Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

So this could be the cause of all my food intolerances in the last few years.

This is all making sense, the more i research. My oldest son was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago. Then my 8 yr old was suspected of asthma about 2 months ago. My girls get croup alot lately. My husband has sore throats and sick alot. I of course have more health issues from the mold.

Paula,

I've seen lots of posts on this board (as well as other boards) where mold is an issue in the home and all or most family members are having health problems including food intolerance. Most of the time people arent making the connection beween the mold and the health problems....and they continue to expose themselves.

I do think that its likely you are all suffering from it to some degree. Your son may have been bothered by the smoke because his system is overwhelmed by the mycotoxins...it makes it harder to handle additional toxins....and cigarette smoke is toxic.

Mold is definately a big trigger for asthma.

Aspergillus is the one that kept showing up for me in energetic testing.... BioSET, ART and kinesiology...it showed up in everything. My BioSET practitioner said that I had ALOT of exposure to molds (esp. aspergillus) during the 14 years that I smoked.

It might not have been a big issue in the beginning but once I got overloaded with the metals it definately became an issue. I cant handle cigarettes at all now. Its been a few years since I quit.

Thank you for the advice! I know I shouldn't isolate, but sometimes it's so hard...I just want to be kind of like a caterpillar...I want to cocoon myself for a while and then when I get all healthy and happy and vibrant and energetic, I'll come out and show everyone that I'm a butterfly.

This has been pretty much my mindset from the beginning. I did isolate myself and I did cocoon myself for all the time that I was feeling really bad. I told myself that my priority was in regaining my health and I just put everything else on the backburner. I just didnt have the desire to do anything....I wanted to save all the fun stuff for when I'd actually be able to enjoy it again.

Its probably not the healthiest choice but I'm a stubborn girl and I never changed my mind...I just wanted it to be that way. I did have a couple people close to me....and I had this board....but I didnt really bring anything else into my life...all my focus was on getting better.

But I know in the meantime I can't push people away, because then there won't be anyone waiting for me when I'm healthy and ready to have fun

I pushed alot of people away but I've found that the people who matter to me most...the ones who are "true"....the ones who have always been there are still there now....regardless. I stopped talking to one of my best friends 5 years ago...when I first got sick. I didnt call her in all this time. A couple months ago I talked to her again...and everything is great...we still have our friendship and it might even be stronger now.

If they really love you they will still be there when you're ready to go have fun.

As far as dating goes...heck...I think I've had more invitations to go out while I've been sick!

I wouldnt worry about this. I've met some really wonderful and caring people who have shown genuine interest in my health issues, gone to Dr. appts. with me, went out of their way to make sure I eat safely, etc. The fact that I couldnt go out to eat, couldnt go out to social events because of chemical sensitivities, etc....didnt even get in the way. The only person bothered by my limitations was me.

If someone cares about you....they will care about you regardless.

One of my guy friends even took the time to read this monstrous thread! Of course it wasnt nearly 2000 pages at that time...but it was still pretty big.

So YES....you will still date and you will someday get married if thats what you want.

Sooo...I'm wondering....do you all feel like you've made progress with your health? How long have you all been at it?

I feel like I've made a ton of progess.

Its been 5 years. The first 3 years were wasted with idiot Dr.'s. In the last couple years I've come a long way. I am now participating in life again. I go out with friends. I'm not scared to venture out now....I'm feeling better and I'm able to enjoy myself.

I dont regret all the time I took to myself because its what I needed to do...everyone is different in how they handle things.

I still dont have any interest in starting a relationship with anyone. I've always said I wouldnt "go there" until I'm better....by "better" I mean eating foods.

I dont want to have so many food issues going into a relationship....I want to be able to go out, have fun, and not worry about food. So thats really the only thing still getting in the way. Even though I'm going out now I'm still not to the point where I could actually go on a trip somewhere and feel safe...I'm not comfortable with that yet.

Oh... I also forgot to mention that a while back I got the No-Phenol and tested well for it.

I'm really bad about remembering to take supplements but I NEVER forget to take No-Fenol or Peptizyde. They do seem to help me alot.

