There is Hope

[bentfingers]

I have Psoriatic Arthritis and have been disabled because of this illness. I simply would not accept this was my fate and started searching for answers.

After many months of searching for some relief, I have finally found something that works.

It's diet and life style. I radically changed my diet to a fish and vegetable based diet with few carbohydrates. And I take the amino acid known as l-tryptophan to keep the serotonin levels up NATURALLY!

I've been eating salmon and halibut from Alaska twice daily for just over 4 months now and 85% of the symptoms have disappeared.

My Dr is amazed at the radical improvement that has happened and I am almost completely medication free now.

The secret is eating a low inflammatory diet and sticking to it. NO junk food, sodas, coffee, booze, cheeses, and few or no pastas or breads.

Use soy based dairy if you need them and take calcium supplements. Oat meals for iron and of course fish for the anti-inflammatory Omega-3. Lots of deep green veggies like broccoli and peas.

The medical establishment will have you believe there is no cure! That is hogwash; it's your life style that aggravates the condition.

I have medical records to prove my recovery and will share what I do with anyone who feels they have the will power to take charge of their eating habits.

I almost guarantee if you change your eating habits, take targeted supplements, drink filtered water instead of sodas, coffee, and other bad beverages, start exorcising, and make a better life style commitment, you will drastically improve.

For any questions, you can PM me or simply ask on this post.

Dr's, if you do not believe me, you can contact my Dr who has observed this happen and has records of these observations.

L-Tryptophan (http://www.beautynhealth.com/tryptophan/index.htm)

Fresh Alaskan Fish (http://www.vitalchoice.com/)

Sincerely,

Recovering Member

[luvwinnie]

Do you worry about mercury in the fish?

[FlakeyMatt]

GLad to hear it I do think lifestyle, diet ect play a role in our disease Of course as always I also have seen first hand that works well for some does not work for others The important thing is that we all keep searching for what works well for each of us as indivivuals

F.M.

[bentfingers]

The link for the salmon I posted is as low in mercury fish as you can get.

I would worry more about all the processed food you are eating then the minuet amount of mercury that may be in Alaskan non-farmed fish. Not to mention the steroids and antibiotics in farmed meat.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition. My fingers and some toes used to be like giant sausages with little range of motion. Now I have full range of motion, energy, and most of all, the disease seems to be actually regressing.

Starchy foods exaggerate any inflammation that you may have. Psoriatic Arthritis is accumulative in nature. The worse it gets, the less likely you are going to try and feed yourself properly. As with all diseases it's a vicious circle that can be broken.

If you can dump all the crap out of your diet and stick to a regimen of healthy eating, I promise you your disease will get better. A mt. dew won't heal you, nor will all these immune suppressants; in fact they will make you sicker in the long term.

Alaskan salmon and halibut is almost the same price as store bought fish without having to worry about mercury. The l-tryptophan will help your mood and sleep patterns without using any man made pharmaceuticals. Our bodies are grossly under nourished and these types of diseases are the result of long term malnutrition of people who are prone to such diseases. Being big and seemingly healthy doesn't mean you are healthy.

The truth of the matter is most people do not want to relinquish their bad lifestyles and would rather shove copious amounts of drugs into their bodies to cover up the symptoms instead of addressing the real issue of poor nutrition.

Enough said; if you want to learn what I do on an everyday bases, just ask. I am not saying it will cure you, but it will sure improve your life to the point of enjoying life again. The choice is yours.

[pamiam]

I have read your post and at this point I am willing to try anything. I am only 33 years old and have already had to give up my teaching career. I have taken so much junk for this disease and today I am worse off than ever. I stopped all meds-last one Enbrel that was making me so dizzy I couldnt' function. They suck you in by telling you it will stop the progression of the disease but if you are IN Pain how could it be stopping? And not to mention a few years down the road you may have another God awful disease. Alot of things have happened to me in the last 10 months that have ruined my life. After giving birth-psoriasis flare, PA flare, had to quit my job, and have lost almost all my hair. IT all has to be related. I have been a shut in for 10 months now. IWAS the most outgoing, attractive person you could imagine. I don't know how and if I can get myself back. But I know that doctors cannot help me asmany as I have seen. Anything you can offer as advice I would embrace.

