Have now received a letter from medics

Teapot

I was referred to a rheumy by my GP and have now heard from the department that deals with rferrals and appointments. I have been told there are no appointments at the moment and if I don't hear by 16 April I have to ring. I am hoping I will not have to wait too long as I feel I need to be on the right treatment. Have had a very stressful week.I went down with a gastic virus on Friday .I have been in bed since with hot water bottle and dressing gown on so I have been really warm. I have found this has helped my RA. Until I see rheumy has anyone any tips on if there are any foods I should avoid as I have heard some make RA worse. Many thanks

dreamdaisy

Hi valde, I am sorry to hear you're poorly, me too and it's an added misery, no?

There is some debate about whether some foods aggravate symptoms in an auto-immune arthritis but I think it's very much down to the individual to read up and experiment with either cutting things out or adding something in (and over a good streatch of time too) to see if anything occurs.

Many moons ago I spent six months eating a lot of beetroot and celery (having been told by a homeopath that they were good anti-inflammatory foods and would help ease the swelling on my swollen knee) and indeed they did because it kept swelling regardless. I am aware that if I over-indulge in pickles and chutneys things twang worse so I restrict my intake. Some on here are vegetarian but I recently read a post from a new member who has been told that being vegetarian has probably contributed to the onset of her RA. Indeed we cannot win.

Get better soon and I hope an appointment is closer on the horizon than you may think. DD

barbara12

Hello valde
I am sorry you are suffering like this, and hopefully they will ring you...its sounds a bit like my NHS trust I always end up ringing them..if you google foods that are a natural antiinflam you will see there are quite a few, I have tried most of them, but to be honest I don't stick to it,. to inpatient...at the min I am taking Rosehip I will let you know how I get on..I do hope you get some help very soon x

premierscfc04

Just after I was first diagnosed with RA I was given a book 'Arthritis - What really Works' by a friend which he got from his office mobile gift/book seller. I thought anything is worth a try and tried abstaining from all of the recommended foods like citrus fruits, red meats, skimmed milk etc etc. On top of that it recommended a Cider vinegar tonic which was made from malasses, cider vinegar, honey and spring water, it tasted disgusting and like all of the other things made no difference at all to my swollen joints.

Like many I was prepared to try anything if it would lessen the pain,

I hope you don't have to wait to long for your appointment and you never know the Cider Vinegar tonic (urghhhhh) might help you...

Teapot

Many thanks for all your replies. This gastic bug is awful and I am now on my 3rd day in bed but am hoping the plain cream crackers and dyralite work. I feel a little better today. I have also decided to stop taking the ibrophen as I have been taking these pain killers since beginning of Feb 3 times a day and feel that although I am also taking a stomach protector it can't be good. So am going to try to do without if I can and hope to get appointment soon.Being in bed with a hot water bottle does help the RA. I don't think I like the sound of the Cider drink ! so may give that a miss !!!!!but will google to look for foods to avoid and maybe give a try. Thanks all. Hope you feel better soon dreamdaisy.