So after almost 10 months of doing the LSD, it seems that something really great has happened....most my rib pain has finally disappeared! It's so hard to believe I didn't even want to come here and type it for fear that it will come back, lol!

As many of you know that have read my story, my pain is only in my ribcage and only while I sleep at night. About 10 months ago I started doing the LSD and the first few months were a bit dodgy as I think my body tried to equalize or learn to burn energy differently. I was eating crazy amounts of supplements, probiotics, etc. too which I'm not sure was helping me entirely? There were many pieces of the puzzle that seemed to come together from cutting out 95% of starch initially to the MRT test and cutting those foods out. For awhile I was taking some digestive enzymes too as well as some probiotics.

About a month or so ago, I noticed that I was sleeping better and my pain was down to like a 1-2. I also found myself getting hungrier and hungrier (weights and cardio workouts probably contributed to this) so I started adding back in some whole grains here and there and I felt better and continued to lose weight at the same time. I also stopped taking all the supplements I was on and that seemed to help me turn another corner as well.

Then this last 2 weeks I went to CA for work and knew it was going to be a struggle, but I did try to make the best choices while eating out virtually every meal. There were some starch binges here and there but in the end, my pain never really went beyond maybe a 3. Back home early this week I started a juice/smoothie/bone broth fast as I had gained almost 10 pounds in two weeks most likely due to the high salt consumption as three days on this "fast" and I've lost 9 of them already.

I think I'm on the right track at this point as I feel great, am down about 35 pounds from when I started the LSD and now view food in such a different light. My entire life my mornings started with cereal and milk and since starting this I haven't had cereal once. My lunches were always huge deli sandwiches or pasta dishes. If anything, this diet has taught me to make better choices and although I am still eating a bit of starch I try to make it only once every 3 days and try to stick to either rice or more whole grains like quinoa. I'll continue to monitor my progress and can't sincerely thank everyone here enough for all their patience, contribution, and advice as I'm pretty sure I'd still be in mucho pain and on the road to taking heavier drugs. I consider this a lifelong learning experience that I will refine and continue to work with. You all have helped me and so many people take back our lives and gain better understanding of this crazy dis-ease. I do wish everyone the best in their efforts to discover the path that works for them.

Jason

Hey, Jason:

Fantastic to finally kick that costochondritis out for good! I know the feeling--it clinged on to me for six months after I began strictest diet plus even antibiotics! I had a fear of it returning, but stayed strict for a long time and it has never (knock wood) reared its ugly head again.

I was two years into diet and still noticing little improvements, but this was the single major one that let me know that my life would never be the same.

HEALTH,
John

Great news, so happy for you! The NSD took 6 months for me to see some of my joints get a little better, I still have a ways to go, but I am optimistic and feel hopeful. May I ask about your rib pain? I get rib pain on the edges of my ribs and then also in the center in the sternum. Where exactly is your rib pain? Thanks. I ask because I have RA and not AS, but I have a lot of things just like AS so it makes me wonder.

@John-

Thanks man, you were a big help too. I never did get to the antibiotic regiment and wonder if I should even try now and stir the pot too much?? I wouldn't say I've totally licked this just yet, but it's getting pretty darn close! Perhaps the antibiotic regiment is exactly what I need to clear this last bit?

@ValsMum-

My rib pain is basically in my lower ribs and usually right on my sides and around my backside area. Depends on how I'm sleeping. If sleeping on my back, it's on my backside, it on my front, then my frontside, but always on the sides. Never the sternum area though.

good news

your ribcage pain sounds to me more like colon pain... at least this is how it's happening to me.

if you're ok no point in taking antibiotics i believe. keep your diet if it works. and remember this is a long term disease, why bring the big guns yet?

Jason,
Thanks for explaining, my rib pain is at the bottom edges of my ribs too, just achey from time to time. I tried antibiotics for my RA, minocycline, clindamycin and zithromax, for me I get into a flare when I take them and my labs even worsen. I beleive they help some people with AS and RA, but man I never knew a flare like the months I was taking antibiotics.I tried them for about a year.So I just wanted to tell you my expereince in case you try them and have the same thing happen, you'll know someone else expereinced a flare after taking them too. Glad to hear you are feeliing better.Take care!
ps- Maybe I was taking the wrong antibiotics?

Hey, Jason:

I really believe that everyone with AS can benefit to some extent by doing several courses of the correct antibiotic agents, however, as we have witnessed recently, they can more than tickle the dragon's tail and stir things up.

Perhaps it would be better to wait and see for now; some people never seem to need them.

HEALTH,
John

Congrats FlexibleMind!

It's great to hear that the last vestiges of discomfort are crumbling.

I'm particularly jealous that you "can get away" with eating some grains and starches without severe repercussions!

Here's hoping to continued good health!

Good to hear

Yup, the more refined the grain the more it troubles me. Also amylopectin doesn't trouble me, so you could try that too (ie. sticky rice). I had several bowls full of thai black sticky rice the other day..yummy

Hello jason.
I have been with AS for about ten years. diagnosed not long ago. Trying to figure out if im going on LSD or NSD. Could you tell me more about your diet, and your situation?
Thank you very much.
Bman