Full of Energy Again!

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune condition affecting both the joints and skin. The immune system begins throwing out inflammatory responses that result in pain and swelling in the joints and tendons, and sometimes, even skin plaques—raised patches of red skin that are thick, scaly, and itchy. People with Psoriatic arthritis often suffer with severe fatigue. Without proper treatment, psoriatic arthritis may produce psoriatic arthritis flare up. If not controlled these can lead to permanent joint damage.

While the specific cause of psoriatic arthritis is not fully known, we do have some good news for you! If you have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis or even other types of arthritis you do not have to suffer the ravaging complications. You can be full of energy again! We have shared Sara’s story in the past. This week she shared an update with us and gave us permission to share her story of psoriatic arthritis of how she got her life back with changing her diet and lifestyle and is now eliminating medications:

At the end of 2019 I had a hand x-ray for finger pain. I had a fractured bone cyst, but I also had arthritic changes which led to a referral to Ortho, which led to a referral to Rheumatology, which led to Dr. Charles Mills. Eventually I was given a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis and several medications. The medications helped with the swelling in my hands/fingers and knees some but did not completely control it or the fatigue that plagued me. I found myself falling asleep as soon as I sat down after getting home and having to sit down in the yard while gardening because I was just worn out. Health wise, this was not how I expected my early 40s to be.

In early 2022 at a follow-up with Dr. Mills, he told me that some patients achieved complete remission through diet changes. I was interested in pursuing that. He referred me to Dana West, RD, at Abundant Health Wellness Center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I first met with her in April, and we made an eating plan for me that was drastically different from how I had been eating. Dana asked me how motivated I was to do this, and I said, “pretty motivated.” This was an understatement. The fatigue and joint pain had worn on me to the point I was starting to consider a career switch. My job is hard on the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints even if you don’t already have arthritis. I did not want to change jobs but feared I soon wouldn’t have a choice. Fear, pain, and fatigue were powerful motivators for me to stick with the plan.

The first month was very hard. I drastically cut back on meat consumption and cut out dairy completely. I thought about cheese every single day. I struggled with cravings for sugar and junk food, but about three weeks into the plan, my swelling had all but disappeared. I realized that while I had focused on the swelling in my hands and knees because that’s where the pain was the worst, I actually had swelling all over, from my jaw to my ankles. And it just went away. Cravings or no cravings, that was motivating.

The hunger and cravings lessened during the second month and now are completely gone. At the end of the second month, I noticed that my energy levels are higher than they have been in years. The only time I can remember having this kind of energy was years ago when I was doing high intensity strength training and cardio workouts all the time. Back then, when I tried to lose weight, I had to work out hard to drop very many pounds. Since starting this plan, I’ve only walked and gardened, but about 50 pounds have fallen off.

I’ve always liked vegetables and loved fruit, but now I’m learning to love whole grains like quinoa and buckwheat. I’m eating more nuts, seeds, and beans than I ever have. I even ordered different varieties of organic heirloom dried beans online, so I don’t get bored. Christmas lima beans are so delicious I decided to try growing my own. They are now growing up an arch on my front walkway. I’ve also come to love blender smoothies made of just water, fruit, and greens. I crave those now instead of processed sweets.

I never dreamed I’d have results like this in a matter of months. I took the stairs at work several times this week. Two to three months ago, that was not an option. The swelling in my knees would have had me clinging to the railing, stepping sideways on each step, and then limping for a few days afterward when my swelling increased even more. I know this from the few times the elevator was down over the last year. The difference is amazing.

A coworker asked me if I really thought eating like this was sustainable. Can I eat mostly plant based, little to no meat, no dairy, nothing processed, no refined sugar forever? Yes, yes I really think I can. Because I also have no swelling, no fatigue, and little to no pain. I have my life back. No pork roast, bowl of queso, or candy bar is worth giving that up. I am incredibly grateful to both Dana and Dr. Mills for all their help and support.

Sara H., RDMS

February 2026 Update:

I’ve been eating primarily gluten free, whole food plant based, no refined sugar for about 4 years now.

In 2024, Dr. Mills and I started trying to eliminate some medications. However, soon after eliminating one medication I had a medical procedure involving anesthesia. Post procedure, I had a significant flare up that lasted months. Because of that, I went back on all my meds.

I continued my plant-based diet and eventually got the swelling under control again. About a year after the procedure flare up, I was ready to try cutting back on my meds again.

I’ve been off two arthritis medications for six months now, and so far, I’m doing very well. I still have mild swelling from time to time, but I’ve discovered fasting and increased sleep are powerful tools for getting it back under control.

I still take two arthritis medications, but I hope to eventually eliminate them all.

As a side note, my mother has significant osteoarthritis and was diagnosed with gout a few months ago.

I am about to get married, and I want both of my parents to walk me down the aisle. Even after multiple rounds of steroids, her foot was so swollen and painful, she was afraid she would not be able to walk me down the aisle.

I invited her to come and stay with me for two weeks. We did Dana’s 10-Day Kick-Start program together, then we batch prepped several whole food plant-based meals and froze them. I sent her home prepared to continue eating this way for several weeks.

She has been eating this way almost two months now and has had no pain or redness in her foot since completing the 10-day program. She says the swelling and pain in her hands and fingers is also drastically reduced, and she is cooking plant based at home now. She says she plans to continue eating this way. She will walk down the aisle beside me at my wedding!

Can you relate to Sara and her mom’s pain?

Would you like to experience the power of healing plants?

Join our Energize and Thrive Virtual Health Retreat to begin your journey to health and feeling full of energy, again!

Energize and Thrive: A Virtual Retreat for Vibrant Living!

I want to JOIN!

Blue Skies,

Dana

Dana West, RDN, LD thrives on helping her amazing clients get a new lease on life by embracing health and conquering disease, one step at a time, so they can start living with renewed energy and enthusiasm, doing all the things they love to do again.

You can get a new lease on life too, in her upcoming Energize and Thrive: A Virtual Retreat for Vibrant Living.

If you’re an individual in serious overwhelm with your health, lacking energy and experiencing fatigue and poor sleep, this retreat will have you reclaiming your life and thriving in all the things you love again.

Wanna come? Details here!

798 Madison 8645

Huntsville, AR 72740

479-363-6585

Dana@AbundantHealthWellnessCenter.org