Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; OK....I'm going to do it

So I have finally decided that I'm going to give this a shot. I know I can do it but I'm a little overwhelmed at what I should eat or how to start. I have read several posts and wrote down everything that was ok to eat and I think that will be a good start.
I have to tell you I was anorexic in my younger years and still really don't eat that much. So I think the willpower aspect won't be a problem.
One question I have is that I never really found that I 'flared' from eating starches. The pain I had seemed to usually stay about the same. So when I stop eating starches, does it mean I will 'flare' if I cheat? I know everyone is different but I'm not sure I understand this. I'm starting to think that maybe I am in one big flare all the time.
I am hoping from this diet I will have a huge reduction in my pain level. My knees are so sore everyday I can hardly stand it. Of course my back and hips aren't much better either.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Sherri

Hi Sherri,

Yes, you will probably flare once you come off starches and then cheat.

So glad you have decided to give this a go. Remember, most don't experience miracle results within the first couple of weeks. For most it is a steady improvement over a period of months. So give it time.

Ask heaps of questions and we will help as much as we can. Also getting Carol Sinclair's book is helpful for newbies.

Good Luck
Chelsea

Hi Sherri,

I think its great you're going to try the NSD! I just had to reply because I used to have some anorexa too. However I really feel that this was the cause of it! I got really scared of what to eat so then I wouldn't eat, and magically I would feel better! I was really amazed that now I am actually excited to eat and can eat more then I ever did just because I finally don't hurt so bad! I really do think it is possible to be in a constant flare because you're probably eating some starch everyday.

It's very very frusterating when I do eat something that is not on the diet because I will get pain for days! I guess that is very motivating to stay on it though.

good luck!

Hi Sherri,

First off, don't worry about the complexity of the diet. The basics of the diet, i.e no pure starches like bread are really simple. It only gets complex when you start trying to find out if their is 0.2% starch in a certain brand of sun dried tomatoes, and that kind of thing comes with time and a bottle of iodine for starch testing.

My personal experience is that going onto and then off from the LSD did cause me to 'flare'. I think that over the years I had built up a certain tolerance to starch, and then I eliminated it, and my body breathed a great sigh of relief. Then I re-introduced it and was in a lot of pain. However if this happens to you this is big message that giving up starch is right for you, and you are on the right track with the N/LSD.

Speaking for myself, this diet has given me back my life. I have only been on this diet for nine months, and I am far from full remission, but difference is fantastic. Personally I found the Carol Sinclair book to be invaluable. Both as a guide book and recipe book.

Good luck Sheri, you might see results quicker than you think! But if you don't, then keep going - it can take some time for some people.

All the best, Bruce.

Hi Sherri - glad you decided to give it a try. It took a bit of thinking before I decided to give it a try as well, but I was able to see it was working with results very quickly, within a week. And I will definetly flare when I eat starch now, it happens, usually accidentially, but fewer and fewer accidents now, after 7 months I've learned a lot.

You'll be eating a lot of meat and vegetables, so you may want to start increasing heathly fats so you can avoid digestive problems/constipation. Coconut oil is a really good one, organic unrefined. I just eat it by the spoonful, up to 6 Tablespoons everyday.

Here is a link to my story, it has all the best links I have come across since being diagnosed about a year ago, which you might find useful.

http://myankylosingspondylitis.blogspot.com/

Let us know how it goes day by day, were here to help.

Hey Sherri. I'm new at this too.
You might find its scary.frustrating/depressing at times but I'm confident as my body adapts to the new way of eating, things will get better.
Also the people on this site are invaluable. They are truly a blessing to us newbies.
So good luck, God bless and I look forward to seeing how things go.
I, myself, have been on the diet for about 2 months now (off and on), and I feel that I am starting to get the hang of it!
Once again hope all goes well!
Lets kick some AS!!

Hi Sherri. Good to hear that you are 'going for it' regarding the NSD!

I first went NSD about 7 months or so ago, and I felt a difference within a week. However, it is apparently not usual to have such good success right away! but I hope you will as well.

Like you I didn't think that the starch I was eating was making me feel any different, but I started the diet anyway. My biggest motivation for going NSD was that my rheumy wanted me to go on Remicade and I could not afford it not in a million years. So I jumped in to the NSD full speed ahead, and am I ever glad I did!

I think the biggest thing to overcome [for me anyway] was having food readily available that I could eat when I was hungry. And also at first to only deal with a few food items at a time while I got the hang of not eating starch. I had grapes, broccoli, eggs, and chicken and I went from there. Over time you will acquire lots of yummy recipes and loads of things to eat to choose from!

Good luck, and remember ask any questions you have even if you think they are 'stupid' 'cause they aren't!

Cheers,
Rita

James, 12, Adrian, 10, Elisabeth, 3, my babies!

Thanks Chelsea,
I actually don't plan on cheating. I am very stubborn so I will definately stick with it.

Sherri

Hi,
Thanks for you input. I absolutely was eating starch everyday. Noodles happen to be one of my favorite foods....but no more. Salad and raw veggies are my other favorite food so I don't think I will have a problem.

Sherri

Thanks Bruce,
If I ever ended up pain free I don't think I would ever intentionally cheat. I could not tell you when I was ever pain free. I am so excited I am giving this a shot. I will definately get the Carol Sinclair book. Thanks again

Sherri