MTHFR, salicylates and adrenals - Page 5

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by whoMe

I haven't come across anything that says it would be bad to just guess and check on the form of B12...

Something on the heartfixer site said that using the methyl form, if you have an excess of methyl groups (which I'm pretty sure none of us does, but...) would cause serious mood swings, which is why I wondered about the hydroxy form.

[tanyalynn]

Subbing to remember to come back, I feel like I have so much to read and watch.

[chlobo]

Ok. where should I put my question? Start a thread here? Heal thyself? In this thread? I'm a wreck and could use some advice.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Ok. where should I put my question? Start a thread here? Heal thyself? In this thread? I'm a wreck and could use some advice.

What is going on mama?


Pat

[chlobo]

Well....

So here are my known problems:

Adrenal fatigue (dx via saliva test)
Possible hypothyroid (dx via iodine patch test)
Extremely low vit d (blood test)
Gluten/Dairy sensitivity (dx via stool test)

I have been GF/DF for over a year. I also spent many months on a TED. More months on an ED. A few months ago I fell off the wagon although I am still GF/DF. I have been taking various supplements. Most recently I take zinc, adrenal support supplement, immune supplement, iodoral, biotin & quercitin.

About a month ago I decided to remove sweet potatoes/squash from my diet to see if it would help DS. I also started eating fermented veggies regularly. He initially improved. We had a glorious week of almost normal sleep for his age and his poops were really beautiful. then they started to go down hill again.

At around the same time I started to feel pretty good. So I added some exercise into my routine. Nothing major. Just getting out with the kids more (mostly sledding). Trying to get on the elipitcal trainer. Then xc skiing. again, nothing major and never every day. I also switch my adrenal supplement per an intuitive nutritionist I saw.

Anyhoo, probably about a week and a half ago I started feeling crummy again. I've had this on again off again pain on the lower right side of my back. It's definitely been pretty on again. Also, my joints are feeling achy. And, my energy has taken a total hit. I am so tired I can barely drag myself around. Of course this coincides with DS sleeping like absolute crap again. So double whammy.

Anyhow, I'm starting to wonder about the detox thing. I'm sure some of my pathways are screwed up. I'm also wondering if the small bit of exercise I did was too much for my adrenals and I've set myself back. Or perhaps my new Adrenal supplement isn't working. In reality, I'm just too tired to wonder much at all.

[WuWei]

What about Epsom salt baths, probiotics, EFA, B-vitamins, vitamin C, selenium, bone broths? These are helpful for detox and gut healing.

Pat

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Anyhow, I'm starting to wonder about the detox thing. I'm sure some of my pathways are screwed up. I'm also wondering if the small bit of exercise I did was too much for my adrenals and I've set myself back. Or perhaps my new Adrenal supplement isn't working. In reality, I'm just too tired to wonder much at all.

How are you with focus/concentration, depression and midline defects?

[WuWei]

Can you all tell that WhoMe and I have one track minds?


Pat

[chlobo]

I'm not sure about my midline defects. I did have a tight labial frenulum which I had cut when I was a teenager. I'm sure I have others.

My daughter had labial adhesions which just finally opened at 5 yrs old. She also has/had lots of digestive troubles. She has unidentified food sensitivities. She has a partial tongue tie but not enough to warrant cutting, according to Dr. Coryllos.

My son had a posterior tongue tie & a labial frenulum, both of which were cut at 8 months. He also has/had lots of digestive troubles. He likely has unidentified food sensitivities as well. Other issues remain to be seen.

Like so many of the women here I used to be very sharp. Very able to multitask. Now, not so much. I am sometimes forgetful. I have a terrible time remembering names.

I have had problems with depression all my life. I've also been very fatigued since my kids have been born but the last two weeks have been much worse than before. I also find that at the moment I have trouble coping with stress. I yell at the kids easily. This past week I cried and had those "whoa is me" feelings. I keep saying to myself "I quit". Practically speaking I have no idea what that really means since quitting isn't really an option, now is it?

It's so weird since 2 weeks ago I felt so much better.

[WuWei]

Elm!!! The Bach Flower Remedy. I love me some Elm!!:

Mama, I have come to believe that MY stress impacts ds more than any other variable in his life.

