dlp252

I hope this is helpful!

Yes, very, thanks!

Well, I was very pleased with how well the foundation and blush stayed on last night. I still think the foundation color might be just a hair too pale, but it wasn't bad...and probably matched my neck more anyway, lol. I was outside, and it was cold (for California, lol), so I didn't have heat or sweat working against me, but the Weekend Getaway blush didn't change colors or get too orange, and I thought it actually looked pretty natural.

I'm off work today, so I'm going to play with the other foundation samples.

Does anyone know about the finishing powders. What do they do? Are they primarily for oilier skin types?

I think it's probably kind of like Bare Mineral's Mineral Veil, which is supposed to give a more "finished" look...kind of softens the entire face thing. I've never used the Bare Minerals version much...it always seemed a little to light.

Good luck singing tonight!! If people start calling you Kermit, you know you need to blend that concealor a little better

!!! Okay, so yeah, no kermit remarks, so I guess it was okay.

This is how it works for me. Generally, I wake up once though and go to the bathroom .... that's when I take the other half of the regular Ambien.

It sounds like it's working for you. It's good to get some sleep isn't it?

Well, it WAS. Didn't work quite as well last night...my schedule was really messed up though, and I didn't get to take my neurotransmitter supplements like I should an hour before bed.

Our performance ran late, so I finished about 9:15, then hurried off to catch the lightrail train...darned train was coming as I was still two blocks away, so I ran. THen thought, there's no way I can catch that train, so I'd stop, then run. I ended up making the stupid train (otherwise I would have had to wait another 30 minutes), but was pretty darned awake at that point. I took the Ambien at around 9:40 and went right to bed, but had a fitfull night, and finally just woke up at 3:00.

I am going to get the regular Ambien I think, that way I can take it when I wake up like that--I didn't feel like I could take another CR. My doctor said the regular Ambien is good for about 5 hours and the CR for about 7-8.

I am actually feeling pretty good today. I got the LabCorp thing done...does anyone know what that's for? I have no idea...all I know is it was another blood draw...ouch!

Yeah, I think mine was for the C D57 testing.

I have a problem with eating too fast too.

MEEEE TOOO!!!

Anybody know how long it will take for me to herx? Is that different? Can anyone share their experiences!? Also, does it matter if I take Olive Leaf Extract with the abx or probiotics?

Well, your herx might be a little more pronounced with the olive leaf. You'd basically be herxing from two different things...could make a little worse, but could also not I guess.

OMG...you guys have been busy!!

Ha, I was so bored yesterday and it seemed like no one was around to talk to.

So today I went back to HN and saw Dr Carrie. I havent been there in over a year. It was cool to see everyone and to give them my update of all I've been doing this past year. They know Dr. S. since they were the ones to refer me to him...I updated them on the rest.

I really like Dr. Carrie...there's another one there too, Dr. Genevive (SP?)...she's nice too, but I know Dr. Carrie better since I spent so much time with her as she injected my neck/shoulders to high heaven with sugar water.

Sorry to keep asking so many questions....BUT I was wondering if there may be some reason my LLMD didn't talk to me about an anti-candida diet while on abx? Hmm...should I start one anyway? Does that mean no fruit?

Hum, yeah, maybe a little strange it wasn't mentioned, or he may have figured that you were already having enough issues. I've also heard the one fruit a day thing. I have to really watch it though because I'm sort of like an alcoholic where anything sweet is involved. A little is just enough to make me want more, lol. I'd definitely keep the sugar/starch down to a bare minimum, especially on the antibiotics. Candida almost always goes with lyme/metals etc.

ok so i decided that my bloating was definitly getting worse and causing me even more problems with my already problamatic br issues . I am starting the levaquin and am gonna stop the humaworm for right now. I made it half way through though. I contacted the company and they said it was no problem to stop it while i take the antibiotic and than re start it. I think this is the best thing becaus ei really want t clear picture of how i react to the levaquin and if i am taking both I will have a hard time distinguishing what is causing which symptoms.

Aw Mia...I have to admit though that I am surprised you could make it half way. I took levaquin for only a week (for something totally unrelated to lyme), so I don't have much to contribute on that.

That's it, I'm getting APPLE, stop already! :lol:

Well, I couldn't wait until I cleaned my brushes or got new ones...I'm singing at a local park tonight and so thought it was a really good way to test out my new stuff, lol. If the color isn't quite right it won't matter because it's dark out there and the lighting is horrid anyway.

