Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

That is great news Donna!

[ShadowSwallow]

Rachel and Donna,

Yay for great news (of whatever kind)!

Nyxie,

*munches some of the chips* Although I already had my scheduled minibreakdown. I'm still invited, right?

All of this information about the emotional side of wellness is fascinating. Sherry, I'll be pming you about that article.

Birdy

[mftnchn]

Nyxie, it's okay to have a hole ... donuts have holes and they are very sweet and everyone loves them! With something like we've been talking about here, there will always be a hole .... we're not trying to fix it, but fix the way we react to it. We were robbed of something special, no matter what caused the pain .... there is no getting that back, but it is important for our own health to come to terms with the trauma, in the sense that we've processed the emotions from it and haven't blocked them inside causing illness (I had trouble letting go of the emotions, like I said, I boxed them up so as not to deal with them) .... not in the sense that we ever get back what was lost or ever stop missing it.

Well said, Carla. This was my tendency too. Also I think it is important to look at this ability to box them away as a God-given capacity. We need to do this until we are mature enough and have the resources to take it back out and deal with it. We can't deal with it as children, it is just way too much.

Im thinking i want the 92 page abstract, i love reading stuff like that, my undergraduate work was done in psych and sociology, who knows i might have read it before lol.

Paula, I would guess you haven't read it, because it hasn't been published...unless you went to the same university as I did and read it in the library, LOL!

My key interest is changes in interactions with other people after trauma. Its not an anxiety that the trauma will reoccur, but an expectation that something like it will happen again. Especially if one has a history of similar experiences. Does that make any sense? Its not a matter of feeling "deserving" of the trauma like I've heard about in many abuse cases. Rather more like feeling "fated" to repeat the experience again on some level - that such things happening is inevitable. I suppose my assumption has become "its painful, but not a surprise".

Btw, who's the author of that book? Sounds interesting. Might pick it up when I have a brain again.

The book Shattered Assumptions is by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman. I think the book mentions some of what you are talking about here.

I also am interested in the interactional aspect. If I ever did research again I would pursue that kind of study.

"re-experiencing the trauma" is a concept that is in a lot of the literature. There are a lot of ways it presents itself. One explanation I read that was interesting was that it is an attempt at mastery. That somehow if I have enough chances I'll be able to avoid, overcome, win out, or whatever.

Sherry

[mftnchn]

For the first time in about 12 years....I actually feel excited about fixing up my condo. I haven't felt that way in a long time...couldn't really because I felt so bad.

Donna, I am really thrilled for you! This is so fantastic! I too am noticing that I am taking more pains with my appearance, wearing my EM almost every day, etc. I don't have a house to makeover....but I can't wait to hear more details about yours!

[aprilh]

I have got to get some of this EM makeup. Sounds like a good thing

Is there a website?

[CarlaB]

Also I think it is important to look at this ability to box them away as a God-given capacity. We need to do this until we are mature enough and have the resources to take it back out and deal with it. We can't deal with it as children, it is just way too much.

Exactly. Plus, you have to "survive".

[mftnchn]

Right, Carla. Survive and develop as normally as possible.

EM website is everydayminerals.com

[confusedks]

I have got to get some of this EM makeup. Sounds like a good thing

I agree with Donna! It's amazing how getting excited about make-up has spilled over into other areas of my life too! I find myself wanting to look good even when I feel terrible! I think EVERYONE should try EM! LOL!

Jin,

Did you decide about seeing that Chiro/Nutritionist? You mentioned wanting to see her. I think it would be a good move. She may know something that is helpful. I know I probably need digestive enzymes.

So far we haven't decided to see her just because of money. We got an unexpected $2,100 bill from the Iron IV's!

What happened with the insurance re-imbursement? Did you hear anything? I figured you would have mentioned it if you had. I hope you can get better insurance. I do not have any right now, but know what it is like to have lousy coverage that barely covers anything. That is not any better.

So far nothing has happened. They're just the most ridiculous insurance company EVER!!! We are trying to get new insurance so more stuff is covered.

Emotional herxes are common with Lyme from what I gather. I get very out of sorts at times. This is usually around the time my period used to come. Maybe this is evidence of a Lyme flare? What do you think?

It may be. I was talking to my mom about this stuff regarding Lyme and our periods and we came to the conclusion that some people just have harder periods than others. I don't think that everyone who has a hard period has Lyme. But these are all good questions for an LLMD.

My flare up happen every 2 weeks. According to Dr H this is the babesia life cycle. It would be interesting to find out what an LLMD would say about your flare ups.

