Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

Dear CarlaB,

If you touch any of the walls that have the lead paint on it, you can absorb it. We often forget to wash our hands enough! There are some places (one neighborhood locally in fact) that had lead leaching in their pipes from the ground. If you bathe in that water, it could have caused it. You skin is the largest organ of your body. It absorbs things through the pores. Another possible source of lead is linoleum, because it is treated with it. Wear socks if your floors are wooden! Lead also has been found in numerous mainstream cosmetics, as well as candle wicks (to test them, all you do is light the candle, then hold a glass over it, and if it turns black with soot within a few minutes or sooner, you know) plus dental fillings.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

Thanks for the suggestions. All our walls are freshly painted, and I don't make a habit of touching them (I'm always telling the kids not to touch the walls and the white woodwork, it drives me crazy cleaning it all the time). I always wear something on my feet because they get so cold ... but the wood floors are brand new, so there shouldn't be any lead there. And we don't have any linoleum. The kitchen has Pergo, but will have slate when it's remodeled, the upstairs bathroom which is also getting redone has vinyl and will have tile.

Just thought of it, the wood floors in my bedroom are the original attic floors but varnished with poly. What's in wood floors that has lead?

Good point about skin and water ... we live in an old area of town, so I'm sure the pipes have lead. We have a whole house water filter though ...

I have no metal fillings.

But, as you've pointed out, it can be from anywhere!

[CarlaB]

Dear Rachel,

I still have the problem of no insurance for testing. I appreciate all of the info. I know I cannot remember ever being bitten by a tick, but I did go back in the woods as a teenager. The sleep disturbances could be caused by this, I know. Since I was about 17, my body has been on swing shift. One week I will sleep at normal times, but within a couple of weeks, I will be up at odd hours, then go toward yet another sleeping schedule. Melotonin and sleep aids did not help. I was tested for lupus, but this was years ago. They came back negative, though. So, Lyme tends to be more likely. My parents argue they never found any ticks on me. I told them, that does not matter. I also have had hot flashes. My heart palpitates all the time. It scares me. I feel weird all over. It is like halfway between passing out and consciousness sometimes. I just do not know how I am going to be able to afford these tests. Regardless, I am going to check out the Igenix site. I wonder if late Lyme causes nausea. I was feeling so much better for a couple of months or so, then after those antibiotics, I felt worse. I have not recovered much, either. That was in November. Could it be die-off? I was taking Flagyl and that happens to a lot of people. We discussed that before on here.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

This really sounds like Lyme. Hot flashes/night sweats are from a babesia coinfection. I get the heart palps, and it's really uncomfortable ... scary when you first get them. Lyme can cause GI symptoms, so the nausea can be from it. Flagyl definately could have stirred up the Lyme.

[CarlaB]

Saying that she has bigger fish to fry than worrying about Lyme would be like saying to an undiagnosed Celiac " Don't worry about testing for Celiac....you have bigger fish to fry with your gut issues and anemia."

Plus, Lyme is a pretty big frickin' fish!! Trust me, all my bodily systems are affected - respiratory, endocrine, cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, etc.

[diamondheart]

Hi Rachel,

I agree that getting to the cause of symptoms is very important. I just question seriously that NoGluGirl has Lyme. I also find it interesting that you suggest she look into it when you question whether or not Lyme is the major cause of your problems. It seems that molds, Candida, and metals are bigger issues for you.

I think that NoGluGirl needs to first address the causes of the hormonal imbalances. Could that be from some kind of parasite? Perhaps. I definitely think she should get tested for intestinal parasites and pathogens right now, because I think she's having symptoms from leaky gut syndrome. But I don't think Lyme disease causes the type of uterine bleeding she has told us about. From what I can tell from what she has shared so far, her problems started with the ovarian cyst. I believe that the hormone shots she has taken for the last 5 years without checking on the state of her hormones is what is making her sick. This could have caused many other imbalances in her body that could have left her susceptible to other diseases. When the hormones are not balanced, the immune system can be compromised.

NoGluGirl has limited financial resources. I think that the Lyme testing can come later, if she is not getting better from treating some of the symptoms she is currently having. I think it's important for her to focus on the immediate problems.

I've also never heard of hot flashes being caused by an infection. Hot flashes happen when your body produces more Follicle Stimulating Hormone and your estradiol is low. In NoGluGirl's case, I suspect this has to do more with the hormonal shots she has been taking and it causing progesterone dominance. I'm not a doctor, so I don't know, but I'm just speaking from my own experience with progesterone dominance. Only hormonal testing will be able to determine that. I think that if the hormonal imbalances are treated first, then she can see how her body responds. When I talk about hormones, I mean all the hormone systems that are interrelated - thyroid, adrenals, immune system, and reproductive. If the hormones are unbalanced, this can cause illness and someone can feel sick from it.

