Hi,
I felt sick on the tablets which I had taken over a couple of years and my doctor suggested I inject instead. I believe the med was also altering my mood as I became very edgy and angered easily so I wanted to give it up completely. So I went more plant-based and refused the injection idea. What I found was the more I went with a diverse Whole-Foods Plant-based diet the better I felt. I was vegetarian at the time and then switched overnight to vegan.
The first change that told me I was onto something was 40 days in at 100% vegan. No meat/dairy/processed food/preservatives/sugars/oils. I continued the diet and the next significant change happened somewhere between 80-90 days. What I felt at each change was less pain and more energy.
Its been over 7 months since I started this journey and today marks 28 days of 0 pain. I have been fully off of all medications including Methotrexate (which I had at 25mg per week at the time). I also was taking vicoden and ibuprofen and haven't touched either of those as well.
At this point I've turned my health around in a big way. btw: I went fully raw vegan 100% about 22ish days ago. What I highly recommend is 70% or above raw foods during your day. I also recommend getting rid of gluten and breads (if you read about breads you will find they do nothing for the body). What you want to do is give yourself nothing but the best and simplest foods that nature offers.
Look up turmeric and black pepper as a pain reliever. I used it for two weeks straight and then tapered it as the pain lessened during workouts. I haven't used it at all in the past month or so but I know its there if I need. Look up Apple Cider Vinegar and what that can do for your health. This was also a pain reliever and generally a great way to increase my health. Both of the above taste horrible so you swig them. Don't drink the ACV straight though you have to do it with a lot of water. ACV causes potassium loss so counter it with lots of fruits with potassium. Turmeric and black pepper can be swigged with just a little water. Limes are acid but alkaline to the body. Great pain relief too so have 1 a day. There is lots of research to do but it will change your life and you won't have to rely on doctors.
So there are a couple of tips on top of the WFPB. Now, research everything you can about the plant-based diet. Get involved with the vegan and whole foods plant based communities so you can learn to get the right balance of nutrients. You don't want to do something wrong and then feel fatigued. When you do, figure it out. I had bumps along the way but I learned and got on track.
I'd be happy to offer more advice but the key is really just getting started. Look up every youtube and research paper out there to begin understanding what's behind your health. PCRM org has a 21 day vegan starter free class that's good but again, my advice is simple (I eat 10-15 bananas a day, a couple of avocados (for the oil), a huge variety of greens, and a wide variety of fruits, and nuts. For drinks its water, almond milk, flax milk, hemp milk,. I've pretty much given up grains but will eat rice or quinoa on occasion. I love beer but I pretty much have to give that up too as I find I feel better without it. I believe its the sugar from beer which is the problem but don't quote me on that as I haven't done research on everything, I just know what works.
You might question why doctors don't give you advice like this. The reason they don't is they weren't taught nutrition. Look up the facts on what it takes to become a doctor and you'll find that they have a very basic understanding. Just ask your doctor what percentage black pepper increases absorption of nutrients in the body. The answer is up to 2000% but most doctors don't know this. Black pepper is medicine.
I hope this helps someone and it would be great to hear if someone else can replicate. I know that Mimi Kirk said she went raw vegan to get rid of her arthritis and high cholesterol. btw: I can physically run again this year where I couldn't even walk last year. I look better and people around me notice. So now that I've helped myself I wanted to help others for free by telling a bit of my story.
Feel free to ask me any questions.