Jennifer's Recovery Log

[Jennifer]

Jennifer, would you mind sharing your maple syrup chicken recipe?

Hey Charlie, lately my maple syrup chicken recipe has consisted of frying up some skinless chicken breast in a pan and adding some maple syrup and salt. Normally I would add to that some onion powder, garlic powder, a touch of ginger powder, molasses and chunks of mango. It's a concoction I came up with and not actually from a recipe so I usually just go by taste and smell instead of measuring.

 

[charlie]

Aaah ok. So you add the syrup after its cooked? Or while in the pan? I just picked up some maple syrup today and hope to try and make it soon.

Thank you!

 

[Jennifer]

I add the maple syrup in after I've drained out the excess juice from the chicken and let it simmer a bit to thicken.

 

[charlie]

Aaah ok. Kewl beans. :)

 

[Jennifer]

So I'm loving the Minocycline. The stuff is awesome! My skin is unbelievably soft now despite the dry, harsh winter and the red rash is completely gone from my face despite binging on dairy the past couple of weeks. I went to go brush my teeth the other night and was shocked to see I'm actually a white girl. A very, very fair skinned white girl. Last I checked, the Victorian period is over so I'll definitely need to by that ticket to Bora Bora pronto to get some color. It's out of pure necessity to prevent injuries. Right now I look like one of the characters from Frozen and blend with snow and could easily be hit by a car. Speaking of Frozen, Oy what that movie has subjected us adults to. I've been cornered by far too many a child who feels the need to sing "Let It Go" to me. I'm starting to get a complex and wonder what they want me to let go of.

This past Christmas, I was trapped by my cousin's daughter at our annual family gathering. I brought the little buggy man out to the bathroom and that's when she made her move. She cornered me on the stoop and out of nowhere started singing Let It Go. As I watched her give it her all, even grabbing snow and tossing it through the air to give her performance that added touch (yes she really did this), I knew I was stuck there for the duration. True to the song, the cold didn't seem to bother her, but it did me. The thought ran through my head that I could ever so slowly slip through the door when she went for more snow, but then I would of scarred her for life and she would grow up remembering that day Aunty Jenny rejected her. So I stood there and shared a very chilly and slightly uncomfortable moment that seemed to last an eternity and clapped with fervor when she finally finished. I had made it through another Frozen performance. Hehe! In all seriousness, I love that little peanut and would listen to her sing any day of the week.

Okay, enough about that. I see Dr. O tomorrow and will talk to her about upping my Minocycline dose because the brain fog is still hanging around. My temps are still averaging 98.6 and pulse around 90.

As for my current diet, I'm no longer craving chicken. I'm now craving dairy and lots of fruit so I've been having ricotta cheese, maple milk, papaya, cantaloupe, mango, kiwi and apple juice. Other than that, I've been having a chocolate bar and a couple eggs daily.

Tonight's song is inspired by the movie Frozen. Just kidding!

I've been listening to Charice for the past week. These are two I love...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4HkOjRm-kYo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=00xC4mhuWfQ

 

[thebigpeatowski]

Great update Jennifer, I'm so glad the Mino is working for you! How long will you need to take it? And will your mum be taking the same stool test/protocol?

I don't know what Frozen is, but your your tale reminded me of this: That her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale...
http://youtu.be/St6jyEFe5WM

 

[tara]

I don't know what Frozen is, ...

Hi TBP, Have you considered the possibility that you may be enduring a deficiency of YPC? I've got lots here to share, but it doesn't ship easily, so you really need a local supply. Most places have generous stocks readily available and accessible; some times you can even get paid to take it. It's time consuming, not always convenient, but generally very rewarding. The amount is important - too much when you don't have the resources to support it can be stressful, so may be good to start low.

 

[thebigpeatowski]

OMG...what on earth is YPC??? Yards Per Carry? I do not wish to relive the Superbowl ...especially since you are in New England

Running to Google "Frozen" and "YPC".....clearly my lack of Pop Culture is showing.

 

[tara]

Sorry for butting in on your story here Jennifer. :)

YPC=Young People's Company.
Frozen was a big hit movie that lots of them saw a year or so ago, somewhat inspired by old Snow Queen tales, including song 'Let it Go':

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk

Gee that was easy.

 

[Jennifer]

Great update Jennifer, I'm so glad the Mino is working for you! How long will you need to take it? And will your mum be taking the same stool test/protocol?

I don't know what Frozen is, but your your tale reminded me of this: That her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale...

