Healing the Gut Tribe ~ February - Page 2

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by AmyD

I just wanted to jump in and report that Thai Coconut milk now has soy lecitin added to it : I'm beyond pissed. The cans w/the black top that say "Thai Kitchen" on it are safe, but the new cans have a gold colored top. There is another brand of organic coconut milk (green container), so I'm going to order them from my co-op by the case. And I make the best damn coconut milk yogurt w/my progurt starter

Also, Jane, I remember reading somewhere that you wanted some chicken pox for your lil' guy. I'm in VT, and we have them now. I thought you were in MA.

Okay, carry on
Amy

Oh you are so nice to remember us! Except I'm scared though!! Just now while DS seems to be doing okay and gradually improving bit by bit, I so don't want to mess anything up. ARGH. There was I thread in Vacc. I think about the optimum age, gonna go check that out...

How's the CP going?

There are instuctions to make coconut milk on www.Pecanbread.com but I imagine coconuts are not easy to come by in VT

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by AmyD

I just wanted to jump in and report that Thai Coconut milk now has soy lecitin added to it : I'm beyond pissed. The cans w/the black top that say "Thai Kitchen" on it are safe, but the new cans have a gold colored top. There is another brand of organic coconut milk (green container), so I'm going to order them from my co-op by the case. And I make the best damn coconut milk yogurt w/my progurt starter

Also, Jane, I remember reading somewhere that you wanted some chicken pox for your lil' guy. I'm in VT, and we have them now. I thought you were in MA.

Okay, carry on
Amy

Oh you are so nice to remember us! Except I'm scared though!! Just now while DS seems to be doing okay and gradually improving bit by bit, I so don't want to mess anything up. ARGH. There was I thread in Vacc. I think about the optimum age, gonna go check that out...

How's the CP going?

There are instuctions to make coconut milk on www.Pecanbread.com from shredded coconut I think?

[Yin Yang]

Originally Posted by AmyD

Hi mamas!

I've been lurking off and on, b/c we haven't started the diet yet : In fact, when we do start the diet, we are going to try the MD first, and if need be, the SCD.

I just wanted to jump in and report that Thai Coconut milk now has soy lecitin added to it : I'm beyond pissed. The cans w/the black top that say "Thai Kitchen" on it are safe, but the new cans have a gold colored top. There is another brand of organic coconut milk (green container), so I'm going to order them from my co-op by the case. And I make the best damn coconut milk yogurt w/my progurt starter

Also, Jane, I remember reading somewhere that you wanted some chicken pox for your lil' guy. I'm in VT, and we have them now. I thought you were in MA.

Okay, carry on

Amy

did you know you can buy Organic Coconut cream concentrate and make your own fresh coconut milk? I buy Organic cocoun oil from this company and I also have the cream concentrate - it's yammy!!! You can make LOTS of coconut milk from one quart of concentrate. I use it as a base for soups or into stir frys as well.
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/co...oncentrate.htm

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by mlleoiseau

Do you think a yogurt starter would be better than probiotics? I used the NOW brand. I wanted something dairy-free. I just did a search for progurt and see that it's dairy free so I could try that.

We have Progurt from www.GIProHealth.com and it's a really nice starter...and dairy free. The yogurt is not very tart like acidophilus yogurt (it is L. casei instead).

The maker will probably help, although the oven method is all I use now.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by sarahariz

The person who did it is a nutritionist and she has years of experience w/ the live blood analysis. Anyway, she saw the yeast/fungus right away. She also spotted other nutritional deficiencies that are likely causing my body to not produce enough digestive enzymes or HCL. Then, we were almost done with our consultation when she spotted a fluke/tapeworm like thing swimming along! Oh my God, I have parasites too! That was a wake up. So much for the psychic nutritionist. Now I had proof of what was happening!

I'm on a candida diet, and am taking enzymes, molybdenum (trace mineral), a homeopathic yeast/fungal remedy, oregano pills (for the parasites) and magnesium-helps with chocolate cravings, sleep, and I'm likely deficient in it. A week later, I got DD's blood tested, which looks good except for yeast, and she says that travels through the breastmilk. She said it should clear up if I give her enzymes and probiotics-and, of course, if I stop reinfecting her. DH got his blood tested too, and he has yeast and gall bladder issues-something which she figured out that the regular doctors couldn't-they thought it was his liver.

OMG!!!

It's lovely to "see" you but yikes, you poor thing, I'm all creepy crawly reading this!

I once visited CureZone and got scared out of my wits with the possibilities of parasites and all sorts of stuff. Shudder.

What kind of diet are you on? Is it working?

I think "yeast" is kind of a catch all term... not that it's not a widespread issue, it is, but you and Mavery are showing that there could be other things going on in addition.