Pammy

[bentfingers]

Ok,

I completely understand. It's late right now however and I am going to bed, but I will help you help yourself. There is nothing major you have to do, it's all about eating properly. And, if you have the support, allowing yourself to heal. One thing you can do right now is stop drinking ALL carbonated fluids; filtered WATER only. I'll write more tomorrow. :)

[relax]

Thanks for all the useful information, bentfingers, I should have names myself purpleknees! I think you’re on the right track and this is possibly the most useful thread I’ve read yet. I didn’t know starchy foods were bad, shame because they are cheap foods . I’m as poor as a wharf rat so I know I won’t be eating Alaskan salmon as a regular diet!

[luvwinnie]

Are other fish helpful? I don't like salmon, but I love red snapper and tilapia.

[bentfingers]

luvwinnie: Red Snapper and Tilapia are both excellent fish. Tilapia is probably a bit better than Red Snapper however.

relax: Any fish is better than no fish at all, try Talapia, it is relatively cheap and is a great source of proteins and to some extent Omega-3.

To everyone: for your breakfast, try to let your body rest for a few hours after awakening. In other words, drink only juices, preferably whole juices, not some marmalade concoction. Mix a Soy based protein powder in the juice, say 20oz of juice with 2oz of Soy based proteins. If you do not like or are allergic to Soy, try egg white based protien powders.

Also, if you must eat right away, eat apples, oranges, fresh pineapple or whatever fruit you may prefer. Fresh pineapple has lots of bromium which is really really essential to reducing inflammation. Take a supplement in the morning that has bromium.

Stay away from coffee, sodas (really bad), and other forms of liquids other than water or juice. In fact, stop drinking sodas all together. You will go through some caffeine withdrawals for about 3-7 days. Headaches and body aches are to expected.

Aspirin is no good in large doses; this will actually increase inflammation in higher doses. Use an alternative like Tylenol.

And again, I can't stress enough on the importance of l-tryptophan!! Use the link that is provided on the first post to order some if you can.

More to come folks, take this in steps. Absorb it and look all this up on the Internet to find out for yourselves.

Google Search (http://www.google.com/)

Something to consider: The brain uses 50% of our daily calorie intake. 50%!! And the brain requires high amounts of amino acids. Carbohydrates in large amounts actually poison the body and cause inflammation. Use your heads on this, eat properly. And don't over eat.

[luvwinnie]

Thank you!
Just a note...from what I have read, people with autoimmune disease (esp thyroid) need to be careful about soy intake

[bentfingers]

luvwinnie: Of course, diet is highly adjustable. But Soy is one of the safest proteins out there. Beside, if you read my post carefully, you will notice - If you do not like or are allergic to Soy, try egg white based protein powders. If we eat properly, many of the ailments we suffer from will subside dramatically.

OK,

Next thing after breakfast. This is based on small and frequent meals to help people that may be a bit diabetic from being over-weight. (Food induced)

We need iron in our body for blood cell production and other essential functions; a good source for this is oatmeal. 2-4oz of high quality oat meal with 3/4 - 1 1/2 cups of soy milk or water . For flavor add a little honey and/or brown sugar; do not over do it with the sweet stuff. If you're anemic, take an iron supplement in addition to this everyday. Only at first take the iron everyday, and then reduce it to every other day, then maybe every three or so days.

This will give your body the energy boost after the proteins have been absorbed. Comprende? :)

Next will be how to eat a small lunch. (later)

[bentfingers]

Meal 3:

This meal is a fish based meal. 4oz of your favorite fish with a deep green veggie; broccoli or peas for instance. If you need to use butter, use REAL butter.

Cook your fish in teriyak sauce or whatever sauce turns your fancy. Stay away from black pepper. If you need to have pepper, mix cayenne pepper in with the sauce while cooking. Stay awhile from oils other than olive oil.

Cook your fish 4-6 mins per 1/2 inch of thickness; a good rule of thumb.

Eat light and high protien meals. Drink water or an herb tea that has NOOOOO caffeine. Fresh lemonade is good too, light on the sugar. For a zap of flavor, squeeze a fresh lemon over your fish.

This is your brain food meal. DO NOT underestimate this meal's importance.

