Healthy Within Journey

Short-lived Change Resistance

2012-01-27T19:05:00.000-08:00

Within 24 hours I became quite proficient with my new laptop. I only resisted my husband's offer of a mouse. After learning to use the touch pad on my new laptop, I didn't want to get dependent on external 'gadgets'. I'm still missing the 'backspace' key which is inconveniently placed on this tiny laptop. Maybe they assume my typing skills are so good that I seldom need to backspace. LOL I am proficient at typing, but this new, tinier keyboard takes some adjustment. My next learning project is Windows Office 2010. I had a much older version on my old desktop. Actually everything on that desktop was very old (and very slow).

In other news I passed the 3 week mark on T3 only therapy. I'm still feeling very well (warm, energetic and 'regular'). I tried reducing my afternoon dose from 12.5 mcg to 10 mcg, but I really noticed the difference. I don't feel as energetic 3 hours after that lower dose. Or maybe I'm fighting another cold. I'll eliminate that with a bedtime dose of arabinogalactin. I can go to bed with a cold and wake up healthy after taking that.

I'm still awaiting response from the minister who oversees groups at my church. I emailed her that I wanted to start a gluten intolerance/celiac disease support group at my church almost 3 weeks ago. Last Sunday I spoke to her in person reiterating what I said in my email. However, I didn't hear from her again this week. Oh well, I have plenty of clothing alterations to keep me busy (not to mention yardwork when the weather is warmer) until I get the go ahead for my group from the church.

2-1/2 Weeks on T3 Only

2012-01-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

Although I've read that most people need 8 weeks of T3 only therapy to clear the T4 from their bodies, I feel better after only 2-1/2 weeks. I suspect changing from 2 divided doses to 3 divided doses has helped most. I used to get an afternoon low energy, even though I took T4 upon my doc's suggestion, to prevent those energy crashes. Not only did T4 not keep my energy and body temperature level, but also I seemed to need more and more T3 to cope with hypo symptoms all the time I took T4. Now I have leveled off with a dose of 37.5mcg T3 in 3 divided doses.

Best of all I recently ordered and received in the mail yesterday a book entitled "Recovering with T3' by Paul Robinson. In that book, the author describes his journey to trying T3 only therapy. Then he details how he used T3 therapy to completely eliminate his hypo symptoms.

In other news, I finally got a lightweight laptop (13.3" screen and 2.4 lbs. with an 8 hour battery life). So I'll be converting what I have on my old desktop computer over to my new laptop in the next several days. Part of me is resisting the change. I've had a desktop computer for many years. My current model is rather slow with weird peculiarities (like getting hung up on one window when it first starts sometimes). A small, lightweight laptop signals the end of an era for me.

I got my first desktop computer back when I was a freelance artist, selling my paintings at arts and craft fairs, galleries, juried shows and special commissions. I really resented the time I had to spend on the computer for my business, because I prefered to paint. However, I couldn't afford a manager. So I had to do my own taxes and other business chores on my computer.

I stopped painting about 10 years ago. At first I missed the arts and crafts fairs, where I had lots of friends who were either other artists or customers. I didn't miss the hassle of setting up my booth for those fairs. I didn't miss hauling paintings to galleries and back home after they didn't sell. I didn't miss the stress of wondering whether my paintings would sell or win prizes at juried shows (which almost guaranteed sales). I didn't miss thinking about painting 24/7.

After I stopped selling paintings, I felt useless, because I wasn't earning money from a job, albeit self-employment for many years. Volunteer work (first leading a ThinWithin group at my church and then leading a celiac disease support group) made me feel more productive. However, complications of celiac disease influenced me to resign from leadership of that second group as I focussed on my own health recovery.

Recently I reached a new level of physical health. So I'm ready to consider volunteer work for my church (possibly leading another celiac disease/gluten intolerance group and/or working with a group which feeds, clothes and provides overnight shelter for homeless women in our area). So a newer, lightweight laptop seems appropriate for this phase of my life. Nevertheless, letting go of old rituals (like turning on my computer when I first get up, because it takes awhile to warm up) makes me feel sad ...

Reverse T3 and T3 Only Therapy

2012-01-10T12:24:00.001-08:00

My husband has been taking Naturethroid (so called 'natural') thyroid supplement for about a year. He increased his dose but still has symptoms (extreme afternoon fatigue and brain fog). He resumed using caffeine pills (he hates the taste of coffee) to get through the day. I know his thyroid supplement isn't working for him. However, I also know he had a rather high blood test result for reverse T3.

So I did some research on reverse T3. I learned that disproportionate amounts of reverse T3 can block T3 receptors so that T3 supplements can't treat hypothyroid symptoms. Normally T4 converts into 40% T3 and 60% reverse T3. However, if the proportion of Reverse T3 (RT3) is higher than normal, all that RT3 can block T3 receptors and prevent normal metabolism (energy, body temperature, regularity). So I asked my husband to get another set of thyroid blood tests including his RT3.

He hasn't yet received his RT3 test result. However, my research on RT3 made me wonder if I might have that problem. I learned that treatment for RT3 involved stopping all therapy involving T4 and just using T3. During the past 15 months of my hypothyroid treatment, I initially took T4 only supplements, which did nothing to relieve my hypothyroid symptoms. So I asked for a T3 test, which showed my free T3 was below normal, and then requested a T3 supplement in addition to my T4 supplement.

My initial dose of T3 relieved my hypothyroid symptoms. I was warmer, more energetic and more regular. Then my hypo symptoms returned ... fatigue, feeling cold more often and constipation. So my increased my T3 dose and decreased my T4. That helped to resolved my hypo symptoms. However my next blood test showed my T4 levels were low, which concerned my doc. I asked why worry, because I obviously didn't convert T4 to T3 very easily, which was why I didn't do well on T4 only therapy. My doc explained that I had some T3, although it was very low, which suggested I converted some T4 to T3. (However I've since learned that the thryoid gland does produce a small amount of T3, outside of T4 conversion.)

So I increased my T4 again, while keeping the same T3 dose. Then all my hypothyroid symptoms returned. So I increased my T3 and decreased my T4 (but just took a half dose). Again that combo decreased my hypo symptoms ... for awhile. Then after a few weeks on that dose (25 mcg total daily T3, 50 mcg total T4), I again experienced constant fatigue, chills and constipation. So I slowly increased my T4 to 30 daily and kept my T4 at 25 daily. I had taken divided doses of T3 (early morning and mid afternoon) for almost a year, but was still experiencing afternoon energy crash. When my symptoms returned on 25 T3 and 50 T4, I raised my T3 to 30mcg daily and later to 35mcg daily. I never had any overdose (hyperthyroid) symptoms, but I feared getting those when I was using 30+mcg of T3. So I lowered my T4 to 25mcg. I really doubted it helped much anyway. Again my hypo symptoms disappeared for awhile, but I still had the afternoon energy crash. My doc had told me that T4 would carry me through the day so that I wouldn't get that afternoon slump. So I increased my T4 back to 50mcg and continued the T3 at 35mcg. Again my hypo symptoms returned. I kept thinking I just didn't have a high enough T3 dose, even though lower doses had worked for awhile.

After I read that the treatment for excessive RT3 was taking T3 only, because T4 produced both T3 and reverse T3, I wondered whether I also had an RT3 problem. My doc never tested my RT3. However, my initial free T4 test was normal, but my free T3 test was low even after taking T4 supplements for 3 months. I thought I didn't easily convert T4 to T3. However, my experience showed that every time I took T4 with T3 I had to keep raising the T3 dose. I didn't know whether an RT3 test would be accurate at this point (after 15 months of thyroid supplements).

So I just decided to stop taking T4. I also decided to take my T3 doses 3-4x daily rather than twice daily. The first day of 4 doses was a disaster, because I took my 4th dose too late at night and didn't sleep until 8 hours after I took that last T3 dose. Then I decided I really didn't want a nighttime dose, which could interfere with my sleep. So I started taking 3 even doses of T3 at 7am, 11am and 3pm (4 hours apart). That has worked well for the past 3 days. My energy level is even all day until bedtime when I start feeling sleepy. Then I sleep very soundly all night. Also I've been very regular while taking less magnesium than I previously took. I'm still getting cold sometimes. However the weather did turn really cold and I haven't dress differently for that colder weather. Nevertheless I'll keep using this triple T3 dose approach with no T4.

According to the RT3 literature, after 8-12 weeks I may even need less T3 to prevent hypo symptoms. Whatever ... I'm happy to finally prevent my afternoon energy crash, keep warm and stay regular on the same dose for awhile.

DHEA Side Effects and CD Group

2012-01-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

I've been on sublingual DHEA for one month now. Immediately I noticed I stopped getting cold symptoms. I haven't had one cold during the past month. So DHEA seems to improve my immunity. Just as I heard/read DHEA can cause oilier skin and hair. However, I haven't gotten acne (other than one strange bump on my upper chest/bottom of my neck). Nevertheless, that's all good for me, because I've had dry skin and hair all my life (perhaps because of hypothyroidism).

I'll stay on my current 0.25ml (2.5mg) daily dose of DHEA for at least 3 more months. (I love the cherry flavor! LOL) I'll also love not having to take a daily dose of arabinogalactin (prebiotic powder) to relieve cold symptoms. Amazingly my husband brought home (from the office) a cold, which I didn't get. I gave him some arabinogalactin powder and he recovered within 24 hours from severe cold symptoms. That arabinogalactin is great stuff, but it does cause gas and bloating (like most prebiotics) every time I take it. I need the extra oil in my hair and skin (which DHEA causes), but I won't increase the dose, because I don't want to have to wash my hair everyday.

I've decided to start a gluten intolerance/celiac disease awareness group at my church. I know there are other members with gluten intolerance (or celiac disease), because they offer gluten free communion bread. I had to negotiate with the worship team leader to get some gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar free communion wafers so that I could participate. I haven't had the 'bread' part of communion since I was diagnosed with celiac disease (and then those other 6 allergens) in 2004. I actually served communion at our previous church, so that I would have to obviously pass up communion bread. Nobody ever notices what the servers do, unless they have a special ceremony for servers, which happened once, much to my embarassment. A fellow server just couldn't understand why I couldn't take the gluten containing communion bread no matter what I said. SIGH

Anyway I feel well enough (and motivated enough) to share my experience and knowledge about gluten intolerance (and related food allergies) with a small (hopefully) group at my church. I don't want to talk about food allergies so much, because there's a huge controversy about whether delayed reaction (IgG or IgA mediated) allergies are 'real' allergies, compared to immediage reaction (anaphylactic or IgE mediated) allergies. I know that they are all caused by immune reactions, which tells me they're allergies, not intolerances, which are caused by missing enzymes (like lactose intolerance). However, I know many people believe their (rather uninformed) doctors' opinions. Also they have been tested with some rather questionable allergy tests (saliva or skin) and are convinced they have many allergies. I don't know why someone would want to restrict themselves based on questionable test results. 7 food restrictions are plenty for me!

Nevertheless, I want to get some end of the year and new year chores done, before I take on leading another group. So I may wait another month to start the group.

N-Teleopeptide Test Results

2011-12-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

My doc requested one more test during my last visit. She (and my HMO PC) had previously requested that I take a bone density scan. I didn't want a test to tell me what I already knew ... that I lost bone (actually height) during those years my PCP and many other misdiagnosed my celiac symptoms as IBS and/or an eating disorder. My naturopath believed I might still be losing bone, because I was past menopause and never took any hormone replacement. I told her I consume calcium rich foods, take daily vitamin D and magnesium, do weight bearing exercise and lift weights daily. So I'm doing everything I can to keep my bones strong, short of taking HRT. My ND told me I could take the N-Teleopeptite test, which would indicate whether I'm losing excessive calcium or bone ingredients through my urine. I thought that was much easier than subjecting myself to unnecessary radiation (via bone density scan). So I agreed, order the test from my HMO lab and did the test.

Amazingly (to my ND) my results were mid normal range, which says I'm not excreting bone. Whatever I'm doing seems to be working. I believe the eating gluten (which blocked calcium absorption) and having low stomach acid prevented calcium, magnesium and vitamin D absorption. Once I resolved all that (stopped eating gluten and starting taking betaine HCl), I stopped whatever bone loss I experienced during my years of undiagnosed celiac disease.

Anyway, I'm glad my results were normal. I hope that my ND won't need any more tests to show I don't need HRT. If my HMO PCP pesters me again about getting a bone scan, I'll refer her to my N-Teleopeptide test results, which are in my HMO medical file.

Eating Disorder or Gastrointestinal Disorder

2011-12-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

I just posted a comment on a blog in response to a 'guest post' by an eating disorder specialist. She recognized that food allergies may play a role in eating disorders, but she focussed on the emotional consequences of those food allergies, which she presumed cause the emotional/mental eating disorder. Nowhere did she consider that PAIN, DISCOMFORT or INDIGESTION could influence 'eating disorder' habits. Of course most ED specialists say that those symptoms are caused by ED habits. I think the causes of gastro symptoms PRECEDED ED habit, that ED habits are a solution, albeit ineffective solution, to gastrointestinal problems which cause those symptoms. Here's what I said in my comment:

Like "IBS" terms like anorexia, bulimia, etc. are just labels for sets of symptoms. Like "IBS" those labels do nothing to explain cause or suggest effective treatment. Like "IBS" those terms allow medical 'experts' who can't explain the cause of anorexia, bulimia, etc. to suggest that those are 'mental/emotional' diseases. Like "IBS" that 'mental/emotional' explanation does nothing to treat physical causes of those symptoms.

When I had 'eating disorder' symptoms, I talked to my traditional physician, who suggested I see a therapist. So I told my therapist that eating caused me pain and bloating, that vomiting relieved the pain and constant reflux after meals, and that I never felt physically satisfied no matter how much I ate, although I felt painfully full after eating even small amounts. That therapist told me to talk to my doctor. My doctor gave me the 'IBS' label. My therapist gave me the "anorexia/bulimia" label. Neither of those labels explained the causes of my symptoms or suggested an effective treatment.

26 years later I learned I had celiac disease and 6 other delayed reaction food allergies. Eating any of those allergens caused me cramping pain, bloating and nausea.

Abstaining from the allergens didn't eliminate the overly full feeling after eating small amounts or resolve the reflux. After more tests I learned that I had hypochloridia and needed supplemental betaine hydrochloride to digest normally (as well as absorb nutrients). Taking those supplements with meals allowed me to feel satisfied (rather than painfully full, but dissatisfied) after meals. My bloating also completely disapppeared. I was the same size before and after eating.

Finally I learned that my symptoms of fatigue and low core body temperature (as well as irregularity) were caused by autoimmune Hashimoto's hypothyroidism NOT low body weight (or anorexia as I had been previously told).

Today I weigh about the same as I weighed in my 20s when I was told I had anorexia. I eat anything I want EXCEPT my food allergens, and feel satisfied but not painfully full after eating. I'm warm, energetic and 'regular'.

I also wonder how many others who were given the 'eating disorder' really have gastrointestinal disorders, like celiac disease or food allergies, or even hypochloridia or hypothyroidism. I wonder how many therapists even consider physical causes for symptoms included in the eating disorders label.

Soyed By Labelling Error

2011-12-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

A week ago I bought a deli item at my local, organic grocery coop. I've eaten their other deli items,which were labeled free of my allergies, and never had reactions. However a week ago, I saw an item which was originally free of soy (tamari or gluten free soy sauce). However, the deli began adding tamari to their recipe and correctly labeled that ingredient on their ingredients card. So I didn't eat it as long as I saw soy on the label. Nevertheless, during my last visit I saw that item with ingredients free of soy. I read the label twice and asked my husband to verify that he didn't see soy either. Then I asked the deli counter person if the label was correct and she said it was. So I bought a pound of the vegan rice casserole and mixed it with a few other vegies and sunflower seeds for 2 meals' worth.

As I ate some that night, I felt the need to recheck the label on the carton. To my horror, soy (tamari) was plainly listed in the 2nd line of the ingredients. I was absolutely certain that the deli case label had omitted the soy ingredient. So I called the deli department of that deli. The person who answered the phone said the they always use tamari in that recipe. Then I asked why that ingredient wasn't included in the deli counter label. The person in the deli department checked the counter label and sure enough that sign had omitted tamari (soy). Of course I learned all that AFTER I had eaten about 1/3-1/2 cup of the soy laced casserole.

Next I talked to the manager who told me to come in the next day so that they could refund my money. She also wanted to offer me a gift certificate to compensate me for the pain and suffering I would endure, because I'm very allergic to soy. I was so angry at the point that I asked her if chewing and swallowing the gift certificate was supposed to relieve my pain. GRRRRR!!! My husband later told me that the gift certificate was all they could offer me. I told him that made THEM feel better, but not me. What I needed was a guarantee that their labels would always be accurate. Instead I decided that I will never again buy food from their deli department.

One week later I'm still suffering soy reaction symptoms. For the first few days I had more and more cramping intestinal pain and bloating. By the 5th day I had loose stools which turned into outright diarrhea for the past 2 days preceded by excruciating gut cramps and bloating each night. This was my first soy consumption incident in about 5 years or so. The longer someone abstains from a delayed reaction allergen (soy is an IgA mediated allergen for me), the stronger (more intense) and longer lasting reaction symptoms will be. That's exactly what I've experienced. I've been reacting to soy for over a week now. I hope it ends soon. I used to spend 5-7 days reacting to soy. The past 2 days (6 and 7) were the worst. Usually my symptoms are most intense in the middle of the reaction period and then taper off toward the end. So I may spend the next few days still reacting. I hope not!!

The good news is the DHEA seems to be working to improve my immunity (or all the T-cells activated by soy are attacking cold viruses LOL). I've had less sleep lately (because cramping gut pain keeps me awake), but I haven't had any cold symptoms, despite being out in public, touching and possibly picking up germs, for the past week. I'm still taking a tiny bit of arabinogalactin (less than one teaspoonful each night), but that amount previously did not prevent cold symptoms. Also my hair doesn't seem to get so dry between shampoo/conditioning treatments.

I've developed a rhythm to taking my daily sublingual DHEA dose each morning. I wait about 15-30 minutes after taking my thyroid supplements so that I'm fully alert to measure out the 2.5 mcg dose in the oral hypo. After taking that dose I wait 10-15 minutes until I no longer taste the cherry flavored solution (under my tongue) before drink or eat anything. So I know I have absorbed as much as possible.

I hope I can enjoy my improved immunity after I stop reacting to the soy. SIGH

Natural Thyroid Supplement Comments

2011-11-29T22:23:00.000-08:00

I mentioned this before, but I've received several more 'replies' to really old posts which mentioned thyroid supplements. Those 'replies' all included links to advertisements for 'natural thyroid' (dessicated bovine thyroid). So I'll say this again:

I'm not interested in 'natural thyroid'. I need to adjust my T3 and T4, because I don't easily convert T4 to T3. 'Natural thyroid' has a fixed proportion of T4 to T3 (I believe that's 4 to 1). I take more T3 than T4.

My point is: If you post a reply mentioning a link to 'natural thyroid' advertisements, I WILL CLASSIFY YOUR REPLY AS SPAM AND DELETE YOUR POST. IN THE FUTURE, YOUR POSTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CATEGORIZED AS SPAM AND NEVER APPEAR ON MY BLOG.

Test Results and Baking Obsession

2011-11-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

I finally received the results of my 24 hour urine collection test for adrenal steroids and enyme activity. My doc had suspected that I had 'adrenal fatigue', which made me more vulnerable to respiratory infections. I also seem to need more and more thyroid supplement (mostly T3, because my body doesn't easily convert T4 to T3) to eliminate my hypothyroid symptoms. My test results showed I was low in DHEA, androsterone and etiocholanolone. I tried to research the relationship between low DHEA and hypothyroidism, but I couldn't really find much. So I definitely need to book an appointment to talk to my doctor next week. I hope she understands what those results mean and whether that explains my challenged immunity and thryoid problems.

Meanwhile I've been enjoying 2 new allergy free baking books I discovered at my local library. Both books include recipes that are free of 4 and sometimes 5 of my diagnosed allergens (gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and cane sugar). However, I can easily subsitute beet sugar for granulated white sugar and coconut palm sugar for brown sugar in recipes. I can also substitute allspice for nutmeg in other recipes. I liked those books so well that I ordered them on Amazon.com. I've received one, but I'm still using the library copy of the other book. My purchased copy of that book must have been slowed by holiday orders.

However, reading those cookbooks reminded me that my portable mixer is 30? years old and very weak. The lower speeds don't work at all and the beaters make noise at the higher speeds. Also my blender was almost worthless. I can only use one low speed, without getting power deficits. (The blender doesn't run smoothly.) It also 'walks' across the counter. LOL

So we found a great deal on a 'Ninja' blender which is powerful enough to easily crush ice and make peanut butter. I need to cruch cashews for my homemade (allergy free) mayonnaise and ice creams). My husband will take my old blender to work, where his fellow employees only make fruit smoothees. I hope they only need the 'stir' speed on my old blender. LOL

However, finding a great stand mixer took much longer. I didn't want the 'all-purpose' Kitchen Aid with the possibility of all those attachments. I already have a a food processer, a blender, and an ice cream maker (which are all Kitchen Aid attachments). I don't want to make pasta or grind meat (other attachments). So why pay more for possibilties that I don't need? I found online a great mixer with glass bowls (a little heavier, but you can see whether stuff is stuck to the bottom or sides of a glass bowl, unlike a stainless steel bowl) and 3 different mixer blades. It also has some features which the Kitchen Aid lacks. Unfortunately I had to order it online to get exactly what I want. So my great stand mixer won't arrive for another week even though I ordered it a week ago. SIGH

Nevertheless, I've been using my old mixer (before it completely dies?) to make date nut bread and my husband's birthday cake (a lemon poppy seed bundt cake). That was my FIRST bundt cake and a gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg free cake at that! LOL My husband loved it and I'm so proud of my creation. I also liked the taste and texture. However, I'm looking forward to tasting my 'impossible' pumpkin pie. After making a birthday cake the day before, I didn't want to make a pie crust AND filling for a pumptin pie yesterday. So I found a great allergy pumpkin pie recipe that makes it own crust. I hope to eat some for dessert after our Thanksgiving dinner in about 2 hours.

I kinda gave up on baking before I found those 2 allergy free cookbooks. I previously bought cookbooks which were free of gluten, but still used dairy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla, soy and nutmeg. So I had to make all those allergy free substitutions all the time. I never did find a decent substitution for brown sugar (derived from cane sugar) UNTIL I met that baker in Maui who custom made some peanut butter cookies for me using coconut palm sugar. I loved those cookies so much I'm STILL eating them. I have 6 left, luckly because my husband didn't like them so well. Since we got home from Maui he already made 3 dozen chcolate chip cookies, which he consumed in less than a week. Ive had my peanut butter cookies for over a month now. I eat about a half cooky a day on days that I want a cooky. I have so many other desserts (that date nut bread, ice cream, candied ginger (which I eat daily), maple sugar candy, etc. So I don't need to eat everything everyday.

Before my new mixer arrives, I'll probably begin making Christmas cookies. I'll need to hide some (from my husband) in the downstairs freezer, if I hope to have any of those near Christmas time. He's a big fan of my baking. Fortunately we now have his birthday cake, another loaf of pumpkin date bread (which I hid in the freezer) and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. So maybe I can distract him from the Christmas cookies, while he still has cake and pie in the kitchen.

November Update

2011-11-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

WOW! I returned from Maui 10 days ago and still haven't updated this blog. I had a great vacation, bought too many clothes again SIGH, and came home tan and tired. I'll post more about my vacation, if/when anyone asks. However, for now I'm facing/dreading another test to determine why my immunity is still challenged. (I can avoid colds if I take my arabinogalactin daily and get plenty of sleep. I'm also obsessive about washing my hands. My doc talked me into taking a 24 hour urine sample test for adrenal function. She thinks adrenal deficiency may influence my tendency to get frequent colds and need more and more thyroid hormone.

Usually people who lead stressful lifes deplete their adrenals. My life has not been stressful during the past few years. Nevertheless, my childhood with a very abusive parent and first marriage with a controlling, abusive man could have fatigued my adrenals. However, I don't have many 'adrenal fatigue' symptoms (listed on the test questionnaire). Maybe thyroid supplements have resolved those symptoms. Yet I seem to need more and more thyroid to resolve those hypothyroid syptoms (esp. fatigue and irregularity).

On a somewhat related topic, I've received many reply comments to this blog from people suggesting I try 'natural thyroid' (often Armour brand with a T4/T3 proportion of 4/1). My husband takes that brand and does well, because he easily converts T4 to T3. I don't easily convert T4 to T3. So I need separate T4/T3 products to increase my T4/T3 proportion to about 5/3 or a bit more than 2/1. So if any of you reading this blog wants to post their reply about 'natural thyroid', be advised that I will designate your post as 'scam'. That means your post will never appear on this blog, because I moderate every 'reply' post that I receive. If those reply posts are automatically generated, I've just wasted this paragraph (and time). Nevertheless I'm getting very perturbed by those freqent spammy posts!!

That's all I have time or inclination to post for now. At least my few readers will know I returned from my vacation happy and healthy (for now). More later ...

August Update

2011-08-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Over another month passed since my last post. I've been busy sewing, harvesting garden fruits and vegies, playing tennis, walking daily and enjoying opera and musicals. We've had season tickets to Seattle's 5th Avenue theatre for a few years and enjoy most of the musicals there. However, Seattle Opera offered us a trial subscription (3 operas of our choice) for a reasonable price. Since my husband doesn't understand opera, we chose the most famous operas (Porgy and Bess, Madame Butterfly and Carmen). I was very impressed with Porgy and Bess and hope the other 2operas will also be outstanding.

Healthwise, I've done well on the increased thyroid supplement dosage (25mcg of T3 in 2 divided daily doses and one 50mcg dose of T4). However, I noticed more hypothyroid symptoms when I don't wait long enough after taking my thyroid before taking magnesium supplements. My doc warned me to wait 4 hours, but I've read that 3 hours is okay. I've noticed that I need to wait 3-1/2 to 4 hours to get the full affect of my thyroid dose.

I got tired of sewing skirts and moved onto dress patterns. I only completely the muslin on the first pattern. I had so much difficulty fitting the linen dress from that pattern that I gave up. I realized the linen was too stiff, I added too much extra 'ease' to the pattern and I moved the front dart incorrectly. Of course I realized all that AFTER I wasted the linen and lining fabric. SIGH However, I really needed some summer dresses, because we're having really warm August weather. So I moved onto the next pattern and made the first attempt from an inexpensive cotton, which I could wear if it fit or put in my charity bag if it didn't fit. Fortunately, I recognized and corrected fitting problems before I completed the garment. So the first attempt is 'wearable'. Nevertheless, I learned how I need to alter the pattern before making my second garment from that pattern.

Since I stopped taking the LDN, I did well with no cold symptoms while taking arabinogalactin daily. Even one teaspoon daily is enough to stop slight symptoms (like sore throat) before I develop a cold. However, when I ran out of the effective brand of arabinogalactin (IAG), I tried taking a cheaper brand, which causes more gas, bloating and pain (from the FOS prebiotics). So recently I've not taken any arabinogalactin at night, but continue to take vitamin D and get some sunshine daily. (Vitamin D also fights infections.) I seem to be doing well (no actual colds) without any IAG, when I get enough vitamin D. Nevertheless, I also snack on cantaloupe (which is high in both vitamin A and C, which both fight infections).

After my last post I tried a new hair stylist. A new salon opened 2 blocks from my house. I was really tired of trying to communicate with my former hair stylist. She was Vietnamese and didn't always understand what I told her. She was VERY skilled at cutting hair, However, she couldn't understand that I didn't want a cut exactly like the pictures I showed her. I would tell her that I liked the bangs from one picture, the length on another picture and the angles on another picture. She just didn't get that I didn't want a cut exactly like the picture. She kept telling me I couldn't get that cut until my hair grew 3 more inches (6 more months). So I finally decided to try a new stylist. I showed the new stylist the same pictures. She 'got it' and gave me a great cut. She's also close enough that I can pop in for free bang trims or neck shaves. (My hair grows down my neck in 2 places.) While I still have a short 'inverted' bob (shorter in back, longer in front), I need to keep the back trim (and shaved). Almost a month after my cut with the new stylist I love the style even more. However, I'll wait another month before my next cut to precede my trip to Maui.

