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

OOPs Well I suspect you are just as cute so no harm, no foul...:)

There's no getting 'round it, the diet is a hard one. I stutter started a couple time and it wasn't until I tossed everything out and started with completely starch free only food in my home that I was able to really do it. Being single helps a lot as well. I really feel for those who really try and find that it doesn't help them. There is no person on the board who is more serious about this than DragonSlayer and he still has problems. I never forget that I'm extreemly lucky to be in the position I am..a mild case knocked out by the diet. That makes me even more aggresive in recommending the diet to newbies..the sooner the better and the younger the better.

Have fun,

Pete



"You all laugh because I'm different...I laugh because you're all the same."

Anonymous

Hi
I think its important to remember, Like Kat said before. No 2 AS sufferers are the same, No 2 people are made the same, so surely the diet will work for some but not others, as we all have different contributin factors.
So its fair to accept everyone has their own opinion.?
Take care
Heather

Hi
Suddenly thought after sendin my last posts it might raise the question as to what my opinion is.
Well, i have been vegetarian for 10 years and without any knowledge of these diets had to cut out dairy products, because it seemed make things more difficult.
I want to try the diet, well any thing to help ease the pain is worth it isnt it, but a little worried i have nothing left to eat! I 5ft 4 and wiegh 8 stone people say i to skinny so losin wieght on it prob not a good idea! Seriously i know to try cut out one food at a time, i am workin on it.
I really like natures way, i would rather try a ntural way first that keep swallowin all these synthetic chemicals.
All the best
Heather

Hope nobody minds me jumping in here. I read all your posts and I think it's great that so many suggest their successes to others. I also agree what may work for one may not work for another. I also know from being here and from seeing what my husband has been through that there are so many things to try, between medications, diet, excercise, meditation etc, we have also had the lovely doc who basically thought it was "all in his head" and he should suck it up. I think we should all continue to voice suggestions, because even if the NSD for example helps only one person (although it has helped many) it is worth it, just like anything else. Just like I told Ben, we are thrilled that Enbrel is giving him some better quality of life, but it gave my husband more complications. So why don't all of us agree to disagree...this could be like having a political discussion, not everyone is going to agree. But Everyone should suggest all they want, after all the point of this place is to help & support each other. Don't get upset if somebody doesn't agree with your thoughts (or as one said theories), it's only their opinion and they are entitled to it as well. If you feel yourself getting upset over a post, walk away. But never stop sharing what has worked for you, I am sure many many people have been helped by the littlest things. Ok, I'll stop preaching, Thanks for letting me butt in. I just seem to see all sides of this after reading all the posts. Quite honestly, I don't see anyone's comments as being "wrong"....not to mention, many times I have gotten emails from people and reading emails (or posts) you don't really get the effect of the person's tone as if they were in person and I have found that many times people can misunderstand others intentions. I know I say things many times that I mean in one way, but others think I am being the oposite of my intention. Anyway, congrats to those who have benefitted from the NSD, and for those who haven't, I hope you will find what works best for you. Take care all! Sheila

"While I've noticed many benefits from this way of eating, for example good weight control, stable blood glucose and no cravings and increased energy"

I too notice these results from the NSD. It's been the easiest way I've ever ever ever lost weight! No counting carbs, points or calories -- just eating sensibly when I'm hungry. And I don't have those awful glucose swings that I've had in the past.

Some interesting side notes:

Before I found KickAS, I immersed myself in reading about autoimmune illnesses having been newly diagnosed last spring. Reading was how I spent my summer! A number of independent materials encouraged diets similar to the NSD -- which I thought was a bit far out at first. Some of the books I read were:

The Inflammation Syndrome by Jack Challem (a book that scares the pants off you in regard to the rampant use of medications and their darker sides!!)

Going Against the Grain by Melissa Diane Smith

The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain (discusses the idea that agriculture is a pretty recent development in the scope of time and therefore some of us have not adapted as well as others to digesting the agricultural diet)

Living Well with Autoimmune Disease by Mary J. Shomon (a wonderful resource that includes an overview of many autoimmune diseases in addition to an overview of medicines used as well as possible alternative therapies -- I strongly recommend this book -- it includes a wonderful resource listing at the back of the book, too, for the various illnesses and is the way that I found this web site!)

Another interesting note: I just got my first issue of a magazine called Living Without: A Lifestyle Guide for People with Allergies and Food Sensitivities. It pretty much caters to people with celiac disease or similar illnesses although I can glean some helpful recipes and info even though it's not as specific as the NSD. BUT, there is an article in this addition about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) which is nearly identical to the NSD. It is a controversial diet being used for autistic children with accompanying gastrointestinal problems (inability to digest certain carbs causing undigested food to become fuel for yeast and bacteria leading to fermentation leading to gut damage . . . where have we heard this before?!!), and some children are having significant improvements in behavior and bowel related problems. Albeit, it has pros and cons, particularly for children, but I thought it was pretty interesting. It, too, has not been "scientifically reported in any mainstream medical journal" but apparently there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of its success and it's gaining popularity. For more info on the SCD, you can go to www.Breakingtheviciouscycle.info.

Just makes me wonder how inter-related many of these illnesses may be -- or at the very least the integral relationship between health of all kinds (physical, mental, developmental, etc.) and food.

Well, this is long so thanks for bearing with me. Again, I realize too that all of us are individuals and may respond differently to different therapies. I am grateful for finding the NSD, and I hope that all of us will find the things that bring healing and pain free living to our lives!

Paula

Edited by paulaulrich on 11/14/04 05:32 PM (server time).

I think one of the things that needs to be borne in mind is that ultimately it is up to us to direct the course of our treatment. We need to take in the information, listen to the opinions of 'experts' and then make a decision as to what we are going to do. After all, nobody else lives in our bodies.

While I've never been scientifically minded, when it comes to my health I think it important to look at as many sides of the equation as possible. And I believe it important that we all do so. So, I read personal testimonials/anecdotal evidence, as well as seeing if there have been any clinical studies in which control groups are used. Then I make my decision. I suggest that others do the same.

When it comes to diet, there are far more factors that must be taken into account than whether it relieves our AS pain. For example, what if a person is borderline diabetic, or hypoglycemic but doesn't realize it? The ramifications of a drastic change in diet for someone like that can be cataclysmic in nature.

Before making any drastic change in our diets (and the NSD/LSD is drastic) it's important that we talk to our doctors first (our GPs, I mean). When I made my dietary changes it was under the care of my naturopath and my family doctor was fully apprised of the changes I was making. Because I'm hypoglycemic, it was important that she be aware of them.

So, while I understand that for people who've had fabulous results on the NSD it may be frustrating to be constantly asked for scientific back-up to their personal experience anecdotes, I have to say that asking for scientific evidence from researchers (as frustrated as I get with their gender short-sightedness at times) is valid. It's part of getting all the information before making a decision. It's most definitely not meant (I hope and think) as a slur against the personal experiences of anyone for whom the diet has worked.

Hugs,

Kat



"A life lived in fear is a life half lived." - Strictly Ballroom

I'll let everyone else debate the merits, the theories, the rationale. It doesn't work for me, because I'm not giving up my bread and potatos. This disease has taken a lot from me, but it ain't going to take my favorite foods!

You can have my pizza when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

That's the spirit! Makes me proud to be a KickASer.

Best regards,

jcwinnie

I don't know . . . I was expecting the serious guy to be holding a pizza!!

Your pics are so funny -- I love them!!!

Paula