Ankylosing Spondylitis Diary and Diet Research

1 - What happens when people with AS eat something starchy? .. Lots and lots of pain. Everyone who uses the No Starch Diet (NSD) has had experiences like this:
http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=230399 (Comment this)

2 - title: this "bonzo" diet is working - thanks
by: Ginger
http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=231698 (Comment this)

3 - title: A question on responding to the diet
by: drizzit
from http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=231551
"...
I have not put prednisone drops in my eyes for a low grade iritis in three months which is unheard of for me.

In my feet, which were the real problem, I have greatly reduced the swelling and discomfort but some nasty pain lingers. Other than my feet I feel pretty good frankly...." (Comment this)

4 - posted by George: "I am probably into year 15 of the diet. When I started I stopped all meds. I ate only bacon and eggs as it was the only thing I knew of that did not have starch, and I did not really believe that the degenerative bone decease I had been diagnosed with some years previously could possibly be related to what I ate. I lost the pain on day 3. I have had episodes over the years that left me wondering what hit me, but eventually got back on track. " -- from: http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=229113 (Comment this)

5 - Ted (la monty) has made wonderful progress with the diet and has healed to the point that he can tolerate starch far better than he could a year or two ago. Here is what Ted had to say about how he managed to get into remission:

"My approach to attaining remission of some sort was never just avoiding starch. Along with the exclusion diet, i went on a serious exercise regime too, but the first step was to clean the GIT.
This meant a fast or two and an apple fast or two.
Then a period of three months using ACV in the morning before breakfast and sometimes again before evening meal - always on empty stomach. The idea is to restrict bacteria that may be entrenched, but basically not beneficial. Acidopholus and lactobacillus and bifida will survive and ACV has alkaline metabolites so it fosters the correct pH in the correct places.
The side effects are that it removes the colnies of bacteria which clog up the holes in the GIT. This leaves our interior body open to invasion from bugs and big molecules so it is a time of extreme sensitivity to starch and a time when we react to the marginal foods and also a percieved allergic reaction to a few things we would not expect. Some nutrients and particles get through to the blood stream and are treated as invaders.
Therefore, it is a time when it is best to stick to a limited, safe and secure food intake. I ate chicken, cabbage, ginger, garlic or fish, coconut milk, ginger, mushrooms, greens or eggs, greens, vegetables, ginger. I do not seem to react to FOS, but very much to dairy. I also avoide spicy foods as i felt my GIT was a bit raw from the ACV cleanout.
After three months of ACV i switched to aloe vera gel to heal the gut - same thing twice daily on empty stomach. Didn't do much supplementing, just a bit of omega 3 and all minerals i take as kelp granules, sometimes sea-salt. Probiotics have always been sauerkraut as cabbage is my friend.
No-one knows one's body and reactions like oneself so the best remedy usually lies within - we just use other's tools and indicators to reach it..." -- quoted from http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=232428 (Comment this)

6 - title: holy cow
by: gina (annabree4)

start quote:

"" I am so thrilled,I got to say, WOW!
After wading in the nsd pond for awhile,(since finding this
incredible site,wonderful people)Another iritis bout had me
plunging into the water,full speed, I just couldnt take another episode of acute eye pain. chronic,Ive gotten used to. That was it. No more! it cant tell you enough how thrilled I am !! I have been starch free almost 2 weeks
and the change in my life has been incredible!
The iritis flare burned out in a few days (with steroids)
instead of 2 months. The prolonged constant flare I have
been induring this past year is fading away. I woke one morning and jumped out of bed! No stiffness ! Barely any pain.I have been living with so much chronic pain for so long I forgot what it felt like to be pain free.
The toe pain I have endured 4 years is gone. I havent
been able to wear anything but slippers for a year. chronic
heel pain, gone Back pain,nada! My heart has opened up in such a way,I feel reborn. That first day being pain free
was the the start of an incredible week. I was able to actualy run with my 6 year old, wear tennis shoes,hit some
golf balls,dig in my garden,get out of bed without have to
roll out. So many things that I had forgotten. The ease
of graceful movement other people take for granted is
comming back! Anyway,I am so excited just had to post.
Last night I made Mediterrian meatballs with sauce and zuchinni I am loving cooking without starch. Also
lost 5 lbs. My husband is amazed with the changes in my
attitude and happiness. Guess I am on the pink cloud
that recovering alcoholics feel,but hey,who am I to complain
So grateful for all you guys,this site. Well,Im off
to enjoy this beautiful spring day. Gina "" (Comment this)

7 - Last quote from gina (title: holy cow) came from this URL :
http://www.kickas.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=258850 (Comment this)