I just took 5 days of a synthetic hormone. I believe it compromised my immune system, and this is why I caught a cold. I'm still feeling the effects of the hormones. Yesterday, I was having several meltdowns, hot flashes, nausea, and just generally not feeling well.

I am very concerned about NoGluGirl's bleeding problems. This is not normal and it's not caused by Lyme disease, from what I know. It is something that needs to be addressed immediately. That is what I meant by her having bigger fish to fry. The first thing that is usually done in the case of abnormal uterine bleeding is that cancer is checked for. I've had this done several times, and it's a pretty simple procedure. I don't think cancer is her issue, but it does need to be ruled out.

I don't think we are really disagreeing Rachel. I just think that looking for Lyme right now for NoGluGirl will distract her from dealing with this bleeding problem. Nobody likes getting pelvic exams or going to gynecologists. It can be incredibly vulnerable and impersonal. I don't think NoGluGirl has been able to get good care yet for the abnormal uterine bleeding she is having.

Claire

[CarlaB]

Rachel, as far as the location of the uterus ... when your ob/gyn does a pelvic exam, the pap comes from the cervix. That's the bottom of your uterus. It's about the size of a pear.

[CarlaB]

Claire, it would not be unusual for the bleeding issues to be caused by the hormones she's on. She's been on these hormones for a long time, and breakthrough bleeding doesn't seem unusual. I think artificial hormones are a really bad idea. Better to find the reason for the problem than mask it with artificial hormones. To me it would be like taking morphin, but ignoring the fact you have cancer ... it's treating only a symptom.

Adrenal problems are common with Lyme. If they're caused by Lyme, they'd be tough to fix without addressing the underlying condition.

However, hot flashes and night sweats are a very common symptom of a babesia coinfection with Lyme. I would wake up totally drenched with sweat, like I had been in the sauna for 30 minutes. I'm not pre-menopausal, and the doc said this was from the babesia. Same with hot flashes. Babesia is like malaria ... malaria causes sweats, too.

[Rachel--24]

Hi Rachel,

I agree that getting to the cause of symptoms is very important. I just question seriously that NoGluGirl has Lyme. I also find it interesting that you suggest she look into it when you question whether or not Lyme is the major cause of your problems. It seems that molds, Candida, and metals are bigger issues for you.

Claire,

Those were the results of my ART session last week. In no way did Scott tell me that I do not need to worry about Lyme. He said that my previous tests, history, and the fact that I have problems with metals, molds and Candida are all suggestive of Lyme and although it did not show up in ART he is not saying its a non-issue. He said Dr. Derksen (the Dr. I'm seeing next month) will shed more light on the situation.

I do not question the fact that Lyme is there...I do believe that I've been exposed to it and if by some miracle my immune system has been able to hold it back and keep it in check....then GREAT!! I am excited by that prospect.....but we dont know for sure yet.

If it comes down to the fact that the sequence in which things things are affecting my body shows Lyme not to be having the biggest impact...then I will celebrate that fact....but never would I ignore Lyme and its presence in my body. I know what its capable of and I will take extra care in how I treat my body so as not to let it get the upper hand.

There is also the fact that I developed Graves Disease before any of this happened. Graves Disease was already an issue years before I had my amalgams messed with and started getting sick. To me this is significant and indicates that my immune system was fighting a virus or bacteria that shouldnt be living in my body. This is what likely resulted in autoimmune activity against my thyroid....and its very common with Lyme.

Obviously, I am not done putting the puzzle pieces together...Lyme is still of great concern. I am doing what I can to find out what I need to address...and how....in order to get better. I've taken tests for Lyme, I've spoken with Dr. Harris at Igenix...with regards to my lab results, Everyone involved in my health issues is very familiar with Lyme, the Dr. I'm seeing next month is well known and specializes in Lyme Disease. So...yes....I do take it seriously....I do recognize that Lyme affects every body system and makes one's immune system less able to fight off molds/candida....and I'm also aware that most people with Lyme have issues of heavy metals.

Right now I fit the classic picture of Lyme Disease and what it is capable of doing within the body...this is what my Dr. told me and this is why I'm going through the necessary steps to determine what needs to be addressed first.

It could very well be that Lyme was affecting my immune system and my organs enough that these other issues were able to manifest. It is also highly possible (in my mind ) that these *other* issues became the primary cause for my symptoms that I'm dealing with today. I think this is what Scott means when he says that even though Lyme didnt identify itself in ART...it is not a non-issue.

