Need help for my Mom - Rhumatoid Arthritis

[Three~Little~Birds]

My Mom has has Rhumatoid Arthritis since she was in her late 20's. She has had flare ups in the past that have come and gone. She is currently in the midst of her worst flare up ever. She is 62 years old. She has been unable to work for a few weeks now and is in a LOT of pain.

She is currently seeing a medical doctor that is a Rhumatoid Arthritis specialist. He keeps upping and changing her medications in an attemp to help the symptoms.

Does she have any other options beside these harsh medications that she is being prescribed?

I can't help but feel like there is something else that she could be doing to help her arthritis get better - but what??

Does anyone have any knowledge on this or maybe any other auto-immune disorders??

TIA!

[MountainMamaGC]

My friend did very well with a vegan macrobiotic diet. She got off most of her RA meds by doing this diet. She does eat fish occasionally but didnt try it until she was feeling better.

Avoid meat, dairy and nightshade plants seem to help RA. Some people also cant handle gluten.

There are anti inflammatory foods and spices like turmeric and bromelain, garlic, ginger etc. Omega 3 fatty acids are also anti inflammatory.

Dr McDougall is a great resource for a low fat vegan diet helping people with chronic disease.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/star06_jean-brown.html
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/phyllis_heaphy.html

[Bea]

Article

While your Mom already has RA (and give her a gentle hug from me, I don't have it but have enough experience with it to know it's a vicious disease) this article is interesting and at this point, Vitamin D probably can't hurt.

I don't know how much, maybe one of the other learned members could advise?

Maybe not much help but worth a try?

[JaneS]

I'd go strictly gluten free and get my vitamin D levels up to high normal (this may require 10,000 IU per day for a month or two and then 5000 IU after that).
www.vitamindcouncil.org

[Three~Little~Birds]

Thanks!
I will talk to her about these options. She is open-minded so I am sure that she will be willing!
Any other ideas are welcome - the more info that I cann gather, the better!

[JaneS]

Found the article I was thinking of describing "molecular mimicry" that connects gluten and RA

http://www.gluten-free.org/hoggan/ra.txt

[Three~Little~Birds]

Originally Posted by JaneS

Found the article I was thinking of describing "molecular mimicry" that connects gluten and RA

http://www.gluten-free.org/hoggan/ra.txt

Thanks SO much!!