Autoimmune Protocol for Vitiligo

I've started a very strict, nutrient dense diet called AIP. I started it in December of last year along with a fantastic diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. (yuck) From what I have read Vitiligo and RA go hand in hand a lot of times. So I got very serious about treating whatever systemic inflammation is happening from the inside out. Unfortunately it seems that the medication I'm taking for the joint pain (plaque nil) is making my vitiligo "unstable". I'm starting to see hypo pigmentation on my face now which is new and my hands are slowly spreading. I"m also on some hypothyroid medication (NatureThroid) in order to treat low thyroid (even though western medicine doctors say my thyroid is fine). So I'm hitting this thing from many different angles in an effort to treat the root cause. I have not started any regimented UV-B therapy or excimer laser treatment, but I am considering doing that as well. I am fairly light skinned if I stay indoors out of the sun, so I consider myself pretty lucky up to this point. And I'm hoping that over time, because I've had this condition since I was 3, that the diet will slowly repair my gut and help to supplement my immunity from the ground floor. I am not hoping for any miracles and I do not see repigmentation as my goal. I merely want to stop it in its tracks and see if diet is the missing piece of the puzzle I've been missing this whole time. I'd love to hear about your nutritional efforts and what has worked, what has not. 

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Replies

  • Hi Maria,

    I too have RA...I have had RA since the age of 5.

    I am also on plaquenil, along with many other medications.  I have never heard that plaquenil makes vitiligo unstable. Can you elaborate on this please?  I know plaquenil can make your skin sensitive to the sun. 

     

    I take certain medications for my RA that have been used to treat vitiligo alone in some cases....it is not a standard approach but some patients have taken it for vitiligo. It is called methotrexate and it works by rendering your overactive immune system less active. 

     

    Are you using protopic on your face? It worsk for many people. 

    • Hi! Yes I do use protopic. I'm also suffering from worse asthma since RA diagnosis. I'm thinking my entire system is going awry and I need to seriously think about working on these issues from the inside out.
  • Hi Maria, I have also tried naturethroid and AIP - but didn't have success. I have actually found success with nutritional balancing and I am now getting my pigment back. I will try to post pics tomorrow so you can see me progress. It's very encouraging. I have a blog where you can read about my progress as well as read other success stories for encouragement. Http://realvitiligotreatment.com
  • Wish u Good luck!!! Maria,

    I strongly believe that 1. healthy lifestyle(yoga, meditation), 2. Diet, 3. medicines and 4. trust on GOD (spirituality makes u more stronger and gives u great confidence)  are the 4 pillars u have to build upon.

    I guess once you bring the RA (the severe pain) under control through medicines prescribed by doctor, then u can even avoid medicines by maintaining healthy life style... I saw many success stories. May God bless u...

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