Dietary changes or supplements to ease rhumatoid arthritis pain

Discussion in 'Health and Fitness' started by ned, Jan 9, 2014.

  1. ned

    ned Valued Member

    My wife has recently been diagnosed with rhumatoid arthritis.Her joints get very painful,especially in the mornings.She's done some research but most information regarding whats good or bad in nutritional terms is anecdotal so I thought I'd ask if anyone here has experience of this.
    One piece of advice was to drink honey,cider vinegar and hot water.Another was to avoid tomatoes which apparently she has gone off recently.
    Anyhow I guess its a case of trial and error,we're still waiting for a date from the local nhs clinic,so anyones experiences would be welcome.
     
  2. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    What did the doctor recommend?
     
  3. thauma

    thauma Valued Member

    Ned, that's bad news. Obviously take heed of the physician, and I hope the appointment with the nhs comes through quickly.

    I don't know what causes this, but I do know that a friend (from many many years ago) has a son who was effectively wheelchair bound and diagnosed with a form of arthritis. They did a lot of personal research and eventually managed to get some allergy testing done (privately). Now the boy had been in a wheelchair or walking with sticks for many years, and they found that he had a wheat allergy. Once they adjusted his diet, he did improve (riding a bike, playing football etc as a normal 15 year old should) although not overnight. I'm not suggesting the same will be true here, but it is certainly worth staying positive!
     
  4. belltoller

    belltoller OffTopic MonstreOrdinaire Supporter

    I had something like septic arthritis a couple of years ago - thought to've originated from field rats. Began waking up with the most god-awful swollen toe joints and progressed from there...

    Don't recall anything eaten or drank that relieved that buggard.

    You should really post the question on a Medical Forum or go to WebMD, MayoClinic Online, etc.
     
  5. ned

    ned Valued Member

    The doc has just done blood tests and confirmed the diagnosis.We are waiting for a date to see the specialist clinic who,hopefully will sort out the medication/therapy.
    But it seems like it"s a case of pain management more than anything else as there is no 'cure' as such.
    Thanks for the replies.
     
  6. flaming

    flaming Valued Member

    My mum has it, acupunture helps her temporarily. The weather plays a big part, rainy and grey days make it worse. I recomend we move somewhere sunnier but its a lot of hastle. She got a book on it but the foods that I remember it saying where bad (dairy potatos off the top of my head) she's gone back to eating so it must not of helped much or she didn't give the diet long enough.
     
  7. Bobby Gee

    Bobby Gee Valued Member

    I've heard tomatoes, shellfish, redmeat and alcohol are no good with arthritis.
     
  8. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

  9. Geetarman

    Geetarman Valued Member

    A friend of mine has bad arthiritis requiring daily medication and previously hip replacement surgery. He started eating a paleo diet over a year ago and is now on virtually no medication.

    Whatever your thoughts on Paleo it's made a huge difference to his life.
     
  10. robertmap

    robertmap Valued Member

    One of the things that I don't 'get' is how often we all (me too) assume that we are part of a homogenous group called 'human' rather than an individual - NOTHING else is quite as remarkable as how DIFFERENT people respond (or don't respond) to DIFFERENT treatments / diets / medications etc...

    My advice to 'ned' is to do whatever the doctors say AND to research and try as many different additional therapies as time, money and common sense allows...

    Fingers crossed that you find something that helps...
     
  11. Frodocious

    Frodocious She who MUST be obeyed! Moderator Supporter

  12. righty

    righty Valued Member

    In summary, basically it will be down to trial and error.

    There are some diets out there that are advertised to be anti-inflammatory, which is what you wife would be looking for in terms of trying to ease some of the pain. Paleo/primal is one of these. The trouble, as you found yourself is that the evidence is indeed anecdotal. Generally I take such diets with a grain of salt, but for some people they really seem to work, mostly in my opinion by getting them eating more nutrient dense foods. But in reality it's not like they are going to harm you, so they are worth trying if it gives some relief.

    It terms of inflammation these diets are basically removing things that may cause a small immune response and hence all-over body inflammation. In the majority of people such reactions a relatively minor (unless there is an obvious food allergy) and so it's not worth the bother but if you are having other issues then any little bit helps.

    At the very least you, well your wife really could start recording a diary to record relative pain, foods eaten and other lifestyle factors and events to see if there is some correlation.

    Not that as it's rheumatoid as Frodo said this is only looking at relieving some symptoms.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2014

Share This Page