Lemonade Fasting and other testing...

[dings35]

Hello,

Okay, I'm ready to tell what my new plan is. You can all read through and see how this works for me to decide if it is something you want to try.

Some background - I got interested in alternative medicine because I've been struggling with p during my pregnancy years. I have PP all over my back, butt, hips, thighs, scalp, belly, and chest. Had GP on my lower legs several years ago and Pagano's diet helped with that. But this PP is a different ball game for me. I did his diet again for about 6 months this past year and never saw one lick of improvement. I got depressed, quit etc.... My mindset before was something like "I'll eat this way for 6 months, hopefully my skin will be clear, then I'll find out my trigger foods and get my new food plan in order for the rest of the my life." Well, my skin did not improve - just got progressively worse. So I quit - gave up and said "give me ice cream!!"

But I can't live like that either. So, I have to do something.

So now I want to get my system "cleaned out", "rebooted", if you will, before I start back into the way I need to be eating. I also need to set myself up for a lifestyle of healthy eating; not just a 6 month trial of eating differently. I'm on day 2 of the lemonade fast http://www.thelemonadediet.com/. I'm hoping to stick with it for at least 10 days. Not easy to do - I'm a homeschooling mom of 3 kids and wife. I make 3 meals a day for my family. I could use some support if anyone wants to join me on this fast!

Anyway....I'm also waiting on some test results - did a stool test for excessive candida, and did a leaky gut test. I'm trying to find out what is wrong with my body. I did a blood test for candida and it showed I was mildly high. I also did a blood test for an underlying strep infection and it was negative. I'm looking to do any testing I can to find out what the heck is wrong inside me.

This isn't a skin thing - there is something wrong inside of me and it's just showing itself via my skin.

I'll keep you all updated. There is hope.

Deb

[MikeK]

Good luck, Deb. Fingers crossed that this turns out to be your "wonder drug".

Take care. Feel better and please keep us posted.

Mike

[Dulane]

You are hopeful if nothing else, Mike. A lemonade fast is just a way to clean out the cupboard. Then the work begins for Deb.

Deb, I have some ideas, and I'll PM you. Hang in there on that diet. I wish I'd known you were getting ready, and I would have done it with you. (My fridge is too full and no kids to feed it to!)

I'm doing spirulina big time right now and seeing progress. Spirulina will also clear you out, but not near as fast as the route you have chosen.

Deb here's a link for you:
http://www.mipsoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=314

[GitOverIt]

LOL Dulane I already told her about glyconutrients. in a PM and told her where to find your mini lecture on it....also told Barbara about it and look what she did.....

http://www.healthiertalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=1686

thats the world wide web for you!
I'm racking up more to get in on the bandwagon.....I see a Steve on the healthier talk is already using it................ it seems.......

P.S. Barbara is a member of heathiertalk that has a mild case of P

[Bryar]

A warning about http://www.thelemonadediet.com/ , use it for information only.

I placed an order with them over a month ago and I'm still waiting. They have not responded to my inquiries about the status or cancellation of the order so now I'm disputing the charge with AMEX.

[dings35]

I did, too. I ordered over a month ago and nothing yet. I acquired all the products myself and am doing it without their "kit". I plan on trying to track them down once my package arrives (if it ever does) and get my money back. Lots of luck, ey? Will AMEX help you track them down?

While their customer service may be horrible, I'm hoping the fast is effective. Was that your only warning - about their lousy delivery - or was there anything else?

Deb

[Dulane]

Hey,

Remember that your credit card company may be your best friend if you used it when you ordered. I got back $1200 from a hoaky on-line purchase a while back. (Never order a used automobile motor on-line!)

I also had 9 items that weren't mine on my credit card bill last month. But that's another story. I have been reimbursed for the items that I didn't order. But I had to get a new card number. (Finally had the last number memorized.)

Glad you're hanging in there, Deb.

[Bryar]

Deb,

Yeah, my only problem is with their service, or lack of it, and I wish you well. Your credit card company should be able to help you get your money back.