Bach Flower remedies are our friend.

Adding Natural Calm helped significantly. http://www.calmnatural.com/product/18340500004

As well as some Bach Flower remedies. They are all natural, safe remedies for stress, upset, fear, depression, anxiety, worries, etc. You can select those that best suit based upon reading about each one or taking the quiz at the remedy finder (first link). You can choose up to 5 or so and mix a few drops of each in water and sip as needed, or take straight in the midst of a stressful situation.

Guaranteed to help. :

http://www.ainsworths.com/remedy/default.aspx

http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm

http://www.bachflower.com/38_Essences.htm

I love Rescue Remedy. Elm for "feeling temporarily overwhelmed with responsibilities" and White Chestnut for "when thoughts go round and round in your head". (some of my favorites. )

http://www.herbalremedies.com/elm10mlvial.html

"Elm (Ulmus Procera) is the Bach Flower Remedy for people suffering a temporary loss of self-confidence due to the overwhelming amount of responsibility they have taken on. Genuine Elm types are people who are successful and carrying out work that they believe in, but at times feel the weight of the charge on them and become depressed and concerned that they will not be able to go on."


Pat

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by chlobo

I'm not sure about my midline defects. I did have a tight labial frenulum which I had cut when I was a teenager. I'm sure I have others.

My daughter had labial adhesions which just finally opened at 5 yrs old. She also has/had lots of digestive troubles. She has unidentified food sensitivities. She has a partial tongue tie but not enough to warrant cutting, according to Dr. Coryllos.

My son had a posterior tongue tie & a labial frenulum, both of which were cut at 8 months. He also has/had lots of digestive troubles. He likely has unidentified food sensitivities as well. Other issues remain to be seen.

Like so many of the women here I used to be very sharp. Very able to multitask. Now, not so much. I am sometimes forgetful. I have a terrible time remembering names.

I have had problems with depression all my life. I've also been very fatigued since my kids have been born but the last two weeks have been much worse than before. I also find that at the moment I have trouble coping with stress. I yell at the kids easily. This past week I cried and had those "whoa is me" feelings. I keep saying to myself "I quit". Practically speaking I have no idea what that really means since quitting isn't really an option, now is it?

It's so weird since 2 weeks ago I felt so much better.

It sounds like you get a 'check' for midline defects - which points towards high homocysteine (family history of stroke? blood clots?), and needing more folate. You could see if you can get your MTHFR gene tested, but I'd be willing to bet you have a mutation.

With low vitamin D, that's an obvious place to start. It can help raise dopamine, which might help the remembering, but is usually more associated with focus/concentration and satisfaction. After that, I'd look to folate and B12. Have you experimented with magnesium? Does it make a big difference? Do you crave chocolate?

Just remember, I have about one week's worth of experience on this so far...

[chlobo]

With low vitamin D, that's an obvious place to start. It can help raise dopamine, which might help the remembering, but is usually more associated with focus/concentration and satisfaction. After that, I'd look to folate and B12. Have you experimented with magnesium? Does it make a big difference? Do you crave chocolate?

this is so sad. I've been trying to supplement with Vit D but I keep forgetting. So so sad. I certainly could use some feelings of satisfaction.

Funny you mentioned chocolate b/c I have been craving chocolate. And I was eating it in the form of gf/df mini chips from enjoy life. But I gave them up b/c I gained 3 lbs all in the mid section. Talk about muffin top. What does choclate craving mean?

I have natural calm & the version with calcium but I haven't gotten into the groove of taking them yet. It seems like I take so much already. But I guess I'll get on the stick.

What form should I take the folate? I have a liquid B multi but it has folic acid not folate. Has lots of B-12 though.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by whoMe

It sounds like you get a 'check' for midline defects - which points towards high homocysteine (family history of stroke? blood clots?), and needing more folate. You could see if you can get your MTHFR gene tested, but I'd be willing to bet you have a mutation.

