healing the gut -- april - Page 9

[LovinLiviLou]

Hey, all. I remember somebody here asking a while back about introducing oils to their LO, but I don't remember the details (maybe was it you, Caedmyn?). I was thinking the other day about doing this to help get some calories into her (I'm not doing grains, egg or dairy with her yet), but I'm torn about which one. How does giving CLO play into the shellfish allergy - should I be concerned? I was thinking I might do flax oil and make sure it is really fresh (I know it goes rancid pretty easily). We're nursing as much as possible, which I know is the best source of fat and calories, but I want to try to get more calories into her via solids.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by LovinLiviLou

Hey, all. I remember somebody here asking a while back about introducing oils to their LO, but I don't remember the details (maybe was it you, Caedmyn?). I was thinking the other day about doing this to help get some calories into her (I'm not doing grains, egg or dairy with her yet), but I'm torn about which one. How does giving CLO play into the shellfish allergy - should I be concerned? I was thinking I might do flax oil and make sure it is really fresh (I know it goes rancid pretty easily). We're nursing as much as possible, which I know is the best source of fat and calories, but I want to try to get more calories into her via solids.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

CLO wouldn't cause any problems with a shellfish allergy. I gave DD coconut oil straight off a spoon until I realized she reacted to that...then I mixed EVOO into her food. Now I just give her ghee in chunks and she loves that. Purity Farms ghee is certified casein free...my DD does fine with that but maybe a super-sensitive baby wouldn't, I don't know.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Did your daughter's nighttime restlessness abate when you removed wheat from her diet?

Thanks for your reply...I really appreciate hearing about first-hand experiences.

Yes, ds's sleep improves significantly when no wheat is consumed.

Pat

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by WuWei

Yes, ds's sleep improves significantly when no wheat is consumed.

Pat

Thanks for the responses.

I just finished a fascinating book on hormone balancing with the unfortunate name of "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?" and was thinking I would mention it here, but figured hormones and healing the gut were not related. Then lo and behold, I was skimming last month's thread, and you guys were talking about the adrenal glands and thyroid and their possible connection to digestive issues.

What I like about this book is that while it's written by an endo and his wife (a nurse), they say that most docs do not/will not/can not diagnose these types of conditions, and that the standard blood tests are unreliable at best. They recommend a saliva test that you can order yourself that is supposed to be much more accurate, and then give you guidelines for healing whatever imbalance is most prominent. They really stress non-medication solutions, though they are not opposed to prescription drugs if they're necessary.

I'm wondering if I have adrenal insufficiency. My mother and sister were just diagnosed with hypo-thyroidism after being jerked around for years by jerky doctors and poor tests, so the problem with hormones runs in my family.

I found the book fascinating, and some of you that find you have symptoms you think are merely digestive in nature might be interested in reading this book. Everything really must be all connected.

I'm thinking of doing the saliva testing. My regular doc ran some tests last week, had an assistant call and say they were all normal and to come back in six weeks. Umm, hello? Feeling cruddy? Was hoping you'd go over the results with me? (I really wanted a referral to the endo my sister and mom went to, but my doctor wouldn't do it without running tests herself.)

I so wish we never needed doctors for anything. So annoying.

[mum2be]

Originally Posted by New Mama

Thanks for the responses.

I just finished a fascinating book on hormone balancing with the unfortunate name of "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?" and was thinking I would mention it here, but figured hormones and healing the gut were not related. Then lo and behold, I was skimming last month's thread, and you guys were talking about the adrenal glands and thyroid and their possible connection to digestive issues.

What I like about this book is that while it's written by an endo and his wife (a nurse), they say that most docs do not/will not/can not diagnose these types of conditions, and that the standard blood tests are unreliable at best. They recommend a saliva test that you can order yourself that is supposed to be much more accurate, and then give you guidelines for healing whatever imbalance is most prominent. They really stress non-medication solutions, though they are not opposed to prescription drugs if they're necessary.

