[The Fluffy Assassin]

This started out as a gigantic email multisend to everyone I know; if I accidentally forget to clean up some of the more obscure personal references, I apologize in advance.

Four months ago, I made a lot of dramatic changes in my diet: gave up soy, dairy, and fruit and fruit juices, replacing the latter with filtered tap water. From this date I started having an array of weird symptoms. Air burps all the time that I couldn't remember doing before, an array of diabetes symptoms (great thirst, making water like Niagara, unexplained weight loss), pins and needles in the hands and feet, and feeling GREAT for two days at a time and then feeling awful for two days at a time. Being a rocket scientist and everything, I kept changing my diet again and again. Every time, when I felt GREAT, I'd ascribe it to whatever change I'd just made, and when I felt bad, I'd make another dopy change.

(The fruit and fruit juices are where the "thinking like an American doctor" part comes in. I was getting the runs every time I ate fruit or drank fruit juice. Rather than wonder what would cause this, I just treated the symptom, like an American doctor would (though s/he would have given me a pill) and cut out fruit and fruit juices, also posting foolish stuff here about being a fructose malabsorber. If I'd worked harder at the time to figure out why, I might have saved myself an emergency room trip, a lot of money and a goodly number of grey hairs.)

By September, the bad days were getting really bad. Really, really bad. Leave a note on my computer for whoever found my body before going to bed bad. I was increasingly convinced that I had diabetes, but had my dad (a doctor and a diabetic) test my fasting blood sugar and it was fine. I went to the emergency room in the middle of the night because I really was convinced that if I went to sleep I wouldn't wake up. Mercifully, it was the quietest wee hours Friday night that any downtown emergency room has ever seen, so they were willing to see me and test me. As I said, they found my thyroid stimulating hormone was high, meaning that I was hypothyroid. The very nice young doctor suggested a clinic I could go to and recommended I do so within the week.

A week turned out to be the soonest that I could get an appointment, so I set to work. I cut out all the goitrogens in my diet (which were many: broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnips, peanut butter, millet), restarted my multi-vitamins which I'd just stopped (they have 100% of the RDA for iodine) and started salting my food. By the time of my appointment, I felt vastly better. My TSH levels came back normal and they declared me cured and sent me along on my way.

Unfortunately, most of my weird symptoms continued, including the uncontrollable weight loss. So I thought back. I thought back to quitting fruit juice in July and substituting tap water. And doing all my cooking, including vast quantities of potatoes, rice and steamed vegetables, all with tap water. Through all the dietary changes, my symptoms had stayed the same and the only other thing that stayed constant was my high tap water use. Crazy people on the Internet (hereinafter CPOTI, present company most definitely excepted) indicated that many people who, like me, have Asperger's are highly sensitive to fluoride. So a month ago, I started buying reverse-osmosis purified water by the gallon, and quit using tap water for anything but washing. And saw a miracle cure. All my weird symptoms went away (except for the pins and needles, which still come and go, but they've certainly become much milder).

I have done other things to get the thyroid going, notably eating much, much more seafood. And I might note that a lot of my lifelong or near lifelong symptoms fit in with fluoride sensitivity, fluoride poisoning or skeletal fluorosis. The spectacular indolence, that other word that starts with 'I' but is usually abbreviated E.D. these days (see? I can be discreet), stiff neck and stiff back making it impossible for me to sit up more than a half hour at a time--all these fit in, and all seem to be getting better already. Puberty at 47 is an interesting experience; second puberty kicks butt all over second childhood anyway. (Well, sort of discreet.)

Current problems are a laugh by comparison to two months ago. Astonishing quantities of earwax and a touch of, uh, let's just say diaper rash. CPOTI suggest that both are associated with candidiasis, which medical science doesn't recognize as something that causes any problems. As the CPOTI have been good to me and as their prescription is cheap and delicious (eat yogurt), I'm inclined to cut them some slack. In general, I'm more inclined to listen to anybody, even the CPOTI, if their suggestions are cheap and easy, preferably delicious, and can't possibly hurt.

