Need Input that I'm not going to get from Dr.

Post by **tex** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 6:03 pm

6 months is an arbitrary number. The actual time is totally unpredictable. Gluten (anti-gliadin) antibodies have a half-life of 120 days. So if our antibody level is very high initially, it can take a long time (even years) for the antibody level to calm down to a level where the immune system is not so hypersensitive. Most other food allergens have a half-life of approximately 6 days, so those antibody levels decline much, much faster. That's why it's so important to totally avoid gluten at all times — because the antibodies are so persistent. IOW, if you're going to cheat on your diet, cheat on something other than gluten, because the intestinal damage will fade away much faster after exposure to those foods than it will as a result of a gluten reaction.

While corticosteroids help to suppress inflammation, they actually slow down the healing process, and I can cite a research reference if you need one for that). So yes, you will heal faster without Entocort, and that's not even considering the extra time that might be required to track down additional food sensitivities after weaning off the medication.

You're most welcome,
Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:45 pm

Thank you Tex,

Well it looks like I will be delayed a bit longer now....I have been prescribed cephalexin due to my lymph node under my left jaw hurts a lot and I can feel one of the nodes and it feels like a marble

I looked at the medication list and it doesn't look like I may fair to well with this med but I just got done with a Zpack after 11 days (so it is still working in me at the moment too), and now this bacteria is relentless in my jaw so need to change the antibacterial so hopefully I can start feeling better soon.

I have to mark this year down as the most lousiest one in history so far. I hope I have hit rock bottom because I can't wait to be feeling better again!

Could all this ailment be caused because I have not been able to provide enough nutrients to my system?
E

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:52 pm

Erica P-G wrote:Thank you Tex,

Could all this ailment be caused because I have not been able to provide enough nutrients to my system?
E

The same thought struck me today, after having seen my PCP for a lump in my breast that I discovered some days ago. He measured it to be 4x3 cm, and I will be sent for further investigation.

Could this be a result of the explosive D for almost one year, the malnutrition before I got a diagnosis, and then the strict diet I have been on since?

Of course, this is one of the many questions I'll torture myself with in the days to come.

Fingers crossed :-)

Lilia

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:04 pm

Hi Lilia,
I sure hope it is just a benign fat module for you.

I agree, I've had the darndest things come over me due to not eating gluten, dairy, egg or soy these last three months. I had been fairly dairy free for quite some time, although I had a little butter over the last couple years, but nothing else. I've certainly not felt like this or had this much ailment for quite a long time. Is this a DETOX for crying out loud.

Sure feels like our bodies are giving a huge revolt or temper tantrum for not getting what it wants. I feel terrible not being able to provide proper nourishment to my cells, even though I have been eating homemade bone broth soup for a few weeks now, and what seems like tons of turkey and supplementing with Vit D and K2 and Mag Spray. It seems like when the allergy season hit me my body just fell apart with the bacteria going crazy in my sinuses.

Lets cross our fingers this is just a temporary glitch and getting well is within our grasp

Healing thoughts,
Erica

Post by **tex** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:22 pm

Erica and Lilia,

Out of all the data accumulated by the discussions on this board over the years, there is no evidence that restricted diets or associated nutritional issues promote lymph node problems or problems associated with lymph duct issues connected with the development of cysts or other growths in breast tissue. To the contrary, a restrictive diet suppresses inflammation, and that should help to reduce the risk of such developments.

Erica, I hope the cephalexin resolves the problem without causing any serious digestive system problems.

Lilia, I hope that further testing will show the lump to be benign.

Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 4:11 pm

Whew,
Then I just have one heck of a case of vengeful bacteria then.....Thanks Tex, I hope this does the trick without to much discomfort too ;-)

Ok then, here's to the power of positive thinking

My immune system must have been working on an attack plan and got ambushed! Just when you think you've been doing all the right things..8-9 hours of sleep, eating the strict diet, eliminating stressing things.

