NRT - BELLY ACHE!

In my last update, I let you all know that due to stomach upset, I was taken off of all of my supplements for a few days until I saw my CN again. I saw her, and she instructed me to take Antronex tablets three times a day, and to take these for one full day before beginning everything else I had been taking, with a couple of small adjustments. Today (4/29) I began everything again. I added the HVS chemical liquid (at the center they call it "the chemicals") to my water bottle, with about a liter of water. I drank about two cups or so of water while taking my other supplements this morning. Within a very short time I could tell my belly was off. The connection was undeniable. I immediately emailed the Clinical Nutritionist and informed her that I was discontinuing the HVS. Over the next hour or so I ended up feeling so sick I though I would vomit. I knew that once the water and HVS passed through my system I would be fine, so I continued on with my day, but YUK! For a while there I felt pretty awful. Once the stuff passed my stomach I started to feel much better right away, but still felt a bit off for quite a while. Later in the day I received a response from the CN instructing me to stop the HVS until Sunday, then start with 1/4 capful in my water bottle to see how that goes. I wrote back saying that I would prefer to find another way to achieve our health goals for me. The stuff makes me sick. I don't want to take it! I haven't heard back from her yet, but I intend to stick with my guns with this one. I realize that holistic practitioners say that when you are "detoxing" you can go through a period of feeling unwell, but this is ridiculous. I'll stay toxed, thanks. Anyhow I am continuing to take everything else, and I feel fine with that stuff. It'll be interesting what the CN suggests next. It may determine how I feel about continuing with all of this stuff. I am a lotta dollars out, and not a lotta better. I want to keep on and make it work if possible, but not enough to feel physically ill like that. Sighs. I'll update when I hear from her.....

Switched - NRT Appt. 4/28

In my last update, I mentioned that due to belly-aches, the Clinical Nutritionist I am seeing suggested I discontinue all supplements (I was taking 12 pills a day plus a liquid that I added to my water bottle) until I saw her again. This morning I saw her. First, I had a heart test. The same test I had the very first time I went to the Natural Health Improvement Center. The woman who conducted the test placed a strap around the lower part of my rib cage, and attached a wire to me also. I had to lie on the table, relaxed, without talking, for four minutes. I then had to stand facing the wall, also not talking, for an additional four minutes. She then printed some papers out, and I was off to see the CN. She did a number of tests in the fashion of NRT (holding various viles and bottles of stuff and pressing on my outstretched arm and so forth.) She explained to me, while showing me one of the print-outs, that I am "switched." She said that this means that my body is "doing the opposite of what it should." (???) She informed me that I would be starting another new supplement. This one is called "Antronex." She told me to take this one three times a day, starting today. She said to take only the Antronex today, and to begin the other supplements tomorrow. She reduced the Lact-Enz (probiotic) from 3 a day to 2 a day, and said that this is do to my positive dietary changes. (Funny, I had sort of a poor diet week this past week.....) I am to restart the chemicals in my water (which I am sure caused the belly-ache issues, but what do I know) and restart the stuff I take on my own. (vitamins, calcium, Vit D...) I had to get clarification, because I have trouble making sense of it. She claims that the Antronex is going to "take care of the other stuff" gesturing to a list of the other supplements. ??

I left baffled. But of course I'll read about it all online. As usual, she was not able to explain things very well to me, but I can get the info. on my own. It all seems goofy. But my skin DOES seem to be doing ok. It's not better exactly, but I'm still not using steroid cream (which is amazing and awesome) and it's not THAT inflamed. So that's all good. So...... I continue on....

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.

Interesting Update On NRT/Natural Health Stuff

For those following my trials with the Natural Health Improvement Center, you might find this interesting. A few days ago I had a belly-ache. I didn't think to much about it. Then yesterday I got another one. Being fairly unusual for me to get stomach-related issues, I was now wondering what was going on. I had recently starting adding Detoxosode chemicals to my water bottle each day, as directed by the Clinical Nutritionist I'm seeing. I thought that perhaps this was causing my issues. If you've read my past posts on all this stuff, you'll remember that when I first started taking the probiotic supplements my CN suggested for me, I was also taking one on my own, and the two of them together caused some gut upheaval for me. I emailed the CN, and let her know what was happening. She wrote back instructing me to discontinue the chemicals for the weekend (I emailed her Thursday afternoon.) I immediately rinsed out my water bottle and having been drinking plain water ever since. Some time this morning I realized I had forgotten to take my morning supplements. This is the first time I've forgotten the morning pills. Even after giving myself a mental reminder to take them when I got home form taking DD to school, I forgot again. I'm sure this is my brain telling me that something I'm taking is causing my issues. Anyhow, despite all this, this afternoon my belly started acting up again. I figured that maybe it takes a day or two to get the chemical stuff out of me, but either way, I again emailed the CN to give her an update. (As she had requested) She emailed back telling me to stop the supplements. I emailed for clarification, as there are a few things I take on my own: vitamins, vitamin D, calcium and fish oil. She confirmed that I am to stop taking everything. She claims that I am either "blocked" or "switched." She says she will send me information tomorrow regarding what all of this means. So I'll discontinue it all. It isn't without some reservation, because I know the vitamin D and the other stuff is important. But as I keep saying, if this is going to have any chance of working, I have to follow the program. So, that's the deal. My belly mellowed out in the evening, and I feel fine now. I have had no problem eating, or had any related issues, just a belly that feels unhappy with what's in it. So we'll see. I will update as things transpire.

