Jenn, Jody, Brent, others . . . please help me think

[Guest guest]

Dear Jenn,

Holy cow! I just finished typing a very long post explaining some stuff and

lost it when the computer popped up saying it experienced an error. I don't

think I have the time and energy to type it out again in the coherent fashion it

was. This will be the incoherent version which matches my current thought

process.

I didn't decrease the acidophilus. We are still having die-off (if that is what

it is). My friend convinced me to hang with it a couple more days because she

doesn't think this is solely a reaction to the acidophilus. The die-off didn't

occur until 5 days after I introduced the probiotic. And since the kids are

only passing one bowel a day, they aren't experiencing constant diarrhea and

loss of electrolytes and stuff. For these reasons, I will follow my friends

advice and hang on a few more days to see if this works itself out. [i know that

when you give an anti-fungal you are supposed to expect die-off for 7 - 10 days

and then things are supposed to improve without cessation of the anti-fungal.

Maybe I need to treat the probiotic the same?]

There are a couple different possibilities to what is happening:

1. The kids also just began a magnesium/calcium supplement. It could be that I

need to decrease their magnesium intake.

2. Also, our chelation was put on hold for this last week for 2 months with

Elle due to a ever-so-slightly elevated BUN. I am conflicted about this, but to

look on the bright side . . . I have 2 whole months to completely focus on

healing her gut without interference from the chelators. All this is to say

that she could be having die-off from the elimination of the chelators (even

though they were only transdermal).

3. In addition to this, it could be that their carb intake was more than they

could handle this week. I have really been trying to increase their carbs to

give them more calories and balance out an ammonia problem they are having.

But, I could just be going too fast.

Today I need to introduce Elle to her milk thistle supplement so that I can

support her liver and reduce the little stress that it has experienced. I don't

want any variables other than that for a few days so everything else needs to

remain the same.

Here are some of the things swirling in my head:

1. I need to get all my kids on all their supplements.

2. Then I need to find my kids baseline (like Brent has) where I know I can

return when things go haywire. This will be a little tricky because Elaine's

intro is not a perfect fit for us (no eggs for Elle, no casein for anyone, and I

am suspicious of a chicken sensitivity in Elle).

3. Then, I need to start SCD over again so that I can pinpoint problematic

foods better (rather than wondering whether the problem is a supplement, a food,

or the amount of a food since these things have been constantly changing

simultaneously since we began SCD).

3. Somehow I have to do this while rotating adequately so that Elle doesn't

develop more allergies (all the while remaining egg free, nut free, and casein

free).

I am a bit overwhelmed by all this, and I am in the middle of trying to figure

out the best way to attack this situation.

So to make a long story short, I haven't stopped the probiotic because I can't

have any more variables just now.

I am sorry that this is so choppy and there may not be a good, logical flow to

what I am saying. It is a good reflection of my thinking right now . . . very

disconnected and overwhelming. If you have any suggestions on a game plan, I

will consider them as I regroup and replan.

JODY, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, PLEASE GIVE YOUR INPUT!

Jeni Lynn (gastrointestinal problems)

SCD 2 months

mom to Margeaux, 6 yr. (heavy metal toxicity, add, gastrointestinal problems)

, 3 yr. (heavy metal toxicity, risk for add, gastrointestinal problems)

Elle, 18 mo. (heavy metal toxicity, leaky gut, eczema)

SCD 4 months