New Diagnosis

[EisPrinzessin]

I had been told the last month or so I probably have fibromyalgia. Today, I've learned it's even worse - rheumatoid arthritis. I'm only 31 and all I can think is I'm going to end up with gnarled hands, a stooped neck, etc. if I continue the way I am. My doctor is sending me to a rheumatologist, but I am very unsure, because I don't want to end up on a lot of medications, esp. at my age.

I've been talking with my fiance, who is being surprisingly supportive of my vegan/raw food venture (he's a real meat n' potatoes guy), and he feels, as do I, that instead of pumping myself full of NSAIDs and other arthritis drugs, raw is the way to go. So, I've been 50% - 60%. I'm going for 90%, starting today. I am really sad and concerned about this arthritis - I just can't see any other way to go drug-free.

I just wanted to post this, because I'm really quite confused right now. I had thought I had something that wasn't going to disfigure me, and now I've got this to contend with. :( :( :(

[Rawkinlocs]

A big (((HUG))) to you!!

But please try to feel confident in knowing that, if you DO go for eating raw and MORE raw at that (preferably ALL raw) that your body can heal from this!

Once again I share the story of the 80-something year old grandmother of a woman I know who had rheumatoid arthritis. She went raw (Hallelujah Acres) and her body was healed of this condition! No more medications, no more pain! She DID have a relapse after indulging in some cooked foods one holiday season, but upon returning to her doctor for pain medication, he insisted that she "Get back on that diet!" as he said it was the best thing she had ever done for herself and her health.

So, there IS hope and you do NOT have to live with this!

Blessings to you that you find strength, encouragement and the support you need to do this and stick with this and be healed and fully recovered!

[Ariannah]

Welcome EisPrinzessin1

By eating raw, natural food, you'll not only clear up the symptoms of fibromyalgia, you'll be resetting your body to its natural state. The body is designed to heal itself on its own, and when foreign objects (cooked food, the icky processed, additive-filled food we now accept into the mainstream, etc) enter the body, it rebels, thinking it's sick and sends nasty symptoms.

You've taken a wonderful step, and you are blessed to have such a wonderful fiance who supports you!

[Rawkinlocs]

This may be of interest to you!

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8807&highlight=arthritis

OH...and if there is any TRACE of dairy products (or in all honesty, any animal protein at all) in your diet, it would greatly benefit you to eliminate those right away!

[EisPrinzessin]

Thank you, both. I just ordered Alissa's book to help me better. I'm just so unhappy with my situation, but so incredibly hopeful, esp. after reading through the posts on this board. I'm looking forward to being a success story.

[tglasco4]

Congrats Eis!! Anything I can do for you please let me know. You have made a decision that will be challenging but more than rewarding for your health!!

Peace and Blessings to you on your journey to health! :)

Todd

[sachis2112]

My dear, I have just been through a BIG RA ride with my hubby. I know what they will want to give you, I know the side effects, and I know the chances each has of working.

Please PM/email me and I can give you a run-down of what we've been through so far. Maybe I can help you find ways of treating yourself before they give you the nasty stuff. Whether or not you try conventional medicine, being raw will help you either fight on your own or fight the crap they put in your body.

Don't lose hope. Some cases are worse than others and you already have a leg-up just having raw food knowledge.

[exurb]

Hey, Ice princess, here's a link for a scientific study that showed a positive outcome on fibromyalgia patients given a raw foods diet hope that helps.

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/1/7

Also I would suggest that you would probably benefit from consistent daily moderate exercise, if you are in pain, something like a recumbent bike that will get the endorphins up, keep your joints more limber, etc... you could stretch after the bike really warms you up. Ask your doctors for all sorts of other things you can do. They are sometimes a little put off by people who want to avoid meds, but they usually also have some helpful info on additional non-med type stuff you can do to help.

[misslinda]

Warmest love to you Ice princess..........

I'm sorry that you got that news---the medical terminology itself is SCARY and I was just told that I suffer from an auto-immune conditon as well----here is an article that is tieing alot of these conditions to one commonality. I have discovered by tending this commonatlity with raw, that I am getting results.

http://www.health-n-energy.com/ARTICLES/9artleakygutart.htm


If that 55 year old man from the Carribean with throat and prostate cancer---cured himself, we can too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've totally decided to rid the word Auto immune from my mind and think of it that "ucky" stuff bothering my body. Never hesitate to ask any of us for help---we love to watch you heal and help you during difficult times.......never give up............always have HOPE and push yourself when it gets tough...............you will make it :) :) :)

[EisPrinzessin]

Thank you again, everybody. Today's been a pretty good day and I've been 100% raw so far. I even popped down to the Feel Rite store and bought a ton of stuff - ReBars (yummy!), Raw Almond Butter, and some raw cookies/brownies from a local Mom-n-Pop (actually Mom and Kid :) ), as well as a sprouted 3-bean salad.