First off, I really like the Weekend Getaway blush. It looks good so far on my skin, not too dark and not too orange (so far, lol).

I got the green concealer (is that mint?)...not sure about that one...looked really green and I could swear I saw it even after putting on the foundation, but after everything was on I couldn't see it anymore.

I tried the Fair Intensive and thought it was a litte too light at first, but once everything was on it looked good. It was the color closest to the shade I've been using in the True Minerals.

So now the true test will be what it looks like when I get home later tonight, lol. I'll see if the blush and/or foundation turns too orange.

Sheesh, I already have about $55 in my shopping cart, lol. That was BEFORE I got this stuff, lol.

We just got ahold of the nurse at the LLMD, and she said that it was fine for me to take the Flovent for now. Also, the bloodwork from Fry Labs came back negative for all Lyme coinfections. My other bloodwork (from Lab Corp) hasn't come back yet.

This is kind of confusing, and discouraging. Because if I don't have Lyme, what's wrong? Heavy metals could explain some, but not the on-and-off symptoms, and the baker's cysts (now I'm really worried about the RA panel), and the wild allergies (I reacted to the goat's milk with nausea, never a symptom of dairy before I went off). Also, I woke up with a very mild fever this morning, and my shoulders were very sore. The ortho-bionomist was able to help that a lot, though.

I'm sorry! It is confusing and discouraging. Did you get a copy of the Fry labs? I'd get a copy if you don't. Not that I distrust labs or doctors or peope who intrepret the labs, lol, but I'd just be interested to see what bands they tested for and how it looked. So the Fry labs was just co-infections right? Did they test for Borrelia (did I spell that right--it looks wrong, lol). While usually co-infections go hand in hand with lyme, I also thought (maybe wrongly) they are harder to test for and don't always show up in testing.

Yeah, something is causing all your wild symptoms...I'm sorry this is so hard for you!

YAY!!!!! They just delivered my sample kit (the second one I ordered, lol...still haven't seen the first one, lol). So far, in the container anyway, I really like the colors...the Weekend Getaway blush does look like it might be a bit orangey for me, but it's not really dark (in the container) so I think it might be okay...if I need to I can mix it with a bit of the foundation to lighten it up. Can't wait to get home to try it out, lol. Oooh wait, maybe I should clean my brushes first.

Okay, so took my first AmbienCR last night. I was a little scared to take it for the first time on a work night (since I didn't know how it would affect me), but really felt like last night was a good candidate for it. I normally go to bed at 9:00, but had a rehearsal from 7:15 to 8:00 and got home about 8:25, so decided to take it about 8:40 and just go to bed. I still woke up lots throughout the night, and even once got up to go to the restroom, but fell back asleep each time until about 3:15. Was pretty much wide awake at that point, lol. So, now I know that it doesn't stay in my system more than about 7 hours. I plan to take one tonight as well since I'll be out late for our performance. I took tomorrow off of work so really don't NEED to take it, but still plan to take one just so I can see what happens two nights in a row. I didn't see any signs of sleep-walking, sleep-eating, sleep-driving, or any of the other things it warns of, lol. Course not sure I would since I live alone...but I guess not having the cops at my door in the morning was a good sign.

Oh, and woke up with that stupid itchy shot site, lol. Phew, posted and now it's gone again!

I have been nauseous off and on with the Rifampin. Oh, just remembered, I also ran out of Prilosec ... duh, that really could be it .... sending Morgan to the store now.

I hope that was the answer!

Rachel, Donna, so cool that you met! Yes, I think hugs are in order! I am quick to hug when I feel connected, but pretty shy when I am not.

Yeah, I'm not a huge hugger, and I DID remember that Rachel said she is kind of shy, but I just couldn't help myself in this case, lol!

I am doing a little bit better now. I got the stool test done and I think that was weighing heavily on my mind...lol! It was possibly the grossest thing I have *EVER* had to do...lol. I'm sure you all can empathize! Yuckkk...good riddance! I will go tomorrow and do the LabCorp...does anyone think I should wait until after the blood test to start things...or can I start them tonite? I really am anxious to start something!

I'm SOOO glad the stool test is done. I absolutely hate those (and I've had to do about 5 or 6 of them, lol), because I can have D for years and as soon as I have to do a stool test I can't go.

