Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group head on question

Hi all. A thought struck me the other day after reading all the posts with everybody in so much pain: why doesn't the NSD work for everybody? I know Dragonslayers view on this but I was curious as to others thoughts on this. It didn't work for me but Im getting ready to attack it again soon after having learn a lot from the last attempt.

Sorry. I know this ought to be in the NSD section but I knew I'd get more views here.

Billy

PS: Davo. Sending you a Private soon.

It doesnt work for some the same as some drugs dont work for some.

Bob



Got an itch? Scratch it!! Scratchboard Art by R. Berendt

Hey Billy-Boy

I think the diet works better for people that are B27 positive. Also some people "try" the diet but don't give it enough time to work - expecting dramatic results within days or weeks rather than months. Some try the diet but are unaware that many of the foods they are still eating contain significant amounts of starch (like nuts etc) and so they don't make much progress.

Also, some still consume milk products and it has been the case for many people (incl my husband) that the NSD is not really effective for them until they also eliminate milk products.

With my husband, it wasn't until he eliminated every last possible source of starch and milk products (this took about 3 months) that he began to see real significant results to the point where he is back at work full time now and his pain levels are down to a 3 or 4 out of 10 when previously they were at about 8 (he's been on the diet for 5 1/2 months now). He did experience improvement within the first 3 months like reduction in swelling but still had significant pain utill then.

Hope this helps, just my thoughts, no doubt others will have plenty to say on this somewhat "contentious" subject.

Chelsea

Hi Billy,
I look at it this way.This is one of the many auto-immune diseases. What triggers it can be man y things. Think about a person who has allergies or someone who has asthma. My mom had severe asthma and she learned what things made her worse, like smoke, wool, dust, animals etc.Other asthmatics would have a idfferent list completely.I do remember her avoiding all the triggers but she still would have major attacks until she was put on a new drug in the 70"S which was an immunsupresent and from that day on she never had an asthmatic attack, until we placed her into a longterm care facility and they didn't think she needed the inhalers as a preventitive. In about three weeks she was in major trouble again.
I also remembr for myself in the 80's I discovered chicken and potoes made me worse, but now no trouble with these.

Another consideration is that your audience sample could be skewed (self-selective). In other words, those, who get better, then leave (and go over to the Marathon Mandolin Players* forum).

Thus, it could be that you are more likely to encounter those who have yet to find respite from whatever is ailing them.

Best regards,

jcwinnie



* a.k.a., MMP, thus, the phrase "Running on MMP"

Hey Billy,

There could be several factors which cause the NSD to work for some and not for others. Lifestyle, work, stress along with other health problems, such as heart disease, liver or kidney problems, etc. Everyone has a different metabolism which can also affect the way the diet works. I would think that even the meds one takes could play a role in the diet.

When I was on 375mg of Elavil (Amitriptyline) per evening before bedtime my blood serum level was 117 which is where it needed to be to do what the doctors wanted. The same doctor told me he had other patients within my height, weight and age limits taking 50mgs per evening maintaining a 117 serum level. His answer was my metabolism was at a faster rate causing the drugs to be eaten up and disposed of before it could get into my system. The same thing pretty much applies to the foods we eat causing some to gain weight and others to lose weight.

Given all the different factors in each person's personal environment there probably is no simple answer to your question.

Brent




Sandy

Thanks for those all.

Chelsea, congrats with your success. I remember us both scuttling around in the summer for whether apples were starchy and now I keep reading about how well you're doing! From what you say though, your husband had it much worse than I although whats worrying me within the last couple of months is the cracking in my neck and assocaited headaches. As you say, some things can alleviate pain but not always the progression of the disease.

Anyway, cheers to all and good luck

Billy

Hi Billy
My opinion on this topic is that NSD is A Theory, as in one theory. It is a theory just like all the other theories that arise as to what these autoimmune diseases are caused by. Also, some of the positive effects that people may experience from NSD could be from lost weight. OFten starchy carbs (bread, pasta) are packed with calories when we eliminate these calories, we lose weight which then places less stress on the joints. THus people have less pain. That is also just my own theory. Also, some people may react to say simple suugars and not starch. Although I absolutely respect all who have found this approach effective I often wonder why it has been "endorsed" or advertised so much on this site as certainly not all respond, even those who are diligent and there are many other triggers that may actually be causing this disease. I would encourage you to think beyond NSD and experiment with those things that you notice to aggravate your condition. Eliminating and re-introducing is often an effective way of determining what you may be reactive to. Good luck!

Rene a.k.a Julie
Kodi

Hi jcwinnie,

From the NSD to MMP - that was some real fine reasoning. I could even follow it! Too bad there isn't a mando forum. No doubt I'd get totally hooked on reading about mando stuff and forget to practice. And, if I could forget about AS & running on empty, I'd happily be off running into the sun.

Cat - who needs to get some sleep

Yes, just another theory, it's all in the head. Doctors say 'it's all in your head' when they cannot diagnose, then when some therapy works that they say is nonsense they say 'it's the placebo affect', ie 'in the head' again. After nearly 8 years on this diet would you say I am out of my head?

And what's he then that says I play the villain
When this advice is free I give and honest