A lot of people have to experiment with sleep meds and supplements before they know the perfect amount for them. Ambien is something I would not want to get addicted to, either. I can see why you would be concerned. Natural is good to do when you can. Melatonin had not worked for me in the past at all. I think I took 3mg.

Melatonin and calcium/magnesium seem to be working great for me! Two nights in a row they have worked. We'll see if it continues to work though. I usually build a tolerance to things. But I have no issue taking more than 1 mg of melatonin. So I can up that if it stops working.

I am not against prescription sleep aids, but I also don't want to get addicted to them. At my brother's rehab place, they won't put any patients on ambien because it's too addictive, so that freaked me out, lol!

Is your leg doing any better? Those pains can really keep you on edge.

Yes. It just flared up for a while and now it's a lot better. I was in bed because of it, but then I started working out at the gym, and that has helped it a lot.

thought your babysitting appoinment was cancelled. How did you get the sore throat? Did you end up having to babysit?

I ended up not going on Saturday, because the youngest was sick. But then I went on Tuesday and he was supposedly all better.

[dlp252]

I too am noticing that I am taking more pains with my appearance, wearing my EM almost every day, etc.

I went from wearing makeup one day a week to wearing it everyday, lol.

I have got to get some of this EM makeup. Sounds like a good thing

Is there a website?

AND, the good thing is that you can get a free sample kit (you just have to pay $3.97 for shipping)...so you can test out foundation and blush colors without committing to a huge container.

[AndreaB]

Certain meds can render the probiotics inaffective. I usually take mine at night before bed. The probiotics do best at night. They have a better chance of implantation during that time.

Empty stomach is okay or maybe with a small snack.

I take mine at night too.

I can email a copy of the study if someone wants it. What I have on my computer might not be the final draft but it is close. It's 92 pages with references...so that might be more than anyone wants.

I would like a copy please.

For the first time in about 12 years....I actually feel excited about fixing up my condo. I haven't felt that way in a long time...couldn't really because I felt so bad. I actually pulled out paint chips (old ones--will have to get new updated colors this weekend), and started planning what paint goes on what wall, and actually started thinking I could do the painting myself! I'll have to get low VOC paint of course, but if I only do one wall at a time (in a day if I have to), I think I can do it myself.

That is exciting Donna!

Rachel.......I need a phone call one of these weekends don't I?

I've caught up.....been sick since Sunday night with what I think was a stomach virus. Otherwise I got sick from eating something at someone else's house. Children are so-so. Not as bad as I was.

[Green12]

Thanks everyone for all the input and scientificness about the emotional aspect of our lives and how it relates to illness.

I had much I had wanted to post about it but got behind....

I read an article a while ago that really resonated with me. I can't remember the source or from what book they were quoting in the article, but it was something about as human beings we have 4 parts to ourselves (very much like the chambers of the heart) that make us a whole, healthy, and thriving when they are all in sync.

One is the physical, one is the emotional, one is the spiritual, and I forget what the 4th one is....

But anyway, each one of these parts/chambers need to be tended to by each of us...nourished, nurtured, given attention to, etc. When one is empty, or ignored, then they all are thrown off balance.

So I think in the case of chronic illness, it's not just the physical that needs to be addressed and healed. I think a lot of areas in one's life, along with the physical, needs to be looked at and possibly calls for a shift, a change. Or at least that is what has been the case with me personally. Getting sick was a huge wake up call.

Birdy, congratulations on a diagnosis! I'm excited for you to get started with treatment and get on your way to healing and feeling better

Rachel, I had a feeling something like that might be going on. I at least knew you were feeling so much better, out there living your life, but a romance is an added bonus

Donna, such an exciting turn of events and you are so deserving of all of this positive energy that is coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have got to get some of this EM makeup. Sounds like a good thing

Is there a website?

April, you must come join our EM cult, or at least visit our thread. It's in the gluten-free Product/Medication category.

[confusedks]

I've caught up.....been sick since Sunday night with what I think was a stomach virus. Otherwise I got sick from eating something at someone else's house. Children are so-so. Not as bad as I was.

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope everything gets better soon!

[Rachel--24]

Rachel.......I need a phone call one of these weekends don't I?

Andrea...yes...I need to call you so we can catch up!

You guys are all very sweet but its really not a "romance".

Its more of a crush...but I've had alot of fun. I've been laughing alot...just enjoying the distraction and the fact that there is some normalcy in my life. By that I mean that I'm not soooo consumed with the health stuff right now. It actually feels pretty good.

I couldnt really remember what it was like to not be so consumed with all my health issues. Its fun!

