Not sure where to go from here

[Guest guest]

Hi, we're on our 6th day on the diet and I'm not getting any kind of

clear barometer of whether or not we should go on to the next food.

I'd love some more advice.

I'm doing the diet with my 2 sons. We're all having constipation

(difficult to pass for all, painful for my older son and myself--not

firm, just very sticky). I'm the only one with chronic constipation.

Behaviors are all over the map and I can't easily associate with the diet.

We're all very low energy since starting (I guess is normal). Starting

with the intro, I've had a morning runny nose, some sneezes throughout

the day, and some gas (all unusual for me). My mouth is dry with some

mucous when I wake up.

My youngest had tummy discomfort on day 2 and 3. My oldest says he has

slight head pain when concentrating (looking at something) for very

long and has some difficulty swallowing (feels like something wants to

come up again). This is all new since starting the diet.

So there's nothing severe, I just want to deal with the constipation,

and I'm unsure if some of the foods we're eating are worsening the

constipation and yeast.

Looking at the link on die-off symptoms, we don't show many of these

(my older son with the head pain did wake up one night

sleepwalking/talking which was unusual, so he may be in die-off).

If the yeast is dying off, then that might increase constipation, in

which case we should back off from yogurt? But then isn't a dry mouth

and sticky bowels a sign of yeast growth?

If the honey, grape juice and carrots are feeding the yeast, then what

do we do? The other possibility, is that we don't have enough

digestive enzymes to properly digest all the protein we're suddenly

getting.

About 4 months ago, we started eating raw dairy (kefir and Caspian Sea

yogurt made from raw milk) and only rarely ate eggs (and no meat). For

the last 5 years we've been about 80% raw foodists (eating mostly

fruit). It was when we started eating grains and starch that

everything went to custard (with behavior, etc getting so much worse).

We won't go back to our raw diet, as it's too hard to maintain now

that the children are older, and we no longer feel like we get enough

nutrition from it (seemed great before we moved and could eat lots of

young coconuts and local organic produce, but must have led to

decreased digestive capabilities for other foods).

So, if this is the issue, perhaps I should dramatically increase the

yogurt to help with digestion? Other than feeding the yeast, we hadn't

noticed any problems with the raw milk we were having before the diet.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just really not sure where to go from

here. We're doing the constipation protocol and on day 6 now each eat

something like:

1+ quart honey/salt electrolite drink throughout the day

BREAKFAST

2 eggs, scrambled

1.5 cooked banana (just added today) blended with 3 stewed prunes

2 Tbsp dripped cow yogurt

TEA/SNACK

1/3 serving grape jello

1 plain muffin

LUNCH

1.5 cups chicken broth with 2+ boiled carrots & 1/2 cup boiled chicken

DINNER

1.5 cups chicken broth with 1-2 eggs (hard boiled, in soup or deviled)

2+ carrots with butter

1/4 cheesecake (made with 4 eggs)

The only supplements we're taking is several caps of mercury-free fish

oil for the omegas.

So, should I just continue with doubling the yogurt and adding a new

food every other day? Would the cooked bananas increase constipation?

What would be the best new foods to try to increase our carbos (assume

it would help with energy) while loosening our stools? Is there any

reason why we can't have 2-3 muffins now?

Regarding protruding hemmeroids, does anyone know if they'll heal

without surgical removal? I'm hoping the chicken soup will do the

trick. Interestingly, I'm craving the broth and chicken now.

Thank you. I feel so blessed to have this group as a resource.

Faith

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

<<Hi, we're on our 6th day on the diet and I'm not getting any kind of

> clear barometer of whether or not we should go on to the next food.

> I'd love some more advice.

>

> I'm doing the diet with my 2 sons. We're all having constipation

> (difficult to pass for all, painful for my older son and myself--not

> firm, just very sticky). I'm the only one with chronic constipation.

> Behaviors are all over the map and I can't easily associate with

the diet.

>

> We're all very low energy since starting (I guess is normal).

Starting> with the intro, I've had a morning runny nose, some sneezes

throughout> the day, and some gas (all unusual for me). My mouth is

dry with some> mucous when I wake up.>>

This sounds as if it may be die off. Epsom salt baths and or

activated charcoal may help

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pecanbread/message/1922

<<My youngest had tummy discomfort on day 2 and 3. My oldest says he

has> slight head pain when concentrating (looking at something) for

very> long and has some difficulty swallowing (feels like something

wants to> come up again). This is all new since starting the diet.

> If the yeast is dying off, then that might increase constipation, in

> which case we should back off from yogurt? But then isn't a dry

mouth

> and sticky bowels a sign of yeast growth?