Why just molybdenum and not other minerals? Did you do any kind of testing? I'm just giving DS a complete mineral supplement rather than go thru testing, it seems to be okay, but of course all this sometimes is such a shot in the dark.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Annikate

Hi all,
How do you know if you have yeast issues? I mean do they always have to be apparent & obvious? I don't think dd or I do but after reading about Sarah's experience, I wonder.

BTW Sarah, I would LOVE to have that blood testing done for myself and dd! And boy, can I relate to the chocolate craving. Ice cream too.

mavery - you reminded me: I had c.diff about 10 years ago. I remember that yucky feeling! I've actually had intestinal issues since surgery at birth. No wonder this is all starting to make perfect sense to me!

Jane - I tried acidophilous (only once) because it made me so bloated. Is it supposed to do that?

Well I obviously had yeast issues for a long time causing the gas and bloating but didnt' know it b/c I never had vaginal or skin y.i. or anything. But got thrush when bf'ing several times when I ate a lot of sugar.

If you had c. diff before it's very likely to come back again. How did you know you had it and how did you get rid of it before?

(I'm simply blown away by the fact that there's now 2 of us here with c. diff histories!!)

The bloating when taking acidophilus is probably because of die off.... when the bad critters get run out by the good guys, they die and release a lot of toxins. It's called the Herxheimer reaction.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by JaneS

It's possible that the PD could be taxing your immune system so much that you cannot recover?

Or the other way around the PD developed b/c of a suppressed immune system and not enough mineral absorption.

Have you seen my post "Curing Cavities with Nutrition" in Dental, have I said that yet? (Please forgive me if I'm a broken record, I forget who I tell what to! )

Also I don't know much about periodontal disease, but gargling with sodium ascorbate solution several times/day including right before bed really helped a few pockets of gingavitis I developed from skipping a few back teeth that were tough to floss.

[Gale Force]

subbing and scratching myself over the parasite reminder. (my dad had a test like that too and I do often get scared silly at CureZone)

[JaneS]

MT's thread over in Vaccinations is a must read:

Nutrition/Immunology 101.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=406983

The "nutrition" that I'm interested in, is what is the important nutrition in terms of the immune system.

That can translate back to vaccines too, because if you chose to vaccinate, there are certain things you should know, one of which is that there are different immune responses to vaccines, depending on the food your baby gets.

The babies who seroconvert worst to vaccines are babies fed soy formula.

Next worst is casein based formula.

Best is breast-milk.

I want this stickied so that it can be easily found, and also so that its always in front of people's eyes, because its a fundamental.

Here are the basics foundational statements, and whatever else I put up will stem from there.

1) A baby's developing immune system depends on what a mother puts into her mouth. The fetus can only use what is left over after your body has removed what it needs for you.

2) Your immune system depends on what you put in your mouth. And if you don't get that right, then you can't expect to have a healthy baby.

3) Contrary to common cloned mindsets, the basis of immunity isn't antibodies. That's the end point, and in the grand scheme of things the least important of the lot.

4) The foundation of the immune system is the instestinal tract composing, hopefully, of the right gut flora which is important because it is your first defence system for anything either eaten or breathed in.

It is also responsible for absorbing minerals, and making and processing certain B vitamins.

Without a properly "stocked" gut flora you are behind the eight-ball before you even start.

And for babies this is crucial.

[Kundalini-Mama]

Originally Posted by JaneS

Oh you are so nice to remember us! Except I'm scared though!! Just now while DS seems to be doing okay and gradually improving bit by bit, I so don't want to mess anything up. ARGH. There was I thread in Vacc. I think about the optimum age, gonna go check that out...

How's the CP going?

There are instuctions to make coconut milk on www.Pecanbread.com from shredded coconut I think?

Jane, it is purely for selfish reasons, I assure you. To pick your brain for a full 3-4 hrs would be, easily, the highlight of my year.

So far pox are puny My older son has teeny lil' spots on him and the baby has one spot on him that I found a couple of hrs ago. I'm really thinking my children are a lot healthier than I gave them credit for. Not discounting the yeast problem....ooopps, did I say that, I'm in denial presently

And I don't know what you are talking about, I have 3 coconut trees in my back yard

Pavlina, I am so all over that concentrate thing. My friend is a manager at my co-op and she is going to see if she can get it for me there, otherwise I'll buy it online. It will probably save me tons of $. THANK YOU!! (I am still pissed at Thai Kitchen though )

And my coconut yogurt recipe, mlleoiseau. Very simple. But, I also think that I do not have high hopes, b/c I expect it to be a lil' runny. But if you were to purchase the concentrate stuff that Pavlina recommended, I'm sure you could make it thicker.