I'm looking forward to our Maui vacation, especially now that we have temperatures in the low 80s in Seattle. We usually have mid 80s in Maui. So I'm ready for more warm weather. However, my husband tells me that I will experience Maui very differently this year. Taking thyroid supplements has finally increased my core body temperature. I used to easily tolerate 80 degree weather, because I wsa sooooo cold all the time. Now I sweat when the weather is in the low 70s. I wear sundresses or tank tops and shorts when my husband wears long sleeved shirts and slacks. I only get cold just before I need to take my second T3 dose. T3 has an 8 hour half life. So when I take my first T3 at 5:30-6 am, by 3pm I have an energy and temperature 'crash'. I have to wait 1 hour after lunch before taking my T3. If I don't get my lunch until after 2pm (which often occurs), I suffer the energy 'crash'. I just get too busy sewing and don't want to stop to eat. So I don't eat until I'm starving and then have to wait longer for my T3 dose.

I need to go out now to harvest more brocolli, blueberries and strawberries. Our grapes won't be ripe for another week or so. Hopefully, the berries will finhish ripening by then. So much to harvest, so little time. Actually too much sewing ... LOL

Summer Update

2011-07-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted here for almost 2 months. I need to add an update. I've been busy sewing skirts (mostly lined, cotton or linen A-line and pencil). Our garden is flourishing. I'm picking strawberries, raspberries and brocolli now. My husband picks the lettuce and sugar snap peas. Also we play tennis at least once a week. Our usual biketrail is partially closed for renovations. So we decided to focus on tennis and improve our skills before we go to Maui in October. We have free courts near our Lahaina condo. So we take our rackets and play frequently even in hot Maui weather.

Healthwise I'm doing well. I haven't had a real cold since April (3 months ago). Whenever I get symptoms, I just get to bed ontime and get enough sleep. The next morning I feel fine with no symptoms. I will finish my last prescription of low dose naltrexone (to increase my immunity) in a few days. My last CBC showed my white blood cells were in the normal range. However, I opted to continue LDN for another 3 months, because I still had frequent colds. During my second 3 months of LDN, I had no colds.

I will pick up my new prescriptions for thyroid supplements today. I asked my doc to increase my T3 (liothyronine) dose from 5mcg 2x daily (total 10mcg) to 25 mcg (1/2 dose 2x daily for a total of 25). Perhaps as my body adjusted to LDN, I didn't get quite the effect of thyroid supplements as I did when I began LDN. (LDN initially exacerbates the effect of thyroid supps and can cause hyper symptoms.) I'll stay on my same initial dose of T3 (Levoxyl), which is 50mcg 1x daily. I don't convert T4 to T3 easily. So I really don't know how much actual useable T3 I get from those 50mcg of T4. I wish there was a T4/T3 conversion test. However, my doc wants to see my T4 in a normal range. So I'll keep taking that T4 supplement.

Before I requested that increased T3 dosage, I did a trial increase with my current 5mcg prescription. Rather than just taking 5mcg 2x daily, I took 10mcg 2x daily to increase my total to 20mcg daily. I did well (no afternoon energy crash, normal body temperature, normal regularity) and didn't get any hyperthyroid symptoms (like heart palpitations or diarrhea). So I'm ready to begin the new prescription with 25mcg of T3 daily after I finish my 'trial' increase from my old prescription (20mcg daily). I don't think that 5 extra mcg will make much difference. If I get hyper symptoms, I can decrease my afternoon dose.

I've also noticed that my trial increased afternoon dose of 10mcg (formerly 5mcg) didn't affect my sleep, even if I take that as late as 5:45pm. My doc told me to take the afternoon dose no later than 4pm, because that might keep me awake. Amazingly I haven't noticed sleep problems, even when I took that increased dose at 5:45pm. I prefer to take that between 2 and 4pm, but I don't get the energy crash. So I sometimes forget to take the afternoon dose exactly one hour after lunch.

Despite the increased T3 dose my weight stayed in my usual 3 pound range. When I don't drink enough fluids and eat a salty dinner (usually salad with dressing, because I don't like dry, salty foods like chips), I weigh more. When I eat more fruit, sweat more while playing tennis, or drink enough fluids my weight is down. Nevertheless, I'm happy with my body. I've lost an inch in my waist by doing waist exercises. I've also firmed up my former underarm flab flaps by lifting weights and doing other upper arm exercises. So I often wear sleeveless tops during warm weather.

I also wear skirts more often, because I've made so many. After 2 more skirts, I will start making dresses. I have several summer dress patterns which I want to try. I'm addicted to sewing. So I'm shopping less and prefer sweaters (because I don't knit) or shoes, when I do buy garments.

I plan to get a maintenance check on my sewing machine and serger while I'm in Maui. I'll take those to the shop just before I leave. I'm so addicted to sewing that I need those 2 machines every day before my vacation. I have such a stash of fabric, which I purchased from a local discount fabric shop before they closed, that I can keep sewing for years without needing to purchase more than thread, blades for my rotary cutter and occasional lining fabric. Fortunately I consider sewing a 'healthy' addiction!

Restaurant Food Got Me!

2011-05-29T20:21:00.001-07:00

10 days ago I began to experience cramping, bloating, some diarrhea and nausea. Because I ate at a local restaurant before I had those symptoms. I suspected bacteria (or other bugs) or allergens (maybe cross-contamination) from the restaurant food caused my symptoms. However, I had eaten the same entree at that restaurant many previous times and had NO reaction. So I was really puzzled.

However, I put away (froze) 2 meals from my leftovers before I got those symptoms. I decided to wait until I recovered from the symptoms to eat one of those (frozen leftover) meals. If I again experienced those (cramping, bloating, nausea) symptoms after eating the lefotver meal, I would know something in the food caused my symptoms.

Friday night (2 days ago) I felt well and decided to try the restuarant leftovers again. Saturday morning I began having the same (but more intense) symptoms of bloating, nausea, diarrhea andd cramping pain. So I know for sure that resturant meal caused my symptoms. Last week I didn't know whether a foodborn bacteria (or parasite) in the food caused my symptoms or whether I was reacting to an allergen. This week my symptoms seem more like previous allergen reactions, maybe because the symptoms are more intense. (I remembered my reactions to gluten, dairy and soy being more painful.)

Today I visited that resturant and talked to the waitress who often serves me the same entree I always eat. She reassured me that the dish containined none of my allergens. However, since we visited the restaurant on a very busy night, I suspect cross-contamination. Perhaps one of the cooks used hastily washed utensils or pans to prepare my dish. That utensil or dish could have been contaminated with wheat (from flour tortillas) or dairy (from cheese or sour cream) from other previously prepared dishes. The waitress told me that the cooks are very careful, but my body says it was exposed to an allergen.

I won't return to that restaurant again very soon. However, when I do want to eat there again, I'll go at a slower time when the staff isn't so busy. I can't risk cross-contamination. Even though I eventually recover (symptoms disappear), allergen antibodies damage my intestines and make me more susceptible to new allergies or other autoimmune diaeases. I already have celiac disease, 6 other delayed reaction food allergies, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Sjogren's disease. I don't want more autoimmune conditions. SIGH

Better But Still Puzzled

2011-05-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Those intestinal cramping symptoms gradually decreased over the past 3 days. However, I still don't know what caused the symptoms. Perhaps taking extra probiotics (2 capsules for daily 100 billion live cells vs. my usual daily 50 billion) helped fight off a possible gut bug infection. Perhaps eating coconut ice cream (not just coconut milk, but actual coconut bits) helped calm my gut. I've read that coconut helps decrease diarrhea. I didn't actually have diarrhea, but I had all the urgency and cramps that accompany diarrhea. I also decreased my magnesium supplement consumption. So maybe that helped.

Possibly I contracted a bacteria or reacted to an allergen from the restaurant meal, which I consumed last Saturday night. If so, I will get the same gut symptoms when I eat my restaurant meal leftovers. I hope not, because I always order that same dish and look forward to my 2 meals from leftovers. Nevertheless, I visited that restaurant on a sunny Saturday evening. We got the last open table before a line formed outside. I've never seen that restaurant so crowded. Perhaps someone in the kitchen accidentally contaminated my entree?? However, my recent symptoms didn't feel like an allergy reaction. They did feel like a gut bug. Maybe my gut is healthy enough to rid itself of bad bugs now. I don't know what I had, but I'm glad it's gone ... at least until I thaw, heat and eat my restaurant leftovers. SIGH

Puzzling Intestinal Cramps, Etc.

2011-05-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

I had been doing very well physically for over a month. I had no new respiratory infections. I was tolerating well my 50mcg dose of T4 plus two 5mcg )divided) doses of T3 supplements. So my hypothyroid symptoms (fatigue, low body temp and irregularity) continued to decrease until I felt almost 'normal' playing tennis on Saturday. I had all the energy I needed to play an hour of tennis, walk around the lake for another 1-1/4 hours and then walk to a local restaurant for dinner (another 60 minute round trip walk) that day. However, I awoke the next morning with intestinal cramps and almost diarrhea. My gut felt like I would have diarrhea (cramps, queasiness, nausea), but I didn't actually have diarrhea. Maybe my gut's good bacteria level is high enough to fight off whatever caused those symptoms.

However, I still have those symptoms today. So I wonder whether (1) I consumed an allergen during the restaurant dinner (although I ordered the same entree, which I always eat without problems) or (2) I contracted some kind of intestinal bacteria (which could cause cramping pain and bloating--I've had some of that) or (3) my T4 supplement finally raised my thyroid hormone levels high enough to cause hyperthyroid symptoms (diarrhea and cramping intestinal pain can be hyperthyroid symptoms). However, I don't have any other hyper symptoms (like palpitations or overheating). So I really don't know what caused these cramping gut pains.

Meanwhile I will reduce my daily magnesium supplement, which can cause diarrhea and can also prevent thyroid absorption if taken too close to thyroid doses. Maybe some peppermint tea could relax my intestines. (I usually avoid peppermint tea, because it also relaxes the lower esophageal valve and can thereby cause reflux.) I experienced slightly less cramping pain today (or maybe I'm just accustomed to that symptom after 2 days). I really hope I don't have another gut bacteria ... been there, done that too many times already. Nevertheless, if these symptoms continue, I need to take yet another stool test for bacteria, parasites and/or yeast.

Spring finally arrived in Seattle. We had our first 70 degree day on Saturday. I plan to plant squash seed in hills on the next sunny day (hopefully Tuesday). My tomato seedlings are flourishing in my studio (south facing) window. However, I won't put those into the garden for a few more weeks. (Everything will be late this year, because we had such a cold spring.) My husband is anxious to plant green beans. We're planting some crops so late that we may be in Maui when our vegies (and grapes) are ripe enough to pick. I certainly won't stay home to harvest. LOL

I've also sewed several A-line skirts (5?) and one pencil skirt during this rainy spring. I plan to make more pencil skirts, but need to alter some old denim shorts (which are too long and too wide) and a pair of white trousers. (I'll make skinny pants from trousers which have stretch.)

I haven't done much serious computer shopping, but I decided I prefer a smaller screen (13-14 inch) notebook rather than a really small (10 inch screen) netbook (which is lighter, but difficult to see). I don't actually need a laptop until October (when we go to Maui for 16 days). I can decide later.

Last (but not least LOL) my hairstyle finally looks like a short bob with bangs (from the front). However the sideview shows that I'm growing out my 'pixie' cut, because the shortest hair is near the ears, while in front and in back of my ears I have longer hair. I'm still uncertain about whether I want a shorter in back, longer in front tapered bob or a precision arched extended bang cut (hair is shorter around my face and longer in the back). I like the precision arched style, but I may want hair off my face during hot weather. I also may want to wear a ponytail during hot weather, which I can't do with the arched extended bang style. So I'll just wait to see how I feel when my hair is longer and the weather is hotter.

Short Health Update

2011-04-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

I've taken 50 mcg of T4 and 10 mcg of T3 (divided dose) for 8 days now. During the previous week I took 25 mcg of T4 and 12 mcg of T3 for 7 days. However, I got tired of splitting pills. So I tried whole tablets of both drugs. I notice a little more palpitation after exercise, but my husband assures me that's normal. I'm warmer, more energetic and absolutely 'regular' (no more bleeding hemorrhoids YAAAYY!!!). I still notice slight energy deficit before and after I take my afternoon T3 dose. I can't call that an energy 'crash' now. I can push through the urge to veg, while my T3 takes effect.

I'll continue to monitor side effects of the T4, because I'm also taking full dose (3 mg) of LDN. I may need to reduce the T4 back to 25 mcg after it reaches full potential in my body. That usually takes 1-4 weeks. Above all, I haven't experienced cold symptoms for over a week. So I'm gradually reducing the Arabinogalactin. I also resumed taking vitamin D (because I no longer have constipation problems), but I only take 1000 IU of D3 daily. I eat enough vitamin D rich foods. So I don't want to OD on vitamin D3 again. Perhaps my body can finally fight off viral infections before they develop into full blown 'colds'. Only time will tell, but I feel well now.

Decreased Internet Activity

2011-04-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

For some time I've realized that I spend waaaaay too much time online. I regret the time I waste reading other people's blogs, checking online support groups, and even shopping at sites of stores which I can visit locally. I've tried to limit my time to once a day. However, I noticed that when I'm too tired to do anything else, need a break or want to procrastinate doing something which I fear failing or not doing perfectly, I wander into my office and turn on my computer. An hour later I realized I could have finished whatever I procrastinated, that I didn't need such a long 'break', or that I didn't get any more energy from sitting and staring at this screen.

Luckily, when my husband tried to install a security software update, my computer crashed. Nothing worked! He felt very guilty. I was relieved. I had a great way to prevent myself from wasting online time.

My husband took my computer to work and asked a techie friend to repair my computer, which involved deleting and reloading everything except, of course, my 'favorites'. Those 'favorites' included other people's blogs, shopping sites and information about medical treatments. He brought my computer home after a few days and told me it was much faster. However, I did not want him to reconnect my computer on my office desk. I wanted an enforced computer vacation.

So during the past 9 days I was online for about an hour. I observed that I can clear my emails and junk mail in about 5 minutes, answer 1-2 emails and even post on a blog within 30 minutes once every few days. During the past week I've spent much more time sewing (my true passion). I've also gotten much more rest.

When my computer first crashed, my husband and I discussed a replacement. He offered to buy me a new computer many previous times. So I took him up on his offer. I want a laptop with a docking station in my office. However, I have yet to shop for a laptop. I just don't want to spend more time either shopping for or working on a computer. So I still have my old computer, which works a little faster now.

I now realize I can ignore my computer for days and spent more time on other things. Right now I'm soaking my toenails in Listerine (a toenail fungus treatment) while I'm online. However, I just noticed I've spent 30 minutes, which is all I need for my toenails.

FT3 Result

2011-04-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

I never did see my Free T3 test result posted on my HMO website. So I didn't think they ran that test. However, I received in the mail today the paper copy printout of all my recent blood test results, which included the free T3 result. I have mixed emotions about that result. I'm glad I finally got the result. However, my recent FT3of 2.3 (normal 2.4-4.4) was even lower than my last result of 2.7. (Before I began taking supplemental T3 last November my FT3 was 2.0.) So how did my FT3 levels DECREASE while I wsa taking 10-12 mcg of Liothyronine (T3) daily???

Perhaps I do need the T4 (Levoxyl) supplement to get enough T3, even though I don't easily convert T4 to T3. At least taking Levoxyl could prevent the afternoon energy drain, because T4 rises slowly ans decreases slowly. (The half-life for T4 is 8 days vs. the half-life of T3, which is 8 hours.)

I also suspect I haven't been as careful as I should be with my dose schedule. I'm supposed to take my thyroid supps 1 hour before food and 3-4 hours before taking magnesium supplements. However, I take Mg supps with breakfast lunch and dinner so that I don't get a big dose of Mg all at once. Large amounts of Mg can cause gas and bloating, which I don't like. I used to get up and take my thyroid supps and then go back to bed for another hour or so. Then by the time I had breakfast 3 hours later, 4hours would have passed between my thyroid supps and my Mg dose. However, I've gotten a little careless with my morning dose. Sometimes I eat, rather than just drink juice less than an hour after I take my T3 dose. Sometimes I eat breakfast and take Mg less than 3 hours after my T3 dose. Both food and Mg interfere with thyroid supplement absorption. So I get some of the thyroid, but not all.

Whatever ... my low T3 level explains why I've had more regularity problems lately despite taking thyroid supps. So I'll resume my earlier habit of getting up when I first wake up in the am, rather than rolling over and going back to sleep. I can take my thyroid supps with arabinogalactan and THEN go back to bed for an hour or so. LOL

I took my first LDN (full 3 mg dose) last night. I noticed the difference immediately. I slept well, but I woke up remembering vivid dreams. I missed those during the week I was off LDN. I only had one scary dream previously while on LDN, but that was after watching a disturbing movie. Also I noticed that I didn't feel the pain from my current cold (sore throat and chest pain), maybe because LDN stimulates endorphin production. More endorphins means less pain sensation. This cold seems to have progressed to my chest. So I cough (both productive and nonproductive) continually. Hopefully resuming LDN and vitamin D3 supplements (which I began to today at 1000mg) will help me recover more quickly from this cold.

I long for the day when my WBCs are high enough that no longer get every cold that comes along. Actually I suspect my husband brought me this cold from his office, where a coworker has the same symptoms as I have. Oh well, another 3 months on LDN should improve my immunity even more.

TPOab Result and No Charge Visit

2011-04-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

I received another blood test result today. My TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies or Hashimoto's antibodies) was 37. Last November that number was 53. After 6 weeks on LDN (low dose naltrexone) that number was 47. My lastest TPOab result of 37 was after 4-1/2 months on LDN. That and my improved WBC (white blood cell) result convinced me to resume taking LDN. If I still get colds easily, I can certainly improve my immunity even more. I'll resume LDN after I get my prescription tomorrow.

Today I saw my doc. She had not received all my blood test results, because my HMO only sends those to my 'outside provider' (doc unaffiliated with my HMO) AFTER all the results are in. However, I can access my results as they appear on my HMO's website. So I just printed out everything I received (CBCs, TSH, FT4, TPOab and Vitamin D3 levels) and took those to my appointment with my doc. While she was looking at the results I asked her if I could resume LDN, Levoxyl (my T4 supplement) and vitamin D3 at 1000IU daily. She concurred with all those ideas. She was also very pleased to see my WBC levels were finally in the midnormal range and my TPOab had decreased even more. So we're both excited to see how much more improvement I'll experience by continuing the LDN another 3 months or so.

My doc was so impressed by my questions and understanding of my blood test results that she didn't charge me for an appointment. She said she couldn't offer me anything, because I figured it out myself. So we just talked about gardening and fashion for the rest of my appointment time. I promised to bring my old Oprah, Bazaar, Living Without and Lucky magazines for their clinic waiting room the next time I needed to buy more arabinogalactan from their clinic.

Maybe I should have just booked a phone consult, but I like to get regular blood pressure, weight, pulse and body temperature assessment. As usual my weight was exactly the same as it was for the previous 5 visits, but my core body temp was low, probably because I'm fighting yet another cold. Oh well, all the more reason to resume taking LDN.

Post LDN Symptoms and Blood Tests

2011-04-13T08:27:00.001-07:00

I took my last LDN (low dose naltrexone) capsule 6 days ago. After 36 hours I awoke with what felt like a hangover, but I haven't consumed alcohol for at least 2 years. I was nauseas and had a headache, but no respiratory symptoms (which could indicate another cold). The next day I felt less nausea and no headache. So I suspect I was 'withdrawing' from LDN.

However 3 days after finishing LDN I developed slight cold (respiratory infection) symptoms. The next day I definitely had another bad cold, which I'm still fighting 2 days later. I had a brief (2 week) break from cold symptoms after my 3 week battle with a sinus infection during March, while I took my initially prescribed dose (3 mg daily) of LDN. However, 4 days after I stopped taking LDN I developed another bad cold.

Nevertheless, I did a blood draw on Monday (the day I woke up with severe cold symptoms). I suspected the cold would lower my white blood cell count, even if that had increased. So I was pleasantly surprised by my CBC results, which I received the same day:

WBC (total white blood cell count) 6.2 (normal range 4.0-10.7) vs. 3.4 on January 28;

Absolute Neutrophils were 4.49 (normal range 2.0-7.3) vs. 1.93 (below normal) on 1/28;

Absolute Lymphocytes were 1.01 (normal range 1.0-3.4), which is consistent with active viral infections (another cold), vs. 1.06 on 1/28;

MCHC was 33 (normal range 33-37) vs. 32 on 1/28.

The WBC and Neutrophil level improvements tell me that the LDN worked!

I also received 2 of the 4 thyroid hormone tests:

TSH was 1.69 vs. 1.72 on 1/13/11 (normal range 0.3-3.0);

Free T4 was 0.52 vs. 0.67 on 1/13 (normal range ).9-1.8), which were low because I didn't take a T4 supplement while taking LDN to avoid hyperthyroid sympoms.

My vitamin D3 level was 40 (normal range 30-80) vs. 93 (higher than normal) on 1/13. So I finally got that down to normal level. I had severe constipation while I had the higher level. So I abstained from vitamin D for 3 months. I may resume taking a lower daily dose (1000 IU) of D3. My doc originally prescribed D3 to help fight respiratory infections. However, my infections were just as frequent and severe when I had high vitamin D levels as when I had low vitamin D levels. So I'm not convinced that vitamin D fights viral infections. I also learned that I consume many high vitamin D containing foods, while I tried to abstain from vitamin D. 2 of the highest vitamin D sources are canned salmon and sesame seeds. I eat a salad with canned salmon and sesame seeds at least 2x a week. I also frequently eat many other high Vitamin D foods.

I'm still awaiting my free T3 and TPOab (Hashimoto's antibodies) blood test results. Hopefully I'll get those before my appointment with my doctor tomorrow. I will ask her whether I should: (1) resume taking LDN (because I didn't get colds when I took the recommended dose) and (2) resume taking a T4 supplement (maybe 25 mcg daily of Levoxyl?) in addition to my T3 supplement (11-12 mcg of liothyronine). I stopped taking T4 because the LDN exacerbated the effect of that hormone and caused hyperthyroid symptoms (palpitations). However, I experience daily a daily low energy (crash) between T3 doses. So maybe a T4 supplement (which has a longer half-life than T3) will keep my energy levels higher. Nevertheless, if I resume taking LDN, I'll have to keep the T4 dose low enough to prevent hyper symptoms and high enough to prevent the pm energy crash. Oh well, I'm used to juggling my thyroid hormone doses. SIGH

Juggling Thyroid Hormones

2011-03-24T15:32:00.001-07:00

After many years of hypothyroid symptoms, I finally found a doctor who tested more than my TSH levels. However, those had been higher than normal since the TSH normal scale was revised downward in 2003. Unfortunately, my HMO neglected to advise their docs to revise their TSH normal scale. So my hypothyroid symptoms progressively increased along with my TSH level during the past 10 years. I felt progressively more fatigued, I felt very sensitive to cold temperatures and I needed 900 mg of magnesium to stay somewhat 'regular'. However for me 'regular' meant a daily bowel movement, which was harder than normal, with frequent inflamed and/or bleeding hemorrhoids. (I had hemorrhoid surgery in 1999, but more hemorrhoids developed during the past 10 years.) My daily fatigue crisis usually occurred in late afternoon. So I often craved and binged on sweets in my attempt to get some energy to function for a few more hours. I also lost the outer third of my eyebrows, which I later learned was a hypothyroid symptom.

However, last June I saw a new naturopath who tested me for anything that could have influenced my 8 gastrointestinal infections during the previous 4 year period. One test for thyroid hormones showed the my TSH was higher than normal and my free T4 was low normal. So she prescribed a T4 supplement. I chose Levoxyl, because it didn't contain any of my allergens. However after 3 months on Levoxyl I still did not notice much decreased hypothyroid symptoms. I still felt cold, tired and constipated. So my doc told me to increase my dosage from 50 to 75 mcg daily. That increased dose caused hyperthyroid symptoms of tachycardia, palpitations, sweating and diarrhea. I didn't mind the diarrhea, but I certainly worried about tachycardia. So I abstained from thyroid supplements until those hyper symptoms disappeared and returned to my original 50 mcg dose and my hypothyroid symptoms.

My experiences with T4 (all or nothing symptoms) made me wonder whether I had difficulty converting T4 to T3. T4 is the 'carrier' hormone, but T3 is the 'worker' hormone which controls various metabolic functions. Because T4 is converted to T3, the body usually makes less T3 than T4. However, if people can't convert T4 to T3, T4supplements won't resolve their hypothyroid symptoms. So I asked my doc to request blood tests for free T3, total T3, free T4, total T4, TSH and TPOab (Hashimoto's antibodies). Those tests showed that my free T3 was very low, my T4 was normal, my TSH was low normal (good) and Hashimoto's antibodies were high normal.

So my doc prescribed a T3 supplement, generic Liothyronine, which was free of my allergens. The combination of 10 mcg of Liothyronine and 50 mcg of Levoxyl resolved all my hypothyroid symptoms. I was 'regular', warm and energetic.

I did well for a few weeks on the T3/T4 therapy UNTIL I began taking LDN (low dose naltrexone) to increase my white blood cells (immunity). LDN positively affects all autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis. So within 3 days of starting LDN I again experienced hyperthyroid symptoms (overheating, palpitations and diarrhea). LDN had decreased my need for so much thyroid supplement by decreasing Hashimoto's antibodies (which damage the thyroid and decrease its production of hormones).

Because I needed the LDN to treat mild neutropenia, I decided to abstain from the T4 supplements, because I don't easily convert that anyway. That immediately resolved my hyperthyroid symptoms. I returned to my normal 'warm, energetic and regular'.

However, another blood test showed that my vitamin D levels were higher than normal. One of the results of vitamin D overdose is constipation, because vitamin D uses magnesium. Because magnesium keeps the stools soft, I take daily magnesium. Nevertheless, I noticed I became progressively more constipated, before I saw the vitamin D overdose test results. So I immediately abstained from vitamin D supplements. Yet the severe constipation continued and my hemorrhoids bled daily.

So I took more magnesium and a bit more T3. (I cut my liothyronine tablets into small pieces so that I could take 1-2 mcg more than my original prescription.) About that time I got a very bad sinus infection. So I also took more vitamin C. All those extra supplements helped resolved the constipation. However, I had to just wait for the excess vitamin D to leave my body, which stores extra vitamin D in the muscles.

For 2 months I juggled extra supplements (T3, C and Mg) to counteract the constipating effect of excess Vitamin D. Then I began to notice softer and softer stools. So I cut back on the C and Mg and still had normal stools. I believe that I finally have normal levels of vitamin D in my body. However, I won't take any supplemental vitamin D until I see the results of my next blood test, which I'll take after I finish my LDN prescription.

Now I'm enjoying the effects of just enough T3 (feeling consistently warm, energetic and regular). However, I take T3 twice daily, because it has such a short half life (8 hours). I need to take the first dose when I wake up, but can't eat breakfast for at least an hour after that dose. Then I need to wait 3 hours after the T3 dose before I can take Magnesium supplements. Because I take Mg with breakfast, I had to wait 3 hours to have breakfast, until I realized I could just take the Mg after breakfast.