It was REALLY fun when I was able to eat more things...but hopefully when my ketotifen arrives things will improve again.

So I'm still very much single...but not so much thinking about my ex anymore.

I think maybe I got over that....ummm yeah...5 years later!

Donna...thats really exciting! You look great in your new pic by the way!

Carla...you also look great (yay for getting the braces off ). I love the new pics you guys are putting up. Everyone is looking healthier and HAPPY.

I'm a liitle strange because I was sooo not excited to get my braces off! I remember crying the day I had to get them off.

[mftnchn]

Just picked up my lab results and I am very discouraged. I'll post it all later, I'll need your help to understand and process this.

[CarlaB]

Everyone is looking healthier and HAPPY.

I was thinking the same thing!

If you notice, my large cheeks are back ... I always hated them ... I used to suck them in when I was young, LOL. Adam always liked them though and doesn't let a moment go by that he doesn't remind me that they're back!

A high school friend of mine that works for Adam is always telling me I look more like he remembers me looking, too.

So how about a more recent picture, Rachel?

I'm a liitle strange because I was sooo not excited to get my braces off! I remember crying the day I had to get them off.

Uh, you are quite the oddball, aren't you? :blink:

Just picked up my lab results and I am very discouraged. I'll post it all later, I'll need your help to understand and process this.

Don't keep us hanging too long, Sherry. Sorry for the bad news.

I tried to get a hold of Dr. H today, but they must have shut down the phones for the day at lunch (maybe they're getting our bad weather?). This air hunger is driving me crazy! I started taking Artemisia again, I think I'll take a Lariam a couple days early since I couldn't get a hold of him .... I'm so tempted by the Mepron/Biaxin in my refrigerator ..... I don't mind maintenance, but I don't want to backslide, and babs comes back fast.

[AndreaB]

Sherry,

Sorry your results aren't what you'd hoped.

I'll be looking for them when you're able to post them......not that I can be much help though.

Carla,

Hope you can get through to your doc soon.

[dlp252]

Okay, so about 50 people have commented on my hair, lol. I think it looks the same as always, but everyone is commenting on it. That can't hurt the feeling good about myself thing, lol.

I've caught up.....been sick since Sunday night with what I think was a stomach virus. Otherwise I got sick from eating something at someone else's house. Children are so-so. Not as bad as I was.

I'm so sorry...hope you are feeling better!

April, you must come join our EM cult, or at least visit our thread. It's in the gluten-free Product/Medication category.

Yes, definitely, lol...who knew a handful of women could talk 100 pages about makeup. (Actually, we review a lot of the products and colors...that's it, that's what racked up the page count, lol)

Donna...thats really exciting! You look great in your new pic by the way!

...

I'm a liitle strange because I was sooo not excited to get my braces off! I remember crying the day I had to get them off.

Thank you! Yeah, that's a little strange, lol!

Just picked up my lab results and I am very discouraged. I'll post it all later, I'll need your help to understand and process this.

Aw Sherry, I'm sorry!!!! Yes, please, don't wait too long...we're all anxious now too!

[CarlaB]

Okay, so about 50 people have commented on my hair, lol. I think it looks the same as always, but everyone is commenting on it. That can't hurt the feeling good about myself thing, lol.

Did you change your hair? If not, maybe they are just noticing you look different but can't pinpoint why .... could it be the makeup? I know I look a LOT better with makeup on, LOL.

But then again, my hair has changed in texture and thickness so much so that even the checkout lady at Wild Oats said something about it the other day. It's thick like it used to be, so maybe yours is looking different, healthier and you don't realize it.

[mftnchn]

Okay I'll try to post the highlights here of my labs: Here's Part 1. Double stars are 2 standard deviations low, one star is 1 SD low.

NO-Tyrosine 6.4 (1.1-6.8) This is an indicator of inflammation apparently:

"Nitrotyrosine has been identified as an indicator of cell damage and inflammation, as well as of the production of NO. It is believed that measuring the concentration of nitrotyrosine will serve as a marker for damage caused by NO in the cell. Previous studies have shown that nitrotyrosine has been found in inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerotic plaques and theumatoid arthritis, among others."

This is barely in the normal range so I guess there's at least some cell damage and inflammation present.

Amino Acids

*Methionine 13 (8-50)

Lysine 130 (40-640)

Threonine 100 (75-375)

**Isoleucine 8.7 (10-60) (can be from zinc deficiency, protein malnutrition or GI dysfunction)

Valine 28 (15-80)

Phenylalanine 41 (25-120) (may be from inadequate protein and lack of magnesium)

Tryptophan 52 (20-120)

**Taurine 51 (220-1420) (typically from inadequate protein or excessive exposure to chemicals)

**Cysteine 16 (25-84) (can be from metals or toxic chemicals, inflammation, oxidative stress or insufficient antioxidants, methionine insufficiency.

