Anyone else have an autoimmune disease?

[Mrs. Readsalot]

I have Sjogren's. It's not much fun, but I deal with it pretty well. I am reading the Autoimmune Epidemic (thank you to whoever recommended it) and it is fascinating. My brother died 8 years ago from an autoimmune disease (poly myosistis) and I never believe that it was just "dumb luck" that we both have/had autoimmune diseases. From reading the book I believe there is a link between having this and where I grew up.

[CalicoKat]

and I have that and a very active case of arthritis (anklyosing spondilitis).

 

Emdometriosis is also related to the hormone stuff.

[Lady Katherine]

I had Grave's Disease (hyperthyroidism) until they radiated and killed off the offending thyroid.

 

I also may have multiple sclerosis, although they haven't been able to find it with the MRI's yet. My mother's sister has had MS for over 35 years.

 

Ds13 has Type 1 diabetes.

 

Ds7 has the antibodies for Type 1 diabetes, so his body has started the autoimmune response that may or may not lead to actual diabetes in his case.

 

One of my first cousins has Type 1 diabetes.

 

Another first cousin (sister of diabetic cousin) has Crohn's disease.

 

My mother and dd12 both have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune respone). Dd got it when she was only 5yo.

 

Coincidence? I think not. SOMEthing is wrong.

[adrienne]

yep... lupus here. both parents with autoimmune dz as well. I've not read that book but it sounds interesting. thanks for sharing. adrienne

[JFSinIL]

My kid's pediatric neurologist has been doing research into autoimmune disease as a cause of many kid's autistic and/or LKS symptoms. He treats the kids with prednisone and if, like mine, they get better (!!!) he suspects it is an autoimmune problem in the brain. OK, I KNOW another mom here can explain it better (and you know who you are!!!) ;)

 

I will be curious to see if it is in his new book out this month:

Autism and Its Medical Management: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Hardcover)

by Michael G. Chez (Author)

 

ok - Amazon sez not until June - but the publisher's site sez April and my local library claims to have it and be processing it....i should have it very soon.

[Pamela H in Texas]

I wish I couldn't post this but here's mine:

 

anklyosing spondylitis (on top of osteoarthritis)

antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

hashimotos

 

and endometriosis and psoriatic arthritis if they count

 

I have been checked several times for MS and Lupus. My pcp was sure that lupus test was going to "pop" eventually. We'll see.

 

Add on top of these everything else wrong? I'm just falling apart.

 

The bad part is passing the bad genes to my kids :( Not to mention, we're together so they have the environmental triggers similar also. Just stinks.

[Pamela H in Texas]

JFS,

 

How long does the prednisone take to show a difference? What about the side effects of it?

 

Thanks :)

Pamela

[Debbi in Texas]

I have psoriasis. One sister has lupus and Sjogren's, my mom has hemachromatosis and porphyria.

 

These books sound very interesting. My son has non verbal learning disorder (similar to Asperger's) and sensory issues. I will be checking out both of the books that have been mentioned.

[UnPrairieMuffin]

But my older sister was diagnosed with MS several years back, and we have a huge history of allergies, which I understand are auto-immune in some cases. However, I have a first cousin with Rheumatic Arthritis (the type that you get when you're a juvenile) and another close cousin with Fibromyalgia.

 

My mom always thought that my grandmother had some sort of autoimmune disease that was undiagnosed. She was born in 1903 and my mom was born in 1944 (an only and very unexpected child). I never knew my grandmother b/c she died in 1975, way before a lot of our current diseases were even identified and treatable.

 

Oh, and my mom's half-sister had Sjorgen's (spelling) syndrome, the list just goes on and on when you start thinking about it...

[Tarheel Heather]

I have psoriasis. One sister has lupus and Sjogren's, my mom has hemachromatosis and porphyria.

 

These books sound very interesting. My son has non verbal learning disorder (similar to Asperger's) and sensory issues. I will be checking out both of the books that have been mentioned.

