Healing the Gut Tribe.......April - Page 23

[JaneS]

Shanna,

I really think probiotics and the right essential fatty acids (and possibly elminating all the bad fats in vegetable oils such as canola, corn, soy, etc.) were the key for my acne problem.

Edit:
I don't think of as a food allergy at all, but a hormonal and immune system issue... and both of those issues are all about the gut/flora and what type of fats you eat.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by mlleoiseau

Okay, this is a question on behalf of my sister in law. In January she had a hysterectomy and was put on broad spectrum antibiotics. She developed the worse case of diaper rash her ob has ever seen. She is having tons of seemingly unrelated health problems. In the past 8 weeks or so, she has taken 24 diflucan pills. (It's supposed to be a one pill cure.) It has done nothing for her fungal problem. The fungus is systemic and is not candida. She has also been taking lots of natural antifungals on the advice of a naturopath. Nothing she is taking has given her any dieoff symptoms. I have talked to her about changing her diet, but she won't. (In her defense, it would be practically impossible as she only has $200 a month to feed a family of five.) Do you think enzymes may help, and if so, which ones? I will gladly buy them for her if they might help.
thanks in advance.

OMG how horrible and painful to have this after such an emotional surgery too! How about if she at least made 24 hr. yogurt, that's not too expensive. Geez, we spend almost $200/week.

Diflucan being a "One pill cure" is for a vaginal y.i. only.
For example, it's common to take it for 2 weeks when bf'ing and having thrush (and I'm with FF, not that I would! It's horrible stuff.)

Enzymes: Candex or Candidase or No Fenol together with a high protease like Virastop or Peptizyde taken in between meals. Best last thing at night 2 hours after eating and first thing in morning, one hour before eating. If she doesn't get die off from that I'll be very surprised.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Well DD went 6 days without bloody poops (first time she's gone more than 3 days between them since they started) but then today she had bloody poop again I really hope this diet is going to help as I feel like we are accomplishing absolutely nothing. Her yeast rash is really bad today, too, due to her being in a wet diaper all night and then again during her 3 hour nap.

So...if DD's allergy symptoms are still there, does it mean A) she's allergic to something I'm still eating or B) she/I just haven't healed enough for the symptoms to go away?

And I'm having stomach cramps every couple of days. Does anyone know if they're more likely to be related to die-off or to not tolerating new foods? They don't really seem to coincide with introducing new foods--if they are it takes 18 hours or more to have an effect.

ARGH, I hear you. It's going to take a long time. Since I'm still at it with my DS, I know frustration only too well!! It's like 2 steps forward, 2 steps back.
It's doubly hard when you are at a loss to what the next step is exactly...

This is when I reread my books and gather strength and resolve and the knowledge that there is a plan to this.

[JaneS]

P.S. Caedmyn

I found that it was sometimes helpful of me to thing of the entire gut situation rather than "I ate one thing that set me off". Meaning it could be that you cannot digest the sorbitol in apples... but that generally things are happening in the gut flora as a whole to shift it one way or another. It can be frustrating thinking back in minute detail that the Elmination Diet teaches you. Am I making sense?

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by nicolena

so--just a warning--it was definitely the enzymes causing the rash. i didn't even give th girls any directly. but i wonder why no,one else had a similiar experience. is anyone else nursing a babe in diapers and taking enzymes? did the enzymes somehow go thru too fast? or have i drawn the wrong conclusion? (and does anyone want to buy some enzymes? )

Did you start fast? Go very slow, you can work back up to them. I had to do this myself.

[JaneS]

Angie,

You are amazing for taking care of so many children and 2 sweet kids with Down's too!

I can't remember what I said to you in your first post in H&H but I definately think this is all intestinal flora related. Perhaps an issue with his system converting stomach acid to the more alkaline ph of the small intestine (does he have stomach pains often?) if the stool burns.

What about getting a stool test done on him... link to Genova Diagnostics (formerly Great Smokies) in the Cheat Sheet. My ins. paid for it.

I would get some yogurt into him, would he like that? Have you considered raw milk? (And personally I don't believe in lowfat milk for kids, they need the vitamins and fats for their brains and hormones).

Is he on digestive enzymes? b/c removing part of the intestine (small intestine I assume?) might mean he is not absorbing and breaking down his nutrients well. Does he have undigested food in his stool? If fat digestion is a problem you could try coconut oil b/c that is the most easily absorbed fat. The Genova Diagnostics CDSA stool test for malapsorption will tell you that, plus any bacterial/yeast issues.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pattyla

I think I may be reacting to the enzymes.

