Last post Fri, Apr 25 2008 4:57 PM by Mike. 14 replies.
I have had severe stiffness and knee pain due to arthritis. My doctor recommended a knee replac ement in January. He gave me a cortisone shot which did not work, so I did what has worked in years past and went on the Atkins diet. Within 12 hours, as always, the pain went away. I saw the doctor some six week after the shot and he said that if I did not have pain or stiffness, he would skip the surgery.
What works, he said, works and though there is no evidence of why this should be, in my case quitting carbs has an immediate positive affect.
I posted this on the Atkins site and got four other comments from people who had experienced the same thing. Why? We don't know. It isn't weight loss - it's too soon for that. Thought I would share and see if pthers have experienced the same thing.
Excuse the shoddy spelling - I am on a Mac and it isn't quite compatible with this software.
So, I am wondering did the Atkin's diet have a permanent effect? Such as - you have had no new flare ups of complications - or was it temporary? I am wondering if it might work with me so please let me know. I know that cutting out meat and dairy or just one of the two has a good effect for about three months - after that, the benefits ware off.
It is still good, even though I cheated a bit over the holidays. I do have a bit of aches (that knee is a mess so that's expected) but no pain when I walk and no stiffness.
By the way, I kept searching and found a number of links between sugar and arthritis. I do eat a fair amount of carbs, just nothing processed (white rice, white bread, etc) and virtually no sugar. One wonderful thing is the huge amount of sugar-free products on shelves now. That part of my strategy is easy. The long-range goal is to lose weight, and that is so much harder. Let me know how you do.
Ever been tested for Celiac Disease?
It's a common, but underdiagnosed, autoimmune disorder of the small intestine. It's caused by the grain protein (gluten) in wheat, rye, oats and barley. I only mention it 'cause I know several people who discovered they had Celiac after starting a low carb/carb free diet and being surprised by the improvements in 'mystery symptoms' they had for years.
There are many possible symptoms, including arthritis, but with this disease you could have one symptom, a hundred, or none at all. Check out celiaccentral.org if you're curious.
I've had Chronic Juvenile RArthritis since infancy and was diagnosed with Celiac in 2005. Although my overall health has improved tremendously following a gluten free diet, it hasn't helped my RArthrtitis any. Ah, well. Who knows, maybe it'll just take awhile to kick in. I'm glad it's working for you! (whatever the reason)
I agree, a high protein, low carb, low fat, low sodium diet is the way to go to reduce joint pain. Too much salt in my food nowadays causes my joints to swell. So there goes the soy sauce and other stuff that make food taste so good, huh?
I have osteoarthritis secondary to post-polio syndrome. Since the PPS set in, I've become less physically active due to fatigue and weakening, so I tend to pick up the pounds. Of course, that's not to mention eating to try to escape issues of pain and the clinical depression/anxiety I've developed also secondary to PPS.
Hell, I sound like a real mess, don't I?
I am not one to surrender so quickly to circumstances, so I'm working on turning my whole reality around. I've had to rely on a power w/chr to go more than a few blocks since the PPS set in, and worse yet, because of excess weight and the joint pain caused by it.
If you haven't already, start taking GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN as directed. The Walgreens brand, according to my physical therapist, is most efficacious. It's expensive, but then, so many swear it works to keep the joints at least status quo, if not improving them. A buddy of mine and I have been popping the stuff for years, and we both can testify that without it, we'd be much worse off. So the expense is justified, and it can be written off as a medical expense, of course, with a note from the doc recommending use of it.
Best,
Justin
I understand that is the usual thing, however, I used "Atkins" a bit loosely. What I have discovered is that the trick , and it's part of the diet, is to avoid sugar and refined carbs. I could not find any info linking Atkins to arthritis, other than gout, but sugar has got a lot of info available. I am very modified in what I'm doing now, down to the occasional half a donut or small piece of cake, but the problem is staying away. It's helped by the initial 10 pound weight loss at the onset (when I was actually dieting) and so far the weight is staying off, too.
mkiraly13:I have had severe stiffness and knee pain due to arthritis. My doctor recommended a knee replac ement in January. He gave me a cortisone shot which did not work, so I did what has worked in years past and went on the Atkins diet. Within 12 hours, as always, the pain went away. I saw the doctor some six week after the shot and he said that if I did not have pain or stiffness, he would skip the surgery. What works, he said, works and though there is no evidence of why this should be, in my case quitting carbs has an immediate positive affect.I posted this on the Atkins site and got four other comments from people who had experienced the same thing. Why? We don't know. It isn't weight loss - it's too soon for that. Thought I would share and see if pthers have experienced the same thing.Excuse the shoddy spelling - I am on a Mac and it isn't quite compatible with this software.
