Newbie yet feeling a little less lost due to this site.

[Gabes-Apg]

magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia (because it causes the same symptoms).

Since fixing my magnesium deficiency, i have minimal fibromyalgia symptoms. They only seem to return if I reduce magnesium application...

[tex]

Gabes,

Thanks for sharing that insight.

Tex

[Marcia K]

Hi, Karen. I really don't have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome to our group. I'm approaching my two year anniversary. This group has been a lifesaver! I am one of the lucky ones and I didn't have to take medication other than Pepto Bismol. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy at the time my issues started so I only had to suffer for 8 weeks before I was diagnosed. My GI however did not agree that dietary changes would make a difference so I began the journey on my own. Eliminating gluten, dairy and soy along with many of the foods mentioned on here have helped me to heal. I also purchased Tex's book and had testing done by EnteroLab to further help me along. Good luck on your journey to healing, you have come to the right place.

Marcia

[Patricia]

Hi Karen,

You have received great advice so far.

5. What was the ONE thing you did when you were first diagnosed that helped the most?

THREE THINGS: joining this forum, reading Tex's book, and doing the Enterolab tests.

Regarding the breathing: I complained about breathing issues on this forum in late winter/early spring this year. The doctors could not find anything at all. But it has improved so much, probably because of the magnesium oil that I apply every morning. I spray it on, leave it for 20 minutes, and then wash it off in the shower. If I leave it on any longer, my legs become red and start burning.

I'll be going to the health food store in my little town and looking for Magnesium glycinate in some spray/oil form.

Did you find it in the store? I buy mine from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Minerals- ... B001AD0HL8

I recently also bought their magnesium bath flakes to do foot baths (I always have good intentions but don't do the foot baths regularly because I seem to run out of time to do everything I want to do [I am another one of those perfectionists/control freaks!!!]). The flakes are huge but dissolve very well in hot water.

In June of this year I started acupuncture (my first experience with Chinese Medicine). Unlike my PCP, my acupuncturist did not look at me like I had two heads when I mentioned the weird sensations in my lungs. She said it all made sense. According to Chinese Medicine organs have a relationship with other organs (yin and yang). The large intestine is a yang organ and its yin partner is the lungs. She said that frequently people who have issues with the large intestine will also have some kind of issue with the lungs (inflammation, but also allergies, asthma and such). I found that very interesting.

Welcome and good luck with everything! You have come to the right place.

Love, Patricia

[mcardle3]

magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia (because it causes the same symptoms).

Since fixing my magnesium deficiency, i have minimal fibromyalgia symptoms. They only seem to return if I reduce magnesium application...

Gabes,

What brand do you use? I'm looking at Ancient Minerals and Piping Rock...I've heard of the Ancient Minerals brand, the other...not so much.

How do you apply it?

Hi, Karen. I really don't have anything to add, just wanted to say welcome to our group. I'm approaching my two year anniversary. This group has been a lifesaver! I am one of the lucky ones and I didn't have to take medication other than Pepto Bismol. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy at the time my issues started so I only had to suffer for 8 weeks before I was diagnosed. My GI however did not agree that dietary changes would make a difference so I began the journey on my own. Eliminating gluten, dairy and soy along with many of the foods mentioned on here have helped me to heal. I also purchased Tex's book and had testing done by EnteroLab to further help me along. Good luck on your journey to healing, you have come to the right place.

Marcia

Thank you Marcia. I had the day from Hades yesterday. Here I am all gluten free, egg free, soy free and dairy free since Saturday and BOOM...9 times while at work. In the stall, my head against the cool door and crying. Because of my scarring due to lichen and rectal surgeries, I was a bloody mess and so very, very sick. I felt defeated and small.

I know there will be up days and down days in this process...so I went out and became proactive. I bought my turkey breasts to cook for my elimination diet start next week, I wrote my Doctor a note to encourage her to keep on keeping on in my behalf with the insurance company, and I began a blog to make some of this seem...I don't know, I guess it makes me able to whine about it to myself

I have ordered Tex's book, it has been shipped, I plan to binge read when it gets here with a highlighter!

Thank you for the welcome and the encouragement, it means a lot.

Hi Karen,

You have received great advice so far.

5. What was the ONE thing you did when you were first diagnosed that helped the most?

THREE THINGS: joining this forum, reading Tex's book, and doing the Enterolab tests.

Regarding the breathing: I complained about breathing issues on this forum in late winter/early spring this year. The doctors could not find anything at all. But it has improved so much, probably because of the magnesium oil that I apply every morning. I spray it on, leave it for 20 minutes, and then wash it off in the shower. If I leave it on any longer, my legs become red and start burning.

I'll be going to the health food store in my little town and looking for Magnesium glycinate in some spray/oil form.

