Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

I have my own confession.

I got moldened.

BUT.....I *think* I can blame TOM for this.

Sooooo...after NOT having any nut butters for longer than a year...I tried almond butter again.

I got non-organic this time since I've learned that organic brands contain more mold.....not that the pesticides are gonna help me any ...but still...I didnt want a moldening to occur.

Yeah....the stuff was moldy and I had typical mold reactions that made me suffer quite a bit last week....as I had to finish the jar off.

I got myself hooked on the almond butter again....now I'm gonna be needing an intervention or something. Thanks alot TOM.

Soooo...this week I decided to try to get around the mold issue. I bought some GSE (Grapefruit seed extract)....its antifungal...it kills mold.

So I bought another jar of almond butter....for the sake of scientificness of course.

I mixed up a small portion with the GSE and let it sit about 5 minutes before trying it. It *seemed* like the GSE may have helped a wee bit....but not enough that I could rachel the almond butter and not end up moldened.

I also tried it with almonds (not butter)...which are usually really bad...worse than the nut butter. I can usually feel the effects of a moldening coming on right away with nuts and seeds. So I soaked them in water with GSE and then toasted them in the oven. It did help....I didnt feel such a *strong* reaction....but it didnt fix the problem entirely.

I did end up with head pressure, inflammation and swelling (the worst), a little bit of a white tongue, blurred vision, brainfog and a messed up stomach.

Moldenings are HEINOUS!!!

BUT....the GOOD news is that this little "experiment" shed some new light on things for me!!

Normally when I get all these symptoms...I start reacting to *everything* I eat...even the safe stuff....I just get to the point where I cant eat at all w/out reacting. Thats usually when I'll start losing weight.

So I've been eating insane amounts of eggs for weeks now...comepletely racheling cartons of eggs without shame.

Nothing *forbidden* about eggs...they dont feed candida....they have sulfur....sulfur helps detox mercury....I dont react....so its all good.

One day last week I ate an apple and some almond butter right before I ate my eggs. When I was eating my eggs suddenly I'm reacting to the EGGS....and then the alien baby came back in full force!!

All last week I had the grumbling stomach...my normal foods causing reactions....and that familiar ovary pain was back as well.

Now that I tried my new jar of almond butter (different brand)...with the GSE....the same stuff started happening. I got a bad reaction to my eggs again....but *only* when I ate them right after the almond butter.

So yeah...this is whats been happening throughout my whole illness with all of the moldy foods. I'm thinking that because I'm not able to detox the mold toxins...they are causing alot of imflammation that I can see and feel (head, shoulders, back, face, hands, etc)....but most likely its also occurring in my gut. Imflammation to my intestinal lining from the mold toxins.

I'm betting this is what was going on when the OBGYN got freaked out by my ultrasound. I had been eating dried fuits, Edward and Sons crackers (which I've now realized are VERY moldy), jam, and gluten-free grains.

No wonder my intestines were out of control that day.

I'm thinking moldenings cause me to become more sensitive because they are fueling candida and causing more immflamation to my intestines. Not to mention that the toxins are circulating, causing allergic reactions, stress on my liver....and ultimately contributing to a worsening of food and chemical sensitivities for several days.

I gotta find out from the docs if for sure when I get these metals out I'll start detoxing the molds much better. Hopefully Dr. S. has some knowledge about this.

I think I will email this question to Scott as well....I need reassurance right now....or at least some good scientificness on the inability to detox molds.

[AndreaB]

Yeah....the stuff was moldy and I had typical mold reactions that made me suffer quite a bit last week....as I had to finish the jar off.

Ah Ha!!! This was probably behind your calling a certain toxic person.

I'll be curious as to what the Dr. and Scott have to say.

Fajitas,

No need to apologize. We welcome everyone.

[Rachel--24]

Hey Donna....I guess my BioSET results were pretty accurate. All the testing showed that molds were affecting me in pretty much every area of my body. The amount of body systems affected by molds was HUGE. I guess severe enough to make me one of the worst Anna has ever seen.

