I haven’t done a great many posts on tips lately. Mostly it is because I am doing all I can to get through each day. I don’t have a lot of energy and what I do have is shared with my family. I turned a corner the other day and I wanted to share what happened.
My knees have been causing me so much pain lately that a restful night’s sleep has evaded me. If I don’t move in bed I start to cramp up and if I try to move I am in a lot of pain. So needless to say every 30 minutes to an hour I am awake.
I was lying in bed the other day and I was contemplating my current situation. I was going over in my head what was going on in my life. I considered the amount of stress I have been under and how I have tried to deal with it. I was also evaluating my diet and trying to figure out what might be causing the increased inflammation and pain and what I was going to do about it. There are so many variables that can effect how I feel it’s hard to pinpoint which part of my life and routine is causing all this pain. I needed to figure out if anything I was doing was having any impact at all. While I was lying there pondering all these factors all I could think of was the only time I am not in pain is when I am still.
I was irritated that in being still the world was going on without me. All I could think was I can’t live like that either, spending the entire day not moving to avoid pain is not really a solution to my problem. Then it hit me, maybe I was looking at this all wrong. Maybe the universe was trying to tell me that I needed to be still.
I sat with that thought for a while. Maybe I needed to stop fighting the stillness and just for a while embrace it.
So I did.
I welcomed the stillness in my body and my mind. I stopped fighting and was simply still.
I don’t know that if in that moment of acceptance my body and mind connected, but I do know that when I woke the next morning I had slept the entire night without waking from pain. Since then I have been experiencing significantly less pain and inflammation. I am not pain free nor am I inflammation free but in the days since I feel like I am at a manageable level.
Before this realization I was really afraid that I was either going to have to go back on medication to control the pain and inflammation or I was going to have to live with things the way they were. I wasn’t really sure that I would be able to do that. All that pain, takes it’s toll on my spirit. All that pain takes it’s toll on my family.
I had gotten away from meditation for a while. Life had gotten busy. Priorities changed.
I won’t let that happen again. I need to take the extra time for the stillness. In embracing the stillness, my body has thanked me.
Walnuts are a tasty way to add crunch to your favorite yogurt or salad.
They also have the added benefit of being loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which are great for fighting inflammation. Only 1/4 cup of walnuts provides you with almost 91% of you daily value of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts also have an antioxidant compound called ellegic acid which supports the immune system. Walnuts are rich in manganese and copper as well. Walnuts are a good source of plant protein. They are rich in fiber, B vitamins and vitamin E. I love to just snack on just a handful. It keeps me feeling full and helps with inflammation; the perfect combination in the afternoon.
There are some studies that show that undenatured chicken collegen may help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. So can chicken soup help RA? I’ll leave that to the scientists. I know that I always feel better after a bowl of soup! I love soup! Expecially when the weather is cold and damp. This is my chicken soup recipe. It is loaded with nutrients, antioxidants and has anti-inflammatories also. I have purposefully left the size of the cut up vegetables up to you because I know how hard it can be to get small cuts when your hands are hurting and it really does not matter what size they are because they will simmer for long enough to fully cook anyway. I hope you try it!
If I have the time I prefer to make the stock myself. If not commercial stock is fine but make sure that it is low fat and sodium.
Chicken Stock:
1 Chicken Roaster carcass (It is more economical to use the leftover roaster, but you can use fresh chicken (with the bones) as well)
1 small Onion quartered with the skin
2 unpeeled Carrot cut up
2 Celery stalk cut up
16 cups purified cold Water.
Put chicken, onion, carrot and celery in large stock pot. Add water. Heat to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Simmer 2 hours. Place colander in 2nd stock pot strain chicken and vegetables. Remove colander from pot so that stock remains. Put chicken and vegetables to the side to cool. Once cooled discard vegetables and chicken bones.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger Root peeled & minced (or if it is easier you can use a grater and just grate it)
2 Clove Garlic crushed or minced ( you can grate the garlic as well)
2 Ribs Celery with leaves diced( or cut to whatever size is manageable)
10 cups Chicken Stock
1 Large New Potato chopped with skin
2 Carrots (peeled) chopped
1 cup frozen kernel Corn
1 Bay Leaf
1 Tablespoon Parsley
1/2 cup Brown Rice
1 Whole Boneless Chicken Breast ( optional based on how you get your stock ) diced
Salt ( I prefer sea salt ) to taste
Pepper ( I like fresh ground ) to taste
In the original pot heat 1 Tbs olive oil. Add onion, garlic, ginger and celery. Saute over medium heat until the onion begins to wilt and the celery begins to brighten. From the cooled colander remove chicken from the bone and cut into bite size pieces if necessary.
Note: If you are using a commercial stock, saute the chicken breast with the onion and celery before adding the stock
Add chicken stock, carrot, potato, corn, bay leaf, parsley and chicken. Heat to boil and add brown rice. Reduce heat to medium, cook for 20 minutes reduce to simmer.
Serve with garnish of fresh chopped scallion or chives.
Samantha shares her story of rheumatoid arthritis. She talks about how the disease changed her life and how she adapted to the changes that it brought her. It is an honest story of what it can be like living with rheumatoid arthritis. I could relate to her story on many levels.
Over the past several months I have received comments that I think need to be addressed in a much longer format than a comment response. The comments are related to treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis and which treatment is best.
We are fortunate enough to have many options available to us today to manage our rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Traditional medicine offers everything from NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) like Advil and DMARD s(Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) such as Plaquenil, Arava, Methotrexate, Gold, and Cyclosporine to biologics like Remicade, Enbrel and Humira. There is a growing trend toward alternative medicine as a solution to deal with this disease. Each option has its benefits, risks and side effects.
