Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[AndreaB]

The financial strain is something else we share. I am too ill to work a regular job. I am too tired and sick. So, affording medical care is pretty much impossible. My parents seem convinced at least half of the time that I am not really sick. I hate being stuck here. ....There is so much testing I need, and no money.

I hear you Jin. Financial woes follow a lot of us. I do hope you can get some money together to get some testing done. I don't know which issue is more pressing for you.

[Rachel--24]

No, you don't have to punch me. I did the hair analysis, but since I dye my hair I had to use the unmentionable hair.

I didnt know you could do that??

For my test it said you had to cut off about an inch (or was it two?? ) but it had to be the hair closest to your scalp...so basically I had to cut off a chunk of hair from my head.

My hair is long so I picked a bunch that was underneath...at the back of my neck...and then only the one or two inches closest to my scalp got sent to the lab.....the rest got thrown out.

So yeah...for the longest time whever I put my hair in a ponytail there was this obvious chunk that was missing from the back.

The test that showed all the imbalances....was that the spectracell vit/mineral test you were posting results to??

Mine was almost all normal except for folate.....which was deficient.

Other than that my "Spectrox Total Antioxidant Function" was at 51.9 percentile....which is "average". That test measures the net ability of antioxidant and repair mechanisms of each individuals own cells, giving a total assessment of antioxidant function.

This was the interpretation for my results:

A Spectrox value between the 25th to 75th percentiles indicates an average antioxidant function for apparantly healthy persons. Since antioxidants are protective nutrients, an average status means an ability to resist an oxidative stress similar to the majority of persons. However, average status is not ideal, nor is it clearly deficient.

Then I got this whole one page report which gets into all the scientificness about antioxidants and cells and stuff.

Anyways...besides the folate every single thing on that whole test was in normal range.

I just get blown away at how my tests never reveal any abnormalities, deficiencies, etc. Nothing is ever out of whack...yet I'm totally messed up. Its weird.

I know my Dr. said mercury and Lyme are intracellular and there may be no indication of poor health in labwork....but still...you would think more stuff would show up. I mean...how does everything stay normal as far as vitamins and minerals when I'm eating so few foods...and not always the best choices either??

I wasnt taking any supplements for months before I got this test.

I guess my body could still have all that it needs to be healthy....but its just not getting utilized correctly because of mercury interfering with normal functioning??

[AndreaB]

Anyways...besides the folate every single thing on that whole test was in normal range.

I just get blown away at how my tests never reveal any abnormalities, deficiencies, etc. Nothing is ever out of whack...yet I'm totally messed up. Its weird.

I don't know Rachel. Doesn't make much sense does it?

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Andrea,

Let's just say I have made quite a list of likely problems. I also included other things I need testing for that I know are a problem, but need the confirmation for other reasons, such as treatment. I came up with Lyme, Babesia, Thyroid Disease, Celiac/Gluten Intolerance/Malabsorption/Soy/Casein/Egg Intolerances plus genetic testing, Mercury poisoning, Yeast Candida, Other food intolerances, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Vitamin Deficiencies, and there were a few more I cannot recall at the moment. That does not include the dental issues. Financially, everything is a strain. However, I am in the process of pursuing the fraud situation from a legal angle. Maybe I could get my money back and be able to afford at least the two Western Blots and the gene tests.

Sincerely,

Jin

[AndreaB]

However, I am in the process of pursuing the fraud situation from a legal angle. Maybe I could get my money back and be able to afford at least the two Western Blots and the gene tests.

That would be great if that worked out!

Now you need to try and prioritize what needs to be done. I know, very challenging, especially when so many things are intertwined.

[miamia]

Donna-

wow that is alot of info!!! But it seems really useful. I am so happy you are getting some answers!

Susan-

god I am so sorry to hear what a rough time you are having- Your doc sounds horrible. I went to one doctor who when i told him about celiac he said "welll you can have gluten sometimes" - These are the people we trust with our lives?- that is frightening.

