Setback on Recovery Diet

[Jillian]

Hi Tex and Gabes (and anyone else who might have some insight)!

I am 1/2 way through week 6 of the recovery diet and started to see some improvement at week 4. Less frequent diarrhea and no girgling or crazy noises coming from my gut - and increased energy level. (At the beginning of week 4, Gabes, you had sent along the list of possible cross-reactors and I cut out both rice and potatoes (because I couldn't figure out which it was) and thus felt better by end of week 4.) I was encouraged and ready to do everything it takes to get better.

At that point, I reread the list of dietary options and thought I would try some cauliflower with ghee, neither of which I had had since I started the recovery diet. Well, not a good idea, as it sent me back into a flare up that I just can't control -- it has been over a week and 1/2 since I had them and I'm still feeling like I am back at square one, but can't figure out why. I'm eating the same things I was eating at week 4, when I started to feel better -- being very careful and am not seeing any progress. I've dropped quite a bit of weight over the past week and am feeling pretty dehydrated/tired. I had expected to see a little improvement day to day but am not.

Any thoughts on this? I'm perplexed and frankly pretty emotional about it all. Would love any insight you might have!

Thanks so much,

Jillian

[tex]

Jillian,

Here's a quote from the book:

While our immune system is always alert to any perceived threats to our health, when confronted with multiple food sensitivities it seems to concentrate on the most significant single issue at any moment in time. That is to say, it appears to focus on the one food sensitivity that is likely to do the most damage to the digestive system and to long-term health.

That doesn’t mean that it will totally ignore secondary food sensitivities, but it suggests that the immune system will concentrate most of its attention on the one that it perceives as the most important threat at the moment, while postponing or minimizing action on the other food sensitivities. That implies that the immune system may have a pre-established hierarchy that it follows, when determining which food sensitivity should be the primary focus of its attention.

As we discovered in chapter six, based on the compiled experiences of hundreds of people who have microscopic colitis, the number one food sensitivity threat as perceived by the immune systems of those individuals is gluten. Casein, the primary protein in all dairy products, appears to rank number two in this hierarchy, while the third-ranking food sensitivity is usually soy. Whether by coincidence or design, it appears that this ranking also correlates with the relative probability of someone with microscopic colitis being sensitive to each of those respective foods. That is to say, gluten is the most common food sensitivity among people with microscopic colitis, casein is the second most likely food sensitivity, and soy is the third most likely food sensitivity.

Though this is not backed up by published research (yet), I really believe that once the immune system "gets over" gluten, it becomes very sensitive as it begins looking for other food or drug sensitivities as potential targets. And in some cases, it may seem like a "witch hunt" because of the intensity of the reactions. You're right, you may be back to "square one" in your reactions as your immune system searches high and low for something to attack. If it finds an allergen, it will probably launch a very strong reaction. But if it doesn't find anything, it will remain relatively calm. In your situation, you probably need to look for another for another offender. It may be either food, or some drug, supplement, cosmetic product, or something else.

At least I'm guessing that this is the stage where you are in your recovery.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

the explaintion tex gave is what happened to me, as I removed each major trigger, then another ingredient became a trigger. so it was a bit of a roller coaster of doing well, 3-4 weeks later, setback, removed another trigger, doing well, then 3-4 weeks later setback.

and the external triggers, like cosmetics, what you are drinking, climate/season changes, pollen, chemicals, and for women, hormone fluctuations are enough to contribute to a flare in the early stages of healing.

the other aspect is, you are in the early early stages of healing. I would encourage you to hold off adding any new ingredients for a couple of months at least.
are you taking Vit D3 and magnesium?? if so it will take a couple of months to correct any deficiencies with these key nutrients and to optimise the bodies ability to heal.

[Erica P-G]

It's been two years healing for me and I am at this stage I do believe.....especially since my body just seems to go off and produce a hive out of no where if I get slightly off my 'routine' eating plan. Frankly it is very annoying that our immune system react this way....

I have been back an forth from square one to being good like a rocking horse these last 4-6 months and it doesn't appear to be easing up, I don' know exactly how I am approaching this but I immediately revert back to my 'routine' foods and give my body some rest.

I just hit another episode of a hive on my inner thigh, it affects my joints and it feels like a bruise afterwards....it is the darndest thing!!!

Just wanted to share in your perplexing situation I hope you find relief soon too.

[Jillian]

Thanks so much for your note! I hope you begin feeling better too. It sounds like it is definitely a journey. I just want some spicy Mexican food with lots of cheese.... but oh well! That's just a dream.

Jill

[Jillian]

Gabes - I have been on vitamin D for years but have always stayed away from Magnesium as I thought it caused diarrhea. I did take a little orally for a few days at the beginning of my recovery diet, but felt it was making things worse, so I stopped. I just ordered the topical from Amazon and will give that a try!

Most gratefully,

Jillian

[Gabes-Apg]

what type of magnesium did you take orally. Some forms of magnesium are 'instant' laxatives, but not all.

[Jillian]

I tried Magnesium Citrate. The Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil just arrived in the mail. I can try that -- the directions aren't really clear on how much to apply, however.

[Gabes-Apg]

the label will have specification of how many sprays = xx mg of magnesium.

do x sprays as many times as you want through the day to achieve the dosage of magnesium you want.

my mag spray product is 6 sprays = 55mg. I do the 6 sprays multiple times through the day to get topical dosage of at least 400mg per day.