If I weren't already turned off of eating animals, I would be now!
Posted by LadyDragonfly on Oct 01, 2006 · Member since May 2004 · 64 posts
I stay strictly vegan because I have SLE and the medications either do not work or I am allergic to them. Going vegan is all I could do.
Well, I live across the street from a truck stop. In the afternoons the cattle and pig trucks stop for a driver's rest. So, for hours and hours we are treated to the screams of fearful animals on their way for processing. Their cries make ME cry, I can't stand it! I reminded the kids that when you eat animals, you are eating that fear that you can, quite clearly, hear every afternoon.
No fights or moans over baked or grilled tofu these days!
Please forgive my ignorance, I am assuming by SLE, you mean Systemic Lupus. How was going Vegan all you could do? I worked in a nursing home with a resident with SLE, and nothing seemed to help alleviate the symptoms and discomfort. I am now wondering if a vegan diet might have done her some good.
Lupus yes. Going vegan only helps some of the flare ups, but I still get them, just fewer of them. They seem to be somewhat seasonal. I am worse in the fall and late spring, worse if I get overheated (which will set off an attack real fast).
I had a prednisone induced psychosis about 2 yrs ago. I nearly died and they won't let me have prednisone anymore. I can't take Tylenol now either as I did a number on my liver. I had a small stroke that still makes walking difficult when I am tired. We are out of the Naprosyn loop now, it doesn't work. I am through Daypro, Celebrex, Mobic and a host of other anti-inflammatories that either do not work or I am allergic to. We are up to baclofen and Indocin. Indocin is a stomach eater and I hate to take it.
It is quite a commitment to go vegan, as you know. It is not a cure and once lupus has hold of your organ systems you are pretty well screwed. I have had pericarditis and flareup once in a while. It has my intestines, pancreas and whatnot. Blood sugar is pretty difficult to control as it surges and then drops and I can't tell what will bring all that on. My worst problem is the fatigue and I need to find a way to lose weight while dealing with all the above and maybe, that will make walking and moving less painful.
I often wonder if the additives in meat contribute to flareups of chronic illnesses... I'm so glad you've found a way to partially control yours, LadyDragonfly.
My mom has a similar Prednisone horror story-- it's actually eaten a lot of the bone and cartilage in her knees, too. You have my sympathy and my best wishes.
Anything nutritional coming from me is to be taken with a grain of salt (I have no idea what I'm doing), but I always seem to feel a little more energetic when I have molasses, flax seed, and dark green veggies in my diet. Sounds like you are the best judge of what's good for you, though!