Yesterday I completed a 24 hour fast (from dinner Friday eve to dinner Saturday eve). I think I feel better than I have at any time since I started the diet. Small evidence of pain still exists when I bend certain ways; mostly when arching my back, the pain is on my right lower back just above my SI joint. Also, some temporary stiffness when I get up after sitting for an extended time, but it stretches out quickly. And the mild stiffness after sitting has been pretty standard for some time now. I feel I do need to remind any future readers of my journal, my AS symptoms were not severe when I started my NSD diet. I think the 24 hour fast made a difference, but it is so hard to be sure as I am experimenting with diet, fasting, and exercise all at the same time.
LAST NIGHTS SLEEP AND PAIN JOURNAL
Remarkably little pain this morning. I did do one thing different - I slept on my back all night, and I almost always sleep on my side. But this morning I definitely had less morning low back pain - undeniable.
Another note:
I am going to see a rheumatologist the end of next month. I selected him because his bio on his practice web site states he is open to alternative medicine, but he is very much a western medicine MD. I want to establish a relationship if I should ever get into a flare I could not manage in the future, and have some notes to establish a base line of where I am now. Also, I want to hear what the current medical thinking is on AS and put it in my pot of ideas to determine if/how it might apply to me. The thing I do not want to do is be prescribed drugs or biologics at this point in my life and process. However, I think that is highly unlikely based on my strong bias against unneeded pharmaceuticals, and my mild AS symptoms.
