Autoimmune Diseases and Fatigue

I’m unsure if this modality was already addressed to help assuage chronic fatigue with autoimmune disease present. I have RA and the blood markers for lupus. Also, I have congenital OA, sleep apnea, hypertension, osteoporosis, with the latter 3 associated with RA.

Besides finding the right medication mix (a biologic and Plaquenil, and lots more pharmacopeia), the biggest lifestyle change I made was to follow an anti-inflammatory, ketogenic diet. My energy level shot up to the point that I’m again mountain biking strenuous, single track, advanced trails, albeit much slower than I ever did before. My chronic brain fog (to the point where multi-syllabic words were beyond me) has dissipated, though it returns from time to time after significant energy expenditure. While I do not have the super high energy level of my pre-RA days, I’m grateful to again be active.

I am treated for 3 autoimmune diseases.
I have no outward signs of them and am lucky.
After i recovered from the second moderna shot i stopped needing a nap a day and generally feel better. I didnt know i wasnt feeling great until i began to feel better. A couple of friends felt the same side affect.
Not placebo bec we were not comparing to anything nor were we expecting anything. It just happened. Feeling well and lucky!

@sonia0 Your posting today is just so positive! And the diet you’ve adopted is really working for you, too. I also have an autoimmune disease and keep thinking that maybe I need to make this change. How long did it take you to fully change to this diet? Was it difficult? Becky

There's a place to report this on the CDC site. I had more inflammation that week...

@becsbuddy Hi Becky. I totally believe "you are what you eat", and have tried very hard to stick to my dietary recommendations. However, as human nature would have it, I sometimes chose to eat foods I knew were on the Do Not Eat list. I was forever having flareups both for my IBD and OLP, followed by the resulting days of misery. Since my most recent hospitalization this month when the Hospital Dietician got involved and sent a six-page dietary directive to the Head Chef at my seniors' residence, I'm pretty much obliged to comply with those recommendations. (There are 3 or 4 staff on my tail to be sure I don't stray!) The few times I've rebelled and chose menu items that were outside the realm of what was good for my conditions, I've now clearly learned that eating has an extremely important role in how my system reacts, good or bad. Give it a try, Becky!
Hugs, Laurie

Maybe I missed it but where can I find this diet? I'm desperate!! Just had surgery on my elbow 6 weeks ago to remove damage from OA and RA and have to get back to working full time and can hardly make it for 5 hours a day. I'd appreciate any help.

I believe similarly when it comes to autoimmune diseases. One of mine caused stage 3 liver cirrhosis. I was blessed with a liver transplant, but have developed numbness, tingling, and pain in all extremities and fatigue due to another, related autoimmune disease.

I’ve set strict diet rules and a walking goal of at least two miles a day. Morning walking is the way to go. I’ve found both my diet and walking goals are getting easier to stick with as time goes on.

Continue to take pride in your discipline and meeting your daily commitment for health!

@athenalee Hi, Athenalee. Like you, I've got 3 or 4 autoimmune diseases and as you know from your extensive experience with them, there forever seems to be something serious to take care of! I totally agree with you that diet and exercise (walking, for you and I) are primary to our care. Morning is the only time that's good for my walking regime too, when my always low energy might be at it's best. Congratulations on doing two miles a day!! My best, before recent hospitalizations since April, was 1.3 miles, and I'm going to start today to work my way back up to that goal. As @jakedduck1 says, "inch by inch, one step at a time". Yesterday, first 2 days after ditching my wheelchair, I did a very modest 454 steps. Today, maybe a bit more? Good luck with your journey toward better health. Laurie

You too Laurie! Be careful not to overdue it during your recovery. I have faith you’ll be beating me in steps in no time!

I just finished an interesting book called “The Hidden Half of Nature.” I’m a compost specialist and working on a healthy soils project. This book equates the role of microbes in building healthy soils to the role of similar microorganisms building healthy digestion systems. And, research that indicates a relationship between imbalances in our gut biomes to autoimmune diseases. Of course genes play a primary role, but I do believe healthy eating can lead to healthier digestive systems. And, hopefully some reduction in symptoms.

@athenalee Good for you, working on such an important project. I've watched several online videos in regard to our digestive problems and biomes. I tried to switch some of my diet choices in that direction but my system is so wrecked right now I couldn't tolerate the recommended foods. I was trying such things as sauerkraut, dill pickles, yogurt, etc., but ran in to too much gut trouble to continue, although I can do yogurt and cottage cheese to some extent.
One of my 3 sons turned me on to it, and he's very actively involved with following the regime.
(He inherited my bad genes in that regard.) 😥 Take good care of yourself. Hugs. Laurie