Nevertheless, I still 'crash' before my afternoon T3 dose takes effect. I usually don't get hungry for lunch until 4 hours after breakfast. Then I have to wait an hour after eating, before I can take my afternoon T3 dose. By that time 8 hours have passed since my morning dose. However, I don't feel the effect of the second T3 dose until 2-3 hours pass. That causes me to 'crash' with low energey and feeling cold until the second dose increases my thyroid hormone levels. I'm working at getting my breakfast earlier (and taking Mg after breakfast) so that I can get lunch earlier so that I can take that 2nd thyroid dose before I totally crash. Nevertheless, I still 'crash' every afternoon. At least I now understand the cause of the crash so that I don't believe bingeing on sweets will resolve my energy crisis. So I plan relaxing activity (like checking emails) during my low energy time.

After I finish the LDN (about 2 more weeks), I may ask my doc for another Levoxyl prescription, but at a lower dose. Even though I don't easily convert T4 to T3, I do convert some. Since T4 levels rise slowly and decrease slowly, I didn't begin to get the afternoon energy crash until after I abstained from T4. So perhaps a lower dose (25 mcg) T4 combined with my current T3 or maybe a higher T3 morning dose could prevent my afternoon energy crisis.

I LOVE Spring!!

2011-03-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had warm, sunny weather after a long dreary, rainy spell. So my husband planted peas, carrots and lettuce. I planted kale seeds and brocolli starts. I was still struggling with that sinus infection. So I didn't stay outside very long that day.

However, today we have 60+ degree weather. I'm wearing sandals, boot cut khakis and one of the many boatneck knit tops I made from a favorite pattern earlier this year. (Once I get a pattern altered to fit, I tend to use it over and over.) I believe I made 5 tops from different colors and patterns of knit fabric from that pattern. I also made matching A-line skirts for 2 of those tops. I'm so glad to have weather warm enough to shed heavy sweaters, skinny jeans, thick sock and running shoes.

I plan to plant new parsley and clean out my herb garden (deck pots) this afternoon. Then I will prune the blueberry bushes and all the roses damaged by last winter's cold weather. I'll wait to plant tomato seeds, because I can't really set out the plants until May. Also I need to wait until May or so to plant green beans and crookneck squash. I hope we have a few warm days this month so that I can clean out the strawberry beds and topdress them with organic mulch.

Best of all I'm almost recovered from that awful sinus infection. I still have a tiny bit of congestion, but don't feel like I have an infection any more. I also suspect the excess vitamin D in my body (which caused constipation) has finally decreased to a normal level, because I no longer need extra magnesium and/or vitamin C for regularity. I'm just taking a normal (for me) amount of vitamin C and magnesium and my regular thyroid (T3) dose 2x daily. I'm trying to change my daily schedule to enjoy as much daylight as possible by getting up earlier and eating meals earlier. That also allows me to take my afternoon T3 dose earlier. Eventually I'll be able to take that afternoon thyroid dose BEFORE I crash. LOL

Finally I will resume full dose LDN (3mg) tonight. I tried that 2 nights ago and slept okay. So I took my last 2/3 LDN dose last night. I will take the rest of my full dose LDN capsules nightly for the next 16 days. After I finish that prescription I'll need to have another blood draw to test my white blood cell (esp. neutrophils) level to verify whether LDN actually improved my immmunity. At this point I really don't know, because I still got that awful sinus infection after almost 4 months of LDN. I'll also requests tests for vitamin D and thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4, TSH and Hashimoto's antibodies) from that blood draw. Of course, my doc will actually have to request the blood draw order from my HMO clinic.

Recovery??

2011-03-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

I finally recovered from that cold/sinus infection after almost 10 days of symptoms. Getting that respiratory infection makes me really wonder whether the LDN improved my immunity and raised my neutrophils. I have one 2mg capsule and 15 3mg capsules remaining of my 3 months LDN prescription. Because I divided those capsules into smaller doses (from 3mg to 2 or even 1.75 mg), my prescription lasted more than 3 months. However, I really won't know whether LDN improved my white blood cell level (and immunity) until I take another blood test after I finish my prescription. Meanwhile I plan to begin taking 3mg capsules tomorrow night. I also will try to take my afternoon T3 dose before 4pm, since both T3 and LDN can disturb sleep. If I take the T3 early enough, I may still sleep soundly, despite increased LDN.

I also wonder whether my vitamin D level has decreased enough to be in the 'normal range' and not cause overdose related constipation. I stopped taking extra Vitamin C and/or magnesium a few days ago, after I felt more recovered from my respiratory infection. I took Vitamin C for that infection, but extra vitamin C also helped with regularity. Also I continue to take 1-2 mcg extra T3 with my morning dose, because thyroid supplement also helped resolve irregularity when I had too much vitamin D in my system. However, I still feel bloated and crampy, like I take too much magnesium or maybe too much T3. Nevertheless, I'll wait and see what happens during the next few days before I reduce my T3 any more.

Another Bad Cold/Sinus Infection

2011-03-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

For awhile I seemed to control cold symptoms with my arabinogalactin (Biotiks IAG). I would get symptoms, take my IAG and then experience no symptoms for 12 hours or so. During a couple of days I didn't have any cold symptoms. However, once again I have a really bad cold and/or sinus infection. I really needed sleep last night. I expected to just sleep in, because we set the clocks forward, making daylight later.

After tossing and turning for about 30 minutes to find a position where I could breathe with my stuffy nose, I awoke 5 hours later at 4:30am, because my sinuses were so congested that I could hardly breathe. Eventually I got up, took my arabinogalactin, which clears my sinuses within 30 minutes, and began breathing more easily. However, my sinuses were so inflamed from this infection that every breath was painful. So I couldn't get back to sleep.

An hour later I decided to take some Tylenol for the sinus pain so that I could sleep. Eventually (30 minutes later) I could breathe without pain and went back to sleep. However the light woke me up again after about an hour of sleep. As tired as I was, I gave up, got up and hoped that being upright would reduce my congestion.

When I got up, I felt really hungry. So I went downstairs and ate an orange, which I always crave when I have cold. 2 hours later I had a regular breakfast of blueberries and peanut butter on an English muffin half. Hopefully blueberries will improve immunity.

Now I feel exhausted and sick, but I don't want to go back to bed. Being horizontal prevents me from breathing, because my congestion worsens. So I'm in another vicious cycle situation. I need sleep to overcome this cold, but my sinuses are so congested that I can't breathe when I lay down. I suspect I'll fall asleep sitting up during the sermon at church tonight. I've been sick so often during the past 9 months that I haven't heard many entire sermons. SIGH

Still Need Extra T3 and Mg

2011-03-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

I'm still taking extra T3 (liothyronine) and sometimes extra magnesium to prevent constipation. (When I cut back, the constipation returns.) I only need about 1-2 mcg more T3 for a total of 11-12 mcg daily (vs. my original 10 mcg). I sometimes take a little more (150 mg) magnesium (in addition to my normal 900 mg daily). If I have a bad cold, I take more vitamin C. However all those additions can cause intestinal cramps. So I suspect I still have higher than normal levels of vitamin D, which causes constipation. Nevertheless, even 12 mcg of T3 is much less than I took before I started LDN. I was doing well with 50 mcg of T4 (Levoxyl) and 10mcg of liothyronine, before LDN enhanced the effects of my thyroid supplements and cause hyperthyroid symptoms. Since I have difficulty converting T4 to T3, I opted to just drop the T4. My doc didn't mind my T4 levels being low, because my hypothyroid symptoms were controlled by the T3 ... UNTIL I overdosed on vitamin D.

So I still get constipated if I don't take extra T3 and magnesium. I wonder how long vitamin D can stay stored in my muscles?? My doc said reducing Vitamin D to normal levels can take months. I've abstained from vitamin D less than 2 months now. Oh well, I don't need to waste $$ on vitamin D supplements, because I have soooo much extra in my body. That doesn't seem to help my immunity much. With ongoing neutropenia, I still get frequent respiratory infections. So I'm also still taking LDN and hoping that will improve my immunity.

D3, T3, IAG, LDN Update

2011-02-19T11:23:00.000-08:00

I'm still struggling with the side effect of Vitamin D3 overdose (constipation). For awhile I did really well with adding 150mg extra magnesium (for a total of over 1000 mg daily magnesium) to metabolize the vitamin D and adding extra T3 (1/3-1/2 of a 5 mcg pill). Both extra Mg and T3 resolved my regularity problem.

However, after I experienced some hyperthyroid symptoms (palpitations), I decided to cut back on the extra T3. BIG MISTAKE!! The constipation returned with a vengence (bleeding hemorrhoids). So I'm back on extra T3 and extra Mg and have normal regularity. However, I'm still dealing with bleeding hemorrhoids. So I'm using 1-2 daily (10 minute) sitzbath sessions to relieve hemorrhoidal swelling and hopefully heal the bleeding hemorrhoids. Preventing constipation is the best thing I can do to prevent hemorrhoids. Nevertheless, I know from experience that bleeding hemorrhoids heal rather slowly.

At my last appointment my doc expressed some concern about taking IAG (arabinogalactan) longterm (more than 6 months). Because I already took IAG for almost 5 months, I asked my doc what she learned about longterm side effects of arabinogalactans. She told me 'joint pain', but she didn't know the physiology of that side effect (or what specifically caused that reaction). So I did some online research and read that IAG is sometimes used for autoimmune diseases.

I know that many autoimmune diseases are highly correlated with (or even caused by) gluten intolerance (gluten antibody damage). Also joint pain is often a symptom of gluten intolerance. So I need to see studies which show that joint pain is actually the result of IAG, rather than untreated gluten intolerance. In other words, perhaps subjects who experienced joint pain were not on a gluten free diet. So the gluten, rather than the IAG, caused the joint symptom. Nevertheless, I plan use IAG only when I have cold symptoms and taper off slowly over the next month or so.

Meanwhile, I counted my remaining low dose Naltrexone capsules and calculated that I have a months' worth left. I divide the contents of my 3mg capsules into capsules containing 1.75-2mg. So I have enough to continue taking that nightly for over a month. I started LDN in late November. So by the end of March, I will have taken LDN for 4 months. That should be long enough to raise my white blood cell (specifically neutrophil) level to a normal range.

Increased T3 Morning Dose

2011-02-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

After I saw my mid January blood tests, I realized my worsening constipation was caused by having too much vitamin D in my body. (My vitamin D level was 93 with a normal range of 30-80.) So for the past 3 weeks I've taken extra magnesium (which vitamin D uses) and sometimes extra vitamin C (because I was fighting yet another cold). I also added a teaspoon of flaxmeal to my cereal. All that worked to improved regularity, but also caused extra gas, bloating and cramping pain. (Bloating often causes cramping pain for me, even without any gastro infections.)

So yesterday morning I tried adding a bit more T3 (liothyronine) to my morning dose. Yesterday I added about 2/3 of a pill, because my pill splitter doesn't evenly divide tablets. I felt a little weird, with very mild palpitations. So I took a little less than a full dose in the afternoon and slept well last night. As I expected, the extra T3 resolved my constipation. So this morning I added less than 1/2 of a T3 tablet to my morning dose for a total of about 7, rather than my usual 5 mcg. I had no cramping pain or bloating, because I didn't take extra Magnesium or vitamin C, but I had normal regularity again this morning.

I hope the vitamin D levels decrease enough within the next few weeks, because I usually don't need more than 10 mcg of T3 daily (total of morning and afternoon dose). In fact I did well (normal regularity) when I only took 7.5 mcg of T3, BEFORE my vitamin D levels got too high after taking 6000IU daily for a few months. Right now I'm abstaining from vitamin D until I notice normal regularity. I plan to just add very small amounts (1/4-1/3 of my 5mcg tablet) to my morning dose for a few days and then return to my prescribed 5mcg 2x daily T3 dose.

For anyone who reads this blog, I don't need suggestions about constipation cures. I follow all the usual anti-constipation suggestions, including lots of fiber, fluid, exercise, magnesium, vitamin C, etc., everything EXCEPT laxatives, which I will NOT use. Most laxatives contain either senna or sorbitol, which both cause painful intestinal cramps for me. Others just contain magnesium, which I already take. I prefer to use natural remedies. However, despite following all those 'regularity' rules, liothyronine (T3 thyroid hormone) is the only thing that gave me consistent normal regularity, because my problem was 'low motility' caused by hypothyroiditis, rather than lack of fiber, fluid, etc. So once my D3 levels return to normal (after a period of abstention), I should only need to take my prescribed amount of T3 (or less) to maintain normal regularity.

Doctor Appointment and Birthday

2011-02-06T20:43:00.000-08:00

I saw my doc the day before my birthday. We discussed my latest WBC differential results. Because my most recent WBC result increased (from 3.0 to 3.4) and my Hashimoto's antibodies decreased, I decided to continue the LDN at 1.5-1.75mg, which still helps immunity w/o disturbing my sleep. I'll try to take my T3 before 4:30 so that I get tired earlier in the evening. Since the T4 only gives me palpitations and overheating, which disturb my sleep, but doesn't help regularity, we decided to discontinue T4 (Levoxyl) and continue T3 (liothyronine) at my current dose of 5mcg 2x daily. Also I'll continue to abstain from vitamin D (and take more magnesium) until my vitamin D blood levels return to normal symptoms. Unfortunately that could take weeks or even months. SIGH

My doc called in a 3 month supply of my T3 supplement so that I don't have to pick up cold germs when I visit my HMO clinic pharmacy. My doc also recommended I continue taking B12 (1000 mcg daily) and begin taking 1000 mcg of folate daily, because my low WBC could also be related to low levels of those two vitamins. So I'll continue T3, arabinogalactin, B12 and LDN, but add folate for the next 2+ months and then retest after I've taken LDN for 3+ months (or finished my prescription).

The next day I celebrated my birthday by seeing "Black Swan" (for which Natalie Portman won the Golden Globe Best Actress award). That was a dark, disturbing movie, but Portman's acting was outstanding and well worth the award. After the movie I went to get a 'grow out' haircut. I'm growing my hair from a pixie to a short bob. So my stylist had to shorten the back and the bangs (which were in my eyes) and barely skim everything else. I like the overall look of my 'growout' cut, but I don't plan to get another cut for about 3 months. My stylist promised free bang trims when I couldn't stand the length of my bangs. So I can let the rest of my hair grow. After my haircut we visited my local HMO clinic pharmacy to pick up my 3 months' supply of T3 and then went home. I enjoyed my "Tacos Guymos" (favorite Mexican restaurant) leftovers for dinner.

For my birthday, my husband bought me 5 pound weights. I'd been using 3.5 pound weights for years and noticed those were not helping anymore. The 5 pound weights were difficult at first, but I quickly noticed the difference in my arm muscle tone. He also bought me a package of new socks after my feet got wet on my birthday and some facial moisturizer (Clinique). So all in all I enjoyed my birthday.

We planned to continue birthday celebrations with another movie ('No Strings Attached'), clothes shopping and dinner at PF Chang's. However, on the way to the movie, I realized I left my afternoon T3 dose at home. So we decided to just see the movie and go home. Since I was struggling with yet another cold (and feeling really tired), I was happy to go home early and miss the evening rainstorm.

WBC Differential Results

2011-01-31T12:46:00.000-08:00

My WBC Differential blood test showed an overall increase, from 3.0 over two weeks ago to 3.4 three days ago. I suspect that WBC score varies from day to day. However, any increase tells me the Low Dose Naltrexone helped improve my immunity. Because I doubted whether LDN was helping, I abstained from taking that for one night. I STILL slept poorly. Since LDN does not have a lasting effect, abstaining for one night prevents any LDN side affects. So I realized that my afternoon T3 dose (and possibly my longer lasting T4 dose) were affecting my sleep, not the LDN.

My neutrophils were the only form of white blood cells which were below the normal range. My neutrophils (absolute) were 1.93, whereas the standard range is 2.00 to 7.30. That's considered mild neutropenia. My monocytes were in the mid normal range. All the other white blood cell differential scores were in the low normal. That included lymphocytes (1.06 vs. a 1.0-3.4 normal range), eosinophils (0.03 vs. a 0.0-0.5 normal range), basophils (0.01 vs. a 0.0-0.2 range).

I researched causes of neutropenia and found that taking antibiotics frequently lowered white blood cells and especially neutrophils. One website listed antibiotics which usually caused neutropenia. Vancomycin (which I took for 6 months during 2009) was near the top of the list. Metrodiazonale (Flagyl), which I took for 17 days before I started Vancomycin, is lower on that same list.

Letter to My Doctor

2011-01-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Here's what I wrote to my doctor, after receiving her request for more blood tests (WBC differential), just before our scheduled appointment to discuss my previous blood tests. I do not want to pay for another appointment to discuss the new test, because I understand exactly what caused the abnormal results on the previous tests. So I explained to her what happened which influenced those abnormal results in the following email:

Today I received your Lab Order Request for WBC differential and will have that done at my local Group Health Clinic tomorrow. I'll ask GHC when you (and I) should receive those results. Then I'll reschedule our appointment to discuss those results as well as my other January test results. However, I may need new prescriptions for both the T3 and T4 before our next appointment. I'll run out of the T4 in 4 days. I'll run out of the T3 in 10 days.

I received the results of all my recent blood tests over a week ago. I was disappointed to see that my white blood cell count remained low after taking LDN for over 6 weeks. The other abnormal test results (low T4, increased TSH, high Vitamin D and possibly low MCHC) reflect what I did during the past 2 months (1) to avoid the side effects of LDN. which interacted with my thyroid hormones to cause hyperthyroid symptoms, and (2) to fight chronic cold symptoms (with vitamin D).

As I previously mentioned, I experienced hyperthyroid symptoms (overheating and palpitations which prevented and/or disrupted sleep) soon after beginning the LDN. So I initially reduced my thyroid supplements so I could continue the prescribed dose of LDN without hyper symptoms. Then I got severe constipation, an impacted stool and bleeding hemorrhoids, all hypothyroid symptoms. So I increased the T3, which had previously improved regularity, and abstained from T4, which did nothing for regularity, while I decreased the LDN dose to 1.5-2.0 mg. However, even the lower doses of LDN continued to disrupt my sleep.

I took the arabinogalactin and 6000IU of Vitamin D daily for 2 months, because I experienced cold symptoms (sinus pain, sore throats, runny nose) between arabinogalactin doses (4-6 hours after taking IAG). I usually get colds when I don't get enough sleep. So I suspect insufficient sleep caused by the LDN negatively affected my immunity. Although I had normal regularity while I took just T3 supplements, I again developed increasingly severe constipation (about a month after the impacted stool incident) before I saw the high vitamin D results and decreased my vitamin D supplments. I'm now slowly returning to normal regularity, but still have bleeding hemorrhoids.

Despite continuing to eat high iron content foods, my MCHC decreased. I wonder whether daily bleeding hemorrhoids could have affected that number.

I hope the WBC differential tests will give you more information my low leukocyte results. I think the LDN caused more problems than it resolved. I believe abstaining from the LDN and getting a few weeks of solid sleep while taking my thyroid hormones and arabinogalactin could improve my imunity.

January Blood Test Results

2011-01-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

My recent blood test results contained both good and bad news. Although I understand exactly how my other results changed, I don't know why my white blood cell count didn't increase after taking LDN for 6 weeks. Here are the latest results with my comments about differences current and previous test results:

CBCs: Everything was normal except Leukocyte count and MCHC, which were both low again.

Leukocyte (white blood cell) level remained at 3 (normal is 4.0-10.7). That did not increase despite taking Low Dose Naltrexone and arabinogalactin to fight viral infections for over 6 weeks. I don't know why the LDN didn't improve my immunity and raise my white blood cells. However, I haven't slept well very often since I started taking LDN. As mentioned, LDN interacted with my thyroid supplements so that I awoke overheated with heart palpitations. Those symptoms decreased when I abstained from thyroid, but then I got severely constipated (a hypothyroid symptom). So I decreased the LDN to minimum 1.5 mg dose and slept well for a few nights. When I took a higher LDN dose (1.75-2mg), I slept poorly.

MCHC decreased to 32 from a previous 33 (33-37 is normal) in November and 32 in September. I suspect the MCHC levels decreased again, because I've had bleeding hemorrhoids almost daily for the past 6 weeks. That began after an impacted stool episode which occurred after I decreased my thyroid supplements to prevent hyperthyroid symptoms caused by interaction between LDN and thyroid supplements.

THYROID HORMONE TESTS:

TSH increased from 0.797 in November to 1.72 in January (normal range is .3-3.0). Both those results are normal, but I suspect my doctor prefers a lower TSH score. Decreasing my T3 and T4 supplements to prevent hyperthyroid symptoms caused by interaction with LDN affected my TSH.

Free T3 increased from a previous 2.0 in November to 2.7 in January (normal range is 2.4-4.4). Because T3 decreased my hypothyroid symptoms (constipation, low energy, low body temp) more effectively than T4, I continued taking T3 while I eliminated T4 to avoid hyper symptoms. Despite having no improvement in hypo symptoms while taking only T4, I can more easily overdose on T4. So I cut T4 and continued T3.

Free T4 decreased from a previous 1.19 in November to 0.67 in January. Not taking T4 while continuing to take T3 could have caused that decrease. So I recently resumed taking 25 mcg (1/2 prescribed dose) daily.

Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase AB) decreased from 53 in November to 47 in January (normal range is 0.0-60). That decrease may have been the one positive effect of taking LDN.

Thyroglobulin Antibodies remained less than 0.9, as they were in November (normal range is 0.0-4.0).

Vitamin D3 (25 Hydroxy) increased from 33 in September to a higher than normal 93 in January (normal range is 30-80). I suspect taking 6000IU of D3 daily for 2 months increased my blood levels of D3 too much. However, I took the D3 to improve my immunity (ability to fight off viral respiratory infections), while my white blood cells were (are) low. That high Vitamin D level explained why I experienced increaseingly severe constipation (more bleeding hemorrhoids) during the week before I received that test result. Since then I've cut waaaay back on Vitamin D to let my blood levels decrease and restore regularity to let my hemorrhoid heal.

I received the last of those results at least a week ago. Then I made an appointment to see my doc to discuss what to do about those results. Actually I know how to resolve everything except the white blood cell levels. I can take more T4. I can take less vitamin D3 supplement. However, I also need new prescriptions for both my T3 and my T4 supplements. If I weren't taking the LDN I would request a compounded slow release T3 supplement to eliminate taking a second T4 pill one hour after lunch, which sometimes occurs rather late in the afternoon.

I didn't notice any benefit to taking the LDN. That did not increase my white blood cells, but it did disturb my sleep for many nights as well as cause hyper thyroid symptoms. Insufficient sleep can also lower immunity. (I notice I catch more colds when I don't get enough sleep.) Rather than start me at a low dose, my doc prescribed an LDN dose appropriate for my weight. Then I began waking up in the middle of the night feeling overheated and having palpitations. After I recognized those as hyperthyroid symptoms caused by interaction from the LDN, I decreased my thyroid. Then I got severe constipation with an impacted stool which caused bleeding hemorrhoids. So I resumed my thyroid supplements at a lower dose, which restored regularity UNTIL high levels of vitamin D again caused constipation and bleeding hemorrhoids. Decreasing the vitamin D eventually restored regularity, but I still have bleeding hemorrhoids. I suspect eliminating the LDN and increasing my thryoid supplements will help me sleep better and recover from bleeding hemorrhoids.

Our Birds Are BACK!!

2011-01-17T11:57:00.001-08:00

Perhaps because Seattle had warmer (and rainier) that usual weather in January, the Redwinged Blackbirds returned to their usual spot on Greenlake. Usually they migrate South (Mexico?) in early winter and don't return until February or March. So we were overjoyed to see (and hear) them when we passed the traditional RWB bush on Greenlake. For many years my husband and I (among many other Greenlake walkers) hand fed the Redwinged Blackbirds, who land on our outstretched hands to eat chopped peanuts or other seeds. (We just bring peanuts.)

In recent years some Blackcapped Chickadees had joined the feeding frenzy at the bush. Actually the BCCs approach us (land on our hands to eat) much sooner than the RWBs. Usually the RWBs watch us warily until the first of their flock bravely lands on our hand to take a peanut. The braver RWBs (or birds who remember us from previous years) will remain on our hands up to five minutes as they gorge on peanuts. Most Chickadees prefer to eat in private. So they take one peanut, fly off to eat and return often for more peanuts. more often bravely approachthan the RWBs.

Sometimes other people, who walk the Greenlake path, see us with birds eating on our outstretched hands and ask: "Is that your bird?" I always answer: "NO, but he thinks I'm his human." After many days of feeding and increased familiarity, a few male RWBs become very possessive of their human feeders. They definitely have a 'pecking order' and can scare lesser RWBs from our hands. Usually males dominate the pecking order. However, a few familiar females will watch and wait for the dominant male to finish feeding. Then the female will take her turn and feed for a long time.

I most enjoy feeding the RWBs when they are raising families. The male and female birds will individually approach me, take one peanut and fly back to their nestlings. Their feet are often wet, because they land on wet water lily pads to catch bugs to take to their nestlings between peanut feedings. One summer my favorite female RBW (whom we named 'Rita') visited me many times as I sat on the grassy shore along the lake. She flew to me, took a peanut and then returned to her nest to feed her babies. Then I would see her fly to the water, return to the nest and feed her babies again. I realized she was feeding insects to her babies, beause she landed on my hand and 'traded' a dead insect for peanuts. Maybe she was trying to take peanuts and insects to her nestling, but realized decided to leave the insect with me and return after feeding her baby a peanut.

Feeding the Redwing Blackbirds and Blackcapped Chickadees (who land on our outstretched hands), American Coots (who come running to me while madly flapping their wings to get peanuts) and Crows (who recognize me no matter what I wear) motivates me (and my husband on weekends) to walk 3 miles around the lake rain or shine from early spring to early winter every day. They are not really 'our' birds, but we are some of the humans who feed them every year and make Greenlake home for migrating RedWinged Blackbirds and Coots. (Crows follow us year round but Chickadees only approach us when they RedWinged Blackbirds return.)

6 Week LDN Blood Tests

2011-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

I've taken low dose naltrexone daily for over 6 weeks. My doc prescribed LDN to improve my immunity and hopefully raise my white blood cell level. So this week I will get a blood test to check my CBCs (esp. WBC), thyroid hormones, and vitamin D. I really don't know whether my immunity improved, because I still catch colds very easily. I seem to develop new cold symptoms everytime I am with large crowds of strangers. Last week I went to my local HMO pharmacy to pick up my liothyronine (T3 hormone supplement). After 2 days I had obvious cold symptoms (sore throat, sinus pain, runny nose), despite taking arabinogalactin to fight viral infections.

Taking T3 permanently resolved my chronic irregularity. This is the first time I've had consistently normal regularity for over a month since I had daily diarrhea while taking vancomycin to fight C-diff. I suspect my daily probiotics (100 billion of live good bacteria cells) also improved my overall gut health. However, despite everything I previously did (probiotics, fiber, fluids, magnesium, etc.), I was constipated before taking enough T3.

However I'm still not as warm as I'd like to be or as energetic as I used to be. So I plan to increase my afternoon T3 dose from 2.5 mcg to 5 mcg (as my doc originally prescribed). I decreased my T3 from the orginal dose, because LDN enhanced my thyroid supplements to cause hyperthyroid symptoms and sleep problems. Now that I've taken LDN for over 6 weeks, I'll try increasing my T3 and see how I do. I'm still taking a little over half my originally prescribed LDN dose (1.5-1.75mg daily). That amount does not interfere with sleep. Nevertheless, I'm uncertain whether that amount increased my WBC count. Only blood tests will tell.

Just One Resolution

2011-01-01T16:14:00.000-08:00

My previous post described what I intend to continue doing (medications and stopping when full). Actually I intend to stop when I feel full more consistently at meals. If I overate at every meal, I'd probably be overweight. However, I didn't mention in that post one intention to change in 2011.

I intend to let my hair grow into a short bob with bangs. I'm sooooo tired of this pixie cut, which I've worn for 5? years. All too often I see myself (my pixie cut) coming and going in other people's hairstyles. I'm tired of having my hairstylist thin my healthy, thick (dense) hair to conform to a pixie. I'm tired of FREEZING after every cut, except on very hot days (which are rare in Seattle). I'm tired of worrying about whether my style deemphasizes my short forehead and larger than 'pixie' sized ears. So I intend to cover those features with longer bangs and longer sides. I may wear the bob shorter in the back and longer in the front, but I definitely want the bangs and front hair to frame my facial features (large eyes and prominent cheek bones).