[Rachel--24]

Doesn't Flagyl have those bad sulfates in it? Isn't it a sulfur antibiotic?

Hmmm...good question.

Is Flagyl a sulfa drug?

That would definately explain why I felt like death the 2 weeks I was on it.

I wasnt herxing on it....I'm pretty sure of that. My body was not happy while I was on that abx.

I also had some GI stuff while on it...loose stools the whole time....malabsorption seemed alot worse during that time.

Bingo!

Flagyl is sulfa based and some people are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Well that would explain it....but I'd still like to know for sure if Flagyl contains sulfa.

Anyone know this??

[AndreaB]

Rachel,

One more date to look forward too.....the 9th of June that is. Can't wait to hear how that goes.

[confusedks]

Well that would explain it....but I'd still like to know for sure if Flagyl contains sulfa.

Anyone know this??

I don't think it contains sulfa. I could be wrong, but before Dr H wrote my rx for it, he asked me if I was allergic to any meds and I told him I couldn't remember, so he looked on the front of my chart. I am allergic to sulfa drugs...well, last time I had any I was about 3, lol. But I did break out in hives within about 1 hour or so of taking them, so I don't know.

[mftnchn]

Sure, April, the recipe is pretty vague. I am still learning the portion for just one person as this makes too much and it is only good to use right away.

4-5 inch pieces of: carrot, cucumber, bitter melon

2 ribs of celery

1/2 green pepper

1 apple

My Chinese friend soaks these for 15 minutes in salt water (to clean and detox I guess), then rinse, peel and cut in pieces. Add just enough water to blend into a smoothie in the blender. Drink within 15 minutes.

I'd say this makes enough for 2-3 people.

The bitter melon is about the size of a cucumber. You cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. My Chinese friend said you can just add the bitter melon once a week, but she is diabetic so uses it every day. When I saw the benefits I think I will do that too since it is so available to me. I am past worrying about the abortive qualities of bitter melon. I did see references to a laxative quality, so if you tend to big D and this makes it worse, you could just drop the bitter melon for awhile.

Take the seeds out of the green pepper and apple as well.

I made about half of this today but put a bit more carrot in it. The apple helps it taste better and you can increase that if you need to. It was still more than one very large mug, but I went ahead and drank all of it. Seems like it is really good for me, I have been feeling better (less tired and more productive) since I started this. For the fourth day in a row, pretty much as soon as I drink this it stimulates my daily elimination. It might not work so well for everyone with constipation; my big C has already improved a lot with one year of gluten-free, SF, limited dairy and Vit C/magnesium routine. But I do notice a difference.

I should comment that the bitter melon is often stir fried here, and I have had it but just don't care for it at all. I can eat it but never ask for it, LOL! However, in this shake it doesn't taste bad as the carrot and apple balance it out.

Sherry

[miamia]

canyou post te vegee mix for constipation again

[confused]

Paula,

I've seen lots of posts on this board (as well as other boards) where mold is an issue in the home and all or most family members are having health problems including food intolerance. Most of the time people arent making the connection beween the mold and the health problems....and they continue to expose themselves.

I do think that its likely you are all suffering from it to some degree. Your son may have been bothered by the smoke because his system is overwhelmed by the mycotoxins...it makes it harder to handle additional toxins....and cigarette smoke is toxic.

Mold is definately a big trigger for asthma.

Aspergillus is the one that kept showing up for me in energetic testing.... BioSET, ART and kinesiology...it showed up in everything. My BioSET practitioner said that I had ALOT of exposure to molds (esp. aspergillus) during the 14 years that I smoked.

It might not have been a big issue in the beginning but once I got overloaded with the metals it definately became an issue. I cant handle cigarettes at all now. Its been a few years since I quit.

Rachel,

What would be the best thing to do for son then. Will just getting the mold out of the house make an huge difference on him? And of course keeping him away from smoke.

I have smoked off and on since i was 18, Im 35 now. I never want to smoke again.

