| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Sep 13 2004 : 6:14:46 PM
I know I asked for this section to be added and I am grateful that you did.For the past 6 months I have not been feeling well.The Drs are still trying to figure our what is wrong.When they do I will be happy no matter what it is because I feel crazy for feeling this way and not knowing a thing.I get pain, swelling in my legs and hands.I was hoping, not to get advice on what to do but was wondering if anyone else has health issues that stop them from doing the things they want to on their "farm".I get very fustrated with my self for not being able to do the things I was once able to do before and how have you adapted since the changes?Thanks
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Zahara |
Posted - Jun 07 2006 : 3:20:11 PM
hi,
I posted under Fibromyalgia and then also under Colic - please read.
I had all kinds of allergies, breathing problems growing up - The age of Wonder Bread and Kool-Aid - dusting my room everynight as a teenager living in my parents house, now - hew look at that dust bunny maybe I ought to pick him up.
When I first saw the book I was 'Look this man talked to me before writing this list of symptoms and I do not even remember it' If everyone got together and put their list of symptoms down we all have the same disease.
If you are going to go on a low sodium diet, since this is the main source of iodine then use a high quality kelp supplement. [My mother was on a low sodium diet so all of us kids were, I was in my early 20 when I figured out what one of my problems was] Also there IS a difference between sea salt (Celtic Sea Salt from Grain & Salt, you want the chunchy one) with all of the trace minerals versus refined salt which is sodium. In fact this sea salt is rather sweet tasting.
Yes you do have to find what your body likes - I like the 150 year rule. Nutrition is electrical/energy / energy based / alive / life based, not chemical.
|
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - May 26 2006 : 2:15:34 PM
HI Emily,
I had read things on artificail sweetners also so I had stopped them after I had posted this thread. I have almost no swelling now. I still get the pain in my legs but I also worked up to 15 hours a day on my feet. I go through shoes very quickly. I just recently switched to a desk job and my leg pain isn't as bad but I still am on my feet for 5 to 6 hours a day for hte farm work and my second job. I still need to lose weight it also could be the cause of the leg pain. I tried once going off the allergy medicine and it didn't help at all infact I was so bad with allergy sypmtoms I had to go back on.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| annart |
Posted - May 25 2006 : 8:37:22 PM
Lady Cryital,---What about your allergy med.Is it something you could leave off for a few weaks to see if thats the problem?I was given aspirin in large doses once .I can't remember why --to long ago.But my lower stomach and LEGS hurt awful.Like they were in a bind and nothing would help.And i had tolerated Aspirin for years. Another dr. told me it caused spasms in my lower colon and the pain in my legs was unbearable.He sent me to a Chiropracter and it stoped with one treatment.I couldn't get in any position to releave the pain.Another time i was on an acid blocker for Gerd and i started having nausia that brought my life to a standstill.I sat everyday for two months with a wet cloth and a pan by me and it was awful.I had been on the Gied med. for years.One night i got my book out "Best pills, Worst pills "and looked up my med. and one of the side effects was nausia.I stoppd it that night and the nausia was gone the next day.They put me on a new one and it was ok. Never underestimate the power of a medicine, to cure ,or turn on you.Also watch out for the artifical sweetner thats so popular now.It can turn on you and cause awful pain.Once I asked an "Internist"if he was aware that this sweetner caused Fibromyalgia and he didn't look at me or answer me.I asked him again and he stopped writing ,looked at me,and said "yes".He maid it clear by his manner that he was not going to discuss it.---And i'm not going to spell it out. Their lobby is to powerful.---------"When you'r looking for your bliss ,invisible hands are helping you"> |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 10 2004 : 1:21:16 PM
Hi Lori,