Lyme could still be the true underlying cause for this total breakdown of my health. If I were to ignore this and focus on the issues which are presenting themselves at this time (mercury, candida and molds)....I would thus be leaving myself vulnerable for the same breakdown of my health to occur again...and possibly with greater impact.

Lyme is an intracellular disease....meaning it wreaks havoc within the cells of your body....it disrupts metabolism, hormones, neurotransmitters...things start going awry and body systems begin to malfunction. The Endocrine system is ususally the first system to be affected by the presence of Lyme and its also usually the most severely affected. This means the thyroid gland, the adrenals, parathyroid, all hormones...the entire system is affected by Lyme.

I plan to continue down my path and I will more than likely have more testing done with regards to Lyme specifically. My Lyme tests may have not been clear due to the fact that my body is heavily burdened by mold, metals, candida and leaky gut....resulting in low antibody production against Lyme at this time.

When I started seeing my new Dr. the very first test he ordered was the Igenix Lyme test. I feel that this was a wise decision on his part and I do believe its a necessary test for anyone who is chronically ill with issues such as endocrine disturbances, Fibromyalgia, candida (or other infections)....and no known cause for these issues.

NoGluGirl has these issues....plus she has spent time in the woods. There is no reason a young girl such as herself should be dealing with these issues....unless something were wreaking havoc in her body. I would be less concerned about cancer and have greater concern for infection. Cancer generally does not produce this type of symptomology...fibromyalgia, food intolerance, hormone disruption, brain fog and all of the other symptoms NoGluGirl describes.

I've also never heard of hot flashes being caused by an infection. Hot flashes happen when your body produces more Follicle Stimulating Hormone and your estradiol is low.

Hot flashes also occur commonly with infection of Lyme and its co-infections....as Carla stated. Its a very common symptom amongst Lyme patients. I had hot flashes and very severe night sweats (as if buckets of water were being poured on me) almost nightly during the first two years of my illness.

It was most likely caused by my immune system fighting the infections....it could have also been caused by disruption of my hormones...who knows?? The point is....it boils down to the infection as being the underlying cause in both scenarios.

I agree that NoGirlGirl has limited finacial resources.....its unfortunate that she cannot get the proper testing she needs. However, this does not impact the ststement I made when I said that if I were in her shoes right now....I would get tested for Lupus and also Lyme Disease.

This is still what I would do....I would not avoid looking for the cause of my illness. I would not waste time and money treating each symptom as they come....and if I were to do so...I do not believe I would stand a chance at regaining my health....I would live with chronic illness and that is not the plan I have for myself.

[Rachel--24]

I think artificial hormones are a really bad idea. Better to find the reason for the problem than mask it with artificial hormones. To me it would be like taking morphin, but ignoring the fact you have cancer ... it's treating only a symptom.

I agree Carla and I think in the end it would only worsen her problems. I am not opposed to her going to the OBGYN and getting looked at...heck...I did that myself and not too long ago. Thats how I came to learn about the fibroid and ovarian cyst.

Also....before I started clearing out toxins from my diet and limiting chemical exposure....I was barely having periods. I was crying nearly everyday for 2 years, mood swings, hair falling out...all things having to do with hormonal imbalance. My period was irregular (for the first time in my life) and was extremely light....lasting only about a day.

Once I abandoned all prescription meds and put myself on the candida diet.....there was a dramatic improvement in all areas. For the past 2 years I have had normal periods.

These are all symptoms of the battle that is going on within my body....and the fact that at that time the bad guys very much had the upper hand...so much so that I was unable to get out of bed most days.

I was able to turn that around...without any kind of hormones or drugs of any kind. I'm not saying that I have overcome these pathogens... they clearly still have the upper hand. However, this was a significant victory for me.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, as far as the location of the uterus ... when your ob/gyn does a pelvic exam, the pap comes from the cervix. That's the bottom of your uterus. It's about the size of a pear.

If the fibroid were being aggravated by certain foods.....could I feel pain in my pelvic area??

It happens with foods that are questionable as far as gluten content and also some moldy foods.

[Rachel--24]

How are you doing ? Are you noticing any changes with the ART? I love reading about your appointments so keep posting

Miamia

MiaMia...I'm sorry you arent feeling well.

I kind of assume that when I dont see your posts and it makes me sad. I like it when you are posting because this is generally when you're feeling better. I think we are all the same about that...I post alot less when I'm not feeling very good.

I'm glad you were able to go to Florida....it sounds like it did you some good....I hope you get to go back soon.

The food situation does suck....I dont know that I could go on a trip with my diet being so limited. Its really the only thing holding me back from taking off and going to Disneyland or something.

