I've been following some online webinars given by health professionals. I learned that diet is just about everything, combined with supplements by a integrative functional practitioner or naturopath. I've given up gluten, dairy, soy, wheat for example, and nightshade vegetables are occasional, with cruciferous vegetables fermented or cooked. First I was on an anti-candida diet to detoxify yeasts, bacteria and then migrated to a Paleo Diet which helped immensely. But I was diagnosed with autoimmune disease as well as adrenal fatigue, joint swelling and inflammation (including face, hands and feet) which is all part of the autoimmune disorder. Leaky gut is to blame for a lot of this stuff, so healing the gut is really key. So I am now on an autoimmune Paleo diet and this works the best, at least for the time being, and then eventually I can go back to Paleo once my gut has healed. Healing the gut contributes to better brain activity and thyroid gland as well as other organs getting nourished in your body. I would say to forget all of these medications. It takes a radical change in your diet (but you'll like it because you'll lose weight as well as your appetite when you give up the processed foods and sugars). I only eat organic meats, vegetables, fruits (1-2 per day) and if I have grains, it is very occasionally and I do organic sprouted brown rice. Sprouted grains are better for the digestive system, I heard. Wild caught fish are fantastic to bump up your Omega 3's (you have to increase these but I can't tolerate flax). Wild caught meats are also fabulous for the digestive system (venison, bison, lamb, etc.) because they do not have any amyloid proteins which can be difficult to break down in regular meats. So enjoy an occasional lamb chop or elk burger (they serve the ladder at Fuddruckers by the way, as well as gluten-free buns and Bison burgers). I will never go back to the way I was eating. Today, I'm making chicken legs bone broth. This broth is supposed to be so great for building back the immune system so I would even say to have a cup or two (or three) weekly. You can make it with chicken bones, beef bones, etc. If you have a slow cooker, even better. Let it cook for a couple of hours or so and I always use spring or filtered water with organic vegetables. I include a salad daily - every single day, and add all kinds of lettuces, sprouts, anything I can find then with avocado, cucumber, scallion or red onion, etc. I use a homemade dressing made with apple cider vinegar because it is so great for the system and kills candida and bad bacteria. It also detoxes and balances the digestive system. Or you can use gluten free organic balsamic vinegar. So I'll make a fresh batch of Italian dressing with all kinds of herbs (tarragon, oregano, basil, fresh garlic, Dijon or brown mustard, lemon, thyme, sea salt, ground pepper, cold-pressed virgin organic olive oil, touch of celery salt or onion salt). With autoimmune, you must exercise care in not using too hot of spices, extreme use of the nightshade vegetables (peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.). Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, Kale, Radish, Turnip, Arugula, Watercress, Rutabaga, Bok Choy, etc. should be cooked and not eaten raw. So I've ever dropped using some of these in salads or will cook them (or use them in soup uniquely). I've been following some exceptional nutritional coaches out there online who specialize in all kinds of diseases and disorders for health. They have wonderful "free" webinars and solutions to daily eating, mild exercise, strong sleep as well as water drinking and taking important supplements daily that will serve to complement your medications. Check with your doctor first but instead of this facebook, I would also join up with some of the free webinars which are fabulous, such as Dr. Jim Mercola; Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD (Hashimoto's and Thyroid disorders); Dr. Alan Christianson (Adrenal Fatigue and gland disorders); Wellness Mama; Teri Cochrane; Lisa Richards (Candida Support); Laura Newby (MasterClasses - example "Get Your Gut Right"); and so many others like Joseph Cohen or Richard (Good-bye Leaky Gut). The world is your oyster -- go pursue your own remedies because you are in control. Not your doctor.

Hello @larsona10, welcome to Connect. I think diet does play a major part in autoimmune diseases. I'm not quite there on a lot of the things you are doing but I have eliminated processed foods and greatly reduced my sugar intake. I started the basic Wahls protocol diet and did do gluten free, dairy free, sugar free for about a month. Dr Wahls has an amazing story to tell about eliminating her MS symptoms and going from a wheel chair to riding a bike again. She still has MS but has greatly improved her lifestyle which is where I think diet helps a person with an autoimmune disease.

I agree that you should go see your doctor first and that learning everything you can about your health issues is even better. This helps you become a better advocate for yourself. While there are a lot of great webinars available they do not necessarily help when you are wanting to talk with others that share your diagnosis and you want to get questions answered. That's were Mayo Connect shines. It's not Facebook. It is a patient to patient environment where your personal information is protected and not shared. In fact, you do not have to use your real name.

John

Sounds like you are doing great! Anyway, all I know is that they say the "gut" controls 80% of the immune system and has a direct impact on the mind. I never knew this before. So I have been quite amazed. I agree, also, that there are a lot of so-called "gurus" out there who just want to sell their products, and they may not be right for the individual. I'll look into Dr. Wahls because that sounds interesting. Right now, I have: autoimmune (undiagnosed, no one knows where it is originating from), Rheumatoid Arthritis (the anti-body but not totally active yet), hyperthyroidism (possibly Graves), body inflammation, joint swelling, eye inflammation, hair falling out, dry skin, eczema, rashes, food intolerance, insomnia, high anxiety, mania, etc. I am just such a total mess that I'm not even sure its curable. Very depressing indeed. I'll see how the May Connect works out. Thanks for writing. Amy

Hi Amy, I think you are absolutely correct when you say the gut controls 80% of the immune system. Reminds me of what I learned many many years ago in a land far far away - GIGO (garbage in, garbage out). Dr Wahls is hawking her book and a program but a book is cheap. Here's the story that got me looking at diet - http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/. She has also given some Ted talks which are interesting which I believe are on YouTube. Good luck in your quest for knowledge and I am hoping you are able to get a diagnosis soon. Mayo Clinic are really the experts in providing a diagnosis for difficult and rare conditions. If you are interested and able to travel to one of the Mayo Clinic locations it might be worth your while to set up an appointment. Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN is especially good at it. I'm tagging @kdubois who may be able to shed some light on difficult to diagnose conditions. There are others on Connect that also share your situation.

Good luck in your search...
John

80% of the immune system is located in the gut.

That's right. I don't think I said it correctly, but you are correct. I was amazed to learn that - they say the gut is "everything".
Thanks for the correction. Amy

Hello @larsona10,

I'd like to add my welcome, and thank you for sharing your information...and some great suggestions!
I'd like to invite @jewel8888 @dinym @guzmanbarb @kozlo52 @vickiekay @amihealthy @dogmamat @brie87144 @crhp194 @wesbig @soitis4590 @debdeb to join this discussion, as well.

@larsona10, since you mentioned 'leaky gut' I would encourage you to view this video from Mayo Clinic's celiac blog, where Dr. Joseph Murray discusses the gut's permeability: http://mayocl.in/2qwAjfr

As John mentioned, Mayo Clinic Connect is a great resource for patients and families. More than that, it is an online community where you can share experiences, find support and exchange information with people who've faced similar struggles, and conditions.
@larsona10, let us know how your appointment goes, and please keep us updated with your questions, or if you would like to share your insights.

@larson10 Have you ever been tested for mast cell activation syndrome?

No, I haven't. But it just seems like the combination of adrenal fatigue, autoimmune and thyroid disease are actually getting worse for me with supplements which have been recommended. What is mast cell activation syndrome all about?