Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Diagnose me

Hi Boz,

Morning stiffness lasting more than one hour that eases with movement, combined with lower back pain are both classic AS symptoms. B27- means nothing since you can have AS and be B27-, just makes it harder to pin down. As Dragonslayer said, there can be false negatives.

Do you have damage showing on x-ray? That might help. Blood indicators of inflammation are not necessarily accurate in AS patients, so that's also something to be aware of. Some of us do not get elevated blood markers, most especially ESR. My ESR has always been fairly low, regardless of how much disease activity is occurring.

Search ASAS Handbook here at the website because there are new diagnostic criteria that it's important your GP be aware of. You really should be seen by a rheumatologist to be certain.

Warm hugs,

Hello, boz:

IM(ntb)HO, YES YES YES!!! SIBO is a primary problem with AS. I believe elimination of this condition is the reason I have been able to return to a more normal diet--after YEARS of strict NSD and antibiotics (no antibiotics for previous 5 years now).

But just EATING STARCHES is not a fair test for the disease; it is really a statistical thing--long-term we are harmed by the increase in gut bacterial population. And food combinations and preparations are key: At one point, I was always certain to flare badly when eating onion rings, papad, fried rice, tempura--stuff fried, and of course fried flour products; other forms of starch did not seem to trigger the flares. One time, however, I ate a lot of bread and it triggered a MASSIVE flare (and at that time I attributed it to the condiments...).

It is the leaky gut, in addition to SIBO that exacerbates AS. I had severe GERD, also, but it cleared up immediately with NSD and because of antibiotics (I believe) has NEVER RETURNED.

Hope You can also have great success with the diets, but at some point I very much believe that most of us should get onto some antibiotic protocol.

HEALTH,
John

Hello, boz:

The Road Back Foundation has a list of antibiotic-friendly physicians willing to use these agents in AI diseases. We have to write to them directly for the information on local physicians.

I would not mess with fecal transplant; the best thing to do is wipe the slate clean and start over with live active cultures to implant: Yoghurts, Yakult, sauerkraut, etc.

Tanalbit, colloidal silver, raw garlic, and certain herbal teas can provide some antibiotic activity. I had no luck with GSE, but very good results from the enteric-coated oregano oil. Another thing to add it coconut oil in conjunction with the above.

Returning to health depends upon how long You have had AS and how strict You are willing to be with 1) the NSD 2) general supplementation, and 3) exercise regimen. You can do it, if You set Your mind and commit to doing what nobody else can do for You!

HEALTH,
John

Hello, boz:

Regret I have no experience with Your methods. Stomach HCl + pepsin is required for breakdown of animal tissue. Enzymes help to digest starches and fats. Sugars and alcohols are absorbed easily and do not become the 'residue' that feeds our nemesis germ.

The low stomach pH has the added benefit of killing germs; people on long-term PPI (to decrease acid) get pneumonia at about twice the average rate.

I am certain by now that AS cannot be effectively treated without dietary control of starches, and for people with this for over 10 years, I really encourage the judicious employment of antibiotics.

Yes, The Road Back Foundation has a world-wide directory of physicians, but I do not know specifically about Norway. And I am not familiar with that area of the world, but if one can purchase so many really bad drugs legally in Copenhagen, they could also have useful agents available. I would think a trip to Denmark could be worth the effort. I used to go to Mexico, just to purchase my own antibiotics and easily obtained in Philippines and India.

You are taking a lot of different (and hopefully not divergent) herbs and some are rather starchy without obvious anti-AS benefits. But all have some important properties and are certainly better than NSAIDs: Quercetin, slippery elm, and zinc for gut restoration, and ACV can help avoid the acid reflux. Oregano oil is good during a cleansing regimen, but I have never used it on a continual basis.

What is missing are the EFAs and especially GLA from borage seed oil, but EVOliveOil by teaspoonful is important throughout the day (5-6 times), and I cannot assume anything about Your diet, but that You might get good quality omega3 normally, also. It seems that You might be trying to maintain a "normal" diet and there is no drug, no herb, no exercise of body, mind, or spirit that can counteract our improper diets.

There may have been some vegetarians able just to heal their tracts and achieve starch tolerance, but I do not know that secret. But the secret that You know about AS is that our gut integrity is absolutely key--fix this and we greatly decrease disease activity.

I hope that whatever You are doing helps achieve the remission You deserve for Your efforts--and sooner than later!

HEALTH,
John