Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

Soo,what does the electronic test involve?........

Nikki...I dont know much about it at all....I think someone here has done it before though. Maybe Julie?? I'm wary of testing methods I'm not familiar with. Actually before all of this I thought supplements and alternative stuff was total quakery (not that I knew a thing about it )....obviously my thinking has changed since these Dr.'s have helped me the most. He asked if I knew about the test...I told him no but I recall someone online talking about it. He asked what they had thought of it and I said "I dont know but they're still sick."

He said they can tell alot from the test....I was worried if the test can miss Lyme if its there and then I dont get diagnosed. He said if anything the test is overly sensitive....the opposite of the traditional Lyme tests which are not very sensitive at all. I'm guessing if the test is over-sensitive then it might pick up things that are not really problems for me...just a guess though.

The lady that does the testing apparantly helps people all over the world with chemical sensitivities and issues like that. I'm gonna call her today and schedule the appt. Should be interesting.

great picture Rachel - - is that "back when you were fierce?" Looks like you can be there again!

Yeah...back when I was fierce.

I was gonna put that under my pic..."Back when I was fierce like Dingogirl"

I think I'm still pretty fierce though....just in different ways now.

I have heard of frustrations with Kaiser before and this does not surprise me because our system is precisely the same. It seems that unless we are proactive about our own health care we are subject to a system without accurate diagnostic tests.

Yeah...when we were discussing Kaiser yesterday he asked if they'd diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia or anything like that. I told him no...nothing. He seemed shocked. He was like "What? They didnt even give you the courtesy of one of these diagnoses?"

He said they ususally do end up giving a diagnosis like Fibro.

I wouldnt have accepted that type of diagnosis anyway...my instincts tell me other things cause Fibro symptoms. Some may disagree but I think Fibro is a result of something else but Dr.s dont know what...so they made up this thing called Fibromyalgia...and theres no treatment for it.

It just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me.

[Mtndog]

rachel- I'm glad (in a weird way) that you have an "almost diagnosis". I think it's smart that your Dr. wants to be positive because treatment for Lyme involves lots of antibiotics (as far as I know) and I'd hate to see anyone go through all that for naught. Keep us posted.

It's amazing what mold can do. I am 99% positive that that was the problem in our evil vortex apartment. It can do crazy things to you....a lot of people think it's BS because mold is everywhere. Could you have any exposure at work? I was just reading an article that sid that Erin Brockovich bought a house after her settlement and it was brand new and turned out to be infested with toxic mold.

Maybe it's a combo of things but lyme seems so likely from what you've said.

Take care of you and keep us posted. You're almost there! Hugs, Beverly

[dlp252]

He says short term memory loss is always a problem with chemical sensitivities and metabollic problems. Yeah...I can vouch for that!

Holy cow, on Saturday I was trying to tell my mom something and had to start the sentence three times because I couldn't remember the word I wanted!

What were we talking about?

I have been thinking about the various symptoms for Lyme. I kept reading that neck and jaw problems were common with Lyme and I would think but that's not me and then yesterday I remembered that about two years ago I went through this several month period where I had neck pain all the time. It was when I was seeing the chiropractor and I thought it was related to a car accident but now I wonder. It seems to me that Lyme comes with brain fog and that through that fog it is hard to make connections to the global picture of our health, it is like we fill in the blanks with our own reasons for why this or that problem has arisen not realizing that there is a cause underneath it all. Then when it becomes critical and we begin to seek help we are referred in pieces for diagnosis and the longer it takes for an accurate diagnosis the more we keep adding illnesses or other manifestations of how our body is failing us.

See, that's it...I DO have neck and jaw pain, daily and have had for several years now...I saw a chiropractor very regularly for a while but it never made a difference. Holy crapola, lol...

I wouldnt have accepted that type of diagnosis anyway...my instincts tell me other things cause Fibro symptoms. Some may disagree but I think Fibro is a result of something else but Dr.s dont know what...so they made up this thing called Fibromyalgia...and theres no treatment for it.

It just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me.

I tend to agree with this too...I think a lot of things like Fibro are actually just collections of symptoms...just like IBS and a host of other things.

[jerseyangel]

Rachel,

Wow--after all this time! I think your doctor sounds very sensible, in that he's not jumping right in with the antibiotics--the big guns, so to speak. I like the fact that he is methodicly going after your various issues. In the long run, I feel this is the best approach.