With that intention I may suffer some 'grow out' discomfort as I let my current cut grow long enough to create some sort of bob for at least the next 2 cuts. Last Friday was 8 weeks since my last cut. If I can endure another 4-5 weeks of this cut, the shortest hair (originally above my ears) will almost reach my earlobes for a short bob style. Maybe I should call my hairstylist and book an appointment 4-5 weeks from now. So if I waiver in my 'growout' intention, I'll have to call and reschedule that appointment.

Perhaps I just like having something to look forward to or change. We didn't go to Maui last October. Likewise I don't imagine going to Maui in February, because I will still be on LDN treatment. Between the vitamins/minerals, thyroid, probiotics for good health, and LDN and arabinogalactin to improve my immunity, those are too many pills to schedule into a vacation. I want to at least wait until my WBCs are higher before I expose myself to airports, airplanes and other big crowds of people sharing their viral and bacterial infections. I wash my hands frequently during the day, but always feel worse after being with crowds of people at the mall. So I may still be susceptible to infection for another few months.

Sooooo ... I'm looking forward to a new hairstyle and a healthier 2011.

Doing What Works

2011-01-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

I asked my husband what he intends to do in 20ll. He told me that he wants to continue taking the recently prescribed (late 2010) treatments that definitely work for him and closely monitor benefits vs. side effects of other treatments (which don't seem to make any difference). I recently convinced him to begin the thyroid supplement, which his doc recommended at the same time he prescribed other treatments. My husband initially wanted to just use supplements which improve his sleep. However, he still felt tired, even when he did sleep well. So he agreed to try the prescribed thyroid (Armour T3/T4 combo). Since he commenced using that supplement, he's felt more energetic and optimistic every day. So he's convinced that he needs a thyroid supplement.

Likewise I will continue to take my T3 supplements, which have given me more energy, increased core body warmth and normal regularity (for the first time in my life). I will continue my normal vitamin/minerals, esp. vitamin D, which helps immunity, and probiotics. I will also continue the arabinogalactin and low dose naltrexone, which stimulates my immunity (hopefully to raise my white blood cells).

However, after a week of taking 2.5mg LDN and experiencing interrupted sleep, I will lower that dose back to 1.75-2.0mg daily. At that previous dose, I had no sleep problems. My doc advised me to at least take 1.5mg of LDN daily. However, higher doses interrupt my sleep, which also challenges my immunity. So I'll resume the lower dose to get the benefit of LDN without losing sleep.

What doesn't work for me is my habit of eating past 'full'. I almost always eat when I'm hungry, foods which nourish my body. However, I regularly eat past comfortably full. Every year I vow to stop eating before I feel uncomfortably full. I don't need to lose weight, but I believe overeating and making myself uncomfortable is counterproductive. I've been uncomfortably full after many meals during the holidays!

I know exactly what thoughts persuade me to continue eating when I begin to feel full. I tell myself:

(1) The LDN affects my appetite and makes me feel full sooner than normal.

(2) If I don't eat everything on my plate, I'll feel starved before the next meal.

(3) I hate to throw out a tiny bit of food on my plate (if I stop eating now).

(4) I don't need to worry about weight, so it's okay to feel overly full sometimes.

However, those thoughts are not exactly true. Here's the truth:

(1) Amounts of LDN which affect appetite also affect sleep. An appropriate dosage will affect neither appetite nor sleep. So my stomach 'full' cues are accurate when I take the appropriate LDN dose.

(2) I determine mealtimes. I can eat breakfast and lunch anytime I feel hungry. If I need to delay a meal for any reason, I can always have a small snack or fruit juice or just drink herbal tea to save my appetite for the meal.

(3) I can save small bits of food in the freezer and add them to my own portions of soups or casseroles (which I freeze in individual servings).

(4) That 2-3 bits of extra food on my plate can make the difference between feeling comfortable after I leave the table and feeling miserable for the next 3-4 hours after I leave the table. I want to remember how miserable I felt after overeating last night after dinner. Although I don't have pancakes for dinner very often, I did freeze 7 meals' worth of pancakes for future meals.

Last night was not the last time I'll have pancakes ... maybe the last time during 2010, but I have 7 more pancake meals during 2011. After those are gone, I have another pancake mix. So I can make 8-9 more meals of delicious, syrupy pancakes. I tend to overeat the first time I have food which I haven't eaten in a long time (the 'Last Supper' Syndrome). I need to remind myself when I feel full and still have delicious food on my plate, that I can have that same food the next time I feel hungry and crave that food (the next meal, the next day, the next week or whenever).

I need to focus on physical comfort, more than 'nutrition' per se. I normally eat nutritious food. So I don't need to overeat to get enough nutrition. So I again intend to eat when I feel comfortably hungry and stop eating at the first sensation that tells me I'm 'full'.

Maybe the medications (like T3 and LDN) have affected my appetite somewhat. However, feeling miserably full also affects my energy level and mood. Taxing my body with unnecessary food also challenges my immunity. So eating for physical (not emotional) comfort, rather than nutritional guidelines, seems healthier for me.

Increasing LDN Dose

2010-12-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

After I 'stabilized' on a lower dose of LDN and higher dose of T3 (morning and afternoon), I had more energy, body warmth and normal regularity. However, I still got cold symptoms when I: (1) didn't get enough sleep, (2) spent time with large crowds of people, i.e., shopping in a mall), or (3) got physically stress (cold, wet and tired), even while continuing to take arabinogalactin 2x daily. So I decided to slowly increase my LDN dosage.

A LDN website suggested that patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (like me) start LDN at a low dose and slowly increase that level. Unfortunately my doc started me at a higher LDN dose, which was appropriate for my weight, but inappropriate for someone taking thyroid supplements for an autoimmune thyroid condition. (LDN improves all autoimmune conditions, which makes Hashi patients need less thyroid supplement and possibly get hyperthyroid symptoms when taking LDN, as I experienced.)

Nevertheless, my doc prescribed the LDN to stimulate my immune system to increase my white blood cell production. (My last 2 WBC test results were low and lower.) If I have an autoimmune condition which causes low WBC (like non-Hodgkins lymphoma), LDN can also improve that condition, which in turn improves immunity and WBC production. So I want to eventually return to my initially prescribed LDN dose (3mg daily), because that is the optimal treatment dose for my body weight.

When I decided to lower my LDN dose from 3mg to 1.5mg, I bought some empty capsules so that I could divide the LDN capsules. That 'dividing' process made me confident enough to later increase the dosage. During the past week I increased my dose from 1.5 mg to 1.75 and tolerated that well (no sleep problems, no diminished appetite). Next I will take 2mg of LDN for the next few days and see how I tolerate that dose. If I tolerate that, I may return to my original 3 mg dose for the remaining 2 months of my prescribed LDN treatment. I also plan to get another blood test for CBCs (includes WBC) and thyroid hormones (T3, T4 and TSH) about mid January, which will be halfway through my LDN treatment period.

Dissimilar Arabinogalactin Products

2010-12-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

My doc advised me to use Biotics Research IAG (arabinogalactin) powder to fight viral infections while I wait for the LDN to raise my white blood cells. Initially I used that IAG product ... until I finished the container after a month of 2x daily doses. My doc had recommended that I continued arabino for 8 weeks. However, we would need to drive to her clinic and pay more for the Bioteks product.

So I tried a Super Supplements (Larix) brand of IAG. Within a few days my cold symptoms were back (sinus headaches and facial pain, runny nose, sore throat). I got symptom relief when I first took that cheaper product, but within a few hours I felt sick again. So I compared the dosages of the 2 products. The Biotics' adult dose was 1 teaspoon. The Larix product dose was 1-3 TABLESPOONS for adults. I recall that I had only used a heaping teaspoon. So I increased my dose of the Larix product to a tablespoon. Then I experienced intense gas and bloating side effects. Arabinogalactins are a natural source of FOS, prebiotics which feed probiotics, but also cause lots of gas and bloating. I initially experienced a little gas and bloating from the Biotek product, but eventually those symptoms disappeared. From my experience with the Larix product, I suspect that the larger the dose, the more gas I will experience.

SOOOOO on Christmas eve eve (Thursday) we drove to my doc's clinic and got another container of the Biotics. We also delivered a plate of my homemade cookies to my doc and her assistant with a Christmas card. Then, because we were so close to a large shopping mall, we decided to get some exercise strolling the mall and have lunch. Of course going to ANY mall a few days before Christmas is a BIG mistake LOL.

However, we eventually got to the mall, found a parking place, had lunch, walked and shopped. I found 2 more last minute gifts for my husband and he found another gift for me. Then I found H&M, my alltime favorite store and found a red/white striped knit dress and another red sweater. That dress was perfect for Christmas Eve. So I wore it last night to our church service and felt toasty warm.

Within 20 minutes of taking the Biotiks IAG, my cold symptoms disappeared and didn't return for another 12 hours. So I put the Larix product away (maybe I'll give that to my husband when/if he ever gets a cold) and resumed the Biotiks arabinogalactin powder, which was more expensive, but more effective. The smaller effective dose will last me at least a month.

I hope after another month the LDN will my WBC high enough to improve my immunity against chronic respiratory infections. My doc okayed a mid January blood test to check WBCs and thyroid levels. Meanwhile I feel fantastic with my IAG powder and twice daily T3 (thyroid supps). I've increased the LDN capsules to 1.75 mg each and haven't notice any sleep disturbance as long as I take my afternoon T3 dose (2.5 mcg) before 4:30pm. So I almost have what I most want for Christmas: feeling healthier. (I still have some bleeding hemorrhoids, but also use daily sitzbaths which help heal those.) I'm looking forward to a healthier, painfree 2011!

Feeling Much Better Now

2010-12-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

After a recurrence of cold symptoms I resumed taking 6000IU Vitamin D daily and continued daily doses of 1.5 mg LDN, 2 tsp. arabinogalactin and 7.5mcg total T3. I really don't know whether my white blood cells are increasing, but I feel more energetic, warm and 'regular' with that treatment combination. Although I still need all those daily supplements, I'm grateful for feeling well. I will continue the arabinogalactin for at least another 4 weeks and the LDN for another 9 weeks. However, my doc okayed getting my WBC level and thyroid level rechecked with blood tests during January. Preventing and/or treating cold symptoms with arabinogalactin and stimulating my immunity with LDN should improve my WBC level. Only blood tests can really tell me whether those treatments helped.

OOPS! Cold Symptoms Back

2010-12-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

After feeling great for a few days I decided to treat myself to a shopping spree on Thursday. I also needed a break from cooky making and holiday decorating. Banana Republic was having a great sale and I needed some winter white cords to go with a suit jacket which I've had since 1978. (I recently gave away the pants from that suit, because my post menopausal expanded waistline could no longer fit the waist of the trousers.) I enjoyed shopping at several stores and even got a really cheap sale turtleneck tee at J. Crew. However, by the time I headed home I felt very tired with sore throat, runny nose and sinus pain.

I'm uncertain whether those cold symptoms resulted from cutting my vitamin D (from 6000 to 4000IU for a few days or from decreasing my LDN dose (from 3.0 to 1.5mg). Both of those supplements help immunity. I'm also running low on my arabinogalactin, which fights viruses. So I take a bit less than 2 teaspoons daily. I also read that consuming excess sugar lowers immunity. I sampled my Christmas cookies each day I baked those last week. Whatever the cause, my immunity was compromised. So I increased my vitamin D yesterday and today. Fortunately I still have normal regularity. I fear increasing the LDN will cause hyperthyroid symptoms. I'll get more Arabinogalactan tomorrow and continue taking that 2x daily. I'll just remain at the higher Vitamin D dose for a few days before I change anything else.

Doing Well with Less LDN and More T3

2010-12-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

For the past 6 days I've taken only 1.5mg (half my original dose) of LDN and 5-7.5mcg of liothyronine (T3 thyroid supplement). I take a whole T3 (5mcg) tablet when I wake up and another half (2.5mcg) tablet an hour after lunch. That second tablet energizes me for the rest of the day, but I can still sleep well at night. I also decreased my vitamin D from 6000 to 4000IU daily. Then 24 hours after my horrible experience with severe constipation and painful hemorrhoids, I had soft normal stools which continued for the next 5 days. That plus daily sitzbaths helped heal (shrink) the hemorrhoids.

Despite lowering my vitamin D (which helps immunity), I didn't get any cold symptoms until last night. So today I resumed the higher 6000IU of vitamin D. I still feel slight cold symptoms, but those are less than I had 24 hours ago. I may take extra magnesium tonight to compensate for additional vitamin D and prevent constipation, while those hemorrhoids are still healing. However, my higher thyroid level may be adequate to facilitate normal regularity. (Thyroid increases motility, which prevents constipation.)

Even with slight cold symptoms I still feel so much better with 2 daily doses of T3 supplement. Before I began taking LDN at night, I also took a T4 supplement. However, since I don't completely convert T4 to T3, I'll stick to T3at least until I finish the LDN treatment (which enhances the effects of thyroid supplements). Also I can compensate for possible LDN induced hyperthyroid symptoms more easily by decreasing T3 (with its shorter half life) than I can with longer lasting T4 supplements.

Decreased LDN Dose to 1.5 Mg

2010-12-13T18:01:00.001-08:00

After a morning with a impacted stool (which eventually passed), followed by swollen, protuding, bleeding hemorrhoids (preceded by a week of intermittent bleeding hemorrhoids), I decided I needed to change something to prevent constipation. Before I started LDN (to increase white blood count) and Arabinogalactin (to fight cold viruses), I had normal regularity (neither constipation nor diarrhea) and no swollen, bleeding hemorrhoids. Since I began LDN I experienced more and more constipation and consequently more bleeding hemorrhoid problems.

I know Vitamin D can cause constipation, because it decreases the availability of magnesium to draw fluid into the stool. However, I was doing okay even with 6000IU daily of vitamin D before I started LDN. After I began LDN I had several hyperthyroid incidents. So I started lowering my thyroid dose to prevent those hyper symptoms. I also noticed that arabinogalactin dried up my cold symptoms rapidly, almost like OTC cold meds. However arabino is an herbal supplement (the source of echinechia) which fights viral infections. Nevertheless, if that dries up my cold symptoms, it might also 'dry up' my intestines. Furthermore thyroid supplements increased my motility and eliminated previous irregularity problems. So I suspected cutting my thyroid increased the possibility of constipation, even though LDN was supposed to decrease the need for thyroid supplements. If LDN improved regularity, I wouldn't have experienced increased constipation.

Sooo ... I decided to decrease my LDN dose. I didn't want to waste any of that expensive supplement. So I bought some empty capsules which were the same size as my 3.0mg LDN capsules. Then I opened each LDN containing capsule and poured half the contents into a clean capsule. So I essentially created twice as many LDN capsules, except each of those contained 1.5 mg or half my original dose. I didn't divide all those original 3.0mg capsules. I just divided enough for about 2 weeks. I'll see how I feel taking half doses for 2 weeks.

Since I took half dose of LDN I increased my daily T3 (Liothyronine) dose to a whole 5 mcg tablet. I tried taking 2/3 of that tablet in the morning and 1/3 in the late afternoon. However, that disturbed my sleep last night (I was hyper and woke up several times). So I just took a whole 5 mcg T3 this morning and none this afternoon. I feel more tired as the day goes on. So I should sleep soundly tonight, especially because my 1/2 dose of LDN won't wake me up.

Again, trial and error, but I'm changing my meds based on my body symptoms. My doc would do exactly the same thing, but I don't want to wait 2 days for her to reply to my email and/or phone call to tell me to do what I know how to do. (She already told me to try dividing my LDN dose, but didn't mention increasing the thyroid.) I've had no constipation today, but I will suffer swollen hemorrhoids for awhile until they heal. Meanwhile I can help that healing with daily sitzbaths of very warm water. That's both soothing and healing.

Mocha Almond Fudge Insomnia!

2010-12-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

Somehow I got away with eating caffeine loaded Mocha Almond Fudge (dairy/soy free) ice cream the night before last. I slept straight through the night without waking for the first time since starting LDN. However last night was a different story ...

Perhaps I ate my Mocha Almond Fudge frozen dessert a little later in the evening. I recall that I finished my 1/2 cup serving after 8pm. Then I was in bright lights while I decorated our house. I didn't get to bed until almost 11pm. I read a rather stimulating book about clinical trials (true story). Then I had difficulty drifting off to sleep. I seemed to fall asleep and awaken many times. I finally looked at the clock and noticed it was the witching hours (2-4am) after LDN has suppressed my endorphins and I intensely feel every tiny uncomfortable sensation. Then I continually experience itches all over my body and sometimes muscle stiffness, which I normally don't experience. If I get up to go to the bathroom during that time, I feel really spacey, not sleepy, but outer worldly spacey, indescribably weird.

I think I finally fell asleep after the witching hour period (maybe about 4AM) and slept rather soundly until 7AMish. I tried to go back to sleep, but gave up about 7:30AM. I plan important errands this morning before I crash this afternoon from sleep deprivation. I learned my lesson with caffeine containing foods, which can cause reflux, but definitely cause insomnia. I can eat those after lunch and before 5pm. After that caffeine consumption, even tiny amounts from decaf coffee or mocha almond fudge ice cream, will cause me to experience insomnia.

Reduce LDN or Continue Less T3?

2010-12-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

My doc replied to my long email update about my interactions between T3 and LDN causing Hyperthyroid symptoms as well as her confusing messages which contributed to those overdose symptoms. She merely suggested I try cutting the (very tiny) LDN capsules in half. I told her that I previously considered dividing those very tiny LDN capsules. However, I thought raising my WBC level was more important than controlling thyroid symptoms until I developed daily painful, bleeding hemorrhoids. I also suspected I couldn't evenly divide the LDN capsules and would waste most of the contents by spilling. The T3 tablets seem easier to split, evem though my pill splitter usually divides tablets into 2/3 and 1/3 segments.

For the past 3 days I've taken 2/3 of a T3 tablet (3.3 mcg) each morning and slept well for the past 3 nights after taking the 3mg dose of LDN before bed. I feel comfortably warm and energetic during the day. I slept through the night w/o waking last night. I had softer stools today and yesterday morning (after taking more vitamin C and magnesium for constipation). I treated my bleeding hemorrhoids with 2 sitzbath sessions yesterday. That reduced the hemorrhoids and prevented bleeding today.

As far as improved sleep, I suspect that either my body has adjusted to that LDN dose so that it no longer disturbs my sleep OR I've reduced the T3 dose low enough that I don't get hyperthyroid symptoms during the night OR at least half of my last T4 dose left my system (I last took that 25 mg dose of T4 on 12/3 after 2 days off all thyroid meds,. I have no idea how much the LDN affects the thyroid meds. I could only judge from my symptoms and adjust thyroid supplement accordingly.

If I continue to have regularity problems, I may divide and waste some LDN to take less. Then I may need to increase the T3 dose. However, before I change anything which affects my sleep, I want more nights of solid sleep. I previously tried taking the IAG only in the evening. However, insuffiiciient sleep exacerbated my cold symptoms. So I had to return to 2 daily divided IAG doses to treat cold symptoms. After the past few nights of solid sleep, I now only need an evening dose of IAG and have no cold symptoms during the day. Last night I slept straight through without waking, for the first time since starting the LDN, even after consuming lots of (Truly Decadent) mocha almond fudge (dairy free but not caffeine free) ice cream with dinner.

My doc replied to my email about 2/3 T3 tablet with whole LDN capsule and said that the important thing is to take at least 1.5mg of LDN. Now that I've adjusted to LDN and my cold symptoms FINALLY disappeared, I'll keep the LDN at that initial level to stimulate white blood cell production and more easily fight any future infections. My long history of chronic gastro infections plus chronic colds is linked to low Vitamin D levels, low thyroid levels and ultimately low white blood cells.

I actually feel better today than I have felt in awhile. Instead of dreading Christmas holidays and wanting to only attend a Christmas Eve service (and nothing else), I'm now excitely shopping, baking Christmas cookies and decorating the house, while anticipating get togethers with family and/or friends and other activities with my husband. What a transformation! Although balancing the thyroid dose with LDN was challenging and frustrating at times, I now believe that was well worth the effort!

2/3 T3 Tablet Works Well

2010-12-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

After taking a whole T3 tablet on Sunday morning and feeling hyper with palpitations all day, I slept very poorly, if at all, Sunday night. So I decided to split those tablets in half and try half doses. Unfortunately my pill splitter divides those small T3 pills unevenly into 1/3 and 2/3 pieces. So yesterday I took 2 of the smaller (1/3?) pieces for approximately a 2/3 tablet or about 3.3 mcg dose. I was not hyper, felt comfortable, not overly warm and had palpitations only when walking uphill. I slept much better last night. I only awoke about 3am, which is my usual 4 hours after taking the LDN wakeup time, and recalled an unusual dream. One side effect of LDN is weird dreams, but that was my first weird dream since starting LDN. So I took another 2/3 T3 pill dose today.

Yesterday afternoon I also emailed my doc about my recent bad exeriences with hyperthyroid reactions, her conflicting email and phone messages, and my frustration with interactions between the LDN and thyroid supplements, which could have been avoided by her prescribing a lower dose of LDN. No, I didn't exactly tell her that. I suspect she already realizes she screwed up by starting me at the 3mg dose of LDN, rather than the recommended (for patients taking thyroid supplements) 1.5mg dose. I don't know how she will respond to my email. Nevertheless, I plan to keep tweaking T3 doses, rather than resume taking T4.

My last blood tests showed that my T4 levels had increased but still in normal range, but my total T3 and free T3 were low, even after taking a T4 supplement for 2 months. That suggested I don't easily convert T4 to T3. So I believe if I take anything, I should take T3, while I take LDN. After I finish my 3 month prescription of LDN, I may need to adjust my thyroid meds again. However, I hope I don't have to endure hyperthyroid hell again. SIGH

Too Late

2010-12-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

After following my doc's instructions to take both T4 and T3 (thyroid supplements) this morning but no T3 in the afternoon, I received a phone message from her clinic when I got home late this afternoon. That message told me to take only one of my supplements (T3 at half dose or just one in the morning) for 3 days WITHOUT taking the T4. If I have no palpitations, I should then add the T4 and take both for 3 days. If I don't have palpitations, I can continue. If I do have palpitations and can determine which supplement (T3 or T4) caused the palpitations, I should call the clinic and let them know. WHOOOAA!!!! That sounds like my doc is just guessing.

Since the phone message arrived long after I normally take my thyroid supplements, I took one half T4 and one whole T3 tablet this morning, but no T3 this afternoon. So both of those pills were actually half doses, since I usually take T3 in the morning and afternoon. I HAVE experienced palpitations, increased body temp and decreased appetite today. (The last 2 symptoms are benefits for me.) However, I suspect the palpitations will subside before bedtime, because T3 has a short half-life (about 8 hours). That means that by 11pm the T3 should have cleared my system. So I'll take the LDN at 10:30pm, if I no longer have palpitations. If I still have palpitations, I may skip the LDN, which could make the palpitations severe.

Back on T3 and T4

2010-12-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

After 2 days of abstaining from my thyroid supplements (levoxyl and liothyronine) to avoid tachycardia (caused by interaction between thyroid supplements and low dose naltrexone), I finally heard from my doc, whom I told about my recent tachycardia incident. She suggested that I take my regular dose (5 mcg) of T3 (liothyronine) in the morning with my regular dose (50 mcg) of t4 (levoxyl), but not take the second 5mcg dose of T3 in the late afternoon. She also agreed that I could take both doses of IAG (arabinogalactan) before bed to limit the gas and bloating to nighttime only.

However, I decided to take half doses of both my T3 and T4 this morning. So I cut the T4 pill in half and took that with the regular 5 mcg T3 dose. I feel warmer this morning, but don't have really obvious tachycardia. So far, so good. If I have no intense tachycardia tonight, I'll take the other half of T4 tomorrow morning and see how I do. If I still don't get tachycardia during the night (after taking the LED which can cause hyperthyroid symptoms) after 2 days of half doses of T4, I'll try a whole T4 dose. By then I will have taken LED for a week and the sleep disturbance side effect should disappear. So I might just sleep through slight tachycardia ... or not. SIGH

Yesterday (before I heard from my doc) I planned to take the arabinogalactan (to fight my respiratory infection) only before bed. However, my cold symptoms returned a few hours after I got up. I decided I'd rather endure gas and bloating than sore throat, cough and runny nose all day. So I took the IAG after breakfast yesterday. Today I took the IAG with my prebreakfast doses of thyroid supplements and probiotics. I'm bloated and a little crampy from the gas, but I have no cold symptoms now. I'll try again tomorrow morning to skip the morning dose and take both IAG doses before bed. Maybe by then IAG will have killed off my cold viruses ... or not.

My doc prescribed 8 weeks of IAG. I HOPE I don't have to take full strength IAG that long to get rid of this cold, which I've already had for 3 months. Enough already! I no longer feel sick and tired, but I don't want to depend on IAG for another 7 weeks. However, I did read that the gas/bloating side effects of IAG should disappear after a week. I noticed that with another FOS containing product (probiotic), which I took after my last gut bug treatment. Maybe I'll get lucky and continue taking IAG without getting gas and bloating. After this struggle, I deserve a break from side effects.

Another Tachycardia Episode

2010-12-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I took my 50mcg tablet of T4 (Levoxyl) and 5 mcg tablet of T3 (Liothyronine) at 7am. I took my last T3 (5 mcg tablet) at 4:30 pm yesterday. I took the Low Dose Naltrexone (3.0mg capsule) at 10:15pm last night. This morning at 2:10 am I awoke with serious tachycardia and felt overheated, which continued almost 2 hours before I could sleep. Because I suspected my thyroid supplements had caused overdose symptoms, I took no thyroid supplements (neither T4 nor T3) this morning. Then I checked information about my other current medications. I read on the Low Dose Naltrexone website under 'cautionary warnings': "Those patients who are taking thyroid hormone replacement for a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with hypothyroidism ought to begin LDN at the lowest range (1.5mg for an adult). Be aware that LDN may lead to a prompt decrease in the autoimmune disorder, which then may require a rapid reduction in the dose of thyroid hormone replacement in order to avoid symptoms of hyperthyroidism."

I took liothryonine (T3) for the past four days and only experienced nausea on day 1. However, I consumed cane sugar on day 2 and experienced my usual allergy reaction (mild tachycardia). That allergy reaction (tachycardia) decreased over the next 2 days while I continued to take T3. On day 4 of taking T3 I had no tachycardia, no increased body temperature, but only slight nausea when I first took T3. Severity of that nausea decreased each day. Other than nausea, I had no reaction to T3 before 2:10am today.

I suspect my doc wants me to continue the LDN 3.0 mg dose, because increasing my white blood cell count is more important than treating hypothyroid symptoms. (Conceivably I could take all the LDN capsules back to Custom Pharmacy and ask them to divide all those capsules into smaller doses.) Nevertheless, I could also cut the T4 tablets in half and/or take only one T3 in the morning, rather than late afternoon. So my T3 level would be much lower when I take the LDN capsule before bed. This morning I sent my doc an email about what I experienced last night. I also asked her whether she wanted me to decrease my thyroid supplement while I take the LDN and what dosages of which supplements should I take to avoid hyperthyroid (tachycardia) symptoms.

I also experienced bloating and gas while taking IAG (arabinogalactan). So I asked my doc whether I could take 2 one teaspoon doses at the same time. I would prefer to take 2 teaspoons dissolved in water at night before bed, rather than during the day. So I would just have bloating/gas at night, rather than during waking hours.

The GOOD NEWS is that my cold symptoms decreased dramatically during the past 48 hours. I had suffered cold symptoms for over 3 months. After taking the low dose naltrexone and arabinogalactan for only 48 hours, I now only have a slight runny nose. I suspect that rapid recovery is due to the antiviral activity of IAG and the immune stimulation of LDN.