I'm gonna have my bloodraw for my yeast antibody levels probably early next week. I think it took 2-3 weeks to get the results back last time. I wont be seeing Anna again until these reults are in. I hope the levels have gone down at least a little. <fingers crossed>

I messed up and made my appt. w/ Dr. S. on a Friday again...<head banging emoticon>

This means I'll have to go back Monday or Tuesday for any bloodraws.

HEY...did you say you're gonna be there on Tues?? We're bound to run into each other one of these days!

[Rachel--24]

HEY...did you say you're gonna be there on Tues?? We're bound to run into each other one of these days!

DANG....I just remembered that I'm vacation next week...I'll be in Manteca! That means I'm gonna have to drive all the way over here just for blooddraws!

Its either that or wait for one more week...which I dont want to do.

I suck at planning and scheduling.

[AndreaB]

DANG....I just remembered that I'm vacation next week...I'll be in Manteca! That means I'm gonna have to drive all the way over here just for blooddraws!

Its either that or wait for one more week...which I dont want to do.

If you have to go in next week go on Tuesday when Donna's scheduled to be there so you two can meet up before her appointment. That'd make it worthwhile.

[Rachel--24]

Ah Ha!!! This was probably behind your calling a certain toxic person.

It could be.

I didnt have any emotional stuff going on though....I felt fine on that level....it was just physical reactions.

I think the detox stuff helps me get rid of some of the "overload" before its getting to the point where I'm getting all depressed and "unstable". Thats what used to happen...and especially when I went on the NDF the first time. I was "crashing" because I wasnt doing anything for detox back then.

I still dont know if I'm going to the party or not.

What I *do* know is that Michelle has been very mean to me this week.

[dlp252]

Not so brave...stupid me thinks!

Funny thing about the chips...I'm NOT a chip person. I mean I've had a few in my life, but as far as snacking and stuff, I've NEVER been a chip person! So where the heck is this coming from?! It must be the candida/mold connection....stirring up cravings...

Were those big bags of Fritos or little bags of fritos? Hey have you ever had frito boats where you put chili beans and cheddar cheese on top with onions and lettuce and tomatoes. mmmmm. Good huh DDoonnnnaa....

Fortunately SMALL bags, lol! Oh and about the chili beans and cheese... LA LA LA LA LA LA LA ...I'm not listening.

BUT.....I *think* I can blame TOM for this.

Okay, I'll blame Tom too!

I got myself hooked on the almond butter again....now I'm gonna be needing an intervention or something.

We may be needing a group intervention soon.

Soooo...this week I decided to try to get around the mold issue. I bought some GSE (Grapefruit seed extract)....its antifungal...it kills mold.

Hum, bet that wouldn't work so well on corn chips, but I could try it on a couple of other things.

I'm betting this is what was going on when the OBGYN got freaked out by my ultrasound. I had been eating dried fuits, Edward and Sons crackers (which I've now realized are VERY moldy), jam, and gluten-free grains.

No wonder my intestines were out of control that day.

I'm thinking moldenings cause me to become more sensitive because they are fueling candida and causing more immflamation to my intestines. Not to mention that the toxins are circulating, causing allergic reactions, stress on my liver....and ultimately contributing to a worsening of food and chemical sensitivities for several days.

See, that's what I LOVE about this thread... a thread of discovery!

Hey Donna....I guess my BioSET results were pretty accurate. All the testing showed that molds were affecting me in pretty much every area of my body. The amount of body systems affected by molds was HUGE. I guess severe enough to make me one of the worst Anna has ever seen.

I'm gonna have my bloodraw for my yeast antibody levels probably early next week. I think it took 2-3 weeks to get the results back last time. I wont be seeing Anna again until these reults are in. I hope the levels have gone down at least a little. <fingers crossed>

I messed up and made my appt. w/ Dr. S. on a Friday again...<head banging emoticon>

This means I'll have to go back Monday or Tuesday for any bloodraws.

HEY...did you say you're gonna be there on Tues?? We're bound to run into each other one of these days!

Oh sheesh...more waiting...please tell them I can't take the waiting. j/k!