It is always best to live preventatively. You are so right. As for packaged foods, Haven't used them for years. As for dairy, I don't use much of it as I have several problems that occure with it one of which is sever painful gas and horrible menstral blues. None of those problems when I eliminate the milk stuff. Can't use grocery coupons to lower my grocery bills because nothing I buy comes with a coupon available except a few things I get at the co-op when the co-op has a sale. We raised a dibetic son so have done most things from scratch since 1976 including breads and bottling our own juices. I was sort of excited when I saw a package of what was supposed to be unsweetened fruit juice popsicles from Dreyers in the frozen dairy case but was dissapointed when the ingredients listed aspartame or sucralose as an ingredient. I have made my own frozen fruit juice bars since my kids were little without having to sweaten them with anything. Something else I make for my family is frozen tofu as a replacement for icecream. I do sweaten it with either organic honey from a local farm or with turbinado sugar and it is served in small portions. But what a treat.Most of my arthritis problems come up when I eat anything in the nightshade family including all forms of potatoe, peppers, eggplant or tomatoes. My knees are toast no matter what I do at this point and had I known what I know now I might still have good knees but I am grateful that I am young enough that the surgery for the replacement on the first one went so well and I am able to use it like my own with a few exceptions that I am looking forward to having the other one done and feeling much better next summer. My winter will be spent in a lot of physical therapy but well worth it in my situation. I was not looking forward to being wheelchair bound by my 55th birthday so now I won't be.
Eileen
songbird |
| Eileen |
Posted - Oct 09 2004 : 11:37:52 AM
Alicia,
Good to have an answer! Now to see some imp[rovements with the supplements.
Here's to feeling better real soon!
Eileen
songbird |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Oct 09 2004 : 09:22:13 AM
The Dr Called and I have idiopathic edema.It is fluid retention for an unknown cause.I have to follow a low sodium diet, take a water dill and take calcium and magnesium supplements.Just wanted everyone to know,and Thanks again,
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Oct 05 2004 : 4:19:06 PM
I went to the Dr. Monday afternoon.All the test he ran came back normal.Now he is unsure of what is the cause but he thinks it might be idiopathic edema(sp?)which is basicly an swelling with an unknown cause.He suggested I lose weight(which I already am trying,lost 5 pounds so far) and he was going to consult my regular MD to see what to do next.Thanks to everyone with their help,
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Sep 30 2004 : 5:03:48 PM
Your so sweet for asking but no I still feel the same.I do go back to the Rheumatologist Monday to find out the test results,so when I find out I will let everyone know.Thanks so much,
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| Eileen |
Posted - Sep 30 2004 : 12:10:39 PM
Alicia,
Just checking in, Are you feeling any better?
Hope so.
Eileen
songbird |
| Eileen |
Posted - Sep 21 2004 : 09:53:25 AM
Alicia,
I found out about the foods that trigger this after I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my late thirties. I was told then that my knees needed to be replaced at that time due to having no cushioning meniscis left there. I have always been active and we have always eaten a healthy organic diet without any refined sugars, sodas or refined flour. I raised a diabetic son and two other children. We always ate freshly milled flour from whole grains and I baked everything and canned and froze all our own veggies. It was a shock to me to be told this so I went from one specialist to another as well as the holistic approach. The homeopath suggested the nightshade foods and arthritis connection as well as I had read several books looking for a solution that also suggested this food group being implicated in this pain. I started by eliminating a lot of different foods as well as the nightshade group and slowly worked my way through a whole list of foods that could have been the source for my pain. I added foods back into my diet one at a time in small quantity and kept a food journal for 2 years. It was pretty dramatic when I added in the foods that were the cause of my own personal pain. In some instances I reacted almost instantly and in others it was a little more gradual but the pain level definately changed with the foods that I should not eat and now avoid. I have still had to have my knees replaced because bone on bone with bone spurs that break off inside the knee cap is excruciating but I was able with the changes to put it off and still be productive for over 10 years following this new food diet. There is a book called "Eat right for your blood type" that suggests certain foods that seem to react worse for some blood types and cause various symptoms. You might check it out from your library and start with the foods specific to your own blood type as a place to begin. Clare is right about the naturopaths and homeopaths being in tune to things that regular physicians will not even consider. My physician discouraged me from pursuing the natural way to solve my problem. But I did it anyway and am glad I did. Now the small community where I live has only got a "Woman" nurse practitioner at our clinic and there are people coming from all over the county to see her because she advises alternative health before anything and most often it is effective. Her reputation has spread to the next three counties.
