Any Rheumatoid Arthritis Friends Out There?

scordrick2
scordrick2 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 14 in Introduce Yourself
My name is Sarah and this is my third or fourth attempt at losing weight with MFP. Each time I do it, I have great strength at first; however, I end up falling flat on my face for one reason or another. A few years back I lost over 50 pounds and felt the best in my life. I was not at a healthy weight still but I was feeling great and others could see that confidence. I did it through hard work, doing walks/runs with friends, and motivation from this community. Over the years my friends gave up and slowly faded off MFP and I was experiencing a lot of pain physically and didn't know why so I tapered off too. Long story short, it turns out I have rheumatoid arthritis. I went into a year long span of eating myself crazy dealing with the pain and trying to get diagnosed and a treatment that worked. A year into it, I started doing advocate work through the National Arthritis Foundation even speaking at the National Summit to congressional leaders about pending bills. Anyway, so here I am now, ready to take this weight off so I can feel better mentally and physically. I'm starting over though. I need friends who are supportive and understand what it's like to have a bad day (and that not mean you ate a cookie). Anyone like me out there?

Replies

  • MountainMamaMarissa
    MountainMamaMarissa Posts: 202 Member
    I have RA, as well as herniated discs and lung disease. I understand completely about "bad days". My story is similar to yours. I've been on MFP for several years, lost 60 pounds over two years, I would do great for weeks until I'd have a RA flare up or my back went out and I'd end up losing focus and give up. It's been a continuous cycle, but I will never give up. I think I've been on MFP since 2010-2011. I always log in, although at times am not as diligent as I should be. I have found new motivation and am also looking for positive, motivating support buddies who are ladies similar in age, overcoming "bad days", and are just genuine people.
  • Momlife415
    Momlife415 Posts: 2 Member
    Me! And I have zero support system. I was recently diagnosed and would love friends who understand what it's like. I'm 33 and don't know anyone my age who suffers from RA. I'm easily 100 lb overweight. Would love to know how weight loss has effected u guys symptoms?
  • fataalic
    fataalic Posts: 73 Member
    I was diagnosed with RA in August of last year. I have seronegative RA, and it took me a long time to get diagnosed. I believe that I had it for at least ten years.
    Woild like to have friends with RA. I struggle with it and keep gaining weight as I can't motivate myself to do anything. So depressing.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    I too Have RA was diagnosed around age 28 or 29,Im now 42. I dont need meds yet,weight lifting has helped me tremendously with the pain and tender points.I only have about 20-25lbs left to lose. I also am asthmatic,have a hereditary cholesterol issue(familial hypercholesterolemia which is considered a metabolic disorder),I have GERD,RLS(restless leg syndrome) and MVP/MVR(mitral valve prolapse/mitral valve regurgitation). and EBV(epstein barr virus_) have been here on mfp going on 3 years(in august). I have had 2 flares though one a week before thanksgiving and one on thanksgiving and It did a number on me.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    I have been told I have a mix of RA but mainly AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis). The AS hit hard at age 25 that over time as fused most all of my spine as a side effect of AS.

    For 40 years I yo yo'ed weight wise. As of Aug 2014 with health crashing fast the doctors wanted me to start on Enbrel injections in 90 days for pain management. I had a hunch if I would get off of sugar and all forms of all grains that it would help my pain level. After failing to taper off of sugar and grains during Aug and Sept of 2014 I went off of both cold turkey the first of Oct.

    By the first of Nov 2014 my pain levels had dropped from levels of 7-8 of a 40 year duration to levels of 2-3 so I refused to start on the Enbrel injections in Nov 2014. I have maintained at about 200 pounds (down from 250) for two years now and that is a first for me in 40 years eating all I want to keep from getting hungry. At 65 my health and health markers are better than at 45.

    Eating very low carb very high fat with medium protein for over two years seems to be working fine for me. I do understand LCHF is not everyone's cup of tea but I plan to keep it up until it stops working for pain management and cutting out all my carb cravings.

    My 40 years of IBS cleared up the first 6 months on this Way Of Eating. I take no Rx meds period and eat no processed foods.

    Again I am not saying my WOE will fix the arthritis of other but for some reason it is working for me so it is easy to do. Pain levels rising if I start eating more then 50 grams of carbs is a built in reminder to stick with this way of eating. Coconut oil is one of my fat sources plus I eat a lot of coconut flakes and all kinds of nuts daily. I do not eat that much red meat anymore for some reason but do eat a lot of fish.

    A driving force was the kids that were 16 years old watching my health crashing and wondering this this was going to be their future as well. I wanted to demo to them abusing carbs seems to be hard on our family's arthritis trait.

    Best of success in finding the WOE that works best at managing your arthritis pain and other associated health concerns.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    GaleHawkins wrote: »
    I have been told I have a mix of RA but mainly AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis). The AS hit hard at age 25 that over time as fused most all of my spine as a side effect of AS.

    For 40 years I yo yo'ed weight wise. As of Aug 2014 with health crashing fast the doctors wanted me to start on Enbrel injections in 90 days for pain management. I had a hunch if I would get off of sugar and all forms of all grains that it would help my pain level. After failing to taper off of sugar and grains during Aug and Sept of 2014 I went off of both cold turkey the first of Oct.

    By the first of Nov 2014 my pain levels had dropped from levels of 7-8 of a 40 year duration to levels of 2-3 so I refused to start on the Enbrel injections in Nov 2014. I have maintained at about 200 pounds (down from 250) for two years now and that is a first for me in 40 years eating all I want to keep from getting hungry. At 65 my health and health markers are better than at 45.

    Eating very low carb very high fat with medium protein for over two years seems to be working fine for me. I do understand LCHF is not everyone's cup of tea but I plan to keep it up until it stops working for pain management and cutting out all my carb cravings.

    My 40 years of IBS cleared up the first 6 months on this Way Of Eating. I take no Rx meds period and eat no processed foods.

    Again I am not saying my WOE will fix the arthritis of other but for some reason it is working for me so it is easy to do. Pain levels rising if I start eating more then 50 grams of carbs is a built in reminder to stick with this way of eating. Coconut oil is one of my fat sources plus I eat a lot of coconut flakes and all kinds of nuts daily. I do not eat that much red meat anymore for some reason but do eat a lot of fish.

    A driving force was the kids that were 16 years old watching my health crashing and wondering this this was going to be their future as well. I wanted to demo to them abusing carbs seems to be hard on our family's arthritis trait.

    Best of success in finding the WOE that works best at managing your arthritis pain and other associated health concerns.

    yeah for me I cant do LCHF. I have FH where my liver does not process fat and cholesterol like other peoples liver can. my liver will signal to release more cholesterol(even though its getting plenty) and any excess cholesterol/fat gets stored, I have xanthomas and Xanthelasmas,I have to be on a low fat/high fiber diet ,I have to include exercise and unfortunately take meds. so far the xanthomas and xanthelasmas are getting smaller and smaller.I had a big one on my left knee and even its getting smaller(it was a fat pad and bigger that a half dollar coin.I also have them on my ankles,they were about the same size and the one on my knee,they are much much smaller now. for me though eating higher carb does not cause any pain for me,but of course like you said what works for one will not work for another.
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