Andrea and jin-

yeah money is so hard- its hard enough to be dealing with health problems but the financial burden that comes along with them are insane and a whoile seperate problem

Ok I am still suffering from this reaction I am so mad well no to sick to feel mad. I have an appt. at this health center i go to today and I am hoping it will help. I talked to my doc and he thinks i had such an extreme reaction because the candida is really bad right now becasue of the hormones. he said even thoguh I do eat carbs rice turn into sugar so quickly it can be expecially bad. I did start diflucan last night- not looking forward at all to die off.

Miamia

[dlp252]

Maybe you could list yours.

My doctor thinks mercury is a problem for me just based on my hair analysis. He likes to do the urine challenge though. He won't treat me until I get my essential elements where he likes them. He's found problems with chelation if your essential elements aren't on the higher side since chelation takes them along with other metals.

Here are my hair numbers:

Toxic Elements:

Aluminum 2.5 (<12)

Antimony 0.011 (<0.060)

Arsenic 0.020 (<0.090)

Beryllium <0.01 (<0.020)

Bismuth 0.15 (<2.0)

Cadmium 0.033 (<0.10)--This is one Anna found in testing

Lead 0.02 (<1.0)

Mercury 0.14 (<1.1)

Platinum <0.003 (<0.005)

Thallium <0.001 (<0.010)

Thorium <0.001 (<0.005)

Uranium 0.044 (<0.060)

Nickel 0.23 (<0.40)

Silver 0.18 (<0.10)

Tin 0.05 (<0.30)

Titanium 0.71 (<1.0)

Essential and Other Elements (the * ones are the ones he especially wants to watch for some reason--I think because they are important to what we want to do in the future):

Calcium 1050 (475-1500)

Magnesium 260 (45-180)*

Sodium 130 (24-180)

Potassium 32 (20-80)

Copper 23 (9.0-24)*

Zinc 180 (130-200)

Manganese 0.19 (0.20-0.65)*

Chromium 0.44 (0.20-0.45)

Vanadium 0.030 (0.018-0.065)

Molybdenum 0.037 (0.040-0.10)*

Boron 1.1 (0.70-4.0)

Iodine 0.90 (0.25-1.3)

Lithium 0.008 (0.008-0.040)

Phosphorus 331 (350-600)

Selenium 0.92 (0.95-1.7)*

Strontium 8.8 (1.0-8.0)

Sulfur 49800 (43000-50000)

Barium 2.9 (0.50-5.0)

Cobalt 0.012 (0.013-0.050)*

Iron 7.4 (5.8-14)

Germanium 0.038 (0.045-0.065)

Rubidium 0.028 (0.030-0.25)

Zirconium 0.011 (0.040-1.0)

Interesting ... I was happy the Lyme test was positive because I have answers, but at this point I still wonder to what extent I will recover. If I had to guess, I'd guess my C D 57 was pretty low ... but I really don't know for sure. I feel pretty disabled by this whole thing. I have to keep reminding myself that I've had symptoms almost my whole life, and that my whole life I've seemed pretty healthy compared to most people (now that's a different topic, huh?), so I can certainly at least get back to that, if not better.

At least I'm used to anti-candida, detoxing, etc. I've been doing this for years ... I think this will make the difference in the end.

Yeah, the anti-candida and detox is really important...he kept stressing that. On my first visit he told me that my diet would be absolutely crucial in my recovery, and I really think that that is the main reason why I'm not worse off than I am. I DO feel that had I not started taking an active role in pursuing the causes of all my ills that it would have gotten much worse for me. However, now I'm wondering if the little episodes of feeling bad lately don't have so much to do with supplements and stuff, but rather are small little cycles of the lyme.

Wow! The top of a temple! In Guatemala, too! I am scared of heights! That would not work for me! That mold is bad news! I was horrified when I read about those molds! They are all toxic! I know someone who lost a kidney being exposed to the two of the three you listed! Get rid of that carpet! I bet we have toxic mold, too. Our basement seems to have it creeping in, but we have not been able to locate it or anything.