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.

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.

NRT - Reaction To The Supplements?

Just a quick update on my experiences with the Natural Health Improvement Center.... As I mentioned in a previous post, the NHIC counselor I am seeing has put me on Lact-Enz supplements. They are allegedly whole food supplements that are designed to help my body "heal" and become healthier.

Perhaps this is a coincidence, but twice in the past week I have woken in the night with roiling guts. Without going into too much detail, I've needed the rest room at odd times, and with a displeased digestive system. Both times I had a gassy belly with diarrhea throughout the morning. The first time I figured it was the Indian food I had eaten for dinner. It was a dish I hadn't tried before, but it was predominantly rice, so that shouldn't cause it. But Indian food is often cooked in ghy, or clarified butter, which could have been the culprit. But the second time I had eaten vegetarian chili with rice. Hm.

Anyhow, it could be the supplements. I had, in fact, asked the Clinical Nutritionist, who suggested them for me, if anyone had stomach or gut reactions to the supplements. She said on the contrary, they help the gut. Hm. Then there's this paper that came home with me from the center that reads, "Please keep in mind that our nutritional products DO NOT cause 'side effects' as they are not drugs. Occasionally after starting a nutritional program, you may feel a temporary worsening or even feel 'sick.'" ... "Sometimes these 'flare-ups' are actually a 'Healing Crisis' which indicates your body is starting to heal by throwing off toxins that have been keeping you sick. By fine-tuning your program, we can help you get through these types of situations much more smoothly, if they even occur...." And so forth.

It will be interesting to see what she has to say when I see her Thursday. Thursday evening I will also be attending a talk at the center called "Food Demystified." I am going mostly because it is included in my treatment, and I feel that it will help me to feel that I am getting closer to getting my money's worth. Secondarily, it is strongly recommended. Once form actually says that attending at least one program within the first hour weeks of "treatment" is required, though I'm not sure how they can "require" anything. But anyhow. I'll let you know what that is like!

FYI....

Lact-Enz^®

Introduced in 1988

Lact-Enz is a gastrointestinal support product that combines digestive enzymes with normal intestinal flora. The combination of these ingredients assists in the breakdown of macronutrients and maintains a healthy intestinal environment.†

Here's a more thorough explanation of what Lact-Enz is and what it does. LINK

NRT - Interesting Pricing Info.

The first person to tell me about muscle testing informed me that she had paid $45.00 for her initial visit. I paid $125.00 (for me, and again for DS.) I emailed the practitioner I had seen to ask her about this. This resulted in our receiving our next appointment free of charge. 

Today I received a letter from the Center in the mail. It was basically a welcome letter, but mainly encouraged me to talk others into going to their practice which is quite busy, so I'd better encourage them asap. (yeah, right) Anyhow, I was sent two cards with which to refer my friends. If said friends make their appointment within one week of the date on the card, they receive a 65% discount on their first visit. This means they pay FORTY-FIVE dollars. The letter also suggested that every person is referred by another person. It was true that the staff asked me again and again how I found them. So because I found the place on my own, I paid a great deal more than if someone had told me about it. Does that seem right?? I mean, I can see benefiting the person who did the referring.... Anyhow, just thought I'd share! 

If anyone locally decides to look into this, FIND someone who goes there already! It's worth the search. And the referring person gets a coupon for one free office visit, which is worth $35.00. 

I'm not sure where their priorities are, but at the moment it seems to be financial............

