I've Plateaued....and still reacting

Post by **tex** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:32 am

Erica,

I can't add much to all the support and good information supplied by everyone else, but I agree that this tends to be a life-long adventure with occasional new twists and turns in the road that sometimes catch us by surprise. But we find ways to overcome the problems and we continue on our way, learning as we go.

I have a hunch that the combination of hormonal changes, seasonal changes (including pollen and other environmental inputs), stress, frustration, and probably a few other things are ganging up on your immune system to make this a difficult part of your journey. But as things change, surely a good combination will eventually emerge. The human body is incredibly adaptable to it's environment, and yours is still struggling to make the necessary adjustments because too much is going on at the same time.

Hugs,
Tex

twirlitgirl · Post by **twirlitgirl** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 9:41 am

Gabes-Apg wrote:
don't know where I'm at in all this sometimes.
and it may never be quantifyable... hence why it might be time to go with the flow and be with what is...
dont try and define it, or set parameters for next stage,

our schooling, our careers, media, etc have created an environment of - move on, keep moving forward, improve, succeed, meet key performance indicators, dont get left behind the others. we have had 30-40 years of this environment. with things like MC in our lives, there are times when we need to pause.
pausing is not giving up, or failure it is embracing what is.

Gabes once again, this really speaks to me, and I thank you for those words of inspiration, Erica I sure hope you get back on that ladder and keep climbing again, every step foward is progress and it is your journey at your pace. I am 3 yrs post dx and somedays I wonder am I doing the right thing for me, not eating all those foods I used to eat, and then I take a look at my energy level, my skin, and the joy I have in life, , I am living to live and it is not all about food, it is about being here and alive. Think about possiblitlies because they are always there. I love waking each morning knowing that I am here to enjoy this day and it is mine to control with my attitude, the only attitude you can control is your own,, and it is what it is and you are breathing. Right now my Mom is suffering cannot hear, can no longer see,
sense of smell diminished a few years ago, and she has dementia and in long term care, so when I think about that quality of life, I have no complaints about my minor inconvience I have to do in order to start my day. I get to see, hear, smell and understand my world. It is a gift and we must never forget how fast it can be taken away. I have to fight each day to be strong for her but it is because of her I am strong. Attitude is everything. pain is a big test to learn. My Mom always told me " when I can no longer communicate with you in my own words , remember you can do anything and most of all be happy. So, just smile and dance, it will lift you up even when faced with the circle of life and going on when a loved one has to go" My father, had been gone many years now, I know he is just there waiting on her, ready to take her hand and that makes me smile. Have a beautiful day surrounded by those you love. I know I have been blessed beyond words to have been loved by them both. Somedays are harder than others but mostly I stay positive because I know that is the only way to get through. You never know how strong you can me, until you have to be. MC dx has taught me that.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 1:28 pm

Erica,

I have been where you are at so many times....all I had left in me was utter acceptance of what is. The mag product that Dr. dean sells is a liquid form that you sip in your water through out the day. It's nano size particles don't rely on the gut for absorption so will not cause D. I posted about it under the heading Magnesium Miracle!

It has really helped, however my bowels still fluctuate loose to water ( around hormones). But in my situation I have gotten off of anti anxiety benzo for 7 months now and my gut is still recovering from withdrawal....GABA and Serotonin still coming back on line. Hang in there. This journey is full of ups and downs...and like the group Kansas sings in the song "Hold On" tomorrow's not the same as today. Cheesy I know but I love that song.

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 2:59 pm

Sometimes it just takes a group hug to help steer a person in a better direction.

The crying at a drop of a hat gets old....but just now I let myself do it, because everyone here is so understanding, and I will figure this out eventually given time. It kinda feels like I let a pressure release valve loose.

I'm not in pain anymore and I have gained energy, so I have progressed since a year ago. My only hope is to one day feel more in control of the nature of BM's, and when they present themselves. I hate that rushed feeling I have had in the last couple months sprinting to the bathroom!

