John's Story - ' I Will Fight Till I Can't Fight Anymore'

This recent email from a dear friend who suffers with Rheumatoid Arthritis* was so touching I felt I needed to share it with my readers.

John's emotional and painful journey is one similarly expressed by friends who have submitted to drug therapies as the first line of defense for auto-immune diseases.*

Most drug therapies used to suppress the Immune System* have debilitating side effects to the Adrenal Glands and Immune System.
Flares become unbearably painful with a 'boom-a-rang’ effect when tapering off these drugs.

John's email:

Sandy,

I tried going the natural way and no matter what I did obtained only minimal relief.
I did have better luck by watching my diet but the first five or six years after being diagnosed were a living hell.
The only thing that did anything for me unfortunately was methyl prednisone, and only that. Not even regular prednisone would work.

To date I have every single 'bad side effect' from drug therapies' including Cushingoid syndrome.

Every time I try to get off the drugs I have terrible flares and other complications have resulted.
I have come close to dying at least five different times.
I am not obsessing on that thought. I have a positive attitude that some find amazing, but not me. How else are you supposed to feel?

The disease is bad enough without letting it destroy the rest of your life.

Thank you for letting me vent, rant, and rage here... It helps to be able to talk to someone who knows where of I speak.

You're right about sleep, rest and diet playing a part in this. Stress is really a big part too.
Let any one of these get out of whack and it guarantees a flare.
I'm still working out the diet, but for me a big trigger is red meat.
Also, like you say MSG and other things added to food at restaurants do the same.
There are still some others I have not been able to figure out...haven't given up hope yet!

I have a good attitude and am not about to give up.....I will fight till I can't anymore!

Thank you listening and being my friend.

John


* 'The Autoimmune Epidemic: Bodies Gone Haywire In A World Out Of Balance'

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/80129

Scientists worldwide are puzzled at the alarming and unexplained rise in the rates of autoimmune disease.

© Copyright 2010 Sandy Guerriere. All Rights Reserved.