Try to eat as much organic certified food as you can get; pesticide free is very important. You are trying to detoxify your body while maintaining a good diet.

If you need snack in-between these meals, eat nuts rich in fatty acids like walnuts or almonds. This is good brain food too. Remember, we are trying to give our brain what it needs so to stop the craving of starchy foods. STAY AWAY from carrots, potatoes, and the like.

Why most people over eat is simple. The brain is starved for proteins and tells the body, which is dumb, to eat; because we are trained from infants to eat anything in our site. We have grown accustomed to eating foods low in nutrition and high in starch and fat.

Feed the brain and the body will follow! The body only does what the brain tells it to do. Once the brain starts getting fed what it needs, your mind will clear up and your body will respond by healing up.

The old saying: "Use your heads" applies here.

[jdub55_19128]

anything to substitute for fish?

[bentfingers]

jdub55_19128: Not really. Fish has high (some more than others) concentrations of Omega-3, not to mention its one of the easiest digested meats.

Meal 4:

This meal is simple; a dark leafy green salad with veggies of your choice. Leave out the carrots and other starchy stuff.

Some things to put in would be romaine lettuce, red cabbage, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, etc.

Top this off with olive oil and vinegar - or vinaigrette. No fancy dressings please

Finish the meal with an apple, yes an apple. Ever hear of the old phrase: "an apple a day keeps the Dr away"? This applies here.

Also, apples make really good snacks.

More to come...

[relax]

Why real butter, is margarine bad? I thought Dairy was bad, I’ve been trying to avoid it. And carrots? Ahhh!! I’m running out of foods I can afford here, and like for that matter, I hate green veggies and fish!!! When I do eat fish, I cover it in ketchup, but I thought I’m supposed to avoid tomatoes and vinegar? Is rice starchy too? What about peanuts? Is everything cheap automatically off the list or what!? I’m going nuts, I know that much!

[draftmolly]

Ok... I find it hard to believe that carrots are bad. They are an excellent source of beta carotene which is converted in the body to Vitamin A. They are also a source of folacin and fibre.

Carotene, or provitamin A, is found in such foods as fish-liver oils, butter, and egg yolks. Carrots are part of a vegans substitute for those animal based foods. So if you're suggesting we eat fish, butter and egg protein ?why? are carrots bad!

One raw 7 1/2 in. (19 cm) carrot contains 31 calories, 7 g carbohydrates, 2025 RE Vitamin A and 2.2 g fibre.

BTW, I've been a healthy eater my entire life. No soft drinks, no coffee, tea or alcohol. I don't smoke or do drugs. I never eat junk food and mostly eat organic foods I've grown myself. I still have PA (although I seem to have minor symtoms compared to all the rest of the people here).

So while this diet being discussed may be the solution for some it may not be the cure all for everyone!

Cynthia

[bentfingers]

draftmolly: If you would have read my 2nd post, you would have noticed:
Enough said; if you want to learn what I do on an everyday bases, just ask. I am not saying it will cure you, but it will sure improve your life to the point of enjoying life again. The choice is yours.
As far a butter goes, it's made from whole products, where as margarine is not, its synthetic. And to top it off, I am not suggesting to use pounds of butter on a daily bases. Moderation is the key, people tend to over use everything, including over eating really bad foods.

and yet again draftmolly:
Mix a Soy based protein powder in the juice, say 20oz of juice with 2oz of Soy based proteins. If you do not like or are allergic to Soy, try egg white based protein powders.
You are twisting my words to suit your own negative outlook. I'm sorry you have such a need to put down a better life style.

Carrots are full of sugars which are NOT advantageous for people who may be over-weight and/or diabetic. I've watched my father go from weighing 250lbs to 300lbs thinking snacking on carrots were good for him. Vitamin A can be found in many other foods, including broccoli. It's not my problem if you do not want to adjust to fish and green veggies. I'm happy for you that you at least could stop the sodas and such, but that is only one part of the food puzzle. Drs will tell you that you can put anything into your body and it will be OK; horsecrap. You are what you eat, literally.

draftmolly: You do not have to do anything I am suggesting. In fact, it's your choice to feel everything I am saying is nothing but hogwash, which is your prerogative. I am trying to help people who want to put forth an effort accompanied with a positive outlook to help themselves.

