*Starch-Free Success Stories* Guest Blog: Anne-Marie Raymond

Anne-Marie Raymond’s (center) journey with ankylosing spondylitis started decades ago. She finally received a formal diagnosis in 2013. Today, 9 years later, her health is better than she could have hoped for in those early days of diagnosis. She lives a productive and active life, with the pain of AS now in the background rather than at the forefront of her life.

Anne-Marie’s post is part of the “Starch-Free Success Stories” series. 

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When were you diagnosed with AS? 

I was diagnosed a few weeks after turning 40 (I’m now 49) but I’d been having symptoms on and off since my late 20’s. Being given that label was confronting but also validating, as so many doctors had dismissed my back pain throughout that time and left me doubting myself. 

What has been your approach to healing?

I’ve kept an open mind from very early on and have tried to remain optimistic that AS wouldn’t ruin my life. When medication and movement alone didn’t give me the results I wanted, I decided to seek out other strategies for reducing pain and keeping progression at bay. I’ve made as many helpful discoveries as I have mistakes over time and I’ve definitely learned a lot, that trial and error has been part of the process for me. 

Dietary change has been a huge contributor to my healing and this was where I focussed primarily in the early days. Since healing my gut and figuring out a way of eating that best supports my health I’ve come to realize that managing stress, moving my body for strength, fitness, and flexibility, sleeping well, finding joy and staying hydrated are all just as important as what I eat. 

These days my approach to healing relies on balance and personalization. I use the tools that work for me and assess them on their own merits, regardless of whether they belong in the world of conventional medicine or alternative/complementary therapies. And I keep reassessing over time to see what needs tweaking and how I can best support my general health and well-being for better outcomes with AS. 

What led you to first try a healing diet approach? 

Several months after being diagnosed I realized the NSAIDs were creating as many problems as they solved by totally messing up my digestion. I went to visit a pharmacist who was also a naturopath and he opened my eyes to the importance of gut health and nutrition in managing my condition. As someone who was already passionate about cooking (it was my favorite hobby and also my job at the time), it felt like I was in familiar territory to look to food for answers. I began a paleo-style diet the very next day and later came across the idea of removing starches, both of which brought me a lot of symptomatic relief and led to other dietary strategies such as GAPS which was a big game-changer for me.  

What was your lowest point? 

I definitely felt most discouraged just prior to my diagnosis. I was in a severe flare that just wouldn’t subside and it felt like life as I knew it was over. I would shuffle around the house at night trying to stifle my crying so as not to wake my family. My husband was so concerned and desperately wanted to help but neither of us knew what to do. I can remember a point where I couldn’t find any position that wasn’t excruciating; walking, lying, sitting, or standing was all terrible. I felt bad about how it was impacting my children’s lives and hated feeling so helpless. I went back to my doctor and he saw my desperation which I think fuelled his search to figure out what was wrong; I’ll always be thankful to him for really seeing me at that time and figuring out my diagnosis.  

Which healing diet protocols have you used?

I’ve tried a few different dietary protocols including various versions of a paleo/ancestral diet, AIP,  the Low Starch Diet for AS, and GAPS. Once again, I’ve learned a lot and made mistakes along the way but have ultimately experienced a great deal of healing from changing my diet. 

These days I have repaired my gut so much that I have been able to reintroduce many of the nourishing foods that once flared up my symptoms. This includes starches, FODMAP foods, nightshades, and most dairy. It was only once I put the hard work into healing my gut and taking a holistic approach to my overall well-being (not just focussing on food alone) that I began to see the impact of AS really disappearing. 

A note on fasting; this is another tool that works really well for me. I generally eat two meals a day within a fairly small window of time. I also do a three-day fast a couple of times a year and regularly do a 24-hour fast. (Please check with your doctor before giving fasting a go as it’s not for everyone and needs to be done safely).

Which foods do you avoid? 

Foods I refuse to put in my body are gluten, canola oil, and corn syrup. I also avoid chemical additives of any kind, cow’s milk, trans fats, white sugar, soy, and processed foods. I don’t eat legumes unless they’re sprouted or fermented and also don’t do well with grain-fed meat. 

Which foods do you rely on to thrive? 

I’m conscious at the moment of trying to increase the variety of vegetables we eat and making them the basis of every meal. I also make and consume my own fermented vegetables (kraut and kimchi) and short-cooked meat stocks (broths) for gut health. I include foods that are high in nutrient density such as good quality grass-fed meat (though not in huge quantities), eggs from our own chickens, goat dairy, homemade ghee and pate, and herbs and spices (which are really nature’s pharmacy and full of amazing healing properties!). My diet is not always perfect but I find meal planning and incorporating these basic strategies help keep me on track and healthy. Doing the right thing the majority of the time allows me to eat out, travel, and share food with friends which brings me a great deal of joy. 

What brings you joy? 

Connection with friends and family is a key part of my well-being that I underestimated for many years. I love celebrating special occasions, laughing, cooking, time in nature, and raising my two precious daughters with my husband. 

Words of wisdom: 

There is no one-size-fits-all with AS and each of us is still a unique individual within this broader diagnosis. What works for others may or may not work for you so it’s important to customize your approach and stay optimistic through trial and error. 

It is certainly not our fault we ended up with an autoimmune disease. How we deal with it is a very personal choice but research clearly shows those who take an active role in the self-management of chronic illness have significantly better outcomes than those who don’t.

What do you eat when you are HUNGRY (or HANGRY!) and need something quick? 

My favorite go-to, which takes just a couple of minutes, is a two-egg flat omelet which I might fill with leftover roast vegetables or meat, avocado, grated carrot, spinach, goat’s cheese, or whatever else I have on hand. I have a spoonful of kraut on the side and it makes for a delicious and filling meal. 

I also love a sliced apple with homemade almond butter for a quick and satisfying snack. 

Something unique most people don’t know about you.

I’m Australian but most of my childhood was spent living with my parents in Papua New Guinea. My father managed the country’s first flour mill and it was a fascinating, magical place to grow up, filled with beautiful people. I really hope to take my own family there one day and revisit those happy childhood memories! 

Where I’m at with AS today:

It’s now been over 12 months since I’ve had a flare so I feel empowered to keep going with the combination of strategies that work for me (of which diet is still an important part). I’ve had virtually no bone change since my diagnosis and, although research doesn’t yet give us all the answers about what causes progression, it feels like what I’m doing is helping.