Mia H

Just returned last week from my trip to France. I know some others have not had good experiences with Air France but I wanted to report a positive experience. The meals were good and I did not get sick from them. I'm sure the slices of bread were some type of rice bread (you can't fake that!) I believe both ways I was served fish but that was fine. There was salad with vinegarette, some soy pudding, fruit, brie, and rice pudding.

Happy Travels,

Maria H.

What do you think about peanut butter? Do you think they will allow it.

I'm going to France in January on AirFrance. On another thread they said AirFrances gluten-free meals were not to be trusted.

How long do you think eggs would last? I suppose I can't bring any freezie packs or ice. Maybe some gluten-free beef sticks. I need protein man!

Mia

That's interesting. I hadn't thought about it being related to going gluten-free.

I was about 33 days and went to 25. I had some sub infertility with the first two babies but now on my third it just happened on my own. Funny I didn't connect the two.

Mia

I agree there may be cross contamination somewhere as a possibility. Medications, shampoos, vitamins

Another is another intolerance, dairy? nightshades? soy? corn?

It is drastic but some recommend the specific carbohydrate diet. I tried it and felt better pretty quickly, but then got pregnant and was losing weight on it so have given it up for now. The theory is there are an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria living in the gut. You starve them by eating no grains or starches. If curious check out www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info Others have recommended the paleo diet, I don't know much about it but believe it is even more strict.

Sorry I haven't heard about anything IV.

Good luck,

Mia

I was tested for lymes by my regular doctor and it was negative.

I'm not a huge camper, I go maybe twice a year and usually in the fall when all the ticks are gone. I hate bugs and I'm paranoid about ticks so I am pretty certain that I'm ok.

How much is it to get Igenix to test? How do I send in a sample?

It makes me feel like I can't trust anything

Thanks for the tip though, it's always nice to keep thinking of a new possibility.

Mia

I just wanted to echo Fiddle Faddle. The shot for many can be worse than the flu.

Do some research and carefully consider it. For me I have found enough evidence against vaccines in general that I am not planning on vaccinating my baby when born. Mothering magazine has a small book available about the truth about vaccines that is very helpful.

Good luck with your research and decision and of course your baby

Mia

Congratulations on baby.

I too am gluten free / dairy free and am 17 weeks along. My first two babies were big (for me)

8lb 10oz and 9lb 9oz. This will be my first preg gluten-free/cf and I am much smaller this time. I was even worried the baby wasn't growing but I went in and am measuring fine. Perhaps that baby will be smaller this time.

I wouldn't worry too much about the calcium, sounds like you are doing well. The baby will get what they need from your body and you are on a supplement. I was worried about Calcium too and my naturopath said people don't need as much as is recommended (1000-1200mg a day). He said this because most Calciums out there aren't absorbed well such as calcium carbonate. You barely absorb any.

I agree with the green leafy vegetables. Any time you can get it naturally the way God made us I think is the best bet.

Mia

Do you need plain folic or a prenatal? www.kirkmanlabs.com offers both and they are gluten free/dairy free.

Since I was feeling lousy anyway I thought, why suffer and not be able to eat anything, so we went out to eat last night and I had mashed potatoes with butter and sour cream.

Bad move, you never feel so bad that you can't feel worse!

I know I will never try gluten again but once and awhile I have to double check the dairy.

I woke up puffy, bags under eyes, tired like a hang over.

I really don't mind the achy joints and all as much as the lack of sleep.

I have the book "From Fatigued to Fantastic" by Jacob Teitelbaum and I'm going to try to get a sleep aid that's safe in pregnancy. If I could just sleep a couple of good night I really think I would feel a lot better.

Thanks for all the help and support! It helps so much to know I'm not alone!

Mia

Cut out nightshades - tomato, potatoe, eggplant,peppers. Also get your thyoid checked for hyothyroidism and get your adrenal levels checked. Make sure they check your thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Levels should be under 20. If not this indicateds hashimotos hypo which is common in us celiacs.

I did have my thyroid tested up and down many times but it appeared normal. I did have (most likely still recovering from) adrenal fatigue. I had that tested at a naturopath.