I use 3 cans of coconut milk. Feel free to use 4-5 cans of just the fatty stuff, and a teeny amt of the water. But that gets expensive, so I make do. Heat 3 cans to boiling. Cool to 120. Add my 1/8 tsp of the progurt starter (no dairy, no soy, no nothing), pour into my lil' containers for my yogurt maker---which one is is, I think I got the one Jane had, Euro--something. I prop the lid on two sides about 2 inches. This gives me yogurt at about 100 degrees. I end up leaving it for at least 24, sometimes 36 hrs. It is tart. But, I still find it really My son will not eat it though (will in a smoothie).

Is Moneca still around?

And, please be honest w/me if this has been discussed and you want me to actually search for it, I am very drawn towards the maker's diet as opposed to the SCD. The MD just makes more sense *to me* in my head. Why has the SCD become the standard? Just curious.

Amy

[Annikate]

Originally Posted by JaneS
If you had c. diff before it's very likely to come back again. How did you know you had it and how did you get rid of it before?

It was a long time ago - almost 10 years (?) I think. I knew something was up 'cause everything I ate came immediately out. I had a wonderful internal doc then and he knew what it was right away. Sure enough, test showed c.diff. He gave me some kind of antibiotic I think. (But that doesn't sound right does it?) I remember him questioning me and questioning me about the antibiotic use (but I hadn't taken them in like a year before this happened.)He seemed seemed puzzled as to where it came from.

BTW, I posted earlier about how much better dd is doing and she is (she looks better, no more spitting up (very little anyway), but her sleep is still pretty awful. I've had 2 good nights where she slept 3.5 or 4 hours at a stretch but it did not last. The past several nights have been waking every 1.5 to 2 hours. This IS an improvement over a month ago, but I was hoping the 3-4 hour stretches would become the norm. Oh well. A little progress is better than none!

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by AmyD

Jane, it is purely for selfish reasons, I assure you. To pick your brain for a full 3-4 hrs would be, easily, the highlight of my year.

So far pox are puny My older son has teeny lil' spots on him and the baby has one spot on him that I found a couple of hrs ago. I'm really thinking my children are a lot healthier than I gave them credit for. Not discounting the yeast problem....ooopps, did I say that, I'm in denial presently

Is Moneca still around?

And, please be honest w/me if this has been discussed and you want me to actually search for it, I am very drawn towards the maker's diet as opposed to the SCD. The MD just makes more sense *to me* in my head. Why has the SCD become the standard? Just curious.

highlight of your year...and so early in 2006 too! You are too funny. Sadly my brain doesn't hold much these days, I do so much better with a computer, my books and Google

That's awesome re: tiny pox. You must be doing something right!

Moneca is going thru a rough time, Sierra's has been dx with gastroparesis. I think she posted in Special Needs Forum... she would love a friendly wave and good thoughts sent their way I'm sure.

We did talk a little about MD several months ago. I don't have a high opinon of him. To me, his diet seems to be SCD for the first month, then soaking grains (like Nourishing Traditions) after that. In fact, 95% of his recipes are directly from NT. The only thing different about his diet seems to be the 50 different supplements that he doesn't provide the science behind: HSO's, his particular enzymes, and that Clenzology thing. I'm especially disappointed in the lack of info about HSO's. Seemed like one big infomercial to me without anything new.

The SCD basis for excluding grains completely, and the entire diet, is based on scientific research. It also provides a very thorough explanation of how food influences your gut flora and behavior. In fact, he knocks SCD as not working for him and then proceeds to present a diet practically just like it! Again the big difference were his supplements. But I wasn't convinced his are so special (enzymes). Nor sure of their mechanism and safety (HSO's).

Oh and also his fungal killers and cleanses might not be for everyone. Whether it GSE or oregano oil or Oregon grape, they all work on different organisms, some for yeast, some for bacteria, and some kill probiotics too. Unless you are sure of what you got you can end up making the situation worse.

It's been a while since I've read MD, so feel free to bring up any points you are attracted to that I forgot! He just turned me off. Like watching the movie "Cast Away" I couldn't enjoy it b/c it felt like one big commercial for FedEx

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Annikate

It was a long time ago - almost 10 years (?) I think. I knew something was up 'cause everything I ate came immediately out. I had a wonderful internal doc then and he knew what it was right away. Sure enough, test showed c.diff. He gave me some kind of antibiotic I think. (But that doesn't sound right does it?) I remember him questioning me and questioning me about the antibiotic use (but I hadn't taken them in like a year before this happened.)He seemed seemed puzzled as to where it came from.