Jump-starting My Immune System

2010-11-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

Today I picked up Low Dose Naltrexone (prescription), IAG (arabinogalactan supplement), and intramuscular B12 and folate (injection at my doc's clinic). The injection didn't hurt at all. I took the first teaspoon of IAG dissolved in water. That tasted like soapy dishwater. UGGHH!! I may take the next dose dissolved in apple juice tomorrow morning. I have yet to take my first LDN capsule, but will take that just before going to bed. LDN should stimulate white blood cell production. IAG should fight my respiratory infection. B12 and folate will address a possible deficiency which could affect my white blood cell count. So those 3 things should jump start my immunity and help me recover from this 3-4 month long respiratory infection.

I've now taken 3 days of liothyronine (2x daily 5 micrograms of T3 supplement) and feel nothing, no side effects, no obvious improvement. I wonder whether that dose is too low (10 mcg daily) to make any difference in my hypothyroid symptoms (cold intolerance, fatigue, irregularity, etc.). I suspect my doc prescribed a very conservative dose, because T3 supplements can easily cause overdose symptoms. Because I believe I did NOT overdose on T4, but really just reacted to cane sugar with tachycardia, I know I won't OD on such a low dose of T3. I emailed my doc about my realization about 5 weeks of cane sugar reaction symptoms. Maybe that will reassure her that I can tolerate a higher T3 dose.

Allergen Reaction vs. T4 Overdose??

2010-11-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

This morning I realized I have consumed cane sugar (one of my diagnosed allergens) every other day for the past 4-5 weeks. I put almond butter in my cooked breakfast cereal. The manufacturer changed the ingredients of my regular almond butter brand to now include evaporated cane juice. We neglected to read the label when we bought that jar. This morning I also noticed my usual cane sugar reactions of tachycardia and slight nausea (which typically last 24-36 hours). Yesterday, I did not eat cooked cereal. I did not experience obvious tachycardia, despite taking my first 2 liothyronine (T3 supplement).

I checked my calendar and noticed that I began to experience severe tachycardia about 5 weeks ago, which was about when I opened that jar of almond butter. At that time I believed the increased (75 mcg) dose of Levoxyl caused my tachycardia. However, I usually react very strongly to an allergen after abstaining from that for a long while. So I could have also reacted to the cane sugar. The severe tachycardia did subside after reducing the Levoxyl dose. As I continued to consume cane sugar in the almond butter every other day for the past 5 weeks, during the time I thought I was reacting to Levoxyl, I also noticed more intermittent gut cramps, my usual reaction to my other allergens.

When I saw my T4 levels on my last blood tests, I wondered how I could have experienced overdose symptoms without increasing my T4 levels very much. When I saw my low total and free T3 levels, I realized I wasn't converting T4 to T3. So I wondered how enough of the supplemental (Levoxyl) T4 was converted to cause overdose symptoms. After realizing that I consumed cane sugar, to which I react with tachycardia and slight nausea, at the same time I took the increased (75mcg) dose of Levoxyl, I wondered whether how much of my tachycardia was caused by cane sugar and how much was caused by Levoxyl.

After reading more about T4 to T3 conversion problems, I now wonder: if my body doesn't easily convert T4 to T3, do I need the same (50mcg) dose of T4 (Levoxyl) while I take a T3 (liothyronine) supplement?

I experienced some nausea after taking each of 2 Liothyronine tablets yesterday. However, I won't know whether the T3 causes tachycardia until I stop reacting to the cane sugar. Since I found the source of the allergen reaction and can now abstain from cane sugar, the reaction symptoms should subside after a few more days. Then I can assess whether the T3 supplement has more benefits than side effects.

Now I Get It

2010-11-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

I emailed my doc this morning to ask why she no longer thought B12 deficiency caused my low white blood cell count. She told me that my last CBCs (blood test results) indicated that I WAS absorbing the B12 and folate supplements I took. However, my white blood cells still decreased. So it's now time for a more powerful immune stimulator (low dose naltrexone), which I will get on Monday from a custom pharmacy, because that supplement will be compounded. Also I'll go to my doc's clinic on Monday to get another supplement (arabinogalactan), which treats chronic infections, and a B12/folate injection to boost my energy levels while I'm waiting for the other drugs to stimulate my immune system.

I picked up my T3 supplement (liothyronine) this afternoon. So I'll start taking that tomorrow morning with my T4 supplement (and one more T3 two hours after lunch). That T3 supplement will improve all my hypothyroid problems, like fatigue, cold extremities, low immunity, regularity, etc. I'm looking forward to FINALLY resolving all my hypothyroid symptoms. I need to research why I don't easily convert T4 to T3. Maybe that's also related to Hashimoto's thryoiditis, which is linked to celiac disease ...

Good News, Bad News Again

2010-11-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

I finally got a phone consult with my doc today. The bad news is that low white blood cells can mean lymphoma, specifically Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which is highly correlated with longterm celiac disease. The good news is that several medications can increase my white blood cell count. One drug is low dose Naltrexone, which is often used for patients withdrawing from opium addiction. No, I've never taken opiates and can't tolerate any narcotic drugs. I get very ill and vomit immediately, unless I take antiemetics to prevent throwing up. (I took antiemetics when I took Demerol for 8 weeks after hemorrhoid surgery.) However, Naltrexone suppresses Endorphins temporarily. Then, after that drug wears off within 2 hours, the body releases a flood of endorphins which stimulate the immune system to make more white blood cells. Similarly aerobic exercise stimulates endorphins and improves immunity. No wonder I feel good after walking or doing any aerobic exercise.

More bad news ... I do have swollen submandibular (below the jaw bone) lymph glands. Those were quite swollen before I was diagnosed with celiac disease and went off gluten. However they shrank over the past 6 years. Then more recently they became swollen again. Swollen lymph nodes can also mean lymphoma. So I may need to see an endocrinologist about my decreased immunity.

More good news ... my doc agreed that I also need a T3 supplement. My low Free T3 and Total T3 results (on my last blood test) were low enough to suggest that my body doesn't easily convert T4 to T3, which explains my lack of improvement on a T4 supplement. The most appropriate T3 drug (Cytomel) contains sucrose (which could be from cane sugar, one of my allergens) as inactive ingredient. However my HMO pharmacy advised me to consider the generic T3 liothyronine sodium. I checked that drug's ingredients and found none of my allergens. I told my doc about that generic choice. So she can prescribe generic T3 and save me lotsa $$$.

Hopefully I can pick up prescriptions for T3 and LDN on Friday. I'm seeing another flicker of light at the end of my illness tunnel ...

Here We Go Again

2010-11-23T20:36:00.000-08:00

After another day of really cold weather, frozen streets and treacherous driving, weather people predict exactly the same for tomorrow (when I have my doctor appointment). So my doc's clinic called tonight to say that the clinic will be closed for the next 3 days (one day of inclement weather and 2 days for Thanksgiving holiday). I asked to convert my appointment to a phone conference, because my doc plans that for her appointments tomorrow. However they booked someone else in the appointment time they gave me on Monday for tomorrow. Either they put the wrong name or they actually gave away my appointment time. GRRRRRRR!!! That also means my doc does not have my file with her at home.

Again I explained that I really needed to talk to my doc asap, because I've been sick and getting sicker since I saw her last. So the clinic receptionist promised to find a time for me and fax my last 2 lab (blood) test results to my doc. Actually I have those results and can inform my doc. I could have just emailed her. However, most clinics assume patients are clueless about their condition and lab tests. So I need to wait until tomorrow morning to learn whether I can even talk to my doc on the phone.

Snow Day Cancellation

2010-11-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

After waiting a week for an appointment with my doctor, her clinic called to tell me she would not be there today due to snowy weather. Ironically we were prepared for a 2 hour drive (one way) with studded snow tires to keep both appointments (for my husband and I). However, my doc decided to take a 'snow day'.

When I requested another appointment the receptionist offered one next week 7 days later. She didn't have anything for my husband that day. However, my husband said he could do a phone consult with his doc. Nevertheless, I told the receptionist that I had been sick with one cold after another (or the same cold?) for 3 months, because my white blood count was low and dropped lower over 2 months. So I needed to see my doc ASAP and hopefully get something to replenish my white blood cells. Magically the receptionist came up with 2 overlapping appointments this week (2 days from today) for my husband and I. I'm glad I persisted and didn't accept the 7 day delayed appointment. I'm always amazed by the appointment openings that magically appear when I persist.

Since my husband took the week off, we enjoyed walking in the snow to do errands. I'll get a head start on Thanksgiving preparations by making cranberry relish this afternoon. Tomorrow we will celebrate his birthday by seeing a movie. Then I'll make his favorite dinner (liver and onions, green beans and yukon gold potatoes).

I hope the weather is improved enough on Wednesday, because I don't want to play the rescheduling game again. Besides I expect my doctor to change my thyroid supplement prescription. I'll have to get that at my HMO pharmacy the day after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile I'm still fighting cold symptoms with massive doses of Vitamins C and D and eating anything I crave, which usually means foods high in Vitamins C and A. Today I had fresh tomatoes and lettuce on my sandwich at lunch with candied ginger for dessert. Ginger stimulates the bodies immune system. I always feel better after eating ginger, but can only tolerate a little, because it's soooo hot and spicy.

Blood Test Results

2010-11-11T09:08:00.001-08:00

My CBCs were all normal, except the WBC (white blood count). My naturopath doc believed the low WBC was caused by B12 and/or folate deficiency, which was caused by long undiagnosed celiac disease. However, after 2 months of taking high doses of folate and B12, my WBC went from 3.2 to 3.0. The normal range is 4.0 to 10.7. Over the past 3 years my WBC dropped significantly. That suggests multiple gastrointestinal infections, not vitamin deficiency, decreased the WBC.

The CBC good news is that my MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin count) increased into the 'normal' (albeit low normal) range. So eating more iron rich foods was enough to raise that result. If raising B12 levels can increase my WBC, I suspect I will need B-12 injections, because taking supplements did not work.

I also wonder if I have some other latent bacterial infection. I tested positive for TB as a child and again in my late 20s for TB. Fortunately my lung x-rays never showed signs of TB infection. (My last lung x-ray was in late February of this year.) Nevertheless, I wonder whether carrying that latent bacteria could affect my WBC results.

My thyroglobulin antibody test (TAB) was <0.9 (normal range is 0.0 to 4.0). That score says I don't have antibodies attacking my thyroid. My thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOab) test result was 53 (normal range is 0.0 to 60). That result suggests I have some antibodies, but within the normal range. People with celiac disease often have Hashimoto's thyroiditis in which antibodies attack their thyroid. Gluten reactions create antibodies which attack the intestines in celiac disease as well as other parts of the body for other autoimmune diseases. Because I have not consumed gluten for over 5 years, I assumed those scores would be low.

My other thyroid results were both good and questionable. My THS was much lower (after taking Levoxyl for 2 months), going from 3.71 to 0.797. However my free T4 did not increase much (from 1.09 to 1.19), even though I've been taking a T4 supplement. The 'normal' T4 range is 0.9 to 1.8. My total T3 was 66, which is lower than the normal range of 70 to 170. My free T3 result was 2.09, which wasalso lower than normal range of 2.4 to 4.4. Those T3 scores make me wonder whether my body has difficulty converting T4 to T3. Perhaps that difficulty explained my lack of significant improvement after taking a T4 supplement for 2 months.

I made an appointment with my doc to discuss my low results. I especially want to ask whether B12 injections will increase my WBC and prevent my chronic respiratory infections. I get cold symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, fatigue) every afternoon. I also want to discuss the low T3 scores.

CBCs and Thyroid Function Retests

2010-11-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

After reminding my naturopathic doc that I need signed order to get blood tests at my local HMO clinic, I received her order for the following tests:

CBC
TSH
FT4
T3
FT3
TAB
TPOAb

I need to recheck my CBCs, because my previous test showed low WBC (white blood count) and low MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). I suspect those have increased after eating high iron content foods for 2 months and recovering from that parasitic infection which can cause low WBC.

After taking a T4 thyroid supplement for almost 2 months, I want to know whether that changed my TSH and free T4 scores. I requested some T3 tests because I'm not doing as well as I expected with a T4 supplement. (50mcg wasn't enough to resolve all my symptoms, but 75mcg was too much and caused hyperthroid symptoms.) So my doc ordered the free T3 and total T3. Those should tell her whether I have difficulty converting T4 to T3. If so, I may also need a T3 supplement.

The TAB (antithyroglobulin antibody?) and TPOAb (thyroid peroxidase antibody) tests look for antibodies which cause Hashimoto's thyroiditis. That autoimmune condition is linked to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. I suspect those tests will be negative because I strictly followed a gluten free diet for 6 years. So I may not have any thyroid antibodies. However, my failure to improve (esp. regularity and immunity), while taking a T4 supplement, made me wonder if I have something else going on (like Hashimoto's or T3 deficiency).

I plan to get those tests done next week. However, I'll request a lab tech who doesn't usually puncture veins when drawing blood. I'll especially decline a blood draw from the person who punctured 2 of my veins in September. I had a large bruise for over a month and sensitivity (throbbing pain) in those veins for almost 2 months.

Halloween Soup and Brownies

2010-10-31T21:35:00.001-07:00

In honor of Halloween I made an orange soup for dinner (with brownies for dessert). In the spirit of this holiday I will take a break from reporting my health challenges to describe how I cook creatively with 13 food allergy restrictions (my 7 and my husband's 9 with 3 shared allergies). Here's my recipe (which I created just for Halloween):

PUMPKIN/BUTTERNUT SQUASH HALLOWEEN SOUP

Cook in large soup pot with 1/2-1 quart (as needed) Imagine Chicken broth:

1 larged chopped onion
2 cups shredded carrots
2 cups sliced/chopped celery

Add 1 quart pumpkin puree (saved, blended and frozen from last year's pumpkin).

While the vegies and puree are simmering (stir regularly), add:

1 gallon bag or one large bunch of chopped, fresh Kale (I used green Kale from our garden);

1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon sage, 2 teaspoons tumeric, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala, 1 teaspoon cloves (or cardamom), 1 teaspoon onion salt;

Cook till kale is tender, then add 1 quart of Imagine Butternut Squash soup (gluten, dairy, soy, cane sugar, vanilla, nutmeg free). Simmer 10 minutes stirring regularly until soup thickens. Then add:

3 - 5oz cans white meat chicken, flaked (so there are uniformly sized pieces);

Stir and simmer for 1-2 minutes and serve. (Simmer longer for thicker soup.)

My husband rated this soup a 'Hall of Fame' recipe. This recipe made 10 servings (my husband had a second bowl and we froze 7 individual 'petit pan' servings for future meals.) We were both too full for more than a sliver of the brownies I made for dessert. If anyone is interested I'll post the exact amounts of ingredients for this recipe for the Black bean brownies, which are also gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg free. I recall the ingredients included (but would need to look up exact amounts):

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES (w/o amounts of ingredients)

Mix together: Dutch cocoa, quinoa flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, stevia, chopped cashews

Blend for 3 minutes: 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed), Spectrum naturals shortening, Agave

Add blended wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Pour into glass 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper sprayed with outdoor grilling Pam (doesn't contain soy lecithin). Bake 325 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool before removing from pan.

(These brownies are very 'fudgey' with a dark chocolate flavor.)

Resumed 50mcg Levoxyl

2010-10-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

Although my doc recommended I resume taking Levoxyl at the 50mcg dose yesterday, I still had tachycardia and mild chest discomfort the previous night. So I also abstained from Levoxyl yesterday. Because I had no palpitations or discomfort yesterday, even when walking updhill, I decided to resume taking 50mcg this morning. I now have slight palpitations and feel comfortably warm.

I also had cold symptoms yesterday and felt cold all day. So I took extra vitamin D at lunch, which decreased my cold symptoms. After taking 6000IU of vitamin D yesterday and sound sleep last night, I have no cold symptoms today. However, I suspect both low levels of vitamin D and less thyroid made me susceptible to respiratory infection. Now that I know what causes my vulnerability, I can easily take more Vitamin D when I experience mild cold symptoms and back off when I feel well and get consistently sound sleep for awhile.

I still have one extra 'half' of the 50mcg tablets. I may take that tomorrow morning if I continue to experience tachycardia tonight, rather than taking another 50mcg tablet. Continued tachycardia would suggest that my blood volume of Levoxyl is still too high. So taking a 25-30mcg portion of Levoxyl will decrease my blood level of Levoxyl to return to 50mcg level.

Getting the perfect dose of Levoxyl is rather challenging. I suspect I would have gradually experienced less hypothyroid symptoms, if I would have just continued the 50mcg dose for another few weeks. However, I became impatient after seeing little improvement after 4-1/2 weeks. So according to my doc's recommendation, I increased the dose to 75mcg. Within 3 days I had overdose symptoms. So I now believe that 50mcg would have been enough if I just waited longer, because 75mcg was too much.

Experiencing intermittent constipation related to taking vitamin D supplements made me wonder whether 50mcg of Levoxyl would actually resolve my regularity problem. However, after taking 75mcg for 3 days I had diarrhea, which was the other extreme of my problem. So hopefully balancing the vitamin D with enough magnesium and continuing the 50mgc dose of Levoxyl will resolve my regularity problem.

Still Have Overdose Symptoms

2010-10-26T20:30:00.001-07:00

After another night of tachycardia making sleep difficult, I decided to totally abstain from Levoxyl until my cardiac related symptoms of Levoxyl overdose disappeared. Feeling my heart beating so hard (and fast) that I can't sleep is scarey to say the least. I had intermittent mild chest pain today along with tachycardia. However, that seemed to decrease as the day passed. I'll know whether I still have tachycardia after I go to bed.

Meanwhile my doc never replied to my email. That's perplexing, because she initially told me to tell her how I was doing after a few days. However, I thought my initial overdose reaction was due to taking more than 75mcg daily, when I took the larger tablet halves with the regular tablets. I believed taking a bit less would even out the total amount in my body. I didn't realize that continuing to take less than 75mcg would increase the levoxyl to the point that I would have nonstop overdose symptoms.

After not hearing from my doc by late this afternoon, I called to leave a voicemail message with her assistant. I told her that I had stopped taking Levoxyl because I had pretty obvious overdose symptoms. I also said I won't resume taking Levoxyl until I was certain I no longer had cardiac related symptoms (tachycardia, chest pain, difficulty breathing, etc.).

24 HOURS LATER: My doc's assistant called me tonight. She relayed my message to my doc who said I should stay on the 50mcg dose. She also told me to resume taking that tomorrow. I suspect her assistant didn't clearly understand my message. I experienced 72 hours of scary tachycardia and chest pain. The first night I hardly slept at all. The second night I feared I would die in my sleep from a heart attack. Last night I took awhile getting to sleep, but slept soundly thereafter. I still had obvious tachycardia today even while sitting still. My heart sped up even more during exercise for the past week. At least I didn't have trouble breathing while walking today. So perhaps the hyperthyroid symptoms from Levoxyl overdose are decreasing now.

Nevertheless, I read that Levoxyl leaves the body very slowly. When I stop taking Levoxyl, it reaches its halflife (half as much thyroid supplement) after a week of not taking that drug. At 75mcg I overdosed. At 50 mcg I had few side effects. So I need to reduce the level of Levoxyl in my blood by 1/3. I suspect that will take 4-5 days of not taking any Levoxyl. I took nothing for the past 2 days after taking 50mcg the previous day. So I'll abstain from Levoxyl 2 more days and pay close attention to my cardiac symptoms (esp. tachycardia and chest pain). If those symptoms disappear after 2 more days I'll try taking 25mcg (one of the 50mcg splits). If I don't react strongly to that, I'll resume taking 50mcg on day 6. I'll also call my doc's assistant to reiterate how seriously I experienced overdose symptoms during the last week I took 75mcg daily. I certainly won't resume taking 50mcg tomorrow, while I still have tachycardia.

75mcg of Levoxyl Is Too Much

2010-10-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

While taking approximately (more or less) 75mcg of Levoxyl for the past 10 days, I've experienced intermittent overdose symptoms of tachycardia (which interferred with sleep), slight chest pain, and breathing difficulty when walking uphill. I probably should have cut back sooner, but I thought that increased dose helped regularity. Eventually I realized I still depend on magnesium for regularity, esp. when taking vitamin D.

I emailed my doc last night and took only 50mcg of Levoxyl this morning. However, Levoxyl takes awhile to leave the body. If I still have OD symptoms tonight, I'll take less tomorrow. My doc may advise me to temporarily stop taking Levoxyl. I'll share her reply when I hear from her.

Levoxyl OD Symptoms

2010-10-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

After 4 daily doses of 75+ mcg of Levoxyl, this morning I developed obvious overdose symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal cramping pain, rapid heart beat, difficulty breathing and chest pain. I welcomed the diarrhea after weeks of intermittent constipation and hemorrhoid pain. However diarrhea also exacerbated my hemorrhoids. Then when I walked uphill I began to experience tachycardia, breathing difficulty and chest pain. I'm not overweight and have never experienced chest pain with breathing difficulty. So I immediately realized I had Levoxyl overdose symptoms.

I understand how I developed those symptoms. After my doc advised me to increase my 50mcg dose to 75mcg daily, I cut 4 of my 50 mcg tablets in half. However some of those didn't split exactly in half. The first day I took one of the more perfect halves for an additional 25 mcg plus my regular 50mcg tablet (or a 75 mcg total). However, the next two days I took the larger halves of pills which split unevenly. After not noticing much difference with an exactly 75mcg dose, I decided to see if just a bit more caused any symptoms. Obviously my overdose symptoms told me I'd taken more than I needed for 2 days. This morning I took a more evenly split half for closer to 75mcg. However the effect of Levoxyl is cumulative. So my Levoxyl overdose symptoms didn't manifest until today.

So tomorrow morning I plan to take one of the smallest 'crumbs' from the uneven splits for a total of less than 75 mcg, unless I get more symptoms tonight, like insomnia. If I still have OD symptoms tomorrow morning, I'll cut back to my original 50mdg dose to reduce the total accumulation of Levoxyl in my body. Then I will return to 75mcg or less again. If I experience more OD symptoms, I'll tell my doc that 75mcg is too much.

THE NEXT DAY: As planned I took the smallest part of the split pills with my regular 50mcg Levoxyl tablet. I have no symptoms today ... no diarrhea, no rapid heartbeat (after that symptom made sleep difficult last night), no pain. I hope this means I can resume taking exact 75 mcg doses and experience some benefits (like normal regularity, warmer body temp and energy), rather than overdose symptoms.

Increase Levoxyl

2010-10-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

After 4-1/2 weeks on Levoxyl (T4 thyroid supplement), I still didn't notice any marked improvement in energy, body heat, but mostly regularity. In fact I've gotten more constipated while taking high dose probiotics with FOS, which I thought would increase intestinal motility. So last night I emailed my doc and asked her when I should expect decreased symptoms, because I haven't improved at this point.

My doc told me today to increase my Levoxyl dosage from 50 mcg to 75 mcg daily. Since I already filled my prescription this month for the 50 mcg dosage, I had to cut some of those pills in half to take 75 mcg each day. I hope that helps. I'm really tired of irregularity despite high dose probiotcs, magnesium, high fiber diet, mucho fluids and absolutely no bad gut bugs to cause constipation. I also decided to cut vitamin D back to 2000 IU daily (from a previous 6000 IU daily when I had a bad cold). Vitamin D uses the magnesium, which could decrease the amount available to affect regularity.

My doc also asked me to tell her how I'm doing early next week. That request makes me wonder whether that extra 25 mcg will make an obvious difference after 4 days. If not, then we may need to test my free T3, which was not tested. Some people have difficulty converting T4 to T3. So supplementary T4 doesn't resolve symptoms. They actually need a T3 supplement. or a combination T3/T4 supplement. I should know after 4-7 days whether 75 mcg of Levoxyl is enough to resolve my symptoms.

Phone Chat with Doc

2010-10-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I talked to my doc about my latest stool test results and my current gastrointesinal well being. She was pleased that my test showed no new gut bugs. In response to my questions about the 'parasite taxonomy unavailabled', she explained that the Metametrix test is so sensitive that it can isolate bits of almost anything. So the test could have just identified an insect or part of an insect from any organic produce I eat.

She also encouraged me to continue high dose probiotics to improve my good bacteria levels. She told me to take my HLC Synbiotic Intensive probiotics with FOS before bed or on an empty stomach, rather than with meals, as the package label directed. Accordingly I could absorb more of the probiotic, without interference from stomach acid, which could destroy some probiotic cells.

Unfortunately I forgot to ask her about taking a TPOAb and/or T3 blood tests for Hasimoto's antibodies and T3 levels. However she did advise me to retest my thyroid levels in November or December. Since my HMO only tests TSH, I'll need another blood test order from my doc. So she can add those additional tests then.

Latest Stool Test Results

2010-10-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

I received my Metametrix Lab DNA Microbial Ecology stool test results yesterday. The good news is I have NO NEW GUT BUGS!! The bad news is I STILL have that "parasite taxonomy unavailable". The results also said: A taxonomy unavailable finding likely indicates an ingested protozoan and not a human parasite. It does not indicate treatment unless patient symptoms and other inflammatory markers are consistent with parasitic infection." My 2006 test results explained 'taxonomy unavailable' as: "Glfx will detect DNA from all commonly reported organisms in microscopic parasitology. In addition, any dNA present from yeast/fungi or protozoa will also be detected. These are reported as positive, taxonomy unavailable."

That 'taxonomy unavailable' (TU) bug first appeared in my May 2009 test results (along with my C-diff diagnosis.) At that time my ND dismissed the TU bug as 'probably something I ate before the test. However, that TU parasite result continued to appear on every stool test since May 2009 (1/10, 5/10 and 9/10). If the TU bug really came from something I accidentally consumed, I would have to continue eating those bugs since May 2009. Obviously I need to ask my current doc about that TU bug.

I'm also concerned about my low levels of facultative anaerobes (good bacteria). My lactobaccillus and bifidobacter levels are much lower than they were in January of this year. Granted, I took antiparasitic drugs for almost 3 months to kill the D-frag parasite. However I also took probiotics during and after each drug treatment. Nevertheless, I did begin taking a new probiotic during and after my last drug treatment. I thought that probiotic would be better absorbed and more effective. It had 50 live cells per capsule, which I took on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and just before bed.

However, my good bacteria levels were higher when I was taking a different probiotic (with FOS, which causes bloating and gas) just before meals. I'm really confused now. So yesterday I purchased another 7 day probiotic (with FOS) treatment with the product I previously took. I also called their company to ask why they suggested I take that probiotic before meals, rather than when I first get up (at least 30-60 minutes before meals). They explained that food helps neutralize stomach acid. So less of the good bacteria are destroyed by stomach acid. That's logical.

Nevertheless, I already have low stomach acid and must take acid supplements at the beginning of meals. If those acid supplements destroyed the probiotics, my previous test results for lactobacillus and bifidobacter should have been lower. Instead my most recent results were low. Also those results came from a stool test taken a month after I ended antiparasitic treatment. Other tests were taken several months after treatments had ended. So maybe my current good bacteria levels are higher than they were when I took that latest test.

I have an appointment for a phone consultation with my naturopath. I hope she knows more about those TU bugs and why my good bacteria levels were so low. I also intend to ask her when she wants me to retest my blood levels for vitamin D, CBC (which includes white blood cells and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), TSH and Free T4. Although I've felt slightly warmer and more energetic (possibly due to less anemia and recovering from a badcold), I haven't noticed obvious improvement from thyroid supplementation. Fortunately, I no longer have irregularity. However, I do have more cramping abdominal pain. I wonder if the TU critter is causing my abdominal cramping pain??

