Reducing Inflammation - increasing wellness

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu May 01, 2014 8:48 pm

Background:
Aside from the MC, i also have PCOS, Hiatus hernia, Gerd, Renal Impairment (unknown cause), Hypertension, Mast Cell/Histamine, Lichen Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Constipation and Anal Fissures,

My MC has been managed via a GF/SF/DF/YF low fibre, low inflammation, minimised histamine, small amount of ingredients eating plan.
I spent most of 2013 unwell, to the extent that I was not able to work full time for most of 2013. Mid December 2013 I was made redundant finishing late January 2014. With health and financial pressures, I accepted the offer of assistance from family (whom I had not had close contact with for over 8 years)
I am now 11 weeks post move, it has been good to rest and recoup and adjust to new surrounds. The universe blessed me with the financial support and set up to have the break from working, which has been a good tonic.

After consulting with a new practitioner (who is very knowledgeable, affordable and genuinely interested in what us MC’ers have learnt and was very interested in our Vit D, VDR mast cell discussion!!) I knew I needed to reduce the inflammation to minimise symptoms, we decided to modify the supplements first, get some improvement and later with more info we will fine tune the diet. There were quite a few aims so i have summarised them as follows;

Aim: histamine in balance (not totally blocked via OTC H1 and H2 blocker meds)
Method: increase Magnesium, Zinc and Vit C to act as natural histamine balancer
Outcome: Working fantastically have not taken any OTC meds since the increase (i was taking them 3-4 times a week previously)

NB: we are using a mix of different Magnesium sources.. Magnesium Phosphate, Magnesium diglycinate, Magnesium Chelate, Magnesium Citrate, Magnesium orotate.

Aim: Reduce/eliminate constipation
Method: the increased Magnesium and using Lactulose
Outcome: no longer using paraffin and Osmolax – this week I have had a week of consistent good norman poop! The best my Poop has been in over 2 years

Aim: Reduce/eliminate inflammation in the gut
Method: Digest Easy**, ginger based solution
Outcome: as mentioned above my poop is the best it has been in over 2 years, minimal to no gas and no pain is another great outcome
(**this product is available as a powder for non Australian based customers)

Additional: in the last week i have added Saccharomyces - There are a couple of good suppliers of this product in the USA and alot of the practitioners that focus on symptomatic IBD’s highly recommend the USA product
My version is;
http://www.bioceuticals.com.au/product/ ... -Floractiv
The version i am taking is 60% as good, and is 40% of the cost of the USA product. If you can handle a small amount of lactose/yeast then this product may provide benefit

Aim: Reduce inflammation in my body/balance immune system/adrenals
Method: CoQ10 (lingual)
Outcome: more energy and fibromyalgia symptoms are 1/3 of what they were 6 months ago
This week is the first week in over 18 months that I have woken up headache free, and pain free
The increased Magnesium and Zinc, the gut being happier, would also be contributing to this improvement.

Last week, we did up a wish list of blood/poop tests, that recently became covered by Aus Medicare system (ie no cost to me!!), and my doctor agreed to do 75% of them! We are doing Iron, Zinc and Copper studies, Parasite testing, full Thyroid panel (including the T3 to T4, T4 to T3 that is discussed frequently on this forum) Glucose and Fructose breath testing
We will await the results of these before we consider changes to my diet.

Admittedly, not working and spending most of my days doing photography, gardening and reading has also helped with the improvements. I am not in air conditioning, I am getting loads of fresh air and sunshine. It also reiterates the importance of healthy mind, healthy body linkage.
This is the first real ‘break/nurture time’ I have had since August 2009.
I now have a huge vegetable garden full of parsnip, cauliflower and carrots in various stages from seedlings to mature plants! Some of the carrots will be picked today for dinner tonight.

The changes in supplements etc to achieve this outcome has meant an extra $30-$40 outlay per month. Given that i no longer need OTC H1 and H2 blockers, Paraffin, expensive creams for fissures/sclerosis, less paracetamol, the actual cost increase is about $15 per month.
(the appointments with the practitioner were $40 out of pocket cost to me after my private health insurance)

It feels good to be on the upside of wellness!
Most of what I am doing is not rocket science nor anything new persay, nor super expensive, nor hard to acquire.
Once you figure out the right combo of what works for you, magic happens!

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu May 01, 2014 9:33 pm

Great post! Can I ask how much magnesium, zinc, and C you take. Histamines seem to be my issue and I'd love to not take the OTC antihistamines.
Thanks. Leah

alcyone · Post by **alcyone** » Thu May 01, 2014 9:54 pm

Great news! I am so happy you've found so much success with your new regimen. Thank you for sharing, many of the issues you're tackling are ones that I deal with also, so it's nice to see some additional ideas to try.

