Hi Friends,
I may have finally found a great M.D. At this point I am suspicious of anyone in a white coat so I am moving forward cautiously.
The first good sign was that he greeted me with congratulations on finding Dr. Fine as he had only recently discovered him himself.
I'll update you on some medical stuff that just applies to me but I also want to share a lot that applies to all us MCers.
We started with my thyroid and he immediately handed me an outline of things to do for autoimmune disorders....number one on the list was cut out gluten and dairy. Since I've been doing this since April 28, he said to just continue to do this for another 3 months to see if it stabalizes and to tackle the gut issues first and most likely the rest will follow. Sounded good to me.
So then we moved on to the gut issues. He got a history of my digestion before and after MC ( I had problems beginning as a teenager with gas, bloating and burny stomach). So here is his list for healing a leaky gut...
1. Remove all gluten, diary and known allergens from diet
2. Bacterial overgrowth is the next big thing to heal with these steps
a. decrease carbs and greatly increase fats in diet
b. introduce good bacteria
c. actively kill off bad bacteria while adding good ones
It is this last recommendation that I hadn't heard of....sorry if this is old news to you guys....but he said that a lot of people with leaky gut syndrme actually have too low stomach acid levels. He said that without the proper amount of stomach acid that we can't properly break down proteins in our food. The undigested proteins create two problems....they are great food for the bad bacteria causing bacterial overgrowth, and the large protein molecules are what get through the leaky gut and cause the auto immune response. So..He suggests taking hydrochloric acid pepsin replacement pills with every meal.
He gave me a book called Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You....by Jonathan Wright M.D. and Lane Lenard, Ph.D. It is a very interesting approach to thinking about all of this that we are going through. I am scheduled to go in next week to have my stomach acid measured to see if I have this problem.
The last few days I have been uping the fat in my diet ...more olive oil poured over my well cooked veggies and more oil in my fruit smoothies. My gas and bloating are definitely less. This experiment needs more time, but so far so good.
Just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone and share what I learned. Please let me know what you think...especially the stomach acid part. I hope you are all enjoying the summer and not getting too hot.
Love,
Cristi
Interesting M.D.
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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barbaranoela
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Cristi!
I think you have hit the jackpot! Never have I heard about any MD here who sounds more knowledgeable, cutting edge, and open-minded than the one you describe. He's not by any chance a GI doc, is he? Sounds much more like a primary care practitioner. It really seems too good to be true. I am very interested to know how he heard about Dr. Fine. Maybe the word is FINALLY getting out. Wouldn't that be something?
Anyway, I am rejoicing with you. The stomach acid thing is cutting edge, too. I know Wayne has thoughts on that issue. Did your doc recommend taking a probiotic?
I think you are incredibly LUCKY!
Love,
Polly
I think you have hit the jackpot! Never have I heard about any MD here who sounds more knowledgeable, cutting edge, and open-minded than the one you describe. He's not by any chance a GI doc, is he? Sounds much more like a primary care practitioner. It really seems too good to be true. I am very interested to know how he heard about Dr. Fine. Maybe the word is FINALLY getting out. Wouldn't that be something?
Anyway, I am rejoicing with you. The stomach acid thing is cutting edge, too. I know Wayne has thoughts on that issue. Did your doc recommend taking a probiotic?
I think you are incredibly LUCKY!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Well, first of all, WHO IS THIS MAN? And how did he get to be so smart? Congratulations on finding him!!
I have never heard of upping the acid content of you stomach, but if it would starve out (or otherwise reduce) the bad bacteria, that would be good. If you decide to try it, let us know how it works.
It sounds like you have finally found a doctor you can work with. Hallelujah.
Lots of love,
Sally
I have never heard of upping the acid content of you stomach, but if it would starve out (or otherwise reduce) the bad bacteria, that would be good. If you decide to try it, let us know how it works.
It sounds like you have finally found a doctor you can work with. Hallelujah.
Lots of love,
Sally
Mitakuye oyasin
(Lakota for "We are all related")
(Lakota for "We are all related")
Hi Friends,
His name is Dr. Thomas Alexander and he is practicing with the Tahoma Clinic. He's an internal medicine doctor. Their website is www.tahoma-clinic.com. The website is a little strange looking...but my appointment went really well. He is not an expert on MC...but knows a lot about the digestive system and leaky gut and how important diet is in the healing process.
I have an appointment this week to test the acidity level of my stomach. Not looking forward to it...I have to swallow a capsule with a thread attached to it. The capsule contains a battery, radio transmitter and ph sensor. Then they do some challenges...introducing baking soda/water solutions. Then they pull it out...yuck. But I will be brave and do it.Then I'll know for sure if I need the acid pills. He also said that people have been doing this for a long time using apple cider vinegar instead of acid pills to acidify the stomach.
