Update

It's been a while since I have written but finally have got round to writing this blog again.  So what's been going on with the R.A?  This week I will be seeing a new consultant which I am feeling quite hopeful about as the last two haven't really been much help in many ways, I get a few minutes every six months and just dealt some more drugs, it makes me really angry actually that the NHS staff are so overworked that when you go to see the specialist, it's like taking a trip to the local shop to get a pint of milk in terms of time and the fact it feels quite impersonal.  

I guess I do feel a bit bitter about the treatment of the disease, I feel it could have been managed much better and instead my last but one consultant taking responsibility for certain errors in 'care' it appears he has lumped the blame onto me for mistakes made as my new consultant (who reads notes from old consultant) seems to think I am incapable of taking medication at set dates and times.

Waste of time if you ask me, some of these people are being paid £100,000 a year and their 'care' leaves a lot to be desired.  I have found more than one consultant to be cold, impersonal and quite closed minded (in terms of treating R.A with anything other than toxic, industrial strength medication! Bonus please - ehem!)

I really believe people have to take their health care into their own hands and be responsible in looking for ways to help/manage/treat the disease.  There IS something in that dairy, refined sugar and citrus fruits are a source of aggravation to the joints, no matter what my seven year medically trained doctor may say, it's my body and I know what does and doesn't respond to and my own experiments have proved this to me.

We have to trust in ourselves and try and get to the root cause of why we have this disease.  I believe that although some diseases have a genetic components, environment and stress always play a part in disease and I also believe that any disease can be treated.

Unfortunately, western medicines provide huge profits so it's not in the drugs companies interests to look for cures, though some eastern traditional medicine use simple 'alternative' methods such as using herbalism, acupuncture and spiritual practices (meditation and prayer) to enhance health and well being.

Maybe I have become too cynical over the years, I know most doctors are doing their best and have limited times and budgets but it's difficult not to feel frustrated when your in constant pain and stuck on medication for years.

Unfortunately I haven't been sticking to my cider vinegar diet (Margaret Hills Clinic).  I had a break a few weeks ago when I went away and haven't got back onto it, even though I was feeling huge benefits.

I feel quite cross with myself for not getting back onto a diet that I know will help so much.  What can I do to motivate myself.  A friend made me laugh when she said someone she knew would 'eat slugs on toast' if it meant curing here arthritis!  Not sure I would go that far, but hey with a bit of butter, who knows!

I have also started taking medication called cymbalta (duloxetine) It has many benefits, one being an anti depressant which I could do with right now and also works on nerve pain for R.A and fibromyalgia so double the benefits.  I have been taking for about 12 days an already feel an improvement.  I am less irritable, more positive and am getting more things done.  Also my thoughts are less negative so all in all I am impressed.  Some reviews on the net are very bad for this drug but for me, I am quite happy so far.

Right off to bed now, so until next time, it's bye from me, over and out.