Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group HELP - Different types of AS diets & Medication

I am new to this from Brisbane. Recently I have tested positive to HLA-B27 and have been in pain for 1.5 years in various areas of my body and the pain has increased in the past 5 months especially in the back. I have been seeing a dietician and trialing different types of foods and diet. This diet has not helped the pain except for my stomach pain and swelling. I have trialed no starch, GF and Rye, but still have pain in the back. I am waiting to see a reumatologist in November. My doctor gave me Celebrex 1 month supply which helped but still had some pain just not as severe. Can anyone help with the different type of diets and does it stop the pain with/without medication? What type of medications are there and are they long term? And can anyone recommend a cooking book?

Thank you.
Marls

Hi,

Here is a book for the No/low Starch Diet: The IBS Low-Starch Diet by Carol Sinclair. The No Starch Diet is very popular at this forum. I'm sure the expert NSD'ers could help you get the most out of this diet.

Examples of other types of diets can be:
gluten free,
grain free,
the 'Paleo Diet',
nightshade free,
the 'Mediterranean Diet',
A diet based on anti-inflammatory foods (for example see 'inflammation factor' shown at nutritiondata.com for Salmon http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/finfish-and-shellfish-products/4107/2 )

Or a combination of any of the above.

Here is a nice link for recipes http://healthyindulgences.blogspot.com/
"Adopting an all natural sugar- and gluten-free diet low in refined carbohydrates has transformed my health and relationship with food"

For me... I try to avoid the starches that do harm me, eat very little dairy, and I'm watching out for foods too high in total sugars, and or foods that are too over-processed.

Edit, there are also No Starch and Gluten Free recipes on this forum.

Take care,
James

WELCOME, Marls:

Quote:

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Can anyone help with the different type of diets and does it stop the pain with/without medication? What type of medications are there and are they long term? And can anyone recommend a cooking book?

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The ONLY type of diet specifically for AS is the LSD/NSD or Jackie Le Tissier's food combining techniques.

Carol Sinclair's most recent book is called "The New IBS Low Starch Diet" and it should be available widely in GB. She was interviewed quite some time ago on Australia Overnights.

The diet is nothing immediate; it takes some time to 'learn' it and then more time to allow it to work. Short of a long-term commitment, it will seem useless, but it can be used to treat AS alone and in my own opinion is the best treatment capable reducing all sequelae and avoiding skeletal damage.

Fasting is the most immediate reward I have found, with results in as few as five days and it is an especially good way to begin the strict starch exclusion required.

Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin-EN) that is enteric-coated is a good DMARD, if tolerated (sulfa drug) and was used by Ebringer, et al at the Middlesex AS Clinic with good results. This drug has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of iritis episodes. It is almost certainly the antibiotic activity of the sulfa portion that reduces AS symptoms.

Glad You have joined and I hope that You will find relief here,
John

Hi John

Thank you so much for your information. It has been good to find this website, as I have not been given too much information, I have had to research this alot myself.

Thanks
Marls

Hi James

Thank you so much for your information. And thank you for supplying some links for me, this has all been a big help.

Thanks
Marls

Hi Marls and welcome

Good on you for doing the research and trying out different options! I don't have much advice to give. I've just started the NSD (again) but can't really assess yet.

You could consider anti-TNF (Remicade or Enbrel?). Some people do get good results from that to supress inflammation.

Hey and it's good to see more Aussies joining too! I'm in Canberra.

Lin

Hey Marls...
Welcome to KA... I haven't gone down the diet nsd diet road (( yet! )) so i can't help you on that one except that ALOT of the KA posse are doing it and achieving results. I've been through the whole tnf biologic PBS thing this year so if you have any questions about that i could probably help. I guess it sounds like you have found out pretty early which is good, have you gotten xrays yet? Nsaids sort of settle some of the pain/stiffness but i've needed pain meds too. I don't like taking any of the stuff either.. but have had alot more control over everything and more ability to excersise and stretch which is essential... i dunno i'm a newb to all this too , but the gang on here is great and i'm sure it'll be an invaluable resource for ya.. Good luck with the rheumy and keep us posted.
Another Aussue
Rob

Hiya Marls,

Welcome to the best AS resource *anywhere*! If you want medical info, advice, support, a safe place to whinge, a laugh - whatever - you will find it here!

6,000 members worldwide can't be wrong...

Louise (an ex-Brissie girl)

Oh... here are some of the stretches i've been doing daily.. they were mostly impossible at first but after a couple of weeks really easy... http://64.143.176.9/library/healthguide/en-us/support/topic.asp?hwid=zm2500
Rob

Hi John,
Is Carol Sinclairs latest book much different from her first LSD for IBS book. I found the latter to be too 'loose' for my liking - I can't tolerate any nuts hence almond flour is no good. She talks of bacon - again no good. Any Alcohol - no good. I feel that some like me need to remove all sugars as well - even the sugars in raisins and sultanas are a big problem for me. I'm experimenting now by removing fruits such as pineapple and melons - anything sweet - just leaves me green leafy lettuces etc.
Cheers David P