Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

I still wonder if that high fever and massive headache and weakness I felt 2 years before getting sick had anything to do with mercury??

I have a hard time believing that if I'd gotten bitten by a tick in Tahoe and Lyme came out in full force after getting exposed to mercury...that it would be "lying" low and not showing up in ART.

Of course this could change when I see Dr. Derksen but for now I cant wrap my head around it.

Did you let the boogey man out of the closet again? Put him back ... worry only about what you can work on now and what's showing up now, no sense in working on what is irrelevant right now!!

I got sick like I had the flu when I had my mercury fillings removed, and it was by a mercury-free dentist! It was so long ago, though, that they probably do it somewhat different today. I don't remember a dam being used, but he used a lot of suction. As long as I took a lot of glutathione, I would feel pretty good, but the first couple days, I was pretty sick.

My Lyme came out the first time when I was in college. More stress, more alcohol, more diet coke (lots of it). My eating was pretty good though, I lived in a sorority, and I always ate there because it was already paid for. I was also dieting when the Lyme showed up the first time ... I had gained 20 pounds.

[CarlaB]

just a question before I order the lyme tests from Igenex: it's the IGG and IGM western blots that I should get and I can get them separately without having to order a panel containing these tests, right? I'd assume so and am planning on ordering the 2 western blots tomorrow

also, from reading through the Igenex website, it seems to me (and I think is even stated or alluded to) that because the western blots test for antibodies, a positive result may confirm that an infection existed but not necessarily that I have a current infection... granted, with myself being symptomatic and having never been diagnosed with a lyme infection, it would seem that the 2 would be connected but just checking with some of you lyme experts... I'd prefer knowing for sure that I have an active (even if it's dormant or hiding) infection before taking antibiotics but I don't know how feasible this is due to what seems to be difficulties with detecting lyme..

This is correct. Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. If you have symptoms and a positive test, you've got it. I was Igg positive, and Igg typically represents an old infection (except for Lyme, it can still be an active infection). With Lyme, that's still a positive and can represent an active infection. This is why an LLMD is so important. My old doc said I definately didn't have Lyme because I was Igg positive ... even the CDC says Igg positive is positive for Lyme! In fact, the CDC requires an Igg positive result if you've had it for more than a few weeks (I think six).

Common sense also tells us that if you have a positive test result and have never been treated for it, you've still got it ... as you pointed out.

If you weren't symptomatic, you wouldn't need to be treated. With Lyme, you get the bacterial load lowered, and strengthen the immune system to keep it there. So, with no symptoms, there's no point in treatment because treatment is to get rid of the symptoms, some bacteria will always be there. So, you have to do all you can to keep your immune system strong after treatment.

Most of the pills I take in a day have to do with building my immune system.

[dlp252]

Well, I'm being kicked to the curb in a way, lol. A good way I think though! Yesterday when I went in for physical therapy/chiropractic, they asked if Dr. Rick saw me. They made it sound like he wanted to talk to me, which I thought was weird cuz he saw me in the waiting room, but didn't say anything and I saw him on Monday for my nutrition followup. Anyway, while I was face down on the physical therapy table he came to talk to me, lol. I couldn't look at him though cuz I had an elbow on a particularly sore spot on my shoulder and couldn't move.

Anyway, I assume they had their meeting on Tuesday and must have discussed my case. I haven't been improving on the muscle tightness and soreness in my neck and they've run out of things to try in the physical therapy side so they want to try something called "trigger point injections" on me. Dr. Carrie (the internal medicine doctor) is specially trained in it I guess. I did a quick search on the Internet this morning and I have mixed feelings about it.

It looks like it helps people a lot, but it also looks like the procedure itself can be painful. They give a series of injections directly into the knots in the muscles at various trigger points. The solution they used is a "sugar water" solution and they add a little lidacaine.

They wanted to do the evaluation with Dr. Carrie right away, so I waited for a while yesterday, but she was taking too long, so now I'm scheduled for tomorrow. I asked the receptionist if the shots contain mercury, she said no, lol. I'll double check with Dr. Carrie tomorrow and also find out how injecting me with sugar water would affect the candida. I also plan to mention that I think some of this may be due to mercury and/or the candida.