I can try to cut out nightshades but the potatoes will be tough. It's hard to get full without gluten and dairy.

I feel like there is barely anything to eat the way it is But thanks for the ideas. It helps to have something to try.

Mia

I have been gluten free since may. And my chronic fatigue is better, I no longer feel my afternoon "leadsuits" that I used to have daily. Now I get them when I get glutened.

I also gave up dairy and that seemed to help me with the morning achy, puffy, stiffness part.

Chronic fatigue was the #1 symptom that lead me here. Now that the fog is lifting a little I am recognizing symptoms that where there all along but hidden by the fatigue.

I have joint pain without swelling, stiffness, 12 of the 18 tender points, poor sleep, tired upon rising.

Any advice?? I thought these symptoms had improved when I went dairy free also. A month or two ago my girls got ear infections and we got poor sleep. Could that have just brought on a flare up? and if so, any way to calm it down?

I'm also 16 week pregnant. I had heard these conditions improve with pregnancy. But can they get worse?

Thanks for any advice,

Mia

I have had chronic fatigue also and that is what got me here.

I saw a naturopath for awhile after every dr and specialist told me everything was normal and suggested an antidepressant. The naturopath suggested giving up gluten for 3 months. I did. I really didn't think I noticed much difference...until I tried it again. I had given it up a couple of times before for a month at a time, with no difference. But when I gave it up for a full 3 months and tried it again, I was sick! My stomach bloated out, I felt like I was hit by a train. It was as bad as the flu.

So for me it just took a lot longer to see a difference and I"m still gettting better. I've read on this site it can take 6-12 months of strict gluten-free to heal.

I also have the sinus thing, puffy head feeling, achy, stiff especially in the morning. (fibromyalgia perhaps)

I gave up all dairy and it took about a week to notice some changes but it took at least a month to notice real improvement. I could get right out of bed like a 37 year old rather than an 87 year old.

It is a hard diet, but I do feel much better after being on it awhile. I still may have more to eliminate but I will wait a year and see how I am than. This is hard enough!

(I tested negative for celiac but tested positive for gluten & casein intolerance with Enterolab.)

If it were me I would enjoy the holidays! Start in the new year! But give it a good try-it can change your life.

Mia

I could have written this post! I am 11 weeks pregnant and nothing sounds good! I am also casein free too so it makes it even more difficult.

For breakfast I have eggs, juice, bacon, banana, gluten-free cereal and almond milk.

snack, apple and peanut butter

lunch is hard, nothing sounds good. I've been having rice, bush's baked beans and lunch meat.

dinner is hard too. meat and a potato or rice.

When I'm starving I usually have envirokidz koala krisp cereal.

Before bed I usually have peanuts in the shell and a banana or apple sauce. The protein seems to keep me full all night.

I love the idea of adding coconut milk to a smoothie, being CF it's hard to make a good smoothie that will fill me up. I miss dairy

Mia H.

Hi Mia, I think I will go on the diet. Gotta figure this yogurt thing out first. I have been eating plain Dannon Yogurt. Have always eaten yogurt. Use to make it in the sm. containers. They eat quite alot. I do think it is a good diet for getting that bad bacteria out. I am just learning about it. I have chicken soup brewing now. How did you make your yogurt?

I borrowed a friends yogurt maker and made it according to the book. I made it once with cows milk and bought some starter from online (recommended on pecanbread.com). Then I made a goat milk one. BOth gave me a lead suit of fatigue.

I actually quit the diet again yesterday. I don't know if I wasn't eating enough carbs or what but I was just STARVING constantly to the point of confusion and that just can't be good for a baby.

Good luck to you! I hope it helps, I sure believe it should.

Mia

Mia,

The book talks about being in bed by ten, sleeping till 9 if you can, rest, lower stress, relaxing exercise only, eat several small meals per day featuring protein, breakfast by 10 at the latest, no refined carbs, no coffee or caffeine, no alcohol, no sugar. It goes into more detail, but those are the basics. Basically, you owe the "energy bank" so you have to repay your debt.

