Help, has this happened to anyone else?
I have been low carbing since the end of January with some success and few problems until recently. A few weeks ago I ate a low carb bar and shortly thereafter I noticed I broke out in a rash. I figured I was alergic to something in the bar. I went to Walgreens and asked a pharmacist if what I should take. He asked if I had any breathing problems (I didn't) and suggested Benedryl. I took some, and it didn't help at all. Then later in the day all my major joints stiffened up. I was in some major pain. So the next day I went to the walk in clinic where I was tested for lupus and artheritis, among other things. The test came back negative for lupus but I scored a 133 for rhumatoid (sp?) artheritis. A normal person should be under 20. The tech called back 30 minutes later to inform me that there was something in my blood that could indicate leukemia and I should call my doctor ASAP. My doctor indicated that there was something unusual in my blood, but if I had leukemia my white blood cells would be affected and mine were fine (my blood pressure finally went down after that). So the next step is to see a Rhumatoid Atheritis doctor (in a few weeks) and to come back for more blood work in a month. Then a friend of mine saw Dateline where people were losing weight for their 25th reunion and the guy who was doing Atkins developed gout. So I looked up gout on the internet and saw that I had some of the symptoms (rash and joint pain), and that it can also mimic rhumatoid artheritis. So now I'm thinking maybe I had the gout. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or has know anyone that has? Just looking for some help.
Thank You so much. Josie |
Gout is a form of arthritis, but I cannot see how being on Atkins could cause arthritis, really. A build up of uric acid can make the existing problem worse and cause inflamation and pain. I can see how uric acid could build up on Atkins-but that doesn't mean it caused the gout-just made it flare up.
Sounds like you need to flush the excess uric acid out of your system-drink lots of water and avoid foods that can cause a flare up like broccoli and beer. If it weren't so high in carbs, cherry juice is great for cutting the uric acid. |
Thank you for your response. In my head I know this diet couldn't cause arthritis, but my doctor keeps me coming back for more blood tests, so I'm just a little upset since the only thing new is the diet. I'm sure it's all just bad timing. However, I have started adding more carbs in my diet thinking that will "cure" me. Silly I know (and I haven't lost any weight in weeks). But your response has at least helped me to see reason. Not to mention I could always drink more water.
Thanks again! |
Are you still having joint pain? I have rheumatoid arthritis, and the onset didn't just happen in one afternoon.
It's possible that you are having and allergic reaction to a certain food. For me, the nightshade vegetables make me ache. (Potaotes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.) They can do a simple test to determine if you have gout--they just check the levels of uric acid in your blood. (It may sound a little funny, but a classic symptom of gout is pain your big toe) Good luck with your tests...I personally don't believe that a LC diet can cause any disease--how can eliminating sugar and refined flour be bad? And Paleo's right--drink water till you float!! Patty |
Hi Patty,
Thanks for your response, no I do not currently have any joint pain, other than the aches and pains of one pushing 40 :thdown: I originally thought I was having an allergic reaction to something in the low car bar. I have since thrown them out. But I guess I will just have to wait until I get more tests done. My regular doctor mentioned the same thing to me that RA doesn't normally present itself the way it happend to me, but she still wants me to see the specialist. I have that appt. on May 12th, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that it isn't RA. Meanwhile I'll keep chugging water. |
hi Josie,
First off ... the test for RA is called "rheumatoid factor" or RF. There are a number of conditions that can cause a positive reading, not just RA ;)
When I read your post, I thought similar to Patrizia, that it was an allergic reaction of some kind. Obviously the pharmacist thought so too. Did you save the wrapper from the low carb bar? Or have another one that could take with you to show the dr. just in case they might be able to recognize a suspect ingredient. Another cause might be that you've become sensitive to arachidonic acid. This is a fatty acid, found in the fat of red meat and egg yolks. For some people who are sensitive, it can cause increased blood pressure, fluid retetention, rashes, inflammations and joint pain. Here's some information from the Drs. Eades of Protein Power, about AA: Quote:
Hope this helps, and keep us posted how you're doing :rose: Doreen |
Doreen,
Thank you so much for all the information, this is truly helpful. The low carb bar that I ate was a Carb Solution Chocolate w/Almonds, I did throw away the entire box, but I just printed the info from the internet and will bring that with me when I go to my appointment. I will also eliminate eggs and red meat for a few days and see how I feel. I really don't feel bad at all right now. It took a few days for my joints to return to normal, but since then I have been fine. So I will cross my fingers that it was some kind of alergic reaction to an ingrediant in the chocolate bar. Again, thanks for your post. And I'll let you know what the doctor says! :) Josie |
Josie,
Did your physcian do a thyroid test? Sometimes periodic mild RA can be a syptom of an underfunctioning thyroid. |
Puggy,
Thanks for your response. Truth is I'm not sure if she did so I will have to ask her. I know at my last appointment (before all the trouble started) she said my throid felt swollen but the tests came back negative. But I will definately ask at my next appointment. Thanks for the info! Josie |
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