*Starch-Free Success Stories* Guest Blog: Stacy Dennis
I’m drawn to Stacy’s story because we have a scary amount of things in common. I would love to chat with her over a cuppa tea at a coffee shop. In addition to chatting about our faith, twins, and homeschooling, we would also chat about our diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Stacy started managing her AS with diet and lifestyle modifications relatively recently, but I love that she’s seeing enough improvement to continue pressing on. This is the story of someone who is living it right now – the ups and downs of the journey (but as time passes, more ups than downs, thankfully).
Stacy’s post is part of the “Starch-Free Success Stories” series.
Seeking Relief from Initial Symptoms
Growing up, I was always playing one sport or another. That continued into high school, and then I went to college and continued to play soccer. During all this, I didn’t have any huge, debilitating issues that stuck out to me. I occasionally visited the chiropractor for some neck and back pain, but I attributed it to heavy backpacks or my job that required me to sit at a computer for long periods. At 22, I was getting back into a running routine and noticed pain in my right lower back, radiating down my leg to about mid-thigh (SI pain). I asked an athletic trainer I had previously worked with about it; she checked me out and noticed a subtle leg length difference and recommended I use a heel lift in the shorter leg. Once I did, I was able to run without pain and assumed the issue was resolved.
As the months passed, the pain returned and my runs became less and less frequent. It finally got to the point where I wasn’t running at all, and other types of workouts would cause even more pain than running. I became very frustrated and finally visited an orthopedic doctor; he took x-rays, told me my back was broken, and recommended surgery. I immediately took the scans for a second opinion.
They again reverted to the leg length difference and said my hips were out of alignment, putting pressure on my SI joint. With a little physical therapy, I should be fine. I liked that idea better and started PT immediately at age 25.
I continued PT for about a year before getting pregnant with twins, at which point I stopped, not taking any chances. Around this time, my neck became a bigger issue (more tightness and frequent headaches), and I started going to the chiropractor for both issues—neck pain and continued back support.
Trying to Live with Pain
I spent the next seven years being a wife and mother, trying to ignore the back and neck pain that would not let up. I took a lot of Ibuprofen, often the only thing that would alleviate the pain. I tried running every summer, but it was always a struggle. I was frustrated—I had decided that this pain level and inability to work out was just my ‘baseline.’ No doctor was able to give me any real answers or solutions, so I stopped asking. I thought maybe everyone felt like this and could handle it better than me.
Fast forward another year, age 33, and a friend had been encouraging me to join Orange Theory (a class-based workout facility) for several months. I finally decided I would give it a try, despite all my previous efforts to work out failing miserably. This one would too, at first.
Within three weeks, I was in significant pain. Because of the way Orange Theory is structured, I had already paid for an entire month and was committed to paying for the next month, taking two classes a week. I would work out, leave in pain, spend 3-4 days recovering, and then go back for my next class, just to leave in pain and repeat the process.
Diagnosis and Initial Treatment
Finally, the pain became so intense I couldn’t drive my car without shooting leg pain every time I hit the gas or brake. It became evident I would need to quit working out (again) or see another doctor. Thankfully, I’m stubborn. I asked a friend with connections to a sports medicine facility for physical therapist (PT) recommendations. She recommended only one PT. I made my appointment and went in with little optimism. She listened to my lengthy history, then told me about her autoimmune diagnosis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS). She told me, ‘If you were my little sister, I’d tell you to go to a rheumatologist. I think you have it too.’
It was a six-month wait. During that time, I did google search after google search and realized very quickly this was the answer to the question I didn’t even know to ask. I had no idea all the back, leg, and neck pain could be connected. I started making even more connections, realizing my poor sleep (which I never related to any of my symptoms) was because I was in pain and couldn’t sleep through it. I spent so much energy trying to ignore the pain, it took me a long time to see all the areas of my life it had affected.
Six months and several appointments and blood tests later, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. It was roughly eleven years from when the initial pain started. My rheumatologist recommended I start Humira immediately. Without any other known options, I said yes, and we started the process.
It was a LONG and frustrating process (this alone could be enough to entice people to try the diet rather than deal with insurance), but two months later, I had my first dose in hand. After two doses (about 2-3 weeks) I saw improvement—less back and neck pain and better sleep; I also saw paper after paper sharing the MANY potentially life-threatening side effects of the drug.
Attempting Alternative Treatment Options
While I am in awe at what doctors and scientists have been able to come up with to help, and often heal, people, at 33 years old with three young kids, these weren’t risks I was willing to take. I stopped after the second dose. During the waiting period with insurance, I had heard about a Facebook group ‘The Low/No Starch Lifestyle for Ankylosing Spondylitis.’ From that group, I heard about the Keystone Approach book, which led me further down the rabbit hole of holistic healing for AS.