The stool test that I took Indicated a large bacterial overgrowth, with an absence of the bifidobacter, so he suggests introducing just this one and see if it can kill the bad guys...that and the acid pills. If this isn't enough then we will look at killing the bad guys...but he doesn't think we will need to do that.
So, I am very hopeful....I will share with you how it goes.
Love,
Cristi
His name is Dr. Thomas Alexander and he is practicing with the Tahoma Clinic. He's an internal medicine doctor. Their website is www.tahoma-clinic.com. The website is a little strange looking...but my appointment went really well. He is not an expert on MC...but knows a lot about the digestive system and leaky gut and how important diet is in the healing process.
I have an appointment this week to test the acidity level of my stomach. Not looking forward to it...I have to swallow a capsule with a thread attached to it. The capsule contains a battery, radio transmitter and ph sensor. Then they do some challenges...introducing baking soda/water solutions. Then they pull it out...yuck. But I will be brave and do it.Then I'll know for sure if I need the acid pills. He also said that people have been doing this for a long time using apple cider vinegar instead of acid pills to acidify the stomach.
The stool test that I took Indicated a large bacterial overgrowth, with an absence of the bifidobacter, so he suggests introducing just this one and see if it can kill the bad guys...that and the acid pills. If this isn't enough then we will look at killing the bad guys...but he doesn't think we will need to do that.
So, I am very hopeful....I will share with you how it goes.
Love,
Cristi
Christi,
Well how about that? Good things come to those who wait, and perseverence pays off. As Polly said, "you hit the jackpot".
I'm absolutely amazed, because I agree with everything that he recommended. I never dreamed that a doctor like that actually existed. I think that if I ever encountered a doctor who congratulated me on finding Dr. Fine, I would probably faint dead away. LOL.
Yes, as Polly mentioned, I have for some time maintained that most people who suffer from indigestion and heartburn are actually responding to an acid deficiency, not excess stomach acid, as most "experts" would have us believe. The stomach maintains an acid environment for a reason--to properly begin the digestive process. Without sufficient stomach acid, digestion gets off to a poor start, and remains inferior, all the way down the line. And, hydrochloric acid, (stomach acid), does kill bacteria, as an added benefit. I like his approach to the bacterial overgrowth problem. I think that's a lot more practical than killing out everything, and starting over.
Some people worry that too much acid will damage the lining of the stomach, but the stomach is designed to handle it's job very well. The cells of the mucosal lining of the stomach are constantly being replaced with new ones. On the average, the stomach mucosal lining is completely replaced about every five days, so that deterioration due to acid, is not a problem. For a good discussion of how the stomach works, see this site:
http://www.uwgi.org/gut/stomach_01.asp
I believe I can safely say that you have clearly won first place in the competition for the coveted "I found the best doctor in the world" award, for 2006. Nobody else even came close. Congratulations.
Love,
Tex
P S Being rewarded by finding such a good doctor after all the hard work and disappointments you've gone through in the past few months is really gratifying. It makes me smile from ear to ear, to see your efforts being so well rewarded, (at long last).
Well how about that? Good things come to those who wait, and perseverence pays off. As Polly said, "you hit the jackpot".
I'm absolutely amazed, because I agree with everything that he recommended. I never dreamed that a doctor like that actually existed. I think that if I ever encountered a doctor who congratulated me on finding Dr. Fine, I would probably faint dead away. LOL.
Yes, as Polly mentioned, I have for some time maintained that most people who suffer from indigestion and heartburn are actually responding to an acid deficiency, not excess stomach acid, as most "experts" would have us believe. The stomach maintains an acid environment for a reason--to properly begin the digestive process. Without sufficient stomach acid, digestion gets off to a poor start, and remains inferior, all the way down the line. And, hydrochloric acid, (stomach acid), does kill bacteria, as an added benefit. I like his approach to the bacterial overgrowth problem. I think that's a lot more practical than killing out everything, and starting over.
Some people worry that too much acid will damage the lining of the stomach, but the stomach is designed to handle it's job very well. The cells of the mucosal lining of the stomach are constantly being replaced with new ones. On the average, the stomach mucosal lining is completely replaced about every five days, so that deterioration due to acid, is not a problem. For a good discussion of how the stomach works, see this site:
http://www.uwgi.org/gut/stomach_01.asp
I believe I can safely say that you have clearly won first place in the competition for the coveted "I found the best doctor in the world" award, for 2006. Nobody else even came close. Congratulations.
Love,
Tex
P S Being rewarded by finding such a good doctor after all the hard work and disappointments you've gone through in the past few months is really gratifying. It makes me smile from ear to ear, to see your efforts being so well rewarded, (at long last).