 

 

I have psoriasis! Such fun, I have been frying my liver taking methotexate!

[Jann in TX]

I have chronic SEVERE psoriasis. Enbrel worked wonders--but I've been off of it for the past 7 months and the psoriasis has returned with a vengeance:crying: I had to go off of Enbrel so I could take my travel vaccinations--I'm going to Africa this summer! Hopefully I'll be back on it next month so I will have time to start clearing before the trip. I noticed a HUGE improvement with Enbrel after the first 2 weeks of treatment--but giving yourself shots in the tummy sucks---although it really does not hurt.

 

I have other autoimmune issues. I had chronic strep as a child--I tested positive for almost 2 years before the Dr's removed my tonsils--the source of the strep. This has been strongly linked to psoriasis.

 

About 10 years ago I went from a 'workout queen' to almost an invalid in the matter of weeks. It took several years to diagnose--some tests indicated lupus and some MS. I lost most of the movement in the left half of my body and I had TERRIBLE lower back pain all the time! I also had 'pseudo' heart attacks--all the FUN of a real heart attack (PAIN) but no heart damage. Medical bills totalled over $1,000,000 in less than a year (thank goodness for medical insurance). It turns out that the aspartame--EQUAL--I was using in my hot tea was poisoning my body. It has taken several years to detox and I will have residual problems the rest of my life--just because I thought it was better for me than the evil sugar.

 

The source of my back pain was found after I lost yet another baby mid-term. I had stage 4 endometriosis--the Drs were barely able to save my uterus (but they did and I now have dd #3!).

 

I firmly believe that the cause of my auto-immune problems are 90% environmental. Strep--and the FDA approved poison (aspartame) are the main causes to my misery.

 

I've recently been diagnosed with yet another immune problem--pre-diabetes. Sugar makes me VERY sick. The benefit of this is that I've finally started loosing weight! This condition (type 1 and type 2) runs HEAVILY in my family--so this one is most likely genetic.

 

On the 'upside' my Drs tell me that I'm the healthiest sick person they know!

[Oak Knoll Mom]

My mom has rheumatoid arthritis and my dad has fibromyalgia. I live in fear that I'll get something. I eat a lot better than my parents and I get more exercise than either of them did at my age, so maybe that counts for something!

[Tarheel Heather]

I have chronic SEVERE psoriasis. Enbrel worked wonders--but I've been off of it for the past 7 months and the psoriasis has returned with a vengeance:crying: I had to go off of Enbrel so I could take my travel vaccinations--I'm going to Africa this summer! Hopefully I'll be back on it next month so I will have time to start clearing before the trip. I noticed a HUGE improvement with Enbrel after the first 2 weeks of treatment--but giving yourself shots in the tummy sucks---although it really does not hurt.

 

I have other autoimmune issues. I had chronic strep as a child--I tested positive for almost 2 years before the Dr's removed my tonsils--the source of the strep. This has been strongly linked to psoriasis.

 

About 10 years ago I went from a 'workout queen' to almost an invalid in the matter of weeks. It took several years to diagnose--some tests indicated lupus and some MS. I lost most of the movement in the left half of my body and I had TERRIBLE lower back pain all the time! I also had 'pseudo' heart attacks--all the FUN of a real heart attack (PAIN) but no heart damage. Medical bills totalled over $1,000,000 in less than a year (thank goodness for medical insurance). It turns out that the aspartame--EQUAL--I was using in my hot tea was poisoning my body. It has taken several years to detox and I will have residual problems the rest of my life--just because I thought it was better for me than the evil sugar.

 

The source of my back pain was found after I lost yet another baby mid-term. I had stage 4 endometriosis--the Drs were barely able to save my uterus (but they did and I now have dd #3!).

 

I firmly believe that the cause of my auto-immune problems are 90% environmental. Strep--and the FDA approved poison (aspartame) are the main causes to my misery.

 

I've recently been diagnosed with yet another immune problem--pre-diabetes. Sugar makes me VERY sick. The benefit of this is that I've finally started loosing weight! This condition (type 1 and type 2) runs HEAVILY in my family--so this one is most likely genetic.

