Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Starting NSD

I find this website truely remarkable! I can not tell you how much I appreciate this website and the wealth of information here.

I commenced the NSD diet (or attempting) April 2nd. I was taken off my medication (Sulfasalazine 500mg twice daily) due to elevated liver enzyme levels and will be retested in two weeks (taken off med. after second test with elevated levels, I believe it must be the medication since I do not drink alcohol and watch my vitamin A and D intake which is also hard on the liver). I had been on the sulfasalazine (en) for approximately 6 years (I am now 33).

I am 5 days on the diet and I am relatively pain free. My right hip (which seems to be the largest problem area) has no pain what so ever. No pain/stiffness in the low back, but the middle of the back has some stiffness. This boggles me since I never had pain in the back while on the sulfasalazine. Why the stiffness in the back and not the hip when the hip always seemed the first to flare while on the meds? At times was difficult to even walk the right hip pain was so intense.

Couple questions from the posts I have been reading and gaining knowledge:
1) Where can I find the iodine that you use to test the food? Drug stores? Health food stores? This is new to me, but would like to do.
2) Any particular type of iodine to purchase?

I purchased the book that was recommended on this site, IBS Starch Free Diet and awaiting its arrival (purchased 3 weeks ago... got my confirmation of delivery last weekend). Guess it takes some time to get to Phoenix from England.

Last questions: I was fairly active with exercise while on the sulfa (swim 1/2 in lap pool, biking and circuit weights). Would like to continue with this exercise, have any of you been able to continue with your exercise regiment on this diet?

Thanks you all very kindly, I look to you as angels helping me along with the AS. Special thanks to whoever found the concord grape juice as a filler!!! I was on this diet for a month back in 1999 when I had to be taken off the meds (liver enzymes elevated from too much Vitamin A), I was always hungry. The concord grape juice seems to have taken care of this.

Thank you all again!!!

Tim

Sorry.... two more questions.

How do I get my picture with my posts so you can see my smiling face from all your excellent advice?

Also, how about licorice? It is my one weakness, but I have not had any since starting the diet. Reading the ingredients on the current brand I have: corn syrup and wheat flour.

Doubt the corn syrup is a culprit, but wheat flour sounds menacing.

Maybe I need to wait for the iodine : )

Thanks again,

Tim

So many questions and yet you can never ask too many questions (old saying from OzLion).

Firstly since Salazapyrine contains a form of Aspirin you might be getting some increased pain having come off it. You need to get another NSAID to replace this. See your doc. but there are heaps.

As for the iodine tester - I don't go this far with the NSD as some others do as many foods contain a small amount of starch such as many vegetables but I will let another AS kicker who uses the iodine to comment on what you can consider getting.

As for exercise - do as much as you can and you will need to eat plenty of fruit to keep up your carbohydrate levels (no banana though - too starchy)

Re. licorice - if it contains wheat flout - AVOID it. Try eating some sultanas or something and nuts (except peanuts) are OK

There are sacrifices but it depends on how bad you want to improve as to what you will cut out of your diet.

Good Luck

Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN

Hi Tim,
As you can see I don't know how to put a face in my posts either. That bums me about the licourice. I never read the ingrediants, but have always enjoyed it occasionally. I do drink licourice root tea about every day. It is delicious.

Exercise and activity have been much easier for me since NSD. The pain used to be a major deterant. (even with NSAIDs-- which are no longer needed) A typical workout will be a 1/2 mile swim, 5 mile bike ride, or 40 min. wieghts with stretches, push-ups, and crunches. I played a round of golf yesterday and was able to use the walking bag. This was great. I am little sore today, esp. my feet.

I eat alot of fruit, but no more than 4 or 5 servings a day. Dried fruit is convenient for a quick boost. High protien diet is the key to maintaining energy for me. The morning omlet is a staple. This is usually with some fried bok choy or greens or asparagas as well. I also eat fish almost every day.

I wish you good luck with the changes this life changing diet can bring. The key for me was having a plan. If not, starvation would surely have forced me back to the damaging NSAIDs and starchy diet.

Sincerly,
Ike

I'm with you on the morning omlette Ike. You kind of think something like that would take ages to prepare and cook but I have got it down to nearly 10 mins. Canned tuna in it as well is nice - especially the tuna with sweet chilli in it.

Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN

Have you seen the bagged tuna... nothing to drain!!! They're great and don't smell up my office like the juicy cans do!!!



Hugs!!!
Melinda

Ninna,

I like the bags too. turns a salad into a meal. No one gripes as with the sardines
ike

Thanks for the reply Ike,

I guess one good thing is that I like eggs.... have been having eggs each morning.

Curious what fried bok choy is. Not familiar with it and I would like to start experimenting with foods to replace those being dropped.

Tim

Thanks Ninna and Oz for the replies,

Have not heard of the bagged Tuna. Love tuna, always buy canned variety. Where would I find this?

Need to officially clear tuna from flare list. Had last week, but had the back stiffness yet from the pork sausages to cloud the issue.

Thanks again,

Tim

Yes, the bagged tuna is great! Just had it for dinner tonight. Should be able to find it along with the canned tuna.

-Meredith