Candida Diet - Phase One

The hardest part of any diet is getting through phase one. I seriously admire anyone who diets, for whatever reason, and is successful. It's hard!! So here I am, once again, faced with adjusting what I eat for a proposed physical improvement. The reason I typically give myself for going off of a diet is that I am HUNGRY, which I hate. I eat a lot. And much of that is filler foods, like pasta, bread, wheat. This time, I have help with choosing foods and purchasing them, and that has made the initial couple of days MUCH easier! And I'm not hungry. In fact, I am munching all day long on nuts and whatnot, and eating very fulfilling diet-friendly meals. Ok. The real test will come when our company leaves, my support system, and I am left to fend for myself. I will try to give myself incentive....

Here are all of the symptoms I have, which may or may not be addressed through diet: bloated belly, fluid in the ears and tinnitus, sinus issues, eczema, scalp rash, sneezing, foggy brain, memory issues, focus problems, scattered thoughts and actions....

I will start by reporting that yesterday and this morning my belly had NOT been bloated or upset. So far so good!

Around noon I started getting a little bit of belly upset, which has lasted on and off all day. Just a very minor, I don't know...cramping? Or something. This might (or might not) be die-off, when you get symptoms as the yeast dies off. I also had that hunger that I always get with these diets. It just means that I did not feed myself enough foods that stick to my ribs. I know that I can, as I have had none of this the last two days. I will do better! But I am very nervous about having my support system go away tomorrow. =(

I am eating lots and lots of nuts, rice, rice cakes and salad. The salads taste SO good. My body is LOVING them. My dressing is lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. I really love it.

A nice bonus to this is that my daughter, who really eats like crap, is eating some better stuff. She LOVED kale chips!! Awesome. She is also enjoying tomatoes a lot lately, with a little bit of salt and olive oil. Yum!!

Day 2 - Reduced Gluten and Dairy Diet

Failing failing failing. Ugh. Today is day 2 of my attempt to eat without gluten or dairy. Last night, after the kids went to bed, I felt hungry. The hunger that you feel when you remove things from your diet but don't adequately replace those things with satisfying alternatives. So I made myself some Triscuit and cheese "sandwiches." Several of them. So I decided that every day is a new day, and I would start again today. So I put out a bunch of things for the kids to munch on this morning, including cheese sticks. And of course I suddenly realized that once again I was failing my attempts without even thinking about it. AGH! Okok, so I stopped eating the cheese and ate other things. But darn it, this is hard! And so now I'm tired, itching, AND feeling guilty. Blak. But onward............... I shall try again.

Discussion Board For Those With Skin Issues - Eczema, Psoriasis, Etc.

For those on Facebook, come chat with others who have a skin condition, or a family member with a skin condition. Share stories, ideas, what works, what doesn't, ask questions, and learn something! There is no selling or pressure of any kind. This is just a place to go chat with others about these topics.

Topics so far include: Eczema, soap nuts, stress, etc. Come add some more!

Link to Eczema Discussion Board

Essential Oils For Eczema IN CHILDREN

I recently posted about my success with using bergamot oil for eczema for myself. I have received a few replies from folks who have kids with eczema. I appeal to you with children. Essential oils are great for kids! But not ALL essential oils. In fact there are a number of EOs that are NOT recommended for use on children.

After receiving those messages, I referred to the book Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child by Valerie Ann Worwood. She has a few recommendations, which include soothing oat baths, a calamine lotion mix, a vegetable oil bath, an anxiety relieving bath and an oil mix. Bergamot is part of the oil mix, but it is a small part. I am happy to share more information on any of the above. For single essential oils, she recommends the following:

Camomile German (which I have used with good results)
Yarrow
Lavender*
 Elemi
Ho-wood
Palmarosa

*Please note. Lavender essential oil has been linked to hormone disruption in boys. (I don't have the link handy, but a Google search would bring it up) It is an issue with daily use (from shampoo, etc.) I use it occasionally in the bath, and I'm not overly concerned about it. But do your homework just so you know the facts. Basically the two boys with the symptoms had enlarged breasts due to chronic exposure, and in both cases the condition resolved itself with the removal of the oil.