I get a newsletter every so often from Scott. He updates on his health...his improvements.....his infections...his protocols, etc. He usually includes any new Lyme related stuff or info. about upcoming events, research, etc.

I finally signed up for this and just got my first one last week I think (I deleted that one already) but I can also forward newsletters if necessary.

Heres how some problems with mercury could occur....

= = olor=#FF0000]Improper removal of amalgam fillings by dentists who do not take precautions, and who do not believe in natural dental health.

= = Breathing mercury vapors from a broken filling or during improper removal during a dentist visit.

= = Accidental ingestion of amalgam filling after one breaks or from leftover amalgam crumbs after dental work.

= = Hypersensitivity or allergy to mercury / amalgam fillings.

= = Eating fish that has been exposed to mercury through air pollution and pesticides in streams.

= = Industrial mercury accidents.

= = Exposure from working in a dental office or lab.

= = Playing with mercury in science class.

= = Cleaning up mercury from a broken thermometor.

= = Most immunizations.

The ones in red for sure happened to me...I had a tetanus and hepatitus shot a few years before I got sick. I had no noticeable symptoms following the shots though.

I think it all accumulated but the galvanic reaction was by far the most serious exposure.

Thats exactly what happened to me and I tasted plenty of metal during that time.

I also have lots of exposure to all the red ones, plus the additional two in purple. Around 2000 or so I ate TONS of tuna...canned tuna from Safeway, lol. I'm sure it was loaded with mercury. I used to eat a can every day for lunch! In addition to that, one of my favorite fishes back then was swordfish, which I understand is one of the worst for mercury...I had that 1 or 2 times per week. I've never worked in a dental office or lab, but have spent plenty of time in dental offices, lol, and work in an office with lots of printer toners, etc. I'm sure at some point I had a LITTLE exposure somewhere. I've had TONS of injection and immunizations.

The bioset person I emailed got back to me. Should be doable in the fall. Just trying to figure out if we can swing it before then. The check we were hoping for would cover the initial visit and almost 2 months treatment if we were to get it.

...

I'm assuming this is right on for testing for food allergies/intolerances as well as the others listed.

Yay, I'm glad they got back to you and fall isn't so far away anymore, lol. I think my testing was very accurate for allergies/intolerances.

Andrea.....were there amalgams removed??

My dentist was the WORST....he did not even use a dam during my amalgam removal!!

I had to keep going back to him because I was sick and having alot of problems with my teeth and with the new gold crowns. He SAW my health deteriorate more and more.

Yep, I had the same dentist for maybe close to 15 years...I had 11 fillings...he told me they were getting old and redid all but the ones in the two front teeth...every time he replaced one of my fillings, something happened to it and it needed to be redrilled again...usually because the tooth cracked and I needed a crown, that's why I had so many crowns. He NEVER used any protection because he also believes mercury isn't a problem. One of my molars cracked and I'm not sure if I swallowed any of the filling or not. I do know that another of my fillings came out once.

Do we get an update? You could always pm me but I think Donna had said she likes updates too.

Yes, I love the updates as well.

Hope this helps,

Deb

Hello Deb, welcome.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Cybermommy,

Thanks for the info! I may have more intolerances. We do not know for sure yet. It can be tricky finding foods for people with multiple allergies. The Chocolate Emporium has soy-free, dairy free, gluten free chocolate chips now. That is a good place to go. I got cake mixes from there that were casein and gluten free, and they were great! As far as the Benedryl goes with the dyes, I totally understand that. I used to break out from Triaminic and all of the others! I still cannot tolerate most of them. I have eczema pretty bad, especially on my hands.

Dear Rachel,

I drool like that. I am congested pretty often, plus I have TMJ. My jaw is severly misaligned. My teeth are also very crooked. I am scared I will lose them, because they just break off more by the day. I may have malabsorption issues. That probably does not help the nausea and fatigue any. Like you, getting hot does not set well with me either. My heart pounds and it wears me out. The good news is, despite having a root canal last year (and needing more) I would only accept composite fillings. No metal is going in my mouth! Except for that post, which I am scared to think about what that is made from.