* Arginine 12 (8-60)

Histidine 850 (350-1900)

*Alanine 160 (130-650)

*Aspartate 9.8 (8-33)

Asparagine 120 (35-225)

Glutamine 540 (200-900)

Glutamate 15 (6-55)

Cystine 57 (30-120)

Glycine 1200 (500-4200)

Tyrosine 81 (29-143)

Serine 270 (180-700)

Proline 7.2 (1-60)

I have been supplementing lysine, cysteine, and glutamine. Two of these look okay, but not the cysteine. Dr. E said in the last ART that I wasn't handling lysine and cysteine so I quit but that was just before this blood draw (within several days).

GI Markers: (I'll just post what looks significant)

**Ammonia 7940 (12000-56000) (typically from inadequate protein or severe malabsorption)

**Taurine 51 (220-1420)

Magnesium Markers:

**Phosphoethanolamine 7.7 (20-95)

**Phosphoserine <dl (.06-.8) Looks like this was undetectable. (associated with a very poor diet extremely low in protein, calories and B6)

**Taurine 51 (220-1420)

I am supplementing large amounts of magnesium, 800-1000 mg a day. Also see below, the magnesium level results.

B6, B12 & Folate Markers

**Cysteine 16 (25-84)

* Cystathionine 8.1 (8-60)

* Alpha amino N Butyrate 6.9 (5-80)

Detoxification Markers

* Methionine 13 (8-50)

** Cysteine 16 (25-84)

**Taurine 51 (220-1420)

*Aspartate 9.8 (8-33)

Neurological Markers

**Ammonia 7940 (12000-56000)

**Taurine 51 (220-1420)

*Cystathionine 8.1 (8-60)

Urea Cycle Metabolites

**Ammonia

* Arginine

* Aspartate

* Urea 200 (150-650)

In the summary of this report, it especially notes the high need for magnesium and nitrogen. In the "yellow" section are susceptibility to vascular disease, abnormal intestinal microflora, malabsorption, impaired detoxification, and oxidative stress.

I'm discouraged because it looks to me like I am still not absorbing and using my food and some at least of my supplements.

Sherry

[mftnchn]

Here's Part 2:

Urine Toxic Metals

*Lead 10 (<5) This is higher even than last year.

Mercury 3.2 (>4) This is improved but I am worried that because the essential elements are wacky that mercury is just not moving out.

Essential Elements

These are low:

**Sodium 500 (1000-5200)

*Phosphorus 400 (250-1300)

*Calcium 67 (55-400)

**Magnesium 45 (45-230)

*Boron 1.1 (0.8-5.7)

*Selenium .068 (.05-.35)

*Strontium .075 (.06-.45)

*Creatinine 49 (35-225)

These are high:

*Cobalt .042 (should be less than .04)

**Zinc 2.7 (.1-2)

**Copper .48 (.01-.09)

**Lithium .24 (.008-.2)

FIA Comprehensive 5000

Functional deficiencies in Vitamin B2, B3, Pantothenate, Vitamin D, Glutathione, Selenium, Vitamin E, and Spectrox. Total antioxidant function is almost in the deficient. I am 25, and below 25 is deficient.

I notice in the report that the results for the other B vitamins that are in the normal range are just barely normal.

Also according to this test, calcium, zinc, copper and magnesium are okay.

[mftnchn]

I haven't discussed these with my doctor yet, but my impression is that malabsorption is still very much an issue, as well as lead and maybe mercury.

My doctor gave me a whole stack of materials to read about the Marshall protocol; I guess that means he is considering this approach.

Sherry

[CarlaB]

Sherry, I don't really have any answers.

Read up about the pros and cons on the Marshall protocol, there's a lot of controversy surrounding it. I"m not totally sold on it because the bits and pieces I've heard don't make sense to me ..... but I haven't completely researched it.

I'll look forward to hearing what your doctor has to say.

[mftnchn]

Open Original Shared Link

According to these counting rules if they can be applied to urine essential elements (instead of hair), 2 out of three ways of counting show mineral transport issues and a high probability of mercury.

So it looks like my oral chelation hasn't helped.

[mftnchn]

I have some time to read up about the Marshall protocol as I don't see my doctor for a couple of weeks yet.

[ShadowSwallow]

Sherry,

I also look forward to seeing what your doctor has to say about your results. I'm sorry they're not better.

Birdy