My wife's a mess, where to start? page 5

[BestBetter]

One more thing - you mentioned misplaced discs/back pain.

I highly recommend that she goes to a chiropractor who specializes in ART (Active Release Technique). The sessions shouldn't be expensive (my initial visit was $80, but it was an hourlong appt, and follow-ups were $40.)

In my experience, ART trained chiropractors have been more helpful and don't just give a quick adjustment then send you on your way (I had other chiros like this).

This website is a good place to learn more about it and find chiropractors who are trained to do it:

http://www.activerelease.com/about.asp

[valmason01]

I havent read through the whole post and if I am repeating others advice I apologize. I have had similar symptoms on a smaller scale for years. In April I gave up all grains and went low carb. Started to get better but it was hit and miss. I finally found a functional medical practitioner in my area who diagnosed me with yeast in the gut. I have been taking an anti fungal and am slowly improving. Sometimes it is a process. You can go tot his website and search for an FMP in your area. I would further research to make sure they are credible. Institute for Functional Medicine > Home

Don't quit. I believe the body was created with the ability to heal. It is just finding the right practices. Prayers and love sent y'alls way.

[thwilson]

I havent read through the whole post and if I am repeating others advice I apologize. I have had similar symptoms on a smaller scale for years. In April I gave up all grains and went low carb. Started to get better but it was hit and miss. I finally found a functional medical practitioner in my area who diagnosed me with yeast in the gut. I have been taking an anti fungal and am slowly improving. Sometimes it is a process. You can go to this website and search for an FMP in your area. I would further research to make sure they are credible. Institute for Functional Medicine > Home

Thanks, there are about 20 in town, I'll check these out more. The Functional Medicine description is appealing and seems likely to be a better match than the range of specialists all working in isolation.

[thwilson]

Is she taking some type of benzodiazepine? Benzos work well for insomnia when used sparingly, but there's no research that shows they improve sleep quality (even though they increase sleep duration). In fact, the only research I've been able to find on benzos points to them having a negative effect on sleep quality.

Also, how long has she been taking these (and is it every night, or only occasionally when needed?)

When my husband or I sometimes need to use some form of benzo, we use Triazolam, which is fast acting and has a short half life, so no grogginess the next day. But after taking it, neither of us feel particularly rested (though it's waaaaaay better than being awake all night!)

Either eszopiclone or sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate every night. Otherwise, no sleep at all.

Her fatigue could even be something as simple as a low blood pressure issue. Getting it as close to normal should also be a priority, though for her normal will likely always be on the low side (if it's due to low blood volume).

For example, for me, pre-Paleo, my blood pressure was always around 110/70. After going low carb paleo/primal, it was consistenly around 90/60, sometimes lower. Now, I've got it back up to 105/65, and that little bit makes a huge difference in how I feel, even though it's still on the low end.

Lower blood pressure days are definitely worse for fatigue. Her normal is 90/65. The blood pressure increasing advice (eat salt and celery) has not made any difference. What worked for you?

[merryish]

There's a lot of good advice here. But it does sound like you have some concerns about compliance with really strict protocols. After everything she's been through, I wouldn't blame her for being exhausted at the idea of trying something new.

Just a suggestion, but the first and most important thing is probably just to get your wife to stop eating wheat and other grains. Chances are, if she can cut all grains for a month, she's going to see some improvement in SOMETHING. Most likely the initial improvement will be seen in any lingering GERD, IBS, stomach/intestinal issues she may have. And that will build a foundation of trust in nutritional healing that you can use to encourage her to make other changes.

After that, if you can get her to remove seed oils like canola, sunflower/safflower, soybean oil from her diet at the same time, she'll probably see even more improvement. You can substitute olive oil or coconut oil in almost all cooking or dressing situations and actually improve the taste of her food. This is a really simple change that will have a huge effect, and won't make her feel deprived.

Since she seems to be all right with supplements, I would suggest a good quality fish oil supplement as well.

Each of these three things will help your wife a lot with systemic inflammation, and that can only make her feel better. Less inflammation usually means less pain and fatigue.

I'm not saying you should ignore the reams of good advice others have shared here. But it sounds like she's tried everything and is worn out from it, and these are very easy, foundational changes that should bring about really good results. And good results will make it far easier for you to suggest other changes (like trying dairy and/or nightshade elimination).

Would a very strict, low-lectin whole30 type trial be good for her? Absolutely. But if you can't talk her into it, it doesn't hurt at all to start small and build up to more intimidating ideas.

[BestBetter]

Lower blood pressure days are definitely worse for fatigue. Her normal is 90/65. The blood pressure increasing advice (eat salt and celery) has not made any difference. What worked for you?

Yeah, unfortunately salt doesn't affect my BP at all, either. The only things I've found that have worked (and I use them simultaneously, so I'm not sure if individually they'd be as effective, or it really requires all of them):

1) Caffeine (I have one espresso in the morning, that's my personal limit)
2) Carbs (starches+non-glutenous grains)
3) Sugar (in the form of honey, fruit, and cane sugar)

I really didn't like the idea at first of adding those things back to my diet, but I honestly feel much better with them, and even that small rise in BP really makes a big difference in the fatigue, as I mentioned. Those days when my BP was 90/60 or lower were really awful, and if I'm glad to eat white rice and sugar everyday if it keeps me functional.

Other than prescription medication (which I'm personally distrusting of in general), it seems there is not much else to do to raise BP.

I've also found that walking seems to make improvements in my fatigue, also. On the worst low BP days, I wasn't capable of walking, I felt too exhausted and weak. Once I got it back up to 105/65, I was able to walk, and I noticed that the circulation/blood flow improvement seemed to be energizing and long lasting. I know you said your wife is too weak to walk right now, but if she's able to get her BP a little higher, maybe there is something like gentle yoga or some water aerobics that could work for her.

[valmason01]

Thanks, there are about 20 in town, I'll check these out more. The Functional Medicine description is appealing and seems likely to be a better match than the range of specialists all working in isolation.

No problem. It just makes sense. Preventative medicine and not just throwing a pill at the symptoms or a bunch of pills by a bunch of different practitioners who often seem to be dogs fighting over a bone (and you are the bone!)

[JamesS]

I havent read through the whole post and if I am repeating others advice I apologize. I have had similar symptoms on a smaller scale for years. In April I gave up all grains and went low carb. Started to get better but it was hit and miss. I finally found a functional medical practitioner in my area who diagnosed me with yeast in the gut. I have been taking an anti fungal and am slowly improving.

Yeasts are a normal part of the gut flora and found in everyone. Their overgrowth and the conversion of Candida from a yeast in to a dangerous fungus is controlled by the acids generated by our beneficial bacterial flora.

[BestBetter]

I just realized that I do have a recommendation for raising blood pressure - licorice! Not the fake candy licorice-flavored crap (which is actually anise flavored but called licorice) but actual 100% licorice. You could buy licorice root and boil it to make a strong tea, or you could order 100% licorice (it's hard, shiny, black, but tastes nothing like what we in America have come to think it is) online.

I've been in Italy the past month, where unsweetened 100% licorice candies are easy to find (I've never seen these in the U.S.) I've been consuming them every day for the past 3 weeks, and today I check my BP and it was 116/83! I think my BP has never been this high in my life, it's really amazing.


Liquorice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Karma]

I heard he is no longer taking new patients. Is that not correct?

Looks like you are right. Just goes to show you how meesed up people are that he's overflowing with patients! His web site says to keep checking back to see when he lifts the freeze.