I'm attempting a lifestyle change and thought I'd start with a cleansing but didn't know if I could find all the supplies locally so I just ordered a kit from them. Turns out the local Wild Oats had everything I needed. I'll be starting the fast next week after my vacation and look forward to your updates.

Good luck Deb, stay strong.

Stephen

[SCCatman]

The fact that they say to expect 2 pounds of fat loss a day should be a good tip off that this is a scam.
Dennis

[Bryar]

Many diet programs make exaggerated claims about weight loss but that is besides the point. This is a well known detox regimen that has been around for a long time, that is why we are doing it. We just happened to order from a bad retailer. In my case I felt I could trust them because I had seen the site referred to earlier but thanks for the constructive comment.

[ouchyk]

Hi,

How do you test for a leaky gut? Does it require a colonoscopy?



Karen

[Dulane]

Here is one test.

They feed you several sugars and then test for them in your urine. They should not get into your urine if you don't have leaky gut. That means they have leaked into your bloodstream.

Myabe my desciption is not the best, but you can read more here and using google.

http://www.doctorajadams.com/Intesti...ityLabBuy.html

[dings35]

You all are answering the questions for me!

Yes, the leaky gut test is as how Dulane described. It wasn't a big deal - just needed to be home the 6 hours to collect all my urine :-); and don't eat during that time. My doctor already knows I have a leaky gut because my candida blood test came back positive. We all have candida in our guts - it's just not supposed to leak out into the the bloodstream. My question for him was "how leaky am I"? So I asked for the test.

And yes, we all have candida in our guts, but some of us have too much. That's why I also did the stool test for candida. Basically I'm trying to find out what the "biggest problem" is inside me so I can have an educated plan of attack to get some healing. If my gut is very leaky, I want to focus on remedies to stop the leaks. If candida is prevelant in my gut I want to kill it. I'm trying to rule out what's not wrong with me, too. My blood test for strep came back negative so I can conclude it's not an underlying strep infection that's causing my p. He also did some creatine test (via blood) for inflammation and that came back negative, too. I've also done the blood test for food allergies. When the nurse looked at my results she said "There's nothing left for you to eat!" She was joking, but only half-joking. Apparently she said she's never seen allergies so bad. Funny, I have no reactions when I eat anything, but the items that were high were almonds, beef, eggs, all dairy, pineapple and grapefruit, wheat, wheat gluten, actually most grains except rice.

I view it like a big puzzle and I'm just trying to find all the pieces I need to start solving it. If I don't find these puzzle pieces, it's very likely I'm putting in a lot of effort for no use. Like trying to clap with one hand. Barking up the wrong tree... etc...

I'm on Day 3 of the lemonade diet. I'm not doing it to lose weight; although that is just a side benefit. I'm doing it to clean myself out before I start my new lifestyle of eating. And yes, people can lose 2#/day. But so what? Many diets do the same thing. The key is what they do once the weight is off. That's where most of the failure lies.

Anyway, I appreciate those of you who are encouraging me along. That means and helps alot. Treating this disease, no matter if alternatively or conventionally, is not easy. So I appreciate the support for this route I'm taking for now.

Blessings,

Deb

[Dulane]

For those who are afraid to take a food allergy test, like Deb did...if you have serious symptoms...you may also have many allergies.

However, if it is part of a situation where you have leaky gut, and if you fix the leaky gut...the allergies may leave!

If you have any bugs, or bug wastes, or miniscule pieces of corn or whatever leaking into your blood supply...ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE! Even if it is the best supplement under God's green earth, if its coming through in a place it doesn't belong...your body indentifies it as an intruder and 'flags' that puppy. Then our system makes anti-bodies that fight the corn or whatever. These anti-bodies are what show up on the allergy tests. They become 'triggers'.

Your overworked system tries to deal with the 'intruders'. But it is fighting itself at that point, and white blood cells push those puppies up to the skin. That is P in a nutshell.

That's why slippery elm helps us. It actually helps plug those tiny holes. Candida digs in and lives in the porous lining.