 

On the 'upside' my Drs tell me that I'm the healthiest sick person they know!

 

I will pm you!

[Marie in Oh]

my dd. age 3, has Celiac. What does that mean? That Dh or me, or one of the grandparents probably has it undiagnosed. And it probably means that one or more of her sibs have it as well. These diagnosis are definitely epidemic. One has to wonder what's up.

[TravelingChris]

I have Primary Sjogren's. I also have asthma and antiphospholipid antibodies. I have two daughters of which the older one has had a headache and some other issues for almost half a year and I suspect as yet undiagnosed auto-immune disease.

[Kim in Appalachia]

endrometriosis, I have another cousin who has had several auto-immune issues, and another cousin's wife has Rhumetoid arthritis.

 

I never thought about enviromental factors, but all of them are the same age (with 5 years of each other), very interesting....

 

It could be genetics, enviroment, a combination of the two.

 

Jann, I had something that started to look like psoriasis this past winter. It was very scary. I went from exercising, and being active to not being able to move out of my chair.

 

My dh (who is a doc) thought is was a freaky virus, I think it was brought on by taking Sudafed (sp?) and a lot of caffine. Lots of scans and tests, but nothing to show for it (excepts bills!!) I learned a lot about auto immune issues as I just sat.

[Janet in Toronto]

My mom, my sister and brother and I all have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My sister's son has Juvenile RA. My mom has psoriasis and RA.

 

Thanks for mentioning the book...I"m going to request it at the library.

 

Janet

[5kidsforME]

I have Hoshimotos thyroid disease. :-(

[Cindy in FL.]

I have Hashimoto's, Reynaud's, psoriasis, and auto-immune oophoritis as well as dermographism and pressure urticaria. My cardiologist also thinks I have some other auto-immune or endocrine issues. I am seeing a new endocrinologist and rheumatologist at the end of the month.

 

Auto-immune diseases are so hard to get diagnosed and treated.

 

Cindy

[Tess in the Burbs]

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and endometriosis and some weird food allergy thing going undiagnosed as of now...I test negative in testing but swell up when I eat certain foods ;-)

[Elinor Everywhere]

and I have that and a very active case of arthritis (anklyosing spondilitis).

 

My dh has ankylosing spondilitis, and has been taking Enbrel, which is working wonders. The nice thing is that it by-passes the liver. Have you tried it?

 

Also, I worry about my dd who is the spitting image of my dh. She is 10--do you know at what age AS may rear its ugly head? My dh started feeling pain around 12, so I'm holding my breath in the next few years.

[Jenny in Atl]

I had endometriosis (do to spilt uterus, one side had no way out - so the blood drained back out the tube to my stomach cavity). All was fixed, so hopefully I will have no further problems with it. Both dd's have Celiac Sprue. My youngest also has Type-1 diabetes and Hypothyroid. :tongue_smilie:

[LNC]

I have MS. I had a major "attack" a year ago that led to my diagnosis. I still walk with a cane. I take Betaseron - and I'm hopeful for improvement.

 

I read that book and mentioned it on the boards. I've been making major changes for our family - 'greening' up our food, housecleaners, food storage etc. I think so much has changed in our environment that has led to these diseases and autism. I've always heard that autoimmune disease is caused by genetics and environment combined. My son has type 1 diabetes and another son a severe mitochondrial disorder. I pray my daughter stays healthy and I'm doing all I can environment wise to help towards that end!

[jacqui in mo]

I have Raynaud's disease too, which isn't at this point an AutoImmune disorder (Raynaud's Syndrome is though) but I'll have to watch for symptoms of other autoimmune problems associated with it. I also have Lichen Sclerosis but so far, thankfully, it is responding well to steroid tx. My sister also has a skin type of autoimmune disease.

[Lady Katherine]

I also have asthma and antiphospholipid antibodies.