Stupid leaky gut.

I'm hoping this will improve alot in the upcoming months...maybe by summer?? That would be great...this is the first area that I would like to see some improvement.

ART is a form of testing...it cant do anything to make changes in my body or make me feel better. It is basically used to guide a person through treatment.

I think its a powerful tool...maybe the best form of testing for my particular situation.

What is does is identify the infections (or other problems) and it can tell you the order in which they are affecting your health and what needs to be addressed first. It can tell what organs are under stress. It prioritizes all of the problems so that you know where to start.

It also tells you what medications or supplements will work best for treating the infections or other issues. It can tell you what deficiencies you have and what you would need to take. If you have Lyme it can tell you which specific antibiotic or supplement will target the Lyme and be most effective. Since there are over 300 strains of Lyme not everyone will respond to the same treatment protocols. ART can tell you what works for your infection.

I will see Dr. Derksen next month....she will use ART and I will know alot more at that point. It will be interesting to see if she comes up with the same stuff Scott came up with. Scott is not a Dr. so he cannot start me on any type of treatment...he was just able to give me more insight as to what is going on by using ART.

Dr. Derksen will most likely start me on treatment for whatever she identifies in ART. If mold/fungal issues show up as putting the greatest strain on my immune system those issues will be addressed.

I suspect that I will remain on Samento/cats claw for Lyme and not be put on antibiotics any time in the near future.

Anyways...I cant wait to see her...it seems like its really far away. 4 weeks is a LONG time.

[NoGluGirl]

Claire,

Treating the hormonal problem is not addressing the underlying issue. I had hot flashes at 31....when these infections started overcoming my immune system. This is when all of my hormones went out of wack. Lyme disease seriously affects the ENDOCRINE system....the ENTIRE endocrine system. A person can get hot flashes at *any* age when there is infection involved.

So yes....if she had Lyme disease she would most definately be experiencing these types of symptoms. If she ignored the disease and focused on correcting the "imbalance"...she would get nowhere. Heart palps and hot flashes are extremely common symptoms of Lyme. I've had these exact symptoms.

I think this is *key*.....when the hot flashes are caused by hormonol issues...the person is NOT sick. I would say that NoGlutenGirl is definately having health issues...and not just hormonol issues.

No...she should not be having "hot flashes" at her age......unless they are caused by infection...in which case age is not a factor.

Regardless of whether or not she has Lyme...she definately has *something* going on or she would not be having candida overgrowth. This is a problem that gets out of hand when the immune system is under a great deal of stress. Candida is also a symptom of a larger problem.

If she focuses on hormones...she would essentially be treating a symptom of a much larger issue. I made the mistake of trying to correct the hormonol imbalance for 2 long years...I wasted time...and I got sicker. Lyme is not the only infection capable of causing disruption of the Endocrine system and hormones.....but it is the most likely given her symptoms.

Saying that she has bigger fish to fry than worrying about Lyme would be like saying to an undiagnosed Celiac " Don't worry about testing for Celiac....you have bigger fish to fry with your gut issues and anemia."

They can try to "heal" their gut all they want and they can take a million supplements to try to "fix" the anemia...it aint gonna happen as long as they are not addressing the cause of those symptoms.

All of the things going on with NoGluGirl are symptoms.....they are symptoms of a larger issue. These types of hormonol problems arent occurring for no good reason. There is a reason behind it and if she ignores that reason....she is opening herself up for more problems.

I respectfully disagree with focusing on correcting the imbalance rather than searching for the cause.

In my opinion she has a much better chance at recovery from illness and endocrine related problems if she determines the cause.

While all of the suggestions you gave are very good as far as treating the symptoms....they do not address the cause of illness....which should be the primary concern.

