Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

October is Breast Cancer awareness month. That means that I'll be wearing PINK all month....to support the cause.

I cant believe that its been a whole year since I was wearing pink!!

That was when my days seemed to really become brighter. I started really living again.

So this past year has been the best I've had since I became sick....and it all started with wearing pink. I swear there MUST be something to that!!

Hopefully things will get even brighter now that I'll be embracing the pink once again.

I have a good feeling about October.

Also, in November, my friend from Germany will be visiting....so I have that to look forward to as well.

I hope to raise money for breast cancer awareness but I think its gonna be more difficult for people to donate this year....due to the economy.

[Rachel--24]

I'm back from Williamsburg now, and the mold patch is now OUT of my carpet!

YAY!!!

Birdy, I hope this helps to relieve some of your symptoms.

[mftnchn]

Well I think I am detoxing on my second day of repeating the SCD intro, so either I added some things too fast, or I just still have a bunch of bad bugs to clear...

Might be 2-3 days a month on the intro would speed things along.

[nora-n]

About leg cramps, we use soap here in Europe too. also, a thread of wool tied around the ancle is supposed to help. Must be real wool. we have had a series of radio programs about stuff like that, remedies, and a book with the best tips. I have the book somewhere.

About hydrocortisone cream, the natural stuff in the body is called cortisol, and hydrocortisone is teh same thing, just outside the body...the simplest explanation. Next thing to know is that in physiological doses it is not harmful. We thyroid patients sometimes are lowish on cortisol too, comes with the terrain. Antibody caused, and other reasons. Thyroid hormones just do not work properly without enough cortisol. This is something totally different than steroid treatment, with prednisolone . Prednisolone 5 mg corresponds to about 20 mg hydrocortisone, and is about one day's production of the adrenal glands, but production varies widely in people. latest news is that natural production is more like 15-20 mg, yet it is known that addison patients sometimes need up to 35-45 mg. The hydrocortisone cream is not so strong and I only use small amounts sometimes but I notice a big difference. Normally I do not take any. Hips and knees hurt if I am low, and I get salt cravings and brain fog, and feel woozy, also unreal-like feeling, and nausea and headacheis typical too. Much better since LDN. Theory is lessening of inflammation and antibodies. Both things use up lots of cortisol.

Those that only supplement the missing cortisol, do not get suppressed ACTH, the hormone that normally stimulates tha adrenal glands. Patients on steroids ffor pther reasons get low ACTH and the adrenals then stop producing cortisol for that reason, and get very sick if they apruptly stop steroids. It must be tapered down to nothing. There are a lot of known side effects from high dose steroid treatment so one is only put on high doses of steroids for life-saving reasons or the like (like anaphylactic reactions ) and I have seen that sometimes they put gyn. patients on one dose of steroids in connection to small surgeries so they can walk out the door of the hospital after a few hours, as opposed to teh other patients who get very nauseated and just throw up for hours after the procedure because of the anesthesia (morphine does that). Seen that when I worked in such a ward.

As for LDN, just google it, and it stands for low dose naltrexone. Mostly MS and cancer patients use it, and a few thyroid patients are trying it, and there is a clinical trial for using it in fibromyalgia going on now, and there have been clinical trials for crohns and other things, and parents of autistic kids try it on the kids of course with Gluten-free Casein-free diet and other interventions.

OT There was a death announcement in the local paper yesterday, the lady across the street died, and the other neighbours said she had gyn.cancer and it took about one month from diagnosis till she died. She had been cared for those weeks in the local old and sick people's home. The widower did not want flowers but a money gift to the care unit. They had just bought the house a couple of years ago so we did not really know them, and the people before got divorced and moved.

nora

[dlp252]

Oh, I forgot to tell you all that I bought detox footpads yesterday. Bed Bath & Beyond had them so I picked up a box. I was too afraid to try them last night though, lol. The box says to put one on one foot one night, then one on the other foot the next night, or you can put one on each foot, but every other night. I think I might try one foot one night and then skip a night and then do the other foot, lol.

Ummmm.....it seemed like a positive thing to me.

...

So yeah....I think the new place is probably much better as far as alot of things...including parking. It was heinous trying to make it on time for my appt. when I couldnt park ANYWHERE. I think I was almost in tears once because of that.

Yeah, a very positive thing, lol.

And yeah, the parking could be a heiniosity for sure. I guess one of these days I'll have ot call to see where they went. I'm surprised they didn't send out an announcement or at least put it on their website (or, I guess I should go look again to make sure, lol).