Dear Donna and Andrea,

Mold is bad news. We get it in our basement. Getting rid of it is difficult sometimes. Toxic molds like Penicillium and Stachybotrys can make people very ill. It is worth it if you can get the mold in you home tested. There are places that clean up and dispose of it as well. Some homes have had it so bad, people had to move out and get rid of all of their things. It got on their children's toys and even between book pages! It all had to go! Testing can be expensive, but when you have the money, it is worth it.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[AndreaB]

Dear Donna and Andrea,

Mold is bad news. We get it in our basement. Getting rid of it is difficult sometimes. Toxic molds like Penicillium and Stachybotrys can make people very ill.

Isn't it the black mold that's bad? We have a little green mold that I've seen. It's certainly not through the house and on toys, books etc. That would be awful!

[AndreaB]

Anyway, I assume they had their meeting on Tuesday and must have discussed my case. I haven't been improving on the muscle tightness and soreness in my neck and they've run out of things to try in the physical therapy side so they want to try something called "trigger point injections" on me. Dr. Carrie (the internal medicine doctor) is specially trained in it I guess. I did a quick search on the Internet this morning and I have mixed feelings about it.

It looks like it helps people a lot, but it also looks like the procedure itself can be painful. They give a series of injections directly into the knots in the muscles at various trigger points. The solution they used is a "sugar water" solution and they add a little lidacaine.

They wanted to do the evaluation with Dr. Carrie right away, so I waited for a while yesterday, but she was taking too long, so now I'm scheduled for tomorrow. I asked the receptionist if the shots contain mercury, she said no, lol. I'll double check with Dr. Carrie tomorrow and also find out how injecting me with sugar water would affect the candida. I also plan to mention that I think some of this may be due to mercury and/or the candida.

I would have to wonder about this if it is mercury and or candida that is causing the muscle tightness. Maybe you could hold off and see Rachel's new doctor, get a second opinion. I'm

for it if it doesn't have other complications or problems that could develop and Rachel's doctor doesn't think the mercury or candida would be causing the problem. I hope that makes sense.

[dlp252]

I would have to wonder about this if it is mercury and or candida that is causing the muscle tightness. Maybe you could hold off and see Rachel's new doctor, get a second opinion. I'm

for it if it doesn't have other complications or problems that could develop and Rachel's doctor doesn't think the mercury or candida would be causing the problem. I hope that makes sense.

I've asked a question on one of the other sections of the forum because I see that a few people have tried the therapy. It may be that even if the pain is caused by mercury or candida, that the injection would ease the pain until the other stuff is taken care of.

I did see some minor complications mentioned like infection, pain, nerve pain, etc. from the shots themselves, but not a lot, on the websites I saw this morning.

[diamondheart]

Claire,

Keep us posted on whether you continue to do good with your splurge today.

Well, I seemed to have come through the splurge fairly unscathed, though I don't think I'll be doing that again for a while, I hope! I had some of my stepson's pizza, and you know what? I didn't even think it was that good. I may have been a bit more depressed the next day, but with everything else going on, I couldn't be certain it was the food. And it could have been the increased amount of carbs I was eating too. Sugar goes right to my head. I know I have to watch my sugar intake since both my parents have Type 2 diabetes.

Oh, and my digestion has been fine. No side effects from the wheat or dairy! Must be all that kefir I'm drinking .

In my appointment with Dr. F yesterday, I got so involved talking with him about fertility, vaccines, and mercury, that I forgot to ask him to test the gluten and dairy again, LOL!!

Dear Claire,

Thanks for the info on the MMRs. I was curious since I had the vaccines. This is fascinating. You said that you are injected with a live virus. I heard all vaccines were dead virus cells, but that is apparently wrong.

Yeah, definitely wrong with the MMR vaccine.

I was talking with Dr. F about the MMR vaccine yesterday and how it affected his one son. So he says,

"Stupid vaccines" !

Luckily, I'm still clear for all vaccines, though I still think the MMR vaccine messed me up at some point.

The bioset person I emailed got back to me. Should be doable in the fall. Just trying to figure out if we can swing it before then. The check we were hoping for would cover the initial visit and almost 2 months treatment if we were to get it.

Rachel and Donna I know you guys were tested for many things.....Claire, how about you?