Carla

That book sounds similar to the book I have "Adrenal Fatigue". I have followed those recommendations for about a year and a half and am still only about 50% better. Maybe it just takes a long time. Plus getting out anything that is bothering the immune system like the gluten and dairy. Planning on getting my mercury filling out after I"m done nursing the baby. (my hair has been falling out for a long time, could be due to that).

Mia

I too have adrenal fatigue diagnosed by saliva test by my naturopath.

He gave me natural cortisol which did nothing for me but was very hard to get off of.

For me I don't feel like my adrenals will heal until I remove all of my immune system irritants. So, I went gluten free dairy free in May and had done a 3 month gluten-free trial before that. I felt about 10% better. But I still had gut rot, C, and bloating.

I am now trying the specific carbohydrate diet (www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info)

The premise is after eating sugar and refined food all my life, bad bacteria and yeast have overgrown in my gut. This diet is to starve them. It's no grains, sugars or starches. It is recommended to try the diet for a month. If you feel better you do it for a year to heal your gut, if you don't feel better, the diet won't help.

I started the diet Sept 12 and for the first week started to feel great. Then I tried some homemade mayo and got D bad and felt sick for a week! My gut got screwed up and I ended up getting so hungry one day I had to eat, so I ate a pizza my dear husband brought me trying to help. (oooooh the bloating and gut rot after that!). Anyways, I'm back on now for 2 days and already feeling better again. I just need to avoid fat right now, my gut is not ready.

Long story short, if you want to try it, you would know in about 2-3 weeks (or sooner) if it is helping and it is a dramatic difference.

Good luck and keep looking for answers.

Mia

Most of the things I've read about taking a cortisol supplement have been negative. My holistic doc recommended one to me, but I am not taking it. I'm doing all the other things, and that is what's making me better. Do you still feel that you have an adrenal problem, or do you think it's cured now?

What other things did they recommend? I think as I remove things that bother my immune system they are slowly healing. Not there yet! I'm trying the sc diet again and hope it will do the trick. I also plan to get my mercury fillings out after I'm done nursing.

Mia

Hi Mia:

Even after I abstained from gluten, dairy and soy for over 2 years, I still had bloating, gas, cramping pains and chronic fatigue. The intestinal symptoms were more tolerable than the excruciatingly painful symptoms which I had while eating gluten and dairy, but the fatigue remained. So I decided to see a naturopath who would test me for more food allergies (ELISA blood test) and bacterial/yeast/parasite problems (stool test). Those tests found 2 more allergies (eggs and cane sugar) and a bad Klebsiella bacteria infection but no good guy bifidobacteria (bacterial dysbiosis). So I abstained from my gluten and my 4 other allergies and took caprylic acid to treat the Klebsiella, and then high dose probiotics to restore my intestinal balance with 'good' bacteria. During the past 2 months I have slowly regained energy and enthusiasm about doing more than just sitting in front of this computer which I often did before those diagnoses. The energy increase has been so slow ... almost imperceptible, but I've been blogging about my symptoms and well being while undergoing that treatment. So I know the treatment and abstaining from those foods definitely made a difference. Higher energy levels greatly affected my mood so I feel more enthusiastic and optimistic about taking on more responsibility and activities.

Pregnancy may currently contribute to low energy levels. However if chronic fatigue has been an ongoing thing for you, I'd recommend you consider testing for other allergies or bacterial dysbiosis. My doc wrote an article in his recent newsletter about fatigue and food (allergies). Here's a link to that article: Open Original Shared Link

BURDEE

Thank you Burdee for your reply. I too felt that after being off gluten dairy and soy for 5 months should not have such bloating and gut rot and terrible C (which got MUCH worse after going off gluten). I did do the ELISA test and it found 5 things if I recall: sodium lauryl sulfate, yellow #5, sodium benzoate, mold, gluten. I was off all those things for 3 months with slight improvement. The stool sample showed morganelli and low bifidus and moderate yeast. My ND did not recommend anything for the morganelli but he gave me a bifidus supplement that did not do much but bloat me out more. In SC diet they recommend no Bifidus supplement because its easy to over grow it. I just ordered some lactobacilus acidophilous and I'm planning on giving the sc diet another try, I do believe I have an overgrowth of bad bacteria.