I'm going to look for the Solaray Tumeric too.

Mine always happen in my calf. I haven't had them in a LONG time. The wierd thing was I couldn't stretch it out because then the front muscles started cramping. Feeling like I was going to pass out if I kept standing wasn't helpful at all!

Yeah, this was how it was for me too...nothing helped at the time it was happening. There was no pattern to how or when I got them...they weren't clustered together or anything...just maybe once a year I get one.

This is something that probably has an affect on how I feel each day. I bet if I kept track....I would notice that the more water I drink....the better I feel.

Do you think this could contribute to cramps?? I dont get them now....but before I got sick (and when I was getting the charlie horses) I did not drink ANY water....EVER.

Yes, I think it can contribute. I also feel MUCH worse if I don't drink water. It's funny because some days I just am busy and don't think about water...then some time later in the day I'll actually start feeling sick, and I'll realize that I haven't had water.

After my CT scan on Wednesday, they wanted me to drink a LOT of water because it helps flush everything out.

[CarlaB]

Nora, any steroids at all is contra-indicated in a Lyme patient unless they are in danger of death, so it doesn't sound like that treatment would be right for me.

I am borderline-low thyroid and on low doses of Synthroid and Cytomel. My Adrenals were also borderline low, so what you're saying is true for me.

Everyone, my skin rash on my forehead and scalp that I've had for a few months now is going away. The D seems to be gone now, too. Maybe I'm slowly detoxing this stuff on my own.

Birdy, welcome back, glad you got rid of the moldy carpet.

[mftnchn]

Yay on the continued improvement, Carla.

Donna, hope all the preparations for surgery are going okay for you. I have problems remembering to drink water too, I rarely feel thirsty.

Sherry

[confused]

Donna,

Let us know how u like the foot pads, once you use them, I for one will never use them again lol

Carla,

Anymore info on Kassandra?

Rachel.

If pink made me healthy, then i would be the healthiest person alive. I always have some sort of pink on me and i buy everything pink lol.

paula

[aprilh]

Drinking enough water has always been difficult for me....just reading your post right now made me realize that I havent yet drank ANY water today!

This is something that probably has an affect on how I feel each day. I bet if I kept track....I would notice that the more water I drink....the better I feel.

Do you think this could contribute to cramps?? I dont get them now....but before I got sick (and when I was getting the charlie horses) I did not drink ANY water....EVER.

I only drank milk, soda or juice....but never water.

I hope you enjoyed the convention.

I do think water can contribute and I think it was the contributing factor in the one the other night. The reason I think that is because I felt like both leg muscles felt tight like any part of of my legs could cramp up at any minute. It wasn't just the calf. I *felt* kind of dehydrated, too.

There are definately other contributing factors to muscle cramps, too.

I'm back from Williamsburg now, and the mold patch is now OUT of my carpet!

I'm glad surgery went well for Kassandra, but hopefully the pain will reduce soon so she can go home.

Birdy

Glad the mold is gone!

Well I think I am detoxing on my second day of repeating the SCD intro, so either I added some things too fast, or I just still have a bunch of bad bugs to clear...

Might be 2-3 days a month on the intro would speed things along.

That's interesting, Sherry. I think you have a good idea to do the intro 2-3 days per month. Kind of like a monthly detox.

[nora-n]

question: I read German, any hints at all about the treatment over there to get rid of lyme? I am aware of that doctors are being attacked for these kinds of treatments so one cannot post names.

[CarlaB]

Nora, Dr. Woitzel is the doctor I'm seeing over there. People have freely posted his name and phone number on LN, so I think it's okay. He uses the Bionic 880. I found a lot Googling both of those, I just used the translate feature on Google to be able to read it. Even in German there is not much, but you will find some.

Thanks, Sherry, some little things are getting better. I just wish the flu-like symptoms would clear!

No info on Kassandra yet. It's still early in CA, so this is a good sign, she may be sleeping.

[dlp252]

Donna, hope all the preparations for surgery are going okay for you. I have problems remembering to drink water too, I rarely feel thirsty.

Yes, surgery prep is going well...I just bought some PINK fuzzy slippers yesterday...I've ordered a shawl type thingy because I'll have tubes and things coming out of and attached to everywhere...I think I'm done with all the labs and testing...now we just need to set a date, lol.

I'm good about water when I'm at work, it's when I'm home or running around that I have the problems. :rolleyes"

Let us know how u like the foot pads, once you use them, I for one will never use them again lol

Yes, I plan to go very slowly...just one pad per night and then every other night.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel.

