Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

Oh...I obviously dont know anything about other peoples finances but I can tell you for sure that I'm not exactly rich. I just work in a grocery store....pay is OK but definately not gonna get me rich.

Since I got sick have had to refinance the house (a couple times), get help from my mom (cuz she still loves me even after all my ummm "episodes") and I dont get to take vacations, spoil myself with clothes and other stuff, cant buy a new car even though I want one. I've had to sacrifice alot but I guess now that I've lost my health those other things dont matter that much anymore. I dont think theres any limit to what I'll pay to get better. I cant put a price on my health....its everything that makes life worth living. Then again I dont have a family to support. It would be harder if I did but still my health would be before most other things.

I dont know what options you have available to you but if you can somehow work it out you may be able to get some help.

What I've learned is that by doing my own research and narrowing things down myself and figuring out what type of Dr. will help me (screening can help with this) can save me alot of time and especially money.

[AndreaB]

Rachel,

You really ought to write a book after all this. You express yourself well, always.

Time for all good little girls and boys to be in bed.

[rinne]

That leaves me out.

[Judyin Philly]

i HEARD YOU VINCENT! pOOR GUY...WHEN I RANTING jIM SAYS..WELL WHAT ARE WE 'TORETTING' ABOUT NOW...

ONLY CAN GIVE SOME {{{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}}} YOUR THE BEST AND SORRY YOUR FEELING LIKE THIS.

THIS JUST CRACKED ME UP AND ON THIS NOTE..I'M GOING TO BED AS I DID HAVE WATER IN MY MOUTH AND IT'S ALL OVE THE SCREEN.

JUDY

Would you consider paying for it ?

ROFL

OMG....If I had been eating or drinking something right now....it would be all over my computer screen!!

[Simply-V]

I go though periods of extremly easy anger to extremly easy tears, I can blow up over anything at all at anytime, and I cant handle any change form *my* routine, unless I first decide it.

I know that feeling. I used to be much much worse about it than I am now, but I'm still dealing with my past of "altered perceptions" "mood swings".. I honestly don't even know how bad I was. I can only assume by peoples reactions to me now, when I don't freak out.

I still don't handle change well, but I suspect thats due to a lifetime of trying to control things. I guess its a psychological reaction sometimes in people whose bodies are out of control. *shrugs* All I know is that I've mellowed out a lot.

The cause for me was constantly eating corn (or something with it in it). Made me a looney. I avoid it now and seem to be doing better. Though its hard to deal with family who have known me as "psycho" for years, and now they treat me like I still am. Guess it takes time to adjust.

Though I will say I do still have some ADD, but its not near as bad as it was.

[jerseyangel]

Vincent,

I'm sorry I missed your posts from last night. (Fell asleep watching TV ) Anyway, that's awful that you have those mood swings and feelings of rage.

I can only speak from limited experience. I used to have a lot of problems with feelings of rage that would build up inside--not good, and looking back, I can see I was doing harm by holding it all in and not trying to figure out the cause. I was raised with people yelling at me all the time, and I swore I was not going to be that way myself. I can describe the feeling as an almost constant struggle going on in my head--paranoia, anxiety and depression (although I somehow didn't recigonize the depression?) And change--scared to death of it....

Remember when you thought you may be Celiac and you went off gluten? Did that make any difference in your moods? When I first went off of it, I felt calm for the first time in years, but it only lasted a few months. Then some of it crept back--it's better now since I eliminated all grains and some other foods. I eliminated the foods because of the GI problems, but I feel much more at peace mentally, too.

I'm not saying that food is the cause, but it does make sense that what we consume has at least some effect on the balance of seratonin, hormones, etc. I know you have to seriously watch the sugars and all, but maybe there is something else?

Also, I hear ya on not telling the doctors everything about your personal life/feelings. Guilty here, too! But, if you could be frank with a doctor that you trust, possibly there is something that would help you through the rough spots. I've been fighting myself about speaking to my doctor about my anxiety--determined to take care of it myself. I see her in 4 weeks, and still don't know what I'm gonna do...

I'm rambling again Glad you feel that you can come here and get this stuff out

[VydorScope]

I dont think theres any limit to what I'll pay to get better. I cant put a price on my health....its everything that makes life worth living. Then again I dont have a family to support. It would be harder if I did but still my health would be before most other things.