I so appreciate every comment being made. I shall not give up being an advocate to anyone who may need a kind word or two also. The last thing I want to do is give in to MC being the ruler in my life.

I ordered the Re-Mag liquid today. I've let myself get a bit off track figuring up how much Magnesium I've been getting on a daily basis, so perhaps this is an area I can give attention to without worrying about everything else that goes on in daily life.

Here's to better days ahead

Love you all, thank you for lifting me up today

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:42 pm

Erica,

That's awesome! Keep us posted on how the ReMag does for you. I want to hand it out to people on the street....I've become the crazy magnesium lady.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:50 pm

I was listening to a podcast the other day (via dave asprey bullet proof radio) and they were discussing how low the mineral content of our foods are

some foods could have up to 40% less of key nutrient than what we think (cough cough what we are 'told' it contains) the participants believe it is near impossible to get all the necessary nutrients from our current food supply.

it also explains the increasing number of chronic health conditions - due to deficiencies.

they also discussed the reason why protein (and grass fed protein) is worth the money. The farmers had observed that cows and other animals will only eat the grass that tastes ok (ie has nutrients)

With so many aspects of our current day living depleting these nutrients, we may need some sort of supplementation of key nutrients for life.

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 12:00 pm

I sure will Vanessa!

I've become the crazy magnesium lady

This makes me laugh, because at times I feels the same way too

Gee Gabes....that is super sad about our food supply....I suspect I should pour some Epsom salts on my garden rows where my corn an carrots are coming up...I hope I can up the intake of magnesium a whole lot more in this food that will eventually be put up for later use in the freezer. So thankful I have room for a large vegetable garden. It also helps to be able to obtain deer and elk meat from local hunters of the area. Wish I could eat more of the grass fed beef my step dad raises, I suppose if I rotated it or only ate it once a week I would be ok, even though Enterolab shows it as being one of my two highest reacting meats.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:38 pm

Erica
in Australia there are mineral mixes you can buy to add to your soil so that items you grow do have a better mineral content

there are lots of articles on the net about using epsom salts in the garden (it helps to make better fruit on tomatos etc)
http://garden.org/articles/articles.php?q=show&id=68

this is the combo
He also adds a handful of rock minerals - also known as 'rock dust,' or 'natural mineral fertiliser - to add trace elements
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s4058634.htm

http://munash.com.au/retail-garden/rock ... -overview/

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 9:02 am

Erica,
I often think of you when I consider my journey with LC. I suppose it's because of the challenges you've had with hormonal changes, stress, and environment. I improved a great deal after stopping HRT and I credit your experience with that for my decision to stop HRT, too. I do seem to be having more difficulty sleeping at night again, but I've learned this journey is about making changes and accepting that some will work and some won't as far as controlling D goes. I wish there was a safer HRT for me and if the symptoms continue I will have to address that one again. Boo.

I also stopped magnesium shortly after I stopped HRT, so it's hard to tell which one has caused the increase in night sweats. I've noticed it's worse on my days off and I have some thoughts about how my day off nap influences my quality of sleep at night. I'm excited to hear how your new form of magnesium works. I stopped having D pretty immediately after I stopped the oral supplement. I bought the same form you were taking, so not sure if that was causing it or not.

I tried to talk to my daughter about LC and she just shook her head and said it seemed like all of the symptoms bleed together and it must be really frustrating to try to figure it all out. Well, yes, that is the frustration for me.

I am now able to eat just about anything if I keep the portions small. Tomatoes and shrimp are a no go still and I'm not doing dairy or gluten yet, but I can have small salads, gluten free mayo (which has made things like potato salad a possibility), I fear processed foods so cooking has absorbed a great deal of time and can be frustrating, I also fear eating out because I don't trust hand washing and am no where near ready for an intestinal infection.