I'm wondering if I have adrenal insufficiency. My mother and sister were just diagnosed with hypo-thyroidism after being jerked around for years by jerky doctors and poor tests, so the problem with hormones runs in my family.

I found the book fascinating, and some of you that find you have symptoms you think are merely digestive in nature might be interested in reading this book. Everything really must be all connected.

I'm thinking of doing the saliva testing. My regular doc ran some tests last week, had an assistant call and say they were all normal and to come back in six weeks. Umm, hello? Feeling cruddy? Was hoping you'd go over the results with me? (I really wanted a referral to the endo my sister and mom went to, but my doctor wouldn't do it without running tests herself.)

I so wish we never needed doctors for anything. So annoying.

Thanks for that book info! I'm going to check it out. We should have a library loan on MDC for all these medical books we recommend to each other

I actually was taking T3 for the thyroid issues I was having and haven't really noticed a difference. My ND thinks I also have adrenal insufficiency and put me on ashwaganda for it. I think that has been helping, although the past 6 days I have had a weird headache that won't go away and this feeling of constant fatigue. But the ashwaganda seems to be helping. (I ran out of it last week and was just able to pick some up today.)

Do you have a good ND you can see? I know the other doctors I've been to think nothing could be wrong with my thyroid, etc. if my tests are within normal range...I know my hormones are a mess, so I am excited to check out this book!

Wasn't there another book on hormones and health someone else had recommended?

[mum2be]

Wow, this thread is just plugging away! I've been spending less and less time on the computer, so I have to catch up every night and there's usually 3 pages I have to read! :

I don't know what is going on with me. My eczema and acne were getting a little better and I was excited. Then two days ago it hit full force again. My eczema is the worst it's been in a while and my acne is bad again too. I don't get it. I haven't had ANYTHING different to eat than what I normally have. I'm so completely confused!! Any ideas?

Dd is eating more "solids." I am doing the horrible mushy baby food because she only has one little tooth popping through at 7+ months. She is not nursing well now because of the teething, so I think the solids are helping and she's not as frustrated. She is doing about 5-10 small spoonfuls a day of mashed banana, pears, apples, and mixtures of these things. She's not the biggest fan, but does enjoy what she manages to eat.

So since the start of these solids, I have been keeping an eye on her poops. They were horribly mucusy for so long, but with the addition of these foods, the mucus is lessening. She has no skin rashes, not even dry skin! She is not fussier than usual, and only appears to be slightly gassier, but nothing that bothers her.

If she had a leaky gut, would she show obvious signs of reacting to foods directly?

I'm hoping this means that it is MY milk that is bothering her, and she will be fine once we move on to solids. Healing myself is another story!!

Do you keep your babes on just bifidus once they start solids?

Thanks

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by mum2be

I don't know what is going on with me. My eczema and acne were getting a little better and I was excited. Then two days ago it hit full force again. My eczema is the worst it's been in a while and my acne is bad again too. I don't get it. I haven't had ANYTHING different to eat than what I normally have. I'm so completely confused!! Any ideas?

Have you been eating more of any food than usual? How long have you been taking the ashwaganda? If you haven't been taking it very long it's possible that you could be sensitive to salicylates and the eczema, acne, headache, and fatigue could all be signs of too many salicylates (herbs are very concentrated sources of salicylates). It can take a while for salicylate reactions to show up.

If she had a leaky gut, would she show obvious signs of reacting to foods directly?

I'm hoping this means that it is MY milk that is bothering her, and she will be fine once we move on to solids. Healing myself is another story!!

Do you keep your babes on just bifidus once they start solids?

IMO if your DD has a leaky gut she will react to foods but she's not going to react to every food, and those aren't particularly allergenic. She's more likely to react to eggs or dairy or the other common allergens.

I kept DD on just b. infantis for quite a while after she started solids...I don't think it would hurt to keep her on just that until she's older and eating a lot of solids.

[mum2be]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Have you been eating more of any food than usual? How long have you been taking the ashwaganda? If you haven't been taking it very long it's possible that you could be sensitive to salicylates and the eczema, acne, headache, and fatigue could all be signs of too many salicylates (herbs are very concentrated sources of salicylates). It can take a while for salicylate reactions to show up.

Haven't been eating more of any food lately. I've been taking the ashwaganda for a month and haven't reacted to it at all. I would think it would be strange if I was reacting to that, if the reaction started a month later and when I went OFF of it because I ran out for 1.5 weeks.

I see no correlation between my acne and eczema related to foods. It seems to be related more to lack of sleep. On the nights I get little sleep because dd is up a lot, my eczema is worse. Funny how it started getting better when dd started sleeping a little bit more.
But then again, I think it has more to do with stress and hormones.

The only thing I notice about reacting to foods is occasional gas that is quite stinky. And, then again, don't most people have gas every so often?

I don't know...I'm in one of my confused moments :

[Cello]

Originally Posted by bluets

I'd avoid it because it will wipe out all the good critters along with the bad ones.

I agree, it was not friendly to my body at all. And also, the extraction process is questionable.

Off topic question: If you were going to take it, why not just grind up some seeds yourself and eat them rather than buy the extract? I don't know much about the processing of this stuff, which is why I ask to see if anyone has an idea....

[Cello]

Originally Posted by greencat

The treatment felt like I had gone to the dentisit to clean my teeth, but ears. My ear ache was gone the next morning (along with a chiro adjustment.)

Interesting, hun?

Thank You! I will have to do more research into it.

[Cello]

Originally Posted by WuWei

I've heard this is much more effective.

Pat

I am so confused by this: do you insert the probiotics as a suppository? Or just rub it around the exterior orifice? How does it help -- going in through rectum to large intestine?

[quelindo]

Originally Posted by mum2be

I see no correlation between my acne and eczema related to foods. It seems to be related more to lack of sleep. On the nights I get little sleep because dd is up a lot, my eczema is worse. Funny how it started getting better when dd started sleeping a little bit more.
But then again, I think it has more to do with stress and hormones.

Not to harp on this too much, but skin issues can be a result of wacky hormones according to the book I mentioned.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by Cello

I am so confused by this: do you insert the probiotics as a suppository? Or just rub it around the exterior orifice? How does it help -- going in through rectum to large intestine?

Open the capsule and sprinkle on the affected area, several times a day. Be sure the area is dry first.

Pat

[Bestbirths]

Ladies,

my six year old dd is on Naproxen, and I was giving her tons of proteolytic enzymes with proteases for her juvenille arthritis....She had a double ear infection last week, we treated it w/o abx....now she has had stomach pain for FIVE days. Her rheumy said to use pepto bismol, but when I read the ingredients I said "Hell No" to that. Still, now we are using raw goat milk and a stomach remedy with licorice root in it. I took her off all proteases. She takes probiotics. She went off of Naproxen from sunday eve to Wed. Yesterday I put her back on the NSAIDS/Naproxen. Still Stomach pain after that and she is reluctant to take the meds. She takes the Naproxen to subdue her eye inflammation, we had the choice of that or Methotrexate (MTX). Any advise on what to do? I could get a bismuth preparation w/o the crap from a compounding pharmacy. We go to the naturopath tomorrow. Should I eliminate juices, fruits, and acidic foods?

[bluets]

Originally Posted by WuWei

Open the capsule and sprinkle on the affected area, several times a day. Be sure the area is dry first.

Pat

ds and I had a control struggle this morning over exactly this! "Ivan do it." I tried negotiating to be his eyes and to guide his hand but in the end, he dumped almost a QUARTER of the bottle on himself (i.e., half of what was left, coz it was half gone already). then he was complaining about it being scratchy! I think I might need to get a salt shaker for future applications. oh well. he needed a good dosing anyway.

