I've gotten a lot of advice to go gluten free, omit nightshades, go paleo, or any number of dietary changes to "fix" my auto-immune. Have any of you had this advice, and if you followed it, did it actually change anything with your condition?

I have generally thought there would likely be some improvement, but that it's not likely that diet alone could fix an auto-immune condition. But we're struggling to get to where we're actually cooking most of our meals instead of fast food or eating out, so I think we have to be realistic on the changes we can make until we get back to "real" food.

My pain doctor wants me to go gf.

My primary doc has been pushing me for GF for years. The nutritionist I had to see pre-surgery was pushing it as well. I know some people do get significant relief from changing their diet. I just wish people wouldn't assume that because I can't/won't go GF or Paleo or whatever that I don't really care about getting better. There are more people with autoimmune that see no improvement with a change of diet than those who do. It obviously works for some people, but that doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I'd try it if I could manage it, just to see if I'm one of the people who would benefit, but like I said, I'm doing good if we stop eating out/drive through multiple times per week. Baby steps.

I haven't gone completely gluten free, but I have eliminated Pasta, durum semolina, and most noodles from my diet. It's helped 1000%

My RA majorly flared up last year and I didn't know it at the time, but it was the pasta that I was eating when I spent the summer living with one of my Italian friends.

I've managed to almost avoid flares by cutting down on the sugar, taking my med's at the same time each day, avoiding noodles and pasta, and staying warm and dry. Hope that helps.