Well, this is going to be a journey, maybe. Last Monday (5/16) I went to my GP for joint pain and swelling. It all started Friday night when my neck and wrists locked up. By Saturday my knees and ankles were in pain and my hands were starting to swell. She ran some bloodwork which came back with a positive ANA and elevated SED rate. These are indicitive of inflammation and indicators for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. She started me on the Medrol Pack (steroids) and ran some screening panels. The panels came back negative (good for not having Lupus but inconclusive for RA). The steroids helped by the second day and I was able to get my rings back on my fingers! I also lost 5 pounds overnight (water from the swelling).
I started the Medrol Pack on 5/19 and also started the Eat 2 Live program by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. In his program he emphasizes 90% plant based (greens, fruit, whole grains, beans/legumes) and 10% other. As of today (5/24) I have lost a total of 9 pounds since Thursday (start of Medrol Pack). 5 of those were water.
Today was my last dose (1 pill) of the Medrol Pack so I am anxious to see what happens next. I have an appt with a Rheumatologist on 6/27 and will most likely be tested again for ANA and SED rate, as well as a number of other panels. I am hoping that the diet will STOP anything further from happening and that all my bloodwork will be 100% normal.
For the purpose of journalling this journey (hopefully SHORT one), I'm going to write down what I eat each day as well as when my weight stabilizes or rises due to swelling. I will start with my weight on Friday 5/20 and use the plus minus system. As of now, I am -3.2 from Friday.
Tuesday, 5/24/05 Weight -3.2
B: Watermelon (last steroid)
S: Yellow Split Pea Soup
L: Salad (Romaine, Spinach, Black Beans, Cabbage, Peas)
S: Yellow Split Pea Soup & an Orange
D: Homemade, no salt Veggie Soup w/Broc, Cauliflower, Beans, Green Beans, Zucchini. 2 Bowls.
Update tomorrow. You can feel free to comment or ask questions too. I am new to this RA business and any support would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Karen
I started the Medrol Pack on 5/19 and also started the Eat 2 Live program by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. In his program he emphasizes 90% plant based (greens, fruit, whole grains, beans/legumes) and 10% other. As of today (5/24) I have lost a total of 9 pounds since Thursday (start of Medrol Pack). 5 of those were water.
Today was my last dose (1 pill) of the Medrol Pack so I am anxious to see what happens next. I have an appt with a Rheumatologist on 6/27 and will most likely be tested again for ANA and SED rate, as well as a number of other panels. I am hoping that the diet will STOP anything further from happening and that all my bloodwork will be 100% normal.
For the purpose of journalling this journey (hopefully SHORT one), I'm going to write down what I eat each day as well as when my weight stabilizes or rises due to swelling. I will start with my weight on Friday 5/20 and use the plus minus system. As of now, I am -3.2 from Friday.
Tuesday, 5/24/05 Weight -3.2
B: Watermelon (last steroid)
S: Yellow Split Pea Soup
L: Salad (Romaine, Spinach, Black Beans, Cabbage, Peas)
S: Yellow Split Pea Soup & an Orange
D: Homemade, no salt Veggie Soup w/Broc, Cauliflower, Beans, Green Beans, Zucchini. 2 Bowls.
Update tomorrow. You can feel free to comment or ask questions too. I am new to this RA business and any support would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Karen
Go Karen! Go Karen! Make the pounds go down!
hehe 
it's good!