Dear Rachel and Claire,

I greatly appreciate both your input. I too, believe in finding the cause of an illness, then treating it. Most doctors just treat symptoms. It does no good. I have had these hot flashes since I was a teenager at about 17 years old. They are awful! I also sweat a lot. My father and brother do to, though. My hands are sweaty even when I am cold! It does not make sense. I have laid off mushrooms and yeast because I am trying to reduce the things Candida feeds off of. I get diarrhea and stomach cramps if I eat gluten-free bread with yeast. I have to get one without it. There is only one store that carries it, and it is $5.59 a loaf, which my parents complain about. They also will tell me the vitamins are too expensive. That is crap. They can afford to eat out every day, but I cannot have gluten free food with some taste, or medical testing? They probably spend $100 or more a week eating out. If they just stopped that for a week, we could afford something. It is so depressing. They don't want me to get well. Then they won't have anyone to do their dishes, or laundry, or anything. God forbid I get out of here and be happy for once. They complain about me needing to get a job, but no one has even called and I have entered a lot of applications. Honestly, I do not think I could stand it. The nausea is back as I said, so it is hard to deal with. This morning I got glutened again. No doubt it was from crumbs they carelessly drop around everywhere. I have no idea where, by it was the typical symptoms. The Phenergan helped with the nausea, but I am still have the craps and pain shooting up my right side. My stomach is bloated, too. If I did not live here, I would not have to worry about getting glutened! I get so depressed anymore. I have been on Celexa for years, but I actually think I am more depressed than ever. Nothing seems to help. Those shots are something I don't know if I can stop getting, because I get even sicker when they start to wear off. My holistic physician seems to know what she is doing. The problem is the testing affordability. All of the stress from fighting with my parents does not help. They make me sound like I am selfish. It is not selfish to need food, sleep, good health and sanity. Respect is also important. Just because someone is your parent does not give them the right to treat you badly. At least I know you guys care. That means a lot. I thought those people did not even exist anymore. One thing I have discovered is that life is not a Norman Rockwell painting. Sometimes, I look in those pictures and wish I were in them. That was back when people cared about others. The world is self-centered now. People are cold, hateful, and ignorant. Some day maybe I will figure out how to fix everything that went wrong.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[dlp252]

First off, {{{{HUGS}}}} to NoGluGirl and Miamia. I sure wish you two felt better! Mia, I definitely miss your posts. Rinne's too!

On a happier note... LET THEM EAT STEAK!!!! I just had a nice big steak, and for my early lunch I had hamburger!!!! So today I mailed in my stool sample so we can see if the H.Pylori is gone.

Today at BioSET I had Anna...it's the first time since my initial visit that I had her. I think Susan wasn't there today. I told her about my mold cleaning thing so she decided we should work on molds today. I didn't ask a lot of questions because they were having a hectic day and I didn't want to slow her down. I couldn't see all the labels cuz many of them were turned down, but I did see a few that I reacted to...candida was there, but I couldn't see the types of candida. All in all, I did better with them than I would have thought...I had a large glass, but it was only 3/4 full, so not bad really out of two huge panels.

The results of the saliva testing I did with them (for thyroid and H.Pylori) way back at my first visit aren't in, and I guess Denise didn't do anything about it when I mentioned it last week. Anna had the receptionist call and leave a message so they'll find out where they are on Monday.

I met a nice lady in the waiting room (whose name I wish I could remember now). She and her little infant and daughter are being treated. She started around the same time I did. She asked if I had seen any improvements yet, and when I thought about it, I guess I have. She has noticed some too in both of her kids and in herself.

[NoGluGirl]

I agree Carla and I think in the end it would only worsen her problems. I am not opposed to her going to the OBGYN and getting looked at...heck...I did that myself and not too long ago. Thats how I came to learn about the fibroid and ovarian cyst.

Also....before I started clearing out toxins from my diet and limiting chemical exposure....I was barely having periods. I was crying nearly everyday for 2 years, mood swings, hair falling out...all things having to do with hormonal imbalance. My period was irregular (for the first time in my life) and was extremely light....lasting only about a day.

Once I abandoned all prescription meds and put myself on the candida diet.....there was a dramatic improvement in all areas. For the past 2 years I have had normal periods.

These are all symptoms of the battle that is going on within my body....and the fact that at that time the bad guys very much had the upper hand...so much so that I was unable to get out of bed most days.

I was able to turn that around...without any kind of hormones or drugs of any kind. I'm not saying that I have overcome these pathogens... they clearly still have the upper hand. However, this was a significant victory for me.

Dear Rachel, Claire, and CarlaB,

I did have a Pap Smear done and pelvic exam just in October. It was normal. That is the good news. I have spoken to the pharmacist and he said the break-through bleeding is a common thing with the Depo shot. The thing is, I had all of these symptoms before going on the shot. Some of these like the nausea, anemia, and painful periods were the reason for being on them in the first place and to stop the cysts. Regular birth control pills did not help at all, and in fact, seemed to make it worse. The yeast has gotten me so sore that it often hurts to sit down. I get sinus headaches every day anymore, and my teeth are going bad. Leaky gut definately sounds plausible. Lyme looks very likely, too. It is obvious my hormones have been screwed up since day 1. The problem is diagnosis and fixing it. I heard about Dr. Bernard Raxlin who is an excellent doctor to diagnose and treat Lyme. He helped a teenager who was experiencing excruciating body pain that no one could find the answer to. She was tested for Lyme before, but came up negative. Then, it turned out, she was retested, and Raxlin put her on antibiotics. She recovered. I also have my legs go asleep a lot, there are times where my hands shake, my muscles sometimes shake, and with my medical history, this matches up. I have been told I have Fibromyalgia, Thyroid Disease, allergies to mold, certain grasses, pollen, dog hair, ragweed, dust, and dust mites, strawberries, and about six months ago stopped eating gluten. That should give you an idea. Also, I never seem to run fevers, and even when I am hot, my body temp is low. It often is 97.6 or something like that.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[NoGluGirl]

