Hello All!
My name is Nicole and I have a chronic autoimmune disease with two names, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Like all autoimmune diseases, it has no cure, and is conventionally treated with medications with varying levels of nasty side effects, running the gamut from weight gain, to cancer to death by infection.
I was essentially disabled when I found this website. I had unrelenting pain in some joints, and fluctuating levels of pain and stiffness in other joints and muscles. At times I could not walk, dress or bathe myself. Other times I was a bit more mobile, but I could not predict how I might be feeling at any given moment. I was on Imuran (Azathioprine), a purine drug and chemotherapeutic agent that suppresses the immune system. I was getting regular infections, mouth sores, tooth decay and other issues as a result. I had only been on it for two months but it was horrible. Even though I was on this strong medication, I was still essentially disabled. My terrible pain only abated slightly, I was exhausted all the time, and I had awful brain fog, too. Additionally, I had psoriasis - flaky patches of itchy skin - in a few spots on my body. I had suffered from psoriasis since I was a toddler, always on my ankles and sometimes other areas, like my scalp. In truth, I did not really
suffer much, as my case of psoriasis was mild, but it was there indicating immune dysfunction all the while.
I weighed about 165 pounds at 5' 6.5", had a BMI of 26.2 and a blood pressure of 140/90, heading into high blood pressure range. My cholesterol was naturally on the low side, considering I was a veritable butter-and-cheese vampire before changing my diet, coming in at 160. My fasting glucose was borderline high, too, but I don't remember what it was now.
On January 10th, 2011, I started the diet. Within the first 2 days I had to go off of the Imuran because I began to experience some dangerous symptoms of racing heart, shortness of breath and a distinct rash. (I never went back on any medication) Within 2 weeks I had lost 15 pounds and had a significant reduction in my symptoms. I notice that I wrote in my journal that most of my symptoms were gone then , but looking back and remembering, I realize they were just
relatively better. I could function, but I still had pain and stiffness. However, my lifelong psoriasis patches on my ankles were gone!
In March, 2011, I got a physical. These were the results:
Blood Pressure 120/70
Fasting Blood Sugar: 85
Cholesterol: 108
Weight: 148
Very good
, but my pain was still there.
For the next six months I continued to steadily lose weight, and my pain and stiffness improved incrementally.
Very slowly. I noticed that it was cyclical: I had increased pain and psoriasis during in the luteal phase of my menstruation. I also got sick very often. I was ALWAYS ill with something or another. Not a poster child for this WOE at that point, although it undeniably helped out and was worth something!
I got impatient around the 6 month mark, and did a 5-day water fast (it was terribly hard, I felt so sick and awful the whole time) and then embarked upon and Elimination Diet. This also helped a lot. I lost more weight, getting as low as 112 lbs and then finally settling at around 123 pounds. However, I still had many ups and downs in terms of pain, and there were certain things my body just would not do. I also continued to have severe PMS/PMDD, long after I "should" be still having the issues I did.
About 8 months in, I had a terrible flare up of pain, followed by an improvement in pain and mobility afterwards. This became a pattern that I recognized which continued for a couple of
years - flare ups, followed by improvements. Overall, I was improving. But there were ups and downs.
Over time, I learned more and more about what I could and could not eat (I am sensitive to carrots and brown rice, for example, which are staples on most Elimination Diets). I had committed to this WOE for life, but on another level was not sure if I'd ever be one of the people who really got
all the way better. I was content enough with that, although it wasn't wonderful.
I observed that lack of sleep, excess stress and either too much or too little physical activity made things worse.
I noticed that eating more of a MWL-style, heavy on green leafies, was beneficial for me.
Two and a half years in, I was doing pretty good, still not all there. I could finally work, though!
Now, Three and a half years in, I finally feel OK enough to say that I am really there. I walk 4-7 miles in very hilly areas almost daily
I swim 2-3 times a week
I stretch daily
I lift weights 2-3x a week.
I have energy.
I have a life outside of taking care of my health.
I travel.
I feel like myself.
Some foods I used to get pain from eating no longer bother me. (Not all of them, though)
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It was predicted to me by my Doctors that I would only get worse, even within the natural variability of autoimmune disease. They were wrong. Simple as that.
I wrote this to help out anyone who feels like giving up after two weeks, 6 months, a year or more of trying without full success. Especially those with autoimmune disease, but also for those with other issues. Jeff Novick has said it many times, and I fully agree -
Time and Adherence are key. For some of us it might take longer, but we can and will get ahead if we just keep plugging along. Time and Adherence Thanks So Much to Dr McDougall, and this wonderful forum inhabited by wonderful people! I know I could not have done any of it without you. I am eternally grateful.
Nicole
(p.s. - I will put up pictures once I find some - I have a ton of "After" but I can't find any "Before" I wonder why? I guess me, overweight and in a wheelchair, with braces on my hands and knees plus a shoulder sling was not something I wanted a record of
)