Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; No/Low Starch Diet Success Stories

Hello, tyler26:

Regret You have not had lasting results through diet alone. The fasting certainly proves the food connection.

I like sulfasalazine, and when doing strict NSD it might work much faster than otherwise. The therapeutic dosage is >=3.5g and takes a couple of months to work up to but You may notice good changes on the maintenance dosage of ~2g/day. Make certain this drug is enteric-coated (Azulfidine-EN in USA and Salazopyrin-EC in UK I believe).

If butazoladin has worked for You in the past without stomach issues, I believe this would be the fastest relief for You, but it is a setback for gut-healing.

My preferred recommendation is to contact Road Back Foundation as I surely mentioned before but if antibiotics (other than the SSZ) are not a viable option I would suggest trying the SSZ first.

Yes, steroids work very fast but the long-term negative effects are just not worth the temporary relief. They are as gut-safe as the SSZ but I just cannot recommend their employment unless very special circumstances (vacation with Swedish models or the like).

HEALTH,
John

Hello, jay:

I have used NOW brand with great results. It is just too difficult to sort out which ones actually have trace alkaloids; for relief, it has never been a concern for me as I used the borage seed oil for breakthrough relief and that was rarely required. I have also used Jarrow brand with good results, and trust their products. Carlson also provides quality products but they have mixed oils. Regret top of the group Schiff does not manufacture this, either.

HEALTH,
John

Hi John,
thanks for your prompt reply. I shall check for the brands sugested by you.

Jay

A quote we can agree on.
I think this Forum and I will be all the better for my not posting regarding diet again. But I do honestly wish you all the very best with it.

Hi John,
I could get Borage oil from NOW and completed taking 6 capsules (really big) for four days (before retiring). I am observing for the results. I am yet to find any difference. I also took wheatgrass juice last five days in empty stomach (not a fresh but from powder). How long I should wait or should I continue borage oil for another few days.
I am planning to take kefir milk and also try okra. I have to find the availability of kefir and need to know the kefir milk preparation. What is the protocol to try any new item for it’s tolerance and to decide on continuing it. How long it will take to show reaction.
Kindly advice.

Jay

Hello, Jay:

I am more disappointed than You because You followed my advice but still did not achieve the results I have so often relied upon. We are all different, but I have to say that borage has been a godsend for so many of us! Although I like fresh wheatgrass juice and have never relied upon dehydrated product, I would believe it could have SOME value! The borage seed oil always helped within a day and same with fresh wheatgrass juice. I suggest keep it going a few more days, just because I (and so many others) have had such great results.

I just don't know, Jay--Perhaps four days should have some results, up to a week for fair trial. The thing is having a clean slate for testing; I used to fast six days to be sure I was out of inflammation before testing something major.

It takes between 3 and 20 hours, typically, to have a reaction after eating something provocative. But can take between 4-5 days for the flare to subside; it is no wonder people have trouble connecting diet with symptoms.

No set protocol because we are each so different and just have to gamble a bit sometimes.

HEALTH,
John

A quote from John that is well worth repeating.

Hi John,

I am going to extend Borage oil for another three days. I could not get fresh wheatgrass juice, hence I went for powder.

This deliberating disease really makes one to toil to get the relief. I really admire those who are successful in managing this thro diet. I can understand the amount of effort put in by you to work out a successful plan yourself by trial and method, especially in the absence of support or medical guidance. It would have been really a struggle and hilarious task. Hats off for those successful persons.

Having been on diet for more than 7 months, I will try my level best to find a solution for a relief?. The problem we are facing is that many of the supplements are not available in local market. The receiving cost of Borage oil at my door step is almost thrice the product cost. If the gut cleaning is to be addressed, then probably I can give an attempt with addition of any probiotics such as kefir. Whether L Glutamine, Apple cider vinegar will be useful at this point of time. Any words?

I need to get some energy, since I am constrained from taking meat / chicken / fish due to iron levels. Whether Avocado is a safe NSD addition for energy?.
I am sorry to bother you.

Regards.

Jay

Hello John,

Much thanks for your reply. Don't know how I missed this.
I agree with you on the diet connection as it helped me be in a remission like state for more than a year. Just that something is amiss this time around. Maybe contracted some infection like tropical sprue or giardiasis as you mentioned before which is messing up both my intestines and AS. Wish there was something like Road Back Foundation here to guide me through with antibiotics.
I'll keep in mind your advice and recommendation regarding enteric coated SSZ.

Regards,
Saurabh

Namaste, Saurabh:

There is a FB AS-India group and Gautam Dandekar might be very helpful because he knows what is available there. He is in Mumbai and has become expert in NSD since it got him back from near-fully crippled.

Hang in there and maybe I will visit India later this year to scare You straight!

HEALTH,
John