The good news is that last night at dinner, one of my friends was talking about someone she met at a dinner the church had last Saturday, and said he was a handyman...PERFECT TIMING! I think he can do some of the stuff around my place! I'd feel much better about having him do it than a stranger. I've met him before too, so it wouldn't be strange for me to walk up and talk to him about it, lol.

I didnt know you could do that??

For my test it said you had to cut off about an inch (or was it two?? but it had to be the hair closest to your scalp...so basically I had to cut off a chunk of hair from my head.

My hair is long so I picked a bunch that was underneath...at the back of my neck...and then only the one or two inches closest to my scalp got sent to the lab.....the rest got thrown out.

Yep, they gave me a little "scale" to use to weigh the hair on...that was funny too. I wish I could have used the hair on my head.

The test that showed all the imbalances....was that the spectracell vit/mineral test you were posting results to??

Mine was almost all normal except for folate.....which was deficient.

Other than that my "Spectrox Total Antioxidant Function" was at 51.9 percentile....which is "average". That test measures the net ability of antioxidant and repair mechanisms of each individuals own cells, giving a total assessment of antioxidant function.

See, my numbers don't look that bad to me, but he wants to watch a few things on there...my deficiencies according to the report was for coenzyme Q-10.

The Spectrox total antioxidant function was interpreted as "average" with a result of 46.9...they want a number of over 75% for that though which is why it came up on the report I guess.

For "repletion suggestions" they say to take 60 mg of coenzymeQ10 per day, and for the total antioxidant function they say to increase intake of foods rich in antioxidants...yeah right, easy for them to say, lol. Or, they suggest, 1000 mg of Vit C, 400 IU of Vit E (d-alpha-tocopherol) and 100mcg of selenium.

The other things on this report that the doc had concerns over were Magnesium which was 120.00 with the reference range being <124%, Glutathione 89.00 (>85%), Coenzyme Q-10 27.00 (<26%)

Maybe I could get my money back and be able to afford at least the two Western Blots and the gene tests.

If you could that would be great...the two western blots together are $190 from Igenix.

Ok I am still suffering from this reaction I am so mad well no to sick to feel mad. I have an appt. at this health center i go to today and I am hoping it will help. I talked to my doc and he thinks i had such an extreme reaction because the candida is really bad right now becasue of the hormones. he said even thoguh I do eat carbs rice turn into sugar so quickly it can be expecially bad. I did start diflucan last night- not looking forward at all to die off.

Oh, I really hope they can help you...is your appointment early?

[CarlaB]

Yeah, the anti-candida and detox is really important...he kept stressing that. On my first visit he told me that my diet would be absolutely crucial in my recovery, and I really think that that is the main reason why I'm not worse off than I am. I DO feel that had I not started taking an active role in pursuing the causes of all my ills that it would have gotten much worse for me. However, now I'm wondering if the little episodes of feeling bad lately don't have so much to do with supplements and stuff, but rather are small little cycles of the lyme.

Diet, exercise, detox, anti-candida ... all kept me feeling pretty good for a long time, but the Lyme took over little by little. Your episodes could be the Lyme cycling. It's good that you caught it as soon as you did.

[AndreaB]

I talked to my doc and he thinks i had such an extreme reaction because the candida is really bad right now becasue of the hormones. he said even thoguh I do eat carbs rice turn into sugar so quickly it can be expecially bad. I did start diflucan last night- not looking forward at all to die off.

I hope all goes ok with the diflucan.

Please keep us posted, and let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow.

[AndreaB]

Ok, I did a comparison chart for the hair analysis. I don't know why we have different ranges (I'm assuming different lab policies). I put my reference ranges first and any that were different on Donna's I noted next to the line. My test were done while I was still on a vegan diet. That changed due to the gluten and soy thing. I know these are about as clear as mud since we can't leave the spaces in...