This is good that you now have a definate avenue to persue--and thank you for continuing to talk about your experiences with this on the board. You are helping so many people by doing so.

I have a feeling that things are going to keep getting better and better for you

[dlp252]

rachel- I'm glad (in a weird way) that you have an "almost diagnosis". I think it's smart that your Dr. wants to be positive because treatment for Lyme involves lots of antibiotics (as far as I know) and I'd hate to see anyone go through all that for naught. Keep us posted.

It's amazing what mold can do. I am 99% positive that that was the problem in our evil vortex apartment. It can do crazy things to you....a lot of people think it's BS because mold is everywhere. Could you have any exposure at work? I was just reading an article that sid that Erin Brockovich bought a house after her settlement and it was brand new and turned out to be infested with toxic mold.

I agree with this too! Mold is one of the things I tested positive for on the allergy testing I've had done so far (originally 4 years ago, and on my retest in August 2005 it was still a strong reaction)...I CRAVE sugar like you wouldn't believe. I've suspected my house might be making me sick because I KNOW there is mold there (I can see it in my bathroom (not the black kind though), and for years I had a leak between the walls of my unit and the unit behind me (I live in a condo), but I also feel badly when I'm NOT home...at work, while traveling, etc. I don't feel any better or any worse when I'm NOT home. Anyway, this is one of the reasons why I did a lower carb diet for so many years...my ENT always suspected candida as a culprit in my frequent sinus infections.

[dlp252]

Sorry to hear you felt bad over the weekend.

I cant wait to hear what Dr. Adams has to say at your consult.

I am so excited about the results of your appointment!!! That is truly amazing to me. I was beginning to lose faith in the abilities of doctors and this just gave me hope again. I think he is doing exactly what he should...I would actually be more skeptical of him if he rushed to load you up with stuff and DIDN'T want to confirm the results. But, at least to me, it sounds like he is definitely starting you on the right treatment if you are able to take the stuff he's given you already...that's amazing to me since you haven't been able to taken ANYTHING.

I'm really interested to hear about the electronic testing...didn't even know something like that existed, lol.

I'm excited for my consult too...wish I didn't have to wait until next week. I think after reading of your results that I'll get off my lazy beutocks today and make an appointment with the HN doctors. I keep putting it off...first I was waiting to get through the ampulla thing, then it was the dental thing...enough already, lol.

***

Speaking of dental stuff, the crown went on perfectly although I have that metallic feeling on my gum again...wondering if they scraped it or bruised it...need to go check. Anyway, the porcelain looks much better than all the metal and it feels great too. Every time I've had a metal crown it always feels like the tooth is too big...the bite never feels right...feels okay in the office while they're testing it but as soon as it's cemented in and I get home it always feels "wrong". So, so far so good. Ha, my dentist even commented (under his breath) something about changing them all...to which I said, yes I think I do want to change them all. So, that gives me my out with him...I no longer feel like I am the one who has to "break up", lol.

[lindalee]

Lindalee-i looked over that thread..didn't see where they were talking about aluminum foil.

geeze what next

Judy

No more foil for me

I'm detoxing from this last episode- fiber (not popcorn--that is NOT working

Carla says Celantro----getting a plant soon!

Anyone heard of Cracked Chorella? Dr. Becker says that draws out toxins ( get it at health food store)

Drink lots of water.

What do the rest of you do to detox?

[CarlaB]

Donna, glad you're getting started on your dental work. I, too, have jaw and neck pain, but since my TMJ is now in the correct place it's completely gone, so I doubt it's Lyme for me ... I've also had stomach problems my whole life, so it's not like all this started at one given point in time.

Rachel, I'm glad you are finally getting answers. Even if Lyme is difficult to treat, at least you now know WHAT you are treating!!!! That HAS to be better. It's also good that your doctor is being thorough. I can see how a "little" mercury in someone whose immune system is compromised in another way could be really bad. I would imagine that because of amalgams and environmental toxins (fish), pretty much everyone has mercury, but for those of us whose immune system is taxed already, I think it would be more of a concern.

Ask your doc about a far infrared sauna for detox ... I think mine is really speeding things up. My skin "feels" like it is better able to eliminate toxins. It's a completely different texture than two weeks ago -- very soft, not so scaly. Adam is even talking about how much younger I look . I used to have a "normal" sauna, this is totally different in its effects.

