Has Your Diet Changed?

[beebell]

Has your Diet changed?

Mine has changed I must say for the better. I didn't choose its almost like my body has chose it for me. I can not stomach Beef or very much meat, Chocolate, or any dairy. I feel by not eating any of those foods has contribute to the successful results I have been noticing with AP as my treatment.

My Double Stranded DNA Antibody SSA in Aug 2008 was 109.3 Now its 48.3 SSB 4.4 in Aug now 2.7 SM 3.6 in Aug 2008 now 2.6 Rheumatoid Factor 7.79 in August 2008 now its 1.91 Inflammation 16.1 now 4.2.. So it all must be working. I have become very strict with what I eat also because of this my family is eating very healthy yay! This is what I eat in a day.


Breakfast- Ensure with fruit or sometimes dry whole wheat toast. Or Veggie sausage and toast.

Snack- Almonds or crackers

Lunch- If my husband and I go out it has to be Chicken tacos just chicken and lettuce LOL at one of my fav restaurants yummy. If not I will eat veggie soup or spinach salad..


Dinner- depends on the time.

One of my fav dish to cook is Ahi Tuna steaks with Rice and veggies..

We have dinner early so the family can eat together because of Acid Reflux I do not eat past 5pm I often skip dinner or have an ensure. I can not stand that darn acid reflux at night. My biggest meal would have to be lunch/early dinner. My body seems to crave all the good foods now... Im very picky about what I eat.

I'm still getting used to the new me somedays I'm like who is this woman? I know I will not be who I was pre- Scleroderma it has been hard and I still have my days when I don't want to get out of bed. I manage to get through the rocky moment and move for its just a little moment.. I suffer through a lot of emotions. I am not one to hide them very well LOL just ask my supportive family. They have been awesome... I love them.. I am very blessed to have great results and to be doing well and for the road I was put on I will always have Cubby to thank.... xoxox

I'm also so boggled by the Scleroderma Foundation.. I know AP is not called a cure but why is it so forbidden to talk about? If its giving back the QUALITY OF LIFE to Scleroderma victims then why not??? 'NO MONEY IN THE CURE BUT THERE IS MONEY IN THE MEDICINE"AP is one of the some what cheaper treatments eh? I deleted my account on inspire due to my messages and posts getting erased. I was passing AP Dr. info along and TRYING to answer messages as to what AP was. Did the info get to those people NO....It stresses me out so I don't even bother..I do have a myspace called Scleroderma Awareness and I have helped out so many people newly diagnosed now they are doing better on AP..

I believe that AP is the closest thing to a possible cure. If it isn't with the SF so called Research then why not promote a treatment that can give people their quality of life back without the harsh side effects??? Its just that I feel all options should be open I don't want anyone to suffer with this. A year ago I was a mess like the tin man! Now Im running around with my kids again.. So what if AP is not called a cure doesn't mean it should be ruled out either.. I have my life back and thats all that matters ...
Love and prayers to my Scleroderma Family always..... xoxoxoxoxox

[jeffn]

As to diet I have been pretty good as far as eating in a healthy manner for maybe twenty years. I am not really on a special diet I eat most everything just in moderation. I have no doubt that the special diets can be a boon to good health but it was more than I thought I could cope with. I figured if the mino was not working well enough I could always escalate to one of the gluten free or anti-inflammatory diets. With the reflux I have cut some things out and of course have to watch timing as to what I eat when. I guess I do eat a fairly low carb diet and that seems to agree with me. Sounds like the diet has worked very well for you. Keep up the good work!

As to the SDF, and not just the SDF, and mino I don't get it either. Yes it probably won't work for everyone, nothing does, but it is so low impact for most why not give it a try. In addition people don't have to give up what they are currently taking in most cases so why not. My rheumy at the time wanted to wait five months before starting any treatments so I figured why not try something in those five months? I don't know if there is not enough money in it or because it is off label or what. IVig is also off label for SD but some rheumies use that treatment. I have kind of given up on inspire also. I generally check it out but just can't seem to warm up to the site. There just is not a lot of depth there for some reason. For the folks from the old board that have moved over and are giving it a shot (and contributing a lot to the discussion there I might add) I applaud you guys. I just so far have been unable to jump in.

