As the end of this year approaches I can’t help but look back and reflect on all that has happened. I have experienced some highs and quite a few health related lows this year. I would much rather focus on the good things that 2009 brought.
This was the year that LivingRheum.com was born in earnest.
LivingRheum.com has enriched my life in ways that I never could have expected. I am still in awe that anyone found my blog to read it in the first place. The fact that so many people have come here and read my words and shared their experiences has been such a blessing. I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people.
Just knowing that there are so many good people in this world who completely understand how it really feels to have rheumatoid arthritis and the challenges that I face with this disease, has made me feel so less alone in this challenging journey. I hope that in some way I have been able to give back all that I have gained.
I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy new year filled with much happiness and mobility. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. I plan to use my energy to focus on the joy. I find the more I focus on the joy, the less I focus on the joints.
I have not written a post in quite some time now. I have been going through some physical challenges since this summer. It seems that lyme disease does not want to let go of me right now and that is complicating the rheumatoid arthritis. You cannot treat both diseases at the same time so something has got to give and it has been and will continue to be the RA treatment until I am convinced that the lyme disease is gone for good.
I have spent the better part of the past 4 months without the RA treatments that in the past were working for me. So the challenge right now is finding some natural ways to deal with the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis without it countering the lyme treatments. I am trying right now to find the right combination of diet and supplements that will give me the best results.
This is a new development for me. Over the past 8 years I have never gone without medication for such an extended period of time. It has caused me to question a great many things. In the beginning I was mostly afraid. I almost feel like the medication was somewhat of a crutch for me. I am not saying that we shouldn’t seek out medication for RA. What I am saying is that maybe I didn’t look into some of the other options available to me because I didn’t have to. The medication worked so well that there really wasn’t any need to look further.
I feel like I am embarking on a new direction for my health. It is a little scary for me. There is a certain amount of comfort that goes with handing over the control to the doctor. But now that I have made the decision to take an alternative route, I am feeling empowered that I am in control of my own health and I am hopeful that this will be the right decision for me and my family.
I am hoping that I will be able to post more in the future and keep you up to date on my progress. But for now I am trying to focus on my health and healing and trying to take each day as it comes. I am truly grateful to everyone who has expressed their love and support. It means more than I can say.
Do you feel really comfortable with your current rheumatologist? Are you able to discuss all of your questions and concerns with your rheumatologist? If the answer to these questions is no; you are not alone. A surprising number of patients report that they fell rushed when they visit the doctor’s office and often leave without understanding what was discussed during the visit. It is important to be able to communicate with your physician at your visit. Your health is at stake.
It is a good idea to make sure that before your next visit you are prepared. If you have blood work that is due near the time of the appointment make sure it is done and the doctor has had the opportunity to look at the results before your appointment so that you can discuss the results while you are there. Make a list of questions/concerns for the doctor. Prioritize the list so that you cover the most important questions first. If you do not completely understand the doctor’s response to your question, let them know. Don’t be afraid to ask them to clarify something for you. If the doctor wants follow up testing or changes in medication, make sure you understand any side effects and/or necessary information you may need ( ie. time of day to take meds or have test done, fasting, non fasting, etc…) before you leave the office. If you feel as though you did not have all your questions answered at the visit; don’t be afraid to call the office and ask for the doctor to call you back when he/she is free to answer your questions.
If you have done all this and still do not have your questions answered, your concerns addressed, or if you feel you are not being heard, and are rushed, it may be time to find a new doctor! My first rheumatologist was an extremely intelligent doctor, and a professor at an Ivy League University but we did not communicate well with each other. After interviewing several other doctors I found a rheumatologist that is the right fit for me. I am comfortable discussing all my issues with my physician and I always feel like her focus is on my wellness at all times. My questions are always answered, I never feel rushed and I always feel that my health is of paramount importance to her. It may take some time to find the right rheumatologist, but it is well worth the effort.
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.
