Hey Corey, yes maybe your gut is not in good shape. I dunno, but you know your body best so I'm sure in time you'll get it sorted.
Most people try and avoid super processed sugars like maltodextrin etc as they become a bit weird after processing and are hard to digest. Normal white sugar is not usually a problem for most.
It's a hard one with the meds. They are necessary for many just so they can function. I know Jon didn't go cold turkey on his NSAIDS when starting the NSD. So you have the right idea to keep taking what you need to be able to function and over the coming months as you improve on the diet you may be able to slowly reduce them. It may be necessary to take a long term approach with this - it may take a few months or maybe a year.
All the best
