Subject: Wish I knew what to do for the best
I've had RA for 6 years. For the first 5 years the symptoms were pretty much under control through using sulfasalazine. The last year I've had a lot worse pains in shoulders, wrists, hands, knees and feet. I had 3 depo medrone injections between March and July and since May I have been taking cider vinegar and honey and some dietary supplements as I was reluctant to start on methotrexate which is I was offered at the hospital. I read some stuff about how RA was linked to diet and so I went down this alternative route. The problem is I like chocolate and pies and bakewell tart and lots of cups of tea. I've no idea if there is any truth in this dietary link to RA but I clearly don't have the will to restrict my eating so it seems futile to pay for expensive supplements if I am not prepared to go the whole hog. Anyway, my rheumatology department are very supportive and are willing to try me on methotrexate so I will prob give this a try in January. I am a keen cyclist and the last few months it's been difficult and uncomfortable to ride. That's what I want to be able to do the most and I'd really like to go cycle touring in Scotland in May. It's just hard to know who to believe when it comes to conventional treatment or otherwise. If dietary solutions exist why aren't they embraced by the NHS and if they don't why are there so many people advocating them. I just want to be well and find the mixed messages confusing.
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