So, we kill off the candida, plug the holes before meals with a benign mucous healer (SE), and eat non-inflammatory healthy foods that nourish and allow us to heal.

The stomach heals...the skin begins to heal...and the food allergies go away.

OK shut your eyes...chant with me...it will go away...it will go away...it will go away

[GitOverIt]

Well what you have done and are doing sounds like you are on the right track......I posted somewhere on here that in looking back on why I cleared so fast with the slippery elm was because I had just gone thru the allergy testing in July (I think or Aug) anyway it was a 3 month food elimination (of all my food triggers) and then I still was careful (I still am) of how I eat those foods....then I started the slippery elm....and got the results I did.....

the funny thing is I never had the typical allergy symtoms either...just like Deb.....no runny nose, asthma, hives, earaches ...nothing to give me a clue...other than I had 2 sons with full blown hayfever etc from the time they were infants...we never knew where their allergies came from...our allergist at the time said 'well someone along the line...maybe even a caveman had them'...and all the time it was me ...the silent carrier!

[dings35]

Well, I'm on Day 4 of this lemonade fast. Feeling pretty good actually. Was able to jog for part of my morning walk today. Not feeling hungry. I was hungry the first 2 days - found out I was diluting the lemonade too much.

No change in my skin but I didn't expect any. Down 6 lbs, but don't anticipate that weight staying off.

For now, I feel very good and and very optomistic I can stick this out the 10 days. If anyone wants to jump in a join me, please do. I could use the support, too! http://www.thelemonadediet.com

Still haven't gotten my test results back, but will post when I do.

Deb

[dings35]

Day 5 on the lemonade fast. Still hanging in there. Still no test results yet.

Deb

[Dulane]

Deb, you are amazing us.

Most people wouldn't believe they could have gotten this far.

Keep it up. And please tell us how you intend to break your fast.

Have you had serious mood swings?

[GitOverIt]

Just a thought: As I was reading an article granny posted somewhere!

I got to thinking some more about my clearing up....something, as I was reading, triggered my thought patterns to the past, where I started thinking about the psoriais I had! and where I had it......it (the P) was in all the covered up places on my body! which in turn made me question to myself...why?
I have never liked or drank milk! I have always spent my summers in the pool since we had it put in! ( 25 years) prior to that ...the beach, local pool in our subdivision, lake,

when a kid...the same thing...we had a cottage on a river, also went to the local city pool all summer. So what am I getting at? I was in the sun or swimming for as far back as I remember!

then several years back we opened the pool and weather was rainy, I was busy doing art shows and when home...... busy making product..... no time for sun and fun! and developed psoriasis! had it for several years while continuing the same routine!!!!

Then I started reading about vit. A and D and cod liver oil! ( the essential fatty acids) so I started that and was very diligent, had the allergy tests done on foods, started the slippery elm and American saffron tea. Started sunning again....
The combination, I think added up to a clearing! Now granted it may not work for everyone....but the fact that I did not have P anywhere that was exposed to air or view gave me the idea that maybe mine was from lack of sunlight these past several years! Due to bad weather for several summers in a row! and my staying indoors most of the time! ....just some observations on a very unusual disease!

[dings35]

That's interesting Sally. You know, what about the scalp though? I'm not a hat wearer so my scalp is always exposed, but maybe because of the hair it's really not.

But yes, I have p on all my unexposed areas. Although it has spread - not quckly, but gradually I wake up and find another spot here, another spot there. Tonight there was a big pool party - I was one of the only people who did not get in. My skin is so bad I'm sure a lifeguard would throw me out. I look hideous. I gave up trying to find a suit that would cover me appropriately - it has spread so far down the backs of my thighs now - there's no hiding it.

So... here I sit in "reboot" mode - end of day 5 of this fast/cleanse. Thanks for the encouragement Dulane. Tomorrow will be a tough day - out traveling with the family and being around my in-laws. I think I'll just make up an excuse not to be present during lunch so I can avoid my MIL's questions. She won't approve in the least of what I'm doing. But hey, she doesn't have a clue about the suffering of this disease and about how much studying I've done about it.

