Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Linda

Linda

Hi: My name is Linda (aka Heidi). I was diagnosed with Severe RA in the early 60's. I don't have to tell you about the pain since just about everyone of you folks knows what its like to lie in bed crying while your brain silently screams for relief.

I have had 6 operations on my hands and one on my foot. My right hand looks like a claw and my left hand looks like a club. My feet look like Tina's grandmothers feet.

In the late 60's I had asked my Dr. about the story I heard about Nightshades. He told me it was just an old wives tale. It wasn't until 1978 that I got desperate enough that I was willing to try anything. I decided to try eliminating all nightshades from my diet. Within a few days I started feeling much better. I no longer needed any meds.

I was completely free of pain (except when I cheated and sneaked out and had a pizza) for the next 15 years then I started menopause and the RA flared up again. This time it was one long flare up until I passed through menopause. Now I am fine again as long as I watch what I eat. There is so much more to the story but these are the main points.