I have been having a horrible stomach ache every day mid morning. Today it was really, really bad. I thought I was going to throw up. I felt fine after lunch, but lunch was just broth. After dinner it came back. I was thinking that it was coffee but I didn't have coffee today. Then I thought my suppliments but I didn't take any with supper. I didn't eat anything new for supper either. I'm thinking it is the enzymes. I'm going to try tomorrow enzyme free and see what happens. How am I ever going to get rid of this yeast if I can't tolerate those enzymes!!! Oh and dd has yeast all over her vulva today

As of this week it looks like she if officially no longer in diapers except for overnight!!! That should be good for her bottom.

Enzymes just with food or between meals? Which ones are you taking?

My guy won't even look at a potty! I'm ashamed to say I bought the stupid "Potty Power" DVD and he loves it and jumps around chanting, "No more diapers for me!" yet refuses to try...

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Ok, so I have waded through this for the past month and also spent a lot of time on the immunology 101 thread. I don't think I have major issues but think I may fit in here. I have mild acne, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and am gassy/bloated all of the time. I think the anxiety and difficulty concentrating have a lot to do w/ my lack of sleep (poor sleeping 13 mo--maybe it is affecting him too) and lack of excercise. Anyway, I have been reading the various sites and one says that enzymes are a good place to start. However, after reading the past page I am a bit afraid of them! I was thinking I might start w/ enzymes (already doing probiotics and many of the suggested supplements). I loosely follow NT diet. What do you all think? I am pretty intimidated by going full force on the SCD right off due to expense and difficulty. I was thinking I would follow the suggestion of the enzyme stuff website to see if enzymes and probiotics did the trick (while sticking w/ a pretty good diet but not SCD). Thoughts? Suggestions for enzymes? I know I read a discussion on enzymes but couldn't find it.
Thanks!

Welcome and Congratulations for making it this far in the thread

First of all, your boys are gorgeous!!

All of your symptoms describe mine exactly to a T. I didn't have problems starting enzymes until I started the high proteases in between meals ... hyperactivity, diffculty sleeping, it was horrible! But I just backed off and took a 1/4 capsule at first and it was fine. And now I credit them with giving me the final push to healing.

Are you eating yogurt and lots of other fermented foods?

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Annikate

my mom is also here visiting. She could sure use the SCD! Instead though, my house has been filled with Eggo Waffles, Sweet white bread, potatoes and instead of eating my lunches, she's asked me to go through several drive-thrus this week. I'm trying not to be so judgemental but geez, I sure do notice the food choices others make much more than I ever did before. (I even study what people have in their shopping carts when I go to the grocery store.)

Totally. I'm horribly sad and maybe a wee bit judgemental... especially after reading things like Weston Price's work and really knowing how the food you eat builds the body you have. My eyes bug out at the grocery store (and playgroup etc. etc.) too!

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

Jane, has your ds's stomach acid been tested? I was just thinking the other day that maybe part of his problem might be low stomach acid. Both B12 and niacin are necessary for stomach acid, but stomach acid is required to absorb them (catch 22). If he doesn't have a yeast problem, you could give him apple cider vinegar to increase his stomach acid (not sure how much with a little one). Oh, and congratulations on your own success, I wish I were there! What brands of CLO are best? I tried the Blue Ice, and ds hated the taste. He likes Nordic Naturals, but it's low in vitamin A and anyway the peach flavor that he likes is probably illegal. Sigh. I also wish I could find a good enzyme that wouldn't make him hyper!

No, but I've certainly not been doing things to help it: fruit with meats and using juice/water with meals to mix enzymes and CLO and minerals. All that has stopped. He's getting lot of fresh lemonade which he thankfully loves.

I didn't think NN flavorings were illegal finally? They went back on forth on that one. We have Blue Ice orange but it doesn't taste great, I have to hide or syringe it. I might order the cinnamon one next b/c people said that was good, but then I just say a post saying it was yucky!

Have you tried V-gest, that is the lowest protease. Or just go really really slow, I had to do this with DS but he is back to Zyme Prime (higher protease than V-gest) with every meal now and working on the snack.