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Yep, I agree, you HAVE WON the award for finding the best doctor!!!!
I'm amazed!!!
I agree with the low stomach acid theory also. I was on Prilosec then Nexium for years. Seems like I did everything I could to get MC even though I'd never heard of it.
Congratulations............I do believe you are on the RIGHT TRACK!!
Love, Shirley
I'm amazed!!!
I agree with the low stomach acid theory also. I was on Prilosec then Nexium for years. Seems like I did everything I could to get MC even though I'd never heard of it.
Congratulations............I do believe you are on the RIGHT TRACK!!
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Hi Friends,
I'm so glad to hear that you think the stomach acid theory is a worthy one, Tex. It's a little frightening the first time you're told that acid pills may help.
Shirley...I know where you are coming from as I took Prilosec for 6 years. The book talks about it taking a good 2 years to get the stomach acid working correctly after stopping the antacids. It also says that as we age our stomachs' acid production declines.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is all as good as it seems. I'll keep you all posted.
Love,
Cristi
I'm so glad to hear that you think the stomach acid theory is a worthy one, Tex. It's a little frightening the first time you're told that acid pills may help.
Shirley...I know where you are coming from as I took Prilosec for 6 years. The book talks about it taking a good 2 years to get the stomach acid working correctly after stopping the antacids. It also says that as we age our stomachs' acid production declines.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is all as good as it seems. I'll keep you all posted.
Love,
Cristi
I was told the same about stomach acid and aging.....I hate to say this but I was also told that at my age it may never recover.
I still take digestive enzymes at times (Zypan). When I first stopped taking Nexium (cold turkey) I took Rizonate (sp), which is a derivitive of licorice, for heartburn. Tasted horrible but it worked.
Love, Shirley
I still take digestive enzymes at times (Zypan). When I first stopped taking Nexium (cold turkey) I took Rizonate (sp), which is a derivitive of licorice, for heartburn. Tasted horrible but it worked.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Hey, listen to this!
The first time I spoke with Dr. Fine by phone (about 4-5 years ago) he told me that he thought it was important to use apple cider vinegar liberally in one's diet. He himself uses it regularly if I recall correctly. He never mentioned any reasons but definitely was a BIG fan of using it. I am going to make an attempt to use it every day.......the easiest way would be to mix it with olive oil to make a salad dressing or marinade, I think. And I have ordered the Dr. Wright book from amazon.com today. Thanks, Cristi. Isn't it amazing how we continually learn from each other???
Love,
Polly
The first time I spoke with Dr. Fine by phone (about 4-5 years ago) he told me that he thought it was important to use apple cider vinegar liberally in one's diet. He himself uses it regularly if I recall correctly. He never mentioned any reasons but definitely was a BIG fan of using it. I am going to make an attempt to use it every day.......the easiest way would be to mix it with olive oil to make a salad dressing or marinade, I think. And I have ordered the Dr. Wright book from amazon.com today. Thanks, Cristi. Isn't it amazing how we continually learn from each other???
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Polly,
I feel so blessed to have found all of you. I was so miserable and you have all been so generous helping me get through this. It will be interesting to see how this acid test goes and if it takes me to the next step in healing. I'll definitely keep you posted.
Interestingly,
I remember reading a few years ago that having vinegar or lemon juice at meals would help to lower the gycemic index of the meal. Not sure how that relates tho. My apple cider vinegar jar has an ad on the side advertising a pamphlet on the healing powers of vinegar. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Love,
Cristi
I feel so blessed to have found all of you. I was so miserable and you have all been so generous helping me get through this. It will be interesting to see how this acid test goes and if it takes me to the next step in healing. I'll definitely keep you posted.
Interestingly,
I remember reading a few years ago that having vinegar or lemon juice at meals would help to lower the gycemic index of the meal. Not sure how that relates tho. My apple cider vinegar jar has an ad on the side advertising a pamphlet on the healing powers of vinegar. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Love,
Cristi
Here is a link to an earlier discussion on stomach acid
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... omach+acid
Along with Elaine Gottschall’s “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” IMHO Jonathan Wright and Lane Lenard’s “ Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You” are must reads for anyone with digestive problems.
So great that you are now learning from Dr. Wright's Clinic. My mother had a brief interaction with Dr. Wright. To bad it was to late.
Do keep us informed, I feel they are doing state of the art work.
To your continued recovery
Matthew
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... omach+acid
Along with Elaine Gottschall’s “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” IMHO Jonathan Wright and Lane Lenard’s “ Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You” are must reads for anyone with digestive problems.
So great that you are now learning from Dr. Wright's Clinic. My mother had a brief interaction with Dr. Wright. To bad it was to late.
Do keep us informed, I feel they are doing state of the art work.
To your continued recovery
Matthew