No Obvious Improvement

2010-10-03T15:56:00.001-07:00

After 3 weeks of taking Levoxyl (50 mg daily), I haven't noticed any really obvious improvements in regularity. I still need the same amounts of all my supplements (magnesium, vitamins B, C, D, E, HCl and probiotics) plus lots of fiber and fluids for any degree of 'regularity'. However I also now have slight bloating and fecal urgency (feeling like I have to 'go' all the time). I thought after 3 weeks of thyroid supplement I would have less impaired regularity symptoms, not more. I've read that Levothyroxine slowly builds up in the body. So improvement symptoms slowly appear. However, I expected to get better, not worse, regularity-wise.

I still feel warmer and more energetic (possibly due to improved thyroid function), but I didn't mind feeling tired and needing more clothing layers as much as I disliked irregularity symptoms. I also suspect that my current intestinal symptoms mean I have another gut bug infection. My doc said my stool test results won't arrive for another week. So I won't know whether these symptoms mean I need more Levothyroxine or another drug to kill new gut bugs. Right now I feel hopeless about ever feeling healthy again.

What Cold??

2010-09-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

When my husband asked me tonight, "How's your cold?", I replied "WHAT cold??" I had no sinus or throat pain today and only slightly runny nose, which felt more like allergy than respiratory infection. I also felt a LOT more energetic (and WARM) than I have in a long time. As I mentioned in my previous post, 2 weeks of Levoxyl (thyroid supplement) could also have influenced my feeling warmer, more energetic and 'regular'.

Unfortunately I also experienced some abdominal pain, which could mean another intestinal infection. However the pain moves from one side to the other (ascending to descending colon), which seems more related to my other symptoms of fecal urgency and softer stools, the kind of symptoms I get before having diarrhea. Improved regularity is definitely a (desired) side effect of thyroid supplement. Nevertheless, I could do without the gut cramps. Maybe that's just a passing symptom, like my intial slight headache and nausea while I adjusted to Levoxyl. I read that I would begin to notice improvements after 2-3 weeks of taking Levoxyl. I hope all these new symptoms mean that I'm heading toward normal thyroid function.

Respiratory Infection Update

2010-09-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

This cold certainly tried my patience. I've endured sore throat, sinus congestion and then sinus infection, which slowly healed over the past 10 days or so. While trying to eat more iron rich foods to treat anemia and increase my energy, I also took extra folate and Vitamin B12 to treat anemia linked to low white blood cells. I also significantly increased my consumption of Vitamin D (from 2,000 to 6,000 IU daily, as my ND had originally suggested) after reading exactly how Vitamin D fights infections. I haven't experienced any vitamin D 'toxicity' symptoms, while taking that 'therapeutic dose'.

I can't really tell whether the Levoxyl has improved my low thyroid symptoms (fatigue, cold extremities, dry skin, etc.) because my cold symptoms are similar to low thyroid symptoms. However, I haven't had any constipation no matter how little fiber or fluids I consume. That's a welcome switch, which I attribute to improved thyroid function. I won't really know whether the Levoxyl changed all my low thyroid symptoms until after my cold disappears. Nevertheless, after 2 more days I will have taken Levoxyl for 2 weeks. I've read improvement signs become more obvious after 2-3 weeks. So I hope I'll feel more energetic and just plain healthy during the upcoming week.

While Waiting to Feel Better ...

2010-09-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

I developed yet another upper respiratory infection (cold?) after several days of extreme fatigue. Now I have very sore throat, runny eyes and nose as well as extreme fatigue. I've taken Levoxyl for 3 days and haven't really seen any obvious signs of improvement.

Meanwhile I've rearranged my morning juice, breakfast and supplement schedule to accomodate the thyroid meds. I can't eat breakfast for at least an hour after taking the morning Levoxyl. Then I can't take my regular vitamins and mineral supplements until 4 hours after I take Levoxyl. I previously took Vitamins C, Bs and Magnesium (and also zinc when I struggled with colds). Then I changed to only taking supplements at lunch and dinner (which reduced the supplement daily totals).

Shortly thereafter I got severe constipation (impacted stool severity) and a really bad sore throat. I don't know which I hate worse ... the cold or the constipation!!! Of course, I'm taking thyroid to reduce my vulnerabilty to infections and improve regularity. However, most patients don't see obvious improvements in energy, regularity and/or infection resistance until 1-2 weeks after beginning thyroid. I want to see those improvements YESTERDAY, if not before!! LOL

My Super Sleuth Naturopath

2010-09-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

My HMO primary care doc didn't even want to discuss my blood test results. She considered all my results within normal limits. However, she had not received the CBC results which showed low WBC (white blood cells) and low MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). Nevertheless, my naturopath wanted me to discuss those results in person, rather than exchange more emails. My blood test results gave my naturopath many more clues about why I experienced 8 gastrointestinal infections in the past 4 years, as well as why I feel so tired now.

Above all my ND recommended that I begin a low dose thyroid medication. Over the past 12 years my TSH levels have been rather high. In 2002 the normal TSH range was changed from .5 to5.0 to .3 to 3.0. However, my HMO didn't revise its normal range. So they continued to ignore my TSH levels which have slowly risen from 3 to 3.71 over the past 12 years. That's not dramatic, but I've had so many symptoms of hypothyroidism most of my life. Also my Free Thyroxine (T4) level was on the low side of normal. Over the past 12 years I've noticed more sensitivity to cold, have low basal temps, cold hamds and feet which become numb, chronic constipation, above normal cholesterol (over 200) for the past 10 years), chronic respiratory, bladder and gastrointestinal infections, loss of the outer 1/3 of my eyebrowns, ever increasing fatigue, and this year my LDL result was at the high end of 'normal'. Above all I had an autoimmune disease (celiac) which is highly correlated with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis. So those years of undiagnosed celiac disease could have also caused autoimmune thyroid damage. Even though I stopped eating gluten 6 years ago, the damage was done.

So I took my first Levoxyl (.05 mg levothyroxine) tablet this morning. I didn't experience any obvious side effects. I had a bit of a headache, but that could have been lack of sleep (I get headaches if I don't get 9 hours of sleep). I did feel a bit more energetic. However that perception of energy could be the 'placebo effect' because I anticipate getting more energy, warmth and regularity while taking Levoxyl.

In order to resolve the low MCHC problem, possibly due to iron deficiency or folate or B12 related anemia, my ND gave me a list of iron rich foods. I told her iron supplements make me constipated. So she recommended I try to eat at least 15 mg of iron daily. Surprisingly, I enjoy most of the foods on that list. Also I added a B12 supplement to my daily arsenal of vitamins and minerals.

Above all I did another microbial stool test yesterday and sent the 'specimums' (for bacteria, parasities and fungus tests) to the lab this morning. My low WBC result could come from 4 years of fighting gut bugs or from continuing to fight the parasite I began treating in June. I hope this test is negative for new (and old) bugs. I no longer have any gut pain which suggests infection. However, I'm also digesting food better because I resumed taking HCl supplements and high dose probiotics yesterday after doing the test. (I had to abstain from HCl and probiotics for 2 days before the test. I REALLY missed my HCl capsules. I felt soooo full after meals and bloated all the time. It's so nice to have my flat tummy again. LOL

Naturopath Appointment

2010-09-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

My naturopath (who requested all the blood tests) asked me to make an appointment to see her in person. We've exchanged too many (over 20) emails during the past 3 months. I had planned to see her after she moved to the new office in a 'sattelite clinic', located closer to my house. However, she recently told me she couldn't move until sometime in November. So I made an appointment to see her on Thursday at the original clinic.

Unfortunately I don't plan to do the stool test (for parasites, bacteria and funguses) until the following Monday morning. I should have abstained from probiotics and HCl supplements over the Labor Day weekend so that I could do that test this morning. However, I didn't experience any dientamoeba fragilis symptoms (lower left quadrant pain) until yesterday (Monday) morning. I can only mail that test Mondays through Thursdays. So I might just as well wait until this coming Friday to start the required 3 day 'fast' from digestive supplements before I do the test.

Nevertheless, I really don't know what is causing my current lower right quadrant pain. I could still have the d-frag parasite. I could have a new gut bug. Or I could have just accidentally consumed an allergen. I'll have to wait a month after doing the stool test to receive the results. I wish that were a speedier process. SIGH

Blood Test Results

2010-09-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

I received the last of my blood test results today (by email reminder from my HMO to check their website where my lab results were posted). All those test results were within normal range EXCEPT the CBC. I had low results for WBC (white blood count) and MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration).

After much online research I learned that low white blood count can be caused by (among other things) parasitic infections, amoebiasis and specifically Dientamoeba Fragilis infections. I don't know whether I developed a low WBC, because I battled that D-frag parasite for 4 months or whether I STILL have d-frag critters in my gut. I plan to take another stool test after 10 more days.

Low MCHC can be a sign of anemia, blood loss or low vitamin B6. Because I've taken B6 regularly for years and haven't given blood, I suspect anemia. I've felt more tired than usual for the past few years. I thought fighting all those intestinal infections made me more tired, but now I realize inadequate iron levels constributed to my fatigue. I know that in the recent past, when I wasn't taking HCl supplements, I have eaten less heme foods (meats) and probably not efficiently digested what I did eat. Without adequate stomach acid, the stomach can't effectively digest protein and/or absorb iron from foods. I haven't weighed enough to give blood since I was in my freshman year of college.

However, I gave what seemed like a lot of blood for all those blood tests. I also have a constant reminder of that blood draw. The lab tech punctured at least one and maybe 2 of my veins. So I have a huge, painful bruise on my left arm. Also I have a small bruise on my left upper arm, where the tech placed a rubber band device to plump the vein. My husband told me that blood banks use blood pressure cuffs, which doesn't bruise the area. Because I couldn't find a comfortable position for that bruised arm, I haven't slept well for the past 2 nights. Needless to say, I won't let that lab tech draw my blood ever again.

Although the other blood test results were within normal limits, I was surprised by 4 other results. In the lipoprotein panel, my total chloesterol was back up (from 195 3 years ago to 210 in 2010) and my LDL was near the top of the 'normal range. I never saw any previous results for LDL, because my HMO never previously did fasting tests for Lipoprotein. Also my fasting glucose was higher than I expected, although still normal.

Best of all my Vitamin D levels were normal. My naturopath insists that anyone who lives in Seattle must be vitamin D deficient. However, I walk in sunshine without sunscreen on my arms and legs on every sunny day. I also eat foods which are high in Vitamin D. After my naturopath's suggestion, I began to take vitamin D supplements. However, I only took those on cloudy, gray days.

My HMO doc wasn't concerned about any of those 'normal' results. I don't know what my naturopath, who requested the fasting tests (esp. the lipoprotein panel) will say about those results.

Blood, Eye and Stool Tests

2010-09-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

After a 14 hour fast this morning I did a blood draw at my local HMO clinic for tests, which my naturopath requested. Those included lipid panel with triglycerides, CBC with ferritin, comprehensive metabolic panel, 2 liver functioin tests (ALT and AST), a Vitamin D test and 2 thyroid function tests. I was told that they would send the results to my naturopath. My HMO primary care doc should have most of the results (except Vitamin D test), when I see her tomorrow for my physical (primarily pap and pelvic exam plus any of my concerns). I plan to update that doc on my gut bug treatment history. She's rather clueless about how I could even get parasites, candida and pathogenic bacteria.

I also scheduled an eye exam with an opthalmologist at the GHC See Center on September 20, because I had burning eye pain while taking Iodoquinol. I sure hope that drug didn't affect my vision, because I don't think that could be reversed.

Today my husband will purchase a Metametrix (DNA) Microbial Ecology Profile stool test at the lab affiliated with my naturopath's clinic. I plan to do that test sometime within the next 2 weeks. I currently don't have any obvious gut bug symptoms. However, I'd like to know for certain that I eliminated the d-frag parasite and H. Pylori bacteria. Nevertheless, I won't receive the stool test results until a month after I do the test. Fortunately I feel really well. I have no intestinal pain. So I don't think I have any new nasty intestinal critters. However, with my history, I hesitate to consider myself totally recovered without seeing a stool test which is negative for pathogenic gut bugs.

I'm still taking the high dose (50 billion cells per capsule) probiotics twice daily. Those seem to have greatly improved my regularity. I'm also continuing to take the HCl capsules (one with smaller meals and 2 with larger meals) without discomfort. I know I will need to abstain from both the HCl and probiotics before I do the stool test. So I plan continue taking those for another 7-10 days, before I do the test.

Nevertheless, I'm not planning to vacation outside Seattle (like Maui) this year. Feeling well, i.e. free of painful intestinal symptoms, seems more exciting and satisfying that any vacation experience. Of course, if I receive a bad stool test results, I won't have already booked a plane flight and lodging. So I will be home for treatment, if necessary. Obviously, I still hesitate to believe I'm truly 'well'.

Sorbitol and Sugar

2010-08-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

The day after my first (gastrointestinal) pain free day I snacked on some prunes when I first got up. I didn't need those for 'regularity', but just wanted to enjoy the prunes before they got too dry. My husband had purchased a new tub of prunes over the weekend. I enjoyed one after dinner Monday night. So I wanted a few more the next morning. For the next 8 hours I had cramping intestinal pain and bloating.

I'm very sensitive to sorbitol, most likely because I have 'leaky gut' caused by years of undiagnosed celiac damage to my intestinal lining. Any sorbitol sweetened gum, candy, etc. can cause hours of excruciating (bit of broken glass in my intestines) pain, bloating and eventually diarrhea. So I obsessively avoid that artificial sweetner and any other alcohol based artificial sweetners, like mannitol, xylitol, maltitol, etc. All of those cause me to have painful gastrointestinal reactions.

However, I easily tolerate fruits with natural sorbitol, like fresh figs, apples (or apple juice), peaches, pears and plums. So I didn't realize that prunes contain more natural sorbitol than any other fruit. Now I know and will limit prunes to one after a full meal, rather than eat those on an empty stomach.

I already abstain from cane sugar, one of my diagnosed allergens. So I sometimes substitute beet sugar on fruit like strawberries or raspberries. However, more recently while adjusting to HCl supplements, I monitor whether I experience burning stomach pain or reflux, signs that I may have taken too much or too little HCl. I've noticed that I get reflux after eating strawberries or raspberries topped with about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. I thought that reaction was caused by the acidity of those berries.

Although other acidic fruit, like tomatoes and citrus, can irritate an inflamed esophagus, they don't cause reflux, because they don't relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). So I reread the list of foods which relax the LES and cause reflux (according to Dr. Jonathon Wright, author of 'Why Stomach Acid is Good for You'). That list included SUGAR ... not honey or agave or stevia but SUGAR, processed beet or cane sugar. So the next time I had strawberries on my peanut butter and muffin, I used about 1/2 packet of Equal. I didn't get ANY reflux, despite taking HCl with that meal.

I know ... Equal is the dreaded 'aspartame', which can cause headaches and other symptoms, when used regularly. However, I don't consider 1/2 packet of Equal 1-2 times a week 'regular use'. I rarely drink aspartame laced diet pop any more. I don't use aspartame on anything else or consume any other aspartame laced foods, mainly because I rarely consume processed, packaged foods or snacks. So I plan to use a tiny bit of aspartame to sweeten strawberries or raspberries, when I eat them on my peanut butter muffin. Stevia is fine for other fruits, but seems too bitter (even the least bitter brand) for strawberries and raspberries.

Anyway, I learned yet another reason to avoid sugar: Sugar relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and causes reflux. No wonder I could so easily throw up after I ate even moderate amounts of sweets. I never had to force myself, because the sugar sweetened food was coming up all by itself. I just decided to 'go with the flow'. LOL

Afraid to Believe It

2010-08-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

For the past 5 hours I've experienced absolutely NO gastrointestinal pain. This is the first time in 4 months!! Perhaps the second round of Iodoquinol did completely eradicate the d-frag parasite. So what I experienced during the past 5 days was really lingering Iodoquinol side effects. Almost like magic 120 hours (exactly 5 days) after I took my last Iodoquinol capsule, the lower right sided and every other intestinal pain just disappeared.

The bloating which I experienced during Iodoquinol treatment began to decrease on Sunday. However, I suspect that was related to indigestion due to hypochlorida (low stomach acid). Iodoquinol was so caustic to my stomach that I had to stop taking HCl supplements during the second round of treatment, although I resumed using HCl with no problem after the first round of Iodo. After I stopped taking Iodo 5 days ago, I resumed taking mastic gum and continued taking L-glutamine, which previously healed my stomach from H. Pylori damage. By Saturday I no longer experienced any stomach pain. So I decided to take one HCl capsule with dinner. From then on I continued taking one capsule with each meal. Thereafter each day the bloating decreased a little more.

Also I no longer have irregularity. Perhaps the HCl helped me more effectively absorb the magnesium supplement which usually helps regularity. Perhaps the HCl just improved my digestion. Perhaps the Iodoquinol had previously caused constipation. I don't know for sure what caused that irregularity, but I'm glad it's gone.

I'm afraid to believe that I can actually experience pain free digestion. I used to get lower right quadrant pain within an hour after eating. That pain lasted until just about time for the next meal 3-4 hours later. Usually aerobic exercise like walking or yoga gave me some pain relief. However, I didn't do any aerobic exercise this afternoon. I stood processing vegies for our freezer and then emptied the dishwasher.

If I continue to improve, especially regularity-wise, I'll get my blood tests later this week (7-9 days after I stopped taking Iodoquinol). Then I can do that stool test early next week. Unfortunately I won't get the results back for another month. However, if I don't have any painful symptoms, I'm inclined to believe I'm free of gut bugs!! YIPPPEEEE!!!

No Relief Yet

2010-08-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

I stopped taking Iodoquinol over 3 days ago. The painful side effects and lack of improvement just became too much. I didn't know whether those symptoms came from dientamoeba fragilis or Iodoquinol. However after one 20 day cycle and another 15 days cycle of Iodoquinol, I expected to experience some improvement. Instead I felt worse each day. So I told my doc, who told me to take a break from Iodo treatment.

After I finished the first Iodo cycle, I felt better within 24 hours. However, after discontinuing that drug 5 days before the end of the 2nd cycle I did not experience any symptom relief. Today I could more easily tolerate the symptoms, but I may just have become accustomed to constant pain and bloating. Maybe the bloating and pain is a teensy bit less today. However, I still have sharp lower right quadrant pain or lower left quadrant pain plus some bloating. The pain seems to only occur on one side at a time, which is an improvement over what I experienced while taking Iodo.

So perhaps the symptoms will decrease slightly over the next week or so. My doc advised me to wait a week after stopping Iodo before taking blood tests. So I assume that drug takes a week to clear my system. Maybe that means I'll continue to experience side effects for 4-7 more days. Oh joy!! I'm so tired of cramping pain. I want to be well yesterday. I've had a few days of relief during the past 4 years, but I can count on one hand the days I've had painfree hours, but never whole days.

The good news is that I tried taking one HCl capsule with dinner tonight. I ate chicken with garlic sauce and green beans with olive oil. Hopefully that was enough protein/fats to need that one capsule. I sense slight burning. So perhaps my stomach has not healed enough from the Iodoquinol damage to try HCl yet. However, I'm tired of tasting last night's dinner the next morning. I'm tired of not digesting food well.

I'm also plagued by irregularity, despite consuming loads of fluids, fiber and magnesium. I usually experience that symptom when I have parasites, but I experience diarrhea with bacterial infections. So I wonder whether I still have the dientamoeba. At this point I don't know what to do beyond just try to get through one day at a time. 7 days post Iodo I'll do a 12 hour fast and take those blood tests. Then I'll abstain from probiotics and HCl for 3 days and do another stool test to determine if I still have Dientamoeba fragilis or maybe contracted another gut bug.

I really hope my current symptoms are caused by Iodoquinol and will disappear within a week or so. However, I've had that lower right quadrant pain for over 4 months now. At least I know that's not appendicitis, because I spoke to my HMO's consulting nurse about my symptoms. She reassured me that I didn't seem to have appendicitis. Nevertheless, I really don't know what's causing these current painful symptoms. I only have theories, based on speculation and experience.

Ready to Quit

2010-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

I just emailed my doctor the following letter:

"I'm on day 15 of my second 20 day treatment with Iodoquinol, which is my 4th drug treatment for dientamoeba fragilis. Before I take my first Iodo capsule with breakfast, I notice the same lower right quadrant cramping pain which I had before I began treating this parasite. After taking the Iodo capsule, I experience additional severe left lower quadrant cramping pain, intense bloating, intermittent upper left and right quadrant (sharp) pain, some nausea and increasingly intense burning eye pain. All those side effects increase as the day progresses and I take more Iodo. During the evening after taking the Iodo capsule with dinner, I feel so bad I can't sit because of cramping pain and can't lay for fear of throwing up. Each day the symptoms feel more intense. SO I NOW WONDER whether Iodoquinol is actually eliminating the d-frag critter which I assume caused the lower right quadrant pain or whether the Iodo side effects just distract me from that LRQ pain or whether the LRQ pain is really caused by an inflammed appendix, which Iodo really can't treat.

IF IODOQUINOL IS ELIMINATING THE PARASITE WHICH CAUSED MY INITIAL LOWER RIGHT QUADRANT PAIN, SHOULD I STILL BE EXPERIENCING THAT PAIN AFTER TAKING IODOQUINOL FOR 35 DAYS? I'm beginning to wonder whether the risk of Iodoquinol side effect damage is less than the risk of dientamoeba fragilis damage and whether I even still had that parasite when I began this second round of Iodoquinol. I considered whether I had an inflamed appendix, when I still experienced LRQ symptoms after completing my first Iodo treament cycle. However, I weighed the risks of Iodoquinol side effects against risks of hospitalization to remove an appendix and decided to resume taking Iodo. Now I'm really uncertain whether Iodo has done anything beyond cause painful side effects.

SHOULD I CONTINUE TAKING THE IODOQUINOL FOR THE NEXT 5 DAYS DESPITE RISKS OF SIDE EFFECTS? PLEASE ADVISE."

My doctor replied: "Take a break on this. I was really hoping for the retest before the second round. We need to make sure you still have this before continuing."

Despite my fear that I won't eliminate this !@#$%^ parasite if I discontinue the Iodo before I finish the 20 day treatment, I've had enough of side effects, feeling horrible after every meal and dreading meals because I know I will feel horrible after taking the Iodo capsule. I won't take Iodo ever again. I've read that Secnidazole is an effective one day treatment for d-frag. So I'll suggest that to my doc, IF I still test positive for d-frag in my next stool test. Meanwhile I need to wait until my stomach heals so that I can take HCl supplements and improve my digestion. Hopefully taking L-glutamine and mastic gum will heal my stomach. I noticed that taking a probiotic before breakfast as well as one before bed improved my digestion somewhat today. However, I still had acid reflux after a bland lunch.

These past 4 years of fighting gut bugs have really worn me down. I definitely need a break. If the lower right quadrant pain continues, I'll notify my traditionl doc when I see her for a physical on September 2. However, I'll also advise her of my recent history of diagnosis and treatment for dientamoeba fragilis, but I doubt she's familiar with that parasite. Many mainstream docs think that you get parasites in 3rd world countries.

8 More Days

2010-08-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Obviously I'm still counting the days until I finish this Iodoquinol prescription. I'm beginning the most painful phase, the last week, when I get more nausea, bloating and diffuse (all over) intestinal pain, rather than just pain in the lower right quadrant. I recall experiencing those side effects toward the end of my first round of Iodoquinol. My doc attritubed those symptoms to 'die off' of the dientamoeba parasite. I scoffed at the 'die off' notion, because I didn't experience 'die off' with candida. However I was sick with gastro symptoms for 72 hours of Alinia (nitazoxanide) treatment for cryptosporidia parasite. I don't know whether those symptoms were caused by alinia side effects or die off. Nevertheless, the pharmacist who compounded my dairy free Iogoquinol said that bloating and all over cramping pain toward the end of the treatment period was indeed die off. I sure HOPE the d-frag critters are dying. Enough already with symptoms and treatment side effects!

After I finish this treatment on August 22, I need to wait for 7 days before I can get a blood test (comprehensive metabolic panel) which will test my liver function, among other things. My doc wants to check my liver after my past several years of taking drugs for pathogenic bacteria, parasites and candida fungus. I don't have any impaired liver function symptoms. However, I know that both flagyl (which I initially took for c-diff bacteria) and Iodoquinol can definitely impair liver function. I also know there are a few herbal treatments (including milk thistle) which can improve liver function. I just hope this 2nd Iodo treatment irradicates the d-frag critters and I survive with a healthy liver. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Abstaining from acidic foods and taking mastic gum again helped reduce the burning stomach pain I recently experienced after taking Iodoquinol. However, today I succumbed to cravings for a decaf iced coffee. I haven't had decaf (or any kind of coffee) in a couple of years, since before I first took HCl capsules for digestion. I know caffeine can relax the lower esophageal valve and allow reflux. Nevertheless, because I'm not taking HCl, I indulged today. I may pay for that 'treat' with insomnia tonight. I'm so exhausted by the heat, fighting d-frag and insufficient sleep last night.

On a brighter (or perhaps morbid) note, I found more 'Giant Microbe' souveniers in the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe on the Seattle Waterfront today. Last year, when I was struggling with Clostridium difficile, I found a c-diff giant microbe (soft model) at the University Bookstore. I should have also bought the Candida yeast model, but I was sooo hung up on treating c-diff, that I only bought the c-diff doll. However, today I found and bought the H. Pylori bacterium 'doll' to add to my personal gut bug souvenier collection. I checked http://www.giantmicrobes.com and found a few other familiar faces from my distant past (like HPV and TB) but no models of candida, cryptosporidia, enterobacter cloacae, klebsiella or dientamoeba fragilis. I really would like souveniers for all the gut bugs I acquired, suffered from and treated over the past 4 years. LOL

New Iodo Side Effects

2010-08-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

For the past week I've experienced burning eye pain. I thought that washing windows with an ammonia solution caused that burning pain UNTIL I read that was a common (but potentially dangerous) symptom of Iodoquinol. I didn't have any diagnosed optic neuropathy when I started Iodo. So I didn't think I'd experience that symptom. Actually I didn't notice that symptom during my first Iodo treatment cycle. However, I've noticed that eye pain for a few days now. Fortunately saline solution eye drops relieves that slight burning pain. (Gut pain seems much worse than eye pain.)

I suffered some nausea and dizziness for the first few days on Iodo. However, more recently I've noticed much more reflux and stomach pain, especially when I take acid supplements early in a meal which I follow with Iodo. So I've decided to not take the acid supplements while I'm taking Iodo. That drug is notoriously abrasive to the stomach. My recent reflux experience influenced me to keep taking my glutamine to heal my stomach lining, but abstain from HCl unless I eat a moderate serving of protein/fat in a meal. I get too much reflux taking acid early in a vegan meal which I follow with Iodo.

I'm also beginning to notice more bloating and diffuse (all over) gut cramps now. I hope those symptoms will subside as I adjust to Iodoquinol. However abstaining from HCl supplements can also cause bloating, because I don't digest food as well. I don't know what ingredient in Iodo causes the burning stomach pain, but I know betaine hydrochloride on a sensitive (thin lining) stomach can cause burning pain. So it's another !@#$%^ if I do and !@#$%^ if I don't treatment situation. I want to kill the parasites, but I also want to prevent getting new food borne gut bugs. Nevertheless, neither do I want to damage my stomach after I spent 6 weeks on L-glutamine to heal my stomach lining. I will just observe how I react to taking Iodo, when I don't take HCl for awhile.

