Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[AndreaB]

omg Susan.....you brat.....you freaking made me cry....lol....you have NO idea....you...you silly dingo girl....I have been having such a bad few days you would not believe....and when I saw your post I totally broke downs in tears....thank you for making me feel special... AND the only reason I'm keeping it together right now is because of friends I've made ON LINE...and remembering what you told me to do..."be still"...

Cecile, you are loved here. We've missed you and Robbin. Come visit us more again.

Andrea-

I was tested at igenix for lyme- it was negative.

Well that is good news! You said you get your results from the endo on Thursday?

I don't know anything about candida.....sorry.

[CarlaB]

When I started all this, I thought my problem was candida ... I actually still think I had somewhat of a problem with it. Miamia, you'll do fine on the anti-candida diet ... it won't be hard at all given the restrictions you've been living with anyway! Coconut oil, garlic, onions are all enemies of candida and will probably make you feel ill as it kills it off. I still eat coconut oil and garlic (pills) every day. Sugar or simple carbs feed the candida ... I even avoided high glycemic food for six months ... the only carbs I got were veggies and a limited amount of fruit. It's actually how I discovered wheat made me ill because when I added it back into my diet after six months off it, I got sick. You'll feel better once you get the candida under control. Oh, and a good probiotic is essential.

[DingoGirl]

omg Susan.....you brat.....you freaking made me cry....lol....you have NO idea....you...you silly dingo girl....I have been having such a bad few days you would not believe....and when I saw your post I totally broke downs in tears....thank you for making me feel special... AND the only reason I'm keeping it together right now is because of friends I've made ON LINE...and remembering what you told me to do..."be still"...

CECILE!!!!!

Big hugs to you....you know I understand the bad days. Of course, I"m a BIT more vocal about it than you. Just hang in there sweetie, the bad bad times always pass, they can't last forever.

Come back and see us more often, it is still such a nice place here.

[DingoGirl]

Hi Susie Q! Oh those dingos of yours, always looking to get into something. You can send them over any time you want a break

JULIE......these dingos are my sweet-baby-love-dogs , but they do drive me mad. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS want to be on the go.....they were very spoiled and active, traveling, romping dogs until mommy lost her mojo a couple of years ago....I don't know of any dogs who had a better life up until that point. come out and dingo-sit any time.

oh, if you can tolerate one more of my stories .....When we lived in Monterey - I had Tika the whole time I was there, but Annie only the last 1.5 years - - we went to the beach or hiked through the hills of Carmel Valley every single day, pretty much. Plus they went to work with me four to five days a week, and they went to all parties at friends' houses, everything. So when I got C. Difficile, I was SO SO sick for about four weeks....and they were stark raving mad, pacing and staring at a level that would have made a more sane person bash their triangular dingo heads in. I had friends come get them and take them to the beach, but not often....so, my boyfriend at the time and I would get in the car (me in my pj's) and go to the beach about every third day.....I would take a blanket and just collapse on the sand, hardly able to function. One time, my bf actually had to carry me to the car. those dang dogs are always making me do things I don't want to do.

Hey, I forgot to comment on the swinging of the arms while walking. I'm a big arm swinger I am sure I look ridiculous but I don't care. At the park where I walk there is actually a lady who walks without swinging her arms, they are stiff and straight and by her sides-- that actually looks funny. So I say go ahead everybody, swing away with your arms! It will set you free...and it's fun

I"m telling you.....makes you look completely insane when there's no arm-swinging

[Judyin Philly]

HI

Didn't hear from Evie's daughter tonight.

hope all is well

Judy

[Rachel--24]

Miamia,

I took Diflucin a few times in the past. I started out on a candida diet about a year and a half ago....thats when I really started to take control of my health and make diet changes etc. Diflucin shouldnt be taken long term. I probably took it 3 seperate times but never for long periods. I only took it for like a week or 2 at the the most. Its hard on the liver so you'll need to have your liver checked while your taking it....especially if you take it for a long time. Even though I only took it for 2 weeks the Dr. checked my liver before I got on it and then again a couple weeks later.

I never noticed any improvement of symtpoms while taking it. I had a couple spots on my chest that had been there for more than a year (while I was really sick)....I never knew what they were but they didnt bother me. When I took my first Diflucin pill....the spots were gone the next day! I guess they were yeast or some type of fungus. Anyway....thats the only benefit I got from the Diflucin.

I also took Nystatin oral powder form (tastes like cardboard). I thought it was more effective but no major changes in my symptoms. If I have to take an antifungal again.... I'd take the Nystatin....even though it tastes really bad....I thought it worked better.