 

 

Oh, does asthma count as autoimmune? Then you can add five cases of that to my earlier long list. Dh, all three dk, and I all have it.

[5kidsforME]

I have Raynaud's disease too, which isn't at this point an AutoImmune disorder (Raynaud's Syndrome is though) but I'll have to watch for symptoms of other autoimmune problems associated with it. I also have Lichen Sclerosis but so far, thankfully, it is responding well to steroid tx. My sister also has a skin type of autoimmune disease.

 

 

I pm ed you!

[Mrs. Readsalot]

The Raynauds doesn't cause me many issues so I usually forget about it.

I really recommend The Autoimmune Epidemic to everyone that has posted. I am only 2/3 through it and already plan to buy a copy. I have had to take it very slow at times because it is a bit technically in places and also refers you to very interesting websites. The EPA hazard waste sites is particulary interesting. The book also goes into a bit about Autiwm and vaccines. Interesting I did start noticing signs of the Sjogren's after receiving a flu shot. Flu shots are noted in the book as a possible trigger. One of the biggest premises in the book is that our bodies are like a barrel filling up with water(contaminates really) and at some point your body can't take it any more and an autoimmune disease can result. Genetically the book says that 1 in 4 of the population can get an auto-immune disease. A lot of this research is still in the early stages. The book is extremely interesting.

[Laura R (FL)]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis with accompanying pleurisy at the moment, and pressure urticaria. I also have hypothyroidism which may have been Hashimoto's, but never really had it looked into. Yes, autoimmune diseases are not fun, but I'm grateful that cancer doesn't run in my family. My grandmother has fibro and lupus, and I have an aunt with mixed connective tissue disease and Sjogren's.

[Jan Lyn]

Ladies,

 

I've had fibromyalgia for 16 years, was diagnosed with Raynaud's about 6 years ago. Now am searching frantically for further diagnosis for 2 years now to severe reflux symptoms, which will not go away with meds.

 

So far, I have found I have Dry Eye Sydrome and Spastic motility of the Esophagus, which is very painful and frightening. I have not found the underlying cause of this condition, with 7 specialists working on it...well, they work a bit.......quite apathetically, while I sit at home and choke!

 

I am thinking sjogren's syndrome advanced at this point, as dry eye treatment has not restarted tears. Anyone that has this take meds to slow it?

 

I also have intolerances to ALL meds, so that I have to take with antihistamine. I have intolerances to most main foods as well, which doctors just completely ignore. It sounds autoimmune to me......

 

Sjogren's ladies.....is there any hope for improvement at all? Also, did you get a lip biopsy to confirm? I am dreading and putting this off, as my lip and underneath my mouth have endema due to intolerances already. Bloodwork is all good, but symptoms are not. I know we simply treat symptoms, but wondering if inflamation of tissues, such as in the throat can ever improve at times? I'm not able to read aloud anymore, really and homeschooling creatively. I think I am doing a decent job with my oldest daughters help reading and my husband does our read alouds at night. But discouraging.........

 

Thanks for starting this post and everyone that added to it. I'm so sorry to hear of so many difficulties, but also felt this sense of peace over my continuing to homeschool through this to see that so many do. I really needed that!

 

Blessings,

Janice

[Joanne]

My dd has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, "poly" (in more than one joint).

 

My DH has psoriasis (no blood relation to my dd).

 

They have been on similar, sometimes the same, drugs. (Enbrel, etc)

[CactusPair]

I have MS and take Rebif. We have a lot of autoimmune disorders in my family.

 

Mrs. Readsalot...where did you grow up, in what kind of environment? What are your thoughts about autoimmune disorders and exposures, etc?

 

I'm wondering about the industrial town I grew up in and the polluted river that flowed by it. Does it have anything to do with my MS, etc? I also wonder about viruses and childhood illnesses. A school friend who lived a few blocks away from me was diagnosed with MS shortly after graduation. I had my first symptoms at 20.

 

With our family history, worry for my children, especially my dd, is always in the back of my mind.