Andrea 3-06 Donna 5-07

Aluminum Range < 7.0 (<12) /1.5 /2.5

Antimony Range <.050 (<.060) /<.01 /.011

Arsenic Range <.060 (<.090) /.072 /.02

Beryllium Range <.020 /<.01 /.01

Bismuth Range <.10 (<2.0) /.010 /.15

Cadmium Range <.10 /.085 /.033

Lead Range<1.0 /.22 /.02

Mercury Range <1.1 /.09 /.14

Platinum Range <.005 <.003 /<.003

Thallium Range <.010 <.001 /<.001

Thorium Range <.005 <.001 /<.001

Uranium Range<.060 /.001 /.044

Nickel Range <.40 /.06 /.23

Silver Range <.15 (<.100) /.02 /.18

Tin Range <.30 /.07 /.05

Titanium Range <1.0 /.81 /.71

Calcium (300-1200) (475-1500) /248 /1050

Magnesium (35-120) (45-180) /20 /260

Sodium (12-90) (24-180) /36 /130

Potassium (8-38) (20-80) /50 /32

Copper (12-35) (9-24) /10 /23

Zinc (140-220) (130-200) /220 /180

Manganese (.15-.65) (.2-.45) /.11 /0.19

Chromium (.20-.40) (.20-.45) /.36 /0.44

Vanadium (.018-.065) /.070 /0.03

Molybdenum (.028-.056) (.040-.1) /.058 /0.037

Boron (.30-2) (.7-4) /.42 /1.1

Iodine (.25-1.3) /.23 /0.9

Lithium (.007-.023) (.008-.040) /<.004 /0.008

Phosphorus (160-250) (350-600) /175 /331

Selenium (.95-1.7) /.97 /0.92

Strontium (.50-7.6) (1-8) /.34 /8.8

Sulfur (44500-52000) (43K-50K) /49800 /49800

Barium (.26-3) (.5-5) /.07 /2.9

Cobalt B12 (.013-.050) /.003 /0.012

Iron (5.4-14) (5.8-14) /9.2 /7.4

Germanium (.045-.065) /.031 /0.038

Rubidium (.007-.096) (.030-.25) /.036 /0.028

Zirconium (.020-.42) (.040-1) /.013 /0.011

[Mtndog]

Andrea- You should be a statistician- you are so good at recording all this stuff.

OK- news. Drive by post for which I apologize but I had to get up at 6 to drive into Boston for a small bowel XRay. NORMAL humans drink 2 cups of barium, get a few pics taken and are out of there in an hour. It took me 5 cups of barium, 2 shots of some nasty stuff called gastro and the radiologist using some weirrd paddle to much my intestines around- 4 hours! They said the recors is 11 hours so I guess I'm lucky. I'll find out the results in a few days (Crohn's I believe).

Edit- forgot you can't use celiac disease so my C*D*57 is in and I came in at 32. I'm actually relieved because it looks like we now know it's Lyme. But nothing is official until the Igenix tests come in which is not for another 3 weeks.

Off to nap....I'm beat!

[AndreaB]

Edit- forgot you can't use celiac disease so my C*D*57 is in and I came in at 32. I'm actually relieved because it looks like we now know it's Lyme. But nothing is official until the Igenix tests come in which is not for another 3 weeks.

Sounds like you went through the wringer this morning.

I was waiting for your post on the CD57 test. Now I'm very curious to see what you Igenex tests report.

[AndreaB]

Ok, here's the CD57 results as we know them so far. Mia, if you find yours I'll add it in. Laura didn't get it done. Carla, do you know if you did?

Reference range 60-300

<20 highly advanced/ 20-60 active/ >60 less active/ > 200 normal

Charlie /May 07 /60/

Rachel /May 07 /78

Donna /May 07 /84

Bev /May 07 /32

[Rachel--24]

Wow Bev....4 hours!

That sucks...I'm sure you're glad its all over and now you get get some much deserved rest.

I'm not really surprised with the CD57 results....I think this infection is really dragging you down.

Its good you're getting the answers and are already getting prepared for treatment. Were all not that far ahead of you.

Basically we're all starting treatment around the same time...which is pretty cool. Me, Rinne, Mia, Carla and Laura in the first group and now you, Donna and Charlie in the second group. Its nice that we can all go through it together and share our experiences.

