This is such an important topic...and not just for those of us on this board. Almost every day you can pick up the paper and see an article an another part of the body that is affected by inflammation.

I have been really working on various ways to reduce inflammation. I have weekly treatments with an acupuncturist who also has a degree in Chinese medicine and herbology. I take various supplements that are supposed to be helpful in fighting inflammation. And, I've been trying to change my diet...which is the hardest part.

Thanks for the tip about the website. And, good luck with your attempts to change your way of eating.

xx Gwennie

I just attended a chronic pain education day and wow it was interesting. I am still digesting it. However I am going to go on a version of the programme using some of the products (in the past I have traded money over quality but when I realised I was spending $80 a month on meds for unsubsidised as aposed to $3 for subsadised).
Controling inflammation is really important as long term it increases the risks for other disease like cardiovascular and any degenerative conditions.

Key Nutrients are
Turmeric
Ginger
Hops
Boswellia
omega 3
quecertin - bioflavonoid
rosemary
white willow
olive leaf
selenium
zinc
vitamin c (not on my paper list but is a key one from my point of view antioxidants help deal with the by products of reactions in the body)

Adding the cullernary herbs to foods is economical, turmeric is easy to add to all foods like lentils, curries, mash potato, cook pasta or rice in it (add to the water), salad dressings, smoothies.... Everything just looks yellow 8o)

Removing food sensitivities is a must as is a diet based on wholesome foods....no body benefits from refined, packaged supermarket foods. Generally the food that has the most advertising is the worst for you. Gental weaning off pharmacauticals and detoxing & Healing, makes the body feel great when its done. Nutrition is a major key to wellness and Supporting other conditions so that healing and focus are holistic. The body is a sum of parts not a divided lot of sections and subsections with specialists.

mmmm that just made me want a growl......I cannot believe that a orthopaedic specalist is meant to know all the info on their 'speciality' yet when you are not in need of surgery or healing from their handy work they turn all poos and don't have anything to offer....how is that really knowing a body system totally. Where is the help or info with healing, nutrition, habits, the mind, specalism is bad sometimes. But thay are amazing for the stuff they do when they save lives....

I am off to see the first MD that I have come across in my country....its a small country 8-) who is a musculoskeletal specalist. so I am interested in how holistic his approach is.

It is late and I am rambeling and not spelling good

Great topic there is much you can learn so keep reading and sharing.

I've consulted with the specialist concerning this question here http://ampills.com/general-health/questions/ He gave me rather interesting ideas. If you want you may ask him too, its free. Just recommended!

Hi Rusty,

Excellent topic!

I have just started to implement a "modified" type of anti-inflammatory diet a few days ago.

I have researched what foods I eat and have eliminated quite a few foods that have been categorized as being inflammatory in nature. I have added chai tea to my daily routine, as this seems to be beneficial for my ailments. (There are tons of websites on anti-inflammatory diets, and I've been doing comparisons on what they report. It's really interesting).

Over the past couple of days, I have noticed a decrease in my swelling. Any little reduction is very much welcomed.

I'm going to try this out for 6 weeks and monitor my swelling. So far, it's working great and I hope it continues this path. I could easily adapt to eating this way, if it helps the arthritis symtpoms.

Best wishes to you and everyone,

Tammy

I was just wondering if you found that your swelling more now that you've had spinal problems,i noticed when my neck compression was worse and they found the lesion that i was swelling up all over,arms and legs.I still have some swelling although not as bad as before the surgery it still comes and goes.I was just wondering if it has a link to spinal cord injury.

Thanks Tam

Hi Tam,

Yes, yes, yes. Ever since I injured my spine, I am a swollen up mess. That is definitely the link with me, as I have never felt this way before. Prior to my spinal injury I was a pilates nut, snow skiied, danced, hiked, ice skated, etc. There were times when the weather acted up that I would notice pain and stiffness in my tailbone and two of my fingers, due to fracturing those bones years ago. But only in those areas.... not my entire body.

Like you mentioned, I battle with the pain and swelling all over... my arms, legs, knees, hands, feet, ribs, back and stomach.

I am trying everything possible to reduce the swelling. Is there anything you found that relieves this... other than time itself?

How long were you like this, before you started to notice a difference?

Any suggestions or advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for asking and sharing, Tam.

Take good care and I hope you start feeling better very soon,

Tammy

i didn't really notice the difference it was more everyone else around me.My aunt at first had noticed how swollen my legs were,and then the nurses at the hospital had said how swollen my arms were.Now that i look back at pictures i had taken before my surgery,my goodness i could really see how i looked like i had ballooned.After the surgery over months i can see how the swelling is coming down but i still have times where i can feel my skin tightening up. i don't really do anything but exercise i try and keep things moving.I haven't figured out why its happening to me.Don't know if i ever will.

Dear Tam,

I'm glad to hear that your swelling is coming down and I know in time, mine will get better too. (I have about another year of recovery... next June).

Exercise, walking and stretching do help a great deal. I made a mistake by overdoing myself a couple of weeks ago and have been laid up in bed, even more than I normally am. I'm just about over the hump and plan to start a morning walk, tomorrow. I'm going to try the pool out this afternoon, if my body gives me the go ahead. Like you said, to keep things moving is so vital.

I hope you are feeling better and thank you for the reply.

Take care, Tam.

Tammy

great post...thank you everyone...

tammy your swelling got better after surgery?

yes i haven't been on this thread for quite some time but after my surgery my swelling seemed to get better. Every once in a while my massage therapist tells me that my legs look like there swelling again but nothing like they used to.

After pay attention to my body and watch what I eat, I found that I no longer need 2tabs/200mg of Hydroxychloqn and 4tabs/500mg of Sulfazine a day.
I only need 2 tabs of fish oil and one a day vitamin supplement and stay away from any kind of alcohols, been drug free for 2 yrs now.

I have to say I have a friend that has RA. She stays fit (runs marathons). A few years ago her RA MD passed away suddenly. She had to find a new doctor and she started seeing an internal medical doctor who had her get a full array of allergy tests done. She found out she was allergic to wheat and milk. She has been off the steroids and feeling great since.

I know when I eat low carb (whole grain rather than processed) I feel a lot better. 50% whole raw foods is my goal for 2010. I gave up processed sweets pretty easy but I have a hard time eating whole raw foods.

Do any off you juice? I want to start, but I don't know where to begin.

Julie

Over the years I have learned how diet has affected my body as I have severe OA (osteoarthritis) throughout. Foods high in protein definitely have a negative effect, red meats being one example. I love a good steak but over the years I have learned to change my diet and have been totally off red meats opting for fish & poultry. I could do better with my intake of milk and dairy products as that would also benefit me. I have also made juice a priority and stock up on cranberry, grape, lemonade, and other healthy juices. And also don't forget the red wines as they are good for the heart.
But remember, everything in moderation.
Am I pain free because of my diet, absolutely not, but I believe it has helped maintain all the other vital organs also.
Ranger