Speaking of jaw pain ... I get my braces tomorrow No Invisalign for me ... they can't move the teeth enough for TMD. My ortho uses a different system than the normal and it moves the teeth faster. The problem is, no ceramic is available (it's made, but it has a high failure rate), so it's the all stainless steel kind! The thing that bothers me the most is this is medical necessity (100% paid for by MEDICAL insurance --$9k of TMJ work!!), but everone is just going to think I'm really vain.

[dlp252]

What do the rest of you do to detox?

I'm interested in this too. I haven't done anything for a while...I've tried a week long detox fast twice before (actually only the first two days are fasting, the rest of the week contains specific foods which are supposed to be gentle on our digestive systems). I had mixed feelings about this...it definitely made me much sicker before it made me feel better, and in the end I don't think it helped enough to go through that again. I'm thinking something a little less harsh such as the celantro you mentioned. I haven't heard of "cracked" chorella, but I think I've heard of chorella. I took charcoal tablets for a while while on and just after the fast, but I think I felt like it was making me feel worse. At the moment I'm trying to balance out drinking lots of water with not washing away all the nutrients.

Speaking of jaw pain ... I get my braces tomorrow No Invisalign for me ... they can't move the teeth enough for TMD. My ortho uses a different system than the normal and it moves the teeth faster. The problem is, no ceramic is available (it's made, but it has a high failure rate), so it's the all stainless steel kind! The thing that bothers me the most is this is medical necessity (100% paid for by MEDICAL insurance --$9k of TMJ work!!), but everone is just going to think I'm really vain.

We don't think you're vain, lol. Wow, that's great that the medical insurance is going to pay for it!

[lindalee]

I'm interested in this too. I haven't done anything for a while...I've tried a week long detox fast twice before (actually only the first two days are fasting, the rest of the week contains specific foods which are supposed to be gentle on our digestive systems). I had mixed feelings about this...it definitely made me much sicker before it made me feel better, and in the end I don't think it helped enough to go through that again. I'm thinking something a little less harsh such as the celantro you mentioned. I haven't heard of "cracked" chorella, but I think I've heard of chorella. I took charcoal tablets for a while while on and just after the fast, but I think I felt like it was making me feel worse. At the moment I'm trying to balance out drinking lots of water with not washing away all the nutrients.

He reccommends fiber - they sell a product I bought. Psyllium works for some people but may be hard to digest for some. I've used to 100% type in my smoothies. Fiber does help --but not popcorn for me I had some last night to see IF I could handle it (I've been off corn) Well, I won't do that again.

[dlp252]

He reccommends fiber - they sell a product I bought. Psyllium works for some people but may be hard to digest for some. I've used to 100% type in my smoothies. Fiber does help --but not popcorn for me I had some last night to see IF I could handle it (I've been off corn) Well, I won't do that again.

Hum, I have some Benefiber that my GI doctor wanted me to take...I wonder if that would work too...I think it's some kind of "gum" (can't remember if it's guar or xantham or some other type of gum)...I don't seem to have a problem with the gums so far as I can tell. Yep, increasingly I can't do popcorn either (actually it DOES make my dentist happy I DON'T eat popcorn, lol).

[CarlaB]

We don't think you're vain, lol. Wow, that's great that the medical insurance is going to pay for it!

LOL!! No, what I mean is, I live in a new city ... so I'm meeting people for the first time. It'd be totally different if I still lived where I used to live, everyone already knew me ... they'd tease me about it, and it'd make it easier.

For detox, my doc did a hair analysis which revealed my metabolism. She's having me eat according to that, plus take supplements that I need. I also drink nothing but pure water or herbal tea (mostly detox tea) and take saunas every day. No sugar, alcohol, or caffeine (even no decaf coffee).

From what I've read, detox WILL make you feel bad, and this is what I'm experiencing. First you will start feeling better, then when your body has enough energy, it will detox as detoxing takes energy. When it gets to this stage, you need lots of rest, food as much as desired (which might not be much) ... basically, treat yourself as if you're sick. You will get better, then when you've built up enough energy, you will detox more. This is the cycle I'm seeing. Here's what the lab my doc uses says. Open Original Shared Link

I don't know anything about iridology, but I can tell you my irises are clearing up. Even one of my kids have noticed. This started as soon as I got off gluten. My eyes are becoming much blue-er.

