So, I went to the doctors this morning and need blood work and x-rays of my hands done. He thinks it is the beginning of rheumatoid arthritis. I figured that, since I saw the little bumps on my hands and the pain in my body all over is symmetrical. I am not freaking out like I usually do, I just wanted to know what it was and how to handle it. Does anyone know of any supplements to take for it? If it is this, i do not want to jump into all the meds that are advertised, they have horrific side effects, I hope that with foods, vitamins, etc, I can manage it.

Thanks for listening.

enough,
Sorry to hear this. Something that works for a lot of RA sufferers is to do a trial elimination of red meat, sugar, all veggies in the nightshade family--potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers Here is a helpful, though non-scientific site discussing nightshades: http://www.archure.net/salus/nightshade.html

Thanks for the info. I have read this too. I am going to miss the tomato and peppers. I LOVE red peppers and tomato sauce and salsa. I do enjoy the eggplant, but dont' have it often enough to miss it. The potato is ok to lose too. Red meat, i can do without or limit and the same for sugar, but boy, those tomatoes will be rough.

I hope you are well.

sorry to hear that you may be dealing with this in addition to peri. i hope the tests will provide some direction & that you will be able to get some relief & management of the symptoms. i started getting joint symptoms several years ago now & they were quite severe & pronounced & did onset symmetrically. but i have always tested negative for rf, even as i still have some joint & muscle pain that comes & goes. no doctor has been entirely sure what it is, so we keep waiting to see what happens next.

keep us posted & i'll be thinking of you & wishing you the best.

hugs,
ellen

If you had similar symptoms and tested neg., then maybe I will too. There's still hope!!! Either way I am not worried, annoyed maybe, but not worried. My theory is this. I have been working for years doing very physical work and due to the sluggish economy I haven't worked in months. Now that I am not using all these muscles/joints they are stiffening up. That is my non-professional opinion.

Thanks for the good wishes.