Healing Lupus With Plant-Based Diet

[Mary M.]

A month or so back, I mentioned in a passing comment that I was being interviewed for a local newspaper.  Penni, proving that she really does read our comments, jumped on it and asked me to share the article with folks at the Hab.  Well, the article was never posted on the web, so I couldn't do that, but I can tell you a bit about what I said and tell you my story.

 

When I was 41 (I'm now 61), I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease -- systemic lupus erythematosus -- a chronic disorder which can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs, and which is the type of lupus most life-threatening and debilitating.  I was told at the time that there was no cure but with either steroid or anti-malarial drugs such as Placquinel and pain-medications, it could be regulated.  My only hope was long remissions.  At the time I was diagnosed with other diseases as well -- fibromyalgia, shogren's, and a severe osteoporosis which meant I couldn't take steroids for the lupus.  I was suffering from constant bladder and kidney flare ups, severe joint pain and exhaustion, unexplained (up to then) fevers, and regular bouts of pneumonia.  My lupus was affecting the lining around the heart and causing me a great deal of pain in that area.

 

I was only 40 years old!  Because of the osteoporosis, my rheumatologist told me if they didn't get it controlled and reversed I'd be in a wheelchair by the age of 50.  I couldn't believe it.

 

Up until that point my husband and I had a crazy lifestyle.  I was working 18 hour days as a clinical social worker specializing in working with abused and neglected children.  My husband was a lawyer who had to drive long hours in southern California traffic to get to his job.  We were eating fast food most of the time, even while living in the land of fresh and plenty.  We started down a path on which -- little known to us at the time -- we would change absolutely everything about our lives.

 

George took early retirement.  I let my practice go.  We moved from a big house in Yorba Linda, CA to a tiny town and cabin in the Colorado Rockies.  I went from being crazed with work to doing practically nothing at first.  But I read and learned all I could about natural healing.  I found a wonderful woman's gym in nearby Fort Collins where I began to work out regularly with Nancy (also a member of RFR), now one of my dearest friends.  Nancy is a fitness trainer who is open to life-long learning and growing.  Together we explored natural healing and eating whole plant-based foods.  At the same time we both went from being meat-and-dairy eaters to vegans and, finally, to high -- sometimes 100% -- raw.  Without her and without RFR, I'm not sure I could have stayed the course.  But, oh, I am so very glad I did!

 

The key for me is a very clean, high raw diet and absolutely no animal food of any kind.  If I cheat and have some, my symptoms return and I'm miserable.  My rheumatologist is amazed and calls me his poster child.  When I see all the ads on television for numerous prescription drugs for this or that disease it saddens me.  Why aren't they pushing fresh, clean food instead of drugs?  And it saddens me that people think they have to eat meat and dairy products to be healthy.  I believe the exact opposite is true.

 

Like everyone, healthy or not, I need a highly nutritious clean diet.  Raw food gives me that easily.  Today I'm pain free and off all prescription medications.  It feels like a miracle to me after where I've been.

 

Now I work out harder (at the gym with Nancy) than most of my same-age friends do.  I feel younger and better than I ever have.  And I look that way, too!  My blood tests usually show that my lupus is completely under control. 

 

I never bemoan the fact that I can't eat the way I used to.  Why should I?  Look where that kind of eating got me.  And look at all the beautiful, luscious, vibrant, life-enhancing foods we have to choose from!

 

Life is so incredibly wonderful!  You might not know it, but you are all part of saving my life.  As long as I stay plugged in here, eat high raw (focusing on the fruits and veggies and leafy greens), continue to move my body on a daily basis, drink plenty of water to lubricate my joints, and stay positive I have a chance at a good, long life.  If I don't ... well, we won't go there!

[Mary M.]

Thanks so much to all of you who have shared your experiences with autoimmune diseases.  I can't tell you how inspiring they are to me.  Because I feel so well, I know I'm on the right path, but it certainly helps when I hear others share that their paths similar to mine are helping them as well!

[kathleen]

Mary, thanks to you for all your personal insight as far as autoimmune disease is concerned! I was wondering if you ever have a glass of wine/beer. Could an occasional alcoholic drink cause joint arthritic problems?

