Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Autoimmune disease

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Rheumatoid arthritis - the “perfect” diet?

54 replies

Paddyhhhj · 09/03/2026 18:41

Hello, i was diagnosed with RA about three months ago. I have “failed” methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine and am due to see my rheumatologist again to be put on something else. I am hoping to perhaps try a biologic? But I find medication tricky always.

Anyway, in the meantime, I’m trying all I can do to help myself with lifestyle.

What is the so-called “perfect” diet to help control RA symptoms? Did anyone find a diet that helps?

I don’t eat gluten because I’m coeliac anyway. And I eat 95% UPF-free. But I do eat a lot of dairy (vegetarian) and I do eat a lot of chocolate (fairly healthy, UPF-free).

Anyway, please do give me some tips!

What about exercise? I find strength training utterly exhausting right now. Like, bone tiring.

OP posts:

whereisitnow · 12/03/2026 07:36

Sigh. You are a political troll, as I had feared. I won’t respond further.

stetha · 12/03/2026 22:07

Paddyhhhj · 10/03/2026 08:59

I do wonder if they’ll try another DMARD before a biologic. I really want something faster acting than another three month trial! (Not that I made it to three months with the other two.)

Show quote history

They do move to biologics much faster than they used to but the NHS pathway is still to exhaust cheaper options first.

Original poster

Paddyhhhj · 13/03/2026 08:30

whereisitnow · 11/03/2026 18:49

I dont think that’s as common as you think. RA is diagnosed with a simple blood test and most doctors would test for it, given symptoms. It’s wrong to tar a whole profession with the “gaslighting “ brush. And, anyway, making a mistake isn’t the same as gaslighting. Some people do accuse of gaslighting and similar these days because they want to undermine the profession, for political reasons. Perhaps you did not know that?

I’m sorry that you weren’t diagnosed, though. That must have been a very long and difficult experience.

I’m seronegative - as I think 20-30% are. I was also fobbed off for about a year and a half. Doctors rolled their eyes when I told them I thought it was RA!

I think when people appear “well”, they don’t get taken seriously more often than they should.

OP posts:

Mrsredlipstick · 26/03/2026 19:11

I've had RA for 22 years and fibromyalgia for three years. My illness is progressing again.
At the start I was 871 reading (6 is normal) wheelchair bound and shocked to be so disabled at 37.
I then had 20 years of reasonable health but steroids made me put on a stone a month. They were marvellous!
No diet has ever helped with the pain and mobility. I've tried them all.
I do not drink for family reasons ( the pain goes then!) and I've lost over six stone. I'm a fish eater.
I've just had my third rituximab ( modified infusion chemotherapy) and it's failed. I've had to retire and downsize. They have something new for me to try in June. I'll take anything to stop the pain except wacky which is not for me.
I live a half life so don't let them fob you off. Monitor everything because there's no cure yet.

Flip

1 2 3