Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group First Positive Test

Hey guys,
I put up a post a good while back looking for a second opinion on whether I have AS or not. My x-ray came back normal, blood tests are normal and all that, rheumatoid factor was normal. Got my HLA-B27 results back today and i'm positive. I know that doesn't mean that I have AS but as far as i'm concerned I do. So i'm hoping I can get a bit of advice..

I'm going to be waiting a while for anything to happen, i'm on a waiting list to meet a rheumatologist and then have to get an mri scheduled from there cos my GP can't do it apparently, has to be done from the hospital. I can't take anti-inflammatory's any more cos I had an intestinal bleed I think and just in general anything I've been prescribed, bar gaviscon has done more harm than good. Arcoxia were fine but as I said can't take em anymore. I've been taking Valdrian, valerian root extract for helping sleep and stress which I find pretty good and Arnica gel to rub on to get rid of inflammation, which is also pretty good. Does anybody have any other herbal suggestions that would help with inflammation and getting some sleep? Even with these i'm still finding trouble drifting off or staying asleep. Any suggestions would be appreciated, cheers!

Hi, Ark:



If You have the antigen along with chronic symptoms, together that really does indicate AS, regardless of whether or not You have viewable damage at this time. In the early stages, X-rays and mris are not very useful, but I would not wait for permanent skeletal damage to treat myself!

Getting out of inflammation, and staying that way is the best way to get some rest! The drugs only help You ignore the damage as it is progressing, like disconnecting the engine warning light in Your car. Eventually, the problems will become more severe. For every rheumatologist prescribing these medications, there is an orthopedic surgeon ready to fix that damage.

[Lecture over]

Borage seed oil (or any GLA-rich oils)--around 2g effective GLA just before retiring; many capsules of borage seed oil. Ginger tea and EVOliveOil by the teaspoonful throughout the day. End a flare by consuming up to 6oz fresh wheatgrass juice on an empty stomach; about 3 days in a row then stop.

Supplement with gut-healing nutrients. Study LGS (Leaky Gut Syndrome) and do things to eliminate this.

HEALTH,
John

I just read recently that ginger is meant to be a good natural antiinflammatory, and I know they are doing some studies right now with curcumin (found in tumeric, which is a common curry ingredient) for RA. Both those things might be useful to try a bit more of in your diet. I often find I gravitate to spicy and gingery foods when I am feeling bad, and funnily enough they don't aggravate my gut.

Hope your rheumatologist looks at the whole picture (symptoms plus HLA B27) and that the MRI when you do get it shows enough to get you a working diagnosis so you can get on with dealing with the disease. Good luck.

i drink a lot of ginger herbal tea and peppermint herbal tea (i don't have reflux so can do the mint) each day. they are great for my GI inflammation. don't know how much they help the joint inflammation?

not herbs, but finding supplements just might be helping a bit:

fish oil, probiotics, vitamin C, magnesium

and staying away from my food allergens (casein mostly, egg some) to be important as well

careful with the curcumin though, for some people, it causes severe gastrointestinal pain, increase the dose slowly. Proteolytic enzymes beyween meals is also amazing at decreasing inflammation.

young living essential oils make sa roll on called deep relief that i roll on my sore muscles/ joints at night, works amazing and the essential oils help with relaxation and sleep too.

Turmeric, fish oil, ginger and pepperminnt tea and vitamin c I have and I use(not so much the ginger, bit sharp but i will), the rest I'll have to start accumulating. Turmeric's supposed to be an alzeimer's aid too when consumed with fish, or anything with a high vitamin d content as far as I know. Pretty amazing stuff.

There's a free allergy testing this saturday near me so i'm going getting tested to see what i'm allergic to. I have eczema and I know i'm allergic to dust mites but i'm sure there's quite a few other things that irritate me as well.

I'm also looking to quit smoking as i'm pretty sure that can't be helping either so if ye've any pointers on that too it'd be much appreciated. Anybody ever hear of a salt pipe? It was mentioned to me recently that it's good for healing the lungs and getting over addictions.