Congratulations on feeling better! It always gives me hope when someone finds answers!

Mia

Mia, did you make the yogurt? I plan to do that.

I did, I tried cow milk first and got "a lead suit" of tiredness from it, then I tried goat milk and the same happened. Today I just ordered dairy free lactobacillus acidophilus from Kirkman labs.

I did test positive for casein intolerance with enterolab so I am wondering if I won't be able to handle the yogurts but I have had no problem with the dry curd cottage cheese.

Are you on the sc diet? If so, how are you doing?

Mia

It could also be candida overgrowth.

I'm hoping the specifc carb diet will kill off all yeast and bad bacteria overgrowth. Thanks for the idea.

Mia

Hey Carla,

This whole jouney 2 years ago started with a diagnosis of adrenal fatigue by my naturopath. In the am your cortisol should be 13-25 and mine was 4! He put me on Isocort which is a cortisol support. It did not help and it was very difficult to get off of. He just could never figure out all the things bugging my immune system. I'm glad you found out what was bothering you and its helping. Thats awesome!

And I know the others that responded are right-I just need to be patient! I definately won't have gluten again (but when your in less than a year, sometimes you have to test it!)

I have some allergy tests pending right now and my B12 was normal.

I think I got my hopes up because the first week on the SC diet I felt very good! Then I screwed it up by having homemade mayo which made me sick. I may actually try the diet again but not the intro again. It is very hard!

Mia

Mia, we haven't heard from you in so long!!! Congratulations!!!

I have found my missing link to be adrenal fatigue. You can also google adrenal burnout. I read a book called Tired of Being Tired by Jesse Lynn Hanley, MD and this is finally helping me. I've been gluten-free for ten months, which helped a lot, and casein free for a few months, but the fatigue wasn't going away. Four weeks into this program and I'm finally feeling human again though I still have a ways to go.

You will have fatigue with the pregnancy, but if you had it before, you might want to try to find out why.

Oh man! I have been gluten-free/CF since May. But still was not feeling better in terms of my chronic fatigue. So I thought I would try the SC diet, I have been on it for 15 days and absolutely STARVing for all of it. Found out that I am expecting (yay!) and today found out I have lost 7 pounds in these 15 days. I don't think that is good for baby!

I felt better initially on the diet but 10 days in tried some homemade mayo and got sick and have felt yucky for 5 days. I felt so bad today I skipped lunch. Then by dinner I was so hungry I was confused and had a headache and couldn't think at all. I took my daughter to dancing tonight only to find out she had it last night. (and this was the 2nd week so I should have remembered).

Anyway, I was so hungry I had to eat something fast! So my husband went and got a pizza. It was good, but not 5 minutes later I look 4 months pregnant rather than 1. The bloating! ooooooh, it's practically hard to breath.

Anyways, I'm back to just plain old gluten-free for now. I was eating dry curd cottage cheese on the sc diet and not having a problem with it so I may have a little cheese now and then.

Why does it take so many times for me to learn? Why can't I figure all of the puzzle out of my chronic fatigue. If i'm never going to feel better again can't I just enjoy food at least. uuuuug

Mia

It's hard to find the SCD on the search engine because you have to search at least 4 letters. Try looking under my name and the threads should come up. I've posted in most of them.

I've been on a variation of the SCD (no dairy or lentils at all) for 8 months and I feel great. I run/hike/rockclimb and have no problem with energy. To keep my weight up, I eat a lot of avocados, olive oil and other healthy fats.

Thanks Corrine,

do I just put your name in the search engine or is there another way to look up your threads?

So, you don't even eat the yogurt on the sc diet? I read on the official web site that the goat can be easier for people with casein intol. I'm just thinking those good bacteria are so essential to gut health.

What kind of gelatin do you use for the begining diet? just plain with no additives?

Thanks!

Mia

If you do a search of this site, you'll find an extensive posting on the SC diet.

I do the Paleo diet myself. it is similar to SC in the carb parts, but it has no dairy or beans of any kind. It is interesting, and it seems to be working pretty well for me.