[Barb_]

...and on the other side of the coin, we have no autoimmune conditions on either side of the family as far back as I'm aware of. The only exception is my oldest daughter who has vitiligo and assorted allergies, is on the autistic spectrum, has LD's and seems to catch everything she is exposed to in spite of eating well, taking a handful of vitamins every day, and needing copious amounts of sleep. She is the only afflicted one. She is also from a different gene pool as she is the only one with a genetically different dad. Not sure what that means, but it seems odd to me.

 

Barb

[KidsHappen]

I have had this for at least 7 years and the list of co-existing conditions is growing at a dizzying rate. Currently:

 

IC (Interstitial Cystitis)

TMJ

GERD/Acid Reflux

Endomitriosis

Chronic and several back alignments/pain problems

And extreme insomnia

 

We are also looking at some sort of gall bladder problem. If that turns out neg then my Dr. will refer me to a gastrointestinalogist. I am also seeing a specialist in IC, a chiropractor, and message therapist (medical) and of course my psychiatrist.

 

I am taking meds for:

 

Bi-polar (seperate issue)

High blood pressure (also seperate issue)

Sleep problems

Mild pain meds

 

I am probably going to start meds for IC and GERD. I have tried many other meds that I have decided to stop for various reasons. Many either didn't work or caused side effects that I really didn't want to deal with. Believe it or not I hate taking meds but can't function without most of the ones I am taking and given my family history I am afraid to stop the blood pressure meds. At this point, I wish that they would just give me pain meds to deal with all the different pain issues and drop all the other meds that aren't absolutely neccesary. If I don't make some progress soon I am going to ask for a referral to a pain management clinic.

 

I have a serious plan to start trying to improve things as much as possible with natural methods. Some of the things that I have recently started: Keeping a journal with lists of my symptoms and how they are affecting me everyday, I also list what I have tried and what the results have been, I am planning to start an elimination diet, adding walking, yoga and small weight bearing exercises, going to a specialist and chiropractor, researching and reading as much as I can, looking at supplments and all available treatments and probably a few other things that I can't remember right now. I find that being proactive is helping, at least with the helplessness part. I have tried various things in the past without success but never a coordinated effort. I haven't been at it long enough to know if it is doing any good but I am hopeful.

 

And finally, my family is a tremendous support. My children are immensely helpful around the house. They bring me drinks and rub my back. They ask about me and how I am doing everyday. My dh does as much as he possibly can when he is home so that I have less to take care of during the week. And I talk to my brother everyday which is great therapy.

 

I feel so much for others in pain that I can't even stand to see people suffer a little. I really wish that we could all be pain free. :grouphug:

[ummix3]

I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroidtis some time ago. At the time of my first dx I did not want to believe I had hypothyroidism, I did not fit the mold much and attributed my tired fatigued state to mommy burn out. I did not take the meds prescribed, I don't even like taking asprin. Things really got bad about two years later.

 

Normal thyroid level is .3-5, I believe, and mine was 240...Long way from 5. I had seroius medical problems and was also diagnosed with myxedema madness which lasted about 2-3 weeks. When levels get to 219 people have been known to go in to a coma. I started taking the thyroid replacement hormone drug and thank God my levels are normal now, after two years. I feel great, better than before I ever had kids I believe.

 

When I was sick it was a very scary time where we ended up putting my two eldest dc in a private school. It was heartbreaking for me to send them, but my health and mental state had deteriorated so much that I could not bear to think about it and let it get me down. I didn't forsee getting better let alone feeling as great as I do now. For a long time I tried making myself believe that school was ok, immersing myself in the school culture,and let the idea of hs'ing go altogether. I have noticed changes in my dc though and I know this is inevitable that kids change, but they both say that "learning is their enemy", despite being on the honor roll. On the outside they look like they are great students, which they are, but the love of learning is gone. Now dh and I are thinking of hs'ing once again after school is out. I thank God I got my health back and that I started taking my meds. My heart goes out to all those moms with an autoimmune disease.:grouphug:

 

Michelle

nycmom

[Parrothead]

I've got Grave's disease. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years now. It is time for it to go away.

