I was diagnosed with RA last year, but I am RF-, then a couple months after diagnosis, my lower back and neck started to hurt, so I thought maybe it was AS.
I noticed diet helps or hurts in a BIG way. A 2 day water fast was the best I've felt as far as pain reduction. But once you start medication, you can't always fast.


Hope you find out about your bruise, I never had that.


Diet change has improved my RA. I feel best eating raw veggies and some fruits and avoiding grains, sugars, nightshades, beans and dairy. Sed rate dropped from 65 to 19, but it took over a year.
www.fatsickandnearlydead.com

excess fat/oils = pain for me
recipes for raw food on Youtube "raw food romance"
and "healing josephine" Josephine is in remission from RA after two years by change diet/exercise