So I’m sure it’s already been a question on here but has anyone seen changes of Psa symptoms with a changed diet or living by the Ocean?
I has been discussed lots on here . You can go to Groups above and click on it, one of the Groups you can join is Natural Healing and you will find lots of threads or conversations on there for diet and symptoms. You can also use Diet as a keyword above and read past posts on the subject.
The important part to remember is treating the symptoms is not the same as treating the disease. Most of us old timers on here realize that we must take the DMARD and Bio drugs to prevent joint destruction as it is the only thing shown to prevent it. A lot of us have lots of symptoms with little destruction or the opposite no symptoms but fast and powerful joint destruction.
While we take our meds to treat the disease lots of us have favorite ways of reducing our symptoms. Some of us use diet, PT, exercise, heat, ice and NASIDs and Tylenol. You will find lots of threads on all of these.
I am new here and just saw your question. I see an integrative MD as well as my rheumatologist (He sent me to her for Rheumatoid Arthritis-since dx with PsA). I was on a suggested gluten free/sugar free diet for several months. Both of these are known inflammation triggers, I believe. I saw some improvement for a short time. I have remained pretty much sugar free since last Feb. with occasional treats. I pretty much gave up gluten free-life was so complicated and it stressed me more. I am flaring big time right now even though sugar-free. Do I think it works? I think it can be beneficial, especially if your carry extra weight, but I don't think it is a major solution. She also has me on about 10 different supplements. The jury is out on these so far.
Janet
Thanks Michael and Janet!
The most relief I ever had was a few years back when we spent a fair amount of time cruising around the Greek Isles in a friends"boat" Was sure it was the ocean air. Turns out it was the ouzo. In fact even the coffee was ouzo (they make it in Rhodes)
Diet CAN make a difference in how you feel but if we were honest it makes in how you feel if you DON'T have PsA
In any event I am going back to the med to make sure it wasn't just the ouzo.
As far as supplements B and D seem to be the most common.
Diet can make a huge difference in overall health, but is not a proven treatment for PsA.
I am gluten-free (I have celiac), don't eat processed foods, eat mostly organic fruits and veggies, eat humane meat/eggs/etc, and prepare/cook 99 percent of the food I and my family eat myself .. and I have the most aggressive PsA my rheumy has seen. As much as I was hoping diet would work wonders, it's not that simple. Medical treatment is necessary to stop the damage being done by the disease.
Hi Kathy, certainly your symptoms may be impacted by lifestyle (both negative and positive), though unfortunately there is no evidence to suggest the disease course will change at all.
For my symptoms, the non-DMARD thing that alleviates them best is plenty of rest. Interestingly, I have realised that 95% of that is due to me having a lot more capacity to approach things in a positive way when I am well rested - so it is to a great degree the perception of my symptoms that improves!
If you don't believe me, try the difference between standing in a customs/immigration line with a crying 2 year old and grumpy husband for an hour after an overnight economy class flight across asia, versus standing in the same line, quietly peaceful by yourself, after a business class flight in a lie-flat bed....
I work on the Ocean on the West (wet) Coast of British Columbia and live on a small Island here. It's cold and damp for at least 7 months of the year. Most people retired older people here go to south to Arizona or Palm Springs for the winter because of the damp cold climate. That's our plan but unfortunately I have to work another 15yrs and 3 months before I can retire. I am however looking at getting off the ship and working on shore. I've been on the same ship for almost 14 years now, love my crew and love working on the ocean but my body doesn't love it so much.
I haven't noticed any PsA changes with my change in diet. I have lost 8 lbs which is healthier and I'm sure my overall health is better.
When I came to terms with being diagnosed with PsA I thought Diet right away and exercise. I think the exercise is doing more good that the diet but, I am not sure. I'd have to stop my diet to see. I am on the Anti-inflammatory diet. There is a great discussion and many threads on diet in the Natural Healing Group :-) Also, I have run into a million people now that all tell me go Vegan. I can't do it. I love meat. Has anyone else gone Vegan ever??? well, if you have gone Vegan, bring the discussion to the Natural Healing Group. http://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/group/natural-healing-group
This is all very good input. I have had RA for over 10 years and on immunosuppressants for that anyway but they are not even touching the PsA. I think if you do watch your sugar intake, you will feel better overall. It has been very hard though. I love to bake and am pretty good at it! My integrative med MD (who also has RA) insists that it has helped her and she was basically worried if my diet didn't change I would just continue to "pile on" the Autoimmune diseases!. (She has actually done short informative "lectures" for Dr Oz.) She said "eat mostly plants!" which I am not that crazy about-hahaha!!