Mon, Apr-28-03, 20:52
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Forum Founder
Posts: 37,416
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Plan: LC, GF
Stats: 241/190/140
BF:
Progress: 50%
Location: Eastern ON, Canada
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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  - Chronic hepatitis
Chronic viral infection
Infectious mononucleosis
Leukemia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
lupus
In fact, the RF can be falsely positive in a small number of healthy people too, so it's wise to have a specialist check things out.
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:
... there are some people who may have problems with large amounts of red meat and large quantities of egg yolks. These people: have elevated blood pressure and/or cholesterol, retain abnormally high amounts of fluid, and/or suffer from inflammatory conditions such as skin rashes, asthma, allergies, bursitis, or arthritis.
It’s not the cholesterol in red meat and egg yolks that is the problem. It’s the fact that they are high in arachidonic acid, which can promote or worsen the above conditions.
Here is the strategy for these folks to follow: Eliminate red meat and egg yolks from your diet completely for three weeks. At the end of the three week period, take stock of your health. Has it improved? Eat a large portion of red meat and eggs for a couple of meals and observe what happens. If your problems reappear of get worse, you are sensitive to arachidonic acid and should have these foods only once in a while. When you do have them, make sure to remove as much of the fat from the beef as possible. Grill the beef. This will reduce the arachidonic acid by as much as 35%. Another option is to marinate the meat in a combination of red wine and olive oil or light sesame oil for 24 hours before grilling.
As far as eggs are concerned, have no more than one or two whole eggs at a sitting, and eat egg whites the rest of the time. Also, you should avoid margarine altogether (as everyone should).
http://eatprotein.com/answers6.htm#6b
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Taking fish oil supplements can also help counter the effects of arachidonic acid.
Hope this helps, and keep us posted how you're doing 
Doreen
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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. 
Linear Mode