Interestingly enough, the time I tried tomatoes, I didn't get D, but I woke up with gastric contents coming out of my nose. It was a frightening experience.

Anyway, I said all of this because I don't know enough about this process to offer you solutions, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and sending you healing thoughts.

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Sun Jun 12, 2016 10:00 pm

Aw thank you Renee,
I toned myself down quite a bit this weekend, and I appreciate your kind words and thinking of me, that is very sweet.

In your note above I hope you are addressing the magnesium externally as much as you can tolerate, I have noticed if I get to far backed off the Magnesium and VitD I get the heat flushes more regularly, so stick with that as best you can ;-) Keep up with being gluten and dairy free....I can't stress this enough. I envy your salads :-)

As far as sleeping these pasts 2-3 days I have let myself do what comes naturally for the most part, if my body says stay up, I stay up, if it is tired I call it a night. I have tried not to take my Benadryl for the last few nights and have taken a teaspoon of Mag Citrate strawberry flavor I have had in the refrigerator. I'm testing myself to see if absorption will be any better with liquid. So far the last two nights I have only had to get up to pee lol. The mornings though are still a bit hit or miss as to how my body wants to rush to the bathroom.

Trying not to over think myself right now.

Gabes....I think I'll look into some of that rock salt...maybe next year I can do a better job incorporating some of that into my garden soil.

Hugs
Erica

gac · Post by **gac** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 3:59 pm

Erica, oh my goodness, I thought it was just me who is fighting this battle. This week has been so awful and I do not know why. I haven't changed my diet but the big D has been back as bad as ever. Diapers and mad dashes to the bathroom keep me tied to my house. I am taking all the right vitamins, eating such a limited diet I cannot imagine what else to eliminate. People are amazed I am still fat when I eat such ridiculous food. I should be skinny when food flies thru me. I am here for you if you ever need to talk. I can offer no wisdom, only kindness and sympathy. They till me this can take 3 years to heal. I am almost at one year. WOW. I am sad. I try not to get depressed - already on antidepressants. But living like this is so unpleasant. I know there are people in this world with far worse problems than this and I remind myself of this all the time. Sometimes it helps. Hugs to you always.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 4:09 pm

Gac
not sure if we have discussed it before, what type of antidepressants are you on?

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 4:18 pm

Don't know what antidepressant you are on but mine was one of the ones (SNRI) that sure doesn't help MC and can contribute to it. I am weaning myself off with or without my shrinks approval. Weaned myself off other meds with Drs. approvals too. But she can be testy but I am taking my life back, I told her that too!

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:25 pm

Thanks Gac,

I certainly hope you can get back on track again soon too. I'm suspecting hormones again, in combination with perhaps another ingredient culprit, as I don't think it is the food I've been eating as much as something such as guar gum, or carrageenan along those lines. Scientific experiments galore this Summer I see in my future.

As far as your antidepressant please read up on it because I am learning it can have bad effects with MC, and send people into flares at random with its use. I am also learning that the regimen of Magnesium, VitD3 and safe foods helps immensely with depression, it actually helped me so much in the beginning that I did not need to consider medicinal help in that area, I am so relieved about that.

Hugs to you for letting me know you are thinking about me,
Erica

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 6:50 pm

Erica,

I haven't been on here for a few weeks. My summer of rest and relaxation with 3 kids at home was only a dream, lol. I just want you to know that you have been an inspiration to me! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I find I'm still on that roller coaster as well. Luckily the pollen count in my area has went from med/high to medium now. That's my biggest struggle now. So I just wonder if it might be the allegra or the benadryl you are reacting to. I can only take liquid zyrtec without causing WD. The benadryl helps my gas/cramping but causes D. Zyrtec doesn't completely help my cramps but keeps my BMs formed. It's just a thought....

I know you are going to figure this out. It does seem to me it might just take time. I keep thinking ok I've had this for 8 years so surely 8 years from now I'll be cramp free and my 50s will be the best!

Hugs to you!!