I spent alot of time on candida message boards....I still visit the boards but I'm not really treating candida anymore...I havent taken anything for it in over a year. I got one of those little spots back on my stomach....thought about taking Diflucin....I still have some but they're probably expired now. I guess I'll just leave it alone....the spot is very faint and I'm sure it'll just come back anyway. It was the coolest thing to see them disappear after taking only one pill though!

[rinne]

Rinne,

I'd also be surprised if Igenix came back negative. Seems to me you've found your answer.

Thanks Andrea.

Rachel, I am interested to know if you called Igenex and if you did whether they were able to clarify it for you? I can understand why you would question your Lyme diagnosis, you've got so many issues to deal with it it would be wonderful if Lyme wasn't one of them.

I know that I have never been as ill as you have been. My particular constellation of symptoms seems much easier to identify.

Miamia, I am glad to know that you don't have Lyme.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, I am interested to know if you called Igenex and if you did whether they were able to clarify it for you? I can understand why you would question your Lyme diagnosis, you've got so many issues to deal with it it would be wonderful if Lyme wasn't one of them.

Rinne, I was gonna go to the lab after work and see if someone could explain it to me and also about the other stuff it said about 80% specificity. It was raining and freezing and I was tired so I'll probably go tomorrow instead.

I was really thinking there was a chance the Dr. was reading it wrong but now I have a better understanding of the test (Richard gave a good explanation)...so yeah...it looks positive....REALLY positive.

Oh well...I would still like to ask questions.

The report said they tested people with autoimmune disease, EBV, B. burgdorferi and HSV.....I wanna know what that means exactly.....does it mean there's a 20% chance of testing positive in this test with one of those other conditions?? I'm pretty sure I dont have any kind of virus because all tests for those have been negative in the past....even the Biohealth was negative for viruses. All the tests for autoimmune stuff have been negative as well so its most likely Lyme....especially with the weak positive Western Blots and the Bioset stuff backing it up.

I'm just waiting on the co-infections from Igenix...I'm sure I'll get the reults in the mail within the next couple weeks. I should know before my Dr. appt.....unless they dont mail the results for some reason. Maybe they dont mail results which are positive. They sent me the Western Blots which were technically negative but the test that came back positive was only sent to my Dr. even though they were all taken at the same time. They might not mail positive test results....thats what I'm thinking anyway. We'll see. I also got tested for all the viruses (Epstein Barr, Herpes, etc.)...so those results I wont know until my Dr. appt.....that lab takes at least 3 weeks to send the results to the Dr.

I just wanna be 100% sure of the Lyme diagnosis....or as close to it as I can possibly be. I think the co-infection test will be telling if there are some positives there. I just feel like I wanna have the I's dotted and the T's crossed with this so that I wont drive myself crazy with unanaswered questions or whatever. I'm sure you've noticed I tend to do this sometimes...

Even though its taking some time I'm kind of glad that the Dr. is being thorough so I wont feel like something got missed. I'm glad he's doing the other virus test too. I dont even care if I have to spend MORE money on another Lyme test...I just wanna be thoroughly convinced....is that crazy??

[AndreaB]

I just wanna be thoroughly convinced....is that crazy??

No, it's not crazy. You've been going through the maze of trying to find your health and have been lead in different directions by different doctors. Seems like you are on the right path and will get through the maze of ill health on jump into the one of "on the road to recovery" soon.

[rinne]

I just wanna be 100% sure of the Lyme diagnosis....or as close to it as I can possibly be. I think the co-infection test will be telling if there are some positives there. I just feel like I wanna have the I's dotted and the T's crossed with this so that I wont drive myself crazy with unanaswered questions or whatever. I'm sure you've noticed I tend to do this sometimes...

Even though its taking some time I'm kind of glad that the Dr. is being thorough so I wont feel like something got missed. I'm glad he's doing the other virus test too. I dont even care if I have to spend MORE money on another Lyme test...I just wanna be thoroughly convinced....is that crazy??

But are you serious about getting well? Rachel, you could be a complete lunatic at this point and that would still be okay given what you have been through, in fact it is a wonder you aren't. Also, I think given how seriously your health has been affected it is important that you not waste time treating something you don't have.

Hey, you are just Rachelling your diagnosis, what else is new.

[nikki-uk]

PATTI - - OMG you are quite the hottie in your new photo and cute jacket!!!!

