Autoimmune Paleo Protocol - any experiences

[Lapwingslore]

Have had Thyroid issues for numerous years and several years ago was diagnosed with Sjorgrens Syndrome. For the last few months I have been experiencing a very uncomfortable Sjorgrens flare and know from earlier discussions with my Rheumatologist that I am on course for drug treatment.

i really, really want to avoid drugs if I can. My body always seems to overreact and I have a litany of negative drug reactions on my medical files.

With that in mind I gave up Gluten, Dairy and Sugar three months ago to see if that would calm my symptoms. At first it did, but now things are deteriorating again and so I have been trying the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol to see if that will improve the situation.

I am really struggling. The protocol is so restrictive and I am really missing coffee, nuts, oats, potatoes etc.

I wonder if anyone else has tried the diet and had success with it? Or am I just making my life more miserable for nothing? Are any of you on it at the moment and able to recommend blogs, websites, books that could help me navigate the next few months.

Would really appreciate any advice !!

I tried it for a considerable length of time. It was, as you say, very restrictive and anti-social.

There was never anything to eat in restaurants, hotels, social gatherings or other people's homes.

It didn't really seem to produce results so I gave it up as I felt quite 'left out'. But I was glad I tried it.

@IStandWithMaya I think the ‘no results’ is my main worry.

i am now on Day 5 and if anything feel much worse. I am certainly climbing the walls because of my coffee cravings and that is despite the fact that I only ever drank decaffeinated.

i also hate what it is doing to my digestive system which is totally bunged up.

Would you mind me asking, do you have Autoimmune issues and did you do anything else to try and manage them apart from drugs ?

I do a light version of a similar diet. It’s an anti inflammatory diet. The actual diet is very restricted, no refined food at all and involves checking the packaging of everything. I’ve tried to incorporate parts where I can - so more fruit, veg, pro and pre biotic food and limiting sugar and too many carbs. I have an autoimmune disease and although I do take medication as well it’s been pretty stable. How much is due to the diet and how much is luck I don’t know. I did look at the diet I think you’re referring to and like you say it was so restrictive. I think whatever you do needs to be sustainable. I find exercise also helps, but my issue is mainly inflammation

I would eat (or not eat) anything to avoid flare-ups.

I'm already on Day 272 of the restrictive low FODMAP, trying to reintroduce foods without a lot of luck, although I absolutely cannot tolerate onions and garlic any more! I eat a small box of raisins a day to improve gut transit.

If I were to try this AIP diet, I think I'd aim for 5 days as a 'cleanse' (and trial!) and keep it simple. Life's difficult enough without faffing about roasting my own coconut flakes.

Breakfast: peppermint tea, raisins, tea
Lunch: avocado and tuna, pickles and olives, vinaigrette dressing
Dinner: chicken or pork chop with baked sweet potato, plus broccoli, cauliflower and carrots
Snacks: strawberries, red grapes, olives, beetroot, gherkins, coconut kefir
Drinks: peppermint tea, tea, Bovril

My family already know I have to eat restrictively so they just let me crack on with it.

I don't understand why all alcohol is banned on AIP though, even wine. 😞

Hi , Are you still doing it? My understanding of AIP is that its a cleanse rather than a lifestyle way of eating. I did it a couple of years ago but I didn’t document it properly so gradually reintroduced food without paying attention properly.
I have Lupus and Hashimotos and have had an extended 2year energy crash . I’ve decided to do the AIP again as of last Wednesday. So I’m four days in , feeling very deprived of my homemade gluten free bread in the freezer, oat milk, eggs and porridge. I also hate eating so much meat but if I just eat the veg I’m ravenous and miserable all the time.
so my plan is to do it for one month, keep a diary every day, and keep track properly when I reintroduce grains, eggs and pulses, nuts and seeds.
How is it going for you?

I meant to quote you in my above post but quoted the wrong poster!

I really would take the drugs I have sjorgrens as well the drugs help. Cutting out gluten reduced my joint pain I think but will try and eat it again to check whether it’s just coincidence. The problem with a condition that involves flares it’s really difficult to pinpoint why the flare occurs - stress, food, random? I believe there is very little evidence that any of these extreme diets work. I do think that auto immune diseases need drug treatment as without you are more likely to have more severe symptoms and increase the likelihood of other autoimmune diseases developing. Exercise and losing weight is is likely to be much more anti inflammatory than these extreme diets