Beating Arthritis (Degenerative, Inflammatory, and Metabolic) – My story

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 35. I focused on being numb to live with the pain I endured every moment of everyday.  Slowly, my vitality and physical capabilities were being ripped away. Speaking from my own experience, Arthritis is a horrendous disease.

So why did I do that to myself? Why would I “give myself” arthritis? Who in their right mind would give themselves a disease? WAIT A SECOND!

Did I just say I was responsible for having arthritis? Yes. The majority of arthritis sufferers have given ourselves the wonderful treat of chronic inflammation and joint damage. The answer to “why” is a lack of knowledge, ours as a human being and patient and our Western Medicine doctors.

First, let’s take a quick look at arthritis.

4 types of Arthritis (I had 3 of them)

1. Degenerative
   When the cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone, causing pain, swelling and stiffness.
2. Inflammatory
   The autoimmune system goes awry in the body and causes swelling that damages joints.
3. Infectious
   Bacteria, virus, or fungus enters the joint and causes inflammation (see above).
4. Metabolic
   Needle like crystals are created in the joint from excess uric acid levels in the body.

How is Arthritis currently treated in the US?

• Medications
  The host of pharmaceuticals is dizzying. As are some of their side-affects.  Drugs are a colossal business in the US. In 2016 as a country we spent $446 billion on pharmaceuticals.
• Eating “healthy”
  This used to be the least important part of treating arthritis. The medical community in part is starting to realize the efficacy of food for arthritis.
• Lifestyle modifications
  Usually in the form of more activity that is safe for your range of motion and physical capabilities.

Ok, now we know more about Arthritis.

How did I get Arthritis?

• Diet
  • Eating Grains
    Grains are complex cabs and convert slowly to glucose and create a long term insulin response in the body which is inflammatory. Most grains have gluten which is a highly allergenic type of lectin which causes a mild to severe inflammatory response. Grains have a lot phytates which bind with nutrients in the digestive tract similar to fiber. Too many grains lead to nutrient deficiency. I was eating a lot of “healthy” grains.
  • Processed Sugars
    Study after study has shown that sugars create an inflammatory response in the body. Constant sugar intake creates a long-term inflammatory effect in the body. I found out that along with the occasional sweets, most of the foods I ate (including meat – look at your bacon from the store) had sugar in it. I was overloaded.
• Lifestyle
  • Stress
    Stress is an inflammatory on the body. Constant stress creates chronic inflammation. Even though I truly love my job, thinking about it 24×7 was causing me constant stress and henceforth chronic inflammation.
  • Incorrect movement/fitness
    The human body is an amazing thing. Constant overloading without adequate repair time causes physical stress and inflammation. My lifestyle was pretty much lift as much as I can, run as far as I can, go as fast as I can, repeat as often as I can.
  • Insufficient rest
    Lack of sleep and not resting doesn’t give our body the time it needs to repair and reset. It’s also a stress on the body. Since our bodies use inflammation to heal and stress is also inflammatory, this one is a double whammy!

That’s all well and good, but you’re looking for the solution.

How did I cure myself of Arthritis?

• Diet
  • Removed Grains
    Grains are an unnecessary part of the human diet. There is literally nothing that is specific to grains that can’t be found in alternative whole foods that have no or little inflammatory impact on the human body.
  • Removed Processed Sugars
    Processed sugars created a constant and chronic inflammatory effect in my body. I found out by experimenting on myself that I could actually feel the increase in joint inflammation hours after having a desert after a meal.
  • Ate Whole Foods
    I found that processed sugar and grains were added to the majority of the packaged convenience foods and fast foods that I was eating. So, it had to go.
• Lifestyle
  • Stress control
    I came up with the inner monologue “What’s the worst that this situation can bring? Will it kill me? I’m going to die some day anyway. I choose to enjoy right now!”. It’s severe, but it reminded me to do the best I can and be comfortable and happy with that.
  • Prioritizing me
    I thought it through and figured it out. Sometimes my wife, friends, family, maybe even the dog, say I think too much. This time it let to solid gold. I prioritize me. Because not only does it make me happy, but I can also take care of everything FAR better and with much less stress than if I use my mental and physical resources to absolute waste on every issue.
  • Getting adequate sleep
    I grew up with the attitude that sleep was for sissies, 4-6 hours per night was all I needed. And it was true, 4-6 hours per night until I would crash and burn. Tired all the time, not able to think clearly (didn’t know I wasn’t thinking clearly then, but I sure do now), with a chronic inflammation chaser was my cup of tea there. So I plunged into research mode, got blue light blocking glasses and made my bedtime between 8 and 10 PM every night. As a side affect, I started reading and meditating again because I couldn’t go to sleep initially. I no longer use an alarm clock in the morning because I always wake up refreshed and happy!
  • The fun factor
    I felt at my core that there was something missing from my experimentation on healing myself. Something that that would make this whole process better, faster, more sustainable. I found it in play.
    Play for me is doing something that I truly enjoy where I’m not focused on the outcome. Some examples taking a hike, building LEGOs (either with instructions or freestyling it), taking the dog for a walk, reading a good book, or watching a movie. Apparently researchers already knew that play lowers stress levels, optimizes hormone balance, aids in physical and mental recovery, and even helps us sleep better.  Kind of a secret sauce if you will.

That is how I personally got off my arthritis medication and completely defeated arthritis after several doctors told me it wouldn’t work.  I sincerely hope that this information has inspired you to overcome your personal obstacle of Arthritis and live your own optimized life.

That’s it! Thank you for reading! If you’re looking for more help in optimizing your own life and would like to engage my services, or have an idea for a blog post, feel free to contact me.

Wishing you happiness, health, and success!

-Gregg