Cookie, email me through GW for my phone number. You are definitely on the right track and we have much to discuss!!!

Well, since gout is definitely diet-related, I can't see why diet wouldn't have an effect on your psoriatic arthritis. All foods have naturally occurring chemicals in them which affect our bodies, for good or ill. Tomatoes for instance- what could be healthier than fresh home-grown tomatoes? Yet people with a tendency to gout are made very ill by them. So I'd keep doing what works for you and ignore the poo-pooing doctors on the diet issue. After all, unless you restrict your diet to white rice only, or something equally bizarre, what harm, especially if it makes you feel better?

This thread would be very useful to many people in the Discussions side.

I posted my St. Pat's Day dinner. A day later I got a call from one of the guests. She had to take a day off from work because she had such a strong odor from her body that she could not covered by perfume.

Each of our body reacts differently to food we eat.

dcarch

Keep a food diary that lists everything you eat and correlations to pain. Eventually you will see patterns.

I know from experience that there are certain foods that I have a hard time tolerating, so I avoid them.

I am curious as to what your doctor will say about going off the meds. Generally, you should never just stop taking medication without consulting your dr, because it can create a major health risk (steroids, for example).
If you tell your dr. that you have seen concrete improvements while off the meds and he still pooh poohs the diet angle, then I would consider changing drs.
Dcarch, I am going out on a limb and guessing garlic was the culprit.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

However, I would recommend finding a new doctor. Diet has everything to do with many health problems and any doctor that says it does not is not of much use to you, in my opinion. I am basing this on my own experience with rheumatologists.

My first one told me that diet had no effect on my RA, even tho I told her that I seemed to have more flare ups when I stopped eating chicken and salmon and started eating red meat.

Second doctor told me that red meat contains enzynes that trigger inflammation.

So find one that will listen to you and give you the straight facts rather than giving you a different kind of pill. Sad to say, but it seems that is the easy way out for some doctors these days....

Linda

I was visiting my GP so it was standard meds that you get for any type of bursitis, tendonitis, etc. I haven't been to a rheumalogist for five years. It takes so long to get in I had to see my GP in the meantime. I think my GP's reaction is making me nervous about bringing up these issues to the rheumatologist. Amazing the issues some people have with food.
Ack, Dcarch, who did you handle the phone call? Oops.
A huge thank you to Compumom who talked me down off my crazy podium. My sister really believes in what we put in our bodies can be toxic (dependent upon individual), so between the two I really appreciate the input. Everyone's input really, thanks.

Not sure if it is the foods or the carp that is added to our foods, the pollution our fish swim in, the pesticides etc but diet matters.

Each of us have different tolerances. My DH has controlled his migraines with diet changes. Changes for me have helped with a better nights sleep as well as a change in my energy level.

My doctor is very supportive of dietary considerations but she is much more definite about the need for meds for things like BP and cholesterol for many of us.

I'm happy that I could help reassure you that you're on the right track. From empirical evidence I completely agree that certain foods are toxic to an individual's body, it's certainly true in my case. As I said on the phone, many doctors look at you from a pinhole perspective. They don't think holistically and figure out how to fix the problem.

The best example I can give is when my knee was constantly in pain and I went from the internist to multiple specialists. No one figured out that the pain was coming from my foot. New orthotics and ugly shoes have fixed the problem. Just keep that in mind and pay attention to your body. No one knows it better than you!

"I don't want to be dismissed but it has to be working"

I will tell you what my healthcare providers (the best in the business!) say, when I do something less than mainstream: If it works, then do it! As long as it isn't dangerous is the one qualification. St John's Wort is a good personal example. I wanted to take something after the flood, bankruptcy, divorce and SJW doesn't have any side effects. It worked well, and I loved it! Now, I don't take anything. Physicians know there is the "placebo effect" on the scientific side, so they at least understand that what you are doing could be working, only mentally, but it's still working. And there are many things that haven't had clinical trials, so evidence isn't there... yet. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. They realize the jury is still out on loads of things. Including diets. So keep on keepin' on. Whatever works for you is best.

If your healthcare provider won't listen, then change. You shouldn't have to lie or hide what it is you do. They work for you, you pay them to listen. No sweat!

Here is a link that might be useful: What the Naitonal Institutes of Health says about SJW

"----dcarch, I am going out on a limb and guessing garlic was the culprit. --"

There was no garlic in the whole meal. It was most likely cabbage. The cabbage was simmered in corned beef juice, and I don't think there was any garlic in the corning spices.

Reminds me of another food "emergency"

A friend checked himself in the hospital emergency ward in a panic. After eating beets, which he never had before, #1 was blood red. Some people's body chemistry cannot neutralize the beet's red color.

dcarch

Nutrition is a much-neglected area of medical training; consequently, many physicians are simply not knowledgeable enough to provide much advice in this regard.

Add to that the fact that most of the research is on medications (consider the profit motive of pharmaceutical companies) not foods or herbals.

It's too bad because herbals, vitamins, etc. can be beneficial or harmful depending upon individual circumstances and dosages.

Changes in diet can also have an effect, but each situation is unique to the individual.

You have a critical role to play in your treatment. The days of the passive patient are/should be over. Many doctors are sympathetic to a patient who wants to be pro-active in her treatment and are open to patient observations of the effects of various foods, exercises or whatever seems to help.

The trick is to find that doctor. But you are paying for a service and investing your energy and health, so you don't need to be apologetic about wanting a physician who works in partnership and whose treatment benefits you the most.

Carol