I'll try not to be so paranoid anymore...it just is what it is.
Hugs
Erica

dfpowell · Post by **dfpowell** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:00 pm

Erica,

I am using a version of Cron-o-meter, an online program, to monitor my nutrient intake. I'm finding that the nutrients in my diet are fairly good even with a very restrictive diet. I do supplement with mag oil, vit D and iodine (thyroid support). This helps me to feel more comfortable with what I am eating and keeps me from taking a lot of supplements. You may find if you plug your diet into a program that your are at an okay nutrient level or find what you may need to tweak to get the necessary nutrients.

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:16 pm

Erica and Tex,
Thank you for your kind words

I have been so tired this last month; I can sleep up to 12-14 hours, so I have understood that something is wrong.

Hopefully, I will be called in pretty soon, since we according to the Law of Patients' Rights have a guarantee for a diagnosis within 15 working days after a suspected breast, lung or intestinal cancer has been discovered. The diagnosis, as well as the eventual cancer treatment, is free of charge. This is only due to our heavy tax policy.

PS: I really don't think that MC and diet has anything to do with this lump. Just desperate thinking, trying to find the villain...

Lilia

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 3:25 pm

Erica,
In line with Donna's post, you will be surprised how much nourishment you are getting from the bland small amout of ingredients eating plan.

In the scheme of things, if there is inflammation then your bodies ability to absorb and use nutrients is severely compromised. So hence why we strongly encourage to focus on removing/minimising triggers, reduce the inflammation, so that you do have optimised digestion to absorb the nutrients...

Also keep in mind, that in many remote/3rd world countries, there are a lot of people that have existed on a eating plan of 10-13ingredients for centuries.... And still do in current day. These people do not have heart disease, diabetes, IBD's, AI issues.... They are eating the foods they were genetically meant to eat.
And have minimal toxins like preservatives, chemicals, wifi/microwaves etc, air conditioning etc

And the time factor, don't try to define milestone points in days/months.. .. Just go with the flow, learn to listen to your body. Be open to the ups and downs that will happen.
If you relax, and listen to your body, there will be a week that you will go, mmmm. I have a pretty low stress week here, I feel good, poop is good, maybe I will try a new ingredient

Then there will be other weeks that if there are a few too many things going on you will know it is not the right time....
I know it is scary to embrace this journey with out a defined plan. This is where we find an element of courage we didn't know we had.... That is part of the journey, we learn things about ourselves.

Be at peace with what is, and trust the flow....

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:26 pm

Thanks Donna and Gabes,
I will take a look at that online program.

I've been really good about sticking to this few food diet, just surprised with all the allergies, cold, sinus an lymph node bacteria I don't understand what my body is trying to tell me right now. Besides the fact a really nasty migraine hit yesterday afternoon while I was at work, didn't get med in me in time to knock it out so last night was a bummer, I have it under control today this afternoon though so onward to a better day Saturday

I'll try not to measure time, I feel like I am wondering what the next day will bring every morning, lol. So far I wish I could just have a few days that felt really great

it is tough though, I'm the kind of person that is on time for everything, but this MC has me guessing all the time. Just something I need to learn an understand.

I spoke with my cousin today an learned she was diagnosed gluten intolerant 3 yrs ago. Wish we talked about this stuff more, I might have been healed by now

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 10:33 pm

Hi Everyone

Well, interesting turn of events...either I'm starting to heal, or my body has killed enough BAD bacteria for my last 2 BMs to look like strong 5's on the Bristol scale, an no WD for a few days now, not even BM that resembles cow patties! YAY!!!

I'm not getting the classic diarrhea that taking the cephalexin may give a person. I wonder if it may be a safe an prudent idea to incorporate my probiotic after the antibiotic has done it's time.

I'm eating just a handful of foods....an will continue since this must be helping. I'm in complete faith with what Gabes has shared regarding foods, spiritual opening an just plain letting the body speak daily.

Here's to a new week,

Post by **tex** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:05 am

Erica wrote:I wonder if it may be a safe an prudent idea to incorporate my probiotic after the antibiotic has done it's time.

Yes, it's almost always a good idea to take a probiotic for a couple of weeks as soon as the antibiotic treatment is completed. I don't do that personally, but if you can tolerate the probiotic, it will provide some degree of insurance from developing C. diff while your gut is more vulnerable.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:59 am

HI Tex,

What is C. Diff and I'm just curious why taking a probiotic isn't something you are able to do in a case like this?