I think we can all agree that Patti looks splendid in the new pic and that we ladies would like a jacket like that!! (..of course I can't speak for Richard.. )

[Rachel--24]

Hey, you are just Rachelling your diagnosis, what else is new.

This is true...

[miamia]

When I started all this, I thought my problem was candida ... I actually still think I had somewhat of a problem with it. Miamia, you'll do fine on the anti-candida diet ... it won't be hard at all given the restrictions you've been living with anyway! Coconut oil, garlic, onions are all enemies of candida and will probably make you feel ill as it kills it off. I still eat coconut oil and garlic (pills) every day. Sugar or simple carbs feed the candida ... I even avoided high glycemic food for six months ... the only carbs I got were veggies and a limited amount of fruit. It's actually how I discovered wheat made me ill because when I added it back into my diet after six months off it, I got sick. You'll feel better once you get the candida under control. Oh, and a good probiotic is essential.

CArla-

thanks for the advice. I have suffered with candida for a while- I am not sure I ever have really gotten rid of it. I am always on a probiotic and onion and garlic are staples for me. Unfortunatly I cannot handle coconut oil which sucks because I don't even mind the taste of it or anything its just to much for my body. I know with candida the diet is very important but its very hard for me. I am so underweight and there is so little my body can tolerate that I do have to eat some carbs. I have no problem avoiding sugar with the exception of a little bit of pear juice I drink but there are not that many vegees and meats my body will tolerate so I just am working on trying some new fishes and cutting down on the carbs wherever I can.

Miamia

[miamia]

Miamia,

I took Diflucin a few times in the past. I started out on a candida diet about a year and a half ago....thats when I really started to take control of my health and make diet changes etc. Diflucin shouldnt be taken long term. I probably took it 3 seperate times but never for long periods. I only took it for like a week or 2 at the the most. Its hard on the liver so you'll need to have your liver checked while your taking it....especially if you take it for a long time. Even though I only took it for 2 weeks the Dr. checked my liver before I got on it and then again a couple weeks later.

I never noticed any improvement of symtpoms while taking it. I had a couple spots on my chest that had been there for more than a year (while I was really sick)....I never knew what they were but they didnt bother me. When I took my first Diflucin pill....the spots were gone the next day! I guess they were yeast or some type of fungus. Anyway....thats the only benefit I got from the Diflucin.

I also took Nystatin oral powder form (tastes like cardboard). I thought it was more effective but no major changes in my symptoms. If I have to take an antifungal again.... I'd take the Nystatin....even though it tastes really bad....I thought it worked better.

I spent alot of time on candida message boards....I still visit the boards but I'm not really treating candida anymore...I havent taken anything for it in over a year. I got one of those little spots back on my stomach....thought about taking Diflucin....I still have some but they're probably expired now. I guess I'll just leave it alone....the spot is very faint and I'm sure it'll just come back anyway. It was the coolest thing to see them disappear after taking only one pill though!

Rachel-

thanks for the info. I took nyastatin when the yeast first showed up on a test and I reacted really strongly to it. MY docotr had reasons he wanted me to try diflucan instead but I have to talk to him more about it. We wanted to do the eos test first so I think I am going to talk to him today. Thats so cool about the spots. I still go to one message board to for candida but I have never found them that helpful because they all reccomend alot of supplements that I can't take.

I heard that info about the liver so I am definitly going to talk to my doc about that. I know I can;t handle any cleansisng products but I ahve this special bath stuff I bought awhile ago and never used now that its cold out i think I am oging to try it. Its like a less intense version of an ionizing food bath that draws the toxins out of your body. I am really interested to try it.

It might be soemthing that would be good for yout oo since it is benign and you don;t have to ingest it. I am all about stuff that dosen' t have to be ingested!!

Miamia

[jerseyangel]

Carla, I wanted to clarify what I said to you yesterday. I don't think that your emotions are causing your physical problems--I, of all people, would never say that. It was implied too many times to me.

I was just saying that the fact that you let out some emotion at the doctors could be a signal that you were getting farther along in your recovery. Maybe not--I know I've come very close to tears myself when I was faced with leaving yet another doctor without a clue to what was wrong with me.

The Kinesiology experience, I threw in because I thought there were some similarities. I don't think your issues are mind-based any more than I think mine are. Although I do feel that with everyone, emotions do play some role in health. I took everything I learned from the Kinesiologist with a grain of salt. He was right on with my food intolerance, but there were things I asked questions about (being that I need to know how things work) and I was told that I really didn't need to know *how* it worked. That was a real sticking point for me.

