Recommended tests before Enterolab???

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:23 am

MC DX Feb.2014 I have an appointment with GP this Tuesday. I'm due for my diabetic A1c blood work. Other than the vit.D levels, Are there any recommended tests that I should have done before I consider tests thru Enterolab? This week I cut out gluten,dairy,soy,oats, raw veg,fruit,nuts,artificial sweetener& am weening off Metamucil. Lost 4lbs this week. Weigh 129lb. WD 3-8xday. I've gone back on my vit.D 1000 2xday. Have hot flashes for 10 yrs. I'm getting tired! Sucks to be me :-(

Post by **tex** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 7:49 am

It would be good to have your doctor order a test to rule out selective IgA deficiency, if you're planning on ordering stool tests from EnteroLab. 1 in 500 people in the general population have selective IgA deficiency, which means that they are not capable of producing normal amounts of Immunoglobulin A. Since the ESLISA tests that EnteroLab uses to determine food sensitivities work by checking for IgA antibody levels , anyone who has selective IgA deficiency may receive false negative results on those tests. That problem also applies to the blood tests that doctors use to screen for celiac disease/gluten sensitivity, because they also rely on IgA antibody detection.

Hang in there. It gets a lot better as we begin to see signs that we are getting our life back.

Tex

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:41 am

Thanks. I have read excerpts here that hormone levels have some impact on MC also. Should I be having hormone and thyroid levels checked also. I'm also in the process of finding an acupuncturist here. I have heard thru a grape vine that they are able to help with hot flashes. Can they help the MC? Would it be beneficial to try the pepto bismol till I can get the Enterolab testing done? I am soaking in Epsom salts while reading in the tub daily to relax and ease tired muscles & my exhausted butt! Any other suggestions ??? Yes I have ordered book.

Post by **tex** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:37 am

According to our own poll, we are about 7 times as likely as someone in the general population to have thyroid problems, so yes, thyroid testing can be helpful, including testing for thyroid antibodies.

I'm not sure that acupuncturists can help with MC itself, but they can certainly help to relieve stress, which has a huge influence on MC symptoms.

Soaking in Epsom salts is not only helpful for relieving stress, but many of us are low on magnesium, and soaking in Epsom salts helps to alleviate that need.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:56 am

I enjoyed going to the acupuncturist but it turned out I had thyroid cancer so it didn't work. She focused some of the treatments on my guts because of the MC but it didn't help in the least. It's food that's causing the problem so I didn't expect much on that end. I also did laser therapy many years ago before I found this site and learned what I need to do. That didn't help either although I was told it was effective for some people with IBDs. On a different note, I had a thermal body scan when I first went for acupuncture and it revealed my whole neck area was bright red. At the time I didn't realize I had cancer but I found that very intriguing that the inflammation was detected there. I've thought about going back for stress/pain relief measures because since my thyroidectomy stress triggers a very painful tightness in my neck and shoulders. It's a shame it's not covered under insurance.

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:23 pm

Acupuncture definitely helped me get rid of nausea and motion sickness back when I was healing. In 2 sessions I was noticeably better. I did several more after that, always with good results - we worked on stamina/energy after that.

To get better without having to take another med was wonderful for me. It won't resolve MC but it sure helped with symptoms that weren't going away.

Carol

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:41 pm

Thankyou all for your input. Since chopping many triggers from my diet this week my bloated abdomen has disappeared. Feels good. I had one sm WD this morn and nothing since. It was a good day. It was encouraging! One day at a time:-)

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:38 am

Hey, welcome to the group.

One day at a time is an awesome approach right now.

I had really good results using acupuncture, (I had been having acupuncture for 8 years or so before Dx)
It helps to reduce the inflammation, balance all the digestive organs, settle the immune and adrenals etc.

So long as you keep realistic expectations, acupuncture can not make the MC go away, the benefits of the treatments will be optimised if you following the eating plan and lifestyle that work best for you and your body.

Hope the improvements continue

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:33 am

I'm so used to the diet juggling as I did so successfully with my diabetes. Only took metformin 4mths & weened off as I had lost 38 lbs. I lost 48 lbs. in total. Since my diabetes DX I have found willpower & determination within that I never knew I had. The only part of this diet is not knowing at the moment exactly what my triggers are. Once I get thru some preliminary tests here with my GP this week I will order tests thru Enterolab. Not sure what their tests envolve but I am sure it can't be worse than what I have done to date.
Just like marriage vows...Everyday is a new one... For better for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health I will vow to cherish every day I have on the right side of the grass!

Post by **tex** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:07 pm

Heady wrote:Just like marriage vows...Everyday is a new one... For better for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health I will vow to cherish every day I have on the right side of the grass!

This disease doesn't seem to have many positive attributes, but it does teach us at least 2 things:

1. How to be humble

2. How to appreciate the simple things in life, and life itself

The EnteroLab tests involve collecting a single stool sample (they supply a collection kit), and sending it to them after freezing it, so it's relatively easy to do.

Tex

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:43 pm

Tex...does the consistency of the sample have any impact on the test results? Is there anything specific I should eat or avoid before taking sample?

I tried to word that carefully. lol... I love that we can discuss these topics so openly.

Post by **tex** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:10 am

Hi Heady,

No, the consistency of the sample doesn't matter, and unless you're having the fecal fat test done, what you eat shouldn't matter. If you're ordering the fecal fat test though, don't take any fish oil supplements.

Trust me, they see some pretty rough samples, because most of their clients have an IBD.

Tex