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[sheilad]

I was diagnosed in May 2014 with mixed connective tissue disorder and RA.  The RA affects my shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands.  I started my healing with a vegan diet and juicing for 30 days with no relief so after doing a lot of reading I started the AIP in July.  I am currently taking 5mg of predisone and aleve for pain.  I stopped taking the methatraxte in Aug becasue it was causing pain in other parts of my body.  I recently started seeing an alternative Dr who is treating me with chinese herbs and oil for infections and lack of good bacteria in my gut.  I have been strict with the AIP and have not seen any relief in the RA but I have lost 25 lbs.  Do I need to continue with the strict AIP until I see some relief?  How do I determine if I am still eating a food that is causing the RA to flare?  I pretty much eat meat, vegetables, bone broth, gelatin, and two fruits a day.  I am a runner so I also eat a few sweet potatoes a week.  I found once I went off sugar I am sensitve to it.

Any advise anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

[jillh]

Response to food is so individualized it is hard to know sometimes. I find that I notice an increase in joint aches, skin breakouts or hand/body flushing with foods I am sensitive to. Remember too that healing time varies and since you are still on some medications that could be slowing down your healing as well...

[maren]

I would give it enough time and go on strict AIP. Depending on your condition, it can take pretty long and your body changes so drastically with AIP... Read Sarah's chapter on reintroducing foods: www.thepaleomom.com/2012/09/reintroducing-foods-after-following-the-autoimmune-protocol.html Adding foods one by one is a lengthy process but the only way to find out which ones are safe for you. No test will tell you as reliably as your body! Good luck, it's worth it!