Laurie,

I had an enlarged ampulla of vater...it's the point in the intestine where the bile and pancreatic ducts join and empty into the intestine. Sounds like it might be different than what you have, although spleen comes up a lot for me in the muscle and electrodermal (hum is that the right word, lol...I'm having a brain foggy morning) testing I have done. I'm glad you'll be going to someone a little more known, lol!

Nyxie,

I think Kassandra had a list of questions on the previous page of this thread...there were some pretty good ones.

In addition to those she listed, I'd ask about what other things he'll test for.

You can ask what treatment options you'll have and/or what protocol he uses.

He'll probably go over with you your symptoms, then ask you questions about that. Mine had me do some basic function tests right there in his office...like trying to walk one foot in front of the other in a straight line and seems like he did another one where I had to do something with my eyes closed. I failed both.

Hum, if I think of anymore I'll come back and post, lol. Stupid brain fog!

Is the immersion blender pretty powerful? I've never had good luck with those, lol. Don't think I've had KitchenAid though.

Well apparently all I had to do was post about the itching! After over an hour and a half of solid itching, within a couple of minutes of posting here, the itching went away completely! Sheesh, had I known that I would have posted about it sooner. From now on you guys are hearing ALL my petty little grievances! :lol:

Oh! Forgot to mention...

Our dog was dx'd with Lyme 7 years ago. Makes me wonder. If dogs can be so easily dx'd why is it so difficult for them to figure humans out?

Crazy isn't it?! I've seen this mentioned on LN before. Absolutely mindboggling.

Yeah, most "conventional" thinking doctors run the elisa test...they only run the western blots (and usually NOT from Igenix) if the elisa comes back positive...even then sometimes they won't!

I don't know, some of the holistic stuff might be worth it. They actually probably use better labs (although not necessarily a given) than more conventional doctors would.

Okay, here's a strange one for ya...so I got my B12 shot yesterday. Didn't hurt at all except for a little stinging in the very last couple of seconds she was injecting it. They put a cute little round tweety bird bandaid on it and off I went. Didn't feel the shot site at all today except for a little soreness if I pressed on the area...didn't hurt otherwise, didn't itch nothing. So about 30 minutes before I was going to leave work, I decided to take off the bandaid. Within a minute or so of removing the bandaid, the darned thing started to itch! It's been driving me crazy with the itchiness for about an hour and a half now! There is absolutely NO redness at all, and I can barely see the spot where the shot was...not bruised, not raised, nothing. What the heck could cause the itching and why only AFTER I removed the bandaid and with no redness? Weird, strange, typical.

Mom's been out most of the day, so I haven't had a chance to call the LLMD back. When she gets home I hope I can get ahold of the nurse. Really don't want to wait another day.

I don't blame you!

Yes, I'm East Coast and the offices are closed now, Andrea, but the nurse gave us her home number. I hate to keep using it, but this is important!

It's definitely important!

I wouldn't categorize myself as a hugger, but I also don't mind either. The elderly friend I went to visit last night is...in fact that's how I MET her, lol. It was about 11 years ago, just a few weeks after my dad died, and I decided to go back to church (I had been a slacker in that regard, lol)... I got there early, and just happened to pick the row she normally sits in. I'd never seen nor met her before but she walked directly up to me as if she'd known me all my life and gave the the best hug. Then pretty soon her cute little husband walked up and did the same. So, I sort of became part of their little family that day.

Ready as I'll ever be!

Whine, whine, whine Donna, lol. I actually have to do virtually nothing, lol. I'm going to my mom and aunt's house as I usually do...don't have to cook, don't have to buy presents, lol. My life in this area is very easy!

But I have to say Donna, you could come and press your face up against my windows, it wouldn't scare me

I'll keep that in mind!!

Yeah, if we meet what are we suppose to do, hug?

Well I did, lol.

Just got off the phone. The llmd can see me on the 28th! Yes! Of this month! They had a cancellation. The appt's at 10am. They're faxing a load of paperwork as we speak.

I still haven't gotten up there yet. Keep finding reasons to put it off. Number one is that I haven't found the respirator yet. I have a feeling its been leaking for awhile. Ugh!

Ya know, at this point, any answer would be nice. Mold or not, at least it'd be something to work with.

YAY!!!! that's great!!!!! Yes, please be very careful around the mold. I wouldn't go up there until you have the respirator!