Thanks for the suggestions. All our walls are freshly painted, and I don't make a habit of touching them (I'm always telling the kids not to touch the walls and the white woodwork, it drives me crazy cleaning it all the time). I always wear something on my feet because they get so cold ... but the wood floors are brand new, so there shouldn't be any lead there. And we don't have any linoleum. The kitchen has Pergo, but will have slate when it's remodeled, the upstairs bathroom which is also getting redone has vinyl and will have tile.

Just thought of it, the wood floors in my bedroom are the original attic floors but varnished with poly. What's in wood floors that has lead?

Good point about skin and water ... we live in an old area of town, so I'm sure the pipes have lead. We have a whole house water filter though ...

I have no metal fillings.

But, as you've pointed out, it can be from anywhere!

Dear CarlaB,

Lead is often put in wood treatments used in the flooring. Something else you should be very concerned about is any treated wood in your home due to arsenic. Children are especially vulnerable to it. They put copper arsenate in wood treatments all the time. It will change their personality, give them ticks and twitches, and make them tired. If you have a wooden deck that your kids play on, make sure they wash their hands before anything else afterward! Lead is in so many things (pipes, candle wicks, lipsticks, etc.) it can be difficult to remember it all. I sell candles with lead-free wicks. You can get soy candles in a variety of places as well. It is good to know you have no metal fillings. I won't even let my dentist put any metal in my mouth! I want all composite fillings. Just use your best judgment, and you will do well. Chelation therapy is a treatment that removes heavy metals from the body. Mercury you can get from dental fillings, tuna, fish, seafood, leather (it is chemically treated with mercury, and you can inhale it) methyl mercury is the most dangerous kind. Mercury is something you must be very careful about also. It can sneak into places you never expected it to. Aluminum foil, tooth fillings, aluminum soda cans, baking soda, and baking powder all need to be avoided. You should read the book "Beating Alzheimer's" by Tom Warren. He talks about how he recovered from this horrible disease. Interestingly, the book talks about how Alzheimer's patients have a head full of mercury once dead. Aluminum is a close second.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Rachel--24]

NoGluGirl,

I dont think you are selfish for wanting all of these things for yourself.....we all deserve to feel happy and healthy. However, I dont think you are going to convice your parents of this. I dont know that they would *want* you to remain sick. I simply cant imagine any parent wishing illness for their children??

I think you cannot change the way your parents live or the way they feel about your illness. I feel they probably dont understand all that you're going through. Most people do not understand...because its just not an easy thing to relate to....unless you've experienced it yourself.

I did not get much support or understanding the first 2 years....even though this is when I was most sick....and needed support more than ever. Nobody could possibly understand what was happening to my health.....not even me.

I really had to take control over my health and do what was best for me. I couldnt wait around for anyone to do this for me....especially not the clueless Dr.'s I was seeing during that time.

Now I have support from everyone around me...they may not understand *completely*.....but they do understand that I'm sick and they do what they can to help me financially and emotionally.

However, as much as I know my Mom loves me....I do not know that she would be offering as much of herself if she felt I wasnt doing anything for myself. I know my Mom and I think whats made her realize that this is *real*....was because she actually saw me struggling to get this figured out.

She saw me have dramatic changes when I got strict with my diet...she saw me do everything in my power to get better enough to go off of disability and return to work. This is when she really realized that I was not being lazy or depressed...and that something was severely impacting my health.

I think you might need to push whats going on with your parents to the side for now and do what you need to do for yourself. Its not easy and it hurts when people dont understand but the negative aspect of it will be very draining on you....its not going to help you get well.

Maybe they will come around later when they see you are taking responsibility for you health problems?? Right now I dont think they see beyond the fact that you are living at home and not working...yet wanting them to buy you expensive food...I think they dont understand what you are feeling inside or how your body and mind are being affected by something thats making you ill.

At this point you might be better off focusing on yourself. Its obvious your parents arent going to pay for your medical care...you need to concentrate on how you can get some medical treatment on your own. I think when we set our minds to do something we can accomplish our goals. Its a struggle but its not necessarily impossible.