I also got my CD57 back....it was 78 and my Dr. felt really optimistic based on my results. Donna's was higher than mine...80-something??

You've been going through alot the past couple weeks with all these tests and the anxiety of it all....hope you can get some rest and feel better.

[Rachel--24]

Ok, here's the CD57 results as we know them so far. Mia, if you find yours I'll add it in. Laura didn't get it done. Carla, do you know if you did?

Reference range 60-300

<20 highly advanced/ 20-60 active/ >60 less active/ > 200 normal

Charlie /May 07 /60/

Rachel /May 07 /78

Donna /May 07 /84

Bev /May 07 /32

Andrea...can I just say that you are AWESOME!!

[AndreaB]

Andrea...can I just say that you are AWESOME!!

Aw, thanks.

I put the date with it because I assume all of you will be retesting at whatever intervals to see how things are going.

[happygirl]

Wow, Bev...but happy you got the results.

FYI: Generally, your blood tests from Igenex only take 2 weeks (10 business days). They fax them to the drs office as soon as they are ready. I know you had the biopsy also, but just wanted to let you know all that .

[Rachel--24]

Ok...so that day when I threw up 3 times I had figured it was a combination of excess sauna and chlorella.

After reading on LymeNet I can see that my Dr. was right and that I should have been starting the sauna at only 5 minutes...30 minutes is really long for someone whos really toxic. I'm sure the heat was also too much for me...I had her turn it up because I wasnt hot enough.

I wasnt really trying to rachel the sauna...I just didnt know.

I've been off chlorella since then but Anna said she wanted me to take some for detox and for alkalizing. I finally got brave enough last night and had one capsule. I had an immediate reaction. I havent been having any problems with my foods or supplements the past 2 weeks...everythings been going well.

Today I've been sooo nauseus. I know I wont throw up like I did that one day....but its the same feeling of nausea and grossness.

I'm eating right now so I'm feeling better.

Anna tested me for chlorella and said I'm ok with it...but she was testing in the computer. She wasnt testing my actual product...which wasnt there with me.

I'm thinking its not the chlorella itself but something toxic is definately present in this chlorella. I dont think I'll be trying any other brands any time soon. Its the nastiest stuff ever...I'll just stick with my charcoal and see what Dr. Amy says about it next month when I see her.

[AndreaB]

I've been off chlorella since then but Anna said she wanted me to take some for detox and for alkalizing. I finally got brave enough last night and had one capsule. I had an immediate reaction. I havent been having any problems with my foods or supplements the past 2 weeks...everythings been going well.

Today I've been sooo nauseus. I know I wont throw up like I did that one day....but its the same feeling of nausea and grossness.

I haven't tried another tiny dose of mine yet. I only had 1/8 tsp (mine is powder), a dose is 1/2 tsp. I felt nauseous the whole day and I'm not too thrilled with the idea of taking it again but I suppose I should try one more time.

What's the charcoal do. I know they give that for amalgam removal. Is it a mop up thing?

[Rachel--24]

Donna...I checked out your post on LN. I still have yet to post once on that board.

Theres a guy on there (Groovy2).....he's been there a long time. He's actually the guy who emailed me more than 2 years ago saying that he thinks I have Lyme. Thats when I really tried to get tested but got totally shunned by the Dr.'s.

He was real sick back then...he was posting on the candida board I was on and I dont think he was too far into his Lyme treatment. Now whenever I come across his posts...he seems to be doing WAY better then he was back then.

I remember him telling me he had thought long and hard abut sending me the email and finally just decided to do it. He was worried I'd get defensive about it. I was very open to it and Lyme had already been something I'd been questioning so his email just gave me that extra push. Now if only I'd had some decent Dr.'s I might have gotten answers 2 years ago.

I didnt know about LLMD's or anything...he invited me to LymeNet but I never checked it out.

[Rachel--24]

I haven't tried another tiny dose of mine yet. I only had 1/8 tsp (mine is powder), a dose is 1/2 tsp. I felt nauseous the whole day and I'm not too thrilled with the idea of taking it again but I suppose I should try one more time.