I know this is the right thing to do for now. If I ever get to the point where I need to take the drugs (and for those of you with pa and ppp and can't get out of bed - bless you. I know I'd be asking for anything to relieve the pain at that point) at least I'll be able to look back and say "Well, at least I tried everything I read that might help me naturally."

End of Day 5. Half way there! The folks on the lemonade diet forum amaze me - some of them do this for 25 days! He (Stanley Burroughs) says you can safely do it up to 40 days, but hey, I'll take his bare minimum recommendation of 10.

I'll likely go into a raw diet after this. I'll have to gradually start working foods back in - veggie broth and juice the first couple days. Then some salads and veggies and fruits. We'll see... for now I just need to get through this.

Thanks for your support!

Good night!

Deb

[GitOverIt]

Deb,
today is lunch at MIL's house.....good luck with avoiding it.....
and all I've got to say is good for you on the lemonade fast........I'm going to go to your link and read about it .......years ago it was very popular and some of my friends did it.....I'm wondering about the cayenne..? its a pepper plant and I showed allergy to peppers (all but black pepper different family)

[grannyfranny]

Deb,,,,good luck. Don't mind what MIL thinks. You're you and need to do what you think is best. Hang on!
I has been thinking of doing this.

Can you give us a day-to-day on how you feel?
Do you get hungry?
Have you lost weight?
Can you sleep?

[Dulane]

Oddly enough, some people do very well with cayenne, even with the pepper problem.

But some folks don't add the cayenne to the lemonade diet.

[dings35]

I'm in the middle of Day 7. Can't believe I haven't cheated yet, but boy have I been tempted. Yes, I've lost 10 lbs. in 7 days. I've got 3 more days to go, then after that I'll start with veggie broth and maybe a salad for a couple days. Most of that weight will likely come back on. I'm doing this really to just clean my body out.

You asked how I've been feeling on this cleanse. This was the first morning I was actually feeling very angry. And I think it was mostly because I didn't have enough of the lemonade the day before. We were driving home after the day with the in-laws and I realized I was out of lemonade - I thought I had made enough to last me but I guess I didn't.

I lost some energy on day 2 but found out I was making my lemonade with too much water. Once I increased the lemon juice and maple syrup I perked back up.

Yes, I've been hungry. But every time I get hungry, I just make another lemonade. I've also made a few of them in my Vitamix with lots of ice to make a slushy and that helps with the boredom of it all.

The cayenne pepper was a little nasty to get used to at first and but I'm used to it now. I know it is usually a "no no" as far as p goes, but it's not bothering me yet. Again, I am one of those p people who doesn't have an obvious trigger food, yet. I know I have them, I just don't know them yet. There hasn't been any food where I can say "I ate that for lunch, that's why I'm redder or itching more now." I wish I did have that situation - I'd feel much more in control of this disease. But I don't. My skin has just chosen to get slowly worse and worse over time. I do believe 100% that what I have been eating over the years has contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to this disease. It's just been so gradual that I can't figure out exactly what it is. So... I'll be taking the route of the naturopaths and Pagano with the food plans they recommend - no sugars, limit the grains/gluten, no processed foods, no white flours etc.....

As far as my skin - no change - but I'm not expecting anything overnight. It took years for the p to cover me like it has - it's not going to disappear quickly.

Still waiting for those test results. Will hopefully know this week.

Deb

[dings35]

And yes, I have been sleeping just fine. In fact bedtime is the best time of the day because it means another day has passed on this cleanse!

Also, you take a laxative tea every night on this cleanse. (Smooth Move by Traditional Medicinals). You're also supposed to do a salt water flush (2 tblsp of salt with 32 oz water) every morning. THAT was nasty!! I did it twice, and that was it. It supposed to "run right through you" within an hour. But that wasn't the case for me, so I was concerned about all that salt building up in my body. I may do it one more time but that would be it. I read where the cleanse can still be effective without that salt water flush. The tea seems to be enough to keep me "moving."

Deb