*Starch-Free Success Stories* Guest Blog: Sean Codling
Sean is a 55-year-old father of 3 who resides in Kent, UK. Sean’s story is one of those that inspired me when I started my journey 3 years ago – he’s been no-starch and no-pain for over 22 years! I love that he was a patient of the Dr. Alan Ebringer who did significant scientific research into the link between AS and starch consumption. Like myself, Sean has achieved such success on a starch-free diet that he’s also wanting to shout it from the rooftops. His story provides much hope to others walking this journey of AS!
Sean’s post is part of the “Starch-Free Success Stories” series.
Initial Symptoms
My name is Sean Codling. I was 20 years old when I initially started suffering from AS symptoms. Symptoms started in my low back and progressed to my hands, feet, knees, hip, and neck. By the time I was 21-years-old pain and stiffness affected all of my joints.
I remember periods of time when my pain was particularly bad. I’d suddenly feel absolutely dreadful and washed-out, then 24-48 hours later it was like my joints were exploding. Sometimes it was my back that was worse, sometimes it was my hip, and sometimes it was my feet. The inflammation seemed to move around my body.
I also suffered from extremely painful spells of uveitis (a condition that causes the eye’s middle layer to become inflamed). Uveitis can cause eye redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light, and is linked to AS and other forms of arthritis. For me, the pain of uveitis was often worse than my joint pain.
All these painful but yet undiagnosed symptoms caused me to not be able to enjoy activities that I used to love: cycling, and playing squash and football. In fact, even getting out of bed was a struggle. My back would be so stiff in the morning that I’d have to roll out of bed. While I managed to go to work in London, (as a graphic designer at the time), I did so in my slippers as my feet were too tender to wear regular shoes. I also had to take a taxi to and from the train stations as I was not capable of walking even those short distances.
Seeking Answers
I saw many doctors and rheumatologists, but none could pinpoint the cause of my pain. I was told I had gout, fibromyalgia, and psoriatic arthritis, but none of these diagnoses were certain. While the medical professionals couldn’t agree on a diagnosis, they did agree on two things. First, they all recommended powerful anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of my symptoms. Second, my prognosis was poor: there was no cure for whatever disease I was suffering from and my symptoms were expected to get much worse. One doctor told me I’d be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30-years-old. I refused to accept these answers.
I looked into the side effects of the recommended drugs and decided to decline the prescriptions. Instead, I became focused on finding the root cause of my symptoms. I didn’t believe I was just unlucky. There had to be a reason why I was ill, and I was determined to find it and fight it every step of the way.
Alternative Approach
Having always had an interest in alternative medicine, I started researching drug-free ways to tackle my symptoms. I found a long list of holistic therapies, some of which offered me short-term relief. Reflexology, for example, was wonderful. The practitioner would manipulate my feet, and it really helped me sleep at night. Unfortunately, nothing provided me with a permanent solution.
Eventually, I came across Dr. Mansfield, an allergy specialist and founding member of the British Society for Allergy and Environmental Medicine, who had written a book about the connection between allergy and arthritis called Arthritis: Allergy, Nutrition and the Environment (Thorson, 1995). Dr. Mansfield, who treated thousands of arthritis patients, believed that most forms of arthritis are environmentally induced either by foods or environmental chemicals.
After reading his book and feeling like I related to a lot of things in it I decided to visit Dr. Mansfield’s clinic in Surrey. I saw him through my 20’s and followed his elimination and anti-fungal treatments. I saw much improvement in several of my long-term symptoms: my fatigue, abdominal bloating, and dry skin all resolved. Unfortunately, my uveitis and joint pain remained. I got to a stage where I had gone as far as I could in terms of the allergy approach. Fortunately, Dr. Mansfield knew of a man who could help me more. He told me to get in touch with Professor Alan Ebringer, who was a professor at King’s College London at the time. I tracked him down and made an appointment to see him at his London clinic.
Turning Point
A few weeks later I found myself sitting in Professor Ebringer’s office. He asked me lots of questions about my symptoms and had me take a lot of tests, including a test for the HLA-B27 gene, which came back positive. This is when I finally got an official diagnosis for my condition: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). It was such a relief to get a cast-iron diagnosis after nearly 12 years.
Dr. Ebringer told me his theory on the cause of the condition, which he backed up with scientific evidence, and also his solution. He told me that 98 per cent of patients with AS were carriers of the HLA-B27 gene, while only about 8 per cent of the UK general population had the gene. If you have this gene, an overgrowth of the common gut bacteria Klebsiella can trigger an autoimmune response – when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. It’s this reaction that causes the symptoms of AS. Profession Ebringer explained that Klebsiella thrive on starch and suggested that if I removed starch from my diet the bacteria will reduce and so would my symptoms. It seemed so simple but it made sense to me and I was willing to give it a try.
Going Low-Starch
Immediately, I switched to a low-starch diet. I cut bread, potatoes, white rice, pasta, and cakes from my diet and replaced them with green vegetables, meat, fish, and sources of good fats such as avocados, nuts, and coconut oil. I made sure I ate fresh, organic produce when possible, and avoided processed foods. I was strict in sticking to this diet, and after 3-4 months I noticed significant improvements in my symptoms. At first, I slowly started getting my life back. Then, after 9 months on the diet, all of my symptoms, including joint pain, stiffness, difficulty getting out of bed, and uveitis all completely disappeared. It was an incredible feeling.
My New Life
I’ve followed the low-starch diet for over 22 years. People always ask me how I stick to the diet but it’s actually really easy for me. I know what to look for on menus. If I have roast dinner, I just skip the potatoes and get extra vegetables instead. And I’ll have the occasional treat, but I’ll have dark chocolate – 70-80 per cent cacao- rather than cakes or biscuits. It’s not that restrictive.
I’ve had none of the symptoms I suffered for over a decade even though I take no medication and have not had surgery. I’m fitter and more flexible than most of my friends. I play racketball 2/3 times a week, I go skiing and mountain bike riding. I also do daily yoga and have trained in Wing Chun kung fu. People can’t believe where I’m at now.
Occasionally, when I slip from the diet, I experience slight stiffness in my back. I see it as a reminder of what I am trying to achieve. I can’t afford for the bacteria to build up again. Additionally, I take probiotics and I have regular colonics to keep the bad bacteria under control.
I owe my life to Professor Ebringer. I don’t know where I’d be without him. Probably in a wheelchair.
Sean Codling’s website for AS sufferers: www.stopas.co.uk
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