I think one of the reasons that I struggled on the diet before is probably down to candida issues.. I'm SERIOUSLY considering getting back on the diet and I think I want to start with a fast. I remember dragonslayer saying that fasting can get rid of candida symptoms but I obviously would not want to be fasting for a long time. Can anyone offer any advice or tips regarding this potential idea?

Thanks a lot,
Seb

Candida is such a controversial topic.

Bottom line is that everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. My opinion is that candida is a long term battle. A fast isn't going to get rid of it completely. Can it help? Maybe. It should definitely help with the inflammation.

There are boatloads of sites that offer anti-candida advice. I reluctantly started an anti-candida protocol and in hindsight, I am glad that I did. Other AS-kickers made me aware of the following site:
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/

At first I thought it was a little out there, but out of all the anti-candida sites out there, I felt most comfortable with the process they outlined. Over time, I became more and more strict. There is a boatload of info on that site. Much of it is unsubstantiated - so take it with a grain of salt. I ultimately feel that most of things they outlined were helpful to me. Your mileage may vary.

Everyone is different. You're going to have to figure out a situation that makes sense for your specific situation. I do feel that those of us with severe spondy - it's a war, not a battle. One fast may help, but it's not a long term solution.

I wish you the best of luck!

just my thoughts on the topic

- there is no need for guesswork with candida as it is something that can be easily tested for
- there is no need to rely on unproven alternative treatments for candida as there are prescription antifungals which are safe and effective

are you going to try remicade after humira?

- How do you get a definite test for candida? I always thought it was pretty ambiguous?

- I asked my doctor about these prescriptions and he completely rubbished the idea about candida

Is it wise to take an Anti-TNF in conjunction with diet treatment? I'm just thinking I might have to try this seeing as I found success hard to come by on the diet before for sustained periods of time. I fluctuated for very low levels of pain to really high levels of pain and flared regularly even on very minimal diets so I think I probably need multiple forms of attack.

If the best I can get out of diet is reduced inflammation in my hands (so I can continue with my music long term) then that will be a major success and fulfillment in my life. That's my big motive right now.

A blood test for candida would look something like this

I can understand why doctors might be skeptical of the idea as studies have found that AS patients don't have raised antibodies to candida compared to the general population.

You can definitely take an anti-TNF and experiment with diet at the same time. Drizzit has his AS in remission with anti-TNF + diet. There is a chance that the Remicade could help with the hand inflammation, I'd be cautiously optimistic about it.

i totally agree with jroc on this one.

Hey, Seb:

I don't know what a "short" fast is, exactly, but will assume it is under four days.

The overall issue in AS is the health of the gut, and candidiasis (which compromises the gut wall) is a lifestyle (nearly 100% diet-related) issue, so even if You had a magic bullet that could knock the fungus down to zero, unless You made some permanent changes to Your diet, the fungus among us would return.

Do not be discouraged from fasting, but upon resumption of consumption it would be better to make the choices away from fungal-encouraging foods.

FASTING can considerably alter the course of this disease, if kept up, so there is very good reason, even beyond the potential to reduce C. albicans, to do this for even short periods and often is better than seldom.

I believe it was fasting which perhaps reduced the fungus enough that I never seemed to have any problems with it when I was taking antibiotics and even steroids (after operations), but it was something I was always looking out for.

The anti-fungals are a reasonable approach, but again, as AS is a lifestyle issue, it will require a restructuring of Your palette, overall, to successfully overcome the chronic part of this disease including the contribution due to both fungus and NSAIDs.

HEALTH,
John

Yeah I was thinking about 3 days or so before really giving the diet another shot. It is demoralizing that I struggled on the diet a lot previously but I realize now how sick I am going to get if I don't crack this code. I was strictly no starch before but still experienced fluctuations from low levels of pain to high levels of pain and I thought this may have been due to candida complications as I was eating no starch that I was aware of...

Are juice fasts effective in terms of combating AS/candida symptoms? I think this is also another potential option to kick me off.

When you mention restructuring of the palette, what exactly do you mean?

Cheers

Juice fast would not be good if you really have candida complicating things, because it is so hard to find a juice that is starch-free and not high in sugar. In place of juice, consider home-made chicken or turkey broth (can have the meat too just don't add vegetables), as that shouldn't give candida much to feed on. One can make the soup by sticking the meat including bones in a pot, cover with water, and let it simmer for 2 to 3 hours depending on how big the meat is (turkey takes longer than chicken).

Hmmm...not sure I agree with this entirely. Bettyrawker (Andrea) here cleared up here Candida doing a juice fast. I think if you do a green juice fast (no sugar) at home with home made juices it can do wonders for you. Perhaps you are referring to store bought juices which yes would probably not be a good idea. I've had success as well doing a green juice fast with organic, store bought greens and juicing them myself. Bettyrawker would be the one to ask though as she's had huge success with both the diet and starting by juicing.