You know what? I was tested for all kinds of things, but I never paid attention too much. I just remember metals being a problem initially, but that cleared after one treatment. Mostly, my problems were with food intolerances. I also got a separate test to check for intestinal pathogens, because I just knew I had this problem. That's when the bacterial dysbiosis was found.

I borrowed Ellen Culter's book on BioSET, and she describes the treatment in her book as mainly for food intolerances. You can also start with home treatments, and she describes how to do that in the book. She also describes how to do your own muscle testing. I don't know that I would ever get that good at it. I always like to see the experts when I can, but if you can't, check out her book. It's on the BioSET website. When I have more time, I'll try to include excerpts from her book. She does make a point of saying that detoxification is really important for everyone, whether you are healthy or not.

Dr. F and I discussed the mercury thing, and how to get tested for it. I didn't see any kind of good testing to do while my amalgams are still in. I could do the hair testing, but it won't tell me how much mercury I'm storing. I think I'll wait to deal with it until I have my baby and am done breastfeeding. I can't wait any longer to get pregnant, being 40 and all. Luckily, whoever put in my amalgams did a really good job, because they have been solid for 25 years or more! The only amalgam that broke on me was the one I had put in around 1997 . I was pissed that any dentist was using amalgam in the late 90s! I've always had problems with that tooth ever since. Thank god I saw a new dentist that didn't use amalgam to replace it! He used a dam when he removed it, but didn't have any special vapor removing devices. I know a probably swallowed a little bit of mercury .

Claire

[CarlaB]

I could do the hair testing, but it won't tell me how much mercury I'm storing.

This is true. My hair analysis showed I had a lot of aluminum. I cook with foil quite often, so this didn't surprise me at all. However, my DMPS urine test showed NO aluminum at all.

Hair can show metals that you are actually detoxing. Apparently this was my case with aluminum.

Lead did not show up in the hair analysis, but my urine test showed lead.

Mercury showed up in both, but I'm not surprised, I don't have amalgams, but I eat a lot of fish.

[diamondheart]

I would have to wonder about this if it is mercury and or candida that is causing the muscle tightness. Maybe you could hold off and see Rachel's new doctor, get a second opinion. I'm

for it if it doesn't have other complications or problems that could develop and Rachel's doctor doesn't think the mercury or candida would be causing the problem. I hope that makes sense.

Donna, I have a looong history of back problems. I have scoliosis, and it messes with the muscles in my back. However, since I've been doing acupuncture AND treating my gut, it's gotten a lot better. Plus I rock climb, and that's actually really good for my back.

Interestingly enough, my back pain did not start until after my MMR shot . That's not to say other things weren't going on, but it makes me go, "Hmmmm...".

I think whatever I've had going on in my gut for years has always been effecting my back muscles.

Have you ever tried acupuncture for your back? One of my co-workers had our mutual acupuncturist put several needles in a muscle knot, and got rid of it.

I've done just about everything, but the most effective things for me have been:

1) Diet and vitamin supplementation: has taken years to refine this one. I'm sure 7+ years of undiagnosed leaky gut didn't help .

2) Rolfing: expensive and painful, but I needed it. I wore a back brace for 4.5 years as a teenager. My rolfer was "working me out of the brace" 20 years later !!

3) Physical therapy: I basically had to re-learn how to use my back. Once I did this, my life was revolutionized. I could rock climb without being in pain and climb a lot better!

Oh jeez, I better get back to work . Not feeling too motivated today.

Claire

[dlp252]

Donna, I have a looong history of back problems. I have scoliosis, and it messes with the muscles in my back. However, since I've been doing acupuncture AND treating my gut, it's gotten a lot better. Plus I rock climb, and that's actually really good for my back.

Interestingly enough, my back pain did not start until after my MMR shot . That's not to say other things weren't going on, but it makes me go, "Hmmmm...".

I think whatever I've had going on in my gut for years has always been effecting my back muscles.

Have you ever tried acupuncture for your back? One of my co-workers had our mutual acupuncturist put several needles in a muscle knot, and got rid of it.

I've done just about everything, but the most effective things for me have been:

1) Diet and vitamin supplementation: has taken years to refine this one. I'm sure 7+ years of undiagnosed leaky gut didn't help .