Sending you light and encouragement. Eileen
songbird |
| Clare |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 6:23:44 PM
Alicia, Estrogen imbalance is a classic symptom of a growing mid- section. Have your horomone levels been in the average range when checked? I would highly recommend checking with a naturopathic doctor. They are quite sensitive to these types of "unsolveable" issues by mainstream medicine. A quick pill never cures anything, just masks the symptoms. It won't be a quick fix, but they are in tuned with so many things... and they can help you with your diet and allergies too. The thing is, it's all a domino affect. One thing could be triggering all of these other things for you. The important thing is to approach it with a positive mindset about finding your balance and returning to health.
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 6:00:54 PM
I don't know if I mentioned I am 36,both my mother and Grandmother went through menopause in their late 40's so I don't think that has anything to do with this.But stress might be have.I changed my job last year and my new one is more stressful.Most of the weight I have gained is in my stomach area,I had never had wieght there before.
How did you find out that you felt better with specific food and worse with others?I am allergic to eggs.I have been trying to add more whole foods to my diet.
My Dr.did do a test for the cortisone levels in my blood but I won't find out the results until the 4th of Oct.
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| Eileen |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 5:42:37 PM
I am also in aggreement on the fresh fruits and veggies issue. Also that you must find what works for you. I have found that if I leave all the nightshade variety vegetables out of my diet I do not hurt. That was hard for me. I love all types of potatoe, tomatoe, peppers and egg plant. I am scotch Irish and Welsh and grew up on meat and potatoes. I find now that if I eat even 1 potatoe dish or something with tomatoe all of my joints get swollen and sore. It is not worth it for the indulgence so I have had to dramatically alter my food intake since I was in my 40s. I mentioned the corn and wheat allergy possibility because I have a friend who reacts to those things with pain in joints and swelling.
The glucosamine worked for me and relieved the pain and swelling while I was looking to find the source of my pain. I did mention the brand specifically due to the issue that it was tested and found to be what it was advertised to be when so many of the others were not. It is not however the answer for everybody. I do not take it now as I do not have the pain any more.
I am hoping that all these different approaches help Alicia to find one that works for her.
Eileen
songbird |
| cecelia |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 5:16:58 PM
 Jeannie, I couldn't agree with you more on the hormone issue. I had thought that since I didn't seem to be having any hot flashes, etc. when I went into menopause, I was set! Not so! I know stress can have a lot to do with gaining weight (the hormone cortisol is released when you're under stress, and for some reason I don't quite understand, in combination with a lack of estrogen, any extra fat you have goes right to your stomach area!). I have been under stress for about the same time menopause started (I married at 45, and we adopted from USSR about 3 yrs. later, and had problems related to that which I won't go into here), and of course, I had less time to exercise, etc. Now I feel that I have to undo about 6 years of "down time" and get my body back to what it used to be. I really do feel down when I don't eat properly; you are right about drinking water also - I have been eating a lot of fiber, and sometimes forget to drink water, you know what happens then! I try to stick to water, teas, very little coffee, some milk and virtually no soda or fruit drinks (too much sugar & calories, no nutrition). As far as wine, I find that since menopause, I can't drink it too often, and I prefer red wine for taste and health reasons (flavonoids). I find it interesting that so many women do seem to have similar symptoms, much like myself and your relative. Something is definitely going on and I do believe it is hormonal, and that the doctors don't quite have a handle on it all.
