Caitlin Samson MSACN CEP CPT CET - The Rheumatoid Arthritis Healing Plan: A Holistic Guide and Cookbook for Inflammation Relief

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Interior and : Darren Samuel
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Photography 2019 Annie Martin, except for the following: Hlne Dujardin, .

: Courtesy of Christine Marie Photography.

ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-866-5 | eBook 978-1-64152-867-2

This book is dedicated to my clients for giving me the opportunity to help them achieve better health and a life filled with vibrant energy and joy.

Contents

I ve probably had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since I was about five years old. I remember having a lot of pain in my hands, feet, and elbows. The pain would come and go, and it seemed to be worse in the cold weather, but I thought it was normal to have these aches and pains.

Fast-forward to my teenage years. I had abdominal pain for about a year, but we thought it was just indigestion. But then a gallstone tried to pass through into my pancreas, which caused my pancreas to become inflamed. This severely painful bout of pancreatitis sent me to the ER. After my gallbladder was removed, the pain subsided, but more issues were to come because I never changed the way I was eating.

In my early twenties, I experienced a lot of anxiety, fatigue, and digestive issues. Some of you may be able to relate to the fear of being away from home because you do not know where the nearest bathroom is located. When I traveled, I would take Pepto-Bismol daily in the hope that it would prevent any stomach issues.

In college, I turned to exercise as a means of coping with stress and anxiety. I loved it so much that after I got my BA in biology, I pursued my MS in exercise science and became a registered clinical exercise physiologist, personal trainer, and cancer exercise trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine. The exercise helped me feel good and stay in shape.

A few years later, however, I realized I still did not feel well. I was tired even after getting a good nights rest. I would go to the doctor only to be told that every woman complains of being tired. Doctors were dismissive and wouldnt test my thyroid or other markers to see what was going oneven when I asked.

The final straw was when I did not menstruate for a year in my mid- to late twenties. I went to see my ob-gyn, who did several tests and determined I probably had polycystic ovary syndrome. The solution was to give me oral contraceptives. I followed the recommendation, but after a few days, I stopped taking them because I felt so awful. I was in bed by 7 p.m. because I was exhausted, and I got irritated very easily. I was at a loss and just prayed that my period would come back on its own.

Around this time, my sister started seeing a natural health practitioner, and she recommended I see him. I was completely on board with the idea. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired and ready to do whatever it took to feel better.

The health practitioner reviewed my diet weekly to help me take baby steps to improve it, and he recommended whole-food supplements to help support my body with a gentle detox. I thought my diet was pretty good: lots of vegetables and fruits and home-cooked meals. But I was a sugar addict! In my mind it was okay to eat 10 cookies after dinner because of the exercise I was doing.

I learned that it is not as simple as calories in, calories out. We have to look at our food as powerful medicine that helps our bodies heal. The quality of our food is what really matters. I also had a lot of dairy and grains in my diet, which were exacerbating my RA. Within just two months of starting the nutrition program, I got my period back, and it has been regular since. What a miracle!

In time, I also noticed my joint pain and fatigue went away. It had been a long time since I felt this well. My anxiety and digestive issues also improved. My body healed as a whole.

This journey is what sparked my passion for nutrition. I went back to school for my MS in applied clinical nutrition so I could help others. It was actually not until around this time that I found out I had an autoimmune condition and was given the RA diagnosis. But my body had already been in remission for several years because of the lifestyle changes I had made earlier. So even though this was life-altering news, I already felt healed and free from this condition.

I know what it feels like to have a host of physical health issues, RA included, and the anxiety that usually comes along with them. I want you to know that you are not alone; there is hope for you.

In this book, I will present a holistic approach to improving RA symptoms. I will touch on medications and supplements, but there is more to offer than just these two remedies. Ill focus on key lifestyle areas that can help your body heal.