The KInd Life Community Forum

Hi all... I've been dealing with terrible join pain and inflammation in my right hand since my first pregnancy in 2009. It's gotten progressively worse over the years, especially since I had my second child this past October. It's now happening in my right foot and starting in my left hand and foot. I've seen 3 doctors, all who have not taken me seriously and called it an "old sports injury" (I don't play sports) and gave me cortisone injections which only helped a bit, and very short term. I have an appointment with my family doc to get a referral to a rheumatologist, hoping this will give me some clarity. Wondering if any of you have had the same issues, and noticed any difference once giving up dairy? I've just recently gone gluten and dairy free, but not long enough to notice any changes. Thanks!

Definitely get to that rheumatologist. General practitioners tend to write off inflammation as nothing serious until proven otherwise, and by then damage can be done. (I'll never forget the argument that eventually got my doctor to give me a referral - he said "Your weight is causing the arthritis in your knees." I looked him square in the eye and said, "My fingers aren't fat, Doc. What's causing the arthritis there?") The good news is, even if you have a rheumatological disorder, getting off inflammatory foods (meat, dairy) and increasing anti-inflammatory foods (particularly dark leafy greens) can help dramatically. I went from a daily pain scale of 4 - 7, to a daily pain scale of 1 - 2.