>

> If the honey, grape juice and carrots are feeding the yeast, then

what> do we do? The other possibility, is that we don't have enough

> digestive enzymes to properly digest all the protein we're suddenly

> getting.

>

> About 4 months ago, we started eating raw dairy (kefir and Caspian

Sea> yogurt made from raw milk) and only rarely ate eggs (and no

meat). For> the last 5 years we've been about 80% raw foodists

(eating mostly> fruit). It was when we started eating grains and

starch that> everything went to custard (with behavior, etc getting

so much worse). >

> We won't go back to our raw diet, as it's too hard to maintain now

> that the children are older, and we no longer feel like we get

enough> nutrition from it (seemed great before we moved and could eat

lots of> young coconuts and local organic produce, but must have led

to> decreased digestive capabilities for other foods).

>

> So, if this is the issue, perhaps I should dramatically increase the

> yogurt to help with digestion? Other than feeding the yeast, we

hadn't> noticed any problems with the raw milk we were having before

the diet.

>

> Sorry for the long post, I'm just really not sure where to go from

> here. We're doing the constipation protocol and on day 6 now each

eat

> something like:

>

> 1+ quart honey/salt electrolite drink throughout the day

> BREAKFAST

> 2 eggs, scrambled

> 1.5 cooked banana (just added today) blended with 3 stewed prunes>>

You don't need to cook bananas. But the bananas should be ripe.

yellow with lots of spots.

<<

> 2 Tbsp dripped cow yogurt

> TEA/SNACK

> 1/3 serving grape jello

> 1 plain muffin

> LUNCH

> 1.5 cups chicken broth with 2+ boiled carrots & 1/2 cup boiled

chicken

> DINNER

> 1.5 cups chicken broth with 1-2 eggs (hard boiled, in soup or

deviled)

> 2+ carrots with butter

> 1/4 cheesecake (made with 4 eggs)

>

> The only supplements we're taking is several caps of mercury-free

fish

> oil for the omegas.

>

> So, should I just continue with doubling the yogurt and adding a new

> food every other day? Would the cooked bananas increase

constipation?

> What would be the best new foods to try to increase our carbos

(assume> it would help with energy) while loosening our stools?>>

The lethargy is more likely to do with die off than with insufficient

carbs.

<< Is there any

> reason why we can't have 2-3 muffins now?>>

When did you add the cooked bananas and, prunes and muffins?

Did you start with the intro diet?

How often are bm's?

<< Regarding protruding hemmeroids, does anyone know if they'll heal

> without surgical removal? I'm hoping the chicken soup will do the

> trick. Interestingly, I'm craving the broth and chicken now.

>

> Thank you. I feel so blessed to have this group as a resource.

> Faith>>

My hems were very bad last year the GI and his nurse said they were

the worst they had seen in a long time. Mine cleared up. Not all

hems though: my husband had a blood clot in his (from flying 14 hrs

straight) he had minor surgery.

Sheila, SCD Feb. 2001, UC 23yrs, PCOD 22yrs

mom of Em and Dan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sheila, so you think it's yeast die off? I tried the link you

gave on Epson Salt and Activated Charcoal, but it was a link to

probiotics. Can you direct me somewhere for some directions on what to

do (and how to know when it's needed)? I bought some Activated

Charcoal with peppermint oil (all I could find) in capsules. Is the

peppermint oil SCD legal?

Just to confirm, you think we're probably okay with all the honey

we're eating (in the electrolite drink and recipies)?

What would be the sign to look for that the meats are not digesting

well and that we should take protease enzymes? As my emails hinted at,

I guess the main sign I'm looking at that we may need this, is that we

are SO constipated and haven't eaten meat for so many years. What

would be the main indicator that protease is needed?

<< Is there any reason why we can't have 2-3 muffins now?>>

> When did you add the cooked bananas and, prunes and muffins?

> Did you start with the intro diet?

> How often are bm's?

We are following the constipation protocol, and so we did the intro

diet for 2 days, added the prunes and honey electrolite drink on day

3, started the muffins on day 4 (now on day 7 eating 2 per day), and

started the bananas today (day 7). BMs are 1 every 2-3 days for myself

and every 1-2 days for my older son, every day for my younger son.

They are both complaining of it being REALLY difficult to pass their

bowels (which is something new for them).

What is the difference between contipated BMs that are sticky and

those that are hard? Do they mean different things in terms of the

yeast or digestion?

I was thinking that maybe tomorrow I would begin juicing carrots to

see if it would help. Perhaps we should cut back on eggs as well?

We're now getting 3-4 per day.

Thanks again for your help!