I'm not sure I'd come to the same conclusion. Midline defects are also related to vitamin A deficiencies, and honestly I think those are more widespread. If we're viewing the world somewhat Price-esque, and I admit I do, I think we as a people tend to not consume enough pre-formed A, and that deficiency has been building for a long time. I know specifically for me, my thyroid was possibly borderline for a while, but then it tanked, and I couldn't have been converting any beta-carotene into A (hypothyroid people can't), dropping the amount available to me further.

Chlobo--the chocolate craving can be a sign of magnesium deficiency. If that's what you've got going on, I'd do the plain Natural Calm, not the one with calcium (I mean, feel free to play around, but many of us are more magnesium deficient than we are calcium deficient).

It sounds like you have a lot of adrenal fatigue. My HCP linked my lower back pain to adrenal stress. And Pat's right about our stress affecting our emotions and health so much, and affecting our kids too. But don't see that in a negative way--it's permission to sit in the sun and watch them play, or snuggle together with a snack on the couch instead of doing the dishes--these are real things to make you feel better. Though I support the D as well, I am just starting to work on that, and I'm going to up the amt I'm giving to my husband as well.

[chlobo]

I'm not sure I'd come to the same conclusion. Midline defects are also related to vitamin A deficiencies, and honestly I think those are more widespread. If we're viewing the world somewhat Price-esque, and I admit I do, I think we as a people tend to not consume enough pre-formed A, and that deficiency has been building for a long time. I know specifically for me, my thyroid was possibly borderline for a while, but then it tanked, and I couldn't have been converting any beta-carotene into A (hypothyroid people can't), dropping the amount available to me further.

So what's needed in the vitamin a deficient scenario? Should I up the amount of fermented CLO I *should* be taking (but don't always)? Or is there another source I should look at?

It sounds like you have a lot of adrenal fatigue. My HCP linked my lower back pain to adrenal stress. And Pat's right about our stress affecting our emotions and health so much, and affecting our kids too. But don't see that in a negative way--it's permission to sit in the sun and watch them play, or snuggle together with a snack on the couch instead of doing the dishes--these are real things to make you feel better. Though I support the D as well, I am just starting to work on that, and I'm going to up the amt I'm giving to my husband as well.

So what did your HCP recommend for the adrenal fatigue? I had been taking Vital Nutrients Adrenal Support along with Priority One Immuno Plus dietary supplement. But the intuitive nutritionist I saw said that if I'd been taking the adrenal supplements for as along as I had been (about 8 months) and wasn't noticing a big difference then it probably was not the right thing for me. So she recommended I switch to Standard Process Drenatrophin & Standard Process Green Food.

Now I'm not so sure since I "tanked" in the last few weeks. I guess I was feeling better but now at the moment.

ETA: So what about the chocolate? Can I have some high quality cocoa? Maybe mixed in with some yummy rice milk?

[WuWei]

(Yes, on the chocolate, no matter what anyone says. )


Pat

[chlobo]

Elm!!! The Bach Flower Remedy. I love me some Elm!!

Mama, I have come to believe that MY stress impacts ds more than any other variable in his life.

Bach Flower remedies are our friend.

Adding Natural Calm helped significantly. http://www.calmnatural.com/product/18340500004

As well as some Bach Flower remedies. They are all natural, safe remedies for stress, upset, fear, depression, anxiety, worries, etc. You can select those that best suit based upon reading about each one or taking the quiz at the remedy finder (first link). You can choose up to 5 or so and mix a few drops of each in water and sip as needed, or take straight in the midst of a stressful situation.

I love Rescue Remedy. Elm for "feeling temporarily overwhelmed with responsibilities" and White Chestnut for "when thoughts go round and round in your head". (some of my favorites. )

Of course I don't have elm. I have White Chestnut. I guess I could shell out the big bucks and get it from Whole Paycheck. I'll try the white chestnut & rescue remedy and see how that goes.

[tanyalynn]

Originally Posted by chlobo

So what's needed in the vitamin a deficient scenario? Should I up the amount of fermented CLO I *should* be taking (but don't always)? Or is there another source I should look at?

You may be more deficient in D than A, I think I am, in which case taking your D supp along with your fermented CLO would work. I'm not sure the A really makes you feel better, but it's important health-wise. I admit, I've been really slow to address my A and D deficiencies. Foods are always good, but especially when I felt at my worst, I wasn't up for doing this the slow, more holistic way, and pills helped.