Did you find it in the store? I buy mine from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Minerals- ... B001AD0HL8

I recently also bought their magnesium bath flakes to do foot baths (I always have good intentions but don't do the foot baths regularly because I seem to run out of time to do everything I want to do [I am another one of those perfectionists/control freaks!!!]). The flakes are huge but dissolve very well in hot water.

In June of this year I started acupuncture (my first experience with Chinese Medicine). Unlike my PCP, my acupuncturist did not look at me like I had two heads when I mentioned the weird sensations in my lungs. She said it all made sense. According to Chinese Medicine organs have a relationship with other organs (yin and yang). The large intestine is a yang organ and its yin partner is the lungs. She said that frequently people who have issues with the large intestine will also have some kind of issue with the lungs (inflammation, but also allergies, asthma and such). I found that very interesting.

Welcome and good luck with everything! You have come to the right place.

Love, Patricia

I tried going to my local health food stores (but I live in such a little Burg, they told me they could order it for me, I will order myself today) to find the magnesium oil. I find the bit about your skin interesting. I have dry connective tissue skin that reacts to everything. Good thoughts on the skin, and thank for sharing them. I'll be doing the same. Is there anywhere in particular you put the oil that is better than any other?

The breathing thing is the ONE thing that depresses me. For some reason, I know I will work hard on the MC and give it my all, but that breathing thing is daunting and I thought about it way too much. I feel now there is some glimmer of hope that it will stop.

Recently my palms have begun itching and burning. I think that may be related to dehydration because the times I have been hospitalized for dehydration, they were buzzing like a band saw. I've redoubled my efforts in drinking.

Here's something that I struggle with now though...

I hate to eat. I don't want to eat. I think it is some subconscious thing that screams at me...IF YOU EAT THAT your gut will burn, your anus will bleed and be on fire and you will be running too many times to the bathroom. I have to remind myself that I need to eat. I'm thinking that is pretty typical though as my girlfriend, who has a jpouch after Inflammatory Bowel disease told me she did the same thing.

Thank you all. I am trying to tamp down on my instant gratification soul and focus clearly on the "you can do this" bits of me!

Fingers crossed the doc calls with good news from my horrid insurance today...in the meantime - I'm off to look at those bread recipes!

[jlbattin]

I use the following magnesium oil spray: http://store.activationproducts.com/sto ... sium-250ml
You can also get it on Amazon. It's a little more expensive than the Ancient Minerals, but I spray it on and don't have to wipe it off. It doesn't sting and it really works.

There's also an Morton Epsom Lotion (made from Epsom salts) that I rub on my legs and feet before bedtime. Love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-Loti ... B008X365AU

I hate to eat. I don't want to eat. I think it is some subconscious thing that screams at me...IF YOU EAT THAT your gut will burn, your anus will bleed and be on fire and you will be running too many times to the bathroom. I have to remind myself that I need to eat. I'm thinking that is pretty typical though as my girlfriend, who has a jpouch after Inflammatory Bowel disease told me she did the same thing.

I was right there with you about 2 months ago. Trust me once you eat safe foods, it gets TONS better and your appetite will increase and the hurt goes away. I had to change my thinking from "Live to Eat" to "Eat to Live" and we do have to eat. We can't heal if we don't!

Hang in there.........it does get better!

[mcardle3]

I use the following magnesium oil spray: http://store.activationproducts.com/sto ... sium-250ml
You can also get it on Amazon. It's a little more expensive than the Ancient Minerals, but I spray it on and don't have to wipe it off. It doesn't sting and it really works.

There's also an Morton Epsom Lotion (made from Epsom salts) that I rub on my legs and feet before bedtime. Love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-Loti ... B008X365AU

I hate to eat. I don't want to eat. I think it is some subconscious thing that screams at me...IF YOU EAT THAT your gut will burn, your anus will bleed and be on fire and you will be running too many times to the bathroom. I have to remind myself that I need to eat. I'm thinking that is pretty typical though as my girlfriend, who has a jpouch after Inflammatory Bowel disease told me she did the same thing.

I was right there with you about 2 months ago. Trust me once you eat safe foods, it gets TONS better and your appetite will increase and the hurt goes away. I had to change my thinking from "Live to Eat" to "Eat to Live" and we do have to eat. We can't heal if we don't!

Hang in there.........it does get better!

So if I am reading right, soaking in epsom salts (bath, foot soak) can also get magnesium into your system? Is that right?

Sounds good either way!

[jlbattin]

So if I am reading right, soaking in epsom salts (bath, foot soak) can also get magnesium into your system? Is that right?

Yes ma'am!

[mcardle3]

So if I am reading right, soaking in epsom salts (bath, foot soak) can also get magnesium into your system? Is that right?

Yes ma'am!