Kay

>

> Hi Kay,

>

> <<Hi, we're on our 6th day on the diet and I'm not getting any kind of

> > clear barometer of whether or not we should go on to the next food.

> > I'd love some more advice.

> >

> > I'm doing the diet with my 2 sons. We're all having constipation

> > (difficult to pass for all, painful for my older son and myself--not

> > firm, just very sticky). I'm the only one with chronic constipation.

> > Behaviors are all over the map and I can't easily associate with

> the diet.

> >

> > We're all very low energy since starting (I guess is normal).

> Starting> with the intro, I've had a morning runny nose, some sneezes

> throughout> the day, and some gas (all unusual for me). My mouth is

> dry with some> mucous when I wake up.>>

>

> This sounds as if it may be die off. Epsom salt baths and or

> activated charcoal may help

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pecanbread/message/1922

>

>

> <<My youngest had tummy discomfort on day 2 and 3. My oldest says he

> has> slight head pain when concentrating (looking at something) for

> very> long and has some difficulty swallowing (feels like something

> wants to> come up again). This is all new since starting the diet.

>

>

> > If the yeast is dying off, then that might increase constipation, in

> > which case we should back off from yogurt? But then isn't a dry

> mouth

> > and sticky bowels a sign of yeast growth?

> >

> > If the honey, grape juice and carrots are feeding the yeast, then

> what> do we do? The other possibility, is that we don't have enough

> > digestive enzymes to properly digest all the protein we're suddenly

> > getting.

> >

> > About 4 months ago, we started eating raw dairy (kefir and Caspian

> Sea> yogurt made from raw milk) and only rarely ate eggs (and no

> meat). For> the last 5 years we've been about 80% raw foodists

> (eating mostly> fruit). It was when we started eating grains and

> starch that> everything went to custard (with behavior, etc getting

> so much worse). >

> > We won't go back to our raw diet, as it's too hard to maintain now

> > that the children are older, and we no longer feel like we get

> enough> nutrition from it (seemed great before we moved and could eat

> lots of> young coconuts and local organic produce, but must have led

> to> decreased digestive capabilities for other foods).

> >

> > So, if this is the issue, perhaps I should dramatically increase the

> > yogurt to help with digestion? Other than feeding the yeast, we

> hadn't> noticed any problems with the raw milk we were having before

> the diet.

> >

> > Sorry for the long post, I'm just really not sure where to go from

> > here. We're doing the constipation protocol and on day 6 now each

> eat

> > something like:

> >

> > 1+ quart honey/salt electrolite drink throughout the day

> > BREAKFAST

> > 2 eggs, scrambled

> > 1.5 cooked banana (just added today) blended with 3 stewed prunes>>

>

> You don't need to cook bananas. But the bananas should be ripe.

> yellow with lots of spots.

>

> <<

> > 2 Tbsp dripped cow yogurt

> > TEA/SNACK

> > 1/3 serving grape jello

> > 1 plain muffin

> > LUNCH

> > 1.5 cups chicken broth with 2+ boiled carrots & 1/2 cup boiled

> chicken

> > DINNER

> > 1.5 cups chicken broth with 1-2 eggs (hard boiled, in soup or

> deviled)

> > 2+ carrots with butter

> > 1/4 cheesecake (made with 4 eggs)

> >

> > The only supplements we're taking is several caps of mercury-free

> fish

> > oil for the omegas.

> >

> > So, should I just continue with doubling the yogurt and adding a new

> > food every other day? Would the cooked bananas increase

> constipation?

> > What would be the best new foods to try to increase our carbos

> (assume> it would help with energy) while loosening our stools?>>

>

> The lethargy is more likely to do with die off than with insufficient

> carbs.

>

>

> << Is there any

> > reason why we can't have 2-3 muffins now?>>

>

> When did you add the cooked bananas and, prunes and muffins?

>

> Did you start with the intro diet?

>

> How often are bm's?

>

> << Regarding protruding hemmeroids, does anyone know if they'll heal

> > without surgical removal? I'm hoping the chicken soup will do the

> > trick. Interestingly, I'm craving the broth and chicken now.

> >

> > Thank you. I feel so blessed to have this group as a resource.

> > Faith>>

>

> My hems were very bad last year the GI and his nurse said they were

> the worst they had seen in a long time. Mine cleared up. Not all

> hems though: my husband had a blood clot in his (from flying 14 hrs

> straight) he had minor surgery.