Yep, I'm there on Tuesday! I think I get off work before you do though, but someday we really ARE bound to run into each other at one of these places!

Hum, maybe I'll paint my toes metallic electric blue (just bought some on Saturday ) ...that way you'll know me on sight!

[tom]

BAM ! new avatar!!

Just scanned. Niece was looking thru pile of pics at mom's and there it was. 2 others too.

1st time mom's scanner tried also.

Anyway, me, 4 yrs old, in front of grandparents' much-loved cottage on Lake Michigan, on the Michigan side.

Manistee county, betw Frankfort & Arcadia.

Mom spent most of summers there in 30s-40s.

We went at least a couple wks per summer.

[AndreaB]

I still dont know if I'm going to the party or not.

What I *do* know is that Michelle has been very mean to me this week.

You know what I think about the party. Nada, nope, don't do it.......

As far as Michelle, she's probably not happy to have this additional stress in your life.....especially since she probably thought she was done with it......just like me.....we should have know better huh.

[dlp252]

If you have to go in next week go on Tuesday when Donna's scheduled to be there so you two can meet up before her appointment. That'd make it worthwhile.

My appointment is at 3:00.

[tabasco32]

I have my own confession.

I got moldened.

BUT.....I *think* I can blame TOM for this.

Sooooo...after NOT having any nut butters for longer than a year...I tried almond butter again.

I got non-organic this time since I've learned that organic brands contain more mold.....not that the pesticides are gonna help me any ...but still...I didnt want a moldening to occur.

Yeah....the stuff was moldy and I had typical mold reactions that made me suffer quite a bit last week....as I had to finish the jar off.

I got myself hooked on the almond butter again....now I'm gonna be needing an intervention or something. Thanks alot TOM.

Soooo...this week I decided to try to get around the mold issue. I bought some GSE (Grapefruit seed extract)....its antifungal...it kills mold.

So I bought another jar of almond butter....for the sake of scientificness of course.

I mixed up a small portion with the GSE and let it sit about 5 minutes before trying it. It *seemed* like the GSE may have helped a wee bit....but not enough that I could rachel the almond butter and not end up moldened.

I also tried it with almonds (not butter)...which are usually really bad...worse than the nut butter. I can usually feel the effects of a moldening coming on right away with nuts and seeds. So I soaked them in water with GSE and then toasted them in the oven. It did help....I didnt feel such a *strong* reaction....but it didnt fix the problem entirely.

I did end up with head pressure, inflammation and swelling (the worst), a little bit of a white tongue, blurred vision, brainfog and a messed up stomach.

Moldenings are HEINOUS!!!

BUT....the GOOD news is that this little "experiment" shed some new light on things for me!!

Normally when I get all these symptoms...I start reacting to *everything* I eat...even the safe stuff....I just get to the point where I cant eat at all w/out reacting. Thats usually when I'll start losing weight.

So I've been eating insane amounts of eggs for weeks now...comepletely racheling cartons of eggs without shame.

Nothing *forbidden* about eggs...they dont feed candida....they have sulfur....sulfur helps detox mercury....I dont react....so its all good.

One day last week I ate an apple and some almond butter right before I ate my eggs. When I was eating my eggs suddenly I'm reacting to the EGGS....and then the alien baby came back in full force!!

All last week I had the grumbling stomach...my normal foods causing reactions....and that familiar ovary pain was back as well.

Now that I tried my new jar of almond butter (different brand)...with the GSE....the same stuff started happening. I got a bad reaction to my eggs again....but *only* when I ate them right after the almond butter.

So yeah...this is whats been happening throughout my whole illness with all of the moldy foods. I'm thinking that because I'm not able to detox the mold toxins...they are causing alot of imflammation that I can see and feel (head, shoulders, back, face, hands, etc)....but most likely its also occurring in my gut. Imflammation to my intestinal lining from the mold toxins.

I'm betting this is what was going on when the OBGYN got freaked out by my ultrasound. I had been eating dried fuits, Edward and Sons crackers (which I've now realized are VERY moldy), jam, and gluten-free grains.