Bergamot Essential Oil For Eczema

I have searched online (Google) several times looking for natural remedies for eczema. I have had eczema my entire life (41 - gasp - years) and I have had to resort to steroid creams time and time again. It hadn't occurred to me until fairly recently that there might be other options. So I researched. Time and time again I found reference to Bergamot essential oil. I bought some.

In order to keep my skin from become so itchy it was impossible not to scratch, especially during the night, that I was using my prescription steroid cream every night before bed. I never used a lot, but I applied it every day, without exception. If I forgot it when traveling, I was in a panic.

About six weeks ago (a guess, but it's something like that) I decided to give Bergamot essential oil a trial run. Being fairly new to essential oils, I am always cautious about using them without a carrier (mild, blending) oil. I mixed several drops of Bergamot oil in with an ounce or two of sweet almond oil. (Sweet almond oil is very mild. It is often recommended for use on children.) I began to apply the mix to all of my patchy areas. (I have many...sighs....) I have not used ANY steroid since. Not once! People who suffer with chronic eczema know how amazing this can be. About a week (maybe a bit more) ago I stopped using the blend, as I thought it might be making me sneeze. I did continue to use sweet almond oil as lotion. About a week after discontinuing the Bergamot, my skin informed me that it was unhappy. Afraid of what that could result in, I started using the Bergamot oil blend again. My skin immediately calmed down, and has started to heal. Mind you, I've never, ever been eczema-free, and I don't imagine I ever will be. But I have been six weeks without a prescription cream, and I am overjoyed. Of course, I always use my other cautions and am careful about what I handle, and I put oil on after washing my hands, and so forth. But wow. =)

NRT - Blocking and Switching

I am waiting for some information on blocking and switching from the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing. After getting belly aches several times over the last week or so, she told me to discontinue taking all supplements. She claims that my belly issues may be due to "blocking and switching." I went ahead and did a google search. This website seems to explain it pretty well. It actually explains a few things the CN has done with me that has otherwise not been explained. Like the red light for scars thing. Hm.

NRT Visit # Uh...um...er...

Well, you can see that NRT is not helping with my memory at all. But that's not why I go.

Today's visit actually seemed like a visit. That is to say that the Clinical Nutritionist I see actually spent some time with me today. As usual, she asked me how things are going. This question is so general I never know how to answer. I said, "I'm plugging along." "So what's hard?" she asks. As she did last time. Uhhhhhh.... I dunno. I told her that I was doing better with our diets, but that it's a process...blabla...... She asked about my skin, and I informed her that my skin has not been happy this week. I also mentioned that I haven't used my steroid cream in 3 weeks. (I think?) She said that it is not surprising to see a bit of a relapse. Now that I'm not "masking" the issue with the cream, she will be able to see what the underlying issues are. Hang in there. Ok. A reasonable response. Possibly even true. Hm. Anyhow, I'm still skeptical. After all, I've lived with my skin for a long time, and the issue ebbs and flows. But, I am going to give this my all (not just all my $$...) so... She asked about our water. If it's town or well water. (well) Where did I grow up? What kind of water there? Do we have hard water? (Think so....) Do we use a softener? (No) I asked if a filtering shower head was a good idea. Yes. She said tht the water is treated with chlorine. So next came my newest supplement! This one is allegedly going to push the chlorine out of my body. It's a liquid, and it gets added to my water bottle each day. One capful. It's called "Detoxosode", and it's made by Standard Process. She "tested" DS too to see if he can handle it. (He's still nursing) She rounded the visit out by telling me that I'm doing better with our diets. =) I knew that, but it's nice to hear, anyhow. I'm scheduled to go back next  week. While I do sort of enjoy my weekly "assignments" I look forward to being able to put a little space between visits.