>

> Sheila, SCD Feb. 2001, UC 23yrs, PCOD 22yrs

> mom of Em and Dan

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

<< Thanks Sheila, so you think it's yeast die off? I tried the link

you> gave on Epson Salt and Activated Charcoal, but it was a link to

> probiotics. Can you direct me somewhere for some directions on what

to> do (and how to know when it's needed)?>>

Sorry about that! :/

try http://pecanbread.com/new/temporarysymptoms.html

For activated charcoal info see:

http://www.enzymestuff.com/activatedcharcoal.htm

<< I bought some Activated

> Charcoal with peppermint oil (all I could find) in capsules. Is the

> peppermint oil SCD legal?>>

If the ingredient label said peppermint oil that is okay.

<<Just to confirm, you think we're probably okay with all the honey

> we're eating (in the electrolite drink and recipies)?>>

If you think you have a yeast problem, you may need to reduce honey.

BTW, is it labelled 100% and/or Pure honey and is it clear (filtered)

honey?

<<What would be the sign to look for that the meats are not digesting

> well and that we should take protease enzymes? As my emails hinted

at,> I guess the main sign I'm looking at that we may need this, is

that we> are SO constipated and haven't eaten meat for so many years.

What> would be the main indicator that protease is needed?>>

How were stools preSCD? Did you suffer from Const. then?

<< Is there any reason why we can't have 2-3 muffins now?>>

>

> > When did you add the cooked bananas and, prunes and muffins?

> > Did you start with the intro diet?

> > How often are bm's?

>

> We are following the constipation protocol, and so we did the intro

> diet for 2 days, added the prunes and honey electrolite drink on day

> 3, started the muffins on day 4 (now on day 7 eating 2 per day), and

> started the bananas today (day 7). BMs are 1 every 2-3 days for

myself

> and every 1-2 days for my older son, every day for my younger son.

> They are both complaining of it being REALLY difficult to pass their

> bowels (which is something new for them).

>

> What is the difference between contipated BMs that are sticky and

> those that are hard? Do they mean different things in terms of the

> yeast or digestion?>>

I am thinking this may be more of a yeast problem with sticky

stools? Did the prunes help or make it worse. When my yeast was bad

and casuing constipation prunes and prune nectar made it worse for me

(works well for others though). I was better with nut goods. The

relief finally came when I got the yeast and other microbes under

control.

You may find that epsom salt baths/ativated charcoal help with

removing the toxins which contribute to constipation.

<<I was thinking that maybe tomorrow I would begin juicing carrots to

> see if it would help. Perhaps we should cut back on eggs as well?>>

Fresh juiced carrot and garlic is a great antifungal - very strong

tasting, though.

Are you eating cooked peeled veggies and cooked peeled fruit? I

think you may need some more bulk to your stool to help it pass.

Sheila, SCD Feb. 2001, UC 23yrs, PCOD 22yrs

mom of Em and Dan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Again Sheila,

I'll try the charcoal, but I'm hesitant, since the info on the link

you gave says it can increase constipation. Their dosage guidelines

are for poisoning, diarrhea, & gas which doesn't really apply. How

does one 300mg cap daily sound for us? Is it best taken just after

eating? Any time of day?

> BTW, is it labelled 100% and/or Pure honey and is it clear

(filtered) honey?

Hmmm, it's not labeled at all--I bought it in a 30 kilo tub direct

from a bee farmer--looks clear though. Is it the bits of pollen & wax

that are of concern (none visible)?

>> What would be the main indicator that protease is needed?>>

> How were stools preSCD? Did you suffer from Const. then?

Yes, my stools are the same as preSCD, just have to strain harder now

and they are less frequent (2-3 days). But to my knowledge the boys

didn't have such difficulty before. I skipped the honey/electrolite

drink yesterday, and constipation was present. Drank it this morning

(along with prune smoothie) and my youngest son had an improved bowel.

> I am thinking this may be more of a yeast problem with sticky

> stools? Did the prunes help or make it worse. When my yeast was

> bad and causing constipation prunes and prune nectar made it worse

> for me (works well for others though). I was better with nut goods.

> The relief finally came when I got the yeast and other microbes

> under control.

>

> You may find that epsom salt baths/ativated charcoal help with

> removing the toxins which contribute to constipation.

I'm not yet sure how the prunes are effecting the stools. We'll try

the epsom salt baths.

> Fresh juiced carrot and garlic is a great antifungal - very strong

> tasting, though.

I thought I'd seen something in this list about juicing ginger with

the carrots (maybe it was just wishful thinking)?

> Are you eating cooked peeled veggies and cooked peeled fruit? I

> think you may need some more bulk to your stool to help it pass.

Yes, we're eating cooked carrots & banana. Do carrots need to be

peeled? I thought we'd add cooked apples tomorrow.