Anyway, I didn't want you to get the wrong idea, I was trying to be supportive, and I guess it came out wrong. I'm sorry if I made you feel worse.

I needed to let you know

[dlp252]

No, it doesn't need to take longer, as in more days. Instead of doing one body part, do two -- Mon. -- chest, back, Tues. -- legs, Wed. -- rest, Thurs. -- biceps, triceps, shoulders, Fri. -- legs (different than Tues.)

Yep, after I had time to think about it, I realized that when I started the 1 part per day, I actually added exercises...I can cut out a couple of them and still work the parts well especially since they'll get assists from some of the other exercises. I was just bummed a bit cuz the weights are practically the only thing I have left. I can't do the intense cardio anymore and I actually have always liked weights more anyway...once I thought about it more, I realized that I can still do my beloved weights, lol.

Did you tell me you once went on diflucan? If so how did you react to it? This may be what Ig o on for the candida and I am a little nervous

Miamia

I took it once. My insurance would only pay for ONE pill though, so the doctor had me on Nystatin for the candida. I can't remember if I reacted to it--it was about 3 years ago--in the midst of the antibiotic frenzy from the same doctor.

I started out on a candida diet about a year and a half ago....thats when I really started to take control of my health and make diet changes etc. Diflucin shouldnt be taken long term. I probably took it 3 seperate times but never for long periods. I only took it for like a week or 2 at the the most. Its hard on the liver so you'll need to have your liver checked while your taking it....especially if you take it for a long time. Even though I only took it for 2 weeks the Dr. checked my liver before I got on it and then again a couple weeks later.

I never noticed any improvement of symtpoms while taking it. I had a couple spots on my chest that had been there for more than a year (while I was really sick)....I never knew what they were but they didnt bother me. When I took my first Diflucin pill....the spots were gone the next day! I guess they were yeast or some type of fungus. Anyway....thats the only benefit I got from the Diflucin.

I also took Nystatin oral powder form (tastes like cardboard). I thought it was more effective but no major changes in my symptoms. If I have to take an antifungal again.... I'd take the Nystatin....even though it tastes really bad....I thought it worked better.

I spent alot of time on candida message boards....I still visit the boards but I'm not really treating candida anymore...I havent taken anything for it in over a year. I got one of those little spots back on my stomach....thought about taking Diflucin....I still have some but they're probably expired now. I guess I'll just leave it alone....the spot is very faint and I'm sure it'll just come back anyway. It was the coolest thing to see them disappear after taking only one pill though!

Yep, I noticed the biggest difference while on the candida diet and the candida/rotation diet...took probiotics for about 3 years, lol. Rachel, I spent a lot of time on candida boards too...I wonder if our paths crossed in a past life, lol.

[CarlaB]

Carla, I wanted to clarify what I said to you yesterday. I don't think that your emotions are causing your physical problems--I, of all people, would never say that. It was implied too many times to me.

I was just saying that the fact that you let out some emotion at the doctors could be a signal that you were getting farther along in your recovery. Maybe not--I know I've come very close to tears myself when I was faced with leaving yet another doctor without a clue to what was wrong with me.

The Kinesiology experience, I threw in because I thought there were some similarities. I don't think your issues are mind-based any more than I think mine are. Although I do feel that with everyone, emotions do play some role in health. I took everything I learned from the Kinesiologist with a grain of salt. He was right on with my food intolerance, but there were things I asked questions about (being that I need to know how things work) and I was told that I really didn't need to know *how* it worked. That was a real sticking point for me.

Anyway, I didn't want you to get the wrong idea, I was trying to be supportive, and I guess it came out wrong. I'm sorry if I made you feel worse.

I needed to let you know

Thanks, Patti. I don't take things wrong here .... I know that everyone is trying to help and that no one thinks it's all in our heads ... this is a very limited medium so I always give everyone the benefit of the doubt ... I took it as you trying to help.

I have decided that I'm not going to let the doctor do her form of acupuncture with the voodoo lady helping her. She was talking way too much about energy fields and emotions. Sounded way too New Age from my conservative, Catholic perspective. I may go back to the other guy though, but I haven't decided.

If this Igenex test comes back negative, I don't know where I'm going to go from there. I know it would be a horrible diagnosis, but I'd rather that than the other option of never finding out what's wrong with me. I did have a lot of emotional baggage in the past, but I've worked through it ... I'm sure I have because I don't feel anything now when I discuss it and I discuss it freely at times (if my experience will be a help to someone else). If gluten were my only problem, I'd certainly be better by now. I think it's one piece of a complicated puzzle.