[dlp252]

LOL!! No, what I mean is, I live in a new city ... so I'm meeting people for the first time. It'd be totally different if I still lived where I used to live, everyone already knew me ... they'd tease me about it, and it'd make it easier.

For detox, my doc did a hair analysis which revealed my metabolism. She's having me eat according to that, plus take supplements that I need. I also drink nothing but pure water or herbal tea (mostly detox tea) and take saunas every day. No sugar, alcohol, or caffeine (even no decaf coffee).

From what I've read, detox WILL make you feel bad, and this is what I'm experiencing. First you will start feeling better, then when your body has enough energy, it will detox as detoxing takes energy. When it gets to this stage, you need lots of rest, food as much as desired (which might not be much) ... basically, treat yourself as if you're sick. You will get better, then when you've built up enough energy, you will detox more. This is the cycle I'm seeing. Here's what the lab my doc uses says. Open Original Shared Link

I don't know anything about iridology, but I can tell you my irises are clearing up. Even one of my kids have noticed. This started as soon as I got off gluten. My eyes are becoming much blue-er.

Okay, we'll tease you then, metal mouth! See, I think that's the basic problem...I was always trying to do this on my own, without having known exactly what I needed to be detoxed from! I looked briefly at the website and from the 1 minute I spent there, that's what I came away with...that it needs to be tailored to what your needs are. So, even more so I think I need to go see the HN doctors, lol. I bet they can do the testing, or at least send me to people (like they did with Rachel) who can. I may not even have a problem, lol...it truly MAY be in my head.

[CarlaB]

Okay, we'll tease you then, metal mouth! See, I think that's the basic problem...I was always trying to do this on my own, without having known exactly what I needed to be detoxed from! I looked briefly at the website and from the 1 minute I spent there, that's what I came away with...that it needs to be tailored to what your needs are. So, even more so I think I need to go see the HN doctors, lol. I bet they can do the testing, or at least send me to people (like they did with Rachel) who can. I may not even have a problem, lol...it truly MAY be in my head.

I don't know if the hair analysis place will let you go directly through them or if you have to use a doctor. They gave me two packets of information. It was quite extensive. One packet was of the results and explained everything, the other was all the dietary recommendations and supplemement recommendations, with explanations, too. It was very complete, and you don't need a doc to explain it to you.

[Green12]

Rachel, I am just thrilled for you!!! It sounds like you had a great appointment and you are on your way to better health . I like your doctor very much, just from what you say here. I think it's great he is being so thorough with your case, and cautious, doing things slowly, carefully- very important.

Regarding the electronic testing, did he give you a name? I did the bioscan, I'm not sure if this is what he is referring to? You get hooked up to a machine, bands (for lack of a better description) are wrapped around your index fingers, ankles, and around your forehead, and then the machine runs a scan on your body (testing the various body systems, organs, stressors, i.e. allergens, deficiencies, etc). The main stream medical world of course poo poos it, and some alternative health professionals as well. All I can say with my experiences is, I think it is a good tool to use to see what is going on in the body, and it is body specific to the individual. I agree with your doctor that it is more specific in picking things up rather than conventional testing. But what is really important, imo, is what you do with the information that the machine gives you, if you are seeing a good health care professional, the protocol you are given follow, all the the follow up.

I also just wanted to say, and maybe I shouldn't open my mouth, but it is just my opinion....I think everyone should be very very careful doing a detox program on your own. I would just say proceed with caution. I think detoxing is serious business and can be hard on the body and if you don't know what you are doing, or if you are not being monitored by a health care professional....just be careful is all I am going to say.

[CarlaB]

I also just wanted to say, and maybe I shouldn't open my mouth, but it is just my opinion....I think everyone should be very very careful doing a detox program on your own. I would just say proceed with caution. I think detoxing is serious business and can be hard on the body and if you don't know what you are doing, or if you are not being monitored by a health care professional....just be careful is all I am going to say.

I fully agree. Some of our bodies just could not handle all the poisons coming out of our system quickly.

All I'm really doing is eating whole foods, organic when I can, sleeping, taking supplements, etc. and I'm detoxing even with that!! And, I'm doing it under the supervision of my doc! I think that going off sugar, alcohol, and caffeine all at once was a huge mistake .... now I'm doing fine, but I think it contributed to how bad I felt.

[Green12]

I fully agree. Some of our bodies just could not handle all the poisons coming out of our system quickly.