There is an awfull lot that comes first for me. For example the first two years of my son's life we max out our out of pocket maxium on our health insurance for the entire family... just on him. I wont go on, just know we have done our part to support the retirement funds of many doc's

We only have 1 car, which is paid for, and since moving in to our house 6 years ago we ahve refi'd it 4 times, and taken out more then one second. We do not pay for any tv service, and only have basic phone service. Etc.

I do not want to start a pity party, but just know that we are not exactly well off, its one thing to say "I will pay any price..." and another to actaully have the ability to pay any price. I do not value money much, and do not make it my goal. I could sell my soul to some big powerful company and prbly double my income, but I rather be home with my son. I get off work every day around 1-2pm, and have a ton of vaction time. It be nice to have more money, but time is much more valueable.

Remember when you thought you may be Celiac and you went off gluten? Did that make any difference in your moods? When I first went off of it, I felt calm for the first time in years, but it only lasted a few months. Then some of it crept back--it's better now since I eliminated all grains and some other foods. I eliminated the foods because of the GI problems, but I feel much more at peace mentally, too

\

No, and I am still almost completly gluten-free. I do not allow any gluten in my house and we eat almost all our food at home. No diet change of any kind that I have tried has ever helped.

Vincent,

Would you consider trying to find someone to check into mercury poisoning?

Honestly , since I have tons of fillings, I would be intrested, but I do not think its an issue in this case. At least not with reguards to the post you replied to. I been this way, my entire life... even before my first filling. Plus it runs in my family... I do not know any of my blood realtives that are not either in some treatment or should be.

My doctor told me of someone who will do your whole mouth (removing amalgams) for, I think it was, around $2000. He's in Georgia. I know neither one of us have that kind of money. My doctor gave me a list of toxic free doctors/dentists for our area (northwest coast).

If he uses sedation, I might consider it! But UGH the pain! I am largely imune ot the pain killing power of that shot they use. The bad part is it still kills off the muscle control so I get all the pain, plus cant eat/drink !

I think I got all the comments? If not ask again!

[CarlaB]

Sorry you're feeling bad, Vincent. I have those ups and downs, too. Are you getting enough essential fatty acids? I know my moods even out a bit with them. I noticed a big difference .... lots of our hormones are fat soluble, usually for me it's hormonal, but I also come from a long line of people of questionable sanity. I'm sure being really careful to keep that sugar balanced is important, too and if that means staying off caffeine, that's what you have to do!

I read through my hair analysis recommendations again. A lot of what they address is getting my minerals in balance and they do talk a lot about that detoxing the heavy metals. So, I guess that's being addressed. We'll see how it goes.

[Mtndog]

Vincent- I'm REALLY sorry you're having such a rough time but I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to talk about it on here.

I had two thoughts. The first one is less expensive and less invasive- like Carla said, get some Omega 3 fish oil. But, you have to get a high quality one because of mercury (made from cold water fish). And take it. Work your way gradually up to 6 capsules a day. Yes, you may get fishy burps at first but it subsides. Fish oil helps with heart, vascular, joint and blood sugar issues. But it also helps with psych stuff. Actually, McClean's (spelling?) Hospital here in Boston (yes- the infamous one where many a tortured poet, musician, etc has spent time like James taylor, Sylvia Plath) is actually doing research now because they think it may even help schizophrenia. Yes- I will pay for it for you if you promoise to take it Consider it a Christams gift. i think one of the best brands is Nordic naturals.

Two, if you want to pursue the mercury filling thing but can't afford it, maybe one option is a dental teaching hospital in a city. Maybe that's not an appealing thought depending on the dentist schools in your closest city, but if there is a good dental school, it may be worth checking out.

hang in there little tomato!

Edit: I speak from experience about the fish oil. I have been diagnosed over the years with everything BUT schizophrenia.

[dlp252]

Speaking of Bumble Bars-

Yummy!! Haven't tried the chocolate ones yet, my favorite thus far is Chai

Chocolate...ummm, very good with nut butter on them.

Donna -- I can relate about the Bumble Bar thing.

All I can say is that it's a good thing Rachel and I don't Rachel the same things at the same time...Whole Foods might not recover from a visit from both of us on the same day if we went for the same foods, lol.

