The Secret: Getting rid of inflammation.

In hindsight being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 38 was likely the best thing that could’ve happened to me….

This seems such a ludicrous statement, believe me at the time I was devastated. I thought that my life as I knew it was over, and of course it was but back then I only pictured it in a negative light.

Thankfully after processing and taking onboard what solutions that were offered to me by my rheumatologist, I turned my back on conventional treatments and through searching I was awakened to what was termed back then as unconventional and alternative ways to treat my auto-immune disease.

Almost 22 years later and having reversed all of my symptoms for 15 years making the regime I take as an everyday part of my life I have found out that I have developed some very positive side effects that may have not happened had I not been diagnosed.

I truly believe that throughout our lives we’re given tests, and how we respond to them will determine how our life will play out. I know had I chosen to go the pharmaceutical route I would have had a very different outcome, or had I not developed an autoimmune disease and carried on my path of where I was at 38 I would be a very different almost 60 year old who feels younger and more excited about life than I ever did back then.

What are the Positive Side-Effects :

i. Freedom from a lifelong sentence of debilitating chronic pain – the description of the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is extremely difficult to put into a few words. There is of course the excruciating sharp burning pain which then leads to the aftermath of the feeling that you have been beaten with a stick. There’s also that dragging feeling that everything you try to do takes so much effort and the horrible sensation that your body has gone into a deep depression. These are just some of the problems never mind joints that are so swollen you can’t wear nice shoes, or severe stiffness you have a problem playing with your kids, and tiredness where at the end of the day you just don’t feel very romantic…. The great thing is it all went away once I started to practise all of the things that are now part of my daily regime. The success of it meant that the nightmare I was living was put into reverse putting me into a condition better than I’d ever been.

ii. One side effect that as a mature woman is very pleasing is the condition of my skin and hair. To have skin that shows little wear and tear without the help of a needle and have hair that is just as thick and healthy as when I was a teenager is gratifying. I could put this down to good genes, it’s a good story but I am not certain of that. What I am certain of is by keeping inflammation almost non-existent by eating good protein, absorbing antioxidants, eating good fats and most importantly staying well hydrated is a factor. Also practising de-stressing and using exercise that helps toward improving tone and texture by increasing blood flow and circulation helping send more nutrients and oxygen to skin and hair leaving positive results.

iii. No Chronic Conditions and no need for Medication. The alarming statistic is that nearly 70% of the UK population have received prescriptions for 1 or more medications, and 90% of over 50’s have at least 1 prescriptive drug to control a chronic condition – the top three being Proton pump inhibitors, followed by Statins and then Beta-blockers. With US and Canada, we are one of the world leaders (not something to be proud of). I witnessed both of my parents starting to take medication in their late forties and early fifties, which increased so alarmingly as they got older that it looked like they could’ve set up their own pharmacy! My husband and I are sticklers for keeping ahead of the game and having our most recent check-up, I am pleased to say as he is six months older and practises alongside me, we both have had the fortune of not needing regular medication – bucking the trend.

iv. No Menopausal symptoms, menopause has seemed to have passed me by and at 59 I really have had only a few mild symptoms which only started at 55. At that age having a series of blood tests my doctor checked if I was going through menopause and to see if it would be safe to remove my IUD. On the result It seemed I could not have it removed as I was still producing eggs and it would be unwise to take a risk that they may be fertile. Last year I was able to speak with a menopausal expert and I told her my story, from her professional opinion she informed me that my lifestyle practises of lowering inflammation and other healthy habits like exercise has had a profound effect in moderating symptoms. I have now probably gone through it as I’m knocking on 60’s door, and I’m waiting on the results to confirm it.