So, I’m gearing up to ease into Dr. McDougall’s diet plan as I mentioned in a previous post. Last night, I printed 12 days of the McDougall meal plan. Today, I had a gander through the list of menu items. Mulling over my strategy, I determined that I would begin the program by focusing on one meal per day for the first week. So that means that I will follow the McDougall meal plan for breakfast this week. I’ll make a list of the groceries I need and pick them up over the weekend. (To see what I’m referring to just click on the underlined links and it will take you to Dr. McDougall’s website.)
I completed the mindfulness program homework however, I felt like I rushed to get it done because it was a busy day so I’ll have to plan better next time.
I’m thinking I should post some markers so that I’ll be able to identify how a change in diet may help alleviate RA symptoms. With the RA meds I currently take, I still experience inflamed swollen joints to a greater or lesser degree. For instance, the other night I went to the tenants association dinner and when I stood up to leave, my left ankle was so painful and swollen that I limped home. Was it something I ate? I wish I knew. Hopefully, the change in diet will answer this question.
Inflammation and pain level seems to change daily and sometimes hourly. Gastrointestinal pain and discomfort is due to the meds even though I take the prescribed acid-blocker. It’s just downright frustrating.
Next week, I have an appointment with the Interventional Cardiologist. Did you know that there is a type of doctor called a Non-Invasive Cardiologist? I wonder what his treatment would have been for the pericarditis or would he have referred me to the Interventional Cardiologist. I’ll have to ask when I see him. I like the sound of the Non-Invasive Cardiologist.
Thanks for reading and blessings to all. May your day be filled with loveliness.
That’s a great idea…to introduce one meal a day. I need to look at that. I could probably do that for breakfast, since we generally don’t eat breakfast as a family. Are you choosing the same meal each day or are you mixing it up?
Posting markers to evaluate improvement is a good idea, too. I should do that in my RA blog. Praying that both of us experience hope and healing as we look for more natural ways to battle this disease.
I thought I’d use the 12 day menu plan breakfast ideas as a guideline. I’ll try to follow it as it’s laid out for each day however I know there will be days when I’ll have to mix it up a bit and choose a breakfast idea from a different day.
I’ll pray too, Pat. There must be an answer to this disease. I think that the fact that you controlled Crohn’s through diet is a very promising experience. RA is autoimmune as well. Nobody deserves to live like this. I’m not resting until I find my answer.
My sister has been on a non-inflammatory diet for quite some time. She lost lots of weight, looks great, and feels much better. Good luck with yours!
That sounds promising, Nancy. Thanks for the comment and the well-wish. It will be an interesting journey. Have a wonderful weekend, Nancy.
Good luck with the new diet, Marianne. If I had to see a cardiologist, I’d choose the non-invasive kind, for sure!
Kathy
Thanks Kathy. Non-invasive has got me curious. I’ll post a blog on Thursday when I find out what it’s about. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
I like the sound of a non-invasive doctor, too.
Wonderful idea to go at this one meal at a time. It’s tough to change everything at once. I hope the diet works out well for you, and brings you the relief and healing you seek.
Thanks Robin. Change is such an interesting journey for me. I find that sometimes I have to go at something numerous times and in numerous ways before it sticks. Thanks so much for your comment.
I am the same way, Marianne. It astounds me how many times I have to tackle a project (usually of the self-improvement variety) and how many ways I have to go at it before an unknown something clicks into place and suddenly, it all works. I suppose all that trial and error are pieces of the puzzle, and the clicking is that last piece sliding in and resting comfortably in the new state of normal.
Robin, I like that…..”the new state of normal.” It seems that my life is continually shifting into a new state of normal if that makes any sense. Sometimes I wonder when I’ll be done, then I remember that life is about evolution and hope I’m never done.
Pingback: A day in a life with rheumatoid arthritis – Part 6 | Grandeurvision