Hello,
I am new here, but I have been a voyeur for that last several weeks. I was led to this site by Git Over It, who has written that her new handle should be Got Over it.
She's great, and very encouraging.
Like her I have tried to treat P and PA (diagnosed 11/04) herbally or with diet. I must say I had very good response to Pagano's diet and cutting out some bad habits. In January I thought I had fibromyalgia in my neck and shoulders, and I definitely had PA in my hip and ankles. I couldn't bend down to climb in a spruced up '69 MG. Could barely get up stairs. Yesterday I had just 2 slightly stiff fingers.
I cried when I had to change my diet, but after the 1st week, it got much easier. (Making family members understand that I wouldn't be making the same meal spreads anymore, more veggies, no mashed potatos and gravy, etc.) I changed my diet in mid January.
But, yesterday I worked at a fundraiser, at a table where we were selling several foods I can not eat. But when the event was over, and the food was still there...well, somebody had to eat it. And I am suffering today for doing exactly that.
I woke with an ache in my neck and upper back, swollen fingers, and silver flakes covering skin that been flat and pink for the last 3 weeks.
I know what I did yesterday was DUMB, but I was always the Mikey in our family. I couldn't let 'good' food go to waste, can't let the fridge win, etc.
Yesterday I ate a large chocolate pastry, milky chai tea, and 2 health food candy bars. I can't isolate exactly what did me in, but I was itching by bed time.
It is back to salad, almonds and salmon for me. You know, I really don't mind cutting out junk foods, because today I just plain hurt. I just have to keep junk out of my house and not be left alone with it. And I really didn't mind giving up alcohol, near as bad as I thought I would.
I don't have lots of experience with P, but I can sure vouch that diet is extremely affecting my condition.
Dulane