Here is my joint pain story.
I'm a 50 year old female. Mother is celiac.
Age 38 got Carpal Tunnel, never had surgery it just got better on it's own. Since age 38 I've had extreme joint paint in fingers, hands, wrists which I just chalked up to middle age and overuse on keyboard. I've always worn splints at night (not sexy in bed) to help with the pain. The paint was severe enough that for the last 12 years I would not go on a keyboard unless collecting a paycheck. Thus no facebooking, texting, twittering for me. The last two years prior to getting MC I noticed more joint pain for several days after I ate a large plate of spaghetti.
March 2010 got MC. Diagnosed CC August 2010. Went on Entocourt...the routine 3 month prescription Sept 1 2010. I'm presently tapered down to 1 Entocourt pill every 5 days per this board's guidance on slow long taper. Prior to going on Entocourt I had already started healing had a 6 week period of "softserve" stool after about a 5 month period of watery D.
During the "softserve" stool I had an EXTREME 6 week period of joint pain. My joints felt like bone on bone. I could not walk around the grocery store I sat at the bench at the front while the boyfriend did my shopping. The pain was all over my body. I went to the gym 3 days in a row and plunged my whole hands and arms in the icy cold plunge pool to try to get relief but it did not even take the edge off. Going on Entocourt seemed to resolve the "whole body" pain after awhile but I still had the traditional hand/wrist pain that I'd had for 12 years. I bought and read the SCD diet and want to read the paleo diet books but have not yet. The SCD diet seemed to make sense but seemed pretty complicated for a single person to manage particularly w/ the fatigue that comes w/ MC.
October 1 went gluten free. Around October 1 made dietary changes. I've been on the traditional glucosmine and chondroiton and fish oils for 12 years.
Around October 1 thru present have followed roughly the following diet: PLEASE NOTE THIS WOULD NOT APPLY TO THOSE ON AN ACTIVE FLARE--ONLY TO THOSE FAIRLY FAR ALONG IN THE HEALING PROCESS.
***GLUTEN FREE
***Protein:5-7 servings of low mercury fish per week--at least 5 different varieties fish per week to minimize mercury risks, also all are low mercury, (I also eat some meat and some chicken) Typically my protein is divided up throughout the day so I'm getting some protein in the morning, at lunch and at dinner. I'm getting roughly 80% wild caught fish and maybe 20% farm raised. I find the taste of wild caught is so much better. Low mercury fish lists can be found on the internet.
***Veggies:5-7 servings of veggies per day--about 2 servings are the dark green leafy variety....kale, spinach, mustard greens, collards, broccoli, rapini, cauliflower, cabbage as well as other veggies, I'm taking beano with things like broccoli. Most days I'm getting closer to 7 servings veggies.
***Fruit: 1-3 servings fruit per day
***Fats: coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil, use generously to cook with drizzle cooked foods with etc
***5-20% what I call other: olive oil or avacado oil potato chips from health food store, quinoa, white potato, sweet potato, gluten free tortilla chips, rice, usually eaten at night as snack, treat or extra calories. If I eat this during the day it makes me sleepy.
This all evolved really due to the overwhelming fatigue I had in October. After eating chicken for 4 months I figured I could pop a fish fillet in the oven on a pammed piece of foil bake the fish for 20 minutes and have no cleanup. Typically I'm baking a piece of fish each day which is easy and I'm only cooking 1 thing a day which is one veggie in large portion. Typically I cook one veggie in a large portion each day and the leftovers go in the fridge. Anything from a box in grocery store even labeled "gluten free" caused severe gurgling so I found I did better with "real food." Please note I work full time also. Once you cycle thru one week you are eating a variety of veggies as you are making plates from leftovers.
After 8 weeks of this regimen I woke up with no joint pain and have had no joint pain since the end of November. I feel like I'm about 30 again when it comes to my joints.
Lesley had asked for some recipes....here goes:
Tumeric--I've been sprinkling tumeric on all things white. Fish will be typically drizzled w/ olive oil sprinkled w/ tumeric and old bay seasoning then baked. You can sprinkle tumeric on your white veggies and also rice. Tumeric is a good anti inflammatory.
Ginger tea--I have a good recipe that is easy that I can share if anyone has interest. Dr. Oz had a show that mentioned ginger as an anti inflammatory when cooked in veggies. I don't care for ginger in veggies so I came up with the tea.
Pesto recipe--I have a good 3 ingredient easy CC friendly pesto recipe that you can top fish, veggies, steaks, chicken or gluten free pasta with.
Sicilian greens---I have a great tasting Sicilian greens cooking recipe for those like me who don't like southern greens or greens at all. This can also be used for other veggies.
I'll be glad to share the Ginger tea, Pesto and Sicilian greens recipe if anyone has interest. Other than that I've been steaming or stirfrying my veggies and baking or sauteing my fish in coconut oil.