It WAS great to know exactly what I was up against, so yeah, mold sucks, but at least I know that part of the puzzle. My LLMD tested me by blood test for that, then I did an "at home" mold test for my environment.

So, did you recognize each other right away?

I did, lol. I pulled into the parking lot, and saw a good spot...in the spot next to me was a girl in a red baseball cap, lol. I know what kind of car she drives, and it was the right kind. AND, she was talking on her cell phone. I was sure it was her. I almost went over and pressed my face up against her window but decided NOT to scare her on our first meeting. So I went into the doctor's office kind of depressed because I was SURE she was on her way out, lol. Nope, pretty soon she came into the office. I still didn't say anything because I was waiting for one of the receptionists to say "Hi Rachel", but they didn't...so on her way out I asked if she was Rachel.

I'm not too surprised he doesn't want to do anything til the mold is taken care of. That will be nice if you can do the challenge in February.

It's a bummer only being able to treat things via supplements when you want to go about things faster. We are in the same boat.

Yeah, I sort of knew he wouldn't want to do anything yet, but was hoping for the challenge. February is coming up soon, so I can wait. I guess. Maybe.

Donna, sounds like you had a good appt. It's good to know you are treating something Hope the ambien helps.

How exciting you and Rachel met up!!

It was exciting (at least for me ). I hope the ambien helps too. It's been years since I've felt like I've slept.

What would happen if metals were addressed but lyme wasn't being treated??

Well, that's one of the things we talked about yesterday. My doctor feels like (at least for me) metals is a good place to start. His feeling is that once you take one of the major burdens off the body that the body is better able to deal with the other stuff. They're all kind of interconnected, but sometimes you just have to start with one.

hmm, there's supposedly a great doctor not far from here...lucky, they really do test for a lot though? i'm EXCITED for that, because these normal doctors just don't know much about complicated issues....question though, carla, you saw my other thread...based on my symptoms, if i DIDN'T have lyme, what could i have? cause you said you felt exactly how i did, you've been through a lot too so

do they also test for deficiencies at a LLMD? possibly gland issues? cause those can be similiar as well, or play a part

Sorry, coming in late to this, lol. Yes, my LLMD tested me for a LOT of other things. He looked at all my recent labs, then tested for whatever they missed. For instance...one of my doctors had tested for thyroid, but it wasn't clear if they had tested for the antibodies, so the LLMD tested me for the antibodies. I was tested for metals, mold, essential elements, vitamins, etc. I have another set of doctor's I see, that had already tested me for parasites, bacteria, dysbiosis, etc. so he didn't need to repeat those tests.

In my opinion, they are so used to seeing chronically ill patients with lyme (and as has been said above, lyme never seems to exist alone) that they routinely check for lots of other things too.

Good morning all! Yes...exciting news in the Rachelville meet up area, lol. It was really fun talking to Rachel yesterday...I was talking a mile a minute as I usually do when I'm excited. Normally I don't say much.

Sorry I didn't post my update sooner, but I got done with Dr. S at 3:40, then had to drive to the pharmacy (prescription WASN'T ready though), then swung by my house for a couple of minutes, then off to my annual Christmas dinner with my two good friends, then after that we went to visit our elderly friend who is recovering from a fall where she stress fractured her back...soooo, not much time at home yesterday.

Not a WHOLE LOT to talk about regarding my appointment. Dr. S does NOT want to do much until I get the MOLD taken care of. I did ask about chelation...nope, he doesn't want to do it until the mold issue is better, and he said he definitely wouldn't start it with me at this time of year because mold is at it's peak about now. He DID say that in February we can maybe do a provoked urine challenge to see how I move metals, so that was exciting.

I asked what his thoughts were on treating SOMETHING, lol. He said everything we've been doing is "treating" something, lol. So there you have it.

He said that I could stop any supplements that I thought weren't helping...I told him it's tough to know which ones are helping...I know which ones make me react, but not sure which ones are helping the most. I did discuss the magnesium with him...he wasn't pleased that I seem to be reacting to it all of a sudden. I told him that I have another kind (a liquid) that I can try, so in a couple of days I'll try that to see if I can tolerate it.

