Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Update

Hi folks
Just wanted to plant a query and post the status quo of my life.
I have gotten used to the pain and its ups and downs. I hvae, touchwood, not had any pain in the lower back for the past couple of months, almost a year. But the chest expansion restriction is the only big problem.

I do eat starch, but not indiscriminately, ofcourse I pay the price. A pastry for instance will induce immediate pain...the fine refined carbs in the pastry bread being the culprit.

I eat a lot of papaya, take multivitamins almost regulalry, and keep dinners light or skip them, and minimise, though could no eliminate junk food. As a result I haev few bad days, haven 2 NSAIDs in the last 16 months now.

Also whenever I clear my intestines in the morning, walking a bit releases gas, and voila, the pain reduces dramatically and I go about living life normally.

Here is the question :

I got some LS and SI Xrays taken a few days ago, 20 months after the initial diagnosis. The Xrays are normal as per the radioligist and the doctor - both relativley and absolutely - as in no change since the last one taken in Sep 2002.

In an active AS - would one expect to see anychanges in the bone density in an Xray after 2 years of continuous pain? or not? Any anecdotes?

THanks, best wishes and Regards

Nishant

Guys
Can anyone help answer my questions posted in the prevoius post above?

Thanks

Regards
Nishant

Nishant

I think that is a question for a radiologist or rheumatologist, but if you had not fused in the SI joints and lumbar spine and if there have been no apparent changes then that surely is a good sign. I think any decrease in bone density comes with ankyloses - fusing.

DOCTOR: Therein the patient
Must minister to himself.
MACBETH: Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.

bilko
ankylosis will increase bonde density or decrease it?
I am pretty sure most doctors look for an increase...

my Xrays even two years ago were normal (for most doctors), but a couple said that "no, look at this spot (on SI xray), this is higher bone density!!" the others said..."what the hell, such variations are common among any set of population".
Since then There has been no change in two years since..

well, im hoping its a good sign...but in peoples cases out here on this website, would they have seen/have they seen changes in thier spinal structure and Xrays in two years time?

Regards
Nishant

Nishant,
From what I read a normal AS patient deteriorates a 3% per year. I am afraid that in two years most radiologists are not able to see that 6% difference they need some extra years normally. Apart from that there are patients who do not seem to detoriate at all for some reason or the other even over a longer interval of time. Let's hope we are in that group. Good to hear you're doing well. Papaya is indeed good stuff it is a pity it isn't sold so much in my country.
Gerard


"Tell me what kind of food you eat, and I will tell you what kind of man you are."
-Anthelme Brillat Savarin -

Nishant,

my lumbar and thoracic spine has fused, and subsequently I was given a bone density scan to check for any osteoporosis (loss of density). I was OK, but one doctor did advise me to take a calcium supplement anyway. But if you eat a good diet with adequate calcium (dairy, greens) there should be no problem. Walking also stimulates the body to maintain bone density.

DOCTOR: Therein the patient
Must minister to himself.
MACBETH: Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it.