First, thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my post. It helps a lot to know that others are out there. I have found that this disease can be very lonely and frustrating. Others rarely understand what we are going through. It's not their fault they cannot understand what they have never experienced. My reactive arthritis began at age 24. Prior to that I experienced broken bones and various other discomforts, but there is nothing like the consistent and crushing pain of serious arthritis. I have come up with a plan that I think might be a good start  to cure my arthritis. It generally follows the principles Barbara outlines in her book.

 First, my present situation is not very good. After 4 + years of attacks, I have consistent pain in both feet, both elbows, and right ankle all of the time (chronic) and acute flare ups often in several sites in my body. I continue to work full time but I have little energy to do much else. I take a variety of medicines to keep going I have a great doctor who helps me the best that he can. I've gone from being a middle aged man who was fit: riding bicycle, jogging, and swimming, to a couch potato. It feels like I've aged 30 years in the past 5. I have, however, never allowed depression or hopelessness to creep in. I've always believed there was a way to restore my body to health. When I read the reviews of Barbara's book on amazon a week ago, I knew that I had found the answer.

The Plan:

Follow a "Modified Juice Fast" for 40 days. The modified is the addition of unlimited brown rice and 1 half cup of seeds daily to allow enough energy to continue working.

Daily (unlimited)

*brown rice ( I like to cook soft brown rice with extra water - it boils into and it easily digested liquid form)
* vegetable juices - eliminating all night shade and other questionable vegetables
* water
* gratitude and laughter (self- pity is to be avoided)

Daily (limited)

* 1 half cup daily max. of: pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds.
* a small pinch of sea salt or sea vegetables daily.
* 1-2 small cups of miso soup daily.

Once I've completed the 40 days, I will gradually add whole foods back and see what happens in terms of my body's reaction to certain foods.

Please tell me what you think of my plan. I appreciate your input!

Thanks,
Mr. Charlie

Hi Mr. Charlie,

It is best when you have chronic inflammation not to eat the same foods everyday.  Even if those foods start out being good for you, over time you can develop an inflammatory reaction to them because of over exposure.  It is best to find a variety of foods that are currently safe for you and then rotate them, eating each one no more often than one day out of four.  That helps keep them safe.