Cecelia
ce's farm
"Curiosity is one of the forms of feminine bravery" Victor Hugo |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 4:18:58 PM
Cecelia, I agree with you totally.
What we eat seems to make a vast difference when we are older than when our bodies are young and functioning at full tilt.
Eating a diet of raw or steamed vegetables, fruit, baked or grilled fish, a little pasta, and yogurt and lots of purified water seems to make me feel much better and more full of energy. Everyone has to find that combination that fits their body, but the raw vegetables and fruit are key. It cleanses your body of toxins that get stored from processed foods.
And for me, a little white wine is okay, too!
My sister-in-law is suffering many of the same symptoms mentioned here, and she is the same age. Thyroid, sleep apnea, etc....so common in our age group - there must be a related reason for this. And I think it is the changes that our bodies are making due to hormones. I had great leg pain as a growing child and then again when I went through the change several years ago. Oh, my legs would hurt so bad. Then it went away with no explanation.
It is so good to share with you all, and know that we are not the only ones feeling this discomfort! But no smoking, a good diet, rest, and LOTS of water make a bigger difference than any medicine, unless you have a disease diagnosed that absolutely requires it, like diabetes, etc.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
| cecelia |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 2:02:38 PM
I also have not been feeling well for the last couple of years; I went into menopause at age 50, with no symptoms other than loss of my period. No hot flashes, nothing. A few years earlier I had been diagnosed with thyroid problems and have been taking replacements. I am now 57 (this week) and I am still tired, have gained weight no matter how little I eat. I have osteoarthritis, and nothing else shows up on any tests. My blood pressure is normal, cholesterol under 175. I do not take anything other than multivitamin (no iron), calcium and baby aspirin, unless the arthritis acts up, then I try to use heat (hot water, bath, etc.). I have begun to exercise more frequently the last 6 months, mainly walking, though I always walked a lot previously. What I have begun to be more attuned to lately is that what I eat definitely affects how I feel. If I eat any type of "junk" food, esp. with white flour or sugar I feel "lousy", sometimes within an hour after eating. I have begun to give up red meat, and the other things which disagree with me; this is difficult to due on weekends, esp. on Sundays, but I do notice an improvement. I had also thought about lyme disease, but we don't have it here. The glucosamine/chon. did not work for me, and I tried a few brands. As I age I truly feel that food is a drug, and we can help ourselves more than we believe, if we just attune ourselves to our surroundings and what we are doing to our bodies. Good health to all, stay well.
Cecelia
ce's farm |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Sep 20 2004 : 1:24:30 PM
I have had my heart checked,my blood pressure is usually low for some reason.They also checked me for lyme,everything was fine.I do have allergies but they are all under control.I have been getting allergy shots for a year and a half,that part of me is feeling much better.I have tried Glucosamine and it didn't seem to help but I haven't tried that brand.
My husband thinks I am so tired because I dream very vivid dreams.I can remember very minute details of them.But who knows.Thanks for everyone prayers.
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| Eileen |
Posted - Sep 19 2004 : 09:57:30 AM
Alicia,
Has your heart been checked? Is your blood pressure extreemly low? Have you been biten by a tick that you know of? Lyme disease? Are possibly allergic to wheat, or corn? I know about leg swelling and pain. If you are not allergic to sulfa drugs you might try the "Glucosamine and Condroitin" combination made by Twin labs. I mention this brand because of the purity of the product and reliability of strength. The cheaper brands do not seem to work for me. It took about 3 weeks of taking it in this large dose twice a day before I experienced the relief I needed but it was worth the perseverance. If you are allergis to sulfa do not take this product.
Also if you can switch out any clothing you wear that contains any polyester at all. Wear only all cotton or other natural fibers. I have found that I react with pain any time I wear polyester blended fabrics anywhere on my body. My legs suffer first.
Sending you light and healing thoughts.