2) Rolfing: expensive and painful, but I needed it. I wore a back brace for 4.5 years as a teenager. My rolfer was "working me out of the brace" 20 years later !!

3) Physical therapy: I basically had to re-learn how to use my back. Once I did this, my life was revolutionized. I could rock climb without being in pain and climb a lot better!

Yep, they've had me on traction(sp??), I did that for a month. For the past month they've had me on a machine to strengthen my back. The last two weeks I'm also on this inflatable neck thingy which is supposed to be like traction. They've got me doing all kinds of exercises and stretches, etc. both at home and while I'm there. The physical therapy is the muscle work (like a massage) and the exercises and traction stuff. At the same time I also get chiropractic adjustments.

I have considered accupuncture and have the name of one who is supposedly good, plus I think the BioSET lady does it as well. I KNOW she does accupressure, but I also think she uses needles...I'll have to double check.

I've been trying to figure out an event that started all this, but I'm just too foggy brained. I know that my neck has been this way for at least 5 years.

[AndreaB]

This is true. My hair analysis showed I had a lot of aluminum. I cook with foil quite often, so this didn't surprise me at all. However, my DMPS urine test showed NO aluminum at all.

Hair can show metals that you are actually detoxing. Apparently this was my case with aluminum.

Lead did not show up in the hair analysis, but my urine test showed lead.

Mercury showed up in both, but I'm not surprised, I don't have amalgams, but I eat a lot of fish.

I've only had the hair analysis and mercury was low. So I am detoxing some, just whether it is enough or not.

[AndreaB]

Dr. F and I discussed the mercury thing, and how to get tested for it. I didn't see any kind of good testing to do while my amalgams are still in. I could do the hair testing, but it won't tell me how much mercury I'm storing. I think I'll wait to deal with it until I have my baby and am done breastfeeding. I can't wait any longer to get pregnant, being 40 and all. Luckily, whoever put in my amalgams did a really good job, because they have been solid for 25 years or more! The only amalgam that broke on me was the one I had put in around 1997 .

Mine are around 25 years old as well. I haven't had any problems but I do have cracks in 4 of the molars, the ones that need crowns.

Times like this I wish money grew on trees....at least enough to have all the teeth taken care of as well as bioset.

We'll get to them at some point.....but now I'm wondering if my teeth will be safe waiting if they are already cracked and it's already been two years since I had the other crowns done. And then I have that root canal and I've heard many things about root canals being tied with cancers, especially breast cancer.

[rinne]

Another better day, I think the chlorella is having a positive effect.

For those of you who remember me talking about my brother being diagnosed with Celiac about 4 months ago I wanted to let you know that he is much improved. It seems that simply by cutting out gluten he is healing, I take this as confirmation that we are correct in persisting to ask, what is wrong when cutting out gluten is not enough.

[AndreaB]

Rinne,

Glad to hear your brother is doing better with the gluten free diet and that he doesn't appear to have any other problems from celiac.

[Rachel--24]

Quick drive by....gotta go to BioSet.

Carla and Rinne....I sent you guys the newsletter.

I didnt realize until reading Donna's post that you can "sign-up" and get the newsletter. I checked out his site and if you're interested in getting more newsletters you can sign up here...

Open Original Shared Link

Donna, thanks for mentioning that.

I guess I've just been getting them ever since I corresonded with him via email a few months back.

[happygirl]

Rinne,

I am happy that your brother is doing well on the gluten-free diet. It is good to hear success stories!

xoxo,

Laura

[Judyin Philly]

HI ALL

HAVING SOME COMPUTER PROBLEMS SO HAVEN'T BEEN ON LINE MUCH

UPDATE--TODAY NEW GI APT.

LIKED THE FEMALE DR. VERY MUCH AND FEEL SHE WILL STAY WITH ME UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHY I AM SICK. sHE ASKED TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HISTORY..REALLY LISTENED

SEEMS VERY BRIGHT..MAINSTREAM BUT EXCEPTING OF MY IDEAS.

PLAN OF ACTION.--

OFF PROBIOTICS FOR 10 DAY TO DO THE HYDROGEN BREATH TEST TO CK FOR BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH OF THE SMALL BOWELL OR MALABSORPTION OF SUGARS /LACTOSE.