[dlp252]

Wow, sorry Vincent! It must be so frustrating for you! I tend to have mood swings...have had them since I was very small...in my case though, I DO think dental work might have something to do with it...I think I was pretty small when I had my first cavity filled.

***

I'll read the links posted later when my head isn't foggy, lol. Some of my lingering symptoms: light-headedness, low body temp, very low blood pressure, fatigue, and some symptoms of blood sugar (i.e., shakey or jittery, a little light headed if I don't eat regularly), but blood sugar levels are normal (tested myself at home with a blood sugar monitor over an entire day). Blood tests (done at time of annual exams) have always been in the normal ranges. After the temporary crown that was put in a week ago, I had a spot on my gum which felt metallic...it also hurt, like a bad bruise would, but no discoloration. I've also been moody again the last couple of weeks--starting crying while washing the dishes last week! What's that all about, lol. Course, I HATE housework, but it's never made me cry before.

I really think I need to have some different testing done...I resolve to call the HN doctors this week for an appointment, lol. I know I keep saying it, but I think I'll make an appointment with them soon. The stress from work over the last couple of weeks has really brought back the dizzyness, moodiness and fatigue issue, which were still present before, but are worse now.

On a happier note...still no itching on my legs! I've had just a couple of little spots...I mean tiny spots which itched, but not enough to even scratch. So, I'm happy about all that.

[AndreaB]

All I can say is that it's a good thing Rachel and I don't Rachel the same things at the same time...Whole Foods might not recover from a visit from both of us on the same day if we went for the same foods, lol.

[AndreaB]

Course, I HATE housework, but it's never made me cry before.

I hear you.

Glad to hear that your itching legs have calmed down.

Sorry about the stress induced work situation.

Vincent,

I also hear you about finances. Sounds like you did everything and more for Timothy. It's all worth it. I know the pocketbook will be tight for awhile, and yes, having you home is very important. It's good that you have a job that will allow you to be home early.

Beverly,

I've heard quality fish oil is good for you but didn't realize it helped even out moods and such.

Donna,

The new you is.......kinda rectangular.

I liked you old picture.....it reminds me of this emoticon .

[dlp252]

The new you is.......kinda rectangular.

I liked you old picture.....it reminds me of this emoticon .

Yes, I'm looking quite tanned in this photo, lol. It's a little more like me...a square peg in a round hole, lol. I'll switch back to the old me soon, but thought this was fun.

[CarlaB]

I liked you old picture.....it reminds me of this emoticon .

Me, too! I always thought that if I were more computer saavy, I would have taken her picture and made it an emoticon in my post on this thread for a joke!

Umm, Donna, think you have eaten one too many Bumblbars ... you're starting to look like one!

[AndreaB]

Yes, I'm looking quite tanned in this photo, lol. It's a little more like me...a square peg in a round hole, lol. I'll switch back to the old me soon, but thought this was fun.

Donna,

I think you missed where I changed my avatar to nuggets for Susan.

I only had it up for a little bit.

[Rachel--24]

Haha...Donna and her bumble bars!! Might be hard to believe but I've actually never had one even though I've seen them a million times.

Guess its a good thing....I dont know what I'm missing.

[jerseyangel]

Yes, I'm looking quite tanned in this photo, lol. It's a little more like me...a square peg in a round hole, lol. I'll switch back to the old me soon, but thought this was fun.

Donna--how cute!

We should all make our avatars pictures of our favorite Racheling-worthy foods!

[Rachel--24]

We should all make our avatars pictures of our favorite Racheling-worthy foods!

What is everyone Racheling right now anyway?? For me its ice cream....not that thats anything new.

Julie...the ice cream is Stonyfeild organic....it doesnt have eggs in it. I still react to it but not nearly as bad. I pretty much react to everything to some extent so I just eat the stuff that causes the tiniest reactions. What else can I do???

I had written yesterday that mercury disables enzymes and stops them from functioning. I wonder if this would have anything to do with the "alien baby" episode at the obgyn??

She did say that it looked like my intestines were trying to digest....maybe they just cant??? Maybe my body is struggling with everything I eat and maybe when I start racheling things that my body is having an even harder time digesting....bad things happen. If the enzymes arent working and things cant be digested....could that be a reason for malabsorption. That week that I had Racheled the yams and sweet potatoes I lost 10 lbs...fast.