Eileen
songbird |
| Kim |
Posted - Sep 19 2004 : 09:01:28 AM
Alicia,
I had a sleep study done recently. I have problems with my thyroid and even though I am on medication, I am still tired all the time. I do snore and found out I have a mild case of sleep apnea. I will do another sleep study, this time with a breathing machine to see if I sleep better. At 42 I was also tested for allergies (airborn) and found out I have some allergies as well. Keep pushing you doctor for answers. I only found out about the sleep apnea and allergies after I went in fo a ear ache. The sleep study can also find out things like restless leg syndrome and a host of other stuff. A friend of mine went in for one, ended up going to a neurologist because of restless leg syndrome and a nuerological disorder that was interrupting her sleep patterns.
She has since lost 5 pounds and is on a medication ( i think an antidepressant) and her health has changed immensely.
I too have gained quite a bit of weight over the year and ned to start exercising. I think it will help if I can just get motivated.
Ask tons of questions and do research on the internet as well. And just keep pushing your doctor. If he doesn't believe you, find one that will. I'll keep you in my prayers.
farmgirl@heart
Longaberger Lover and all things antique |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Sep 19 2004 : 07:39:14 AM
My Dr. has test me for Tyroid,diabetes,some bacterial infections,lupus and more that I can't remember.Since everything came back normal she sent me to a Rhumatologist.He sent me to have a vein study done this past friday,the tech said everything looked normal to him.I go back to the see him the 4th of Oct.He also wants to send me to have a sleep study don't even though I have never snored in my life but what the heck my as well check.I can handle being tired it is the pain in my legs that is unbearable.This week was a tough one.My husband is going to go with me to the next Dr. appointment because I feel like they don't believe me in how painful it is.
I try to eat a balanced diet.I quit smoking a year ago (next week) and have put on some wieght.So I have been trying to take it off lately with no luck.(When the swelling and symptoms began the bulk of the weight came on)If they are related I don't know.
I have started to take sometime in the afternoon to lay down for a little bit of a nap and that has seemed to help.But I definatley have not been able to get done what I need,like I used to.Thank you everyone for listening.
Alicia
Follow your dreams |
| Clare |
Posted - Sep 15 2004 : 6:36:44 PM
Kim- I'll start a new post...
****Gardener, Stitcher, Spiritual Explorer and Appreciator of all Things Natural****
"Begin to weave and God will give the thread." - German Proverb |
| Kim |
Posted - Sep 15 2004 : 4:34:29 PM
Clare
Please elaborate on your menses being in alignment with the moon. My usually arrives during a full moon. I have been plagues with bad crapms over the last couple of years. With everything else being a-ok from my doctors standpoint, I'm interested in learning more about it.
farmgirl@heart
Longaberger Lover and all things antique |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Sep 15 2004 : 12:33:19 PM
Clare..thanks so much. I wrote down the name of the stuff you recomended. I will give it a try. Should be able to get to the nearest health food store (20 miles away) tomorrow or Friday. I appreciate it!!
