As the former Chief Administrator of the KickAs.org site for over six
years, I can tell you that there is a great part of the site dedicated
to those that have found success in managing their AS with the NSD.  In
my time as the Chief Admin, I was witness to a number of members that
regained liveliness while practicing the NSD diet.  Regrettably, it was
not successful for everyone but it did not deter me from recommending it
to those for which it might be beneficial.

For the folks not familiar with KickAs.org, it is a world wide
Ankylosing Spondylitis SUPPORT site that was founded by, funded by and
administered by those that suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis. The founder of KA was, and is, a staunch believer of the NSD
in the management of AS.  He has studied the works of, spoken with Dr.
Alan Enbringer and has found the NSD to be successful in his journey
with managing AS.  The site
offers support to all AS sufferers without discrimination for
individual treat plans.  KA offers a safe haven for its members to
discuss all aspects of life with AS, including treatment plans which
include holistic, dietary and medicinal methods, coping skills, life
experiences, as well as offering a support site for the loved ones of
those suffering from AS.

KickAs.org provides more information about the possibilities of
treatment plans than any other internet site that I have found since my
diagnosis in 2003. I would have NEVER been subjected to any other opinion
but that of my personal rheumatologist had it not been for KA.  

The fact of the matter is that KA is a SUPPORT site for the sufferers of
AS, not a propaganda site for any one AS treatment plan.  It is a place
where anyone can discuss their life with AS, which may include that
person's choice of treatment.  There are doctors, lawyers,
pharmaceutical companies and politicians that can argue the merits of
one treatment plan over another.  KickAS.org is safe haven for AS
sufferers to find support for their LIFE with AS by others that live
with AS.

I can tell anyone reading this post, as a professional Information Systems Specialist, there is no other internet site that offers what KickAS offers to those suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis.  The site offers a support haven for all Kickers, regardless of choice of treatment while providing information for the dietary, medicinal, pharmaceutical and personal aspects of living with AS that its users have found beneficial without medical, pharmaceutical or corporate sponsorship.

A person's journey with AS is an individual one.  One treatment plan does not work for all. No one AS sufferer should arrogantly impose their personal treatment plan on another.

I am glad to see there has been an apology, it was the diet as such, but the attitude that was insulting and aggressive. We should all be free to mention, discuss, suggest, but the leave it at that unless asked for further information, as we are all adults and able to make our own decisions.

So I got turned off of the kickas.org site.   After I'd heard about the NSD and wanted to talk to my rheumy about it, I posted a comment on kickas.org asking if there were any studies or research of any kind to back up the claims that it helped with inflammation.  I was pretty clear that I was looking for supportive data to bring to my rheumy, in case he balked at the diet for whatever reason.  

Immediately I got a nasty reply back saying if I was looking for reasons NOT to do the diet then why bother, and how dare I, and on and on about how wonderful the diet is.   It was bad enough that a few people sent me private messages apologizing for the zealot, and asking that I not give up on the whole site because of this one person.   I appreciated that, but the next time I wanted some AS info, I found myself going elsewhere.   Shrug.  If a site has zealots who are ready to slam anyone who questions the science of their beliefs. . . That starts sounding like a cult, to me.   Meh.

Thank you, Steve, for apologizing. We're all in this together. I hope you stay symptom free, and that we each find the combination of treatments that helps the most!

If I may;

There is an entire forum dedicated to the No Starch Diet (nsd) on www.kickas.org. If you are not a member there, I suggest you consider joining. Those who truly believe in the diet post there. Those who want to try it post there. There are even tips for meals & such.

I myself cannot do the NSD for many reasons. I chose to ignore posts, articles and such regarding it. But, many people believe in it and with a membership of over 8000 members, that may be a great place for you.

Steve, it was attitude that screwed you here. You'll probably laugh about this but I recommended that somebody should try the diet. Where you blew it was being adamant that it would work for everyone. It doesn't, but it will work for many at least as far as providing relief if not for preventing damage. And that person had bad times finding a medication that she could tolerate or that did anything for her. I said for her to try it and report back, that she was a good candidate. (I still tell them not to drop the nsaids, but guess what, Ebringer keeps the people on the diet on meds too.)

Steve, Thank you for posting this.  It's hard not to share something when you think it could possibly give someone the same good results.  It's important to remember, though, that some people have tried the diet in earnest and have not had the same results you've had.  I am one who believes that dietary management is important, but I have to be cautious when I suggest it.  It can be painful to hear for people who tried and only experienced very limited positive results.  Our friends are already in severe pain, and I wouldn't want to say anything that could give them emotional pain, too.  I am sincerely glad that you are finding relief, and I hope beyond all hopes that it continues along that pathway to wellness. :)  Amy

I???m sorry for upsetting so many of you and turning you away from the support that this site offers. I was way too over effusive in my earlier posts. My attempts at motivating people have turned them against me, because I did clearly sound like a salesperson, or a scammer as some have said! If you???ll allow me to explain... I believe in the NSD 100% and I've proven it to myself that it works time and time again and I just wanted to convey my enthusiasm for it and motivate as many of you as possible into giving it a shot... I am also quite arrogant when it comes to nutrition as it's a big part of my chosen vocation; a vocation I've only recently undertaken and one that has only been possible thanks to the no starch... I'm doing it again aren't I? Haha!... I know how bad it can be when gripped by a flare, I've been there numerous times and know exactly what it feels like, which is why I've been over the top in my attempts to get people to go NSD because it can really help. I understand if people have tried it and not had total success and I apologise for my comments. It was very arrogant of me to say that those people themselves were at fault for it not working. I found the transition hugely problematic myself and can only imagine how difficult it must be with a spouse and kids in the picture too...