Do you still think that metals is more a factor in my body then the mold is?

paula

[dlp252]

Oh and I figured since I went all emotional on you guys, I should probably at least tell you my name It's Candice.

Sooo...I'm wondering....do you all feel like you've made progress with your health? How long have you all been at it? And for those of you with Lyme...I'm wondering...have your food sensitivities cleared up (Carla, I know yours have ) and if so, how long did it take?

Well hey there Miss Candice! I do feel like I've made progress with my health! From 2002 to 2005 I had chronic infections (sinus, bronchitis, etc), that the doctors couldn't figure out. I basically was on antibiotics that whole time. Since then, I've only been sick like that a couple of times. We've also discovered a lot of the reasons WHY I've been sick, so that's the first step in fixing it. I've had other improvement in symptoms too. Some of my sensitivities HAVE cleared up, but not all, and I think that's because I'm still exposed to the mold and I still have metals issues in addition to the lyme. The one big sensitivity that cleared up was chicken! I can now eat chicken again, lol.

I haven't been brave enough to try gluten, but I can say that the sensitivity to dairy is still strong as ever. I'm hoping once I get the mold taken care of and some of the metals chelated, I'll be able to add more things back.

Oh, I got my lab results faxed into the office while I was there, and my CD57 came back at 25. Guess I really can't ask for a more definitive dx of chonic lyme between herxing, Ehrlichia, and this.

Sounds like a good appointment! Not surprised about the 25 on the CD57, lol.

Has anyone here taken Flagyl? Or Diflucan?

I've only taken 2 doses, last night and this morning and WOW!!! LOL! I'm already herxing hard. I went to my uncles house for an hour and had to leave because I was getting so dizzy, headachey, etc.

Anyone get that feeling where you're not in your own body? Like, I'm watching me drive, walk, etc. but I'm not doing it? (Does that make sense? ) It's so strange.

I took ONE diflucan tablet ONE time, lol. That's all my insurance would pay for...so I guess I can't answer that question, lol.

I have had the out of body thing...fortunately that seems to have gotten MUCH better in the last year. I still ocassionally find myself doing something very strange though.

Sorry about your uncle!

I found out when my insurance went up to $400 a month.

I have AAA...I think they're more expensive....actually I think they're feaking out of their minds for charging what they charge! OMG...I got a couple tickets.....you'd think I've had a ton of accidents or DUI's with what they're charging me!!

I have allstate and they are almost as bad! My insurance almost doubled when I hit my neighbor's car a couple of years ago...it still hasn't gone back to where it was! That sucks, lol. I don't pay $400 a month though, so that's good...I guess that's where being "older" helps.

I'm sorry Kassandra. I actually am going to a funeral tomorrow. A lady in the choir died .... very sad. She had colon cancer. She and I understood each other because we both understood living with long-term illness and she was sick much of the time from chemo. I'm playing flute. Was this a person you were close to?

Aw Carla, sorry about your friend!

[aprilh]

Sure, April, the recipe is pretty vague. I am still learning the portion for just one person as this makes too much and it is only good to use right away.

4-5 inch pieces of: carrot, cucumber, bitter melon

2 ribs of celery

1/2 green pepper

1 apple

My Chinese friend soaks these for 15 minutes in salt water (to clean and detox I guess), then rinse, peel and cut in pieces. Add just enough water to blend into a smoothie in the blender. Drink within 15 minutes.

Sherry

Thanks! Printed it this time. Its so hard to go back and find things in this thread. It grows so much everyday!

Rachel,

What would be the best thing to do for son then. Will just getting the mold out of the house make an huge difference on him? And of course keeping him away from smoke.

I have smoked off and on since i was 18, Im 35 now. I never want to smoke again.

Do you still think that metals is more a factor in my body then the mold is?

paula

Paula,

I am sure Rachel will answer this with great scientificness !

I would think that the first thing to do would reduce mold exposure AND all of you get on a good probiotic to help with the yeast overgrowth. Until you get rid of that mold you will be going in circles.