Wishing you ongoing improvement!
Erin

Heady · Post by **Heady** » Thu May 01, 2014 10:27 pm

Happy to hear that life is on the upside for you. I admire your thirst for medical knowledge. We must be our own advocate to obtain the medical assistance we need. "You go girl"
My last work day was Aug20/2013. Then I got sick Oct1st. It has been a blessing to take the time to just look after myself! I may go back to dental assisting in the future but for now it's all about me.
I hope your medical status continues to improve and that you are headed for a year of healing, rest and rejuvenation.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu May 01, 2014 11:01 pm

Erin
I had been doing research and kinda knew which direction i wanted to go, but was hesitant to do any change while my body was struggling/super sensitive and life was a bit full on. Having the 5 weeks rest before making the changes also assisted the outcomes.

Leah
the increase in magnesium, zinc and Vit C will also be very helpful given the upcoming procedures that you have.
it took us a bit of research and juggling to get the right products to raise the magnesium (and be a magnesium combo), without too much potassium and Chromium. (and to find a product that was GF/SF etc)

before the protocol change
I was having tablet - mega Mag 1 per day

Magnesium Dicglycinate - elemental magnesium 50mg
Magnesium amino acid chelate - elemental magnesium 150mg
Zinc - 19mg

Powder
Potassium 270mg
Magnesium sulphate 3.9mg

plus small amount via coconut water

Estimated total 200mg per day

First stage of increase Magnesium/Zinc
the Mega Mag tablet - took 2 per day
brush gums morning and night in zinc liquid

this got me up to about 400mg per day plus the extra zinc

Second stage of increase Mag adding in Vit C
Ascorbic acid 800mg
calcium ascorbate 200mg
Hesperidin 190mg****
calcium Phosphate 100mg
Magnesium Phosphate 190mg
Zinc sulfate 2.9mg

**** just read this about hesperidin
People Use This For:
Orally, hesperidin is used for treating acute internal hemorrhoids, preventing relapse of acute internal hemorrhoids, lymphedema following breast cancer surgery, and for treating varicose veins and venous stasis.

Second stage: 600mg per day
Extra Zinc and extra boost of Vit C (all my veges are pretty high in Vit C so I was having an ok dose each day)

Third stage of increasing Mag (starting today)
replace tablets with the following powder twice daily
Magnesium chelate 150mg per day
Magnesium Citrate 100mg
Magnesium Orotate 30mg
Magnesium phosphate 30 mg
TOTAL elemental Magnesium 310 mg

Third stage 600-850mg Magnesium

The practitioner and I agree that in my case, like the Vit D, my body is using most of what I am taking and this would also apply to Magnesium and zinc to help balance the histamines / inflammation /pain/nerves. And using the blend of Magnesium types for different functions in the body/cells.

Let me know if you want a care package of the mega magnesium tablets from Aus, I would be chuffed to be able to do something to help you with all that is going on.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Fri May 02, 2014 5:09 am

Gabes,

I am really glad things are going better for you. I am always impressed with how orderly your thinking is and your ability to implement what look to me like complicated regimens. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am right now and it is slowly dawning on me that the low level stress that tends to permeate my life is truly detrimental to both my physical and emotional health. I can imagine that the stress of the past year took its toll on you and am glad you have this break to relax in and take care of yourself. I am doing some gardening for the first time in years. Haven't had the space for it in my apartments before but now I have a large south facing (that's the sun direction here) porch and I am about to plant some greens (kale, chard, spinach and bok choy) in fabric containers and I have some peppers and tomatoes started under grow lights. I have been able to add into my diet many vegetables that I avoided for years and now I can grow some of them. How nice! Being rid of my awful downstairs neighbor has allowed me to become more aware of how much anxiety I generate out of small things so I am determined to work on that. Specifically I hope to re-institute my meditation practice which went by the wayside under the onslaught of daily screaming and yelling from my neighbor. Even when life is bad life can be good if you cultivate gratitude along with veggies, a winning combination. I am working on that too.

Jean

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Fri May 02, 2014 8:47 am

Dear Gabes,

I'm thrilled to read your update and learn that you're doing better. It sounds like you're back on course, and enjoying the small pleasures of life again - yeah!!! I have discovered that stress is my biggest enemy when it comes to the gut, so I have also been working on minimizing it. One thing that I have started lately is to do some yoga and meditation first thing in the morning. Having a routine like this is setting me on the right course for the day ahead :).

Hope you continue to see health improvements both in body and mind. When you feel up to it, would love to see some of your photography.