[bluets]

Originally Posted by Bestbirths

Ladies,

my six year old dd is on Naproxen, and I was giving her tons on proteolytic enzymes with proteases for her juvenille arthritis....She had a double ear infection last week, we treated it w/o abx....now she has had stomach pain for FIVE days. Her rheumy said to use pepto bismol, but when I read the ingredients I said "Hell No" to that. Still, now we are using raw goat milk and a stomach remedy with licorice root in it. I took her off all proteases. She takes probiotics. She went off of Naproxen from sunday eve to Wed. Yesterday I put her back on the NSAIDS/Naproxen. Still Stomach pain after that and she is reluctant to take the meds. She takes the Naproxen to subdue her eye inflammation, we had the choice of that or Methotrexate (MTX). Any advise on what to do? I could get a bismuth preparation w/o the crap from a compounding pharmacy. We go to the naturopath tomorrow. Should I eliminate juices, fruits, and acidic foods?

constipated or too loose?

if constipated, applesauce, more probiotics, and magnesium. if too loose, applesauce mixed with ground flaxseeds and more probiotics.

have you considered a homeopathic remedy? http://www.abchomeopathy.com but keep your mind open for unusual symptoms/behaviors. Cina works for constipation if there's also behavior like toothgrinding and nosepicking. Chamomilla also works for constipation and diarrhea if accompanied with tooth pain and a few other symptoms that escape me right now. Maybe your naturopath can help get a good remedy.

[caedmyn]

Originally Posted by Bestbirths

Ladies,

my six year old dd is on Naproxen, and I was giving her tons of proteolytic enzymes with proteases for her juvenille arthritis....She had a double ear infection last week, we treated it w/o abx....now she has had stomach pain for FIVE days. Her rheumy said to use pepto bismol, but when I read the ingredients I said "Hell No" to that. Still, now we are using raw goat milk and a stomach remedy with licorice root in it. I took her off all proteases. She takes probiotics. She went off of Naproxen from sunday eve to Wed. Yesterday I put her back on the NSAIDS/Naproxen. Still Stomach pain after that and she is reluctant to take the meds. She takes the Naproxen to subdue her eye inflammation, we had the choice of that or Methotrexate (MTX). Any advise on what to do? I could get a bismuth preparation w/o the crap from a compounding pharmacy. We go to the naturopath tomorrow. Should I eliminate juices, fruits, and acidic foods?

Slippery elm bark powder is good for diarrhea or soothing upset stomachs...it'd probably be good for constipation as well as it is high in soluble fiber. Mix 1 Tbsp. slippery elm bark and 1 tsp. cinnamon (you can skip the cinnamon or use a different flavoring) with enough water to make a gruel.

I'd been meaning to PM you, too...I thought of your daughter when I read this link about lectins and rheumatoid arthritis http://www.krispin.com/lectin.html#Become
And here's another link about lectins http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:...n&ct=clnk&cd=9
There's also a yahoo group on lectins called "lectins_in_autism" if you're interested.

ETA: this information might be interesting to you as well, as there can definitely be a link between salicylates (found in NSAIDs) and stomach problems (and if not for your DD, maybe for one of your other kids)
www.plantpoisonsandrottenstuff.com
www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by Bestbirths

Still Stomach pain after that and she is reluctant to take the meds. She takes the Naproxen to subdue her eye inflammation,

Have you tried fennel or ginger extracts for the stomach discomfort? (Gripe Water or Tum-ease)

Also, have you tried any other anti-inflammatory topical herbal compress? http://www.associatedcontent.com/art..._medicine.html Also, breastmilk helps eye inflammation.

I would definitely consider seeing a professional homeopath about the arthritis in conjunction with your current physician.


Pat

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by New Mama

I just finished a fascinating book on hormone balancing

Btw, here is an old post of mine regarding hormonal balance and saliva testing and bio-identical replacement therapy. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...va#post5178228

Pat

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by mum2be

I see no correlation between my acne and eczema related to foods. It seems to be related more to lack of sleep. On the nights I get little sleep because dd is up a lot, my eczema is worse. Funny how it started getting better when dd started sleeping a little bit more.
But then again, I think it has more to do with stress and hormones.

I know that stress increases magnesium needs and most pregnant and breastfeeding women have insufficient magnesium in their diet. Magnesium helps hormones to be utilized properly.

Pat