As far as what you can afford, eat what you can afford. But I'm almost positive if you use you head with some creative food hunting, you will surely find some foods that will fit into a healthier diet. Go to farmers markets, small fish outlets, co-ops, roadside stands, etc.

I'm not going to let this post become a troll argument because people are unwilling to face that their diets are bad.

relax: Peanuts (unsalted) are fine, be creative!

I will continue to write for those who wish to learn and understand what your body requires to get healthy.

I'm telling people what I am doing. I'm sure it can be adjusted for each person, but it lays down a framework in which to go by. I adjust my diet all the time, and as I do, I am getting better by the day. So do not try and tell me this doesn't work. It won't work if you pour ketchup over what little fish you may eat to cover up the taste; on top of eating french fries and/or potatoes and other starchy foods. Then state things like diet won't work, I still need my toxic medications from the Dr.

If you stay on course with a positive outlook, exorcise, and a healthy diet, you will recover dramatically. I am proof positive; I have this PA crap really bad. And now it's almost completely gone.

More to come...

[luvwinnie]

I have no doubt this has helped you, but you can't make a blanket statement that it will help everyone. I read other stories of people whose migraines were helped by following a no sugar diet...I tried it. DIdn't work for me and I started having dreams about cake and cookies. I felt totally deprived. I definitely believe in moderation.

[rsderrick]

Bentfingers,

Would you please post a normal daily menu that you use. It would really help to see exactly what you are using and how much. I see breakfast and lunch and snack.

Can you go a bit deeper and post a complete daily menu? My wife is a Physical Therapist and she has been telling me some of the exact things that you are saying.

I find this very interesting and would love to give it a shot. I am a habitual junkfood eater (Happy Food) and I have very bad PA. I have used sweets especially to cope. Not the best way to cope I know.

It can't hurt to give it a shot. I need to make changes anyway.;)

[draftmolly]

Whoa, careful there Bentfingers!!! You have me mixed up with another poster. I am not the one worrying about budget and I have been eating similar to what you are suggesting all my life. No one is attacking your statements so there's no need to be defensive. We are all trying to learn how to cope with PA and keeping an open mind is important. I'm not saying what you are suggesting is wrong I'm just saying that people trying this should have realistic and reasonable expectations.

I'm sorry for your Dad that he gained weight eating carrots but anything taken to the extreme is bad for you, even health foods and vitamins. It's important to maintain balance in everything we do and eat. I have been eating healthy all my life and still have PA. So I'll state again, while changing diet may work for some people it's not the *cure* for everyone.

Cynthia

[rsderrick]

Bentfinger,

Do you think that the Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Oil Capsules would work as well as eating the salmon? I assume that the capsules would also give you the Omega 3 and that's what were after right?

Scott Derrick

[bentfingers]

OK,

I will say this one more time. I am not laying down a blanket statement. You are putting/adding words into my text for one of two reasons.

1. You are not reading what I am typing.

2. You have given into the fact that you can not control your diet and think cookies and cake is ok.

Like I said, I believe now, three times; once your brain gets the nourishment it needs, the cravings for sweets disappear. Is there something about this some of you posters do not understand?

To those that want a discloser of my complete diet, I will post it and end it there. There are too many people trying to flank me on trivial issues. I've made a decision in life not to allow these types of people in my life.

You can not do this diet 1/2 way and expect it to work.

What I find with many people who are ill with one thing or another, their attitude is misery. They love to moan and groan about how terrible their life is, what Dr(s) they are seeing, comparing how much time, effort, and money they are spending on covering up the symptoms. I am a firm believer in this quote, "misery loves company".

If some of your posters put 1/2 as much energy into a better life style as you do justifying how many Drs you need under your belt, you might actually make some progress.

Remember, you are talking to someone who could barely walk just 6 months ago. So don't cry on my shoulder about how hard you have tried this or that.

This is a total and complete life style change. We who have PA don't have the luxury of eating cookies and cakes to sooth our misery. We have to take a proactive and mature look at what it is we are doing to ourselves with improper diets. If you can not face yourself, then you will stay sick, continue to get worse, and need others like you to moan and groan about your pains and what not.

rsderrick: I will post a complete diet schedule tomorrow and that will be it. Anyone who wants more information feel free to private message me.