I had a lot of pain yesterday, but as today progresses, it's subsiding. I'm taking Flax Seed Oil capsules (cold pressed oil - that's raw, correct?) as I've read it helps with RA. I still have to go to the rheumatologist, but I do feel pretty decent right now. Thanks for everyone's advice, articles, etc. :) :) :)

[solarliving]

Hi there,

I just wanted to share a story I saw on the Jane Paulie show. A young woman who had been diagnosed with RA went to a health retreat and they discovered she was gluten intolerant. After taking her off of all gluten foods her symptoms improved by 95%. Goes to show sometimes these so called diseases are just the affects of eating certain foods.

Best wishes,

Angelique

[LeanGreenMachine]

Hi there and a big hug!

You know what I would try?

100% raw for one month with no medications....just a month. See if your symptoms wane or disappear.

Maybe even just do all fresh fruits and veggies...and skip the stuff that may cause allergies such as nuts, seeds, etc.

Most importantly, love yourself through this experience...

I send lots of blessings!

[sweetgoddess]

I send you hugs and love. I had an incurable, rare chronic disease which is what led me to raw. After almost a year on raw the incurable has been long cured.

I now look back and bless that "dis-ease" for waking me up and catapulting me into a whole new world, a whole new awareness. This is what I wish for you.
Many Blessings to you.

~Carmel

[EisPrinzessin]

Just wanted to give a little update. I've been 95% raw (coffee, sorry and had a little slip this past weekend - pizza) for the past four days and I'm feeling pretty good. Some of the pain in my knees and back have intensified, which I'm actually taking as a good sign that I'm detoxifying. I received Alissa's book, which has been a fantastic inspiration to me (I'm planning on making the Mushroom soup for dinner tonight).

I've been experimenting with green smoothies - the latest being lettuce, spinach, avocado, fresh parsley, banana, and water (should have left out the parsley, I think) and am just really, really excited by all this. My fiance has been teasing me a bit ("What's with the vegetable bars!?" - ReBars), but has been really supportive. I haven't had any weight loss as of yet, but I'm assuming that I'm not losing because my body's working on healing the RA.

Anyway, here's to healing and good health!

[JMD]

Hi,

I was very touched by your post. I was diagnosed with Fibro at 26 and told I would be bedridden/disabled by 4 doctors on both coasts. I was almost at the point of being in a wheelchair full-time. Great news is, I am 34 now and 90% pain free. I work full time, am a wife, volunteer part-time, exercise, have tons of friends and a big Italian family, and most imp. here EAT WELL. I am 90% raw reaching towards 100%. If you want, you can PM me and i will tell me of my story--don't wanna blabble here but it took lots of yoga. meditation, rest , acceptance, and optimism to heal. Today, I juice fresh veggies daily, use lots of flax oil, journal write, have a support group, eat no grains, dairy, nuts, preservatives, can foods, or nightshade veggies. It may seem like a lot but MAN!! when it comes down to being stuck in bed....I WILL LET THEM GO!! not worth the two moments in my mouth for hours of pain. It is a three fold illness physical, emotional, and spiritual TRY to heal all areas of your life and I can almost promise you will get better.

Best wishes and PM me ANYTIME!!!!!
JMD :)

[buzz134]

im so sorry to hear about that. i can relate, i am 23 and have to have my thyroid removed next wednesday, i was diagnosed with hashimoto's disease about 2 years ago, which is also an autoimmune disease. anyways, i dont know if you've ever heard of dr. furhman, but his book eat to live will really help you. its all about eating to prevent and cure diseases. my mom has been a diabetic since i was 10 and she started his diet and after a month has already lost 25 lbs and was able to decrease her insulin. hes diet is not 100% raw, but it is 100% natural, no additives, check out his website: www.drfurhman.com. he has all sorts of resources, receipes, member chatting, etc. and if you need anything, let me know, my email is: buzz134@aol.com