Been having arthritis symptoms creeping up on me the last few months, was tested for RA and negative - twice - nevertheless it seems to tick all the boxes and probably is. Doc has put me on methotrexate and anti inflams. Some days the pain is excruciating... other days bearable.

Had a bearable week up until Friday (yesterday) when suddenly in the afternoon everything flared up to the worst it's ever been.

So it finally occurred to me to wonder if it was connected to what I had had for lunch. (Duh! I got there eventually!)

At my work canteen they usually make me up a salad and baked potato and I was having that during the week, and the symptoms were barely noticeable.

Yesterday, though, they'd run out of salad and so I selected a chicken curry with rice. It wasn't very nice... the curry sauce was jelly-like, the type you get in Chinese takeaways. I think must have been full of gluten/MSG.

So I'm watching out now what I eat. (I also noticed that after 2/3 days of good eating, I was less bloated... clue there, obviously!)

I was trying to stay off gluten having been warned about it before.

Does anyone have any information/anecdotes/experience about diet affecting arthritis symptoms?

It doesn't seem to make a difference with me. I have been tested for ra and it is also negative, but I have flare-ups too. Today, in fact is one. My fingers ache, my jaw (I have been diagnosed with jaw and knee arthritis), knees, toes and lower back really hurt. the weather by me is damp, really damp, that seems to affect it most. I have tried all kids of supplements and none make a difference. I have been doing lots of physical work the past four weeks and today, not doing it is making everything stiffen up. I guess I will have to paint houses for the rest of my life to keep the pain away.

I really hope you get some relief, try a warm bath with epsom salt, that feels really good.

Personally, I have found that gluten affects the aches and pains from arthritis that I've been experiencing for 3 years. Someone on this site (sorry that I can not remember her name to give her full credit ) told be about gluten and various foods that will cause inflammation. Well, I went on a gluten free diet and in less than two weeks I could tell the difference. If felt wonderful. I was able to get out of bed without aching and moaning. Getting of from a sitting position was much easier.

A month ago I made some cookies, not gluten free, and the next day I had the worst pain in my right hip. I was limping around for a couple of days.

Since entering perimenopause I've developed intolerance to certain foods and now I'm learning what affects not only my joints, but also my mood.

I hope you find relief.

Thanks enough and MyFaith.

If you have information about any other foods that trigger it off MyFaith, I'd be interested to hear.

I've found I can eat bread or pastry so long as it is very well cooked e.g. the crust of a pie or quiche.

Just a quick update -

I cut right down on the gluten (cut it right out in fact) and was amazed to find quite a big reduction in symptoms. It hasn't gone away entirely but it is bearable.

Today I was feeling low and decided to cheer myself up with a chocolate biscuit, unfortunately even that was too much and it aggravated the symptoms a little. I don't think it was the chocolate, I think it was the biscuit (cookie). So back to strict non gluten from here on... but might as well stay clear of the chocolate as well to be on the safe side.

I also, to my very great surprise, found that I could drop the anti-inflams but still taking the methotrexate.

It means no alcohol though!

I'm the same way. I recently bought some protein bars to have for lunch, there was no gluten in them but they had been processed in a plant that also processes wheat.. would you believe that even that was enough to make my muscles ache... I had to take some motrin to get releif. I think once we clear our system of it completely it is less and less tolerable.

As for alcohol... I have not drank beer since going GF but do find that wines and vodka don't bother me. I beleive it's Smirnoff that is GF. Bourbons and grain alcohols do bother me though .. no more bourbon balls.

Spoke too soon.

That always happens.

Don't know what I ate this time but at the moment my left thumb and wrist are severely painful, right down inside the joints. Nothing's shifting it except a tight band round my wrist helps.

I have read it is night shade family plants that can aggravate arthritis, also some are sensitive to arachidonic acid in red meat and dairy, some blame gluten.
There is no scientifically proof that arthritis is related to any food, it is more placebo effect, I believe/
Lack of estrogen is to blame mostly, as it is typical time when women start notice joint pain and inflammation.
Consider you play guitar it can be plane joints overuse, i get pain in my fingers if i spend too much time on laptop, typing.
I have read there is one old remedy for arthritis: gin soaked raisins, you can find it on the web.
Not sure what helps, either sulfur in raisins or juniper in gin, but it won't hurt to try.
I am tempted to try it myself, but I have diabetes so raisins are out of picture. I just drink martini with low carb olives, LOL.
Also, have you tried Methylsulfonylmethane, MSM, I have read it is helpful for arthritis pain management too.
HTH,
I.

Alcohol is out, I'm afraid. (Can't take it with the meds I'm on) so although gin-soaked raisins sounds like fun, they're not for me.

I'm not sure if this is hormone related or not. I haven't played guitar for about six weeks, but I do a lot of keyboard work because that's my job.

Mention of the gin soaked raisins has reminded me that I used to hear that poitin (illicit whiskey) was great for rheumatism/arthritis - rubbed in to the joints. Might get a hold of some. It can't hurt the liver to just rub it in to the joints surely? LOL