Re: Re: RA

[Guest guest]

Hey ,I'm curious....were you on an anti-inflammatory diet? my sister recently did this (she is obese and very sickly) and lost weight w/o even trying and felt better than she had in years. Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/--- Subject: Re: RATo: Date: Friday, March 19, 2010, 9:49 AM

At the risk of getting more off topic, I would just like to toss in my limited experience with this, in affirmation that diet can certainly play a part. And there is a bit about breastfeeding, so it isn't strictly off topic.

After the birth of my first child, I had a huge horrible flare and was diagnosed with Lupus. The symptoms had been present many years before, and likely contributed to my miscarriages prior to her birth, as I also have Antiphospholid Syndrome secondary to the Lupus. I was started on numerous medications, and my diagnosis was eventually changed to Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, because I also have antibiodies and a couple of issues that belonged under the Systemic Schlerosis heading. My disease was such, that I was told not only not to breastfeed, but not to have any more children, as I would surely die. I followed on with the medical regimen, because as a nurse I knew I should. I continued to have new problems as disease progressed, and new medications to help with side effects of old medications. I researched and researched, as a curious nurse/patient does, and asked about various other treatments that might help. But I was worried that I would not

see my child grow up.

After my very miraculous second child, I was determined to breastfeed. I was forbidden because I must get back on my meds "or else". I persevered. I had one specialist who spent no less than 30 minutes yelling at me on three different occasions that I was killing myself just to breastfeed, and that if I didn't get sterilized, he would no longer see me because he didn't want to attend my funeral.

About this time I met a very interesting M.D. who was advocating some very crazy ideas about inflammation, auto-immune disease, and how diet was responsible for much of it. He gave me some reading material and contacts to people with more severe disease than mine who had seen remission with diet changes and maybe one or two medications for off-label use.

As a nurse, I was HUGELY skeptical. But I agreed to try it. Much, much, much, to my surprise, I had remission of my symptoms. And I was able to get off all but three of my medications. I can't begin to say how much better I feel. My antibody titers have significantly decreased and remained low. I haven't had a single TIA since making the changes. And I was able to have a third child, and breastfed him until he weaned himself a little after two.

So yes, I am now a big believer that diet can make all the difference in the world. Even changing a couple of things, can sometimes make a huge difference.

And when you consider how much we know about how much difference it makes to an infant who gets breastmilk, verses one who gets formula, and that we very likely have only seen the tip of the iceberg in that respect, it isn't such a radical thought that our diet as adults can make as big a difference.

,

IBCLC, RLC