NRT - The Follow-Up Appointment

Today DS and I went to the Natural Health Improvement Center for our follow-up appointment. We met with woman A who went over the findings report with me. This report basically informs you if you are or are not a good candidate for NRT (I am.) It then identifies the "Nutrition Response Reflex Points." For me, those are "blocked/scars" and "skin/hand/feet." It lists my "Clinical Nutrition Supplements Needed" as "wheat germ oil" and "Lactenz." The report goes on to explain the steps toward achieving health through this system. The are "Fine Tuning Your Program," "Natural Healing and Observation Period" and "Maintenance Phase." It was explained to me that the first phase involves weekly visits for 3-6 weeks, the second takes about 12 weeks, and the third involves months visits for about 4-6 months, with follow-up visits every few months as needed. A fee schedule and review of a "family plan" follows. The final page is a print out from my first visit, and I don't much understand it except that it reports that my fitness level is pretty poor. (How they determined that, I can't imagine...) It says I'm in the green, or normal level, but I'm much closer to the yellow, or below normal than I am to the blue, or athletic zone. I have to chuckle at this! I did no fitness test of any kind while there. Interesting. Anyhow, the rest of the visit...

We were then seen by woman B, the Clinical Nutritionist who saw us last time. She did a shortened version of the test she did last time, with the wheat germ oil bottle in my hand, and pushing down on my other arm. She briefly tested DS the same way as last time, with me holding him. She gave me a metal "flashlight" for lack of a better word, and instructed me to shine in into my belly button for 4 minutes. (If I wasn't so incredibly under control at all times, I would have cracked up....ok I'm not that in control, but I didn't laugh out loud.) She informed me that I would need to prick a wheat germ oil capsule every day and rub the oil on my belly button. (oooooohhhhkaaaaaaayy) She had me hold one, then two, then three, etc up to five tablets which I presume were the lactenz tablets, and by pushing on my arm with each "dose" she was able to tell how many my body needs. She informed me that I need to take 4 every day, divided up with my meals. (2 at dinner, the biggest meal) She tested Sean to see if this amount in me would also work for him, with positive results. I asked her about our diets, because I've kept us off of dairy and gluten for 1.5 weeks now. She didn't give me any direction with that, so I said that I might as well drop the diet. Then she told me not to do that, but to gradually turn the kitchen into a healthier one. She did tell me to reduce our sugar intake.

On the way out, we were given, to the tune of $39.00, a bottle of lactenz supplements. No wheat germ oil, but I didn't think at the time to ask for it. They gave me the appointment free, as I had emailed to say that I was surprised at the cost of the initial visit, and asked if the follow-up was included. So yay me.

I told them that I wasn't sure I was going to continue to have DS as a patient, as I feel that he'll benefit from whatever changes I make. They didn't disagree with this, but will see him again in a month for a couple of months. Fair enough. I go back in a week.

Supplement one taken with lunch today. I added slightly less sugar to my afternoon cup of coffee. ;)

NRT - The Appointment

Sean and I went for our initial visit at the Natural Health Improvement Center today. I turned in paperwork for each of us, which reported our basic reasons for seeking their help. I had to list what we had eaten over the last 2 days. And anything we take every day-vitamins and the like. We were taken into a room, and a strap was attached around my rib cage, and some wire clipped to my shirt. I was told to lie on the table without talking. I had to "relax" for four minutes. Then I stood facing the wall for four minutes. After the test was complete, something printed out of the printer in the room. We were then ushered into another room. A different woman (who seemed a little unsettled at having a 2-year-old in the room) told me that she was going to quickly explain what she would be doing (with a sideward glance to DS) and explained that there is an energy flow between the systems of the body, and the energy flow can be broken when part of the body is weak. She asked me to hold a small glass bottle that contained wheat-something capsules. I held my other arm out. She placed her hand on my head, and the other pressed down on my arm. She asked me to resist. She said that when the body system is healthy, the energy flow is good, and the arm resists. When the energy flow is broken, the arm can be pushed down. To show me how this works, she placed the backs of her fingers on my head, and pushed my arm down. She then proceeded touch various areas, and said she was checking my organs. (fine) She asked if I had any scars, as from a c-section, episiotomy, ear piercings. She had me touch scar areas while she pushed on my arm. She touched areas of my skin that are currently broken out with eczema, and pushed my arm. When it was Sean's turn, he sat on my lap, I continued to hold the wheat bottle, and still held out my arm. She would touch various areas on him (organs, rashy areas) and push MY arm. His test was very quick. She then handed me a folder of info, asked me to keep a record of everything we eat, and asked us to come back on Wednesday (today is Monday.) She said that diet is definitely related to my issues. She also told me she would be emailing me some more information to read prior to our next visit. Something had not printed out yet...

The paperwork I was given to take home includes a food log for each of us, some information entitled "Scar Tissue and Disturbance/Interference Fields", a form called "Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins", some bio information on the practitioners, a "What Our Clients Are Saying" form, a "Good Foods" list, and three pamphlets: one for the center, one on NRT, and one called "Designed Clinical Nutrition." Should make for interesting reading.

Oh, and this appointment, for the two of us, cost TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS.

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!