I tend to be on the stubborn side.....when people dont help me out....I tell myself that I dont need them....that "I'll show them"....I'll get where I wanna be with or without their help. It works for me...I keep pushing on.

My parents thought I was a bad kid during my teenage years. They bought my brother a car when he turned 16....paid his insurance.....he got whatever he wanted. I didnt get any of these things because I was a bit stubborn and didnt give in to their demands. They did not like my boyfriend and would not buy me a car as long as I was with him. All of my friends drove at 16....but I didnt care...I would not give in.

I worked and saved my money. After 2 years I bought a brand new sports car. Nobody could tell me what to do with my car...or which one to buy....because it was MINE. My step dad was STEAMED....I think he couldnt handle the fact that I'd accomplished this on my own. It was definately a happy moment for me!

Anyways...I'm still the same stubborn girl and I'll get where I need to be with or without anyones help....I believe you can do this too. You just have to push all the negative stuff out of your mind and focus on what you want for yourself. I know you can do it.

[AndreaB]

Hi everyone!

Just caught up. Whew!

Rachel,

That's an interesting piece of the puzzle with the filters they use at bioset. If I read correctly all the molds are with the lyme filter?

Donna,

Yay for the steak! I know you've been looking forward to that all week.

Miamia,

Hope you get through this stronger dose of antibiotics without feeling worse and can rejoin us in posting again soon. Hugs.

[Rachel--24]

That's an interesting piece of the puzzle with the filters they use at bioset. If I read correctly all the molds are with the lyme filter?

Andrea...its kind of confusing...not really a piece of the puzzle...it just gives me a better understanding of the testing/treatments we're doing.

It just goes to show how a reaction to something within the body can be affecting many different and seperate issues. Like if someone ate gluten and it caused multiple issues at once....on the one hand it could be feeding candida, it could be affecting an organ...it could be cross reacting with an infection...all kinds of different things could be going on.

So for me....with molds appearing to be my biggest issue......its being checked with all of the other things going on. So they use the Lyme filter to focus *only* on Lyme and to see if these mycotoxins/molds are cross-reacting with Lyme....which they were.

Then they did the same exact thing but using a different filter.....filtering everything out *except* HHV-6...to see if these mycotoxns/molds were cross-reacting with HHV-6....which they were.

Then they did the same thing but with the candida filter.....so filtering everything out except what is going on diferctly between these molds/mycotoxins and candida....specifically.

I suspect they will do the same thing with the metals and molds/mycotoxins as well. Maybe they will check to see if there is cross-reactivity between molds/mycotoxins and metals??

It just shows that its affecting my body in alot of different ways. If I expose myself to something toxic....like say alflatoxin in peanut butter.....alot of diferent things are going on in my body. Its not so simple as to say that its just "feeding candida" or just causing a headache.....it seems like alot of different chemical reactions are occurring from the molds/mycotoxins.

I *think* thats how its happening anyway.....its confusing stuff but if I'm understanding it right...I think this is what they are doing.

Using all of these filters to find out exactly what molds/mycotoxins are involved in working with other infections and then treating me to try to desensitize these things.....to try to stop these immune responses from happenning. Its such a tangled web though.

[miamia]

I just want to say how much I appreciate everyones concern about me and encouragment. See NOglugirl- there are unselfish people who really care about other people- this thread is such a good example of that!!!

Rachel-

yeah the food thing with traveling is funny- I had 2 big coolers with me for a long weekend. But hey I didn't get really sick so it was worth it plus I am very lucky that we stayed in an apartment so I had a kitchen without that going away would be pretty impossible. You will be at Disney world soon!!! (hopefully eating mckey shaped gluten free pancakes)

Andrea-

how have you been ? I really admire your strength to go through everythign you are and still be taking care of your family - its amazing.

Donna-

yeah for steak!!!! I miss my lamb burgers last time I had one I got really sick but soon hopefully I will be able to eat them again.

[mouse]

Rachel, did I read this right. That you are also allergic to molds, besides Lyme disease. the reason I ask, is that if you go to the library often, you might want to wear a painter's mask (a good one). I am allergic to dust mites and mold and never thought of the library, until I did not do one of my hurry in and out visits. I reacted before I even left the library and spent 5 days with asthma. I now wear the mask. Just a suggestion.

[AndreaB]

Andrea-

how have you been ?

I've been doing pretty good the last few days. I didn't see dad more than 2 times a year and had just started talking to him once a week since november, maybe october. From what I've been told, healing is easier when you aren't used to being around the person all the time. My mom's friend (who was also friends with dad) is still having a tough time (although part of her feelings could be steming from losing her husband last year to cancer). I assume everyone else down there is having a rough time as well.