B-12. He suggested B-12 shots instead of the sublingual I'm taking. I got my first one yesterday in the office. I had already taken two sublingual tablets and asked if that was okay with the shot...the nurse just said, sure, but you may be up at midnight wrapping holiday gifts. Greeeaaaattt!!! Just what an insomniac needs, lol. Anyway, if I do okay with this one shot, the plan is to do them myself at home. I'm happy about that in a way...one less pill to take daily.

I asked about cholestyramine. Nope, he doesn't want me to take it. He would rather I fix the source of the problem...which is the mold...especially the carpet.

In the end he asked which symptom I wanted help with the most, and so thinking for a minute, I said the sleep issue. I've always felt that if I could just get a good night sleep, I'd feel better all around. So he gave me a prescription for Ambien CR. I kind of wish I'd just gotten the regular Ambien now though, lol, but we'll see. I plan to take one tonight and maybe one tomorrow night. My friend was a bit worried because she said Ambien CR causes people to sleep walk. I just said "well, at least I won't be sleep walking outside, lol, I need a key to get out of my house." So tonight when I go to bed I plan to "hide" the key so it's not in its usual place, lol...just in case.

I completely forgot to talk with him about the Humaworm, and there were a couple of other things I forgot to ask too. He asked if I was taking cat's claw and I said no, but only because no one has suggested it yet...not sure why he asked and he never said he wanted me to take it.

Donna, I would find at times magnesium would cause my stomach to burn. I am not currently taking it but I had to make sure I always had it with meals to avoid that burning.

Well, I take it pretty close to eating. I take it right after dinner usually.

Nyxie,

You're welcome. The supplements are the worst for me. My doctor's visits and the BioSET treatments are covered by my insurance at 70% for out of network, so I only have to pay 30%. The supplements aren't reimbursed so, yeah, I have to charge most of that. So far my lab work has been mostly covered...some of it 100%, some of it at the 70%, and a couple of things not at all. The insurance companies definitely dictate what most doctors can do and that's why many of the doctors we see here don't contract with them. My credit cards are pretty maxed out, lol.

Mold!! See my report on my doctor's appointment yesterday, lol. It's my doctor's opinion that people who are exposed to mold (as I am) will not get better.

Sherry,

You're welcome! At the very least, the alternative stuff definitely helped identify what things I have problems with.

Glad to hear you might be done with that flare/herx!!!

And, re the Igenix...I tend to think it might be worth it...at least you'd see where you are...course it wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison, but you would get an idea of where you are.

Rachelville was right.

That seems to happen a lot around here.

It's nice to have one doctor who can deal with all of this, but IMHO it has to be the right one, lol.

Kassandra,

OMG...this was the other thing I forgot to mention to my LLMD yesterday. In the past few weeks, I've had a lot of trouble swallowing. It's mostly with pills though. First off, they are hard to swallow, but then I get them swallowed, and drink lots of water, but in a couple of minutes, I can "feel" the pill in my throat--like it's stuck. I don't think it is, but that's what it feels like.

Mia,

Good to hear from you. In a way I'm glad to hear that you haven't noticed much with the Humaworm...it's probably working just fine, but I was so afraid you'd have a major reaction to it, lol.

This made me smile

Me too!

What egg white protein powders have people used? I've been calling around for the one from NOW, but no one seems to carry it.

I use Deb El. It comes in a little cannister and is located in the baking section in my Whole Foods. Bob's Red Mill also used to have one...it was also found in the baking section at my Whole Foods, but I haven't seen it in a while now.

Rain! You are getting rain. I always picture CA as having blue sky Christmases. Is it supposed to clear up for next week?

I haven't heard the forcast for next week, but yeah, sometimes we get rain.

I ordered: Corner Office on my first sample order and Weekend Getaway on my second

Both of those say pinky-peach, so they'll probably be orange too, lol. The Corner Office looks light on the swatch, but I'll bet it's a lot darker in person.

Nyxie,

I've felt the same way...believing I was a hypochondriac...not having doctor's take me seriously or believing me. Some of them wouldn't even LISTEN to my symptoms. It's frustrating indeed.

You can post over at Lymenet to see if anyone has any experience with the two doctors near you. Remember not to post a whole last name...just an initial. Just say Dr. S in Whatevertown, State.

Tom,

Not to worry...it's supposed to rain here this entire week, and it'd be pretty miserable standing out there waiting/watching us, lol.

Sorry Julie, but that makes me happy I ordered one of the lighter blushes, lol. Couse, it may still be too dark...I really WANTED a lighter blush.