What's the charcoal do. I know they give that for amalgam removal. Is it a mop up thing?

I know the chlorella can cause some detox symptoms the first couple weeks taking it but the reaction I had last night was immediate...not a detox type symptom. Nausea by itself...or bowel changes could be part of detox though.

Yup..charcoal is a mop up agent. So yeah...it absorbs all toxins....its also benign so not likely to cause reactions. This is what I take per Dr. Amy. I just buy it at WF...its not very expensive at all.

[dlp252]

OK- news. Drive by post for which I apologize but I had to get up at 6 to drive into Boston for a small bowel XRay. NORMAL humans drink 2 cups of barium, get a few pics taken and are out of there in an hour. It took me 5 cups of barium, 2 shots of some nasty stuff called gastro and the radiologist using some weirrd paddle to much my intestines around- 4 hours! They said the recors is 11 hours so I guess I'm lucky. I'll find out the results in a few days (Crohn's I believe).

WOW!!! Marathon xray session! Sheesh, I'm tired just reading that!

Andrea...can I just say that you are AWESOME!!

Yes, DITTO!!!

I'm thinking its not the chlorella itself but something toxic is definately present in this chlorella. I dont think I'll be trying any other brands any time soon. Its the nastiest stuff ever...I'll just stick with my charcoal and see what Dr. Amy says about it next month when I see her.

I may try my liquid again...everyone really wants me to try it, lol. Dr. S just says that some people can't handle it, so he's not pushing it.

Donna...I checked out your post on LN. I still have yet to post once on that board.

There are some really nice people there...I try to read their posts and forget the bickering. I don't post much there...usually can't think of anything to ask.

[DingoGirl]

WOW - - - so much here and not much time to write! I just love this forum and am glad to be back in Rville among caring friends. You guys amaze me.

Even better, find a single dentist!

Excellent, or - - a single veterinarian.....

Being tired all the time and crying a lot...could be that something is whacky with your thyroid. I think you have good intuition that something physiological is going on besides the brain chemistry stuff. It's all connected. When I was depressed a few years ago, I was crying 3 to 4 times a day. They, I finally decided to see my chiropractor and have him muscle test me. I needed iodine. The day I started taking it, I went from crying 3-4 times a day to once a day. It was that quick! Recently, I was feeling really tired, even after going on vacation and laying around doing nothing. I went back to that chiropractor and he put me on Thyrosol by Metagenics for my thyroid, but he thinks it's my adrenals that are affecting my thyroid. It's definitely helped with my energy levels. Weight gain also suggests a sluggish thyroid.

Your adrenals may be involved too. If your adrenals are out of balance, you won't be able to tolerate any alcohol. I think you should try giving up the wine and seeing if that helps too. Plus, if your intestines are still healing, the alcohol may be rough on them.

Also, don't forget that your brain needs glucose to operate, so you don't want to be too low on carbs. Maybe lower carbs is a better term, or healthy carbs.

I think if you can afford it, get TSH, free T3 and T4 checked for the thyroid. Or, if you have a health care practitioner who can muscle test you, you can skip all the blood testing.

Thanks Claire. *sigh* - - so much to think about and......it's all so hard when you're so tired. It is so easy to imagine why people just accept a "wastebasket" diagnosis and sink comfortably into a life of illness, isn't it?

I am on disability so all of the mainline testing for me is free. I can check off ALL the boxes for thyroid etc, and have the results sent to me also. (for the experts of Rachelville, of course ) I am gaining weight and this makes me FURIOUS. I am walking, began working out at the gym (until three weeks ago and then became too tired), eating very well.......BUT I am also 45 and things do start changing. It's a pisser - ain't it?

:

Maybe I oughtta be more flirtacious while I'm picking up my 5 foods from WF.

Ha! My mom loved your wilderness rule of "leave no trace".

I think she might wanna implement this now.

Me too.

Yes - -- definitely a WF manager - - - better eats, anyway. And hi to mom! glad she liked that.

Laura....there was a time when I was living in a jungle of weeds...whats even worse is that I didnt even CARE!