And yes, I'm anticipating the Wrath of Pat to come falling down on my head at any moment.


So what did your HCP recommend for the adrenal fatigue? I had been taking Vital Nutrients Adrenal Support along with Priority One Immuno Plus dietary supplement. But the intuitive nutritionist I saw said that if I'd been taking the adrenal supplements for as along as I had been (about 8 months) and wasn't noticing a big difference then it probably was not the right thing for me. So she recommended I switch to Standard Process Drenatrophin & Standard Process Green Food.

Now I'm not so sure since I "tanked" in the last few weeks. I guess I was feeling better but now at the moment.

ETA: So what about the chocolate? Can I have some high quality cocoa? Maybe mixed in with some yummy rice milk?

If you can have coconut, you can make an amazing hot cocoa with coconut milk, some water, cocoa powder, some sweetener, cinnamon and optional salt. I'm just coming off a time period when I was craving it, I think it was mostly the fat, but I was buying coconut milk by the case, and some days drinking a whole can in hot cocoa form.

I'm taking ARG Adrenal (Allergy Research Group), honestly we've played around with how much to take. I take 3 in the AM, my husband takes 4 with breakfast, 3 with lunch and an optional 1 around 5pm. This type is stronger than the first kind I was on, but I forgot which one that was. I'm really not familiar with a lot of different types of adrenal supports. The best thing for me was getting to sleep, I needed melatonin, and when I got to bed at 9 or 10pm (with my melatonin) I would be functional enough.

Um, check what's in the Green Food, would you? Our old chiro, from long ago, recommended it for my son, but looking at it, I didn't think it was great for me to be taking while nursing, I think it was going to start churning up some of my toxic load. That could be a factor.

The thing about not feeling better--I think it helps to really know what the root cause of the adrenal fatigue is. My adrenal fatigue got somewhat better with hefty nutritional support and adrenal support, but it was skewed to the types of things that get messed up with amalgam problems. I think I had to know that to give the substantive support (on the nutrition side) in order for my body to start working better. I was just depleted, nutritionally, with 2 kids.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by chlobo

Of course I don't have elm. I have White Chestnut. I guess I could shell out the big bucks and get it from Whole Paycheck. I'll try the white chestnut & rescue remedy and see how that goes.

(The mysteriously invisible) PB makes up personal Bach Flower remedy mixes (about 4-5 remedies) for about the same cost of buying one bottle. If you do the remedy finder, she could send you the remedies as a mix. But, the White Chestnut (2 drops) and RR (4 drops) in some water will be grand! Just sip and sip, you will feel more at peace. :


Pat

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by chlobo

So what did your HCP recommend for the adrenal fatigue? I had been taking Vital Nutrients Adrenal Support along with Priority One Immuno Plus dietary supplement. But the intuitive nutritionist I saw said that if I'd been taking the adrenal supplements for as along as I had been (about 8 months) and wasn't noticing a big difference then it probably was not the right thing for me. So she recommended I switch to Standard Process Drenatrophin & Standard Process Green Food.

Now I'm not so sure since I "tanked" in the last few weeks. I guess I was feeling better but now at the moment.

This is so me. I didn't think my adrenal support supplement was doing anything... until I stopped taking it for a while and then, boy oh boy, did I git myself back to my ND FAST! Oh, so tired, dragging myself, mood swings, blah blah.. I'm surprised I didn't end up in the backyard under a few feet of dirt.

[Theloose]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

I'm not sure I'd come to the same conclusion. Midline defects are also related to vitamin A deficiencies, and honestly I think those are more widespread. If we're viewing the world somewhat Price-esque, and I admit I do, I think we as a people tend to not consume enough pre-formed A, and that deficiency has been building for a long time. I know specifically for me, my thyroid was possibly borderline for a while, but then it tanked, and I couldn't have been converting any beta-carotene into A (hypothyroid people can't), dropping the amount available to me further.

trying to keep organized cause I really want to talk about this. starting a new thread:
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...php?p=13234915