Hi Mouse!!! Good to see you.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel, did I read this right. That you are also allergic to molds, besides Lyme disease.

Hi Armetta....good to see you.

I hope you are doing well.

Yes, you read right...I have big problems with mold. Its not so much a "typical" allergy though....molds are basically aggravating everything already going on with my body. I'm also extremely sensitive to all molds....although I do not get asthma or respiratory problems. It seems to affect my sinuses a great deal...I get alot of swelling, headache, joint pain, blurred vision....even weightloss if I eat foods high in mold content.

They think I could have an infection....possibly Aspergillus. I am going to have bloodwork done....probably a whole mold panel to try to determine what is going on.

Thankfully, I do not go to the library. I get all my info. online.

Dust definately bothers me and I imagine a visit to the library could be a nightmare for me. EEEEK....dont even want to think about all that dust.

[Rachel--24]

Wow....I was reading on LymeNET and came across these posts ...it makes me think that Lyme did not show up in my ART session because it is so buried beneath all of these other issues which have piled up.

Like Scott said..."sometimes the body reveals things to us in layers".

This person is completely healed....she was a patient of Dr. Klinghardt and used ART to guide her back to wellness.

To me - to my husband - to many patients I have become acquainted with over the years - there is no better diagnostic tool than ART. You always have a choice to get objective lab testing done for thousands of dollars.

A professional, preferably MD, with all the other qualifications, who is well trained in ART is my preference all the way around - especially with Lyme Disease.

I have posted about ART here for years. It is one of the major reasons, the major reason, both my husband and I are living a lyme-less normal life again. I avoid seeing any doctor or dentist that does not practice ART. Many pitfalls are avoided.

Take care.

P.S. ART testing, however, is not something you "have done" once. It accompanies you through your whole treatment processes until you get back to health.Just doing it once is not beneficial, because ART addresses all layers of the body and as one heals, others surface that need attention. Whenever your condition needs a different medication or remedy, ART always is part of the decisionmaking process what is safest and most beneficial to the patient.

Another poster...

If you want a real education about what is truly going on in your body, this is the way to go.

I've been seeing someone since Sept 04. We've been peeling away at this illness one layer at a time.

In fact my body flat out refused that I had or ever have had lyme for 6 months. Well, after peeling away some very thick layers of crap, there it was. Lyme disease.

I had thought lyme started in July 99. That's when I came down with the flu-like illness that never went away and was slammed with one symptom after another.

Through ART testing I found that actually lyme started in 98. My immune system kept it in check except for it attacking my knees. That explained why in 98 my knees felt like they were 90yrs old.

In June 99 I was attacked by a dozen bug bites that I thought were chiggers. That was the straw that broke the camels back. My immune system could no longer handle the toxins from those bites.

When I starting seeing this muscle tester, I was on about 20 different meds, supplements and hormones. I'm now on 5, soon to eliminate two more of them. The majority of those items were harmful or neutral (of little or no help). Lots of money wasted, plus some were doing more damage to me.

You won't be sorry when you find someone who can truly help you on the road to wellness. Don't expect the body to fix this mess overnight. It took years for your body to get this toxic.

But it won't take years more to fix it. Just one layer at a time.

Well...I had hoped Lyme wasnt revealing itself because maybe its not making me sick...I guess it is more likely that its buried under all the other crap though.

[AndreaB]

Rachel,

From the sounds of those posts, lyme is buried. I was just explaining to hubby the onion theory. We'll both be reading with interest what is treated first with you and how you progress with ART.

[Rachel--24]

Andrea...yeah...I think its buried for sure. Its definately there....I suppose it would be unrealistic to think its not affecting my health.

Here is another post from one of those same people...

I'm really getting somewhere now with ART doctor. Since Sept we've been peeling away at that onion.

My muscle testing finally got to the lyme disease layer. We had to work on molds, fungi, parasites, viruses etc before the lyme revealed itself. In fact my doc became stumped, he couldn't get to my next layer.

He sent me to another ART doc 6 hrs away and she was able to get to the lyme disease. In fact she revealed that my illness actually started the year before I became very ill. I always wondered if my horrible knee pain that started the year before was the beginning.

So yeah....it seems like I'll have to knock down these other issues before we can get to the Lyme.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Hugs to everyone who needs them, especially Miamia and NoGLuGirl.

NogluGirl, I agree with Rachel about pushing the problems with your parents to the side as probably being the best course of action.

However, as a second choice, might it help to seek some kind of family counseling? Personally, I think they need it, not you, but maybe if they went with you, a good counselor might be able to get them to see how unfair they are being, and maybe have some good advice for you on how to deal with unreasonable parents....