If pink made me healthy, then i would be the healthiest person alive. I always have some sort of pink on me and i buy everything pink lol.

haha...I guess we dont have this in common!

I think I was afraid of pink.

I dont have anything pink, didnt wear anything pink.....I think I would have considered pink to be my least favorite color.

Last year I was not too excited about wearing pink....even if for a good cause. Pink just kind of seemed all wrong for me. I'm kind of "tomboyish" and I was just never drawn to that color.

I think it was Julie who posted that pink was a "healing" color....so I went out and bought pink shirts.

It was the wierdest thing....but I actually FELT better when I started wearing those shirts. I started getting alot of compliments...people were actually saying that I was looking healthier....and that I was smiling alot more.

It could have been a coincidence?? I'm not really sure...but ever since then I'm not afraid of pink....and I like it. I'm looking forward to wearing it again.

All I know is I did feel happier....and healthier when I started wearing pink. It seemed to have a healing effect on me.

Paula, maybe you just arent wearing ENOUGH pink.

[Rachel--24]

Yes, I think it can contribute. I also feel MUCH worse if I don't drink water. It's funny because some days I just am busy and don't think about water...then some time later in the day I'll actually start feeling sick, and I'll realize that I haven't had water.

After my CT scan on Wednesday, they wanted me to drink a LOT of water because it helps flush everything out.

I'm the same way....I get busy with things and I just forget to drink my water. Plus, I'm hardly ever feeling thirsty.

On the days that I'm drinking more water I dont actually notice myself urinating more frequently....so then I wonder if I'm actually flushing anything out?

Maybe I'm needing ALOT more water than what I'm actually drinking?? Even on the days that I try to focus on this....I'm still not drinking the recommended amount.

[Rachel--24]

Everyone, my skin rash on my forehead and scalp that I've had for a few months now is going away. The D seems to be gone now, too. Maybe I'm slowly detoxing this stuff on my own.

Glad you're noticing improvement. Detoxing is definately a slow process....I think its a good sign that the rash is clearing up.

[dlp252]

Yeah, you (Rachel, lol) probably need more than what you are drinking. I think (don't have any studies) that the body uses what it needs for tissue, cells, colon, etc. I don't necessarily pee any more when I drink more, but I do sometimes, so I don't know exactly why it's different those times. I probably go every 3 hours or so, unless I'm really COLD. :lol: Then, better leave me a path to the restroom.

[Rachel--24]

Yeah, you (Rachel, lol) probably need more than what you are drinking. I think (don't have any studies) that the body uses what it needs for tissue, cells, colon, etc.

Yup...I think you're right. I need more water.

Its only rarely that I notice I'm having to use the restroom more frequently...so maybe those are the only times my body is getting enough water.

I think since this is the Celiac board and since "accidents" are frequently discussed (well probably more in the kids section )....I think its safe to say this happened to me once when I drank too much water.

This was not a #2 accident.....but I was not any less traumatized by it.

That might be why I'm a little hesitant with drinking alot of water. Heck, we all know I rachel everything else...but I'm more "catious" with water.

I'm not even sure if I had drank an excessive amount of water or if my body was just going through a cleansing phase...or what. It was more than 3 years ago when I was doing the strict anti-candida diet. Maybe my body was freaking out....not knowing what to do with suddenly having WATER instead of soda.

My body was like....WHAT is THIS?? Not really sure.....lets pass it thru...GET RID OF IT!!

All I know is that I kept having to go. I had to drive home (like an hour drive) and I just didnt make it. I got stuck in a little traffic...it was sooooo traumatic. I called my mom crying.

It was major spillage/clean-up/drama. It was all water.....no odor....just a tonage of water.

I still dont know why it happened ....but that might have something to do with my not wanting to go crazy with the water.

Plus, I just dont get thirsty...always hungry but rarely thirsty.

Ssssshhhhh.....don't tell anyone about this.

[CarlaB]

I'm all of a sudden feeling a lot better today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but today I'm feeling a lot better. A little of the fibro pain, especially down my left side, but other than that, feeling pretty good. A little tired because I just went to the Mall with Chloe for a Homecoming dress .... shoes .... jeans .... we were there for hours, so I think anyone would be tired after that, LOL.

[Rachel--24]

Carla, I read something that I thought was kind of interesting.

I'm not really sure how valid it is....and I havent tried to look into it any furthur yet.