2 Down, 18 to Go

2010-08-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

I thought I was doing pretty well with the Iodquinol this time. Before dinner tonight I had taken 2 days' worth of Iodo, but I didn't notice any really disturbing side effects. I did get some initial constipation, but I resolved that by taking more magnesium and then another probiotic first thing in the morning. However, I don't like to take an excess of either of those, because they cause more bloating. Nevertheless, I didn't seem to get that initial dizziness/nausea from Iodo, like I had during the first treatment, until after dinner tonight. SIGH

Maybe I drank enough ginger tea for the first day to prevent nausea. However, too much ginger tea can cause reflux and burning stomach pain, especially when combined with the Iodo. Today I drink much less ginger tea. However I snacked between meals, when I wasn't actually hungry, but rather just craving something to settle my stomach. Usually bland fruit, like cantaloupe, or peanut butter straight from the container makes me feel better. So I didn't actually get nauseas, but I felt overly full after snacking so much between meals and then eating regular meals so I could take more Iodoquinol with food. When I wasn't taking HCl with meals, I didn't get so much reflux from the Iodo. So today I cut back to 1 HCl with small meals and 2 HCl with dinner. However, my dinner must have been too small to protect my stomach from the Iodo. Now I have burning stomach pain, dizziness and nausea, all reported side effects of Iodo.

I also learned that diet 7up doesn't help with nausea from Iodo. Ginger tea is much more effective, but then I get reflux with the tea. That seems like a @#$%^& if I do and @#$%^& if I don't situation. I need to figure out something. I can't afford to get so nauseas that I throw up and lose the Iodoquinol dose. I did that once during the last treatment cycle, a day after I had just plain forgotten to take a dose. Maybe that's why 20 days of Iodo didn't completely eradicate the d-frag critters.

I'm really tired of treating this d-frag critter. I've had symptoms since April. I've been treating it with drugs which have awful side effects since June. Now I'll spend August suffering side effects of yet another drug treatment. This is the fourth consecutive summer I've spent feeling sick during the really warm days, when I would prefer to be biking, playing tennis, gardening, walking or almost anything except sitting at this computer researching gut bugs and drugs. I would recall that last summer I wondered whether I'd ever recover from the C-diff bacteria. Fortunately, I finally killed it with a pulse dose method, which I discovered online. I haven't found any miracle cures for d-frag, although I read about a one dose (one day) successful treatment for d-frag with Secnidazole. I'll ask my doc about that when she returns from vacation. Right now I just need to get through tonight without throwing up. Then I have to somehow endure 18 more days of Iodo and hope it works.

Resuming Iodoquinol Treatment

2010-08-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

I now know understand why I thought my symptoms might be caused by appendicitis, rather than dientamoeba fragilis parasite. I read on the eMedicine (WebMD) site that "(Dientamoeba fragilis) Organisms infect mucosal crypts of the large intestine that are located close to the mucosal epithelium, from the cecum to the rectum; however, the cecum and proximal colon are usually affected." The 'cecum is the intestinal 'pocket' at the bottom of the ascending colon on (my) right side. The appendix is attached to the bottom of the cecum pouch. So cramping pain caused by parasitic infection of the cecum and ascending colon may seem to come from the appendix.

However, my lower right quadrant cramping pain (especially after eating) was soon joined by symptoms of nausea, headache, fatigue and then left lower quadrant cramping pain after bowel movements. Those were all the same d-frag symptoms I experienced initially 4 months ago and then after treatments with Alinia, Humatin and finally Iodoquinol.

I've read Iodo is the most effective drug to treat this parasite. So today I called my doctor's clinic and left several messages for her assistant, because my doc is on vacation. Then I called the pharamacy which previously prepared Iodoquinol compounded without lactose (to avoid dairy allergen reaction) to fax a prescription refill request to my doc's clinic. That may sound easy, but I spent all morning calling, leaving messages and talking to the clinic receptionist to understand their process and connect with everyone involved in that process, because my doc's on vacation.

So tonight I will begin another 20 days of Iodoquinol (3x daily). I know I will experience side effects of nausea and dizziness for the first few days. Then, when the Iodoquinol begins to kill the parasites, I will experience diffuse (all over my intestinal area) cramping pain and bloating, supposedly caused by 'die-off' toxins from the parasites. (I'm still not convinced of the 'die-off' theory, because I never experienced that with candida, which is notorious for die-off during treatment by nystatin or other antifungal drugs.) Nevertheless, I anticipate feeling a lot worse before I feel better.

I absolute hate the bloating symptom. However, that may have been partly caused by hypochloridia, because I previously took Iodo BEFORE I began taking HCl with meals. HCl significantly reduced my former symptoms of bloating and flatulence. So I may not experience as much bloating while taking Iodo. Whatever happens, I'll pay close attention to lower right quadrant colitis symptoms. If the Iodoquinol completely erradicates the d-frag, I should not experience that lower right quadrant pain after treatment.

On Second Thought ...

2010-07-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

After ordering another DNA Microbial Stool Test through my doc's assistant, I learned I won't have the test result for another 4 weeks. Meanwhile, if I do still have d-frag parasite infection, those critters can just flourish in my gut for about 7 weeks and cause all kinds of damage, not to mention horrible symptoms. During today my symptoms went from lower right quadrant pain to left quadrant pain, nausea, fatigue and headache. So I'm fairly certain I still have d-frag.

I emailed my doc (who's on vacation) and hopes she reads my email. On Monday I'll again speak to her assistant, but I'll request another prescriptioin for Iodoquinol treatment. As uncomfortable as I during at least 2 weeks of Iodo treatment, I know that's the most effective treatment for d-frag. So far this summer looks like another summer of gut symptoms, treatment with horrible side effects, end treatment, get recurrent symptoms, resume treatment, etc., etc. ad nauseam. No pun intended. I've had nausea both with and without treatment. Thank goodness for ginger tea, which relieves nausea.

Dientamoeba or Appendicitis??

2010-07-30T12:00:00.001-07:00

My lower right quadrant cramping pain has become more severe and constant each day. I researched appendicitis symptoms, which include cramping pain, bloating, and nausea. However, I have experienced this LRQ cramping pain since March or April this year, before I requested another stool test for parasites/bacteria. Treating the Dientamoeba Fragilis parasite with Alinia didn't decrease the pain. Treating with Humatin decreased the pain a bit, but that cramping pain returned almost immediately after I stopped taking the Humatin. Treating the d-frag with Iodoquinol seemed to decrease the pain. However Iodo had such horrible side effects (diffuse cramping pain, bloating and nausea) that I just wanted to get through the treatment. Also I had that accident, in which I suffered so many scrapes and bumps, that 'counter pain' distracted me from my gut pain. Nevertheless I noticed that LRQ pain slowly increased after ending treatment with Iodoquinol.

Before this morning I really suspected appencitis cause that LRQ pain. However this morning I also experienced lower left quadrant pain, nausea and more fatigue, which were my previous d-frag symptoms. So I've decided to ask my naturopathic doc to order that stool test to determine whether I still have d-frag or some new critter causing my symptoms. Before I can take that test, I'll need to refrain from digestive enzymes and probiotics for 3 days. I hate that requirement, because HCl supplements have really improved my digestion. Nevertheless, if I have a gut bug, I'll definitely want diagnosis with that test.

Meanwhile, I'll also consider calling my HMO (traditional) doc to determine whether I have signs (blood tests for inflammation markers and CT scans) of an inflammed appendix. At this point I still could have either problem. Inflammed appendix also causes nausea and bloating. If I could wave a magic wand, I'd like that LRQ pain to just disappear. My second choice would be to treat another gut infection. My last choice would be treating appendicitis or even removing the appendix. However, I want to know absolutely that my appendix is inflammed. I've read that most docs will remove a healthy appendix, to 'prevent future problems', even though a healthy appendix proves the pain was not caused by appendicitis.

HCl Treatment Requires Awareness

2010-07-28T11:07:00.001-07:00

After taking mastic gum (with turkey rhubarb tincture) to kill H. Pylori for about 5 weeks and l-glutamine to heal my stomach lining (and hopefully my intestinal lining) for about 6 weeks, I FINALLY resumed taking HCl supplement capsules with meals. I started with one at each meal and slowly increased that dose every 4th day by adding one capsule to the largest meal. Now I'm trying 2 capsules at each meal. However, I noticed that totally vegan meals (like peanut butter and fruit on a muffin or hot cereal cooked in hazelnut milk with fruit and almond butter) seem to need one capsule. I tried 2 with those meals and noticed stomach sensitivity (slight burning pain). However I seem to need 2 capsules to digest a sandwich with meat and a piece of fruit. With an entree fish salad with or meat casserole meal I need 2-3 capsules.

Determining how much HCl I need to digest various meals seems very experimental. However, I noticed I need even less HCl than I previously did (a year or 2 ago) when I first tried taking supplemental HCl (before I took the Heidelberg capsule test). I suspect the Mastic gum and l-glutamine healed some of the parietal cells in my stomach lining so that those cells produce more of their own HCl. Last October, when I was in Maui, I remember taking 2-4 capsules with every meal. I certainly needed more than one capsule per meal. I also was quite surprised by my Heidelberg test results. I previously thought I might have achloridia, because the HCl capsules made such a difference the first time I tried them. However, I realized that I had been taking mastic gum (which heals stomach lining as well as kills H. Pylori) for 3 weeks before I took the Heidelberg test.

I've observed that my cravings and appetite have changed the longer I've taken HCl. I suspect that my cravings for sweets were entirely related to emotional eating. After I learned to examine my feelings, beliefs and thoughts to prevent my 'feel bad, eat sweets' autopilot reaction, I wanted sweets much less. However, feeling full but unsatisfied after meals still kept me reaching for a 'sweet finish' until very recently.

I didn't previously realize why taking HCl helped me not overeat. I thought I was just trying to prevent reflux, because with HCl supplements I would have acidic reflux, whereas I previously refluxed just food, with no acid. Recently I read that feeling unsatisfied after filling meals is a hypochloridia symptom. That makes perfect sense! I could eat enough to fill my stomach or even feel overly full, because my HCl production is so delayed (at least 35 minutes after I start eating), which makes my stomach empty very slowly. Furthermore without adequate HCl my body was not digesting and absorbing nutrients rapidly enough to make me feel 'satisfied'. If I restrained myself from overeating, depite feeling unsatisfied, eventually like 2-3 hours later, I DID finally feel satisfied, because my stomach DOES naturally produce some HCl, but very slowly.

Furthermore, I really pay attention to how my stomach feels when I'm eating, because I want to learn how much HCl I need to digest different kinds of meals. So I don't want to overeat more than I actually need, because then I won't know if my discomfort was caused by inadequate HCl or just too much food. Nevertheless, I know that mindful (aware) eating always helps prevent overeating. Ironically I've decided that my husband and I need to refrain from watching tv (netflix movies) during dinner for awhile. I need to pay more attention to my stomach and we need to have time to talk, more than during dinner preparation and cleanup. I noticed tonight that I ate very slowly and less than 2 cups of food seemed like more than I needed. However, I also could have needed another HCl capsule to digest my meat casserole dish.

A blog reader asked about my progress. So I want to describe how my digestion has improved. Amazingly, I feel very comfortable sitting at the table after I finish eating. I don't need to rush to the bathroom after the meal. Previously I felt so bloated and gassy or had diarrhea or just want to sit on the toilet to endure intestinal cramps after dinners. Part of those symptoms were caused by the FOS in the probiotics my previous (clueless) doctor prescribed to be taken with meals. I usually took those with dinner, so I wouldn't feel bloated and crampy all day. I could just go to bed and be gassy and bloated during sleep (obviously not very romantic). However, I previously felt a little gassy and bloated after each meal.

I recall that I often woke up with excruciating (intestinal cramping) pain early in the morning. Getting up and moving around or going to the bathroom helped me get back to sleep. However, killing the dientamoeba fragilis parasite with Iodoquinol(?) eliminated those early morning cramps. Also I stopped having lower left quadrant pain when I had bowel movements. Nevertheless, I still have that nagging intermittent lower right quadrant cramping pain, after meals for awhile, sometimes when I first get up. That pain disappears after walking or doing yoga or aerobic exercise. I'm worried that pain means I still have those d-frag critters in my intestines, because those are difficult to eliminate.

I hoped that 20 days of Iodoquinol killed those parasites. However, after rereading my posts about my symptoms before and after other treatments (Alinia and Humatin) I wonder if that pain means I still have d-frag. SIGH Nevertheless, I told my doctor that I would keep taking high dose probiotics (which really improved my digestion and regularity) and keep increasing my HCl supplements while I watched the lower right quadrant pain. If it continues, I will order another stool test, but I DREAD antiparasitic drug treatments. The side effects are HORRIBLE to say the least.

Symptom Update

2010-07-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

I wrote the following letter to my new doc to report my current symptoms (or lack thereof):

A few days before I finished taking Iodoquinol for the d-frag parasite, I finally realized what caused my ongoing cramping pain. I noticed the discomfort increased after meals and decreased slightly before the next meal. So I researched Iodoquinol side effects and discovered that some sites actually listed abdominal cramping as a side effect. That was more specific that the general 'stomach pain', which I read on other websites. After I finished the Iodoquinol capsules, that cramping pain lingered through the next 2 days and began to diminish on the 3rd day. After 72 hours I felt almost no cramping pain. So I'm sure that symptom was a Iodoquinol side effect.

I've also noticed that I no longer bruise easily. I was in a bicycle/pedestrian accident a week ago, where I fell onto the concrete sidewalk and suffered several bumps and scrapes. Previously I would develop many bruises from such a fall. However, this time I didn't develop one bruise. I suspect the new high dose (50 billion bacteria per capsule) probiotics and the way I'm taking those (on an empty stomach) has finally increased my good bacteria to a normal level or at least high enough to make enough vitamin K so that I don't bruise as easily. I haven't developed one bruise since I started taking those probiotics.

I was previously advised to take probiotics with meals, which I now realize could have diminished the potency of those probiotics. Maybe that partly explains why I developed one gut bug infection after another, even though I took daily probiotics and even high dose probiotics after each antibacterial drug treatment. I also took probiotics when I took the HCl capsules (with meals), which may also have diminshed the probiotics' protency.

I still have some, infrequent intestinal discomfort, more like a charley horse than a cramp, when I take the probiotic capsules in the morning as well as before bed. I'm taking high dose probiotics to prevent another gut bug infection. Since I no longer have Iodoquinol side effect pain, I'll try skipping the morning probiotic capsule and observe whether I have any daytime abdominal discomfort. If that daytime discomfort continues, I may consider retesting for parasites, parasites, etc. However, I hope the Iodoquinol killed all the d-frag critters. I don't want to endure yet another painful treatment.

I'm still taking glutamine 2x daily and look forward to beginning HCl capsules next week. I seem to already have improved digestion (almost no gas or bloating now), perhaps because I have higher levels of good bacteria from taking the probiotics properly.

Iodoquinol Side Effects

2010-07-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

For the past almost 3 weeks I have suffered intestinal cramping pain that increases after meals and decreases slightly just before the next meal. I did not consider Iodoquinol, because my initial side effects of nausea and stomach discomfort disappeared when I took that drug mid meal, rather than before or after meals. I also had intestinal pain symptoms from the d-frag parasite before treatments. However, that pain was more localized (either left lower quadrant after bowel movements or right lower quadrant after meals). More recently I experienced bloating and diffuse intestinal pain (all over my lower abdomen), which almost disappeared overnight and then began immediately after every meal.

At one point I blamed that pain on the amount vitamin D I had been taking. After I stopped the vitamin D supplements and relied on daily walks in the sunshine for Vitamin D, I suspected my new probiotics caused the pain. However, I usually took the probiotic capsule before bed, not with meals.

I wrote my doctor and told her about that cramping pain symptom. She explained that was caused by "die off" from the d-frag parasite. However, I've NEVER experienced 'die off' symptoms while treating candida (a fungus) with Nystatin or while treating cryptosporidium (another parasite) with Alinia. I experienced initial side effects of Nystatin, which disappeared after a few days. I also experienced painful side effects from Alinia. However those did not disappear until after the 3 day Alinia treatment.

Ironically I didn't recall reading that Iodoquinol caused intestinal cramps. What I read was 'stomach' pain. I thought that meant the burning discomfort I could get if I didn't take Iodo with food. I never considered that medical websites would use the word 'stomach' to mean abdominal or intestinal area. How misleading! I know many people don't know the difference between their stomach area and their intestinal area, but I expected medical websites to differentiate those areas.

However, I today I reread several sites which listed Iodoquinol side effects. Several actually said 'abdominal CRAMPS' or lower abdominal pain, rather than stomach pain. So finally on the last day of taking Iodoquinol I realize that drug caused those debilitating intestinal cramps during the past 2+ weeks. I don't consider that 'die off'. I consider that a drug side effect. So I'm very glad that I only have to take one more Iodo capsule with dinner. Hopefully tomorrow morning I will begin to experience less and less pain. I've taken the new probiotics long enough to not experience much bloating or pain. I just hope Iodo killed all the d-frag critters.

Insight from Doctor Vent

2010-07-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

After writing my previous treatment history and doctor vent post, I now understand why I hung on for so long to a doctor who didn't really care whether I got well. I have difficulty letting go of bad relationships. After such an abusive childhood with my mother, I considered my first husband a big improvement. He didn't yell at me all the time. He didn't hit me all the time. However, I missed all the signs that he controlled me, threatened me and used me. Likewise my last doctor was a big improvement over my HMO doctors who labeled my gut symptoms as 'IBS' and gave me an IBS diet sheet (which included foods I later learned were my allergens). So I ignored my feelings that my doc really didn't care about me, that he just treated my symptoms without looking for causes of my ongoing problems, and that he really didn't know how to treat my problems.

Treatment Update and Doctor Vent

2010-07-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

I recently answered an email from a friend who asked how I was doing, but doesn't read this blog. My reply summarized what I've experienced healthwise during the past year. So for others who don't want to review all my old posts, I decided to post part of my reply to that friend:

Because you don't read my many blog posts about my health issues (since April), I'll try to briefly update you. You probably remember that I spent last summer and fall fighting the C-diff bacteria. In January another stool test showed I had achlorobacter (another bacteria). I treated that for 2 weeks with caprylic acid (a botanical antibiotic), but never really felt 'normal' for very long afterwards. By April I had obvious cramping intestinal pain. At first I suspected soy (one of my allergens) in makeup, shampoo, foods, etc. and found soy free substitutes for everything which contained soy. However my cramping pain continued.

So I took another stool test in early May. I usually wait 3 weeks for results of those tests. By late May I learned I had another bacteria (Helicobacter Pilori, which causes stomach ulcers) PLUS another parasite, dientamoeba fragilis, which is difficult to kill because it burrows into the lining of the intestines, which caused my cramping pain. Per usual, my doc was not available when I got my test results. So I had the weekend to do some online research about treatments.

I learned that most traditional docs treat H. Pylori with 2 different antibiotic drugs and an acid blocker drug. I did NOT want to follow that 'traditional treatment, because more antibiotics make me vulnerable to more bacterial infections and I already thought I have low (not excess) stomach acid, which makes digestion difficult. So I looked further and discovered 'mastic gum', an herbal treatment which is VERY effective against H. Pylori. I also researched treatments for the d-frag parasite and learned that Iodoquinol (drug) is most effective.

So I emailed my naturopath doc (who sells me those stool tests) and told him I preferred to take mastic gum and iodoquinol. He discounted the importance of treating H. Pylori when he said, "Many people have H. Pylori without ever having symptoms". I told him I'd had burning stomach pain for about 4 months, an ulcer symptoms. He okayed the mastic gum, but suggested I use Alinia for the d-frag parasite. I had not read anything about alinia being used for d-frag, but I had used alinia for another parasite (cryptosporidia) in 2008. I knew it was a 3 day, horribly painful treatment, but effective for crypto. So I agreed to try Alinia for d-frag and continue my mastic gum for the HP bacteria.

My cramping pain symptoms returned soon after suffering through 3 days of Alinia. I wanted to try Iodoquinol, but by then I had learned that Alinia contained soy (one of my allergens), which caused all the painful side effects. So I checked the Iodoquinol ingredients. Those included a form of dairy (another allergen). So I told my doc that I couldn't take Iodo because of the dairy, but would try Humatin (which is actually an antibacterial drug, NOT an antiparasitic drug). However I had heard that drug could successfully treat d-frag. So I took Humatin for 2 weeks. My cramping pain only slightly decreased during that treatment and got much worse after I stopped the treatment.

At that point I was very angry at my doctor, because he wasted my time and $$$ treating me with Alinia, which did not work. I also feared that I would spend another 6 months fighting d-frag, because my doc didn't aggressively treat d-frag, just like he did last summer with the c-diff bacteria. I was tired of having a doctor who seemed to treat my infections very conservatively after I had them for at least 2 months and had severe symptoms. Most of all I didn't want to keep treating one gut bug after another, paying for more stool tests, more drugs, more probiotics to replace all the good bacteria which the treatments destroyed. My doc was just treating the symptoms (gut infections). I wanted to find and treat the CAUSE of my infections.

I always suspected I had low stomach acid, because I never tasted acid when I threw up. Food tasted the same coming up as it did going down. I never had to make myself throw up. I refluxed food all the time. If I binged, I could just drink a glass of water and throw up. I only tasted acid if I threw up in the middle of the night 6 hours after dinner. Last year I took Hydrochloric acid supplements to improve my digestion. Those helped until this year when I had burning stomach pain and actual acid reflux. I suspect the H. Pylori infection caused my stomach/reflux symptoms.

So I thought low stomach acid allowed me to get all those intestinal infections, because my stomach acid didn't kill the 'bugs' before they reached my intestines, like normal stomachs do. Since I had lost all respect for my doc, still had d-frag and was not digesting well at all, I decided to visit a clinic which tests for stomach acid production and see a new doc who could find the cause of my gut bug history.

On June 23 I went to the 'Tahoma Clinic', where I took the Heidelberg capsule test for stomach acid production. (My blog describes more details of that test.) That showed I have 'hypochloridia' (very limited production of stomach acid). During the test I produced a little acid AFTER 30 minutes. With food in my stomach I probably take well over an hour to begin producing acid. Then I saw my new doc. She liked my idea to take mastic gum for H. Pylori and told me to add turkey rhubarb drops to a solution of glutamine which I drank 2x daily for 2 weeks to heal my stomach. I continue glutamine, which also heals intestinal damage, for a month.

Together we looked at her 'gut bug treatment' manual for the most effective treatment for d-frag. As I believed, Iodoquinol was the best. However, I told her I couldn't take Iodo, because it had a dairy ingredient. She told me I could get that drug compounded WITHOUT the dairy ingredient. So she called a prescription into my HMO pharmacy.

As usual my HMO pharmacy screwed up. They actually misplaced her prescription request. Then I learned they charge much more for compounded drugs (custom orders). So I called around and found a pharmacy which charged such a reasonable price I couldn't believe it. My husband picked up my Iodoquinol compounded WITHOUT dairy on the way home the day after I saw my new doc and I started the 20 day treatment.

I did okay with the Iodo after I adjusted to initial nausea and dizziness side effects. However, I usually take probiotics with any drug treatment which could kill my good bacteria, but I was running low on probiotics, which I bought from my previous doc. I did NOT want to depend on his clinic for ANYTHING. I never wanted to go back to him, especially after I learned that I could easily get Iodoquinol (the most effective drug for d-frag) compounded without dairy. I don't know why he didn't tell me that. So I asked an online friend who had a parasite infection history where he got his probiotics. Then I ordered some really high dose probiotics for a reasonable price from an online source.

I also learned from that new probiotic company that if you want probiotics to replenish good bacteria destroyed by drug treatments, you need to take probiotics on an empty stomach, not with meals. For the past 4 years my previous doc told me to take probiotics with meals. The probiotic company said that taking probiotics with meals helps digestion of the meal, but not as much probiotic reaches the intestines. So for the past 4 years I've been taking probiotics the wrong way to fight recurrent gut bugs, thanks to my clueless doc's advice. No wonder I took all those probiotics and still got new infections one after another.

However taking the new probiotics on an empty stomach allowed me to put much more good bacteria in my stomach than I had ever before taken. Most probiotics will initally cause bloating and sometimes cramping pain until your intestines adjust. After a few days of those new probiotics I had so much bloating and cramping pain that I just wanted to lay on the floor and watch tv all afternoon. Nevertheless, I wasn't sure whether the probiotics or vitamin D (which my new doc recommended I take) or the Iodoquinol (which can also cause stomach pain) caused those symptoms. So I cut waaaay back on Vitamin D and took only one probiotic daily. Slowly I have adjusted to the new probiotics, but I still get cramping pain without as much bloating now.

Tomorrow I finish my Iodoquinol treatment for d-frag. I'm fairly certain that killed all the d-frag critters, because I don't have the same kind of cramping pain I had before I treated that parasite. The recent symptoms are more all over, bloating induced cramping pain. If the Iodo caused any of the recent symptoms, that should subside as well. Best of all I can FINALLY resume taking HCl capsules to increase stomach acid, speed up digestion, eliminate feeling overly full with small amounts of food and start absorbing more of the nutrients from foods I eat. My new doc actually suggested that I wait 4 weeks before starting HCl. So if I have any burning pain with the HCl, I will stop immediately and wait another week.

Soon after seeing my new doc, My husband developed a really bad cold, which he shared with me. Both of us were coughing with stuffy noses and bad sore throats for the first week. The cough stayed for more than another week. We both still get occasional coughs.

Just when I felt healed from the cold and still suffered probiotic side effects, I was hit by a bicyclist on a sidewalk yesterday. I was running for a traffic light, when she came around a corner and hit me. I didn't see her, because I was watching the traffic light. I just felt an impact and then realized I was lying on the sidewalk with multiple scrapes and bruises. She was sooo apologetic. When I realized nothing was broken, I got up and walked to a nearby store with a bathroom where I cleaned and bandaged my wounds. At least now I have 'counter' pain which distracts me from the intestinal cramps caused by the probiotics. LOL

I really haven't vented much of my frustration with my previous doctor. I used to blame my gut bug history on low stomach acid. However, I now blame that previous doc for giving me bad advice about how to take probiotics (which kept me buying more probiotics AND more stool tests from him after I got new infections). He also sold me complete versions of the stool test for $340 twice yearly for the past 6 years, when I only really needed one section (about $150 worth). I also blame him for not aggressively treating the more dangerous infections like c-diff and d-frag.

I'm so glad I found a doc who is more knowledgable about the gastrointestinal system and naturopathic treatment. My old doc tried to use both traditional and naturopathic methods, but didn't know enough about either. He was also too busy trying to advertise his clinic and sell his books to care about patients with continuing problems. He also discounted my symptoms as 'stress' related 2 years in a row when I really had cryptosporidia (a dangerous parasite) and c-diff (a lethal bacteria). I am never going back to him, but I want to tell him why eventually. Right now I just want to get well and never get another bacterial or parasitic or fungal infection.

OOOOPPPSS!!!

2010-07-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Today was my 11th day of taking Iodoquinol to kill my dientamoeba fragilis parasite. I had noticed less cramping lower left quadrant pain recently. I've also slept in several days (which I needed to recover from a bad cold), because excruciating gut pain no longer wakes me up at 5am. Yet somehow I forgot to take my Iodo capsule at breakfast. I usually put the capsule on the lid of the bottle before the meal. Then about halfway through the meal I take the capsule with food (actually well sandwiched between layers of food) to prevent stomach pain. However, I noticed when I set out vitamins before lunch that the Iodo capsule was STILL sitting there.

Since I read that if I miss a dose I should just take the next dose if I remembered close to the time of the next dose, I took what should have been the morning capsule with lunch. I'm rather irritated at myself for missing that dose. I want to get rid of this parasite with the Iodo treatment. After all, Iodo is my third different drug for this parasite. I actually don't think the other 2 drugs are suitable for treating d-frag. Alinia was my previous clueless doc's first choice of treatment for d-frag. Perhaps, if he would have prescribed a longer treatment period, Alinia might have worked. However Alinia is never prescribed for d-frag treatment. My first choice had been Iodo, but I went along with my doc's choice, because I assumed he knew something I didn't. Now I think he didn't really consider what drug is considered the most effective. He was just guessing.