The problem with the exposure to mold and the yeast overgrowth is that this produces a lot of toxins in the body just in itself. Then the liver and detox organs become overburdened and less likely to detox other exposures that happen on top of that.

If it was me....i would get the kids and myself on a Natren quality probiotic, do epsom salt baths as much as you can, try and support the detox organs as much as you can. Maybe when the mold is gone you can do an antifungal regimen. There are some safe for kids. Natren makes probiotics just for kids and even babies.

April

[aprilh]

Paula,

Here is a quote from Moldlady posting about using the new probiotics (the ones that do not require refrigeration). I think some say soil based. Anyway, here's why they are not good for people with chronic illness:

No one else answered so I will give it a try. sporogenes is a new probiotic that is a healthy bacteria with the spore capabilities of a fungus spliced into it if I remember right. So many companies are getting in on this now that it is hard to keep track of what is what.

What concerns me are the spores that can form when conditions are not right for the bacteria. I'm sure that gives the product lasting power but it does not address the mutating potential of this bacteria to become a bad bacteria. These gene spliced organisms were never pre tested on long term trials. Very short and then right into the population.

Bottom line, this is not a probiotic that human beings ever had in their guts years ago. Natren quality is of real bacteria that has lived in the guts of humans.... price is high but culturing them helps to extend the cost.

Since Natren has always only made Human strains AND i can find this in my local healthfood store - I just stick with that brand. I will have probiotics in my fridge for the rest of my life.

I take them or administer to my kids whenever we are around or have a stomach virus and we hardly ever get sick or if we do - a LOT less than the other kids. Plus - it can help with food poisoning.

IMO - due to our dietary changes as Americans, we don't get them in our diet much anymore. For instance, pasteurized milk. Raw milk contains the original enzymes that help digest the milk PLUS naturally occuring probiotics.

[CarlaB]

Thanks, Donna .... I didn't know her really well .... you know how it is in the choir .... btw, we haven't heard about your choir lately, are you still doing that?

[Green12]

Excellent advice miss Julie Marie!

Donna that cracks me up everytime!

Thank you for the advice! I know I shouldn't isolate, but sometimes it's so hard...

...like I wonder what's going to happen to my future...when will I go back to college...will I be behind...will I ever meet someone that I could date or marry? Hopefully getting rid of this lyme (and metals) will help me to restore my health and I'll be able to get back out there. In the meantime though, I can't help but feel isolated and stuck.

Oh and I figured since I went all emotional on you guys, I should probably at least tell you my name It's Candice.

Sooo...I'm wondering....do you all feel like you've made progress with your health? How long have you all been at it? And for those of you with Lyme...I'm wondering...have your food sensitivities cleared up and if so, how long did it take?

Hi Candice, nice to put a name to the.....name. You know what I mean!

All of these feelings are totally understandable and things we all have had to/or still are working through. It's an ever changing process, I think. On the really bad days the isolation is obviously unavoidable. That's when it's helpful to have a few people in your circle to lean on that know exactly what that is like.

As for relationships, I began a long term relationship after I had been already sick for a handful of years. At first I hid my condition and all that went along with it (i.e. all my appts and food issues). It made things so much more stressful for me, keeping what essentially was a secret, not showing him all of me or my illness which was a huge part of my life.

After talking with a few very wise people I realized that I needed to let him in and share this with him. When I did it was like clouds parted, he was so wonderful, so understanding, and it made our relationship that much stronger. It truly was a test of the "in sickness and in health" or "for better or for worse" aspect of a relationship, and he passed with flying colors

Often times we don't give people enough credit, there are many caring wonderful people out there that are understanding. And if they aren't, they aren't really the people you want to be with anyway, right?

As for progress, I've taken a lot of steps forward and some steps back. I still have some food issues but I am able to eat so much more than I used to. I am still a work in progress

Just wanted to mention, you might not want to put your email address out here in the thread. Even though it seems we are only amongst friends, this is a public forum and everyone has access to it, unless you don't care

The appointment with the dr went very well.