Anyways, it was having to do with cytokines. I've talked alot about the DPPIV enzyme that breaks down gluten and casein...but the enzyme has other functions as well. Apparantly it also breaks down cytokines....so its involved in helping the body to get rid of them.

There is another relationship between your immune system, the gut and depression. A healthy intestine will produce an enzyme called DPP IV. (The intestines and kidney are where most of this enzyme is created. Certain intestinal bacteria can create this enzyme too.) This enzyme is important for the digestion of food, and it is important for the immune system. It appears to have a major role in depression, as evidenced by the following observations.

1. The activity of this enzyme is low in the blood serum of people with depression.

2. Treatment with either interferon-alpha or IL-2 will reduce DPP IV activity in the blood. This reduction in DPP IV activity directly correlates with an increase in depressive symptoms.

3. The DPP IV enzyme is important for methylation in the body. Methylation appears to be important in the treatment of depression. (eg. SAMe)

4. The DPP IV enzyme degrades (helps to get rid of) IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. These inflammatory cytokines are often elevated in depression.

I was thinking that any time an enzyme that has many functions becomes "overloaded" or deficient....it is less available for other things.

Its the same with the PST enzyme I talked about in the past.....if you avoid salicylates (which burden the enzyme) then the enzyme is more available for other things which need to be detoxed through PST (hormones, neurotransmitters, etc).

The DPP IV enzyme is needed for digestion of gluten and casein. It seems possible that people with Lyme, mold, heavy metals, etc....who have alot of cytokine production...might become sensitive to those foods because the enzyme is burdened with other things (cytokines).

At the same time....it would make sense that if a person is dealing with cytokines......consuming gluten and casein would make that enzyme less available for breaking down the cytokines.....and they would build up.

If that were true it might be beneficial to avoid those foods.....or to take enzymes containing DPP IV when eating those foods. I think a shortage of DPP IV would make it harder for the body to eliminate cytokines.

I found some info. on that....I'm pretty sure I saved it...but its on my mom's computer.

Anyway, it could be one explanation for why people with these chronic conditions feel alot better when removing these foods or taking enzymes. They would be inhibiting detoxification of other things which use DPP IV....same way that salicylates inhibit detoxification of other things which are detoxed through PST/sulfation.

If the DPP IV enzyme is important for methylation...then it is also important for detoxification. For a person who's dealing with excess toxins.....gluten and casein may make it more difficult for the body to detoxify.

I have to look more into it....but it makes sense to me.

I'm pretty sure the other article I saved mentioned that gluten and casein can use up the DPP IV enzyme.....making it difficult to detox the cytokines.

[christine 25]

This is so true!

Foods and Headaches:

Report #6760 3/16/96

"One in eight Americans suffers from migraine headaches. Some attacks are triggered by caffeine, monosodium glutamate, estrogen pills and protein foods aged to increase flavor.

Doctors don't know what happens when a person has a migraine headache, but the most-common explanation is that blood vessels in the brain widen, stretching the nerves in the blood vessels, causing them to release a hormone called substance P that brings on the headache. Certain stimulants called monamines, such as adrenalin produced by your body, cause blood vessels in the brain to widen, setting up the chain of events that cause migraines. Some foods contain monoamines, or tyramines, that also can cause migraines, particularly high-protein foods that are aged to increase flavor. People who do not suffer migraines usually have chemicals called monoamine oxidase in their intestines to prevent monoamines from passing into their bloodstreams and causing migraines. People who suffer migraines often have intestines that allow monoamines to pass into the bloodstream.

If you have migraines that are aggravated by foods, try to avoid smoked meats because they contain nitrates, aged cheeses, sour cream, wine, particularly red wines, sherry, beer including those that do not contain alcohol, pickled herrings, anchovies, caviar, liver, canned figs, raisins, bananas, overripe avocados, chocolate, soy sauce, sauerkraut, fava beans, yeast extracts, yogurt, meat extracts and those prepared with meat tenderizers. Estrogen pills can also trigger migraines."

Refrence: Drmirkin.com

( I have trouble with all these foods!)

[christine 25]

As for LDN, just google it, and it stands for low dose naltrexone. Mostly MS and cancer patients use it, and a few thyroid patients are trying it, and there is a clinical trial for using it in fibromyalgia going on now, and there have been clinical trials for crohns and other things, and parents of autistic kids try it on the kids of course with Gluten-free Casein-free diet and other interventions.

nora

Nora, Thanks for the great information. I actually read it this morning and have been thinking about it at work. I googled it for a min.

