About 3 years ago had first blow out flare. General aching back pain on and of since then. Today, blow out flare #2. B27+ , etc. diagnosed from rheumy AS + . In the States, and have tomorrow off of work. Thank God. Ate some fried foods last night. Very hot, spicey chicken wings, etc. What is best way to get out of this flare???? . Fasting, Sauna, Epsom Bath. Any help, much appreciated. Thank you

Hi, mystery:

Enema. Then 5-day water-only fast. You will never regret doing the fast.

Good Luck, now KickAS!
John

Whenver I try a 5 day water only fast, I get terrible headaches within 24 hours and have to pull out as it gets more and more instense. Then it takes another 12-24 hours to recover from it even after eating. I tended to think it was flushing everything out including nutrients.

So if you carry on with the water only fast past the headaches do they go away?

Many years ago I tried a 7 day fast (long before I was diagnosed with AS or had any symptoms) out of curiosity but I used watered down orange juice. I still got headaches, but not as bad and they eventually disappeared.

Regards
Darren

i imagine that it may depend. i have blood sugar issues. have not been able to handle fasting. even just liquids for a day (in prep for a colonoscopy) is always hard for me. i think for people who's blood sugar is better regulated, they may not have the same problems. that plus my gastritis make fasting an issue for me.

Fasting is the absolute best way to get over a flare in my opinion. And like everything else it gets easier to handle the more often you do it. Starting out by jumping headlong into a 5-day water fast may be a challenge. I've no doubt it would help your flare, but you need to be cautious until you learn how your body handles fasting.

Starting my Fast today. Should I take any probiotics or anything else to detox or balance my system? Thanks for all your responses. God Bless

Just water, I think.

Sue - Prep for colonoscopy. Does not have to be plain water. Permitted is : tea, no milk; clear liquids, but nothing in the red/orange spectrum (as can discolour intestines); clear bone broth. IF need the sweet angle, then most likely clear liquid honey, but better run thatta one past the gastro - could put in ginger infusion strained tea? Apple juice, filtered/no sediment. Does not have to be a day of just water - not unless one prefers. (For myself, prefer to stick to plain water.)

Hi, mystery:



No. Nothing. Sometimes doing a fruit/dried-fruit and juices only day before the fast is good, but for such a short fast it is not too important. The probiotics will not help as we will lose the flora during the fast anyway. Better save it until after the fast to re-implant the beneficial bugs.

I used to get a headache after 12 hours lasting about 24 hours...but it goes away after that, as do hunger pangs. Blood glucose stabilizes by day 3 and my bp is rock solid after day 5. Water. It is cheap and easy and very effective. My friend Dr. Garten used to say that if fasting were a pill it would be thee most-prescribed one on the planet.

Benefits of fasting are manifold and something anyone, having AS or any form of arthritis, will never regret.

HEALTH,
John

thanks molly,

oh, i know. that was my point. even a clear liquid diet is a challenge for me. chicken broth has been my savior. that and jello. yes, no red stuff.

Thank you everyone for your help. Especially the words of wise knowledge gained from experience. Again, thank you.

Through day 2 of Fast. Haven't eaten since noon on Sunday. Yes, the benefits of fasting, I already find amazing. I am still hungry, but my pain is subsiding dramatically and hopefully will continue to get better. Trying to get to 5 days. Will keep you updated. Thanks again. God Bless

Well done - only three days to go now. Great that you are kicking the A$$ out of AS - bonne courage et bonne continuation

I stumbled and ate...pain returned this morning. first 3-4 hours...horrible. I had to get some energy and eat. Had large cup of coffee this morning, tons of water, and then at dinner, I ate a salad and 2 meatballs. Not sure where to go from here, but that food just tasted better than it ever had before. Any suggestions, I appreciate your help. God Bless

Don't despair. Take a breather then go start over. I can't eat salads, at all. That lettuce gives me appalling gastritis - crawling, stinging gut pains, horrible.

Chin up - Courage -