as another cousin of mine who has RA says, "At least it works."
So the next time you start to lecture someone on how diet can cure their RA, be aware they might not be in that family, which is a much milder form of RA. For me, I eat healthy because it helps the rest of my body. No sense being sick in multiple ways.