And to add to that....when the GI ran his tests I was all compacted and he said my digestion was really slow. Heck....maybe its slow because nothing is working....its all shut down cuz of mercury. I'm just throwing stuff out randomly but still.....it could happen....you never know.

[VydorScope]

Rasins... not that that is anything new LOL I can eat the hole big red can on the way home form the store... btw thats only 5 miles or so

[dlp252]

Racheling chocolate cuz I can't find a danged chocolate BUMBLE BAR, lol. I've had 7 chocolate bars since last Saturday...this week...Intense Dark by dagoba or some such thing....had a half of one already...would have been more except I didn't bring the whole thing with me to work...it's waiting for me when I get home though.

[Green12]

Julie...the ice cream is Stonyfeild organic....it doesnt have eggs in it. I still react to it but not nearly as bad. I pretty much react to everything to some extent so I just eat the stuff that causes the tiniest reactions. What else can I do???

Good Day All!!!

Rachel, I LOVE Stonyfield Vanilla Ice Cream, so dang creamy, the creamiest I think I have tasted, and so yummy. Hope your indulgence hasn't made you too sick.

Lots of scientificness yesterday, I must read over it all. I skimmed over something you posted about copper, remember that DAO enzyme in the gut that degrades dietary histamine? It was related to copper in some way. Did you find any reference to histamine in the mercury toxicity book? I'm just wondering what the affects are, if any. It sounds like mercury wreaks havok on everything anyway.....

Vincent, sorry you are struggling. I would think with your blood sugar issues being so severe it makes sense to me that you would be experiencing the highs and lows that you describe.

Donna I love your Bumble Bar avatar, I'm going to change mind in the spirit of Racheling too,

Good idea Patti

I made PB cookies again last night, omg they were so good, and I enjoyed every bite, I should have taken a picture of one of them.

[jerseyangel]

Rachel, the enzyme theory sounds interesting. I wonder if using digestive enzymes will help in the meantime?

Julie, Your cookies sound delicious! I've been making grain free chocolate chip cookies at least once a week I buy one bag for baking, and another one for snacking

[Green12]

Julie-

the food testing has been good and bad. I found a few more things I can tolerate which is great but have had a few really bad reactions . Last week was pretty much lost to one bad meal. I feel like I ma fighting myself because part of me wants to just eat whatever can leave me most comfortable and part of me knows that I have to try new things and risk the reactions because I don't seem to be getting better by playing it safe and seem to be able to tolerate less and less that way. So frustrating.

How are you doing?

Whats going on with your diet ? You seem to be feeling better or you had been is it still positive results with the histamine diet you were following?

Miamia

Hi MiaMia!! So good to hear from you

I'm sorry you had a few bad reactions, but I am glad to hear you have found a few things you can tolerate. I understand your frustrations. It's so hard to be so restricted and to not have enough to eat, when I am eating clean for me I am starving because I just don't have enough to choose from. I can last about 6 or 7 days like this and then I eat other things because I am so hungry. I'm trying to figure out some safe things for those times that I need to eat more, but it's hard because I have had to cut so many things out.

Did you ever get your test results back?

Keep us posted as to how you are doing

I am still staying away from high histamine foods, the angioedema outbreaks I was getting have gone down considerably so I think there is a connection for me.

I'm also in the process of going completely corn, dairy/casein, soy, as well as gluten free as Dogtor J suggests. I had a little slip up with dairy in the last week but I am determined to kick it for good, but it's so hard since I love cheese and ice cream so much. I didn't eat any soy to begin with on purpose that is, it is in a lot of items though in the form of soy lecithin that most of the time we are unaware of.

So no more beloved Pamela's cookies for me

That is why I started making my own over the weekend, then you can control what goes in. The PB one is good because it is grainless.

[Guest melannen]

Racheling chocolate cuz I can't find a danged chocolate BUMBLE BAR, lol. I've had 7 chocolate bars since last Saturday...this week...Intense Dark by dagoba or some such thing....had a half of one already...would have been more except I didn't bring the whole thing with me to work...it's waiting for me when I get home though.

Mmmmm Dagoba chocolate. I love the xocolatl bar and the lavender bar; the roseberry one is good too!

I'm not really feeling too great this morning/afternoon/whatever. Not quite sure why, I had rough time sleeping last night, got around 4 hours....maybe that has something to do with it? So I can't say there's anything I'm Racheling or wanting to Rachel at this moment in time.