Tag Archives: Rheumatoid Arthritis RA

Misdiagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): My Lyme Disease Story

As some of you may have heard, I just recently found that I was misdiagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I have Lyme Disease.

Anyone who has followed this blog probably knows that I thought that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) for over 9 years. I have always had some doubt about what was going on with my body and the effectiveness of the treatments the doctors were prescribing. But I trusted my doctors more than I trusted my instincts. My story is a cautionary tale for anyone who has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

Let me start by saying that we live in rural Rhode Island. We have a small 3/4 acre wooded lot. All sorts of wild life can be found in our yard at any given time and there is no shortage of deer that visit our property. We moved out here to raise our family in a quiet, serene place with good schools and friendly neighbors. Unfortunately, with the good comes the bad, and the deer carry ticks that carry Lyme Disease.

Each member of my family at one time or another has had Lyme Disease. It is not uncommon to be outside for only a few moments and pick up one of the poppy seed-sized ticks. For the most part we have all either tested positive with Lyme Disease or the tick if we were able to keep it tested positive with the disease.

9 years ago I had been bitten by a tick. At the time, I was tending to my newborn son, and had two older boys to watch over as well. In prior exposures to the disease, I had felt “flu like symptoms” and that was my cue to get tested. I don’t know if it was adjusting to three boys and 2 jobs or if I was just too busy to notice, but I really don’t remember any “flu like symptoms”.

It started with my ankle. It hurt and was swollen so I went to the urgent care center where they X-rayed it and told me they could find nothing wrong with me. The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory and gave me and air-cast. We were going with the assumption that I must have sprained my ankle even though I couldn’t remember doing anything out of the ordinary.

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Walnuts for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

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Walnuts are a tasty way to add crunch to your favorite yogurt or salad.

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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.

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Happy Holidays!

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Merry Christmas

I wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a healthy, happy holiday. I hope that everyone has the Merriest of Christmas’ and the Happiest of Hanukkah. I plan on spending a quiet holiday with the people that mean the most to me in this world.

Aspartame and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Before you reach for that diet soft drink, you may want to rethink what is in that beverage. The sugar substitute aspartame, used in most diet soft drinks does not in fact help in weight loss and there is mounting evidence that it may actually cause weight gain. More important to someone with rheumatoid arthritis, aspartame may cause inflammation and joint pain.

According to Woodrow C. Monte, PhD., Director of the Food Science and Nutrition Laboratory at Arizona State University, “when aspartmae is metabolized, it releases methyl alcohol (wood alcohol), a known toxin that is highly dangerous to humans.” Dr. Monte warns that “once in your cells, methyl alcohol converts to formaldehyde, a cancer-causing agent. Recent studies in Europe suggest that aspartame consumption can result in the accumulation of formaldehyde in the brain damaging the central nervous system and the immune system.

Aspartame is found not only in diet products. It can also be found in cough medicine, toothpaste and even some sports drinks and juice drinks.

Aspartame has been linked to several autoimmune diseases including lupus, fibromyalgia, multiple sclorosis and rheumatoid arthritis even at low doses. It has been tied to migranes, chronic fatigue, asthma, diabetes,tinnitis and depression.

According to the Aspartme Information Center, aspartame is approved by the US Food and Drug Adminstration and the Joint Expert Committe on Food Adititives of the World Health Organization. It is consumed in over 6,000 products and by 200 million people worldwide. It is found in everything from cough medicine to soft drinks.

For me personally, I would rather err of the side of caution and avoid aspertame. My body has gone through enough turmoil. I want to nourish with food that will aid in healing and avoid ingesting anything that may potentially cause harm. You make up your own mind.

Finding A Rheumatologist That Is Right For You!

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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.

5 Tips for Dealing with Arthritis Pain

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Everyone from time to time needs ways to cope with pain. Here are a few tips I use to help me deal the pain.

Meditation

Meditation can lower your blood pressure, enhance your immune system, relax muscles and help you deal with stress. And lets face it pain is stressful.

Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day and gradually work up to 20 to 30 minutes a day. You will be surprised what a difference it will make in how you feel.

Find a quiet place where there are not likely to be any interruptions. I try to get in some time before the kids wake up.

Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes. Focus on your breath; the coolness as you breathe in and the warm exhale. Try to keep the inhalation and exhalation the same length. Start with your feet and focus on the sensation of relaxation. Now move up to your legs, stomach, arms, and shoulders,. With each exhale feel the tension leave your body. Now relax the corners of your mouth, the outer corners of your eyes relax outward. Stay like this focusing on the inhalation and exhalation, try to empty your mind.

It takes practice to be able to shut out the world for a little while, but it is well worth the effort.

Pamper Yourself

Sit down and enjoy a nice warm cup of tea. Take a long soothing soak in the tub. (provided getting in and out is not an issue) Try a nice paraffin wax for your hands. The warmth feels wonderful and your hands end up so soft and smooth when you are done. Schedule a spa day with your best friend. Indulge in an afternoon nap. Do something that makes you feel good.

Move your Body

Exercise is a must to help with pain reduction. Find an exercise that you enjoy and you are more likely to stick with it. Start with something that you can do now. Begin with some stretches and add a few isometrics to gain some strength gradually increasing the time and level of activity. Be careful to listen to what your body is telling you. Do not continue if you are experiencing pain. Remember that consistency is the key.

Laugh

We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine. Well it turns out that laughter is exactly what we need when dealing with pain. Laughter causes the pituitary gland in the brain to release pain suppressing compounds. So watch a funny movie or tell a good joke !

Listen to your favorite music

Studies have shown a significant reduction in pain and depression for patients with arthritis who listen to music. So crank up the tunes and enjoy!

Power of Pomegranates for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

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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.