What do I bring all this up? A lot of us (me included) post that, "Whatever I eat, I'm still getting sick." (In my case, there are eleven exclamation marks after that sentence, but the rest of you are much cooler.) And what I want to suggest is that if this applies to you, that you think about what you drink, and what you cook with. Because in avoiding gluten, we tend to cook at home much much more than the average person does, and we tend to eat a lot of rice, potatoes and gluten-free pasta. I sense that I'm not the only one here cooking all this stuff using tap water. If you're in the US or Canada, your tap water is probably fluoridated. (Exceptions, if I recall correctly, are San Diego, Santa Cruz and Long Beach.) Though the CPOTI suggest that fluoridated water is the cause of all the world's ills, or at least thyroid problems, I'm perfectly happy with the idea that it's safe for drinking. However, even the sites in favor of fluoridation note that it's safe at the appropriate concentrations. Which suggests that cooking it down, say to make rice, might lead to one getting much more than the appropriate concentrations. (Others including the not particularly CPOTI Natural Resources Defense Council suggest that the greater danger is from fluoride toothpaste. I don't particularly have an opinion on this (though I did throw out mine in favor of Tom's of Maine to be on the safe side), but pass it along as it's certainly possible).

Regardless, you might want to try using purified water for drinking and cooking if you've ever felt low-energy, if you've ever had trouble losing weight, if you've ever had back or neck stiffness (ok, that's everybody, but still). Reverse osmosis filters for home use are said to run $200-300 and also apparently increase your water bill pretty markedly. (Activated charcoal filters are useless at removing fluoride.) So getting the bottled version (labeled Purified Water everywhere I've looked) at $1/gallon might be a better alternative. I get mine from Target because it tastes the best, but you can find it practically anywhere.

Also also, pets have thyroids, too, and a lower tolerance for fluoride, being smaller than us. Giving Amelia the cat, the fluffy assassin herself, purified water has practically rekittenized her. She flies around, she plays with shoelaces, she demands that I throw her her ball. So if you don't get the water for yourself, at least consider getting it for your pet or pets. They will thank you. Granted, they will thank you by keeping you up half the night, but it's a joyous kind of sleeplessness, isn't it?

[jerseyangel]

Interesting--I'm glad you figured it out

I too, had a problem with--of all things--water. In my case, it was the filtered water that was making me stay sick. (I suspect coconut hulls, which are used in most water filters, since I'm intolerant to coconut) I use unfiltered tap water for cooking, but only drink spring water--including using it to make tea. When I made the switch, the change was dramatic.

[Jestgar]

Out of curiosity, did you contact your local water district to get a report of the fluoride (and other chemicals) in your water?

[OliveBranch]

Should one only suspect fluoride problems if one's thyroid is also shown to be not working well, or can it also wreak havoc and leave the thyroid okay? I have pretty major fatigue and neck pain still, but my thyroid has always been normal when checked (many, many times).

The Fluffy Assassin, on Nov 12 2009, 07:08 PM, said:

This started out as a gigantic email multisend to everyone I know; if I accidentally forget to clean up some of the more obscure personal references, I apologize in advance.

Four months ago, I made a lot of dramatic changes in my diet: gave up soy, dairy, and fruit and fruit juices, replacing the latter with filtered tap water. From this date I started having an array of weird symptoms. Air burps all the time that I couldn't remember doing before, an array of diabetes symptoms (great thirst, making water like Niagara, unexplained weight loss), pins and needles in the hands and feet, and feeling GREAT for two days at a time and then feeling awful for two days at a time. Being a rocket scientist and everything, I kept changing my diet again and again. Every time, when I felt GREAT, I'd ascribe it to whatever change I'd just made, and when I felt bad, I'd make another dopy change.

(The fruit and fruit juices are where the "thinking like an American doctor" part comes in. I was getting the runs every time I ate fruit or drank fruit juice. Rather than wonder what would cause this, I just treated the symptom, like an American doctor would (though s/he would have given me a pill) and cut out fruit and fruit juices, also posting foolish stuff here about being a fructose malabsorber. If I'd worked harder at the time to figure out why, I might have saved myself an emergency room trip, a lot of money and a goodly number of grey hairs.)