My results have been pretty dramatic in terms of zero joint pain. I'm no longer wearing my splints to bed. It's amazing to be able to bend my fingers in the morning without pain.
Overall I'm healing better when the percent foods from "Other" category is lower. I have not read the paleo book but suspect my results would be even more dramatic if I went paleo. I also do not care for salmon so I only have that about once every two weeks and then smother it with pesto. I suspect my results would be better with higher intake of salmon. I still stuggle with pretty severe fatigue/energy issues pretty much every day. I've tried Sara's meat cupcake recipe and now it is my 3:00 pm snack. I'd love to make the crusty french bread recipe I saw posted but really don't have the energy yet----I hope to try in in 3-4 months or so along with maybe some cornbread when my energy levels are closer to normal. For right now the thought of cooking say a 3 course meal is way to overwhelming. This regimen seems to be working for now.
Hope my post might help someone and thanks to all who take the time to post. Brandy
12 year joint pain is GONE!!I've thrown away the splints!
Moderators: Rosie, JFR, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Brandy,
I can remember wearing splints to bed, also, but for me it was not an every night event - all my symptoms waxed and waned, in a cyclic pattern. I, too, have taken glucosamine and condroitin, and flax seed oil, for over 10 years, and fish oil for most of that time, in order to minimize joint pain and inflammation. Before I started the diet, my joints were a real problem - mostly my knees, and my fingers.
I have a hunch that after a few more months, your fatigue will lift, and your energy will begin to return, and you'll feel as though you're 20.
Thanks for a most inspiring and informative post.
Tex
I can remember wearing splints to bed, also, but for me it was not an every night event - all my symptoms waxed and waned, in a cyclic pattern. I, too, have taken glucosamine and condroitin, and flax seed oil, for over 10 years, and fish oil for most of that time, in order to minimize joint pain and inflammation. Before I started the diet, my joints were a real problem - mostly my knees, and my fingers.
I have a hunch that after a few more months, your fatigue will lift, and your energy will begin to return, and you'll feel as though you're 20.
Thanks for a most inspiring and informative post.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Congratulations, Brandy!!! That's quite an accomplishment (and I am sure a relief). It sounds like you've been real diligent about your diet, and it is paying off. It is encouraging for those of us who are trying to reach remission. I am still thankful every day for having been able to find this group.
Wishing you continued healing.
Paula
Wishing you continued healing.
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Brandy,
That post is great! I am really happy to hear your good news. Sounds so good!
I am very short on veggies. 5-7 helpings - when do you eat them all? I am happy if I manage one or 2. And I was a BIG veggie consumer.
I don't eat any fresh fruit, and again, I was a fruitaholic.
Many fruits make the GERD worse. Especially now, in winter. The winter fruits really do that.
I wanted to know about your veggie blanching, and the smoothies you make. That sounded really interesting. I need to get going to try that.
I was juicing, but gave it up. I really miss it.
Yes, I would LOVE your recipes!
My energy level is horrible. I literally plan my day around doing 1-2 things. When I go to the pool it finishes me, so I usually can't do much else. My life is very "small" nowadays, circumscribed by my back pain and the MC.
I hope you continue to get better, and your energy levels make you the youngest person around!
That post is great! I am really happy to hear your good news. Sounds so good!
I am very short on veggies. 5-7 helpings - when do you eat them all? I am happy if I manage one or 2. And I was a BIG veggie consumer.
I don't eat any fresh fruit, and again, I was a fruitaholic.
Many fruits make the GERD worse. Especially now, in winter. The winter fruits really do that.
I wanted to know about your veggie blanching, and the smoothies you make. That sounded really interesting. I need to get going to try that.
I was juicing, but gave it up. I really miss it.
Yes, I would LOVE your recipes!
My energy level is horrible. I literally plan my day around doing 1-2 things. When I go to the pool it finishes me, so I usually can't do much else. My life is very "small" nowadays, circumscribed by my back pain and the MC.
I hope you continue to get better, and your energy levels make you the youngest person around!
Congratulations Brandy!!
It is lovely to hear of someone having so much success. Well done.
I recently tried a new fish recipe you might like, given what you have listed about your diet:
2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground paprika (smoked if you have it)
5 Tbsp rice flour.
Fish fillets of choice (I cut bream fillets into smaller pieces for ease of handling and sharing).
Mix dry ingredients, and use to coat fish (I mix all ingredients in a plastic bag, and then add the fish). Deep fry fish until cooked. Serve with salt and lemon. I imagine it would also work if you shallow fried, or sprayed with oil to grill.
Made this christmas eve, and all the guests loved it, including those who aren't big fish eaters.
Note that smoked paprika isn't hot like chilli, this mix has lots of flavour, not heat. And you don't have to worry that wheat has been added to the spice mix, as often happens to commercial mixes.
Lyn
It is lovely to hear of someone having so much success. Well done.
I recently tried a new fish recipe you might like, given what you have listed about your diet:
2 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground paprika (smoked if you have it)
5 Tbsp rice flour.
Fish fillets of choice (I cut bream fillets into smaller pieces for ease of handling and sharing).
Mix dry ingredients, and use to coat fish (I mix all ingredients in a plastic bag, and then add the fish). Deep fry fish until cooked. Serve with salt and lemon. I imagine it would also work if you shallow fried, or sprayed with oil to grill.
Made this christmas eve, and all the guests loved it, including those who aren't big fish eaters.
Note that smoked paprika isn't hot like chilli, this mix has lots of flavour, not heat. And you don't have to worry that wheat has been added to the spice mix, as often happens to commercial mixes.
Lyn
Lyn,
That fish rub sounds delish. Before my GF days my husband made a fish coating by blending arborio rice into a powder. It leaves a much crispier coating than standard rice flours.
Brandy, thanks for your inspiring post. I've wanted to make pesto - what are your 3 ingredient? basil, olive oil and pine nuts? Just skip the parmesan cheese?
Your diet reminds me of a post I read from Dr. Mercola - an interview with a doctor, Dr. Paul Jaminet, who wrote a book about the "perfect health diet." I have to agree, his diet does seem perfect. It's basically modified Paleo, allowing 20-30% of calories from carbs like rice and potatoes. It allows dairy, but other than that, it mirrors the types of diets we all talk about here. I too think Paleo is a bit too complicated to pursue forvever. This doctor makes a strong argument about our need for some glucose from wheat-free starches. He developed this diet when he and his wife were struggling with inflammatory diseases. They tried Paleo first, then realized something was amiss, and researched why we need some starchy carbs. Check it out:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... _DNL_art_1
That fish rub sounds delish. Before my GF days my husband made a fish coating by blending arborio rice into a powder. It leaves a much crispier coating than standard rice flours.
Brandy, thanks for your inspiring post. I've wanted to make pesto - what are your 3 ingredient? basil, olive oil and pine nuts? Just skip the parmesan cheese?
Your diet reminds me of a post I read from Dr. Mercola - an interview with a doctor, Dr. Paul Jaminet, who wrote a book about the "perfect health diet." I have to agree, his diet does seem perfect. It's basically modified Paleo, allowing 20-30% of calories from carbs like rice and potatoes. It allows dairy, but other than that, it mirrors the types of diets we all talk about here. I too think Paleo is a bit too complicated to pursue forvever. This doctor makes a strong argument about our need for some glucose from wheat-free starches. He developed this diet when he and his wife were struggling with inflammatory diseases. They tried Paleo first, then realized something was amiss, and researched why we need some starchy carbs. Check it out:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... _DNL_art_1
Zizzle,
I scanned that article, because I was suspicious, since there is no evolutionary precedent for an innate need for starches, (from grain), in the human diet.
Sure enough - the reason why he concluded that he needed starches, (as a source of glucose), is because he burned way too much glucose trying to digest way too much low-nutrient vegetable matter in his diet. He's overdoing the carbs, while advocating a low-carb diet.
If he had simply cut out the excess fiber, and excess carbs, (and/or replaced it with more meat, fruit, etc.), he wouldn't have needed supplemental starch, because he wouldn't be burning up so much glucose trying to digest all that stuff that has comparatively little nutritional value, (and supplies little glucose in return), in the first place. Notice that I didn't say "little nutritional value", I said "comparatively little nutritional value", (compared with meat or fruit).
At least that was my perception of the article.
Tex
I scanned that article, because I was suspicious, since there is no evolutionary precedent for an innate need for starches, (from grain), in the human diet.
Sure enough - the reason why he concluded that he needed starches, (as a source of glucose), is because he burned way too much glucose trying to digest way too much low-nutrient vegetable matter in his diet. He's overdoing the carbs, while advocating a low-carb diet.
If he had simply cut out the excess fiber, and excess carbs, (and/or replaced it with more meat, fruit, etc.), he wouldn't have needed supplemental starch, because he wouldn't be burning up so much glucose trying to digest all that stuff that has comparatively little nutritional value, (and supplies little glucose in return), in the first place. Notice that I didn't say "little nutritional value", I said "comparatively little nutritional value", (compared with meat or fruit).
At least that was my perception of the article.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
and I send good wishes to U also BRANDY----isnt it great to feel alive--I am an OLD B. and have been on the wellness road -----
I pop in every so often to see how things are going----- ---and as usual I C success--
BARBARA
I pop in every so often to see how things are going-----
---and as usual I C success-- BARBARAthe fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control