[justme]

Vaccines and toxins. Google, research, read.

[Hen]

I don't have an official one, but a rhuematologist I saw -thinking I had lupus (I actually had a case of 5th's disease) said she thought she would be seeing me again in the future. The lupus test came back negative, which I am glad, not something I would wish on myself. But I do have Reynaurd's syndrome, I do get rashes on my face when I am sick, I have this achy joint thing going and I am really anemic.

 

I keep thinking that I know this about myself, and so I should take this time while I am not sick to eat really healthy and get into yoga to maybe help with it all later...but it's so easy to think you should do something but hard to actually do it.

 

It does really bother me that we are seeing so many immune diseases now. 3 of my 4 kids have asthma.

[Cindy in FL.]

I've thought, too, about keeping a journal to hopefully help figure out what makes the symptoms better or worse. Also trying to eat better and just ordered a beginning yoga dvd to try.

 

Cindy

[dirty ethel rackham]

Me three! My sed rate is pretty high, even though we are getting the thyroid numbers where they need to be and I am trying to deal with the inflamation.

[Carpe Diem]

Count me in for MS. Psoriasis too. I'm surprised to read so many people are affected by autoimmune disorders, but then again, I shouldn't be surprised.

 

I've been dxd for 5 years. I took Rebif for 2+ years and then went off of it when my meds froze and decided to stay off to have another baby. Baby is now 2.5 years old and thankfully I am doing well. I have yet to go back on the meds. I like to think that I am doing well because I am still breastfeeding. It is very frightening wondering if and when I will have a relapse, but for now I am sort of in denial. I have times when I can see my symptoms worsen due to not enough sleep.

 

I have to take care of myself. I am so bad at that.

 

I worry about the relationship with toxins, including vaccines. I've declined the tetnus vaccine a few years in a row now. I try to be as green as possible.

 

Sugar is the devil and I am addicted. If I could get rid of sugar I would be so much better off. Lucky for me the girl scout cookies are in!

 

Autoimmune disorders runs in my Mom's side of the family.

 

I wish us all good health!

[CalicoKat]

My dh has ankylosing spondilitis, and has been taking Enbrel, which is working wonders. The nice thing is that it by-passes the liver. Have you tried it?

 

Also, I worry about my dd who is the spitting image of my dh. She is 10--do you know at what age AS may rear its ugly head? My dh started feeling pain around 12, so I'm holding my breath in the next few years.

 

I'm terrified of doing the injections so I take celebrex. My neck is already

completely fused so the damage was done before Enbrel came out.

 

My pain started my senior year in high school, I was 16. It wasn't until my senior year in college that it was diagnosed--ironic since my dad's has it, and his dad had it, and his granddad had it. . . . I guess they felt a girl couldn't possibly get it since it's mostly a male thing.

 

Get her checked for the genetic marker. Typically girls don't inherit the gene, just the boys. Very rarely do girls get it--like me. It's a simple blood test and your dh's rhumatologist could probably do it (enjoy doing it) as part of a family history.

[Elinor Everywhere]

I'm terrified of doing the injections so I take celebrex. My neck is already

completely fused so the damage was done before Enbrel came out.

 

My pain started my senior year in high school, I was 16. It wasn't until my senior year in college that it was diagnosed--ironic since my dad's has it, and his dad had it, and his granddad had it. . . . I guess they felt a girl couldn't possibly get it since it's mostly a male thing.

 

Get her checked for the genetic marker. Typically girls don't inherit the gene, just the boys. Very rarely do girls get it--like me. It's a simple blood test and your dh's rhumatologist could probably do it (enjoy doing it) as part of a family history.

 

Thanks, I think I'll have her checked. Not that they could do anything about it, but if she doesn't have it my mind would be easier. I worry, because she is definitely type-A personality (like her dad).