By September, the bad days were getting really bad. Really, really bad. Leave a note on my computer for whoever found my body before going to bed bad. I was increasingly convinced that I had diabetes, but had my dad (a doctor and a diabetic) test my fasting blood sugar and it was fine. I went to the emergency room in the middle of the night because I really was convinced that if I went to sleep I wouldn't wake up. Mercifully, it was the quietest wee hours Friday night that any downtown emergency room has ever seen, so they were willing to see me and test me. As I said, they found my thyroid stimulating hormone was high, meaning that I was hypothyroid. The very nice young doctor suggested a clinic I could go to and recommended I do so within the week.

A week turned out to be the soonest that I could get an appointment, so I set to work. I cut out all the goitrogens in my diet (which were many: broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnips, peanut butter, millet), restarted my multi-vitamins which I'd just stopped (they have 100% of the RDA for iodine) and started salting my food. By the time of my appointment, I felt vastly better. My TSH levels came back normal and they declared me cured and sent me along on my way.

Unfortunately, most of my weird symptoms continued, including the uncontrollable weight loss. So I thought back. I thought back to quitting fruit juice in July and substituting tap water. And doing all my cooking, including vast quantities of potatoes, rice and steamed vegetables, all with tap water. Through all the dietary changes, my symptoms had stayed the same and the only other thing that stayed constant was my high tap water use. Crazy people on the Internet (hereinafter CPOTI, present company most definitely excepted) indicated that many people who, like me, have Asperger's are highly sensitive to fluoride. So a month ago, I started buying reverse-osmosis purified water by the gallon, and quit using tap water for anything but washing. And saw a miracle cure. All my weird symptoms went away (except for the pins and needles, which still come and go, but they've certainly become much milder).

I have done other things to get the thyroid going, notably eating much, much more seafood. And I might note that a lot of my lifelong or near lifelong symptoms fit in with fluoride sensitivity, fluoride poisoning or skeletal fluorosis. The spectacular indolence, that other word that starts with 'I' but is usually abbreviated E.D. these days (see? I can be discreet), stiff neck and stiff back making it impossible for me to sit up more than a half hour at a time--all these fit in, and all seem to be getting better already. Puberty at 47 is an interesting experience; second puberty kicks butt all over second childhood anyway. (Well, sort of discreet.)

Current problems are a laugh by comparison to two months ago. Astonishing quantities of earwax and a touch of, uh, let's just say diaper rash. CPOTI suggest that both are associated with candidiasis, which medical science doesn't recognize as something that causes any problems. As the CPOTI have been good to me and as their prescription is cheap and delicious (eat yogurt), I'm inclined to cut them some slack. In general, I'm more inclined to listen to anybody, even the CPOTI, if their suggestions are cheap and easy, preferably delicious, and can't possibly hurt.

What do I bring all this up? A lot of us (me included) post that, "Whatever I eat, I'm still getting sick." (In my case, there are eleven exclamation marks after that sentence, but the rest of you are much cooler.) And what I want to suggest is that if this applies to you, that you think about what you drink, and what you cook with. Because in avoiding gluten, we tend to cook at home much much more than the average person does, and we tend to eat a lot of rice, potatoes and gluten-free pasta. I sense that I'm not the only one here cooking all this stuff using tap water. If you're in the US or Canada, your tap water is probably fluoridated. (Exceptions, if I recall correctly, are San Diego, Santa Cruz and Long Beach.) Though the CPOTI suggest that fluoridated water is the cause of all the world's ills, or at least thyroid problems, I'm perfectly happy with the idea that it's safe for drinking. However, even the sites in favor of fluoridation note that it's safe at the appropriate concentrations. Which suggests that cooking it down, say to make rice, might lead to one getting much more than the appropriate concentrations. (Others including the not particularly CPOTI Natural Resources Defense Council suggest that the greater danger is from fluoride toothpaste. I don't particularly have an opinion on this (though I did throw out mine in favor of Tom's of Maine to be on the safe side), but pass it along as it's certainly possible).