This is an interesting and important service that google is providing. It certainly would give the patient more hands on control of their medical records and the information contained within. I like the idea of actually being able to look at my own medical records and that in theory they could all be located in one place. I have many different doctors and I really think that if they could all share all of my medical records it would be more of a team mentality when it comes to my health as opposed to each doctor taking care of his or her own part of the equation. I am a little concerned about security issues and certainly privacy issues. I hadn’t heard of this feature that google provides and just stumble upon this video. It seems like they still have some issues to work out but it is an interesting concept.
Becoming your own health advocate can sound like a daunting task, but it really is an important part of taking control of your disease. No one knows your body better than you do. It is up to you to communicate what is going on with your doctor(s) and other health care professionals. One of the most important things that you can do for yourself in taking charge of your health care is to find a doctor that you feel comfortable with. Find one that listens to what you are telling them and respects you. If you don’t feel your doctor is listening to you and respecting you, it may be time to look for a new one. They are supposed to be working for you in your best interest, if you feel that they aren’t, find a new one.
Once you feel comfortable with your choice of doctor, the next important step is to be prepared. Do some research on your condition. Make a list of questions to bring with you to the doctor’s office. List the questions in order of importance to you.
Bring a note pad with your questions to the doctors office with you. Ask questions and write down the doctor’s answer. It’s really easy to forget what the doctor said when you are sitting there in a paper dress. If additional testing is needed, ask why and how the procedure will work. Most importantly, make sure that you understand the answer to your questions. If you don’t understand, make sure to communicate that with the doctor so that they can explain things in a way that you can understand.
Keep a health journal. Log how you are feeling from day to day. Write down any changes to your diet or medications. Report to the doctor anything that is out of the ordinary. Keep a record of all the medications that you are taking and from which doctor. If another doctor or specialist changes your medication or you start taking any supplements, write it down to share at your next visit.
Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. Or even a third opinion if necessary. This is your body and your good health. It is up to you to make sure that the professionals that you see are working with you to maintain your health.
According to research the most common mineral deficiencies for those with rheumatoid arthritis are calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc. There are many factors as to why people with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) are lacking in these vital minerals some include treatments for the disease.
Calcium: Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your diet. Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are rich in calcium. You can also get calcium from broccoli, kale and Chinese cabbage (Bok Choy). Seafood such as sardines and oysters are good sources of calcium as well. Some grains and fruit juices are also fortified with calcium. Calcium is stored primarily in bones and teeth. It is also important for blood clotting. Most low blood calcium levels are often a result of insufficient PTH(Parathyroid Hormone) or vitamin D rather than dietary deficiency. Vitamin D is essential in the absorption of calcium. (Click here for previous posts on vitamin D levels(and here.) Low levels of blood calcium can result in nerve and muscle impairment and long term deficiency can lead to bone loss. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for adults under the age of 50 is 1,000 mg(milligrams)/day. For adults over the age of 50 the required daily intake of calcium is 1,200 mg/day.
Magnesium: Magnesium is necessary for maintaining muscle and nerve function. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and promotes normal blood pressure. Magnesium is responsible for keeping the heart rhythm steady and supports a healthy immune system. It is stored in bone and is an important mineral to keep bones strong. Green vegetables, beans, peas, nuts and seeds are good sources of magnesium. Whole grains are also a good origin of magnesium. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 400 mg/day for males 19-30 years old and 310mg/day for females 19-30 years old. For men 31 and older 420 mg/day is necessary and women over 31 need 320mg/day.
Selenium: Selenium is a mineral is that important to help regulate thyroid function and plays a role in the immune system. It is required in only small amounts. Selenium is incorporated into proteins that as a result become important antioxidant enzymes which prevent cellular damage from free radicals. Selenium is found in brazil nuts, tuna, cod, some meats and poultry from animals that graze on plants grown in selenium rich soils. The recommended daily intake of this mineral for adult men and women is 55 micrograms/day.
Zinc: Zinc is an essential mineral that is available as a dietary supplement. It is also found naturally in some foods such as crab, oysters, beef and pork. Breakfast cereals are also fortified with zinc. Zinc plays a role in immune function and is important for metabolism. The body cannot store zinc so it is important to get a daily intake of this mineral. Adult men should get 11 mg/day of zinc and women need 8 mg/day.
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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