NSAIDs are a class of drug that are used primarily to treat inflammation and mild to moderate pain. These medications vary in potency and include the brand names Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Anaprox and Celebrex. Between 10% to 50% of patients are unable to tolerate NSAIDs because of their side effects. These side effects include upset stomach, stomach pain, and diarrhea. About 15% of people on long term NSAID treatment develop ulcers of the stomach and/or the duodenum.
DMARDs cover a variety of different of drugs. Anti-malarial drugs such as Plaquenil (Hydroxycloroquine) are considered a DMARD and were initially used to treat malaria. It was discovered to help arthritis when patients noticed an improvement in their arthritis symptoms while taking plaquenil for malaria. Plaquenil effects the immune system but doctors do not know how it works for rheumatoid arthritis. Arava (leflunomide) interferes with genes in developing immune cells. When taking Arava, liver monitoring for toxicity is required. You should not take this drug if you are planning to get pregnant or are currently pregnant because of birth defects. The most common side effects for patients taking Arava are rash, nausea, hair loss, liver enzyme elevation and anemia. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that initially was used to treat acute leukemia. Methotrexate (MTX) has become the gold standard for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methotrexate interferes with the growth of cells in the bone marrow. The most common side effects from methotrexate include stomach upset, hair loss, diarrhea, and mouth sores. Folic acid is given while taking this medication to reduce the side effects. Liver function monitoring is necessary to watch for toxicity. Methotrexate should also not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Injectable Gold has been shown to improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis however toxicity is common and constant monitoring in necessary. Side effects include rash, diarrhea, conjunctivitis and marrow suppression. Cyclosporine is a medication that is used primarily for the prevention of rejection of transplanted organs. It is effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis because it stops an overactive immune system from attacking the joints. Side effects can be severe and include hypertension, kidney problems, headache, nausea and diarrhea.
Biologic response modifiers (biologics) are the latest treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation. They work by blocking the tumor necrosis factors(TNF) components of the immune system. People with RA have too much TNF in their bodies and it overwhelms the immune systems response to inflammation. Biologics such as Enbrel, Remicade and Humira are genetically engineered proteins that binds to and deactivates the TNF molecules before they can do damage. The risks in taking this class of drug include serious infection including sepsis and tuberculosis, nervous system diseases such as multiple scholosis, allergic reactions, lymphoma and congestive heart failure. Because these drugs are fairly new their long term side effects are not known.
There has been much debate on the effectiveness of complimentary and alternative treatments options for rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments include GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid, Tai Chi, herbal supplements and acupuncture. There are many more complimentary and alternative treatment options that will be discussed in future posts.
GLA (Gamma-linolenic Acid) is an essential fatty acid found primarily in plant oils. It is found in borage oil and black currant seed. In preliminary testing it has shown to reduce morning stiffness and swelling however studies have been small to date and additional research would provide more information. DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is an omega 3 fatty acid found in cold water fish. Several studies have shown that DHA reduces inflammation but not the progression of the disease. The movements of Tai Chi improve strength, flexibility and balance. There is no indication that Tai Chi effects the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Acupuncture in thought to stimulate the release of chemicals called endorphins that block pain. Acupuncture is very effective in treating chronic pain like that in rheumatoid arthritis. The list of supplements as an alternative solution to conventional medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include vitamin E, MSM, copper, manganese, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, bromelain, ginger, turmeric and boswellia. These alternatives have proven to help in inflammation and in some cases joint damage.
The benefits of using conventional medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are that knowledgeable doctors using this method are readily available and the medications work for many people. These medications have significantly improved the lives of many with rheumatoid arthritis. The downside to this treatment option is the side effects can vary from mild to severe and some long term effects are not even known.
The benefits to choosing an alternative medical solution for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is that the side effects to these treatment are few and are less damaging to the body. The disadvantage to complimentary and alternative treatments are that finding a qualified medical professional that can help guide you through all the options available can be a challenge and there is debate on whether or not they can help with joint damage.
Ultimately the choice for a treatment option is a personal one. What matters is what works for you. Everyone has their own body chemistry. What works for one person may not work for another. The advantage that we have today is that we have options, many options, and if something is not working for us we can try in another direction until we find our own solution. It is not up to me or anyone else to decide what is best for you and your body. Trust yourself to figure out what is best for you.
One of my favorite healthy snacks this time of year is the pomegranate. The kids and I just love to pick at the little gems and eat the sweet, crunchy seeds just as nature made them.
Pomegranates are native to the mediterranean region and are a good source of vitamins A, C, E , folic acid and potassium. The name “pomegranate” in Latin is translated as seeded apple. The polyphenols in pomegranate juice are antioxidants that can prevent and repair oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
In a recent study funded in part by the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine researchers from Case Western Reserve University studied the effect that the dietary supplement made from pomegranate extract called POMx had on an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in mice. The mice were treated before and after the arthritis was induced. The mice that were treated with the POMx before the induced arthritis had significantly reduced incidence and severity of disease than the untreated mice. In mice that were treated to exhibit arthritis symptoms before receiving the POMx, the effected joints showed less inflammation and less destruction of cartilage and bone that those that did not receive the POMx.Future studies will test the disease modifying effects of POMx on mice that have been treated to mimic the symptoms of RA.
Pomegranates are available in the market in the northern hemisphere from September to February. In the southern hemisphere you can find them from March to May but the juice is available year round.
All information is intended for
your general knowledge only and is not a
substitute for medical advice or treatment.
You should consult your physician for any
health issues.
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