Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Exercise /Diet changes leading to flares? what???

As I am starting to put two and two together I am seeing that my last two flares were preceded by times of me trying to get it together with me taking care of myself again.

My last two biggest flares were preceded by me making changes in my diet and exercising and both times I had done so well for the same period of time...3 weeks!!! THEN BAM!!!! Both times got hit with flares that lasted an entire month. At the moment I have been trying to take it slower and the other day only walked for 10 minutes and was really dragging my tail trying to do it. I felt like it was so much work and by the time I got home my upper back was straining and hurting as was one of my shoulders. My left hip felt tight. I felt I could spasm. What can I do to overcome this so I can get to going? I guess I need to take the diet changes slow too but where to start??? I am happy to be in this mind frame...one of working towards the solution and not sitting in the problem.

What diet changes did you try? The only diet that seems to have any basis for AS is the low starch/no starch diet, but you do need to be careful that balance your diet well to get the right nutrients and keep it as varied as you can. As far as exercise goes, I know when I am flaring I can't exercise as I just end up with major enthesitis. I do however always (and I mean everday) do stretches - putting every joint in my body through as wide a range of movement as I can without stressing it. Some days that isn't much, and other days its a lot. I think gentle stretching is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Also, if loadbearing exercise is too hard on your back and feet, then try the swimming pool - not hard swimming, but again, gentle stretching and walking in the pool. I find a recumbent exercise bike is quite good too - the kind that has a proper chair type seat, and your legs stretched out in front of you.

If your back feels like it is about to spasm, then that is like mine goes when I have active inflammation and the only thing that helps is antiinflammatory meds. I guess you are still waiting for treatment if you are still waiting for a diagnosis. Are you able to take NSAIDs?

Hi cemc,

Actually the diet changes I tend to make are to eliminate everything but the basic foods, meat, non starchy veggies, some fruits, eggs...but think it's too much for my body to handle for some reason and need to ease into it.
I was considering buying a recumbent bike.
The GP I just saw for new symptoms while waiting to get in to see two other docs put me on Meloxicam and said I could just take tylenol along with that and nothing else. It has taken the edge off the pain in my achilles tendon but the strain is still there in my upper back for some reason. Odd to me. So if my back feels it could go into spasm that means I have active inflammation?
Blood work done showed NO inflammation. Again, odd.

I have has AS for a long time. Was chatting to the rheumatologist that looks after me a week or so ago. She said that foe me, blood-work indicates nothing about my condition, the tests are inappropriate and that the BASDAI form is pointless for someone like me.

Have you done a BASDAI?

Haven't heard of the BASDAI. I haven't seen a rheumy yet but have my referral and have my appt. (4/27/16) Interesting ineptwill. The neurologist I saw the one time and talked on the phone another...told me I can't possibly have AS if negative for the HLAB27 but on here and other places on the internet it disagrees. I am praying the Rheumy I am being sent to knows more about it. Starting to feel like a bulldozer....puuuushing the docs around.

It is the acronym for:

Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index

Bath is a place in England. The Circle Hospital there specialises in AS. They developed the BASDAI which is widely used here, in fact our government types use its results to prescribe or un-prescribe medicines like Enbrel which I was on but they stopped it based on my BASDAI..........Ask Mig, she is big chums with one of the top AS lady doctors there, she is an expert, also a bit potty

Thanks for the explanation ineptwill!