I just saw that nut flour is recommended to start in Stage 3. Since

we're eating the nut muffins as part of the constipation protocol, do

you see any reason why we can't use the nut flour in other recipes? We

all really crave it. I'm also wanting to introduce coconut flour (the

cost of the nuts is wiping us out). Any problem with coconut flour or

oil in Stage I?

One last question, we hung our yogurt to drip for about 8-12 hours at

room temperature. I'm now wondering if this might have decreased the

probiotic effect of the yogurt?

Thank you for your time!!!!

Kay

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

<<I'll try the charcoal, but I'm hesitant, since the info on the link

> you gave says it can increase constipation. Their dosage guidelines

> are for poisoning, diarrhea, & gas which doesn't really apply. How

> does one 300mg cap daily sound for us? Is it best taken just after

> eating? Any time of day?>>

If you are unsure about the charcoal you could stick with epsom slat

baths. If you decide to try the charcoal start small to make sure it

doesn't make constipation worse. Charcoal should be taken away from

food and supplements and meds. It is absorptive and will absorb

toxins, nutrients, vitamins etc... Between meals (with no meds or

supps) is usually best.

<<> > BTW, is it labelled 100% and/or Pure honey and is it clear

> (filtered) honey?

>

> Hmmm, it's not labeled at all--I bought it in a 30 kilo tub direct

> from a bee farmer--looks clear though. Is it the bits of pollen &

wax> that are of concern (none visible)?

Pollen is a concern and also if the honey is pure. Calling it

natural honey or just honey is not enough. Some honey is sold with

corn syrup or other sweeteners. The bee farmer likely sold you pure

honey but it wouldn't hurt to double check.

I had a minor flare when I had unpure honey.

<<> What would be the main indicator that protease is needed?>>

>

> > How were stools preSCD? Did you suffer from Const. then?

>

> Yes, my stools are the same as preSCD, just have to strain harder

now

> and they are less frequent (2-3 days). But to my knowledge the boys

> didn't have such difficulty before. I skipped the honey/electrolite

> drink yesterday, and constipation was present. Drank it this morning

> (along with prune smoothie) and my youngest son had an improved

bowel.>>

This may be a transition period of clearing out toxins etc. If

things don't change and you have no ulcerations, active bleeding

etc. you may want to look into proteases then. Hopefully once

settled into the diet things will correct themselves.

> > I am thinking this may be more of a yeast problem with sticky

> > stools? Did the prunes help or make it worse. When my yeast was

> > bad and causing constipation prunes and prune nectar made it

worse

> > for me (works well for others though). I was better with nut

goods.

> > The relief finally came when I got the yeast and other microbes

> > under control.

> >

> > You may find that epsom salt baths/ativated charcoal help with

> > removing the toxins which contribute to constipation.

>

> I'm not yet sure how the prunes are effecting the stools. We'll try

> the epsom salt baths.

>

> > Fresh juiced carrot and garlic is a great antifungal - very

strong

> > tasting, though.

>

> I thought I'd seen something in this list about juicing ginger with

> the carrots (maybe it was just wishful thinking)?

Yup, wishful thinking. Ginger may have some effect though. I

believe it is an anti-inflammatory...

Well, look at that interesting:

http://www.gaias-garden.co.uk/Herbs/Ginger.html

I don't know how it compares to he garlic carrot juice. That is a

strong anti fungal.

> > Are you eating cooked peeled veggies and cooked peeled fruit? I

> > think you may need some more bulk to your stool to help it pass.

>

> Yes, we're eating cooked carrots & banana. Do carrots need to be

> peeled? I thought we'd add cooked apples tomorrow.

Wash your carrots thoroughly at the least. I don't peel mine. I

cook them in a pressure cooker until soft- kills all bugs dead (just

like " Raid " )

<<I just saw that nut flour is recommended to start in Stage 3. Since

> we're eating the nut muffins as part of the constipation protocol,

do> you see any reason why we can't use the nut flour in other

recipes?>>

Nope. Just make sure that you tolerate it .

<< We> all really crave it. I'm also wanting to introduce coconut

flour (the> cost of the nuts is wiping us out). Any problem with

coconut flour or> oil in Stage I?>>

Too much oil is hard to digest. Just note symptoms as you add each

new food.

Coconut is more fibrous than nuts even when ground to a flour. If

you add it be careful. It may make constipation worse.

<<One last question, we hung our yogurt to drip for about 8-12 hours

at> room temperature. I'm now wondering if this might have decreased

the> probiotic effect of the yogurt?>>

It shouldn't. Just refrigerate the dripped yogurt.

Sheila (who is going to start packing for a trip)