The immunomodulation peptide therapy is very... interesting. I've gone through a course of this before (didn't stick because of the undx'd lyme, etc) and it's very cutting-edge and used openly by drs in Europe, but is technically illegal in the US. Here are a few articles I dredged up about them... I haven't read through them myself, though. Very full of scientificness. He also said that my plan for the treatment of the Lyme looked very good, so he would keep his hand out of that.

I also started a liver support supplement (basically a bunch of vitamins and minerals... with vitamin Bs! I can tolerate them now! ) that's been working very well (NutriClear by Biotics). It's supposed to be scooped out... but I can only handle 1/4-1tsp. But this is very exciting, and helpful. I can finally provide my liver with the nutrients it needs to function. The SpecraCell testing I had for vitamins came back with me deficient in every form of B vitamin. Does taking these put anyone else to sleep?

Birdy! I'm so happy you had such a great appt, it sounds like lots of interesting things were covered.

Thanks for the links, although I do have to admit my eyes kind of glazed over I'll revisit them when I am less foggy.

That's awesome about the liver support supplement, and that you now can tolerate some more things

I'm not sure about the B's making me sleepy before, but it's been so long I was on just straight B's.

Keep plugging along like you are, things sound very positive for you

Has anyone here taken Flagyl? Or Diflucan?

I did, took lots of Diflucan. It's been several years though so I have no memory of side effects, or how I felt on it.

Do you remember Moldlady on the Yeast thread? She knows a LOT about molds.

Excellent idea April to recommend Mold lady for Paula!

Paula, I am so sorry about the mold I hope you find some answers and get things fixed quickly. I know you are frustrated and scared, and so many other emotions, probably pissed too!

Hang in there with everything.

[confusedks]

Okay, since we talk about anything on here... anyone had a transvaginal ultrasound? :ph34r: If you have, can you PM me your experience? Ugh, such NOT a fun topic, LOL!

So, that whole PCOS thing that my Dr thinks I have, it's really interesting. I've had just a pelvic ultrasound before, and it came back with "abnormal findings" that basically said one ovary was "enlarged." My dr didn't think anything of it at the time. (This was when I had my period for 90 days, and they wanted to rule out cancer.)

But now looking back, that is one of the diagnostic signs they look for in a regular pelvic ultrasound. But now Dr H wants me to have a more "detailed" one.

[Green12]

Okay, since we talk about anything on here... anyone had a transvaginal ultrasound? :ph34r: If you have, can you PM me your experience? Ugh, such NOT a fun topic, LOL!

So, that whole PCOS thing that my Dr thinks I have, it's really interesting. I've had just a pelvic ultrasound before, and it came back with "abnormal findings" that basically said one ovary was "enlarged." My dr didn't think anything of it at the time. (This was when I had my period for 90 days, and they wanted to rule out cancer.)

But now looking back, that is one of the diagnostic signs they look for in a regular pelvic ultrasound. But now Dr H wants me to have a more "detailed" one.

Kassandra,

I meant to comment on the PCOS. I was sort of diagnosed with this around the age of 23-ish. It was the one time when my periods were very irregular, I would go 50 to 75 days between periods. I definitely think I had enlarged ovaries and cyst or fibroid type environment going on there.

Shortly after that is when I started getting involved with energy medicine, homeopathy, muscle testing, etc with a ND. The protocols he had me on corrected all of this, my periods completely normalized.

I didn't have any of the above tests you mentioned though, so I'm sorry that I can't help you there.

[Green12]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but I just got an email that Under Our Skin is going to be featured at the Tribecca Film Festival:

Open Original Shared Link

[tabasco32]

Does anyone know of a supplement or something to get rid of a tapeworm? I have a friend named John and I think he's had it for about 20 to 30 years and it's grown as big as an anaconda and it is literally killing him. He's tried all kinds of supplemental approaches.

I heard that cream of tarter is good. hum......

[confusedks]

Kassandra,

I meant to comment on the PCOS. I was sort of diagnosed with this around the age of 23-ish. It was the one time when my periods were very irregular, I would go 50 to 75 days between periods. I definitely think I had enlarged ovaries and cyst or fibroid type environment going on there.

