KnowNothingJon, I'm so sorry you're suffering. I hate that we can't enjoy such simple things, and that the slightest enjoyment does this to us. I know this too well unfortunately. I do hope it passes quickly or relatively quickly.

I thought I'd throw in my view here. Diet is not only important but essential, and not just for SFN, or PN in general, but for all chronic conditions, and even for healthy people. I've seen great results by changing my diet and so have two other people (one with SFN, one with PN) I've met in person in my own city. They asked me what I had done to have so much energy, to stop the progress or slow it down, and so on and so forth. You see, they have seen the state I was in during the summer. Anyway, I told them and they decided to fully follow my diet. Two months later and they already feel drastically different.

The thing is I think everyone is different, sure, that goes without saying: we all have allergies, different capacities with respect to metabolizing different things, etc. But that doesn't mean there isn't a science behind nutrition based on the basic biochemistry of human beings. Simply put, the science is behind a paleo diet, and in fact behind a ketogenic paleo style diet for those with autoimmune issues and generalized inflation. There are reasons why it works so effectively. This is coming from someone who was a vegetarian for 5 years at one point. I may not be able to justify my diet ethically for example, but health wise it's dead on. Carbohydrates, natural sugars, including fructose in fruit, not to mention processed carbs and sugars all damage the body and increase inflammation. The same goes for certain carbs or the proteins in them that behave like grains or glutinous grains: quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat. Egg proteins are also difficult. Dairy is a no zone, for a number of reasons, including the amount of lactose sugar. Finally, meat and fat are essential for health and reducing inflammation. Grass fed, antibiotic and hormone free meat is essential. Animals that roam are best, including and especially game meat. I avoid pork due to ease of contamination, though wild boar would be just fine health wise. Seafood, especially cold water fish like sardine, mackerel, anchovies are absolutely essential given their higher omega 3 content. Coconut fat is wonderful, so it tallow, and even avocado. Seed oils and especially grain or veggie oils are poor sources of fat. Olive is great though, and nuts and seeds is very small amount could be okay. Bone broth is a miracle worker and so nutritious and helpful for reducing inflammation. And if it wasn’t already obvious, veggies should b consumed in massive amounts. I usually avoid high starchy veggies, one reason why pulses are also not permitted on the diet, and beets.

Anyway, given all the pain and general discomfort we go through, I think it’s worth trying anything that may work. Though this seemed counterintuitive to me: eating lots of fat, including saturated, meat, etc. as a healthy choice, it works. Of course, you must have health kidneys for the increased protein intake, though if you don’t, you can focus more on the ketogenic part, reducing the animal protein and increasing the fat. I also get regular blood tests. So far so good; in fact, my lipids and all else is in very good shape, and I’ve been on the diet for 6 months. I’ve also lost 50 lbs. The only downside is that I find it difficult to gain weight, though if you eat lots of calories, say 3-5k, you’ll keep on the weight. If you eat only 2-3k, then you’ll start losing weight very quickly.

Of course, this is very restrictive, so much so that I had to cook my own meal when I had Christmas dinner with my wife’s extended family. They had some amazing and delicious food, so it hit me hard. I couldn’t even have the fish and turkey since they were marinated in alcohol and sugary sauces. And the dessert looked heavenly to my very sweet tooth.

Anyway, there’s lots of research on diets like this, so you can just Google it. The Paleomom’s autoimmune protocol gets close to what I have, but she allows some things that I don’t and vice versa. If I can answer any questions, I’m happy to help. In the end, you have to make the decision that best fits with your life, but I will say that there is indeed a science behind diet, and this diet works. I can’t imagine what state I’d be in, if I hadn’t done this, and I get a glimpse when I break it even slightly (never anything like gluten or alcohol, since mine might have been partially, if not entirely, alcohol or celiac induced) every few months, whether accidentally or because I’m only human and can’t help myself.

I really hope this helps, and a great day to you all.