I will give my probiotic a whirl in another week, as it didn't seem to be affecting me, that I can tell, before.

You mention for only a couple weeks, is there a story behind that time frame?

Here's to another good day, getting as close to a Norman as I've ever been in the last 8 years!
Erica

Post by **tex** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:00 pm

Erica,

C. diff (Clostridium difficile) is notorious for developing infections after antibiotics are used to kill most of the bacteria in the gut. Several antibiotic-resistant strains have developed, and these are associated with a significant risk of mortality, especially since many of these infections develop in hospital settings, in seriously-ill patients (most hospitals are loaded with C. diff bacteria, and they can survive for a long time on many surfaces).

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorder ... le-colitis

It's not that I can't take a probiotic (I've never taken one, other than eating saurkraut or yogurt in a previous life). I'm just not a germ-hugger, and I just don't see any reason to pay for the wrong type of bacteria when the correct type (the ones that will eventually take over anyway) are all around me on everything I touch and/or eat, and they are totally free of charge.

So now you're wondering why I would recommend a probiotic. Well, because there appear to be reasonable medical research data available to show that the use of probiotics for a couple of weeks following an antibiotic treatment helps to reduce the risk of developing a C. diff. infection. The theory is that the probiotic bacteria temporarily take up parking spaces on the walls of the gut, thereby helping to prevent opportunistic pathogenic bacteria from taking hold. The problem with that theory is that this action also tends to prevent so-called "good" bacteria from attaching and becoming established, because "good" bacteria (as if there actually were such a thing) are typically less competitive than pathogenic bacteria. At any rate, within a couple of weeks, most guts will usually be repopulated with bacteria, so the threat of a C. diff invasion after that is greatly reduced.

When you think about it, the "good" bacteria label is a weird way to classify them. Actually, they're not good — they just don't seem to display any truly pathogenic characteristics. IOW, they're not a serious risk, as are the pathogenic strains, so that has earned them the title of "good" bacteria. The reality is, they're still parasites, they're just not as bad as the officially-designated "bad" bacteria.

FWIW, in my own personal view, there is no such thing as a good bacteria. There are minimally-bad (undesirable) parasites, with minimal adverse risks, and there are worse bacteria, with pathogenic characteristics. But I don't consider any of them to actually be "good".

Taking a probiotic following an antibiotic is much more important (IMO) for those in a hospital, or a rest home/community living type setting, because of the prevalence of C. diff bacteria in those locations. That said, I've had emergency major gut surgery twice in the last 10 years, and at no time did any doctor ever recommend a probiotic, despite the heavy use of both IV and oral antibiotics because of the "dirty" nature of emergency abdominal surgery (with no time to clean out first).

Erica wrote:Here's to another good day, getting as close to a Norman as I've ever been in the last 8 years!

It's really gratifying to see some real evidence of progress, isn't it. Hard work and dedication pay off.

Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:58 pm

Thank you Tex,
This is very interesting, and probably controversial information for some, but I totally get what you are saying.

Ok, so a person really shouldn't need to take a Probiotic for very long, only after a course of antibiotics persay. Why is it that it is encouraged to take a Daily Probiotic. A gimmick line to sell more of it? If a person lived in very sterile circumstances I might understand it. I on the other hand live in a rural area in SE Washington, where the wind blows dust into my house (well figuratively speaking), my cat brings the outside in, and we have renters with their horses in our 8 acres behind the house (I used to have a couple horses of my own, but this MC took my energy away and my old man passed away in 2011, so didn't pursue getting another at the time). So with that said I think plenty of bacteria makes its way into my life, is it good, not sure, but then none of it is good I'm learning

Yes it has been a lot of hard work, and I thank you all for listening to me whine ALOT, and I've appreciated every suggestion too. I'm not out of the woods yet, I've yet to see how my body responds to not being on the antibiotic. It intrigues me that there are so many variables to how this MC reacts or doesn't.....histamines, bacterias, medications, stress, diet.

Crossing fingers this is the beginning of a good stretch of healing.
Hugs
Erica