No wonder my intestines were out of control that day.

I'm thinking moldenings cause me to become more sensitive because they are fueling candida and causing more immflamation to my intestines. Not to mention that the toxins are circulating, causing allergic reactions, stress on my liver....and ultimately contributing to a worsening of food and chemical sensitivities for several days.

I gotta find out from the docs if for sure when I get these metals out I'll start detoxing the molds much better. Hopefully Dr. S. has some knowledge about this.

I think I will email this question to Scott as well....I need reassurance right now....or at least some good scientificness on the inability to detox molds.

Wow

I get this way to Rachel. I become sensitive to my safe foods. Stomach and intestines gurggling at anything. EVEN WATER! Head pressure, light sensitivity, throat pressure, DIARRHEA, weak, weight loss.

I think I molded myself again today. 4th time in 2 weeks. I think it was the digestive enzymes I take to break my food down. I was fine with them a week ago but now I'm not I guess. Or it could be the MOM'S. The only thing new I tried yesterday was the frozen peas from save mart. I don't want to go to the bathroom because that's when It starts the diarrhea chain.

Not another magic bullet jello chocolate pudding explosion.. eeekkkkkkk!

Let me know what Scott says about this to. I know I get myself more toxic when I do this S#*T

[Rachel--24]

This week is going down hill fast for me.

I had a hunch I was off, as I can't read and process anything thats going on. I have stopped one of my meds that has given me horrible side effects, and now I think a flare/herx/whatever it is is starting. Sigh.

I am trying to keep up, but I'm thinking of you all. xoxo

Laura...I'm sorry you're feeling bad.

I know the feeling of "offness" all too well. I get the same problems with trying to read or process any info.

It probably means too many toxins are circulating....hopefully it will pass quickly.

Rachel - how's the Guadalupe (spice ship)??

SpiceShip "Lymerdida Guadalupe" is excellent!!

Can I tell you something though?? Sometimes I think its just not HOT enough for me.

Probably a good thing though....dont want my head to explode in the SpiceShip.

You'll have to try a coffee enema that several of us find to be such a big help. I'll be using that and the sauna to try to pull through this herx .... I am wondering if that is what has made such a huge difference in how I feel, or if the meds are finally getting the bacterial load lowered now that I'm going after all three forms of borrelia ... or a combination of the two.

Yeah Laura....I give the coffee e's 5 stars for detox!!

Other things that may offer some relief are the castor oil packs, saunas or epsom salt baths...all easy and inexpensive.

[AndreaB]

Hum, maybe I'll paint my toes metallic electric blue (just bought some on Saturday ) ...that way you'll know me on sight!

Just scanned. Niece was looking thru pile of pics at mom's and there it was. 2 others too.

Nice pic Tom.

[Rachel--24]

Wow

I get this way to Rachel. I become sensitive to my safe foods. Stomach and intestines gurggling at anything. EVEN WATER! Head pressure, light sensitivity, throat pressure, DIARRHEA, weak, weight loss.

Yup....I get all of those things except the D. If I were to not stop eating the almond butter I would end up with loose floating stools and undigested food. Thats what used to happen to me before I strated figuring out which things bothered me....and YES....it always happened to me when I took digestive enzymes. I knew I couldnt take enzymes but at the time I wasnt sure why.

The enzymes are plant based so they do contain molds. I was tested at BioSET and my sensitivity is so high that I cant tolerate any of the enyzymes. My practitioner tested me for all of them and there werent any I could tolerate right now.

I'll start reacting to *anything*...and yup...this includes water.

I get the throat pressure....it feels really "full" and sort of dificult to swallow. This happened after the almond butter....and yup I get problems with my eyes. Light sensitivity, pressure and blurred vision.

Do you also get imflammation (swelling), pain and stifness that you can feel in certain muscles or joints?? Thats what happens to me when I get moldened.

[Mtndog]

Oh Laura- I hope you feel better soon.

