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Lesley
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Post by Lesley »

Thank you Heady. I am chewing gum, but using the same piece for 2 days and maybe 3. I have a very dry mouth, and use it to keep my salivary glands going.
Lamb is a very digestible meat, and my enterolab results showed me that I am non reactive to it. It also happens to be delicious, for which I am thankful.
Enjoy the bbq!
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Heady
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Post by Heady »

OMGoodness... The dental assistant in me is concerned about the bacteria content in the gum after that many days of action in a bacteria filled environment then left out to multiply???? Just a thought!!
Diabetic DX June 2012
Diverticulosis/ MC DX Feb.2014

I am thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength.

What are you willing to let go of so you can live the life you know you deserve?
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ldubois7
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Post by ldubois7 »

I used to same gum for 2 days at a time when I was a teenager & stuck it in foil in the freezer overnight.....would that help with bacteria growth?
I have no idea why I did that though.......
Linda :)

LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
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Lesley
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Post by Lesley »

Yeah, mine gets wrapped. A few bacteria never harmed anyone. I don't want to use more gum and invite D in. It comes without any invitation. Without the gum my mouth hurts with dryness, and the GERD gets worse.
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Jeanemcl
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Post by Jeanemcl »

Yikes...no good suggestions from me as I don't have enough experience yet...Thank God!! Hope you are well soon. I am sorry you have stress. I have decided that really plays havoc with my gut. Didn't even believe it at first. :oops:
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Post by Sheila »

Hi Lesley, I've been reading the thread about vitamin D etc and trying to understand the whole thing. During the course of reading some scientific articles, I read one that found that meditating, very serious meditating, for an hour or more a day can actually change your genes. Apparently genetic tests were taken at the beginning of the trial and at the end of the trial. Those who seriously meditated, achieving a very calm state, changed some genetic material. I've tried to find the article but it is lost somewhere in Google. I'm wondering if, when we are in the midst of a flare, meditating or praying or somehow calming our mind, systematically and on a continued basis, could help achieve relief of at least some symptoms. I know how hard it is to do that when you are in pain, but it is worth a shot. Years ago I tried meditating at a Buddhist sanga and either snoozed or found myself thinking about everything but meditating. It isn't easy to achieve a calm and peaceful mind. I am so sorry you are having such difficulty.

Feel better soon, Lesley.

:comfort:

Sheila W
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Post by Polly »

Hi Lesley,

A good reference to read more about what Sheila is talking about is a book called the "Relaxation Revolution" by Herbert Benson, M.D. of Harvard Medical School. I am completely fascinated by his research. It proves that we can change our gene expression - incredible! The book tells you how to order the meditation CD that was used in the study if you are interested.

Sheila, you are so right about how hard it is to achieve a calm/peaceful mind. If it is difficult in a sangha, it is nearly impossible in everyday life. What a quantum leap! LOL!

Love,

Polly
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Pat
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Post by Pat »

Lesley,

Have you tried the Biotene products for dry mouth? They make a toothpaste, rinse, gel, and gum. I am a dental hygienist and my dry mouth patients say that it helps. The more products they use the better they say. Drink lots of water. Keep water by the bed at night and maybe the gel. Do not use anything with sugar, like sugar gum or sugar lozenges. They promote decay! Hope that helps.

Pat
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Heady
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Post by Heady »

Lesley... I was reading an article about MC on Dr. David Dahlman's website that suggested not to drink anything with your meal or for 1 hr. After your meal as it dilutes stomach acid/digestive enzymes. This is one of the recommendations he has for GERD. Might be worth a try. Hang in there girl. We're all sayin a prayer for you!
Diabetic DX June 2012
Diverticulosis/ MC DX Feb.2014

I am thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength.

What are you willing to let go of so you can live the life you know you deserve?
Sheila
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Post by Sheila »

Thanks so much, Polly, for the information about the meditation CD. I have a "monkey mind" when attempting to meditate, pretty common unfortunately. I have learned over a long period of time, to stop worrying about what I cannot control. That didn't stop the WD last week, however. If I can gain some control through meditation (and can stay awake), I'll try it.

:yourock:

Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.

A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Sheila
Suggestion - audio books by Pema Chodron...
She totally rocks mindfullness and meditation

I have been playing them almost endlessly for the past 12 months.
Gabes Ryan

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Dalai Lama
Polly
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Post by Polly »

Sheila (and all):

The CD can be ordered through:

http://www.mghgeneralstore.com/67483.html

However, it is not a typical meditation CD - it guides you in how to develop your own relaxation/meditation program. Actually, the book does this in much greater detail, so you may prefer the book.

Love,

Polly
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Sheila
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Post by Sheila »

Thanks for the site and the suggestions, Polly and Gabes.

The book sounds like it would be a better idea, Polly and I think I will order it.

Gabes, I listened to CD's of the Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron and others after my first husband died. I was very angry and wasn't finding peace anywhere. I also attended a sangha for a while for meditation practice. Those things and time helped me center myself and put things into perspective. I was healthy back then, no MC. While my second husband was sick and dying, things were different. His strength and serenity during the ordeal helped me enormously as did a strong faith and amazing support. I did have some flares but nothing terrible. I was 10 years older when my second husband died and I think as you get older you are more accepting of losses and things that are out of your control. Of course, mentally and emotionally we can feel strong but our GI tract doesn't act that way. That's where I think meditation would help. Take the time to just sit quietly and empty yourself of every thought and care, no worries allowed. It's darned hard to do.

Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.

A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
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JFR
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Post by JFR »

Sheila wrote: That's where I think meditation would help. Take the time to just sit quietly and empty yourself of every thought and care, no worries allowed. It's darned hard to do.

Sheila W
Sheila,

One thing I have come to understand about meditation is that the goal is not to rid the mind of all thoughts and worries, for they will arise naturally, but to simply notice them arise and then notice them disappear, without "giving them any energy" (to use a phrase by another American Buddhist woman, Thubten Chodron). It isn't easy either but it does help rid one of the feeling that because thoughts and worries crop up during meditation you must be doing something wrong.

Jean
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Jeanemcl
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Post by Jeanemcl »

Wow....I like it that there are kindred spirits on this site. People helping people. AWESOME.
Jean :yourock:
Everything will be ok in the end, if it's not ok, it's not the end.
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