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Eileen |
Posted - Sep 15 2004 : 10:17:53 AM
Hi All,
Hi Alicia, not advice but observation based on my past 2 years, I have arthritis, I am 53 and beginning the menopausal changes so have experienced several of the things that are common with that portion of life. I am a blood type "A" and when I was experiencing something similar to what you have described I began to search everywhere for possible organic ways to feel better. The enzyme thing really made a remarkable difference as well as adding green magma or spirilina to a morning protien drink. The thing that made the biggest difference was to go on the "eat right for your blood type diet." It seems from this mans theory that if we eat foods that do not agree with our blood type no matter if they are organic or not our bodies will react as if we have been feeding it poison. I also began using the twinlabs product that contains both glucosamine and condroitin for the symptoms of arthritis that were the most painful. All went along well until 2 years ago I was bitten by a spider ( one that is not usually considered a toxicity problem for people) When it bit me I slapped it out of reflex and may have caused much more of the venom to be injected, anyway I was sick the next day with swelling and difficulty breathing as well as pain in my arms. I was taken to hospital in an ambulance because they thought I was having a heart attack. My heart was fine, there was no reddening around the bite but it took me months to feel well again and I had stopped having menstral cycles as well as I gained about 45 pounds for no apparent reason so I went back to see the doctor. She checked me for lyme disease and my thyroid and found that I had stopped manufacturing the thyroid hormone. A result of the bite? never will know but the thyroid made a huge difference in how I felt, I began to menstrate again(UGH) the swelling and inflamation began to subside and I lost some of the weight I had gained. Like the other women who have responded to your cry for help I too had to set realistic goals at the beginning of the day and do only those things on my list which also included a nap. I never nap! It was difficult but a 15 minute nap can make a world of difference. Last October I underwent a total Knee replacemant surgery because of the arthritis and had use again for the discipline of setting realistic goals for myself and giving myself praise for accomplishing those things. I also had to learn how to ask for help. ( I tend to be an "I can do it all by myself " kind of person.) 6 months after the surgery my new knee is wonderful and I am scheduling the other one to be done this fall. With one that does not hurt and one that does I am getting through the necessary things on this farm. I hired someone to come in and help with the things I could not do and I am just not focusing on the things that will not get done this year. They will still be there next year.I would not win the "Mrs. Clean award" this year for my housekeeping but I would far rather spend the time I can on the out door things while the weather is good. We have lived here since 1995 and still have to haul in all of our water from the local community well. The most important thing for me to see done this summer is the finishing of the plumbing and wiring to the 1000 gal sistern that we had installed a month ago. We finally drilled a well that actually is getting some good water. It only gets about 1/2 quart per minute but better than nothing or worse yet the toxic salt we found in the first 350 foot well we drilled. I do not want to have to ask people to go for water for me this winter.
Add me to the list of people who are praying for you to find your remedy soon.
I do not know what type of home you live in but I do know that if you are living in a newer manufactured home your symptoms could be from absorption of toxic chemicals in the wood, carpet and other components. Another thing that can cause this is a mold bloom. Even an allergic reaction to a cleaning product, air freshener or new carpet or throw rug. Anything like that in your life?
Eileen
songbird |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Sep 14 2004 : 05:12:36 AM
This is going to be an interesting segment of this website, I can tell.
A year ago, I had my gall bladder removed. For over 10 years leading up to that surgery, I was lethargic and suffered a lot of stomach discomfort, having to really cut down on what I chose to eat. I gained weight over those years from age 40 to 52. I took hormone relacement, which helped some of my symptoms but I am sure was not good for my body. I gradually weaned myself off of them.
Suddenly I lost 25 pounds without trying, and knew I had to find out what was wrong. I could no longer attribute everything to "aging."
Now, a year later, I have kept the weight off, and can eat just about anything. But I do not. I try to eat fresh raw vegetables, grilled or baked chicken or fish, and moderate pastas. I drink lots of juice, water and eat yogurt. And the lord blessed me with the fact that I could take a sabbatical from working outside the home. Now though, I can work hard, even outside in the garden and find I have much more energy.
I suffered for years, and know many who have gone through similar experiences. A great factor could be the age group many of us are in. Hormones rule the body, it seems.
Alicia, I hope the doctors have checked your thyroid, your heart, your sleep/breathing patterns, and that you are eating a very healthy diet.
Jenny, I am glad you are over the pneumonia, and I bet the smoke in the air did not help. I remember you mentioning that early this summer.
I, too, plan my days and what I want to accomplish, and always leave time to rest - I have even begun to enjoy the rest time. Though I was always a night owl, I now go to bed much earlier. These things have helped me regain strength after a long time of feeling weak and "just not right".
I hope you find your remedy soon, Alicia.
jpbluesky
Love those big blue skies and wide open spaces. |
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