BTW, I posted earlier about how much better dd is doing and she is (she looks better, no more spitting up (very little anyway), but her sleep is still pretty awful. I've had 2 good nights where she slept 3.5 or 4 hours at a stretch but it did not last. The past several nights have been waking every 1.5 to 2 hours. This IS an improvement over a month ago, but I was hoping the 3-4 hour stretches would become the norm. Oh well. A little progress is better than none!

Yes, antibiotics can be effective and are the normal way to treat c. diff with an MD.

I know EXACTLY how you feel in the sleeping dept. Hopefully you'll get there soon, it just takes a while for her central nervous system to heal.

[Panserbjorne]

Hey ladies! You all sound like you're doing really well. I haven't been here in awhile and kiddos have been great! We have introduced some grains back, but gluten isn't even an option...especially since I'm expecting again. I had to chime in to say that I had the live blood cell analysis done and it is pretty icky. I found out some not so great things that were later confirmed by standard blood testing and now I am thinking about doing SCD again. My celiac disease damaged my liver to the point that it's dumping a significant amount of enzymes into the bloodstream. I am trying to do nutritional healing as well as homeopathy and supplements. I'm just worried that it already went too far. I did really great on the SCD, so it's not a chore to go back...but there are things I would do differently this time. I had way too much meat for my comfort the first time around, so that will be drastically reduced. Nice to see everyone here! I look forward to sharing more stories of happiness and health

[Pookietooth]

faery mama, how did your celiac disease get detected, and what symptoms did you have. Oh, and thanks Jane for the suggestion -- I am actually using the high vitamin butter oil and high vitamin flax oil. Hope it helps.

Jane: DS is ok, but his SID seems worse these days, with him still being super sensitive to sounds, etc. He's also started having nightmares that wake him, at least once a week, and he wakes frequently during the night. How did you find an SCD legal mineral supplement? DS can swallow pills (and is proud of that fact), so he's able to take anything solid, liquid, etc. One thing, he can't have mint because we're doing a homeopathic thing.

[2rubies]

I thought this thread was a little too quiet! Just subbing for February

I just got a package from digestive wellness, and it was like Christmas morning all over again! I can't believe you can order SCD goodies in the mail! Not something they had when I first did this 8 year ago!

Kristin

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

faery mama, how did your celiac disease get detected, and what symptoms did you have. Oh, and thanks Jane for the suggestion -- I am actually using the high vitamin butter oil and high vitamin flax oil. Hope it helps.

Jane: DS is ok, but his SID seems worse these days, with him still being super sensitive to sounds, etc. He's also started having nightmares that wake him, at least once a week, and he wakes frequently during the night. How did you find an SCD legal mineral supplement? DS can swallow pills (and is proud of that fact), so he's able to take anything solid, liquid, etc. One thing, he can't have mint because we're doing a homeopathic thing.

Does flax contain any vitamins? You want the cod liver oil for the vitamins A & D.

That's so tiring, I know. Sound sensitivity generally indicates yeast. Also nightwaking too. I wish my DS could swallow pills, but so far we've worked around it. The only pills I give him are A & D occasionally (when we used to use low vitamin Nordic Naturals cod liver oil) and he just chews those.

He gets Brainchild Ultra Sensitive minerals, you can order them separately from the vitamins. No sugar/flavor but they don't taste bad.

www.brainchildnutritionals.com

Good luck with the homeopathy! Tell me more... I'm just starting Amy Lansky's book, have you read?

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by firefaery

Nice to see everyone here! I look forward to sharing more stories of happiness and health

me too!

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by 2rubies

I thought this thread was a little too quiet! Just subbing for February

I just got a package from digestive wellness, and it was like Christmas morning all over again! I can't believe you can order SCD goodies in the mail! Not something they had when I first did this 8 year ago!

Kristin

I've always had great service from them, highly recommend.

[Annikate]

What next?

What do you ladies think I should do next?

The more I notice dd getting *better*, the more I notice when something is really awry. I'm starting to really suspect gluten again (although the muscle tests didn't show that and my short-lived elimination didn't seem to help.)

She had a terrible time getting to sleep last night AND the night before. Last night she was hurting - I've never heard her cry that way before. She was gassy too. (Sweet potatoes? Ketchup?) ONce she did settle she slept pretty well.

I have not been taking Peptizyde, although I have them. I've just been taking an *overall* enzyme our naturopath gave me for dd. I am also not taking acidophilous though I bought them.

Should I take ALL of these? What do you ladies recommend?

Thanks so much! I just learning about all this and just when I'm feeling so frustrated, I'll finally feel a little twinge of progress. . . It IS all-consuming though isn't it? Example: BOTH dds are napping (A VERY RARE occassion and I should be napping but instead I'm doing this!)