I HATE this not knowing and docs being so clueless. My turn for a down day.

[dlp252]

I HATE this not knowing and docs being so clueless. My turn for a down day.

Exactly! And you are certainly entitled to a down day as are we all here! Hoping you don't stay down for long though!

[CarlaB]

Yep, after I had time to think about it, I realized that when I started the 1 part per day, I actually added exercises...I can cut out a couple of them and still work the parts well especially since they'll get assists from some of the other exercises. I was just bummed a bit cuz the weights are practically the only thing I have left. I can't do the intense cardio anymore and I actually have always liked weights more anyway...once I thought about it more, I realized that I can still do my beloved weights, lol.

I love weights, too. I really think that they kept me from getting thinner than I did. Since my arms, legs and shoulders were muscular to begin with, they never got that skinny look, it was only around the middle that I got too skinny (had trouble keeping my pants up).

I started lifting again, too. I missed it and yoga just wasn't the same. I don't do the cardio either. I only spend about 20-30 minutes in the weight room and no longer do "super-sets" (alternating two or three exercises without rest). Some days I don't have the energy, but I do make it over there two or three times per week. It also gets me out of the house.

[jerseyangel]

Carla,

I'm so glad that you took my words as I had intended. What a relief!

Of course you're entitled to a bad day--or days. These things are terribly frustrating.

[AndreaB]

I HATE this not knowing and docs being so clueless. My turn for a down day.

We love you Carla.

Of course you can have a down day. We all do, whether healthy or not. It's just with being sick and having clueless doctors that those down times become more frequent.

Take the time you need for you. We are here for you.

[dlp252]

I love weights, too. I really think that they kept me from getting thinner than I did. Since my arms, legs and shoulders were muscular to begin with, they never got that skinny look, it was only around the middle that I got too skinny (had trouble keeping my pants up).

I started lifting again, too. I missed it and yoga just wasn't the same. I don't do the cardio either. I only spend about 20-30 minutes in the weight room and no longer do "super-sets" (alternating two or three exercises without rest). Some days I don't have the energy, but I do make it over there two or three times per week. It also gets me out of the house.

Fortunately, I always seem to have enough energy for a bicep curl, but lower body is another story! I used to rush through my sets, but I really have to take the breaks now. I've never gotten to that "skinny" state, but for as much as I have worked out over the last 4 years, one can't really see any muscles unless I flex, lol...the doctor has me taking DHEA, so I'm hoping that will at least give me a bit of definition.

[DingoGirl]

I have decided that I'm not going to let the doctor do her form of acupuncture with the voodoo lady helping her. She was talking way too much about energy fields and emotions. Sounded way too New Age from my conservative, Catholic perspective. I may go back to the other guy though, but I haven't decided.

I HATE this not knowing and docs being so clueless. My turn for a down day.

Carla.....so sorry you're having a down day, I know this must be so frustrating. I'm glad you're steering away a bit from the voodoo lady, because, if emotions ALONE could make a person sick, I'd have been bedridden 20 years ago....I think many of us would have. The stuff she said was a little kooky, IMO.

I believe that you WILL get your answers.

morning everyone.....

[CarlaB]

Fortunately, I always seem to have enough energy for a bicep curl, but lower body is another story! I used to rush through my sets, but I really have to take the breaks now. I've never gotten to that "skinny" state, but for as much as I have worked out over the last 4 years, one can't really see any muscles unless I flex, lol...the doctor has me taking DHEA, so I'm hoping that will at least give me a bit of definition.

Can you do a little cardio? Cardio burns the fat, weights build the muscle (basically, though muscle also burns fat ...). Do you lift enough? Some women don't use enough weight for fear of looking like a guy. Trust me, you won't ... wrong hormones! Maybe you already know this, but lift the most weight you can and still be able to do 8-12 reps. By the time I get to the third set of an exercise, I often cannot make it to 8 reps.

I had a lower body day today. It's tough, especially when you'd rather be in bed.

Susan, thanks for the support. I know some of this energy field stuff is legit, like theraputic acupuncture and the bioset Rachel is doing, but when you add that "magical" stuff, it makes me uncomfortable. Maybe it works for some, but it's too over the top for me ...

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, I spent a lot of time on candida boards too...I wonder if our paths crossed in a past life, lol.

Heck our paths could have crossed just about anywhere...we live in the same area and we both love to shop!