Was viewing RA videos on youtube: McDougall diet? | Arthritis Information

 

So, I was going through some videos on youtube, all part of the effort to keep learning about RA.  Some of them were pretty good, I learned more from this one, for example the history of RA treatment and that that the prognosis has improved compared to a few decades ago. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djZfEi-ztVQ

And then there is this one:  Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis, the McDougall Diet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k0-UmRfvdI
Of course this gets really attractive, he talks about a "leaky gut" that allows proteins to get through the gastrointestinal tract.    And these unexpected proteins cause the immune system to react and cause secondary damage the synovial membranes.  yeah, well, the doctor on screen is making the claims, and there is one piece of testimony from a woman who thought it works.

I am not sure it makes sense for me, I am in this trial, now 4 weeks into getting MTX, Actemra, or both.  So if I started with an elimination diet, then how would I know what is working.

Any further comments, I've read people here on the forum talk about how some food elimination helped.  I have no idea about these things.

Roland



MacDougall's books are probably in your library to try for free, as are Dr. Peter D'Addamo's (the blood type / genotype diet guy).  I tried the blood type diet with no success in the RA dept., but did find that dairy was causing my sinus symptoms so it wasn't a full bust.  The people on his website seem possessed and make all kinds of outrageous claims like grey hair growing in its youthful color again.    D'Addamo wants you to buy all kinds of supplements from  him.  I caution against wasting money on things that were not subscribed.  After my D'Addamo experience I wouldn't even look at another Dr. Web I Have the Cure book.  That said, reading and learning to weed out false and credible info is not a harmful thing. 

Green~Tara2010-10-01 07:41:34Hi Tara,

About: ".... as well as a huge stress component.  My focus now is on calming down my anxiety core level because anxiety attacks are precipitating my worst flares, and I'm in an extremely stressful employment situation.  "
Well, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with this one.  Our economic situation is very poor and the stress has been unbelievable.  We've been trying and trying, but it all the signs are that we are going down hard.  I think it is called "I didn't have a chair when the music stopped".   And I have wondered if the stress, and corresponding complications might be a cause of the RA in my instance. 

The trial is going well, 2 days ago I had the 2nd infusion of Actemra (or a placebo, I have no way of knowing).  And I have been taking the Methotrexate (or placebo) for 5 weeks now.  The infusion process is really long, I didn't know it would be like that, essentially a 6 hour process if I include over 1/2 hour drive each way to get to the hospital.  I was in the chair this time for 4 hours, 1/2 hour prep (supposedly), then the infusion itself is 1 hour, and 1/2 hour of rest.  They take the vital signs every 15 minutes or so.  But the process is still not very efficient, I was at the place before 1:00 (the designated time), 1/2 hour wait before I got into the chair, then the 1/2 hour prep took 1.5 hours because they didn't have everything properly coordinated.  I can't imagine how much one of these sessions costs, lots of people coming and pinching and poking.  They always do an in-depth joint tests, a woman comes and presses on all the joints to determine swelling and pain levels, and records all the results.  I must emphasize the people have been great, the trial coordinator and all the nurses, etc.

There is definitely some improvement compared to last July when I was first diagnosed.  But some of that improvement must have been from the Celebrex because the swelling and pain got better before the DMARD/Biologic.  But I'd have to say that it has gotten better in the last 4 weeks also, so these drugs must be helping.  I still have some pain / stiffness in the fingers, I'd say maybe 20-30% of what it once was.  The biggest problem remains my ankles and knees, standing from a sitting position is always a "pain", since it hurts very badly to stand up.  Once I am up, it isn't too bad.  About a week ago I took a walk with my wife downtown for about 8 blocks or so, a major accomplishment that wasn't possible before.  But I walk funny, and very carefully.

Roland

Thanks for replying Roland.  Gee I thought Actemra was a one hour infusion.  Of course you are in the study so things may be different.  I'm glad you are getting at least some relief and hope you continue to get more.