HAS ANYONE DONE THIS TEST AND WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?

WANTS LOTS OF NEW BLOOD WORK THAT WAS NEVER DONE-DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE

CBC W DIFF-HEME PROF+ELEC DIFF

VIT B 12

FOLATE ? ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS?

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU GUYS CAN SHARE.

GLAD TO SEE SOME OF THE OLD FACES AND SOME NEW ONES TOO

JUDY

[dlp252]

Donna, thanks for mentioning that.

You're welcome. I didn't even think about "others" signing up, lol.

UPDATE--TODAY NEW GI APT.

LIKED THE FEMALE DR. VERY MUCH AND FEEL SHE WILL STAY WITH ME UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHY I AM SICK. sHE ASKED TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HISTORY..REALLY LISTENED

SEEMS VERY BRIGHT..MAINSTREAM BUT EXCEPTING OF MY IDEAS.

PLAN OF ACTION.--

OFF PROBIOTICS FOR 10 DAY TO DO THE HYDROGEN BREATH TEST TO CK FOR BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH OF THE SMALL BOWELL OR MALABSORPTION OF SUGARS /LACTOSE.

HAS ANYONE DONE THIS TEST AND WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?

WANTS LOTS OF NEW BLOOD WORK THAT WAS NEVER DONE-DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE

CBC W DIFF-HEME PROF+ELEC DIFF

VIT B 12

FOLATE ? ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS?

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU GUYS CAN SHARE.

GLAD TO SEE SOME OF THE OLD FACES AND SOME NEW ONES TOO

JUDY

Oh Judy, this sounds so promising!!! Yay!!!

[rinne]

Judy, I am glad you seem to have found a doctor who is listening.

[happygirl]

HI ALL

HAVING SOME COMPUTER PROBLEMS SO HAVEN'T BEEN ON LINE MUCH

UPDATE--TODAY NEW GI APT.

LIKED THE FEMALE DR. VERY MUCH AND FEEL SHE WILL STAY WITH ME UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHY I AM SICK. sHE ASKED TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HISTORY..REALLY LISTENED

SEEMS VERY BRIGHT..MAINSTREAM BUT EXCEPTING OF MY IDEAS.

PLAN OF ACTION.--

OFF PROBIOTICS FOR 10 DAY TO DO THE HYDROGEN BREATH TEST TO CK FOR BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH OF THE SMALL BOWELL OR MALABSORPTION OF SUGARS /LACTOSE.

HAS ANYONE DONE THIS TEST AND WHAT WERE THE RESULTS?

WANTS LOTS OF NEW BLOOD WORK THAT WAS NEVER DONE-DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE

CBC W DIFF-HEME PROF+ELEC DIFF

VIT B 12

FOLATE ? ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS?

HEMOGLOBIN A1C

WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO YOU GUYS CAN SHARE.

GLAD TO SEE SOME OF THE OLD FACES AND SOME NEW ONES TOO

JUDY

Folate is folic acid, essentially (you take folic acid to increase your levels of folate.)

I have done the breath test (haven't I done them all?)

Mine involved drinking a small amount of sugary goo (kind of a syrupy consistency). I breathed into a bag before it, then drank it, then at some regular intervals (like every 15 minutes). Took maybe 2 hours or less, total. They measure the amount of hydrogen produced, because it is associated with SIBO. I was negative, of course.

Your CBC is your complete blood count with some differentials added.

I am happy that you feel more comfortable with this doctor. A second opinion is always good. Let's hope that you can make some progress, Judy. XOXO

[Rachel--24]

Another better day, I think the chlorella is having a positive effect.

For those of you who remember me talking about my brother being diagnosed with Celiac about 4 months ago I wanted to let you know that he is much improved. It seems that simply by cutting out gluten he is healing, I take this as confirmation that we are correct in persisting to ask, what is wrong when cutting out gluten is not enough.

YAY Rinne!! I'm glad you are having good days.

Did you just start taking chlorella recently? I didnt know you had tested with high levels for mercury...I must have forgot....I'm sure you posted it.

Great news about your brother too. I agree....when people dont get better from the diet its because they've got other issues.

It never made much sense to me when someone is on the diet for years and not getting better....then develop another disease *beacuse* of Celiac damage.

