It has really solidified to me to truly appreciate every moment. I have also learned to eat a great deal healthier :)
That is a good, but very complex question.
The single biggest thing has been the change in my perspective, but how I got to that is not simple. A combination of the blind faith my husband has in me (almost unconditional love), my own determination, a couple of very wise people here who counseled me so very well, the motivation of seeing my dad giving up and me actively choosing a different path…
But all that would have taken so much longer (or may not have even worked) without effective medical treatment. I’ll openly admit, that in hindsight (and even at the time I knew), that before I got effective medical treatment, I had depression.(I’m sure it would be judged as mild. I’ve had mild dengue fever, mild septicemia - which very nearly killed me - mild PsA, and even “I’m not sure if you actually have crohns, but if you do it’s mild”)
At the time, my judgement was impaired, but I also faced an imminent reality of wheelchairs and disability - not just physical - the horrendous brain fog that is difficult to describe to those who haven’t experienced it. No wonder I felt depressed. But I also learnt that all those nasty TNF running around had a huge impact on my general feeling of wellbeing, as well as my cognitive ability.
I guess I’m a poster girl for the wholistic theory - and I’m not talking about juicing! I mean an acceptance - both of the disease and that I have some new limits (but that doesn’t mean I can’t push them :), and that the medication is integral to the way I can deal with the disease constructively and proactively.
I’ve never been in full remission, but I’ve had moments of feeling invincible (in comparison to googling wheelchairs) whilst on Enbrel. And humira works well for my arthritis, but for my GI issues, is literally a lifesaver 
I just started a elimination diet no caffeine, no refined sugar, no gluten, dairy, soy or corn. This is from a girl who had burger king two weeks ago;) But I'm a firm believer that lowering the inflammation in my gut will do wonders for the whole body! Great to hear your results. I'm starting medications, but maybe one day I too can be off!
grooveh said:
For me, establishing a daily vegetable juicing regime has been transformative. I've been on the same regime for over 1.5 years, and have enjoyed a long-term remission, 100% medicine- free. (Had been taking increasing doses of MTX, Celebrex, Pred, and topicals for about a decade prior, with lots of side effects, and limited efficacy).
I juice 2-3x a day, mainly vegetable tonics, with little fruit...approx 1.5-2qt/ day total. I also eat mainly a plant-based diet, and almost no packaged/overly processed food.
I used to be one of the people that denied the link between diet and disease, until I actually did something about it...and it changed my life!
AGREED. Watching my son get on the bus now I truly say "I'm going to miss you today". And mean it.
Livinday2day said:
It has really solidified to me to truly appreciate every moment. I have also learned to eat a great deal healthier :)
Wait WHAT? Humira helps GI issues?!....................Please message me I also have severe IBS
Jen said:
That is a good, but very complex question.
The single biggest thing has been the change in my perspective, but how I got to that is not simple. A combination of the blind faith my husband has in me (almost unconditional love), my own determination, a couple of very wise people here who counseled me so very well, the motivation of seeing my dad giving up and me actively choosing a different path......
But all that would have taken so much longer (or may not have even worked) without effective medical treatment. I'll openly admit, that in hindsight (and even at the time I knew), that before I got effective medical treatment, I had depression.(I'm sure it would be judged as mild. I've had mild dengue fever, mild septicemia - which very nearly killed me - mild PsA, and even "I'm not sure if you actually have crohns, but if you do it's mild")
At the time, my judgement was impaired, but I also faced an imminent reality of wheelchairs and disability - not just physical - the horrendous brain fog that is difficult to describe to those who haven't experienced it. No wonder I felt depressed. But I also learnt that all those nasty TNF running around had a huge impact on my general feeling of wellbeing, as well as my cognitive ability.
I guess I'm a poster girl for the wholistic theory - and I'm not talking about juicing! I mean an acceptance - both of the disease and that I have some new limits (but that doesn't mean I can't push them :), and that the medication is integral to the way I can deal with the disease constructively and proactively.
I've never been in full remission, but I've had moments of feeling invincible (in comparison to googling wheelchairs) whilst on Enbrel. And humira works well for my arthritis, but for my GI issues, is literally a lifesaver :)
For sure. My irritable bowel is much less irritable since I started Enbrel. And my brain is less irritable too. The brain fog that Jen described lifted for me too when I started the biodrug.
Maemae said:
Wait WHAT? Humira helps GI issues?!....................Please message me I also have severe IBS
Jen said:That is a good, but very complex question.
The single biggest thing has been the change in my perspective, but how I got to that is not simple. A combination of the blind faith my husband has in me (almost unconditional love), my own determination, a couple of very wise people here who counseled me so very well, the motivation of seeing my dad giving up and me actively choosing a different path......
But all that would have taken so much longer (or may not have even worked) without effective medical treatment. I'll openly admit, that in hindsight (and even at the time I knew), that before I got effective medical treatment, I had depression.(I'm sure it would be judged as mild. I've had mild dengue fever, mild septicemia - which very nearly killed me - mild PsA, and even "I'm not sure if you actually have crohns, but if you do it's mild")
At the time, my judgement was impaired, but I also faced an imminent reality of wheelchairs and disability - not just physical - the horrendous brain fog that is difficult to describe to those who haven't experienced it. No wonder I felt depressed. But I also learnt that all those nasty TNF running around had a huge impact on my general feeling of wellbeing, as well as my cognitive ability.
I guess I'm a poster girl for the wholistic theory - and I'm not talking about juicing! I mean an acceptance - both of the disease and that I have some new limits (but that doesn't mean I can't push them :), and that the medication is integral to the way I can deal with the disease constructively and proactively.
I've never been in full remission, but I've had moments of feeling invincible (in comparison to googling wheelchairs) whilst on Enbrel. And humira works well for my arthritis, but for my GI issues, is literally a lifesaver :)
Enbrel and excersise, like: walking, light weights at the gym to keep muscles strong, swimming, etc.