Eczema and Essential Oils - Trial Phase

Today is am trying essential oils on my skin, and DS's skin, for the first time. I read on this website that camomile essential oil could be used on kids, so I mixed two drops of Camomile German EO into about two tablespoons of Sweet Almond carrier oil. I applied it a few minutes ago. It's hard to judge what works with eczema because there are so many variables, but I will report how our skin is doing over the next few days. The website lists many EOs that can be used for eczema care, so if you're limited with what oils you have or have access to, there will likely be something for you on this list.

July 14th, 2010: I've got to remember to update these posts once in a while. =) It has been almost 4 months since I started using the oils on my skin, and I have not used my steroid cream a single time since then. (yeah!!) I use sweet almond oil in place of lotion, and sweet almond with Bergamot on my eczema patches. As time has gone along, I have needed the Bergamot blend less and less often. My skin is doing incredibly well. It is gradually improving on a consistent basis. I have made a couple of other changes as well, which I'm sure are contributing factors. I take fish oil supplements two times every day, and I take a probiotic once a day. I just switched (maybe three days ago) to a high-potency probiotic that is supposed to help keep the body's yeast in balance (another issue I was dealing with...see my post on Natural Yeast Infection Remedies.) Anyhow, things are moving in a very good direction for me. I hope it can work for you, too!

NRT - Appointment #3 and "Food Demystified" talk

Visit #3 at the Natural Health Improvement Center was last Thursday evening. I decided this time to make my appointment at a time when hubby could watch our son. I wanted to see how the clinical nutritionist responded to me when I didn't have a child with me. She did appear to be more relaxed. I'm sure I was, too. As directed, this time I had brought with me all all of the supplements I was taking. These included multi-vitamins, calcium, vitamin D, a probiotic (Jarro-Dophillus,) and the supplement she had recommended (Lact-Enz.) I informed her of my gut issues over the preceding week. She tested me (one arm out, the other hand holding each bottle/box in turn) and agreed with my theory that the two probiotics (Jarro and Lact-Enz) were causing my intestinal issues. There was no shock when she told me to discontinue the probiotic I had bought for myself and continue the one she had recommended! She did tell me to cut back from taking 4 each day to taking 3. (I implemented this plan 7 days ago, and I have had no further issues.) She took a look at my food diary, which admittedly was kind of sad. (Goofy grin) I had given up on the dairy and gluten thing when she did not give me much direction with it. She advised me to try making one meal each day dairy-free, gluten-free, and without any processed foods. Ok, now that is a plan I can work with! What else did she say......? Hm. Oh yes. She told me to up my vegetable intake. No problem. Though I can't say I've done a great job of that, but today I shopped and bought a bunch of stuff. So was that it? Oh, she also tested me (arm out and so forth) to see if the one eczema spot she's sort of focused on (I have many) has improved. Her report? Yes, I have improved. (I haven't) She presses my out-stretched arm, starting at the wrist and heading up toward my elbow. She told me that there are 10 steps. If 10 is reached, that area is healthy. I went from a zero to a two on that rashy spot. Hm. Not sure about that. But if I'm going to see this through, I have to follow what she says, and so. Oh, and she asked me how the wheat germ in the belly button was going. I informed her that I never received wheat germ. I did this time! And I've been doing it. Voo-doo. We'll see.

Also that evening at the Center, a talk was given by a young woman called Food Demystified. I missed some of the talk due to my appointment, but caught some. She had given a hand-out which included such things as a Good Foods List. She went through this with the group. (I can elaborate if there's interest - I could even photograph the page. Let me know.) The packet includes a small list of foods to avoid, including fairly obvious things such as fast foods, sugars and junk food. There were also suggested meal ideas and menus. (Which I especially appreciated!) I felt the talk was good, and I felt that it helped me to begin to get my $'s worth out of this whole ordeal, ya know? I will attempt to attend all such talks as I'm able. They are free. They strongly request that members bring friends, as this brings them business, of course. They give members incentive - each referred person results in the referring member receiving a free office visit. And so forth. Anyhow, I was glad I went. I did, in fact bring a friend, who says she enjoyed the talk. Cool.

