MC and 3 children

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 04, 2016 2:39 pm

Martha,

I'm surprised that as an NP, she wasn't familiar with Betaine treatment.

Good luck with finding the optimum Betaine dose. I believe the treatment is normally used with each major meal that contains a significant amount of protein.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 12:56 pm

Martha
came across this text on MTHFR support today - thought you might be interested

I wanted to mention something that I see often. Many women over 50 have issues with HCl and macronutrient protein breakdown. When I review their amino acid levels, both what is in the "library" (blood), and what in the urine (what's being peed out), I see a pattern of low amino acid assimilation and high wasting (in urine) of the amino acids needed for making glutathione (glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine in cases where glycine is low) and bile (taurine). Most of us women in perimenopause/menopause notice that we lose muscle mass, but we are not aware that our glutathione production is being negatively impacted. Glutathione our major antioxidant, so if any autoimmune issues, such as Hashi's, then symptoms such as hair loss and inflammation accelerate. You can see how many GS* and GS** glutathione SNPs are in the Variant Report. So, if you see this pattern on a Genova Diagnostic NutrEval or other test profile, please consider some upper GI support in the form of HCL and/or digestive enzymes. Also, some of the smoothie protein powders such as Pure Paleo protein powder by Metabolic Maintenance (I have no financial connection to the Co.) can jump start amino acid assimilation. PPIs can also affect protein/amino acid assimilation as they cause parietal cells to "stand down" in their HCl production (exact opposite of what is needed to prevent heartburn).

There is a another post by DrDeb recently that she had tests done and it showed that she was deficient in glutathione.
maybe investigate if you need digestive enzymes to help digest protein

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:11 am

Thank you Gabes, very interesting! I am taking Drs best betaine hcl, Pepsi and genetian bitters and am seeing results. I'm up to 4 pills per meal, but prob need to increase. I'm so excited that it isn't upsetting my gut in the process! I'm having a time tolerating any supplement so I haven't tried the ox bile extract with digestive enzymes yet. I had to stop mag pills due to D, so I'm back to exclusively oil again. For now I'm only able to tolerate the d3 and this betaine. I will investigate more into the enzymes needed, and am hoping to try them next month. My lack of gallbladder is probably part of my problem! I will check out the protein shake you are referring to. I was drinking the natural factors vegan shake with hemp milk daily for about a month but noticed my gut feels better without. Going to drink several times a week instead of daily.....

I'm going to check with my nutritionist about the profile test you are referring to, maybe he can help me with that. He seems to be more help than my GI dr.

Thanks again Gabes for your information....

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat Feb 20, 2016 11:05 am

Just wanted to give an update in hopes to inspire someone.....I haven't been able to get on here in awhile. I thought the new year would be restful, but my kids are running me to death

. I so hope every one is doing well!!

I took betaine for a few weeks and praise God my stomach is digesting better now. Evidently it forgot, so currently no reflux or burping after high protein meals. Yay! I'm keeping the betaine in the kitchen for now though! It really helped and surprisingly no gut problems from using it.

I finally had my shrimp oral challenge at the allergist and Praise God, I passed. So shrimp eating is possible in the future. Yay! Now for my soy challenge in a month, I'm hopeful. Even though I don't plan on eating it soon, I'd like to know if I'm ever cross contaminated it won't be life threatening.

My gut is doing so well (cross my fingers). I've added a few frozen vegetables into my diet with no problems. Supplements have been my main problem (in addition to histamine), so for now only d3 and mag oil. Although the mag oil is starting to really burn....

I finally have an appetite since Oct 2014 when my MC was in full force. It is very exciting and hopeful! I have started gaining weight too. I've added cashew butter and a few peeled apples, so exciting!! Also, have had D since 2008, and finally have had some formed BMs for a couple of weeks. There are days that it's not perfect but still Yay!

Now my only issue is not over eating or getting too courageous about eating new things and messing up my progress.......I so hope this post gives some hope to the hopeless! Trust me, I've been there.

Thank you so much to everyone without you this would not be possible!

Post by **tex** » Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:18 pm

Martha,

That's great news! Congratulations on your success. It's gratifying to see that your persistence and hard work have brought so much improvement.

Thanks for the update, and I hope that you continue to improve.

Tex

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sat May 14, 2016 4:24 pm

I just wanted to post another update in here in hopes to help someone....

It will be 10 months tomorrow since I joined this life-changing group and started getting my health back. It's been a complete roller coaster and still seems to be one, but I've made a lot of progress!

What I've learned along the way is that time really does heal things. So does mag oil and d3.....

Specifically, I've learned that reflux (without heartburn) can mimic an allergic reaction. Also, my reflux has calmed down and now I know what triggers it. I basically have to stay away from chocolate, too much caffeine, and large protein meals. Vinegar water helps quite a bit too.

I have figured out what my safe foods are. My BMs are more formed these days and typically have 2 a day. WD only shows up 2 or 3 times a month. It's usually around my period (high stress time then

).

Now I know what histamine intolerance feels like (for me it's major gas, bloating, itching all over, occasional nausea, and cramping, but not WD). I believe once I get that conquered (which is the million dollar question, how?), I will be in remission.