I've also done (and will again) the Body Ecology Diet. It has no grains, beans, dairy - and its main goal is killing yeast and getting your intestinal flora all up and running and happy again. It really did wonders for what I imagine is a lurking candida problem for me. It is the only diet on which I have had ZERO bloating. It is really hard to maintain, though, as it has no sugars of any kind, including fruit, and it leaves out some of my favorite nuts because it seeks to keep the system very alkaline. Regardless, it is worth checking into.

I think the idea behind the SC diet and dairy is that she only allows those dairy products that are lactose free. However, this says nothing about the casein...which would still be there.

Anyway, I'm sure someone has advice on the SC. Consider Body Ecology as well, and Paleo as a life-long diet. I haven't had any grains for two months now and have felt a lot better...especially in the bathroom.

I will do a better search, the first didn't turn up much.

Those diets sound interesting too, that would be hard to have NO sugar. Don't you starve? I guess I could do just about any diet for about a month if it meant feeling better. I am so sick of being sick.

I will keep fighting until I feel better!!!

Mia

I'm interested in trying the specific carb diet described in "Breaking the Vicious Cycle"

According to Enterolab I'm gluten/casein intolerant. The sc diet is completely gluten-free but it is not cf.

On the diet's web site it says that with the diet people can heal their gut and after a time tolerate dairy again. I think it also says it can help for people gluten intolerant (not celiac-but it can help celiacs feel better who are on a gluten-free diet but still not getting better)

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that has tried the diet that is casein intolerant but was fine with the dairy recommended on the sc diet?

Please share any experiences with the sc diet.

Thanks!

Mia

UGH. Okay, I'm seriously sooo frustrated right now. I quit dairy about 2 weeks ago, and now after over a week of feeling wonderful, having perfectly clear skin, etc., everything seems to be falling apart again. For the past couple days my skin has started breaking out again, I have little red bumps all over my shoulders and back (waaay worse than before I quit dairy), and worst of all I'm having tummy aches constantly!! I'm being SO careful with what I eat, and it seems like I start feeling awful after I eat ANYTHING. I feel like my body's revolting all of a sudden and I can't stop it.

Why would this stuff happen AFTER quitting dairy?! It just doesn't make sense to me!

Maybe it's withdrawal and detoxing. When I quit dairy I had post nasal drip for a week or two, my lymph nodes hurt and my tummy burned. I was starving no matter what I ate. After a week or so it got better. I don't feel hung over every morning now so it's worth it for me.

Mia

I'm a little suprised my doc recomended GOATS MILK. As a infant I couldn't drink cows milk but I could drink goats milk. I wonder why? And the book 'Dangerous Grains' says people who can't tollerate dairy can drink goats milk, it has a different makeup.

I also found something else. This lady is very helpful and I have read her book.

Open Original Shared Link

I just finished reading a book from the child's perspective on starting the gluten-free/CF diet. His name is Luke Jackson and his family started three children on the diet at once. I bought if off amazon .com, but the library may have it. It may be worth a read, to help you stick thru it. I have heard two weeks to several months before the benefits of the diet kick in, and they vary per child.

My son is Aspergers and diabetic, with one positive marker for celiac, (there is a correlation between diabetes and celiac). He is a much calmer child now, with fewer 'end of the world' moments. Homework used to take 1 hour of screaming, and 10 minutes to do it. By the end of last school year, the complaining reduced significantly. In fact, he has a fourth grade project due the first day of school, and he finished the reading portion and the first part of the writing already.

What is the book called? That is reasuring news as to how the diet has helped in your family. That is great.

I hope we get similar results.

Mia

Well I will keep going than with her gluten-free/cf/tapioca & soy free diet and hope she calms down.

The thing about autism is interesting because she has had some interesting symptoms. When she was young I almost thought she has sensory integration disorder, couldn't stand sox, tags bugged her, certain food textures bug her. And she has STRONG reactions to everything like it's the end of the world. I was freaked out, I have never even met a kid like her before. She is a spirited child to say the least.

Anyone have a guess as to how long I should keep her on the diet? a month? I am hoping she will calm down in a week or so. She is harder than usual and that is saying something!

It's hard because everywhere we go people offer kids gold fish and pb & j sandwiches and milk.

Mia