I have mellowed myself into the idea of gradual change. I find that the easiest way to help myself make dietary changes is when I'm shopping. If I buy healthier items, that's what we have here to eat. I have bought some foods that were recommended by the CN at the Center, including Chobani yogurt. DS just devoured a container of it. I tasted it, expecting it to taste terrible, but it didn't. It was good. And not very expensive. Ok, cool. I also bought a package of red quinoa. I don't like quinoa, but I am going to try it again, and try it on the family. Why not?

Next appointment, Thursday eve.

Nutrition Response Testing

I have made an appointment for today for Nutrition Response Testing, for both me and my son.

This is in response to DS's skin breaking out in dry, rashy areas on his torso. Eczema. Shoot. I have seen very small patches on his skin from time to time, all of which have been easy to resolve without using steroid creams. (I used a very tiny amount two times on one patch that looked very uncomfortable) In any event, I would really like to find a way to get rid of his rashes, and if I can resolve my own, well, that would be miraculous and amazing. I have been to doctors and dermatologists uncountable, so I am going the natural route this time. It just goes along with everything else I've been experimenting with lately. I'm nervous....I'm always nervous before an appointment, especially for something I'm not yet familiar with. But here is what I know of it so far....this is a link to the Natural Health Improvement Center I found locally. Just scroll down on the page to read about NRT.

Nutrition Response Testing

A bunch of hooey? Maybe. But I think of it this way. At the least, it is another attempt at managing (and resolving?) my skin issues that I can cross off my list, and it gives me something to try to help eliminate DS's skin issues. At best, it works, and his skin rashes go away! It's non-invasive, so all we really lose by trying this is a little money and a little time. So....fingers crossed.....

To be updated!

Eczema

I have eczema. (atopic dermatitis) I have had it all of my life, even as an infant. Over the course of 41 (yes, shocked folks FORTY-ONE years, I have learned to live with it. I've learned what irritates, and what doesn't. I have tried elimination diets (as a kid) and been to dermatologists endless times. I have used many different (gasp) steroid creams, and non-steroid lotions, creams, etc. I have tried oatmeal baths. And so forth and so forth.

Now I have a child with eczema. Damn.

I would like to treat his skin in an unAmerican way - treat the issue, not just the results. (grin) So....that being said...

I am going to put us (at least DS and myself) on a food regime with much reduced dairy and gluten. Much to my poor hubby's chagrin! I asked for advice on the email loop of the Holistic Moms Network, and got several kind responses. Most agreed that dairy should be minimal (I've always thought so, but didn't follow it much) and some suggested eliminating gluten. Others suggested some natural creams, which I may try out. But for now I will continue to use Sweet Almond oil on his skin, and sometimes Aquaphor. (Which I'm trying to phase out) I will track our progress here.

Day 1: Accidentally gave DS some yogurt and a small amount of butter this a.m. It will take time to become accustomed to avoiding everything! I've done better this afternoon. We ate tuna, mixed nuts, stuff like that. I have to figure out what to make for dinner...

Skin: DS has uninflamed dry, bumpy skin on his torso on the sides of his body. He has a more inflamed, but not open skin, rashy area on his hand. Today it is not red, but is rashy looking and feeling. It's a small area, about the size of a dime.

Skin: My skin is as it has been for some time. I have some mildly rashy areas on my fingers on both hands. My elbows and knees have been a bit rashy lately as well. On the tops of both feet I have rashy patches that have been there for quite a while. I have a basically healed area on my neck. I use a steroid cream every night before bed. A very little bit on each area. I use Aquaphor and sweet almond oil also, and Burt's Bees on my hands.

Misc: I did a little reading about gluten-free eating and about a book that recommends eliminating grains. Yikes! I feel that there is an argument out there to eliminate any food you can think of. What's a person to do??