Regardless, you might want to try using purified water for drinking and cooking if you've ever felt low-energy, if you've ever had trouble losing weight, if you've ever had back or neck stiffness (ok, that's everybody, but still). Reverse osmosis filters for home use are said to run $200-300 and also apparently increase your water bill pretty markedly. (Activated charcoal filters are useless at removing fluoride.) So getting the bottled version (labeled Purified Water everywhere I've looked) at $1/gallon might be a better alternative. I get mine from Target because it tastes the best, but you can find it practically anywhere.

Also also, pets have thyroids, too, and a lower tolerance for fluoride, being smaller than us. Giving Amelia the cat, the fluffy assassin herself, purified water has practically rekittenized her. She flies around, she plays with shoelaces, she demands that I throw her her ball. So if you don't get the water for yourself, at least consider getting it for your pet or pets. They will thank you. Granted, they will thank you by keeping you up half the night, but it's a joyous kind of sleeplessness, isn't it?

[Ahorsesoul]

The Fluffy Assassin, Excellent information. I've been thinking of a water system for the last year. We use to live where we had our own well but now have moved to city water. I can smell the chemicals in the water. tfs

[The Fluffy Assassin]

I'm no expert-- not a doctor, nutritionist, dietitian or chemist. But I note that my thyroid as measured by the standard TSH test was normal when I was still pretty sick. Is that what you've had tested, or have you had the actual thyroid hormones (T2, T3, T4 as I recall) tested? Very few doctors test these; I've found one locally, but haven't gone to see her yet. If the pins and needles don't go away pretty soon, I'll be doing that directly.

My suggestion is to try purified water for a month or so and see if you feel any better.

OliveBranch, on Nov 12 2009, 07:34 PM, said:

Should one only suspect fluoride problems if one's thyroid is also shown to be not working well, or can it also wreak havoc and leave the thyroid okay? I have pretty major fatigue and neck pain still, but my thyroid has always been normal when checked (many, many times).

[GFinDC]

Interesting stuff Fluffy. I always use one of the charcoal filter pitchers. Didn't know it wasn't good for flouride though. I started using a filter pitcher years ago because of high lead levels in the city water supply. Then later they had high bacteria levels and red water. Then later they started having houses that were only 5 years old springing multiple pinhole leaks in their copper water pipes due to some chemical concoction they put in the water. They had people replacing all the copper pipes in their houses that were basically brand new. That was interesting. They debated for months about what chemical additive was causing the problem. I guess there were too many to make a good guess. All kind of funny since the EPA HQ is right here in DC. At least the city handed out filter pitchers for people at one point. The water isn't red anymore but they do flush the hydrants all summer to keep the bacteria count lower. That's neat your cat likes the bottled water. My Muffin gets charcoal filtered water here. Thanks for the info! Although really, it's so hard to believe there could be a problem with the water in an modern city don't you think? Kidding!

[The Fluffy Assassin]

I haven't done. As this is the city's old mill town, it also occurs to me that there might be bad stuff in the water other than fluoride due to old crappy pipes. I want to get the water tested myself to make sure there's no heavy metals or anything else like that. I don't have any brilliant ideas how to do so, but if the pins and needles don't clear up soon (also a symptom of, for example, arsenic poisoning), I'll be getting on it (and as I note above, seeing a better doctor).

Jestgar, on Nov 12 2009, 07:32 PM, said:

Out of curiosity, did you contact your local water district to get a report of the fluoride (and other chemicals) in your water?

[Glamour]

I went to filtered water about 3 years ago. Brita. Became diligent about it about a year ago. About 2 weeks ago bought a Seychelle filter pitcher. I cook with it, etc.


filters for bath and shower to remove chorine about 3 months ago.

[Lisa]

http://www.columbias...t/waterservices

[yolo]

This is interesting. This is the second reference on water today I have run across. It amazes me if its true that the charcoal filters don't get the fluoride. I need to check this out. I would never drink water directly out of the tap. One thing that has helped stop pins and needles as well as general body and neck and back aches and pains has been regular use of olive leaf extract. But I guess that's another story. Meanwhile it sounds like a great idea to get your water checked--soon!