If someones not eating gluten there shouldnt be any damage...right?? If there is still "damage" after being of gluten for several months....I would think it would be unrelated to Celiac at that point.

LIKED THE FEMALE DR. VERY MUCH AND FEEL SHE WILL STAY WITH ME UNTIL WE FIND OUT WHY I AM SICK. sHE ASKED TONS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MY HISTORY..REALLY LISTENED

Hi Judy.

Hooray for finding a good doctor who is listening to you!!

I've had all the testing done....not the hydrogen breath test though.....never had that one.

I had a thorough test for deficiencies and my only deficiency out of everything was FOLATE.

They gave me a whole page of information about Folate with my test results.....

Function

Folic acid is needed to produce blood cells and other new tissue cells. Folate is a generic term for a group of pteridine compounds essential for one-carbon unit metabolism. Folates are involved in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and tRNA necessary for cell growth.

Folates are required for metabolism of methionine, histidine, tryptophan, glycine, serine, and formate. Interactions with Vitamins B6 and B12 also occur from common metabolic pathways. Folate function is necessary to prevent accumulation of homocystine. Deficient Folate status of pregnant females is also directly linked to incidence of birth defects, especially neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Deficiency symptoms

Symptoms of folate deficeiency include birth defects, fatigue, anorexia, constipation, glossitis (??), headaches, insomnia, restless legs, paranoia, memory impairment, megaloblastic anemia (identical in appearance to Vitamin B12 deficiency), intestinal lesions.

However, the neurological complications of Vitamin B12 deficiency do not ocur with folate deficiency.

Those at risk for floate deficiency include: Vitamin B12 deficiency, malnourished, malabsorption, pregnant and lactating women, increased rate of cellular division (burns, trauma, malignancies, hemolytic anemias), alcoholics, anti-convulsant therapy (phenytoin, barbituates, primidone), folate antagonist therapy, tuberccluosis therapy, oral contraceptive users, sulfasalazine therapy, elderly, infants inherited folate disorders.

I've never been taking anything for this but now I'm thinking it might be part of the reason I'm not metabolizing foods very well.

I guess I better talk to Anna about this.

[Rachel--24]

Its Employee Appreciation Week at my store until next Tuesday. Everyday they serve food all day long in the breakroom....breakfast, lunch and dinner. Of course I cant have any but it doesnt bother me.

Every boss I've had has been super nice......always wanting to get me something. I always say I dont need anything. They want me to get anything I can eat off the shelf but I cant eat anything from my store so I always decline....its not a big deal to me....I dont want people making a fuss. Its nice that they care though.

Both of my bosses have been asking me what I can eat?? My assistant manager wanted to know what foods I eat...I told him I gotta get my food from Whole Foods.

So guess what!!

This morning when my Assistant Manager got there he came up to me and said "Happy Employee Appreciation Week" and handed me a $25 gift certificate for Whole Foods!!

How cool is that!!!

I told him I didnt need anything....I'm ok with not eating the stuff. He said he wanted to show his appreciation anyway and felt bad that I couldnt indulge like everyone else.

It was totally sweet and thoughtful and I could have almost cried.

I knew he had to go out of his way to get the gift card....its not like we sell those in Safeway.

It was the nicest thing.

I've had like 20 different bosses since I got sick and they've all been super considerate and thoughtful.

The other day my Boss was gonna tell one of the girls who wears strong perfume to not wear it anymore...I told her not to....that it wasnt really fair to the girl. She said "Well...its not fair to you either."

I feel lucky to work with people who care.

[CarlaB]

Rachel, it's wonderful that the people at your job are so supportive!!!

[NoGluGirl]

Dear AndreaB,

Actually, Stachybotrys tends to be greenish black. This mold is notorious for causing illness. Penicillium I am not sure about, but I think it is black. Mold is something that gets into everything. There was a family not far from here who had it in their trailor. They ended up having to move out. The mold grew from a very slow leak behind their toilet, and it grew inside the walls. Bleach can kill it in a number of cases, but only if it has not penetrated certain areas. If it gets inside books and things, moving may be the best option. A good way to tell if toxic mold is a problem in your home is if you feel better if you stay at someone else's house for a few days.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl