Lesley, I suspected a thyroid issue for almost 30 years. My TSH was within "range" at Mayo. I felt like crap, and had multiple symptoms of thyroid issues and started treating it after knowing something was wrong. It has helped immensely. I lost 15 lbs. (I was eating very little and walking 4-6 miles a day and it didn't matter). My energy and mood have improved as well as multiple skin, hair and temperature issues. I'm not yet optimal (still having sleep issues) but I think I'm on my way.
I think that Tex has mentioned that we have a 7 times more likelihood to have a thyroid issue with MC. Deb
My paleo adventure
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Mary Beth,
I am so glad you started this thread! I had been trying to do SCD-closely related to Paleo, for about 6 months (had to take a break for our Europe trip). I was so frustrated with it until I started at the beginning. I actually bought the GAPS diet book, and have been having homemade broth with every meal. I have also done a few other things. I was treated for SIBO (also, I ordered a kit from Quintron which hasn't come yet) and also treated for yeast. My allergist also suggested upping my Zyrtec to 20mg a day. I have this nagging feeling that the histamine may be related to yeast. Anyway, Started January 1st, and this week I have had the first normal stools in my 15 months on Entocort. The first two months of GAPS were horrible. I had a more severe histamine reaction than I have ever had. All of my joint pains were severe. I couldn't eat anything with histamine without a reaction.
I am hopeful that the diet/meds are finally working. I see the allergist on Monday, and plan to ask him about Sodium Cromolyn. I too am certain I have some bizarre histamine degradation insufficiency.
I haven't been able to loosen up my diet yet, except for adding coconut milk yogurt, which I can tolerate once a day. For now it is still Duck soup with carrots and zucchini, or buffalo meatballs :) But I am feeling much better.
Still taking VSL #3 and Saccharomyces Boulardii.
Susie
I am so glad you started this thread! I had been trying to do SCD-closely related to Paleo, for about 6 months (had to take a break for our Europe trip). I was so frustrated with it until I started at the beginning. I actually bought the GAPS diet book, and have been having homemade broth with every meal. I have also done a few other things. I was treated for SIBO (also, I ordered a kit from Quintron which hasn't come yet) and also treated for yeast. My allergist also suggested upping my Zyrtec to 20mg a day. I have this nagging feeling that the histamine may be related to yeast. Anyway, Started January 1st, and this week I have had the first normal stools in my 15 months on Entocort. The first two months of GAPS were horrible. I had a more severe histamine reaction than I have ever had. All of my joint pains were severe. I couldn't eat anything with histamine without a reaction.
I am hopeful that the diet/meds are finally working. I see the allergist on Monday, and plan to ask him about Sodium Cromolyn. I too am certain I have some bizarre histamine degradation insufficiency.
I haven't been able to loosen up my diet yet, except for adding coconut milk yogurt, which I can tolerate once a day. For now it is still Duck soup with carrots and zucchini, or buffalo meatballs :) But I am feeling much better.
Still taking VSL #3 and Saccharomyces Boulardii.
Susie
Susie wrote:Anyway, Started January 1st, and this week I have had the first normal stools in my 15 months on Entocort.
Since a diamine oxidase deficiency is common for people who have an IBD, and diamine oxidase is responsible for for purging excess histamine from the body, have you tried histame (a replacement for diamine oxidase)?
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Susie,
Congrats on your norman! That's great news.
As for my paleo diet triggering some symptoms, I may have figured out the problem. Because I was still having some hives and angioedema (mostly redness and burning on palms and feet) I cut back on high salicylate foods. I am salicylate sensitive (aspirin and NSAIDS) and there is a connection with salicylates, histamine and hives, so I cut back. I realized that when I went on the paleo diet my consumption of fruits and vegetables increased, as well as almonds (I was making almond meal muffins), so I was getting more salicylates than usual. I have started eating low salicylate foods and added in white potatoes and a minimal amount of rice and my stools are once again normal. I am no longer getting hives but I still get itchy red patches, so I am still on allegra daily. Other than the hives and change in stools I felt great on the paleo diet. Now that I am eating potatoes and rice again I feel more bloated. Sigh.
The DAO supplements are ridiculously expensive. I took them a few times and never noticed a difference. Diet and antihistamines seem to work best for me.
Mary Beth
Congrats on your norman! That's great news.
As for my paleo diet triggering some symptoms, I may have figured out the problem. Because I was still having some hives and angioedema (mostly redness and burning on palms and feet) I cut back on high salicylate foods. I am salicylate sensitive (aspirin and NSAIDS) and there is a connection with salicylates, histamine and hives, so I cut back. I realized that when I went on the paleo diet my consumption of fruits and vegetables increased, as well as almonds (I was making almond meal muffins), so I was getting more salicylates than usual. I have started eating low salicylate foods and added in white potatoes and a minimal amount of rice and my stools are once again normal. I am no longer getting hives but I still get itchy red patches, so I am still on allegra daily. Other than the hives and change in stools I felt great on the paleo diet. Now that I am eating potatoes and rice again I feel more bloated. Sigh.