I knew Spring would be bad for me and went into it with caution, but never dreamed this bad. My allergist said my city was the 3rd highest for allergies in the country (I knew it was in the top 10). I have been taking Zyrtec daily, but it's not touching the itching all over especially after I've been outside. I took benedryl the other day in the mid of my Zyrtec med. It stopped my cramps, gas, itching and everything, but I fear the long term side effects of using it. I have ordered the quercetin that Jari talked about and will start there. Im also contemplating allergy shots but don't know if that would help or hurt me. That would be major dedication, cause I will have to drive 30 minutes one way to get them, for 5 years

.

I'm still taking 8,000 units d3 and around 400 mg mag oil daily. I take 100% vit C and zinc lozenges daily. Tried a new b12 liquid and still can't tolerate it, but will take once or twice a week. I need some energy.

Praise God I'm at this point, but I know I still have a way to go. I'm more hopeful now and instead of crying about this daily, I only cry about it during my hormone cycle

.

I'm so looking forward to summer and my kids being home (not driving in three different directions). I pray summer is histamine free, relaxing, fun, stress free, and gut healing!

Sorry for the book, but all my love and many thanks to each of you! Ps. Today is my 22nd wedding anniversary and I sat in a restaurant watching my husband and 3 kids eat. It didn't bother me one bit, I came home and ate my safe food......

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat May 14, 2016 4:47 pm

Martha!

thanks for the update -

Ps. Today is my 22nd wedding anniversary and I sat in a restaurant watching my husband and 3 kids eat. It didn't bother me one bit, I came home and ate my safe food......

This is a huge milestone in your life with MC journey! well done!

Considering your starting point.. you have made amazing progress in 10 months. not just BM /digestion wise, but also mentally and emotionally.
hope your summer allows for minimal stress gut healing days
hugs

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sat May 14, 2016 5:54 pm

Congratulations on your anniversary and on your healing!

Post by **tex** » Sat May 14, 2016 8:03 pm

You're definitely on track and doing great. Thanks for the update,

Hugs,
Tex

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Sat May 14, 2016 8:20 pm

Martha,

That's wonderful news. I think you and I must have started this journey about the same time........that's about the same time frame for me also. And like you, I have no problem going to dinner with anyone and sitting with them while they eat, and then coming home and eating my safe foods (or eating them before I go). It bothered me at first, but not any more. Nothing is worth how good I am feeling!

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sun May 15, 2016 7:07 am

Martha, Happy Anniversary. I just wanted to mention that I did the allergy shots many years ago and they worked wonders for me. My daughter used the drops instead (same concept but taken orally) and also had significant results. If they can be self-administered it might be easier for you. Deb

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sun May 15, 2016 9:06 pm

Yes jari, we did start about the same time....so glad to hear you are still doing well!

Thank you Deb! I need to see if there are other options. That sounds so promising! My son told me yesterday that he thinks he is ready for them. He is miserable right now, bless him. The zrytec seems to be a placebo right now, lol. If he does it, I will too. I just wonder if it would help with the histamine food intolerance. That's probably my biggest problem right now. Thank you again!

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Mon May 16, 2016 3:13 pm

Congrats Martha!

I've learned also that once we get a grip on healing we tend to get over confident too and test the waters so to speak to see just where our body is in the "can I try this food" area. That is where I am at now.....and it is going to take a while longer (I'm only one year in) before I can really feel comfortable with a grab an go attitude like I had before MC.

So glad you have gotten to this milestone for yourself, and congrats on the 22 years!! We just had our 23rd :-)
Cheers
Erica

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 1:47 pm

I just wanted to give an update about my trip to the beach and my current status. My gut did awesome on the way, there, and back. Thank you so much for the snack recommendations! My BMs about a week prior to the trip were a 4 on the Bristol scale (I almost took pictures) and remained that way, there. Yay!

But sadly during the trip, I felt my bladder wasn't fully healed from the June UTI, even though my test strips indicated no leukocytes (and despite my efforts of taking D-mannose daily).

I've acquired a fever today and the dr has put me on 14 days of cipro. He believes it was the initial UTI, he has sent off the culture to make sure. It was hard enough taking it 5 days, a couple of weeks ago. On the 6th day, I started feeling a panic of sorts, very strange, a flight or fight response driving down the road. I attributed it to mag depletion. It took about 3 days to resolve. Now I know why people turn to anxiety/antidepressants. Don't want that feeling again!!

I'm down and out to say the least. My BMs are now 6 on the Bristol scale. Stress is definitely a factor. I'm trying to take it one day at a time. I feel that 14 days is like a million years right now.

Is there a specific probiotic that I should use while on the antibiotic? I spray about 600 mg of magnesium oil twice daily and thought about getting in 100-200 more in the middle of the day. Just curious how much oil I can use daily to help?

One more question, just curious the difference in IV antibiotic use rather than the pill form? My dr didn't offer that, but I wished I'd asked. Would it work quicker and less days?

Thanks guys!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 2:06 pm

Martha
sorry the trip ended so badly...

my suggestion at this stage is maybe considering using the ReMag product, that is better quality/better absorbed.

SB Boullardi is a probiotic that has worked well for me, and for some others
(dont be concerned that it is yeast based, i react to yeast and had no issues with it)

sorry for not remembering, but are you taking the active forms of B6, B12? this would be my other suggestion