[Cubby]

BEEBELL: Tell me how to get to your MySpace page.

[beebell]

www.myspace.com/sclerodermaawareness

[christine10]

Hi Beebel;
Have you tried digestive enzymes to ward off the dreaded acid reflux? It did wonders for me within 2 weeks

[beebell]

No I haven't. Tell me more... I need something else to help.. Thanks!

[Cubby]

CHRISTINE10: If I go to the health food store, what do I ask for? Digestive enzymes?

[christine10]

Cubby,Beebel;
You can get a really good enzyme mix at GNC health store if you have one near you.Here a big blue bottle with a red cap,240capsules for 32.00$.Digestive enzymes help with our sticky blood problem and lessens the need for blood thinnere,it breaks up the fibrin that is part of sclerosis and helps to digets much much better so we get more nutrients from our food.
Anyone over 40 has less HCL in their stomacks and as we get older it drops even more.That is why you see all the old dears popping Tums like candy.That is the absolute worst thing they can do.The reflux is caused by incomplete digestion and the food does not go down to the gut fast enough.It sits in the stomack way too long and starts to putryfy before getting to the gut,this is what causes the reflux.A lot of people with SD and other diseases have slow motility and enzymes definately help

[beebell]

Great! Thank you!

[Cubby]

CHJRISTINE, BEEBELL AND EVERYONE: Are the enzymes anything like probiotics or is that completely different?

[christine10]

Cubby;
They are totally different.Probiotics are the so called"good bugs" in your intestine that convert food into the needed elements and vitamins needed for survival'
Enzymes are in raw veggies and fruit .If you ever cut up a pineapple you would notice that the enzyme"papain" really makes your fingers smoothe.Well that one(of many) is what breaks down meat.I.E your fingers. heheheOthers break down cassein in dairy,fats etc,etc.Here is a list of the ones in the GNC brand. Lipase,amylase,maly enzyme,cellulase,lactase,bromelain,hemicellulase,protease,papain,betaine and some other stuff.I have found this brand to be the best for me

[beebell]

Cubby- I think its different than probiotics. Christine- how do you take them and do they interfere with antibiotics and other medications?

[christine10]

Hi Beebel;
I take 2 capsules about 15-20 minutes before eating.There are enzymes in all fruit and veggies providing you do not cook them.If you rather you can eat a couple of papayas or half a pineapple instead but that would not leave much room for a good meal.
Enzymes are in the saliva and stomack as you start to digest the minute you put food in your mouth.Probiotics are only useful in the gut.I.E. an enzyme and a bacterium are not the same thing and do not interfere with each other.Both are needed to be able to absorb the nutrition in our food.If you can't absorb your nutrients you end up with osteoporosis as the body will draw minerals from your bones to protect the alkalinity of your blood and brain.Chronic sicknesses often cause malabsorbtion and low saliva ph.That is why it is so important to have a bone scan every 18 months.Low saliva ph will cause dental problems as the enamel becomes very thin and teeth often crack or carrie.If your ph is under 7 rinse the mouth several times a day with baking soda in water to bring it up

[beebell]

Thank you for the info I will give it a try!

[aajmom]

Beebell, I think it's GREAT that you've made all these changes in your diet! I have thought about doing something like this for quite awhile- just never got around to dealing with it! I also agree that we are not the same people we were prior to sd- and adjusting to this is HUGE! It takes a lot of courage to make such significant changes as you have- and I applaud you for it. I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to eating dinner- I have to eat early (try to do it by 5 or 5:30) but it's not always so easy to do! I find that my stomach REALLY bothers me when I eat late!

Just wondering- when you started cutting out certain foods did you just do it by trial and error or did you have someone guide you? I'm really impressed by your numbers (I'm actually going to go look at what some of mine have been) and by the self control you've exhibited! Good for you!! Seems to be working!- Adriane