Six months ago my daughter (then 16) was hospitalized with a massive blood clot extending from her stomach to the ankle of her left leg. At the same time she developed a sudden allergy to NSAIDS. After many doctors and many tests, she was diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis, specifically enteropathic arthritis with associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As she matures, the IBD could become Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Currently the arthritis inflammation is mostly in her spine, chest and ribs while the IBD is localized to her small intestines (only cramps and pain). She also suffers from vein damage in her left leg and tendentious in her right leg (a symptom). To add to the lovely list of ailments, most recently she was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. All of this is pretty overwhelming and seems very unbelievable. She sees four different specialists with four different drug treatments. Her drug treatment for the arthritis seems to finally be working (injection Methotrexate) and controlled exercise is helping with the Fibromyalgia. However she is still greatly suffering from the IBD. Her current treatment is 3X daily Belladonna phenobarb. Doesn’t seem to work. She also has developed allergies to nuts and dairy (which she never had until now). I am interested in learning what similar stories other have and what they found has worked them. It feels like the doctors just guess at treatment and we are trying one thing after another only to get limited results. I need my daughter to get her life back by controlling this rather than it controlling her. Any suggestions for alternative medicine is also appreciated.

I've had A.S. for 20 yrs. and have tried many different meds. what has worked the best is Remicade infusions. I also have IBS what has helped with both is LSD (Low Starch Diet) There is a book "The IBS Low Starch Diet" by Carol Sinclair if I remember correctly that explains it. You use iodine to test foods for starch (don't eat it after testing) it's real easy! That would fit in with the nuts and milk, although some nuts are ok. Not peanuts, cashews, or walnut skins. Almonds are ok. Good luck!

I've had Crohn's and AS and PG for over 30 years, I've been on so many immune supressants I can't count them. Nothing worked except prednisone which I didn't want to stay on for long. When my doctor insisted last year that i begin with Humira I searched and prayed for an alternative method. I found the SCD and I havn't had a symptom since!! No pain, no diarreah, no bleeding, no anemia, nothing. It's the specific carbohydrate diet, the book is Breaking the vicious cycle, you can find it on amazon and read all the amazing testimonies. It's a diet that eliminates all poly saccarides and disaccarides. No pasta, milk, sugar, rice, potatoes, but plenty of healthy fruits, veggies, meat, fish, 24 hour yogert and honey. I only wish I had started it years ago instead of listening to my doctors who said diet didn't matter Diet is everything. Please google this diet, it's awesome. I couldn't believe the quick results I found with it. I've got my life back!!!!