Love and hugs,
Kari

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Fri May 02, 2014 9:17 am

Hi Gabes, I noticed in your post that you brush with a zinc solution. Do you make your own solution? Jon

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Fri May 02, 2014 10:14 am

Gabes I'm so happy to hear of your success. I can't wait to plant my veggie garden. I have reading a great deal about CoQ10. May I ask how much of this supplement you are taking?

Post by **tex** » Fri May 02, 2014 10:59 am

Hi Gabes,

Wow! That's an awesome update. It's great to see that things are going your way now.

Thank you for such an inspiring update.

Tex

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Fri May 02, 2014 11:47 am

You are very sweet to offer a care package Gabes, but I'm not sure I will take magnesium. Last time I did, my stools got softer. The vitamin C protocol interests me ( although it seems like a lot of different pills) and the zinc that you rub on your gums… interesting.

Leah

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri May 02, 2014 2:29 pm

Jon/Leah
The zinc liquid is the one that I have been using for 4 years or more.
It is a practitioner only product, you can't buy it online, in Aus, I have had no issues sourcing it via pharmacy that does compounding or has naturopath on staff. Any registered practitioner, nutritionist/chiropractor/acupuncturist can also supply it

I have used this on gums/teeth since dental issues in 2010. I do a 50/50 mix with water.
Prior to now, I did it a couple of times a week, now I am doing it daily as a means of upping zinc, and making sure I have minimised/eliminating bacteria from the mouth upsetting the gut.
After any tooth removal I rub pure zinc liquid onto the gum, until it is healed enough for brushing.

Each 1 ml of the liquid contains the following;
Zinc sulphate 50mg
Equiv zinc 11.37mg
Magnesium chloride 133.3 mg
Equiv magnesium 15.94mg
Manganese chloride 360.2 ug
Equiv manganese 100ug
Pyridoxine equiv 3.29m

Leah,
The Vit C is a powder, I have been able to start on 1/6th dose and gradually increase to full dose. I was keen for the powder as mag phos is great for adrenals and balancing immune system.
The ingredients of the powder are listed in that second stage paragraph
Another option is to increase the Vit C via cooked veges, cauliflower, sweet pot, etc.

Cathy
Most CoQ10 products on the market have big quantity of soy in them. When I first started the Coq10 18 months ago, I got it as a powder from compounding pharmacy. It was $80 for 2 months supply.
12 months ago a soy free lingual version came on the market,
It is the ubidecarenone 100mg per tablet.
There is another form of coq10 that is ?better. I like the the lingual version as it is also helping gums/teeth (I am trying to keep the molers I still have)
100mg per day is a maintenance dose
Having 200mg -300mg per day will help kidney /hypertension/adrenals

Jean
Sounds like the move was "just what the doctor ordered" type thing!!! As you recover physically, the benefits of the move are noticed and valued. The gardening is a great tonic, I have always had flowering plants, inside and outside. I wasn't able to bring my long termers (7 years and 6 moves) with me due to quarantine laws (risk of fire ants in the soil)
So I am starting again...

Kari,
thanks for the words of support, I had you in mind as I typed out the info, as I know you are in the process of taming the mast cells/histamine.
The photography is like my yoga/meditation. When I am taking photos it is like my heart and soul are in tune, and the mind is calm in the background.
It is beautiful to see the sky change as the sun rise approaches, the colours change every 2 mins, in the 30-40minute process.
I have been carefully navigating muddy gullys/ditches, and climbing small hills to get the right position for the shots. Do a fair bit of bending etc to get the close ups of flowers etc.
look out later for a post with the photos, one of my regular stars is a kookaburra, who I call kooka.
Kooka must have been a runway model in his former life, he changes angles, moves his head and provides great positions for the shots!!!

Post by **tex** » Fri May 02, 2014 3:44 pm

Incidentally, concerning CoQ10, anyone who takes a statin should also take CoQ10, because statins deplete CoQ10, which can eventually lead to problems.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri May 02, 2014 3:55 pm

Thanks Tex

There are BUCKET Loads of vitamins/herbs/minerals/foods that can reduce inflammation /Help Immune system / Adrenals / mouth health / etc etc
we focussed on 'Bang for your Buck' regime based on my main issues.
Which products can help more than one thing, that I was already tolerating digestion wise, and keep it affordable.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Fri May 02, 2014 6:40 pm

Thank you, Gabes for sharing. I know I have mast cell/histamine issues and will compare what I'm taking now and your formulary. I recently stopped taking S. Boulardii and haven't noticed any change at all.

Unfortunately, serenity doesn't come in a bottle. I hope your life continues to be serene and you continue to heal.

Sheila W