[Mary M.]

Kathleen, I stopped drinking before I was diagnosed with lupus.  So, no, I haven't had even the occasional alcoholic drink.  Perhaps one of the others on this thread who has an autoimmune disease can address that.  I would think it wouldn't be a problem, but can't say for sure.  Sorry.

[Danielle L]

Mary, I really appreciate the answers you gave me to all my questons. It provided some insight for me. On my bad or stressful days my indulgences often include dairy or meat. Not milk, but usually butter or a slice of cheese on a sandwich. I never have been a big dairy person, but I have struggled to give up meat a little. But I am finding also, that the less I eat meat, the sicker I get when I do eat it. This is helping me give it up quite a bit easier. Sugar is the one thing that makes me the sickest. When I have sugar my muscles start burning intensely and my hands and feet tingle with a very nerve like stinging. They also turn bright red.  That keeps me away from sugar easily! During this pregnancy I find myself craving eggs, usually boiled or poached. Which is wierd, I really never liked eggs before. Anyway, thank you so much for your answers! I am hopeful that I can fully dedicate myself to my recovery so that I too can achieve healing.

[Mary M.]

Danielle, that's good to recognize about the sugar.  Do you crave sugar or sweet desserts?  There are some great recipes that are made with dates as a sweetener to help with this.  My husband has trouble with the meat cravings, but he just tells himself that a little will start him down a slippery slope and is able to abstain.  Perhaps your craving for eggs is a need for more protein which would make sense as you're pregnant.  Can you eat nuts and seeds?  Making sure you have enough of those might help.  Otherwise, don't worry about it and let yourself have the eggs rather than the cheese or meat.  This is just my opinion, I really have no idea.  That's why it's so important for us to test things and learn to listen to our bodies.  It's a process as our bodies at first will "tell" us they want what's not good for us.  Later they get more accurate.

[Anita Kaiser]

thank you for posting this - i was recently at the dr and he mentioned that I have the lupus anitbodies in my blood so I am taking my path towards raw a bit more seriously each day! 

[Susan : )]

[Crystal T]

Mary, I have a few questions for you in regards to the Lupus.  Did your nephrologist tell you to stay away from Alfalfa?  That is one of the first dietary restrictions mine gave me saying it somehow causes flares in Lupus.  I was recently diagnosed with the same kind of Lupus as you were.  My original diagnose last July was kidney disease but they did not know what was the original cause, now they believe it is Lupus.  I also have to limit the amount of protien I take in on a daily basis, did you have to worry about your protien intake?  Also did you ever experience alot of nausea?  I am taking Plaquenil, Cellcept, Prednisone, Flexiril, Vicoden, Lasik, Lisinporil, Zofran and Tigan both for Nausea, plus a few others I am unable to write without going get the bottles.  I would love to be drug free one day!  Its so sicking knowing how many pills I have to swollow in the course of a day.  I am hoping to follow your suit and live a healthy life thru food and exercise.  I have recently committed to participating in the Bobby Crim Race near my home town to complete a 10 mile walk.  I can barely do one right now, but I will finish that race come August!    Thanks for taking time to read this and possibly offer any advice or words of encouragement! 

Sincerely,

Crystal

[Susan : )]

[Sandra Cyr]

Wow, I am truly amazed and inspired by your story. I am at a cross-roads in my own life and journey as a Lupus patient. I was diagnosed in 2002 with SLE at the age of 26. It is a daily struggle with the fatigue, joint pain and swelling. I am battling my second case of Lupus Nephritis for which my Nephrologist says is now chronic and therefore, will be treated with medications longterm. My body is covered with a most unappealing rash and I am anything but happy. I am not comfortable with accepting medication for the rest of my life. I am looking for answers and I am pretty sure I have found them with Raw Living Food. It is so wonderful to hear stories of such beautiful healing from people who have similar stories to mine. Thank you so very much for sharing as it gives me the hope I need to think that one day I may also be drug free and healthy! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

Sandra

[Gisele Landry]

Thank-you so much Susan for posting this video. It is deeply inspiring to me right now!!! What miracles are afoot! :)))

Susan : ) said: