So much pain!

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Wed May 08, 2013 7:32 pm

Anne, I hope you've gotten through the worst of it. Like Leah I also found some food sensitivities after I reduced the Entocort. Soy was one. Eggs were the other. Its a nuisance to eliminate but well worth it. Like Nancy I wondered if you had a virus because early on I had a hard time telling the symptoms apart, but from your posts it sounds like you know it was a flare.

I hope you get back on track.

Carol

fatbuster205 · Post by **fatbuster205** » Thu May 09, 2013 6:42 am

Quick update! Saw my GP this morning and he has advised that I stay at 9mg for 4 weeks then reduce to 6mg for a further 4 weeks minimum before trying to go lower. If I do then react i.e. everything else is right and there is no suspicion of a bug or anything, then we look to an elimination diet. He said emphatically to stay gluten free "as that clearly and dramatically made such a difference to be undeniable" - his words! He basically wants to be able to identify every variable involved one at a time. He did praise me for going straight back onto the 9mg and not letting things escalate further. I am definitely feeling much more back to normal and had a single Norman this morning! My appetite, which has been non existant this week, is coming back up and I no longer feel like the same person I was on Monday!

He checked the last letter from my Consultant to him, which interestingly advised that this reaction was predictable as "there is a strong likelihood of other food intolerances given the significant positive response achieved by eliminating gluten from the diet ... if remission is not achieved after a long course of steroid treatment" (I have paraphrased as he used more medical jargon!!).

So at least I am now on an even keel and more importantly this is being scientifically approached by my medical professionals so that when we do identify what additional intolerances/sensitivities I have through achieving remission via their elimination, they will have effectively scientifically proven it themselves!! Underhand? Maybe but if I get the best outcome long term then it will be worth the patience now!!

Anne

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu May 09, 2013 9:41 am

Sounds like a plan. glad you are feeling better.

Leah

fatbuster205 · Post by **fatbuster205** » Thu May 09, 2013 4:38 pm

Thanks Leah and oh yes Anne is back and keeping her medics under control!!!

Anne

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu May 09, 2013 8:16 pm

It's nice that your docs are on board. Good news that Norman is back!

Gloria

fatbuster205 · Post by **fatbuster205** » Thu May 16, 2013 1:27 am

I meant to mention that while I was at the Doctor last week I mentioned that I have been having pain in both my thumbs for a while now and that it is a bit annoying! Arthritis was the answer!! Am I right in thinking that it too is an autoimmune type of problem and therefore it comes as no surprise to have developed it? I have started taking cod liver oil which worked for my Dad who has the exact same issue (he is 84!).
Anne

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Thu May 16, 2013 8:44 am

Anne, I have had an arthritic issue with my thumbs for years and have found that fish oil helps the inflammation and stops my pain. Interestingly I ran out of my fish oil recently and they flared again. I'm back on it and the thumbs are fine.

Post by **tex** » Thu May 16, 2013 10:24 am

Flax seed oil is also helpful for preventing arthritis symptoms. I take 1,200 mg daily of each of those (fish oil and flax seed oil) and I no longer have any significant arthritis symptoms. About 15 years ago, before I started taking them, arthritis was a major problem for me. I still have several crooked fingers to remind me of how bad it was, and I'm sure that if I hadn't changed my diet to exclude gluten, and to include those oils, by now I would probably be a cripple, unable to get around without assistance, because my knees were especially bad. These days they're fine.

Tex