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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I think I have it figured out

Well at least I think I have a hint as to why all my joints hurt now. As ya know I saw the "arthritis" doc on Monday. He ordered a bunch of labs and x-rays of both hands. So I went on Tuesday to my family doc an had those done after verifying that my insurance would pay for the test he ordered. Some of the test were to try to find the source of the inflammation in my joints. After some research on my own I am thinking it is diet related. And it does point in the direction of the few things that we have been using from the store. So as I think back to about a year ago when I had my physical the labs at that time indicated that my cholesterol was slightly elevated, indicating too much of the wrong fats. So if you consume too much fat that contains omega 6 and not enough omega 3 then you get an over abundance of inflammatory cells, which I am sure I have to cause the sore stiff hurty joints. A few years ago, per family's wishes we stopped using lard as a primary cookin material and started using peanut oil, olive oil and butter. ALL of which when processed in some big factory are heated before they are "safe" for sale. This heat process alters the omega 3 an makes it useless in the body an lets too much of the omega 6 run wild to produce the inflammatory response to the extreme. There must be a balance of 3's to keep the 6's under control so when your body needs the inflammatory response it is there but enough of the omega 3 to produce the control. Kinda like the 6 being employees an 3 being the bosses, not enough bosses around the the employees gang up an cause problems. But any who the labs the doc ordered will confirm this or prove me bad wrong. And in the meantime doc wanted me to take prednisone for 2 weeks to see what the results would be and it would further aid in his diagnosis. I picked up the meds yesterday at the drug store and took the first dose last evening after supper. With just one low dose I could not believe the difference in how I felt when I got out of bed this morning. Not enough soreness an stiffness to hardly notice. I could move better without hurting so bad and my joints were not swollen an sore. So I have had a pretty good day. Got up earlier than normal too and don't feel so tired even after cleanin up the house and starting supper. Who would have thought that inflammation could do so many things to the body.
So now am off o research foods that will increase my intake of the good fatty acids to try an get this all balanced an in check. Not to mention the fact that prednisone makes me hungry ala time so I may look like a marshmallow in a couple weeks with this.
Till next time, blessings from the McGuire homestead.

Stella

4 comments:

Jane said...

Glad to know you are feeling better. What we eat probably explains a lot of our problems. I hope you manage to get balanced and continue to feel better. Blessings jane

small farm girl said...

I'm glad you are thinking this though. Keep us up to date on what you find that works. Wether it be diet or drugs. I have achy joints too. lol

Mary said...

I hope you are right. I'm working on avoiding wheat products and saturated fat and cholesterol myself--I think--maybe maybe the wheat/gluten is a problem with me--but not 100% sure yet. Its worth a try isn't it?

stella said...

Hi yall, gosh I was amazed how much relief I got with jus one dose of hte prednisone, but I know steroids are not good for ya. But the dose I am takin right now is the same as the body makes per day so I dont have to taper the dose. So with the fact that it works tells me I am not producin enough of the hormone to control inflammation. Diet can be the cause as well as many other things. so am hopin the labs will tell us lots. I know my fat intake is out of balance, too much of the wrong kinds. Well too much of hte ones that contain omega 6's which are most ot the ones i use here. Even ones that seem healthy are not once they are heat treated as they are extracted. Research the effects of the omega fats on pain an inflammation an each person can figure out what they are doin wrong I think. Will fill ya in when i know more about me. lol