My yard was out of control....after I did all that work to landscape it I got too sick to actually maintain it.

When I got better I had to fix it up again. My poor yard....it either gets TONS of attention...or it gets totally neglected....depending on how poisoned I am.

Rachel - - I can totally identify with this. When I moved in here, into Stepford, two years ago, I think my neighbors were waiting for a mattress or refrigerator to show up on my front lawn. Now, it is SO much better, and I have worked my rear off in the back yard.......always a sign I'm feeling better - lots of planting and rearranging of plants.

(I have to limit use of emoticons here as I know this thing will tell me I"m u sing too many - grrrr)

Carla - - glad your system seems to be working......I can't remember all the details of what you (or anyone else) are going through - - - is it a herx? and you and Laura on the same herx - - guess that happens here, like women all on the same menstrual cycle when hanging out......

Aw shucks,

I've said it before, I really feel like much of my wellness comes from knowing this place.

Hi Rinne! Yes, I think that is very true. Wonderful place, Rachelville.

god I am so sorry to hear what a rough time you are having- Your doc sounds horrible. I went to one doctor who when i told him about celiac he said "welll you can have gluten sometimes" - These are the people we trust with our lives?- that is frightening.

Mia - - I know - -- GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! These people are nuts. My endodontist the other day said, excuse me, but what is Celiac disease? and so I gave him the 30-second version.....and then we talked about my receding gums and loss of enamel and exposed roots and etc......and he says - - "none of this has to do with Celiac disease." And WHY DIDN"T I SCREAM AT HIM - - -

WELL IF YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT celiac disease IS, THEN HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS ISN"T FROM celiac disease?????? (insert mad face)

M - - I hope you feel much better soon.

BEV - - - it IS Lyme? I have always thought so for you.....oh my god. Heinous test, BTW.....I am overwhelmed for you and all you've been through. Sending love.

Andrea - - - yes, you ARE amazing with your recording of stats! We love you! (even though I can't follow any of them)

Donna - - remove the carpet and see what's underneath. If it's a decent cement - you can have someone acid-stain it (I am doing mine myself as don't care about chemicals - hah) and then put a gloss sealant on it. Really beautiful and the cheapest option around.

Laura - I am SO glad you're feeling better. And thank you for your kind words and spirit, dear one.

Dang, I forgot everything else!!!

Lynnie - - I will get all those tests you recommended. Can't remember what they are now.

As for me - - - I don't think I have Lyme - - - but I think mercury could be a problem. And that is just HEINOUS.

Well, I have a bit more energy today. Slept 10 solid hours. I think staying home from work was such a good thing.

Love you guys - - back later. Must take advantage of this energy today. Dang, such a mystery, how it comes and goes......

xoxoxox

[AndreaB]

I just love this forum and am glad to be back in Rville among caring friends. You guys amaze me.

As for me - - - I don't think I have Lyme - - - but I think mercury could be a problem. And that is just HEINOUS.

We are sooooooo glad you are back.

Get all the mainline testing you can get and try to talk your cousin into helping with a hair analysis/urine challenge mercury test with a holistic type doctor (or better yet, LLMD).

[Clark Bent as Stupor-Man]

quick questions, I'm at work and want to fill my prescription if possible tonight...

for those of you taking prescriptions for lyme or anything else, do you worry about it having corn, artificial colors, etc. I can't say for sure that I'm reactive to these but haven't had them at all for months... I keep my diet extremely strict and don't take OTC meds... I'd prefer to keep avoiding them but it doesn't look practical to avoid corn and artificial colors... the prescription I have has both artificial colors and corn starch... should I not be concerned about it and just fill the prescription anyway?

also, anyone take or taken minocyclin? I've called Watson, which is the company that makes it, at least the company my pharmacy gave me, but the pharmacist at Watson just gave me a bunch of legal jargon that they don't know if it's gluten-free... the active and inactive ingredient listing looks fine to me in regards to gluten and dairy, but they went on at length to say they don't know if it's gluten-free or not... again, something I should just disregard and fill the prescription anyway?