Rachel- The moldenings are the WORST. I was so psyched when I found sunflower butter after giving up pb. I did Ok with it for awhile and then wham...but my problem is I keep trying. It's pretty much the one thing I cannot help but rachel- I COULD eat an entire jar of pb or sunflower butter in an entire sitting. i haven't but I won't even buy it anymore because i don't trust myself

Boo to the beasties, the yeasities, the mercuries and the molds.

OK- finally some good news! I felt REALLY good today...like I'd say the best I've felt since maybe a few days I had in April. I still had some nagging symptoms but it wasn't enough to slay me. I've been tracking my symptoms and most days have been in the 3-6 range (0 being dead...anything 5 or below death warmed over). I think I can firmly say today was a 9.

I know that it may be a totally different deal tomorrow, but I am SO greatful for this day because it gave me a taste of what I used to feel like on my good days.

[tabasco32]

Yep samething. Muscle soreness, ears pop when I chew, intestinal distress, very sensitive to eveything. And I am like this for days. undigested food in stool, bladder pain, popping jaw. Rachel we need help and fast!

I wish I could Rachel eggs but I can't digest them. I wonder if lecithin is ok to take for this could this be a mold? What about coconut milk or beans in a can? I need weight Rachel and FAST!

[AndreaB]

I think I can firmly say today was a 9.

I know that it may be a totally different deal tomorrow, but I am SO greatful for this day because it gave me a taste of what I used to feel like on my good days.

Yay for the good days!!!

So glad you got a reprieve. It gives you something to look forward to when this is licked.....all sorts of good days.

[dlp252]

Christine - I've not had protein in my urine, but have had ketones.

BEV - YAY!!!! A 9!!!! That's huge!

Also forgot to acknowledge Tom's youthful picture! Nice pic! I'll be changing mine again soon now that I'm at home and have access to more of my scanned baby pictures.

[CarlaB]

I think with the bag I took yesterday and the bag I took today, I have successfully cleaned out the Fritos from all cabinets.

When you said "bag", I thought of the big grocery store bags! Two little bags is HARDLY Racheling!!

Hey have you ever had frito boats where you put chili beans and cheddar cheese on top with onions and lettuce and tomatoes.

We make something similar in the winter ... Fritos, chili, and cheddar cheese ... it's called "chili pie."

But we eat Skyline Chili all year around!! We ate there tonight. It's Cincinnati chili ... really popular here ... typically a "three way" is spaghetti, chili (basically a finely ground meat sauce, not what you're thinking) and shredded cheddar. They can also add beans and onions (for a four way or five way). I get it on a baked potato. They also make coneys. Yum.

If you have to go in next week go on Tuesday when Donna's scheduled to be there so you two can meet up before her appointment. That'd make it worthwhile.

Yeah, go have lunch together at a place with free internet and chat with us!

BAM ! new avatar!!

Very nice.

My Grandparents had a beach cottage they had bought back in the 50's when I was a kid. It was on Madeira Beach in St. Petersburg, FL. We used to spend quite a bit of time there. It was very fun.

OK- finally some good news! I felt REALLY good today...

YAY!

[Rachel--24]

Yep samething. Muscle soreness, ears pop when I chew, intestinal distress, very sensitive to eveything. And I am like this for days. undigested food in stool, bladder pain, popping jaw. Rachel we need help and fast!

I wish I could Rachel eggs but I can't digest them. I wonder if lecithin is ok to take for this could this be a mold? What about coconut milk or beans in a can? I need weight Rachel and FAST!

Beans were never a good choice for me.....you can always try stuff and see how it goes but I always react to beans. I think beans can contain molds and they are also high carb and feeding candida.

Heres some stuff that might be helpful as far as what foods to avoid.

Many fungi naturally produce a substance known as a mycotoxin during their digestive process. These mycotoxins are toxic to humans, and some are extremely toxic if ingested even in small quantities.

There are some foods that naturally contain high levels of these mycotoxins, and most of us aren't even aware that mycotoxins exist, much less that we eat them in our food supply. The foods that most often contain high concentrations of mycotoxins are grain crops, nuts, sugars and cheese. We're going to take a look at the most contaminated of these foods in this article.