Day 2: Doing well with our "diet" today. I went to the grocery store to load up on some gluten-free items. I was starving, having not eaten much for breakfast. I bought some gluten-free peanut butter bars that are high in protein. It wasn't until I got them home and opened one that I thought to look at the label. Shoot. Dairy! Argh... this isn't easy! Ugh, and I just realized that my coffee had half n' half in it this morning. I didn't even give it a thought til hubby pointed it out later on. Shoot! But I did pick up a book of gluten-free AND dairy-free recipes from the library today.

DS Skin: He is not too inflamed today, though he commented on his "bruise" which is the patch on his hand - the one that does get red sometimes. I discovered another patch under one knee....rats. Ugh! This evening my hubby put both kids in the tub. I was told later that they were taking a castile soap bar (eucalyptus) and rubbing it on their bodies and faces. My son got soap in his eyes, and for obvious reasons, freaked. I joined the situation at this point, and took him out of the tub. I put sweet almond oil everywhere except on his face. (As usual, though I do sometimes put some on his cheeks) Fast forward to dinner time, and his face, cheeks, chin and upper lip, are bright red and warm and dry to the touch. What the??? Hubby filled me in on the soap on the face deal (I knew about they eyes, of course) and the obvious conclusion is that his skin is reacting to the soap. Or is it? I also had put lavender oil in the water for DD, who is experiencing growing pains. He has been in the tub with lavender before, so I don't think that's it. I know that eucalyptus essential oil is not good for use on kids, but I didn't worry that much about the bar.... but the kids haven't rubbed it all over their skin before, either. I would rub a small amount on a cloth to clean them with, if I used any. I keep the bar for myself, and have a castile bar with no scent that I bought for the kids specifically. Alas....

Day 3: So far so good with diet, but I realized the nutrition drink I've been giving my kids has dairy in it. I didn't give it to DS today. I did well with meals today until dinner when I had a beer. Duh. This is hard. I was told today that there is a gluten-free STORE not too far from here. Wow.

DS Skin: His cheeks are back to normal (phew.) I washed his face last night with water only, then put sweet almond oil on it. The pink started fading right away. Contact reaction. His rashy skin looks pretty mild today with the exception of his hand patch, which is still red after being in the bath last night. Less so, but still red. I put a little steroid cream on it last night... Sweet almond oil again and again and again. His skin has looked pretty uninflamed today. The hand patch looks less irritated as the day progressed.

My Skin: The usual. A little itchy today. Used steroid last night as usual. Using sweet almond oil after my showers. Using very little Aquaphor these days.

DAY 4: Chicken for breakfast - lol.

DS Skin: The skin on DSs torso looks slightly red today. Sighs. Could this possibly be from me drinking a beer last night? Seems doubtful. But what else? Maybe it's time for muscle testing?? Maybe I should persevere and see what happens. I don't know.

DAY 5: Pretty good with the diet. I scheduled NRT - Nutrition Response Testing - for both of us for Monday.

DS Skin: Looked worse today.

My Skin: Felt like crap today. Mine felt worse after being around MIL's cat, which has been the case in the past.

DAY 6: Persevering with the diet. Hungry all the damn time! Frustrating. Making more meat than usual.

DS: Looking less irritated today.

My Skin: Feeling pretty good.

DAY 7/8: Diligently following diet until late this morning. DS really wanted some cheese. I gave in, as I, too, have been HUNGRY! He doesn't usually go for these mozzarella cheese sticks, but he devoured two of them! I have otherwise kept us on the diet. It will be interesting to see if his skin reacts. DS got Nutrition Response Testing today (see post on NRT and NRT - The Appointment.)

DS: Definitely looking better today!

My Skin: Also looking better today. Weird. I also had NRT today. No results or recommendations yet.

*Update: After my second NRT appt at which I had counted on getting dietary recommendations and for the most part didn't, I got frustrated, and eased back on our gluten/dairy diet. Not entirely, but a little. As a result, perhaps, my son's skin has gotten worse. So I am going to redouble my efforts. I'm not going to refuse any gluten or dairy ever, but I am going to try to make my home as close to free of those things as I can.