[JaneS]

Or just use NN and supplement A&D with Carlson's natural vitamin pills at a 10:1 ratio A : D.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by nicolena

hi guys. we're still muddling along, and i am hopelessly behind on the thread.

our newest problem--bloody diaper rash. it is horrible! i'm thinking perhaps it is the enzymes i'm taking--they pee it out and it irritates? has this happened to any breastfeeding mamas? so i'm stopping the enzymes (and i've been taking miniscule amounts since they made me feel funny--like i think i've taken 3.5 over 4 or 5 days).

we have been nothing but sick since starting 3 weeks ago, but in the past few days (when i restarted the diet yet again because i had given too much banana and cooked fruit too soon--SOMEONE NEEDS TO REWRITE THIS BOOK FOR CLARITY!)...in the past few days, MAJOR MOOD IMPROVEMENT! the girls have learned how to give real kisses and they are finally relaxing into me like i always thought they should.

but does anyone have thoughts about the rash? the skin is just raw and bleeding. one dd had it much worse==her labia were so swollen i almost took her to the doctor (but i realized i wouldn't give her any meds they suggested so...). man, i can't wait til i have only good news to report! and when i can eat some applesauce.

also--48 hour yogurt i s so much better than 24--yummers.

If enzymes make you feel funny it's die off. Not sure what to say about the rash issue, unless it was connected to the fruit? My DS has issues with apples, they contain a hard to digest sugar, sorbitol.

I'm pretty sure I read the bacteria in yogurt starts to die off after 36 hours? Or stop growing maybe?

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Pattyla

Hi mama's. Haven't caught up yet.

I wanted to post. I read an article in The New Yorker about I think it was Crohns and how it is caused by a bacteria found in milk! Some study found that virtually 100% of people with crones had this one particular, very difficult to culture bacteria living in their gut. I thought that it totally validates BTVC. Of course it implicates milk instead of implicating the farming that put the bacteria there.

Jordan Rubin says this too. It is called MAP ?

We have tons of bad bacteria of many kinds in our gut. But it's supposed to only be 15% bad and 85% good that keep it in check. It's when the good is reduced that's a problem. Speaking of good bacteria...

Since it's almost summer for most of us, consider the damage caused chlorine in pools. It kills off the good bacteria in our guts too. Here's an alternative for those of you who have pools:

Baquacil, hydrogen peroxide
http://www.baquacil.com/default.asp

[Annikate]

Originally Posted by JaneS
Since it's almost summer for most of us, consider the damage caused chlorine in pools. It kills off the good bacteria in our guts too. Here's an alternative for those of you who have pools:

Baquacil, hydrogen peroxide
http://www.baquacil.com/default.asp

OMG, OMG!!! Jane!! I gasped when I read this. My dds are now taking swimming lessons again and OMG, dd2 IS NOT SLEEPING ANYMORE (AGAIN.) She's also been spitting up again. . .

I suspected the chlorine. Geez, here we go again. . . I haven't yet tried her on yogurt but think I will now. Thing is, we go on vacation for over a week soon and I won't be able to make yogurt there.

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by AmyD

Hey Mamas,

Question? Or 3.

We are doing SCD w/fanatical adherence. I'm doing great, until I had a tincture made w/gluten containing alcohol, sigh. So, looks like I'm back at the beginning again.

My 4 yr old, seems to be making no progress whatsoever. And he is the one I'm most worried about. He nurses and I think that might be a "problem" for the killing of the beasties. He poops once a day, always soft, not diarrhea, perse, but soft. Always comes out like a long snake until the end when it loses even the snake form and just has a lil' pile of it in the toilet. Obviously he streaks the toilet every time. His cheeks are red often (not sure if its the enzymes or not--although we haven't been fanatical about them at all), and he has a big ol' red and painful ring around his anus. We've tried the diet w/no fruit and honey for up to a week w/him, and still, nada w/the cheeks and bum. We've discussed stopping b/fing for a time as well as stopping fruit and honey, and being fanatical about the enzymes----he is very open to this. He wants to stop being so limited. Thoughts?

Should I be using enzymes before I eat yogurt? I always have this picture in my mind of the enzymes eating all the good bacteria---whadda you think?

Any problem w/mixing the 3 houston's together and just giving yourself a scoop of that mixture????

