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I'm looking for some help for my 63 year old mom who has started to experience really bad arthritis in her hands. There are few posts here about nightshades but she doesn't eat any of that. Do any seniors on here, or anyone with parents in their 60s/70s have some helpful info to share? I'm trying to get her off gluten and she's open to that but I doubt the gluten is the sole culprit. I'm hunting around the tags for anti-inflammatory info but not coming up with much. I need something specifically for seniors.

The BIG problem is that she had colon cancer about 8 years ago and her doc said it was a direct result of red meat so she's now beef-phobic. (damn doctors) I'd really appreciate any insight as she's more likely to listen to people other than me :)

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 I totally sympathize. My mom (81 yo) has been meatphobic for years, because doctors told her it would aggravate her arthritis. Since I started eating LC/paleoish 4 yrs ago, my health has improved so much that she began to change her diet, and eats more protein (mostly fish and pork, but some beef and eggs) than she ever has, and she's cut her grain consumption way down (she was a bread addict). Her BP and BS have dropped and stabilized (her Dr. took her off diabetes meds -- woot!), and her arthritis has decreased. She changed b/c of my gloating (but not nagging). Good luck! – Rose Jun 17 2011 at 17:24
Thanks, Rose! I really appreciate the input. I sent her the link to this question in the hopes she'll see the answers (Mom - you better be seeing this!) – baconbitch Jun 17 2011 at 17:43
I have some non-paleo suggestions. A topical NSAID (called Pennsaid) was approved for arthritis last year. It is a suspension of the NSAID "diclofenac" in a solution of 45% DMSO (a chemical that absorbs deep within skin and has been use independently for pain relief for many years). Also, when I get my shit together, I'll be starting a blog on all things pain-related. It may be useful as a checklist of things to try, from diet-based to natural to pharmaceutical – Kamal♦ Jun 17 2011 at 17:52
Regarding the meat phobia. I posted a question about my vegetarian mother in law this morning. She had cancer a few years ago and hasn't eaten any meat or fish in 30 years. – none Jun 17 2011 at 19:18

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I am one of those seniors. Eleven years ago I was being tested for RA. My fingers were looking knobby and crooked. Had joint pain in many joints. My biggest change came from dropping gluten. My fingers now look nice and straight and I wake up with no joint pain. 8 yrs gluten free and now 2 years paleo. I highly recommend getting rid of all the grains and see what happens.

There was a time I was a red-meatophobic. I was having problems with coronary artery disease and took the advice of the AHA about eating a low fat diet. Never felt worse and problems kept coming no matter how many wholehealthygrains I ate. As far as I am concerned, changing my diet to gluten free and then paleo has saved my life.

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 Congratulations, Anne! What wonderful changes. Switching my diet made all the difference to my RA joint pain, too. – Rose Jun 17 2011 at 19:27
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 I tested negative for RA but the doctor said she was sure that is what it was. I am happy to hear you have felt a difference too. – Anne Jun 17 2011 at 19:33
Anne thank you. I think my mom will find a lot of value in your post. – baconbitch Jun 17 2011 at 21:18
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 I hope she gives the diet it an honest trial and that it makes as much of a difference as it did for me. If gluten is part of the problem, gluten light will not work. – Anne Jun 18 2011 at 17:11
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Some links that may help:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/arthritis-diet/

Peter at Hyperlipid has a couple of posts on rheumatoid arthritis (does she have RA?)

http://high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.com/2008/08/fasting-many-moons-ago-it-seems.html

http://high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.com/search/label/Rheumatoid%20arthritis%20and%20kidney%20stones

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Bitchin links! Thanks, Dave! – baconbitch Jun 17 2011 at 18:16
No, not RA. I think osteo. – baconbitch Jun 17 2011 at 18:17
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"I doubt the gluten is the sole culprit."

I don't doubt that it CAN be...whether it is or not in your mother's case, I can't say.

My husband had nearly instant relief upon stopping all gluten. He plays the violin professionally, and the arthritis in his hands was severely impacting his ability to play. Here's an interview where he talks about this...(surely not as scholarly as the other links, but you did ask for personal experience.)

http://www.lowcarbconversations.com/196/11-lowcarb-cruisin-howard-georgine-harkness/

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That's so helpful!!! – baconbitch Jun 17 2011 at 21:16

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