Bea

[ravenwoodglass]

The Fluffy Assassin, on Nov 12 2009, 05:45 PM, said:

I haven't done. As this is the city's old mill town, it also occurs to me that there might be bad stuff in the water other than fluoride due to old crappy pipes. I want to get the water tested myself to make sure there's no heavy metals or anything else like that. I don't have any brilliant ideas how to do so, but if the pins and needles don't clear up soon (also a symptom of, for example, arsenic poisoning), I'll be getting on it (and as I note above, seeing a better doctor).

If you call your local health dept you should be able to get info on who to call to test. I am glad you seem to be getting some relief. According to the link Lisa was nice enough to post your area has really low levels of floride (.81 with 4.0 being the max allowed, so I wonder if that is it or something else maybe in the water that you are sensitive to. Or it could be something else entirely. Maybe you are finally getting some good healing on the diet and that is why you are feeling better.
Have you been taking sublingual B12? That should be the first thing you do for the pins and needles. Are you now thinking your not celiac and it was the water all this time?

[Jestgar]

Lisa, on Nov 12 2009, 06:26 PM, said:

http://www.columbias...t/waterservices

That looks like what I get every year.

So your city doesn't add fluoride, and the naturally occurring levels are quite low.

[yolo]

The other thing that helps me against pins and needles feeling is to take co-enzyme B complex on an empty stomach every day. I get tablets from Country Life since I can't handle the common sublinguals with their sorbitol. I need it mainly for the B-1 since without it I have Beri Beri like symptoms (part of my Scandinavian heritage it seems). Check it out! Beri Beri degrades the nerves etc. as well as messes up the digestion (creates poor carbohydrate and protein absorption). In Sweden for instance it can go with celiac -- as it has with me.

Meanwhile you might have crappy old pipes whether or not your city does. We have several old houses on this lot that I manage. The piping is quite old--not the modern copper except where we have made repairs. But the old stuff in the ground is not good. Could be a similar thing for you.

You may well need to install a shower filter as well.

Certain building materials are another area to look out for too such as old press board in particular as well as modern stuff they put in sheetrock (after installed, cleaned up and painted its safe), plaster mixes, fix all etc.
Detox herbs again (my old rant) are a godsend (dandelion et al--not the tinctures due to gluten in the alcohol) ...even eating lots of fresh cilantro (look out for possible gluten in the pills!) and parsley as well as lots of fresh greens (blending them is a good idea so you get more supposing you can handle raw veggies) and even beets.

Plus, if you can get it, sauna and/or mud packs (french clay or food safe bentonite such as Indian Clay). Start with the hands and feet with the mudpacks so they don't wear you out. PUt in a little apple cider vinegar into the mix. Use paper towels or old towels to clean up.

And anyone can exercise...well almost anyone. Depends on how you feel. Start slow and work your way up.

Further, good fats are often needed such as coconut oil, olive oil and real (best organic) butter and even sunflower or safflower oil if you aren't getting them in your diet. I think its one reason I scarf down sunflower seeds. If you can handle them, eggs are great for strengthening the nerves. Taking extra Magnesium and other good minerals also may be essential.
Bea

[Swimmr]

The Fluffy Assassin, on Nov 12 2009, 08:40 PM, said:

I'm no expert-- not a doctor, nutritionist, dietitian or chemist. But I note that my thyroid as measured by the standard TSH test was normal when I was still pretty sick. Is that what you've had tested, or have you had the actual thyroid hormones (T2, T3, T4 as I recall) tested? Very few doctors test these; I've found one locally, but haven't gone to see her yet. If the pins and needles don't go away pretty soon, I'll be doing that directly.

My suggestion is to try purified water for a month or so and see if you feel any better.

I am going to get some water TODAY. I have seen something about water before, but really didn't take it that seriously. I think I will now. Also my pets only get spurts of energy. Even before my female and male cats were fixed...especially my male. He is just so cranky and so lethargic. Not lazy. He reminds me of Eeyore. He gets the most excited an hour before feeding.