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I need your help.  I am currently having severe pain and stiffness in
hands, feet, knees, shoulders, and also some floating pain that is very
strange.  These problems started the 4th of July.  The pain has been in
the joint of my jaw several times (on just one side at a time).  I have
extreme difficulty eating and brushing my teeth. It gets a little better
as I continue eating.  These floating joint pains usually lasts 2-3 days
but get better each day.  It has also been below my throat, frequently
in my arms, wrists, shoulders, and top of leg.  It feels like it is in
both joints and muscles; however, the pain may just be radiating.  The
pain in my feet, hands, knees is continuous.  When I get up in the
mornings I can hardly walk or use my hands, and I soak in a hot tub for
20-30 minutes to help get my body to function.  My feet and my hands are
swollen but get somewhat better during the day.


I had to wait a couple of weeks to get an appointment with my internist,
but tests showed that the rheumatoid factor is high. I am now waiting to
see a Rheumatologist/Immunologist (Sept. 17).


I was biopsy diagnosed with celiac disease 4 years ago and doing great,
then started having multiple allergies about a year ago.  Has anyone
ever had this severe type of pain that was related to food allergies?
I've read in the archives that some people have joint and muscle pain
with lactose and gluten ingestion. The only lactose I get is in one or
two of my medications, and I feel pretty certain that I am completely
gluten free.  I am on a very restricted diet because of the allergies. I
eat turkey, chicken, salmon, lots of fresh vegetables, some fruits,
sorghum meal for breakfast and muffins that I make out of Garfava flour.
 I drink only filtered water.  I am allergic to most nuts, dairy, lots
of fruits, yeast, rice, tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc.


I would be interested in:

Hearing from anyone who has had this severe type of pain which might
have been food related.


Hearing from anyone who has both osteoporosis and rheumatoid
arthritis--especially regarding your treatment.


Knowing if there is a separate listserv for rheumatoid arthritis.


Web sites on rheumatoid arthritis.


Thank you for any help you can give me.  This list has been extremely
helpful to me and I will look forward to hearing from you!!


Mary Anne

Carrollton, Georgia