[TravelingChris]

Hi Janice,

 

There is a lot more than just elieving the symptoms for Sjogren's. I have been on plaquenil for ten years and it has definitely helped. I am also now on Medrol at a very low dose (2mg). For my eyes, I take Restasis. You need to see a rheumatologist who is acquainted with Sjogren's. I don't take either of the medications that help produce saliva because of side effects for me, but many Sjogren's patients take them. Other medications are used too and not just for symptom relief.

[DawnUK]

I have two that have been dx'ed and probably more. I have ITP-- where my body attacks my platelets, and also celiacs. It's not a coincidence that autism tends to run in the families that have autoimmune issues.

 

--Dawn

[Legomom]

My dh has alopecia areata and Sjogrens and currently has undiagnosed muscle twitches. He has been to two neurologists who have said that the cause is not neurological. I think that he needs to see a rheumatologist (preferably to have a full workup at the University of Washington) because autoimmune stuff runs in his family. Easier said than done however since he is always too busy to go to the doctor. I finally just quit bugging him about it.

 

His aunt had lupus and Sjogrens and developed lymphoma (higher risk of this due to Sjogrens). She lived to be 92 or so.

 

A cousin has an autoimmune blood disease which I can't remember the name of.

 

Another aunt died of Lou Gehrig's however I noticed that this was not listed as an autoimmune disease in the Autoimmune Epidemic. Her physician said that it is rarely genetic, so I am hoping this was a totally separate issue.

 

His other aunt died of COPD. Again, not sure if this was an autoimmune issue. She and her husband were heavy smokers.

 

One thing that I have noticed about my husband is that he has a very strong immune system. He is never sick. One sneeze equals him having a cold. My (very) unprofessional theory is that he has an overactive immune system.

 

The Autoimmune Epidemic talks a lot about heavy metals affecting the body as well and he worked in a circuit board manufacturing plant for several years and was not always careful to wear the protective gear, so I wonder if that affected him as well.

 

I would love to hear if anyone has tried the elimination diet or other natural options recommended in the book.

[Jan Lyn]

Christina,

 

Your post was a bit encouraging to me this afternoon to find. I am going to a new rheumatologist, so she is putting me through a lot of testing, but has mentioned sending me to a Sjogren's clinic about an hour away. So, perhaps I will discuss these meds and try to understand more. Perhaps immune suppressant type meds that slow progression? I think I have hung out at my GI office for too long and really belong with the rheumatologist for answers...here's hoping.

 

Thanks for mentioning.

Janice

[Jean in Newcastle]

Ladies,

 

I've had fibromyalgia for 16 years, was diagnosed with Raynaud's about 6 years ago. Now am searching frantically for further diagnosis for 2 years now to severe reflux symptoms, which will not go away with meds.

 

So far, I have found I have Dry Eye Sydrome and Spastic motility of the Esophagus, which is very painful and frightening. I have not found the underlying cause of this condition, with 7 specialists working on it...well, they work a bit.......quite apathetically, while I sit at home and choke!

 

 

Janice Lyn- I've had fibromyalgia for over 15 years (that was when I was diagnosed but had had the symptoms for years before it was diagnosed). Last year I started to have esophageal spasms - very painful and very frightening is right! I've found relief from the esophageal problems with Cal-Mag. I still have it some but it isn't nearly as bad as it was.

 

Also - on the fibro front. I did an elimination diet and found great relief after taking wheat, corn and cane sugar out of my diet. Of course autoimmune problems are so individual but I thought I'd mention this in case it helps.

[Laura R (FL)]

When I started get migraines, I kept a journal. I found out that certain foods triggered my migraines and I quit eating them. When I quit eating them, my sed rate fell (a lot!), and my arthritis improved quite a bit. My sed rate used to ride around in the low 100's, but it went into the normal range for the first time in years. Right now it's hovering around 33, probably because I'm not as careful as I could be. Weather is also a trigger for a flare, but there's not much I can do about that one!

[Isa]

I have hypothyrodism which I developed after delivering my first son.