Shortly after that is when I started getting involved with energy medicine, homeopathy, muscle testing, etc with a ND. The protocols he had me on corrected all of this, my periods completely normalized.

I didn't have any of the above tests you mentioned though, so I'm sorry that I can't help you there.

I would be fine with trying anything. Unfortunately my periods have been so wacky...I would love it if it was 50-75 days in between, LOL! I've only had my period once since the beginning of the year. My main concern is that I will have fertility problems later. If left PCOS goes untreated, it becomes a real problem to try and get pregnant because the ovaries are so full of cysts they can't carry a baby.

[CarlaB]

Does anyone know of a supplement or something to get rid of a tapeworm? I have a friend named John and I think he's had it for about 20 to 30 years and it's grown as big as an anaconda and it is literally killing him. He's tried all kinds of supplemental approaches.

I heard that cream of tarter is good. hum......

Humaworm. www.humaworm.com I got rid of my tapeworm with this product. I didn't even know I had it.

Also, ever since I started Nutramedix enula, I have been seeing more worm.

Kassandra, I've never had one of those. Sounds yucky. You will be a very compassionate doctor because you've been through so much.

[dlp252]

Thanks, Donna .... I didn't know her really well .... you know how it is in the choir .... btw, we haven't heard about your choir lately, are you still doing that?

Yeah, we've lost a lot of people from the choir since I've been a member, some I knew better than others, but it's kind of like family even if you don't know them well.

Yep, still doing that and the ensemble. You may recall my encounter with the solo a few months ago, lol...stayed tuned for more about that on Friday.

[confusedks]

Kassandra, I've never had one of those. Sounds yucky. You will be a very compassionate doctor because you've been through so much.

I sure hope so! Dr H was VERY vague about it...I assumed it was just a regular pelvic ultrasound. I've had that before, but never a transvaginal! LOL! The tests are getting to be more and more interesting (read: INVASIVE!!!) as the days go by!

[Green12]

I would be fine with trying anything. Unfortunately my periods have been so wacky...I would love it if it was 50-75 days in between, LOL! I've only had my period once since the beginning of the year. My main concern is that I will have fertility problems later. If left PCOS goes untreated, it becomes a real problem to try and get pregnant because the ovaries are so full of cysts they can't carry a baby.

It went from 28 to 35 to 40 to 50 to 60 to 75. My overies were struggling with the ovulations process to release that egg, so eventually the time between would have been greater to possibly no periods at all.

Fortunately my NDs wife's specialty was fertility and the work she did really turned things around. When I started with her I was the complete picture of infertility and within a year I was normal.

Eliminating dairy and sugar from the diet can really be significant.

[jerseyangel]

Kassandra,

I've had that test (twice)--if you like I could PM you about it...it's not really bad at all, so don't worry

[CarlaB]

Yeah, we've lost a lot of people from the choir since I've been a member, some I knew better than others, but it's kind of like family even if you don't know them well.

Yep, still doing that and the ensemble. You may recall my encounter with the solo a few months ago, lol...stayed tuned for more about that on Friday.

Can't wait to hear about it.

This lady was only in her 50's .... still has one kid in college. Very sad.

[confused]

Well the contractor came today. He said he would do the boiler room for about 4000 grand and make me a closet with empty space in there. But he wants the mold inspector to come, cause he dont trust online mold labs lol. He also wants to check if there is mold in other aras before he gives us a quote to what it is going to cost. He said one reason for mold for out house is that it is not properly vented and wants to put new vents in.

We will be without water for 3 days tho, cause the water heater has to come out for them to do their work. Im like what is 3 days, we were without water for 3 weeks lol. The only bad thing is it might take 3-4 weeks before he has time to do the job. But he said if the mold guy feels it is very important to get it done asap then he will fix it asap.

The mold guy is a friend of ours. Ours kids play many sports together. So I know he will be truthful and honest with us. Now to wait til friday, til he gets here.

paula

who got her nails done and can not type today lol

[AndreaB]

Paula,

Can't wait to hear what the mold guy says on Friday.