Oh, and I really want to start taking something for my cancer. The problem, the 2 supplements I'm looking at both have illegials, rice bran, maltodextrin and the like. I need some guidance on this one. According to Patient Heal Thyself, Rubin recommends staying away from grains for 6-12 months for those w/celiac disease, so I'm hesitant to try anything w/rice bran in it. And maltodextrin??? I know that is corn based, isn't it sugar??? Here's the 2 supplements I'm looking at:


http://www.gardenoflifeusa.com/detail_rm10.shtml#whats Click on the lil' link under the bottle for ingredient info.

and

http://www.newchapter.info/product/m...=32895&-search The ingredients include organic alcohol in addition to the brown rice, so that might be grain alcohol and out anyway

or

http://www.newchapter.info/product/m...=32875&-search

Hi Amy,

I'm pretty sure alcohol doesn't contain gluten even if made from it? What happened after the tincture? What was in it?

Your son sounds exactly like mine. Although at least you didn't wean him, I regret sorely weaning mine. And well, as you know, I haven't figured my guy out yet. Hopefully the herbs and homeopathy will help but too soon to tell. How much yogurt is he eating?

I don't think there is a problem taking all 3 Houston's that way but I'd really encourage you to do Peptizyde between meals and also No Fenol if you have yeast issues.

Devin Houston has said that the yogurt/enzyme issue is not a problem I believe but I also have that phobia.

I think maltodextrin is a starch from corn. It's interesting how JR is so fanatic and SCD-like in some ways and puts that crap in his products.

I don't know what to say re: the illegals. It seems silly to not take something that could potentially help you. Enzymes with it?

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by Annikate

OMG, OMG!!! Jane!! I gasped when I read this. My dds are now taking swimming lessons again and OMG, dd2 IS NOT SLEEPING ANYMORE (AGAIN.) She's also been spitting up again. . .

I suspected the chlorine. Geez, here we go again. . . I haven't yet tried her on yogurt but think I will now. Thing is, we go on vacation for over a week soon and I won't be able to make yogurt there.

Wow! Well there you go.

This also pertains to baths and showers too... we use a chlorine filter for the shower and if DS takes a bath instead I use the shower head to fill tub. But the pools have heavy concentrations of chlorines.

Make yogurt ahead and take it with you in cooler? It lasts 2 weeks and really doesn't have to be kept super cold either.

P.S. it's a good thing you PM'd me about this or I would have lost your message in the middle of my "posting party"

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by JaneS

P.S. Caedmyn

I found that it was sometimes helpful of me to thing of the entire gut situation rather than "I ate one thing that set me off". Meaning it could be that you cannot digest the sorbitol in apples... but that generally things are happening in the gut flora as a whole to shift it one way or another. It can be frustrating thinking back in minute detail that the Elmination Diet teaches you. Am I making sense?

So...are you basically saying it's probably the gut not being very healed yet rather than one specific food causing the allergy symptoms?

[mlleoiseau]

Thanks, firefaery and Jane, for the responses. I will talk again to Penny. I have talked to her before about making yogurt, but I don't think she'll do that either. And she is so resistant on the diet changes. But she may take enzymes.

I think her topical rash is pretty much gone. Her toenail fungus is really bad right now and through testing the fungus is in her bloodstream. Her doctor says once it's in the bloodstream, diet won't help. I think medically speaking the next step is putting in an iv port and getting prescription antifungals intravenously. And with their current financial situation, that would be cheaper than diet changes.

I am really disappointed in her because she knows so much about health and nutrition yet she won't commit to it. But then again, I am somewhat the same, although if I had the problems she has I like to think I would act differently.

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by JaneS

Wow! Well there you go.

This also pertains to baths and showers too... we use a chlorine filter for the shower and if DS takes a bath instead I use the shower head to fill tub. But the pools have heavy concentrations of chlorines.

Where can one get a chlorine filter for the shower??? I want one!

[Pattyla]

So no suppliments at all today to see if they were causing my daily stomach ache. I didn't get one in the morning like I normally do but I did in the afternoon after eating a cranberry muffin w/scd cream cheese. So was it the cranberry (first time since starting scd) or the cream cheese (I've had a love hate affair w/cow dairy for a while now but so far it has seemed ok on scd). Or perhaps just because dd was awake for an hour in the middle of the night and coincidental that it happened right after the muffin.

Jane- I was doing enzymes both with meals and between meals. I think they have been bothering me for a while but I didn't put it together because my stomach wouldn't start to hurt untill 1-2 hours after I took it. I'm going to give my system a few days to calm down and then reintroduce them slowly. I started slowly before but may have overlooked a reaction because it was so far from the time that I took the enzymes. DD however seems to be tolerating them well, when I can get them into her.

I saw a digestive healing book by JR. Anyone read it? It had some good reviews on amazon but I'm not going to bother getting it if it just contains the same stuff as the makers diet.