I have had so much trouble this last year and half with inflammations, enthesis, says my rheumy.I have been on MTZXZ for a good 7 years but apparently it is not working as well now.
When I first joined I read a discussion about the benefits of going gluten free to help with inflammations. Also nightshades. So I have started going gluten free. It has been 2 weeks. In the meantime I had an appt. with rheumy last week and talked to him about it. About my frustrations with the constant inflammations and how they affect the quality of my life. I asked him about the GF diet. He said "not proven". My theory is that all the $$ goes into drug testing anyhow as there is such big money to be made in the sale of meds.
Anyhow, before i knew it I was getting a TB test and sent home with 4 injections of Cimzia. Waiting now to see if insurance pays for it. I have to read the expiration dates on the samples and they are good until June 2013 so I have until February to continue gluten free and see if that helps first.
Anyone reading this, I have a couple of questions. What is your experience with Cimzia? I am nervous about the side affects of Cimzia! I work with elementary children in a school and face lots of germs on a daily basis.
I also want to know who has benefited from dietary measures such as GF of no nightshades. DO you stay away from one or the other or both?
I am gluten free because i have celiac disease and many other autoimmune problems. When I accidentally eat gluten, I notice significant worsening in pain and inflammation. As far as nightshades go, tomato sauce is my only true food I have to limit. I don't normally eat the other foods even though being gluten free limits my diet a little. Go with the diet, and find support groups for gluten free. You'll find names of products, recipes, get questions answered. I will send you a link. I need to do some research first.
I know why he is not trying Enbrel. He said he doesn't think it worked well.
He gave me a list of the others including Remicade as well. I was to think about it. But then he ended up doing a tb test and giving me the Cimzia samples.
Cimzia is proving VERY effective with Chrons disease. Its still off label for PsA. But most treatments for Chrons have proven highly effective for PsA giving pretty good credence to the diet stuff...... Sounds like you have a good Doc willing to work out of the Box.....
As far as diet DO IT. If it helps great if not you have learned to eat Tacos without tomatoes and are healthier (and likely skinnier) and will feel better anyway. BUT it won't cure the disease, stop the disease or eliminate joint damage. What ever is screwed up in our immune systems causing excess TNF inhibitors is aggravated by certain foods. (the liver adrenal system etc are all connected) Watching the diet is roughly like not taking a 10 mile hike with a 40 pound back pack. You eliminate something that can make you feel; bad (real bad)
My sister proved you can avoid PsA pain if you take to a recliner and drink copious amounts of cheap bourbon. She prolly would have lived longer if she had done something different.......