In hindsight, I wish I could have requested Iodo compounded w/o lactose, rather than requesting Humatin, after Alinia didn't work. However, I didn't realize drugs could be compounded to avoid allergens. I can't understand why my previous doc didn't mention compounding. I really wonder how much experience he has with prescribing drugs to treat intestinal bugs. I wonder how much of my history of recurrent gut infections was influenced by his discounting my symptoms, which deterred me from requesting tests, and then his prescribing the treatments for mild infections after I had each gut infection for at least 2 months by the time he received my test results. GRRRRRRR!!!

Nevertheless, missing one dose just means I'll take that last dose at the end. I'll take 3 evenly spaced doses, rather than 2 on the last day. My parasite symptoms have decreased slightly, but not enough to for me to feel 'well'. So I'm glad to continue fighting d-frag for another 10 days.

Good/Bad Health News

2010-06-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Since my husband generously shared his cold germs with me, I've had a very sore throat, cough, sinus congestion, runny nose and headaches. I anticipate overcoming this congestion and breathing normally again. Nevertheless, I know the cold's progression by watching my husband's symptoms appear and subside. At least I didn't lose my voice like he does occasionally. That would be very uncharacteristic for me. LOL

Meanwhile I'm still taking my morning and bedtime cocktail of glutamine powder with turkey rhubarb tincture drops dissolved in a cup of water with which I take 1 or 2 mastic gum capsules to fight the H. Pylori bacteria and heal my stomach. I've heard that glutamine can also heal intestinal damage from celiac disease. I look forward to that benefit, because I frequently experience intestinal cramping pain. Occasional moments of freedom from cramping pain are rare and far between.

I can't really tell whether the Iodoquinol is killing my dientamoeba fragilis parasite. However, I've progressed through side effects of nausea, dizziness and headache. Now I'm in the chronic diarrhea phase, which could continue as long as I take Iodoquinol (3x daily for 20 days). Actually I prefer diarrhea to constipation (which pathogenic gut bugs often cause me), but either condition exacerbates hemorrhoids.

The GOOD NEWS is that I found (through a friend's recommendation) a reasonably priced, high dose probiotic which does NOT contain FOS (fructooligosaccharides). FOS is a 'prebiotic' which supposedly feeds the good bacteria in the intestines. However, FOS also causes bloating and flatulence. Any bloating causes me to have cramping intestinal pain, perhaps because my gut never completely healed from many years of undiagnosed celiac disease damage. Older adults often do not completely heal even after years of gluten abstinence.

Originally I worried that a probiotic which did not contain FOS would not be as effective at increasing good bacteria, because I've taken probiotics WITH FOS (and suffered the side effects) for years. I heard that people adjust to probiotics and don't feel the bloating, cramping pain after adjustment. However I've NEVER adjusted. Lower dose probiotics cause less bloating, but I still experience those side effects. Nevertheless, I assumed I had to endure those side effects in order to increase my good bacteria. Fortunately, I was wrong.

I asked both my new doc AND my old doc (via email) about the necessity of FOS in probiotics. Both said "not necessary". My new doc does not recommend taking any FOS, maybe because she appreciates the extent of my intestinal damage at this point and the severity of pain I experience from any bloating. I also read that we can consume enough prebiotics from higher fiber carbs in our diets without taking FOS. Foods like garlic, leeks, onions, asparagus, artichoke, berries, kale, bananas and legumes all have indigestible fiber which feed the probiotic (good bacteria). I GROW kale, onions and berries in my garden. I eat at least one of those foods daily.

After receiving encouraging advice from my doc, I ordered the new probiotic online. It offers 50 billion viable good bacteria per capsule. A bottle of 90 capsules costs $40. I will take a higher dose (2 capsules daily) after I treat the parasitic infection, because antiparasitic drugs can destroy good and bad microbial intestinal critters. After taking any antimicrobial drug I take a week of really high dose (127 billion viable cells) probiotic to restore all the good bacteria I may have lost in treatment. I know that some of the good bacteria survive, because taking high dose probiotics reduces the severity of drug induced diarrhea. Since I'm now suffering that diarrhea, I look forward to receiving and taking the new probiotic. I now take a lower dose (8-12 billion live cells) probiotic 2x daily, but that has FOS which increases my pain. I anxiously await the arrival of my new probiotics.

Eating wise I'm FINALLY learning to stop eating when I feel full and not have another bite until the next time I'm definitely hungry. After the Heidelberg capsule test, which showed my stomach produces a little stomach acid after 30 minutes, I can no longer could rationalize eating past full, because I don't digest the food. So now I just eat very slowly to wait for stomach to begin releasing acid. If I don't feel satisfied, when I feel full, I still quit eating, because I know after 1-3 hours, I will feel satisfied. If I overeat past full, I experience intense pain 1-3 hours later. Currently my stomach hurts after eating 'just enough'. I suspect that's a side effect from Iodoquinol, which lists 'stomach pain' as a common side effect.

Despite all my current symptoms and treatment reactions I feel more hopeful than I have in many years that I can eventually feel healthy and have healthy digestion. I know that low stomach acid caused my chronic intestinal infections. I know I can heal my stomach and intestinal inflammationthat caused chronic pain. After I heal the stomach lining (with glutamine) I can begin taking HCl supplements to improve my digestion. Because my stomach produces SOME of its own acid, the HCl may stimulate it to make more of its own acid eventually. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's a lighted sign that says "healthy digestion"!!! LOL

Hypochloridia

2010-06-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

The Heidelberg capsule test was fun! After fasting 15 hours and no fluids 4 hours before testing, they gave me a bit of water to swallow the capsule, which was tied to a very thin thread. I still felt the thread, but got used to it. They gave me a radio transmitter thingy to wear around my neck (close to my stomach), which transmitted the results to a big screen, where I could watch how quickly my stomach produced acid after each of 5 biocarbonate 'challenges' (bicarb disolved in a tiny bit of water). The first time I had a normal recovery (from alkaline to acid in less than 20 minutes). The next 2 were closer to 30 minutes and the last 2 were shorter, but still abnormally slow. So I produce stomach acid, but more slowly than normal.

I suspect the mastic gum treatment for H. Pylori helped increase my acid production. However, I can't take HCl acid supplemental capsules to normalize digestion, until AFTER I heal the H. Pylori stomach damage (and kill the HP). So I'll continue with mastic gum, plus turkey rhubarb root tincture and glutamine. I can take those all together at the same time.

The dientamoeba fragilis battle rages on. My previous doc (I'm NEVER going back to him!) prescribed Alinia, which is never used for d-frag, for 3 days, which didn't work. Then he prescribed Humatin for a week, which didn't work. So now I'm sicker than ever (constant gut pain and bloating) with less good bacteria. My new doc showed me in her 'bug treatment' manual that iodoquinol (my first choice before my previous doc recommended Alinia) is the most effective for d-frag. However, I didn't want to take iodo, because its 3rd ingredient contains lactose (I have casein allergy and get bad 1-2 week reactions). So my new doc told me a compounding pharmacist can prepare the iodo w/o lactose. Hopefully my local HMO pharmacist can prepare a lactose free iodo and I can resume fighting the d-frag critters soon (for the next 20 days). OH JOY! Another summer spent suffering side effects from drugs and symptoms from bad bugs. GRRRR!!!

Nevertheless I'm overjoyed to find this new doc who is part of a real CLINIC with many doctors who are all trained and managed by Dr. Jonathon Wright, who wrote "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You". I also learned that my previous doc charged me for the whole DNA Microbial test ($340) 4x, when I only needed the gut bug section ($160). He always bragged about trying to save his patients $$$. So untrue. Anyway I'm very pleased with my new doc, who is very experienced in parasites, gut bugs, food allergies, gluten intolerance AND stomach acid deficiency problems.

I still need to endure treatment for d-frag and H. Pylori, before I can resume taking HCl. Nevertheless, hypochloridia (rather than achloridia or no stomach acid production) means I can eventually stop using HCl and have normal digestion. WHAT IS THAT???!! LOL The last time I experienced anything close to normal digestion was when I was taking supplemental HCl and controlling c-diff with vancomycin, during my last Maui visit. Low stomach acid, food allergies and gut bugs ALL impair digestion.

Heidelberg Capsule Test

2010-06-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

I finished the Humatin (to kill the dientamoeba fragilis parasite) last Thursday afternoon. 4 days later I STILL have lower left quadrant cramping pain, especially after meals, and lower right quadrant pain after bowel movements. I suspect I still have the d-frag critters in my intestines. However, I have also been taking a daily high dose probiotics (127 billion live good bacteria) since Thursday evening. Nevertheless, I will just endure the gut pain until after my appointment on Wedenesday (June 23) for a Heidelberg capsule test for stomach acid production.

I will take that test at the Tahoma Clinic run by Dr. Jonathon Wright, who wrote "Why Stomach Acid is Good For You". They will give me the test, after I fast for 12 hours (not even water 4 hours before the test). I can't take any OTC meds 48 hours before the test. I can't take any prescription meds (acid blockers) 7 days before the test. Basically I swallow a capsule, which consists of a tiny pH sensor and radio transmitter compressed into a container which is the size of a large vitamin capsule. That is attached to a long thread so they can retrieve the capsule from my stomach after the test. I swallow a baking soda mixture which turns my stomach alkaline. Then they measure the rate at which my stomach produces enough acid to change the pH back to acidic. They may do a series of bicarbonate challenges to measure that rate.

I'm certain that I can easily fast from dinner the previous evening until after the test. Abstaining from food AND water will be more difficult, but I did that after I reacted to Percocet (prescribed for a hemorrhoid removal procedure). I didn't choose to fast. I was so nauseas that I threw up everything including water for 18 hours after taking Percocet for pain from the botched 'banding'.

After the stomach acid test, I will see one of their docs to discuss my test results, how that may have influenced my gut bug history and how to resolve any problems I have. The doc who will see me has experience with parasites and possibly celiac disease and food allergies. I may request a blood test for nutrient deficiencies, because I suspect I have B12 and iron deficiencies, which may explain my ever increasing fatigue.

More HMO Pharmacy Screwups

2010-06-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

My doc emailed me last night to say that he called in my prescription for Humatin (paromomycin) to treat the dientamoeba fragilis parasite. So early this morning I called my local HMO pharmacy to ask whether my prescription was ready. They told me they had NO record of my doctor ever ordering that medication. I verified the drug and my doctor's name and they again said he never called it in. I believed he had called in the prescription, but someone in the pharmacy lost the order.

Nevertheless, I called my doc and verified that he had called the prescription to my local HMO pharamacy. Then I called the pharmacy again and told them that my doc had indeed phoned in my prescription last night. So whoever answered the phone told me to hold on while she looked for my prescription order. Meanwhile I was standing in my bathroom dripping wet while the shower water was running. The best way to get someone to call you back is to call them and get into the shower. I got 3 calls this morning while trying to take my shower. Anyway I finally got tired of waiting for the pharmacy person to get back to the phone. So I hung up and finished my shower.

Then I called the pharmacy again. Fortunately the person looking for my prescription answered the phone and told me that she found it. It was 'in the back', because they didn't recognize the drug. She told me my doc had ordered 'humestin' for stomach ulcers. I know my doc ordered 'humatin' for my parasite, but the pharmacy blamed the doc, rather than blame their own personnel. So we verified that the drug was actually 'humatin' (an antibacterial/antiparasitic drug).

Then the pharmacy person had to locate that drug, because my local pharmacy doesn't carry it. The HMO drug availability site listed humatin as one of the drugs they carried. However per usual my local pharmacy did not carry it. I had the same experience with Alinia exactly one week ago. Fortunately they called me back again to say they found 22 capsules at another clinic. I told them to transfer my prescription to that clinic. So my husband could pick up my prescription on his way home (by bus) today.

So tonight after dinner I will begin yet another drug to treat d-frag. The side effects are nausea, stomach (probably intestinal) pain, diarrhea, etc. I already have the first 2 symptoms from the parasite. So I may either experience more intense pain and nausea or decreased symptoms while the drug kills the d-frag. Whatever happens, I'm looking forward to 7 more days of discomfort while I wonder whether this drug will work.

Meanwhile I'll wait for the other clinic (which reviewed my patient history last night) to call me to say whether they want to take on my case (with chronic gut infections). I won't visit that clinic until I finish 7 days of Humatin side effects and hopefully erradicate d-frag. So at the earliest I could visit that clinic a week from tomorrow. More waiting and wondering ...

7 More Days of Side Effects

2010-06-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

My doc decided to try Humatin (paromomycin) to treat my d-frag parasite, after I told him I prefered that drug over iodoquinlon, which contains lactose. (I have a dairy allergy.) He thought Humatin might work, since Alinia didn't kill off the d-frag. Actually I think he didn't give me enough Alinia or a long enough treatment period. Nevertheless, I prefer a drug which doesn't contain my allergens.

Maybe this one will kill the rest of the parasite in my gut. I didn't feel as intense pain or nausea after Alinia treatment as I did before treatment. However, I really don't know how much Alina side effects was due to the drug or the soy lecithin in the drug. Maybe Humatin will finish off the d-frag critter ... Maybe not. This undertreating and then changing drugs approach seems very familiar, like what my doc did a year ago for my c-diff infection. Here we go again ...

Meanwhile the Tahoma clinic staff docs meet tonight to review my patient history and decide whether anyone can resolve my problem of recurrent gastro (bacterial, fungal and parasitic) infections. I don't want to go to their clinic while I'm on Humatin, which may interfere with their test results. So the soonest I'd want to make an appointment will be a week from Friday. At this point I just want to survive a week of Humatin side effects.

Continued D-Frag Symptoms

2010-06-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

I feel worse today. My cramping pain feels like a charley horse in my lower right quadrant. I felt very nauseas after lunch, although I didn't overeat or eat any food allergens. So I emailed my naturopathic doc to tell him that my d-frag symptoms are back. I told him that I either need a longer treatment with Alinia or treatment with a different drug. Per usual he's out of the office when I'm sick. So I may not hear from him until tomorrow. If he opts for Alinia, I may have to hassle with my HMO pharmacy, which carries Alinia, but not at the local clinic. More fun and games ...

Meanwhile I contacted the local clinic which deals extensively with digestive problems. The head of that clinic wrote "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You". I suspect my history of contracting one gut bug after another is related to my digestive challenges, possible low stomach acid. They advised me to fill out the (9 page) patient history form and send that. So their doctors can review my history and decide whether they could help me. I love that honest approach! Most docs will say, "Sure, come in and we'll look at you" and then charge me for multiple office visits, tests and treatments while they guess what might cause my symptoms. So even though I feel like @#$% right now, I'm hopeful that somebody can help me resolve this chronic gut infection thing.

D-Frag Update

2010-06-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

After hassling with my HMO pharmacy, I finally got enough Alinia for my 3 day treatment of the dientamoeba fragilis parasite. My doc called in the prescription early Tuesday morning. I called the pharmacy to determine whether my prescription was ready. They told me they didn't have any Alinia at that clinic, but would contact other clinics. Later they told me they located some Alinia and would have them on Wednesday afternoon. When I went to the pharmacy on Wednesday, after an hour wait, I was informed that they could only locate 5 of the 6 pills (needed for the 3 day Alinia treatment). They weren't certain when they could get the 6th pill. One person tried to dissuade me from even beginning the treatment, because I only had 5 pills. I told her I'd already suffered painful symptoms of this parasite for over 2 months and didn't intend to delay treatment any longer.

I asked when they might get my last pill, they told me to call the pharmacy the next day. Before I called the next morning, someone from the pharmacy called me to tell me they did get that last pill, which I could pick up anytime. Of course that was after I freaked out about not having enough Alinia for a full treatment. So I picked up the last Alinia Friday afternoon and took that Saturday morning, which finished the prescribed 3-day treatment for d-frag.

During the 3 day treatment I experienced many common Alinia side effects (nausea, cramping pain, diarrhea one time). However, I also experienced my usual soy reaction (waves of cramping pain through my gut). I suspect that I didn't experience more diarrhea from the Alinia, because soy usually causes constipation. So the 2 side effects cancelled out each other and I had rather normal stools. However, the cramping pains continued after I took the last Alinia Saturday morning. So I don't know whether I still have d-frag in my gut (which also caused cramping pain) or I'm still reacting to soy.

I have not begun the 7 day post treatment probiotic program (127 billion good bacteria daily), because I don't know whether I actually killed off the d-frag. I'd hate to take all those probiotics and then destroy them with another treatment. So I decided to wait 3 days after treatment to see whether the possibly soy reaction my current cramping pain is just delayed soy reaction from the Alinia.

If I feel almost normal tomorrow, I will commence the 7 day probiotic treatment. If not, I need to tell my doc that the alinia didn't erradicate the d-frag. However, I don't want to take more Alinia (which contains soy). I'd consider Humatin (paromomycin), which is free of my allergies, even though people can develop c-diff after taking Humatin for long periods. I just hope Alinia did the trick. Only time (and absence of gut cramps) will tell.

Alinia Contains Soy Lecithin

2010-06-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

Now I know why I had horrible cramping pain during my last alinia treatment (for cryptosporidia parasite). The ingredients include soy lecithin. However the other drug which could treat my d-frag critter (iodoquinlon) contains a 'lactose' ingredient, which means dairy. I have even more severe, long lasting reactions to dairy. I'll opt for 3 days of cramping pain from alinia with soy, rather than 20 days of cramping pain and irregularity from iodoquinlin. @#$%^& if I do and @#$%^& if I don't. So I chose the most effective (hopefully) and shortest treatment. It's always something. SIGH

Meanwhile I need to make an appointment with another local clinic, managed by the doc who wrote "Why Stomach Acid is Good for You". I suspect my tendency to get gut bugs is related to my digestive challenges, possibly caused by achloridia or low stomach acid. Normal amounts of stomach acid kill foodborn bacteria and/or parasites. People with low stomach acid are much more susceptible to those gut bugs.

I seemed to have acquired my latest critter (d-frag) after I went off my HCl supplements. However the d-frag may have caused the reflux which caused the burning pain which led me to my traditional doc, who advised me to abstain from HCl supplements. Ironically she never asked WHY I took HCl supplements or whether I had any other digestive problems. My HMO doc always looks for the quickest explanation or treatment without considering what causes the symptoms.

My naturopathic doc also seems to use the 'treat 'em and street 'em' approach. Although he tests for the sources of my gastro symptoms with stool tests (or blood tests for food allergies), he never considers why I continue to get one bad bug infection after another. My current 2 bugs are my 7th and 8th infection during the past 4 years. Two per year. This is getting old. I need to find a doc who wants to do some medical detective work and treat the cause of my chronic vulnerability to gut bugs.

More Delay

2010-06-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

After my doc called in my prescription for Alinia to treat d-frag, I learned that my local HMO pharmacy doesn't carry that drug. So they need to ship it from another city. I can pick up the prescription tomorrow. Now that I know what I'll take, I can wait another day to start side effects of stomach pain and nausea. Wait! I already have all those side effects. LOL Maybe reported side effects of drugs are often confused with symptoms of the gut bug. I do vaguely remember feeling HORRIBLE while taking alinia. At least I only need to take it for 3 days. I sure hope that erradicates my d-frag critters. Then I'll need to follow that treatment with 7 days of high dose probiotics to prevent infection from another opportunistic bacteria.

Alinia and Mastic Gum

2010-06-01T11:58:00.001-07:00

My doc replied to my email about treatments for dientamoeba fragilis and h. pylori. He said he prefers alinia (nitazoxanide) for d-frag, because that parasite is difficult to eliminate and alinia is very effective. Also he said that many people have h. pylori, but no symptoms, and that I could try mastic gum. I've already had peptic ulcer (caused by h. pylori) symptoms. I didn't tell him I've already taken 3 doses of mastic gum and feel a bit better (no burning pain after eating). I still feel nauseas if I eat more than very small meals. However, that could also be caused by the parasite.

In my reply to my doc's email I said I preferred a shorter, more effective treatment which may make me very sick (like alinia) to a longer, milder, perhaps less effective treatment (like iodoquinolin) for d-frag. I certainly don't want to spend the next six months (and all summer) feeling crappy while I treat d-frag with ineffective drugs (like last summer with c-diff).

So I plan to pick up a prescription for an antiparasitic drug for d-frag later this afternoon. I'm prepared to feel sick for a few days, but I don't know yet whether I'll need a longer treatment for d-frag. Maybe I'll adjust to alinia after a few days. I only took that drug for 3 days to treat cryptosporidium. Some people adjust to drugs side effects after a few days. Maybe I'll get lucky if I need longer treatment. Always the optimist ... LOL

Waiting and Researching

2010-05-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Waiting helplessly for the holiday weekend to pass so that I can contact my doc about my test results is just not my style. Besides my symptoms have intensified during the past few days, maybe because I know what's happening to my body. I have a dangerous, aggressive parasite overwhelming and damaging my intestines while another equally dangerous bacteria is damaging my stomach. Rather than let my doc prescribe ineffective treatments with drugs that make me sicker than the gut bugs, like he did with flagyl for c-diff, I researched online which drugs commonly eradicate dientamoeba fragils (d-frag) and helicobacter pylori (h. pylori).

I learned that traditional docs commonly prescribe 2-3 antibiotics PLUS acid blocking drugs to treat the h. pylori, because they can't eliminate that bacteria with any one drug. Also they believe eliminating acid will help kill the h. pylori. Actually h. pylori survives high acid stomach environment, but THRIVES in low acid environments. So the acid blocker really just relieves possible burning pain from peptic ulcers caused by the bacteria. I already have hypochloridia (low stomach acid) for which I need HCl supplements to digest proteins and fats. So abstaining from HCl automatically relieved my burning pain symptom.

However, I don't want to overwhelm my gut with 2-3 antibiotics and kill all my good bacteria. So I researched natural treatments. I learned that mastic gum is an old but very reliable treatment (outside of our drug industry controlled country) for stomach ulcers, gastritis, etc. Research has shown that mastic actually kills h. pylori, which explains why that supplement can treat stomach ulcers (by killing bacteria which damages the stomach).

I could wait another 36+ hours to hopefully contact my doc and determine whether he uses the traditional (2-3 antibiotic) h. pylori treatment. However, I'm already tired of feeling too full, nauseas and bloating after eating small amounts. So I found a local source of mastic gum at a reasonable price. I'll begin taking that supplement tonight before bed. Usual dosage is 1 gram daily on an empty stomach (before bed or before breakfast) for 4 weeks. I have 60 capsules of 500 mg each. So I have enough for treatment.

As for the d-frag parasite, I do need to wait for my doc to call in a prescription to my local HMO pharmacy. (My HMO docs are useless for most of my gastro problems, but I can get really expensive drugs for a reasonable copay price of $15-30 per prescription. So I ask my naturopathic doc to call my drug prescriptions into my HMO pharmacy.

I learned that d-frag is commonly treated with flagyl or tetracycline or paromomycin or iodoquinol. I HATE flagyl. I didn't read any patient comments about flagyl's effectiveness with d-frag. I read many comments that tetracycline treatment was equally ineffective. So I'm considering paramomycin or iodoquinol. I read many success stories with iodoquinol and a few with paramomycin. So I'm leaning toward iodoquinol.

My HMO drug availabilty and info warned me against taking paramomycin for long periods, because people can easily get c-diff after that treatment. Been there, done that, got the c-diff stuffed animal souvenier. LOL So I definitely don't want to take anything that could possibly leave me vulnerable to more c-diff.

However iodoquinol has a list of not so nice possible side effects. Nevertheless I read many 'dangerous side effects' about vancomycin, which cured my c-diff. I later learned that oral vanco didn't cause those side effects, but side effect info just lists any possible side effects without describing treatment style. (Hospital patients with central line dosing often get the dangerous side effects. People taking oral vanco don't. So I need to do more research on iodoquinol vs. paramomycin.

Dientamoeba Fragilis AND Helicobacter Pylori

2010-05-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

I just today received my latest DNA Microbial stool test results. I have another parasite (dientamoeba fragilis) AND Helicobacter Pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. The parasite explains my ever worsening cramping intestinal pain, indigestion (feeling like food doesn't digest without HCl capsules) and irregularity (parasite). The H. Pylori explains my burning stomach pain when I take the digestive supplement (HCl capsules) which help me digest fats and proteins. Without the HCl I get riboflavin deficiency symptoms. Unfortunately H. Pylori can survive normal stomach acid. However, H. Pylori thrives with low stomach acid. So I'll cut back to one HCl capsule and see if I still have burning pain. I don't know that I have a stomach ulcer. The test only shows that I have H. Pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers. Maybe the burning pain means that bacteria did cause an ulcer.

Meanwhile I can only research treatments and distract myself from fears about physical damage and treatment side effects. I can't talk to my doc until after the memorial day weekend. So today we saw Sex and the City II and indulged in a little retail therapy. I hit the Nordstrom sale and ordered a pair of blue sandals. Then I found an ivory sweater jacket at another store. Retail therapy raises my endorphins (which decreases pain) as well as exercise. Watching Carrie Bradshaw in SATC makes my degree of retail therapy seem normal. LOL

More later ...

Confusion or Guilt??

2010-05-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

9 weeks ago I decided to try a new hairstylist at a different salon. I had received too many disappointing haircuts from my previous stylist and wanted to find someone who viewed me differently. I suspected my previous stylist had me 'pegged' for a certain style, because no matter what I asked, she seemed to give me the same cut.

The new stylist told me what she thought would look better on me (longer but layered short cut). However, she also cut the sides much shorter than I liked, despite telling me she would leave my hair longer than what she saw in my photos of previous cuts. I was very angry when I left. I could only see the too short sides. However, as the sides grew, I noticed what a great cut the new stylist really gave me. 9+ weeks later it still looks great, although the bangs are longer than I like.

Nevertheless, I didn't like spending $10 more than my previous stylist charged. So I called my previous stylist to schedule another appointment after 9 weeks of growout. She couldn't offer me a good time. So I called her back and requested another time. However I didn't really like the new times she offered. Then I realized I really feared getting another bad cut from her, even if I told her exactly what I wanted, which I always do before cuts, and even showed her photos. I recalled how the new stylist saw me differently and advised me to try longer layers, which I eventually preferred. I wondered whether I could tell my old stylist to do something similar.

Then I realized I felt guilty about not booking with my old stylist after calling her twice to negotiate appointment times. I felt guilty about going to someone new. I thought I 'owed her' another chance. So I was very confused about whether to continue seeing my new stylist (and loudly tell her to leave the sides longer) or return to my old stylist who charged $10 less.

Then I recalled how I make important decisions. I list my options. With only 2 options (new vs. old stylist) I could then list the 'pros' and 'cons' for seeing each stylist. I won't describe those here. Nevertheless, I observed from my list that my new stylist had 7 pros and 3 cons, whereas my old stylist had 4 pros and 6 cons. That should have helped me decide. Yet I still felt twinges of guilt about calling my old stylist and then cancelling another appointment with her, just as I did over 2 months ago.

So I asked myself what I really wanted. Did I want a great, longterm relationship with my stylist? Or did I want consistently great cuts, which I would love immediately? Then I realized the cut was more important than the 'relationship'. So I asked myself whether I willing to pay more for a great cut. I realized $10 was the cost of an inexpensive tank top or tee shirt or occasionally a sale garment at H&M (which has great sales). IMO a great cut is worth more than a cheap garment. That confirmed my decision to continue with the new stylist.

The preceding decision making description may sound very logical and healthy. However, I need to admit that I distracted myself from painful guilt and confusion by eating too many grapes today. LOL Granted, I hadn't eaten such tasty (ripe and sweet) grapes for awhile. Most out of season, imported grapes never taste as good as local, in season or homegrown grapes. Nevertheless, the great grape taste distracted me from the emotional discomfort of deciding which stylist to use.

That decision doesn't seem to involve much emotional discomfort, unless I recognize the guilt about cancelling with my old stylist, especially after calling her to book a new appointment. So I was overeating grapes to distract myself from feeling 'bad' (guilty). Of course overeating creates another source of guilt, which could distract me from my original source of guilt. However, I still needed to decide. So I endured a bloated, crampy tummy all afternoon after overeating grapes at lunch, but I still felt good about my final decision. Next time I need to decide, I'll first ask myself what I really want and then list pros and cons, if I'm still uncertain.