I have never head of this before. So is the theory that A low dose of Naltrexone 1.5-4 mg (opoid blocker) given at bedtime

will actually increase the body's internal beta-endorphin levels and make someone feel better?

Its so true that drugs have so many off lable side effects and can be used to treat other diseases.

I have had developed hashimotos thyroidits shortly after several chemical exposures in the past. I still have antibodies, (they have dropped) and puffy skin, and some odd symptoms including headache, and joint and muscle pain.

Does the Naltrexone help with loosing weight or headaches? Does it cause an instant change? What is it helping you with?

Thanks

C

[Rachel--24]

Yeah.....amines cause me big probems and I'm super sensitive to them. I avoid all of the major offenders but I occassionally will react to the grass fed beef if its not fresh enough. I usually have to eat it within a day or two.....and I usually do better with it if I buy it when its first been ground (early in the morning) rather than if its been sitting in the meat case all day.

For some reason I can handle certain cocoa in baked goods....not really sure why that is though.

[confused]

Rachel.

Omg we are not alike in the pink category lol. My parents just brought me back 2 pink fleece jackets from alaska. Once my mom handed them to me today, i started to laugh cause i thought of ur pink post lol I have always been a very pink girl. Even tho my cell phone is purple lol

Today i felt the best that i have felt in a long time. It was so nice to be able to go to the park for an picnic today. Im hoping to be able to work out tommorow. I have gained 15 pounds in the last few months and it needs to go away.

I have noticed since i have been detoxing, that I am using the bathroom 1 or 2 times a day. Im taking this is a good sign of my detoxing stage lol

paula

[mftnchn]

Anyways, it was having to do with cytokines. I've talked alot about the DPPIV enzyme that breaks down gluten and casein...but the enzyme has other functions as well. Apparantly it also breaks down cytokines....so its involved in helping the body to get rid of them.

I was thinking that any time an enzyme that has many functions becomes "overloaded" or deficient....it is less available for other things.

Its the same with the PST enzyme I talked about in the past.....if you avoid salicylates (which burden the enzyme) then the enzyme is more available for other things which need to be detoxed through PST (hormones, neurotransmitters, etc).

The DPP IV enzyme is needed for digestion of gluten and casein. It seems possible that people with Lyme, mold, heavy metals, etc....who have alot of cytokine production...might become sensitive to those foods because the enzyme is burdened with other things (cytokines).

At the same time....it would make sense that if a person is dealing with cytokines......consuming gluten and casein would make that enzyme less available for breaking down the cytokines.....and they would build up.

If that were true it might be beneficial to avoid those foods.....or to take enzymes containing DPP IV when eating those foods. I think a shortage of DPP IV would make it harder for the body to eliminate cytokines.

Anyway, it could be one explanation for why people with these chronic conditions feel alot better when removing these foods or taking enzymes. They would be inhibiting detoxification of other things which use DPP IV....same way that salicylates inhibit detoxification of other things which are detoxed through PST/sulfation.

If the DPP IV enzyme is important for methylation...then it is also important for detoxification. For a person who's dealing with excess toxins.....gluten and casein may make it more difficult for the body to detoxify.

I'm pretty sure the other article I saved mentioned that gluten and casein can use up the DPP IV enzyme.....making it difficult to detox the cytokines.

Rachel this all makes sense to me.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel.

Omg we are not alike in the pink category lol. My parents just brought me back 2 pink fleece jackets from alaska. Once my mom handed them to me today, i started to laugh cause i thought of ur pink post lol I have always been a very pink girl. Even tho my cell phone is purple lol

Pink fleece jackets...OMG....I would be RUNNING away.

You'd think all girls should just LOVE pink...but not this one. I'm getting used to it...but I still havent bought anything pink....other than the shirts for breast cancer. I think its baby steps with me and pink.

I like pink on OTHER people....just not so much on me.

So yeah...we are not alike in this category. I've never been a very pink girl...but maybe I shoulda been cuz I sure did feel HAPPY when I was wearing it!

Today i felt the best that i have felt in a long time. It was so nice to be able to go to the park for an picnic today.

I love picnics!! I used to do picnics all the time before I got sick. Me and my ex would even meet during our lunch breaks for a picnic at the park. I loved that.

I was just thinking....how come I dont do picnics anymore?? And then I was like "Oh yeah....its cuz I cant EAT anything."

Thats another one to put on my list of things to do when I start improving. PICNICS!!!