The DAO supplements are ridiculously expensive. I took them a few times and never noticed a difference. Diet and antihistamines seem to work best for me.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Mary Beth,
I agree with you about the salicylates. When I stopped the Lialda, I was much better. I assume that means I am not tolerating salicylates. My antihistamine concoction of 20mg of Zyrtec and 300mg ranitidine a day works on the histamine, but the ranitidine causes more SIBO. That is why I am curious about the Sodium Cromolyn. My dad (a physician) said that sodium cromolyn actually prevents mast cells from releasing histamine rather than blocking the histamine receptors. I have no idea whether of not the allergist will be receptive to the idea
Susie
I agree with you about the salicylates. When I stopped the Lialda, I was much better. I assume that means I am not tolerating salicylates. My antihistamine concoction of 20mg of Zyrtec and 300mg ranitidine a day works on the histamine, but the ranitidine causes more SIBO. That is why I am curious about the Sodium Cromolyn. My dad (a physician) said that sodium cromolyn actually prevents mast cells from releasing histamine rather than blocking the histamine receptors. I have no idea whether of not the allergist will be receptive to the idea
Susie
Susie,
The problem with sodium cromalyn (gastrocrom) is that some people don't tolerate it -causes D:( Maybe making some changes in your diet (with regard to salicylates and histamine will be enough.
Mary Beth
The problem with sodium cromalyn (gastrocrom) is that some people don't tolerate it -causes D:( Maybe making some changes in your diet (with regard to salicylates and histamine will be enough.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Here's an excellent blog post from SCD Diet coaches about whether to eat starches or not. They seem to think some people can do OK with starches. Clearly this is not a one-size-fits-all scenario.
http://scdlifestyle.com/2013/03/starch-evil-or-golden/
http://scdlifestyle.com/2013/03/starch-evil-or-golden/
That is a great article. According to this article, I eat most "safe" starches. I love sweet potatoes and have eaten them all the way through my healing process. I guess I'm lucky because I seem to be OK with corn products also. It might be because I fall into the category of working out more than 5 hours a week...... or it's just my genes :)
Thanks Zizzle
Leah
Thanks Zizzle
Leah
great article!
I have found another weird reaction. If I DON'T eat some starch I get terrible attacks of GERD, especially at night after taking my meds. I am taking PPIs 2x a day, and also a carafate, which is supposed to coat and cushion my wobbly esophagus. Even so, I have been getting horribly unbearable attacks at night again.
I tried SO hard to reduce them, but ended up with even more! It worked for quite a while, but recently it stopped working.
What's different? I cut out oats and potatoes, basically the only starches I was eating. Sugars? That is a different story. I am trying to cut out, or at least cut down on sugars, but am finding it really difficult because I have so few foods to eat!
Last night I ate some potato crisps. Yeah, I know, fried! That was what I had to try with. Tonight I will try with a small baked potato.
Lo and behold - no attack! Such a relief!
Ok, so Deb. Not only am I NOT losing weight, I have put ON 2 lbs. I am trying to exercise, but walking is a real problem. My back is giving me hell, and I am NOT taking pain pills (another dilemma - how do I get more exercise to help strengthen me without reducing the pain?)
4-6 miles? I wish! I walk 1/3 of a mile (weight bearing - but hurts like hell) and then walk, run, jumping jacks etc. for 1/2 an hour in the pool, and swim a bit if I can. I get to about 40-60 minutes 4-5 times a week.
Every thyroid test they did was negative. What can I take OTC so I can try (without the docs and their tests) to figure this out?
SO frustrated!
I have found another weird reaction. If I DON'T eat some starch I get terrible attacks of GERD, especially at night after taking my meds. I am taking PPIs 2x a day, and also a carafate, which is supposed to coat and cushion my wobbly esophagus. Even so, I have been getting horribly unbearable attacks at night again.
I tried SO hard to reduce them, but ended up with even more! It worked for quite a while, but recently it stopped working.What's different? I cut out oats and potatoes, basically the only starches I was eating. Sugars? That is a different story. I am trying to cut out, or at least cut down on sugars, but am finding it really difficult because I have so few foods to eat!
Last night I ate some potato crisps. Yeah, I know, fried! That was what I had to try with. Tonight I will try with a small baked potato.
Lo and behold - no attack! Such a relief!
Ok, so Deb. Not only am I NOT losing weight, I have put ON 2 lbs. I am trying to exercise, but walking is a real problem. My back is giving me hell, and I am NOT taking pain pills (another dilemma - how do I get more exercise to help strengthen me without reducing the pain?)
4-6 miles? I wish! I walk 1/3 of a mile (weight bearing - but hurts like hell) and then walk, run, jumping jacks etc. for 1/2 an hour in the pool, and swim a bit if I can. I get to about 40-60 minutes 4-5 times a week.
Every thyroid test they did was negative. What can I take OTC so I can try (without the docs and their tests) to figure this out?
SO frustrated!
Lesley, I wasn't walking much, if at all (winter in MN) when I started losing weight. With a very compromised metabolism, exercise didn't help me at all. My sister decided she really wanted to lose weight before her 50th birthday. She had to eat 800 calories a day to lose 2 lbs a week. She is now on thyroid meds too. Read all you can at www.stopthethyroidmadness.com There are labs you can run yourself and, if necessary, thyroid hormones you can buy if you can't find a doctor willing to work with you. Deb