Amazing story. You may be one of a kind.
I have RA and have had several attacks, I relate it to stress. Would love to hear more about your diet, keep posting.
and It is OK to brag here, people love stories like that.
I try to eat an incredibly diverse diet. Lots of veg and fruit. It varies a lot. I don't buy into the give up bread, meat and sugar thing. I use very little sugar, but it's in my diet. My motto is to eat cleanly about 90% of the time and enjoy my 10% cheats. Some things I avoid like the plague, and those things are highly processed foods. Pop tarts and things of that nature are not found on our pantry. I do use flour, which is processed, but I use it to make most of my own baked things. I don't seem to have a problem with gluten, so I continue to eat it. I want my hands on most of the food I eat. If I buy something pre-made, I read those ingredients to the last one. Artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors and dyes are generally avoided. I try not to eat too much of any one thing. Food to me is nourishment and a bit of enjoyment. If I try to be too strict, I am miserable. Miserable equates to stress.
Stress is something that affects me physically. If friends are a liability, I dump them. If family is a drain, I avoid them. Work stress is there, but I minimize it. They only pay me for 8 hours. When I leave, I forget all about them. My job is one that is somewhat low pay, and that comes with less responsibility. I used to worry about work. I don't do that anymore. This may seem cold, but I must protect myself from energy suckers.
Ever hear of the spoon theory. Well, we all have a certain amount of spoons. I am already low on spoons, being a person with MS. So, I can't afford to hand them out to everyone. No one steals my spoons from me. If I feel flush, then I may offer a spoon. It all depends on how I feel. If I am training hard, there may be no spoons left. Then, it's time to retreat to my quiet home, not answer my phone, not check email, just exist. :)
I do think exercise plays a key. It is important to move everyday. The body is not meant to lay idle. Some days really chill. Some days are an all out massacre, when I am really on. Race days need to prepped for. I may have to steal a spoon from my husband for those days. If I feel badly, I listen to my body. I might call in sick to work and just watch movies, if I feel that I need it. Listen to the body. It will tell ya. I am way more in tune now.
https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/I get massage regularly. It is out of pocket, and I don't give a shit. It's about $50 s month to get tuned up. I'm due again. I get deep tissue work.
I take vitamins, like D3, cause MS people are low in it. Also, I take a multi, for insurance. Maybe they are just kick ass placebos, but the price is low, or low in my eyes.
This is a lot of things, and not sure what it is exactly that works. I do it all, as long as it aint too snake oily.
...and dance in the kitchen and sing as loud as you can. Even if your voice makes people's gums bleed. Happiness is the most important thing. People have told me to stop my MTB riding so hard and even not race downhill. Why? I love it. Take that away from me and I am already dead. If I snap my neck on a jump, it was one hell of a ride.
sorry if this was long. I am passionate about life.