Hi all, it's been a long time since I've last posted - but I'm so glad the forum is still here and still full of people helping each other.
I've been having my first major flare since more than 15 years and I'm really struggling. 15 years ago I had a very bad flare and while I was waiting to finally get seen by a rheumatologist, I found Kickas.org and decided to try the NSD. It worked like a charm for me, almost within a week I was painfree.
Once I developed iritis a few years later on it got a little bit trickier and the iritis didn't respond as well to the diet. After a lot of trial and error I had good success with osteopathy and homeopathy. In between I fell pregnant and was one of those lucky women to be abolutely symptonfree during and about until 2 years after the pregnancy.
About 6 years ago I had a major iritis relapse but got that under control again. Suddenly, since 4 years, everything fine, could eat anything I wanted, as if I never had AS.
I'm now 45, last autum I started developing singns of pre-menopause. I had my hormone status checked, definitely pre-menopause. I all sorts of different issues just before or during my period (sorry to be so specific, but it is important). I get mainly heart palpitations, dizzy spells and panic-attacks.
About 6 weeks ago I started feeling pain in the neck. I was hoping it was must me spending too much time in front of the computer, but deep down I knew this felt like AS. To be on the safe side, I immediately started reducing starch again. Shortly after just around my period I developed a major migraine including feeling very sick. Due to the headaches I couldn't tell if the neck pain was still there and because I felt so sick, I ate some starchy foods.
Once the migraine was finally gone (after about 4 days) I realized I was in a really bad flare and also had an iritis flare up. Something I never had before, it was only ever one or the other, never back and eyes at the same time. And the diet is simply not working. I'm really strict, I've cut out most dairy, I'm careful with sugar, but I'm getting nowhere.
I tried fasting one day, just to get a feeling if food was the problem and I felt just as bad as the other days. I know one day is too short, but it kind underlines my suspicion all this is due to hormone inbalance and there is not much I can do with diet.
Which leaves me a bit desperate. I went back to my osteopath and homeopath but they are both just as surprised as me about the severity and weren't able to help just yet. Tomorrow I finally go to see a rheumatologist, in order to get a physical overview of what is going on.
The flare up is crazy! It wanders up and down my spine, travels to the front in my chest, I have severe issues breathing deeper, my neck hurts so bad, I feel like I have a sore throat on top. Sleep is hard to come by. Rigth now I've been managing with Ibuprofen 400g about 1 or 2 a day.
I don't want to start taking heavy meds, but I'm wondering if I even have a chance with the diet, if hormones are the trigger. Any ladies out there who had similar issues?
I had gestational diabetes, which is also caused by hormonal changes. I was superstrict with my diet but had very bad issues and had to take a lot of insulin in the end. So it seems my body reacts sensitively to hormonal changes.
I'd be most grateful for any form of advice - I'm a bit at my wits end right now.
Thanks!