Let's begin with the grain foods, since they normally exhibit the higher levels. Corn, wheat, barley, and rye contain what is known as "universal contamination". What this really means, is that they contain so many different fungi, that it is a universal contamination. The levels of contamination are often extremely high, and are carried over into the foods made from these grains.

The next category of foods with high levels of contamination is sugars. Sugars include sugar cane, sugar beets, and sorghum. Not only do the sugars contain the contamination, they fuel the growth of many of these fungi, because sugar is the food of choice for fungi.

Nuts and the oils produced from these nuts are heavily laden with contamination. In fact, one study found as many as 24 different forms of fungi in peanuts alone. The one thing worth mentioning here, peanuts, and other nuts we consume, often are in the shell, and there is no good way to even begin to eliminate these fungi and mycotoxins from the shell nuts. So, when you eat nuts still in the shell, there is a direct intake of fungi and mycotoxins produced by these fungi.

The last food category on the list is cheese. Now, everyone knows that cheese will grow mold. If you can see the mold growing, you know the fungi is present throughout the cheese, thanks to the fact that fungi are able to penetrate their host, no matter the material: cheese, tile, grout, it doesn't matter. The fungi can grow through the material. Here again, there is direct consumption of the fungi that lives in the cheese.

It's truly amazing that we aren't in a state of continual inbalance, given the variety of foods we eat that contain the mycotoxin producing fungi.

I can attest to the fact that nuts "in the shell" conatin even more fungi. Every type that I tried affected me.

Lisa...I've had major problems with all types of coconut I've tried. I did try Thais Kitchen oragnic coconut milk (in a can) and got a major reaction from it.

Coconuts can be moldy too...I havent been able to use coconut oil either.

One food that is not mentioned on the list is coconut oil. I want to point out that, while coconut oil is an incredible food in terms of nutrition and taste, many coconut oils contain mycotoxins. This is because they are commonly made with copras, or dried coconuts, which are often contaminated with mycotoxins. So in order to fully enjoy the benefits of this coconut oil, you will want to be sure that you find a company that uses only fresh coconuts to make their oil, like the Tropical Traditions virgin coconut oil.

Another list of the foods containing the most mycotoxins (toxins produced by mold).

1. Alcoholic beverages

Alcohol is the mycotoxin of the Saccharomyces yeast--brewer

[Rachel--24]

Tom...cute pic.

Is that the first one you've put up or have I missed some already? Seems like avatars are changing quickly around here.

I'll put some of my kid pics back up when I get home...they're all on my home computer...probably wont be there till Sunday.

[Rachel--24]

Susan....I hope everything turns out OK with the spine x-rays.....glad you like the new Dr.

I am pages behind.

One more day till vacation...WOO-HOO.

[miamia]

Aw so sorry you have having a yucky reaction! I can't wait for you to see your new doctor!

I understand about the relaxing thing...I don't have quite the same ambition you do, lol, but I definitely find it hard to relax. The PT guy I go to tries to work on my neck and keeps saying "relax", I say "I am" he says "RELAX" I say "I AM".

Donna-

I ahve this exact same conversation with my PT guy !!! Its crazy i always think i am relaxed and then after he has said to relax like 10 times i realize i wasen't . Its crazy.

I just PM"d you my email

[tom]

I have my own confession.

I got moldened.

BUT.....I *think* I can blame TOM for this.

I *do* talk up my almBtr.

Sorry 'bout that!! My bad, my blame.

In fact, I feel so guilty(?) about feeling so good, I'm ready to take blame for Fritos, choco-face rinne-regret, etc!!!!!

Bring it on, I say!!!

Had a ball w/ visitors this afternoon. My lil bro sure had himself a heckuva wife & older daughter!!

But sooooooo HOT!

Rachel,

u wouldn't need the Spiceship here. It prob got to 113 in the shade, so you'd need a special thermometer to check temp in the sun. Sit out *there* awhile!!

[AndreaB]

Heres some stuff that might be helpful as far as what foods to avoid.

Thanks Rachel.

I had forgotten why we don't eat mushrooms anymore.

Still eat the corn in the form of corn flakes though.