Jari,

You need to move closer to Michigan

[jlbattin]

Jari,

You need to move closer to Michigan

LOL! I don't think so.........I live in the most beautiful place on earth...........I'm not going anywhere..........too cold and snowy where you are! I do wish, though, that we weren't all so spread out and there was someone closer to me. Then maybe I wouldn't feel like I'm the only person on earth with this stupid disease (at least until I log on to here and have all of you and realize that I'm not alone!)

[tex]

The breathing thing is the ONE thing that depresses me. For some reason, I know I will work hard on the MC and give it my all, but that breathing thing is daunting and I thought about it way too much. I feel now there is some glimmer of hope that it will stop.

That was one of the worst aspects of the breathing problems that magnesium deficiency caused for me. You read about all those relaxation techniques where they tell you to concentrate on your breathing and . . . But for the life of me, I couldn't NOT concentrate on my breathing whenever the problem was active. And there was absolutely nothing relaxing about it. No matter what I tried to think of, my breathing dominated my thoughts. I was aware of each and every breath, from start to finish. It was maddening, and at times it seemed that it would never stop. It will drive you up the wall, after a while, because it makes it so difficult to concentrate on anything productive. But concentrating on something productive is the only way to stop thinking about it.

Anyway, my point is, that's definitely a part of the pattern of symptoms.

And unless there is some reason why you cannot use them, the zinc-based creams that I mentioned in another post will definitely help to relieve the "anal ring of fire" that results from the watery D associated with active MC.

Tex

[mcardle3]

The breathing thing is the ONE thing that depresses me. For some reason, I know I will work hard on the MC and give it my all, but that breathing thing is daunting and I thought about it way too much. I feel now there is some glimmer of hope that it will stop.

That was one of the worst aspects of the breathing problems that magnesium deficiency caused for me. You read about all those relaxation techniques where they tell you to concentrate on your breathing and . . . But for the life of me, I couldn't NOT concentrate on my breathing whenever the problem was active. And there was absolutely nothing relaxing about it. No matter what I tried to think of, my breathing dominated my thoughts. I was aware of each and every breath, from start to finish. It was maddening, and at times it seemed that it would never stop. It will drive you up the wall, after a while, because it makes it so difficult to concentrate on anything productive. But concentrating on something productive is the only way to stop thinking about it.

Anyway, my point is, that's definitely a part of the pattern of symptoms.

And unless there is some reason why you cannot use them, the zinc-based creams that I mentioned in another post will definitely help to relieve the "anal ring of fire" that results from the watery D associated with active MC.

Tex

Thank you, Tex.

My doc has suggested Bourdeaux's Butt Paste (has zinc) and that seems to really give relief. I wear dresses and suits to work every day and so far this is not destroying my clothes yet, so BONUS! That and hot soaks in the tub, but I can't do those very often because my sclero skin hates it.

I am focused on my elimination diet to start Monday and waiting on your book at this point. Gluten free for one week tomorrow...staying the course and plowing straight ahead.

I HATE, however, when the big D sneaks up on me at work and wallops me so hard I'm sweating, shaky and praying I make it to my bathroom, though.

[tex]

I HATE, however, when the big D sneaks up on me at work and wallops me so hard I'm sweating, shaky and praying I make it to my bathroom, though.

I hear you. We can all relate to that.

If you would like to get a head start on reading the book, I'll be happy to email you a digital copy that you can read on your PC or a digital device. Just tell me whether you would like to have a PDF version for your PC (or any digital device with a way to open PDF files), or a digital version specifically formatted for one of the digital readers (I would need to know the type of digital device, because they all use differently-formatted files).

Tex

[Patricia]

I tried going to my local health food stores (but I live in such a little Burg, they told me they could order it for me, I will order myself today) to find the magnesium oil. I find the bit about your skin interesting. I have dry connective tissue skin that reacts to everything. Good thoughts on the skin, and thank for sharing them. I'll be doing the same. Is there anywhere in particular you put the oil that is better than any other?

I usually spray it on my thighs and lower legs and distribute it. It does not really rub in, it kind of stays on top and is a bit sticky. I don't know if any body part is better than another to apply the magnesium oil. I think other people also apply it to neck/arms etc.

Love,
Patricia

[mcardle3]

I HATE, however, when the big D sneaks up on me at work and wallops me so hard I'm sweating, shaky and praying I make it to my bathroom, though.

I hear you. We can all relate to that.

If you would like to get a head start on reading the book, I'll be happy to email you a digital copy that you can read on your PC or a digital device. Just tell me whether you would like to have a PDF version for your PC (or any digital device with a way to open PDF files), or a digital version specifically formatted for one of the digital readers (I would need to know the type of digital device, because they all use differently-formatted files).

Tex

You are very thoughtful. I'll inbox message you. Thank you.