I have osteoarthritic issues which my docs say are related to my Post-Polio Syndrome. Several years ago I had to start using a power chair to go more than a block outdoors, because I had fallen, incurred lower back fractures, and there went my super-active lifestyle when I walked everywhere. I had heard a panel of polio experts say that the most efficacious food plan for those who are more sedantary, and especially for us who use chairs, is the high protein, low carb, low fat, low sodium, zero sugar kind. It is basically the Atkins Diet. It's also the kind of diet used by diabetics, heart patients, etc.
The fact is that the heavier our bodies are, the more wear and tear on the hips, knees and other joints, as well as generally on the body. I had started taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin many years ago when I learned it actually protects the joints and perhaps even has a reparative effect. I would swear by it, as do my friends, because we all agree that had we not begun using the supplement ages ago, our arthritic issues would be much worse by now as we approach midlife.
I also use 800 mg ibuprofen, which has to be taken with food, or at least an 8 oz glass of milk or half-pint of ice cream or yogurt. The stuff can cause major stomach problems if taken too often or without something to coat the stomach.
I would concur that there is something much more than mere coincidence about doing the high protein/low carb diet and suffering less joint pain. If I exceed my ideal weight, I can feel the wear on my joints. And the most successful diet for me time and again has been this one.
P.S. I forgot to mention medicinal cannabis. Everyone I know who has severe osteoarthritic issues and uses it find that pain can be relieved without the use of all the chemical drugs, whether OTC or Rx. A yellow light to those contemplating using it, though. The food trips are almost part of the territory, so you could really gain more weight than you can manage with a disability. However, various strains of medicinal pot are supposedly better for people who go instantly into food trip mode from smoking it.
For those not into the smoke, there are vaporizers (aka volatilizers) that cost about $100 that spare you from having to take in smoke. The way the vaporizer works is by highly heating the pot, which releases vapor to inhale instead of smoke.
In California, voters overwhelmingly passed a law allowing the use of medicinal pot by people whose doctors recommended it for treatment of pain, nausea, anxiety, etc. Users are protected by this law from being arrested for possession and medically recommended/prescribed use. In many states, there are similar statutory provisions, while in others, doctor-recommended medical marijuana use is not protected.
I believe my RA was caused from something called leaky gut syndrome which affects digestion and causes alergic reactions to foods this may be why certain diets help. I highly suggest looking into LGS to see if the symtoms fit and try a anti-candia diet to reduce symtoms.
look up Leakygut syndrome some research has pointed to link between these conditions
To go back to something my doctor said, whatever works for you.
Salt is not an issue for me. I live on peanuts. Flour is not an issue, I eat a lot of low carb bread. I just do as little sugar as possible. Could never find the link between a very low carb diet and arthtitis pain, but the links to sugar and inflammation are well documented.
May you all find your own magic bullet. Pain sucks.
There are also many medical cannabis edibles that a patient can consume. Many patients have reported that edibles have a more profound relaxing effect on muscles.
Compassionately yours,
mmj
Hi to you...about the Atkins Diet, i have been on it before and found it worked for loosing alot of weight. that was before my injury years ago...never thought it would help my knee, as i need the replacement too...and my arthritis is bad...so, i may give it a try again. I do have a bad colon, some things have been wrong for years now...so i am not sure if i can tolerate the meat and salads at this point with the meds and such...but, i wanted to say thank you for your post...i will give it alot of thought...be blessed....janeen if not be bad...
I tried Atkin's diet for a few weeks some time ago, i didn't see any difference to my pain but lost a few pounds, and got a bad tast in my mouth after a few weeks so had to give it up.