All I'm really doing is eating whole foods, organic when I can, sleeping, taking supplements, etc. and I'm detoxing even with that!! And, I'm doing it under the supervision of my doc! I think that going off sugar, alcohol, and caffeine all at once was a huge mistake .... now I'm doing fine, but I think it contributed to how bad I felt.

I used to do tons of liver/gall bladder flushes, juice fasting cleanses, etc..........further stressing my body out .

I try to do simple things now, eat lots of vegetables, good quality protein and fat sources, drink lots of good quality water, get lots of rest, some gently yoga....

[jerseyangel]

I try to do simple things now, eat lots of vegetables, good quality protein and fat sources, drink lots of good quality water, get lots of rest, some gently yoga....

This is the approach I'm taking. I haven't tried yoga yet, but I do stretching and excercises at my own pace at home on my Pilates machine.

Progress is slow, but I do feel better--especially when I compare to last year. Even 6 months ago.

[CarlaB]

I try to do simple things now, eat lots of vegetables, good quality protein and fat sources, drink lots of good quality water, get lots of rest, some gently yoga....

I think this done consistently for months or years will detox your body better than a short-lived flush or detox program. Even doing this, sometimes the detox effects are uncomfortable for me!!

[dlp252]

I also just wanted to say, and maybe I shouldn't open my mouth, but it is just my opinion....I think everyone should be very very careful doing a detox program on your own. I would just say proceed with caution. I think detoxing is serious business and can be hard on the body and if you don't know what you are doing, or if you are not being monitored by a health care professional....just be careful is all I am going to say.

Open away, lol! This is great advice and I have first hand personal experience with this...that's one reason why I haven't tried anything in a long while!

[AndreaB]

Morning all!

So much posting....took awhile to catch up.

Carla,

That's great the your tmj braces will be covered. That ought to be a load of your mind. Good to hear that your detox program is working.

Donna,

Still keeping your appointment next week in mind. I'm concerned about you having mixed metal in your mouth too. I like the porcelain crowns since they can make them to match the color of the rest of your teeth and they are more natural looking.

Julie,

Thank you for the caution on detox. I have looked into it but don't want to do it now with the baby for one. I believe my doctor would be helping me with it once I'm ready, but I don't think he will if I don't have my amalgams removed. As I've mentioned before, even after I get the other 4 crowns done (or pull two of those), then I'll still have 2 left. He's already suggested supplements to take of which I'm not taking alot. I've heard plusses and minuses on higher doses of supplements.

Rachel,

Let us know when your appointment is. Hopefully it won't be too far out.

[evie]

Donna, glad you're getting started on your dental work. I, too, have jaw and neck pain, but since my TMJ is now in the correct place it's completely gone, so I doubt it's Lyme for me ... I've also had stomach problems my whole life, so it's not like all this started at one given point in time.

Rachel, I'm glad you are finally getting answers. Even if Lyme is difficult to treat, at least you now know WHAT you are treating!!!! That HAS to be better. It's also good that your doctor is being thorough. I can see how a "little" mercury in someone whose immune system is compromised in another way could be really bad. I would imagine that because of amalgams and environmental toxins (fish), pretty much everyone has mercury, but for those of us whose immune system is taxed already, I think it would be more of a concern.quote

Really glad Rachel got to see her new Dr. and got a cautious report, some things she can do. that always makes a person feel better after being in limbo quite awhile!!. Also wanted to tell about my neck problem, got it resolved!! A few months ago I decided my pillow could be a problem so started rolling a hand towel for just shoulder to neck, pain gone. Told Dr., said that works!! Not sure why, but sure a relief!! Have a good day all. evie

[dlp252]

Also wanted to tell about my neck problem, got it resolved!! A few months ago I decided my pillow could be a problem so started rolling a hand towel for just shoulder to neck, pain gone. Told Dr., said that works!! Not sure why, but sure a relief!! Have a good day all. evie

Evie, that's fantastic!!!! I'm so glad it worked!

[AndreaB]

Evie,

That's great news! Seems our pillow can cause us lots of problems too.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Evie,

I'm glad you found something that works! I had terrible neck pain in the morning, and even being dx with TMJ Disfunction and wearing a night guard didn't completely help it. I now use a visco-elastic pillow (the regular shape) and it's worked wonders. They also make them in a curved shape that puts a roll underneath your neck. That might be something for you to look into.