After deciding to stop Humira, I researched as much as possible for a couple of weeks. I spent the weekend of my 34th birthday eating all my favorite foods I knew I would need to say ‘good-bye’ to, and then fully committed to a starch-free diet.
I’ve been following the starch-free diet for only eleven months—this is such a short period, and I know I have so much more to learn. In another eleven months’ time, I’ll likely have made changes to what I’m doing now. But, that’s the beauty of this lifestyle: any ‘mistakes’ I’m making now, if I listen to my body and make adjustments, lead to more life.
My Experience with a Starch-Free Diet
For me, a starch-free diet resulted in an almost immediate decrease in pain. I started the diet in the elimination phase eating only a handful of foods (chicken, broccoli, bone broth, and EVOO) for every meal. This part of the process felt like forever. I felt some relief from my back and neck pain within a couple of weeks and decided to add a few more starch-free foods to give even a small amount of variety.
After a week or so of that without issue, I gave myself access to all completely starch-free foods, except for other known inflammatory foods (eggs, nightshades, dairy, and refined sugar), until each could be introduced one at a time. By this point, my pain was day to day, at a 0.
I wasn’t living for nap time and bedtime—I became so much more productive. Since then, it’s been trial and error with foods–some setbacks but many victories.
Unfortunately, there is no magic food list that will work for everyone. Sometimes, I wish there was! Everybody is different, and how we fuel our bodies will be different too. I am just now getting past the ‘plain meat and veggie’ meal and progressing to actual recipes—I now see more value and need to meal prep.
Managing a Lifestyle Change
I have taken many recipes from this site, www.starchfreefeasting.com. I am so thankful Janneke took the leap to start this website, I have found it to be a wonderful resource. I have also had some luck searching Paleo recipes online—no diet (Keto, Paleo, Whole30, GAPS, etc) will match up perfectly, but some recipes will, or maybe require only small tweaks. I have found a couple of bars (That’s It! Bars from Costco and a Pure and Simple bar from Aldi) that I can keep in my bag for those times I’m out of my house without easy access to ‘safe’ foods.
All of this becomes easier and easier as you grow more comfortable with the foods you can eat versus the foods you can’t; and you’ll find your easy, go-to meal—mine is burgers (no bun) in the air fryer.
During all of these diet changes, I was still working out twice a week at Orange Theory (and an occasional mid-week run)—now PAIN-FREE. Two months into the diet, I ran a 10K, which I hadn’t been physically able to do for ten years. Eight months into the diet, I ran my first half-marathon! It was more tangible proof that this diet has changed my life.
How Did I Do It?
These are the reasons why I have been successful and able to stick with the starch-free lifestyle (even when it’s hard, frustrating, or exhausting):
First, the Lord has guided me throughout my life, but it has been so evident during this particular part of my journey. It became very clear very early on that He had worked out all these little details to add up to this one life-changing diagnosis, for my good and His glory. And it is truly for my good, even though I have AS and have had to radically change my diet (and life!), I feel SO much better. I didn’t know how bad I felt until the pain subsided. I wasn’t going to keep looking for answers and the Lord graciously gave them to me anyway, and then provided a way for me to mitigate the symptoms. I am immeasurably thankful for all the people He used to help me get to this point.
Second, my support system is amazing. My husband didn’t hesitate even for a minute to join me in the diet. He has learned almost as much as I have; he is constantly keeping his eyes open for new foods or restaurants that might be able to prepare a ‘safe’ meal for me (99% of my meals are now made at our house, and I think my new love language is any meal I don’t have to prepare myself). He makes me breakfast nearly every morning (sausage or bacon, for now) so that I eat a substantial breakfast and don’t feel like snacking all day. Even my kids will play ‘restaurant’ and announce they’re bringing me a plate of food that’s starch free. I have friends who have found a few easy foods that I can safely eat and, without fail, will offer those things at get-togethers they host so that I can eat too. If you are part of someone’s support system, you are making a HUGE difference to them!
Third, it works. If I was still in pain, I would not have continued down this road. But, the amazing thing is, IT DOES WORK. That makes all the extra work and sacrifices worth it. I’m thankful to (hopefully) avoid any long-term damage, but feeling good in the here and now is so life-giving.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to try it. I know it’s daunting to think about such a drastic and permanent change; specifically starting with an elimination diet –It’s hard. It’s not super fun. You might be in a bad mood (ask me how I know). But that elimination phase does end. And if, when it ends, you’re pain-free, it’s worth every bite of plain chicken.
And now? I make chocolate chip cookies, often.
Disclaimer: Starch-Free Feasting may discuss topics related to diet and nutrition. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Consult a physician or medical professional before making changes to your diet and medication. You assume the risk of any potential injury that may result.
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