And yes, anything with Omega-3 and Bromium will help. These two combined have a high anti-inflammatory property to them. Look them up on the google link provided on one of the above posts, you can read all about the benefits these two substances can have on a human body.

fini -

[draftmolly]

I don't think anyone is trying to *flank* you on trivial issues. Please try and realize that people who have been suffering with any disease for many years will naturally question and challenge any new advice in order to completely understand a new remedy before committing themselves 100%. You yourself suggested we contact you if we wished to see your's doctors report. Blind faith is not smart in any form while questions and challenges are simply a way of educating oneself and open discussion is necessary for good communication.

Besides... it could take some people many years to completely reform their personal habits. That doesn't mean they are not trying and it doesn't make them less deserving of advice and support. So please don't judge others so harshly.

Cynthia

[peleblue]

Amen Cynthia.

I have had P/PA for 21 years and am very strict with my diet, eating for nutrition (for 17 years now), I have done ALL naturopathic, whollistic treatments, and also pretty much all medical (from Geokermann to Remicade and everything in between) treatments. The diet change really did nothing for my P/PA, so I agree with Cynthia, don't judge so harshly we are trying and many of us have been working diligently on our health for decades. Also the one thing we know for sure is that one 'treatment' may work for some and not for others.

Staceylee

[luvwinnie]

Ok, I know I should not even respond, but the attitude of self-righteousness is really getting to me. Maybe you don't INTEND to come across in that manner, but your tone is one of "I am better and stronger than you mere mortals because I have been able to make this radical change."

Ok, I got that off my chest.

[AnnaBanana]

I believe your statement "I'm sorry you have such a need to put down a better life style" displayes the attitude with which you write. Others have reacted to your attitude more so than your diet.

[relax]

Well, I don’t like how this thread has turned out. Even if the guy had an attitude, I do believe he had some good info that seems to make sense. Even though it was quite discouraging to hear about starchy foods. Here I am thinking I’m eating better, avoiding junk and eating more rice and carrots… no, that’s not good either. After all this I fell off the wagon this weekend and had some chocolate, and don’t I hurt like hell this morning! So does diet play a role with my PA? Yes, I am 100% positive it does, for me anyway.

You don’t have to like someone to get good advice, and you don’t have to follow blindly and accept everything as fact. The guy’s offering some information and I’m damn well going to take it in and let it roll around in my head. I do believe it’s worth a try if I can muster up enough will power. What I really need is a list of what I can a eat so I can try a new diet. So far I’ve got: Fish, greens, apples, nuts. Well I don’t know what’s more depressing, that list, or the pain in my spine.

[blumin]

Dear Bentfingers! I applaud you for all the wonderful advise. I have been living on basically a similiar diet since my PA flared and everyday I see gradual improvements. Today for example I took my dogs out with me on my bicycle for a ride and they had a fast hard run and I have to say I feel ALIVE! Now for lunch I will have salmon out of a can for $1.99.......most canned salmon is wild, not farmed, therefore it does not have antibiotics, etc. and I will have cooked swiss chard, no sauces, no mayo..........pretty bland eh? But it is a lifestyle effort that I am willing to accept to feel alive.
Cheers to you!

[hatchetgirl]

Argh! I HATE fish! blech blech blech. I'm going to start eating it, though beginning with once a week and then working up to at least 3x per week.

Is trout good? What about shell fish? Does it have to be salmon? *shudder*

[derekborn]

Ok the general jist of this thread is that the advice given by the poster is positive and is likely to help. Being a single man who eats, meals for one from a packet, I really have never cooked for myself. So far all i understand is that I have to eat a can of salmon with salad (No carrots) and finish off with nuts.

Can anyone suggest a recipe book/web site with this general theme so I can learn. Finally Bentfingers, great advice, but you have got a right attitude problem, we should all be in this together and you are no better than anyone, your patronising me and everyone on this board, so try and be nice.

Del

[GitOverIt]

darn I want to see the whole menu....did I miss it somehow....?
does anyone have it? if so please pm me...thanks
Sally