Thanks, BP! I was on 100mg a day for a month, but I was still getting brain fog so she just upped me to 200mg a day at my last appointment on Tuesday. I'm now on the new dose for another month and will see where I stand when I'm done this round.

My mum was put on the Minocycline after seeing how well I've responded to it. So far, she's been on it for a few days and the diarrhea has already subsided greatly.

I love A Whiter Shade of Pale. The organ in it reminds me of when I was growing up. We had an organ in our basement adjacent to my dad's studio and I use to play on it for hours, almost daily.

But oh my, BP! You've really been missing out! I'll send my cousin's daughter over to you. The girl can really sing the heck out of Let It Go. Seriously though, Idina Menzel, the one singing Let It Go, is really good and the overall message of the movie is empowering.

Oh and no problem, tara! Thank you for helping to share Frozen with those not lucky enough to have been sung to, over and over again, by tiny adoring fans. LOL

 

[Jennifer]

So last Tuesday I had a doctor's appointment and when I walked into the office, I wasn't sure if I had entered the plague or a hippy convention. I was immediately hit with the aroma of ginger and clove. Now mind you, I like a nice cup of ginger lemon tea on a cold day, but this was like getting a smackdown from the Ginger Avenger. My nose was starting to tingle and I could feel the burn coming on.

It's a small office and they're very friendly with their patients so I asked what the ginger smell was and the staff excitedly replied "Oh, that's the Thieves! Doesn't it smell wonderful!? It'll kill anything!" Then they went on and on about how much they just love the smell of it and that they rub it on the bottoms of their feet at night so that they don't get sick. Apparently, they had an influx of sick people and one room had even been barricaded due to...well, I'm still not entirely sure what went down in that room, but I got the impression that a child displayed some impressive pyrotechnics. Little Van Gogh had made his mark on the walls, if you get my drift.

So I sat patiently waiting for the nurse to call me and noticed a diffuser sitting on the counter near the receptionist and I could see it puffing that thieves into the air. I had begun plotting a way to dismantle the thing when the nurse came and got me. Before reaching me, she had been frantically spraying mists of peppermint oil into the air and on surfaces. It hadn't dissipated completely by the time I got to her and my immediate reaction was "Oh, my eyes!" They were watering so bad from the burn. I had already lost my sense of smell entirely and now my vision too, but whatever was in that office had no chance of taking me down. I was germ-free on the inside (thank you Mino) and now on the outside too.

Anyhow, Dr. O upped my Minocycline dose to 100mg two times a day and it's been kicking my behind. I spent half the week sobbing in between nap sessions and these last three days I've felt very flu like. When I feel like this, the only foods that don't make me gag at the thought of eating them are saltines and bread. Oh man was I craving my beloved French bread veggie grinder from that little bakery I used to visit back in my refeeding days. They would serve it with this big salty pickle. That's when it struck me that it might actually be salt I was craving. So I decided to sip salt water like VoS had once recommended I try for nausea and since it worked like a charm the last time, I figured I'd give it a shot and it worked! Thank you, Mister VoS!

Tonight's songs...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UmTx9y7ePTg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a3HemKGDa ... YI1-4i2N7P

 

[thebigpeatowski]

Aaaah, Jennifer....you've chosen some KILLER tunes to accompany the bacterial/viral massacre at your doc's office. I'm sorry the Mino dose is kicking yer booty and I hope you bounce back soon!!!

http://youtu.be/NC9IfjEQXOA

 

[Jennifer]

Haha! You and I had the same thinking, BP! For my last log, I started writing about my current need to nap and feeling like I'm sleeping my life away, but I scrapped it because I figured who the heck wants to hear about my napping. My song lineup included this Talking Heads' masterpiece:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98AJUj-qxHI

 

[narouz]

So great you're feeling better, Jennifer!

So...haven't read your entire thread, but...
Dr. O...is she a specialist?
And did you order the Genova test through her?
(looks like that test can not be ordered privately, by a patient).

What was the name/number of the test you got?
"Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects Microbial Ecology Stool Profile - METAMETRIX KIT"...?

Sometimes lab tests can be ordered online by patients
because those online sites offer doctors who sign off/act as middle-men.
I wonder if this is true of Genova?
For example:
http://www.walkinlab.com/discount-p...-effects-microbial-ecology-stool-profile.html

I actually got my Nystatin in the mail a while back
but have been holding back myself
because HDD posted something that caused me to lose my nerve
but also because I began considering dumping the dollars for a Genova test.
Figured it would be nice to know if the test could show I had candida
before I blasted my colon with Nystatin and disturbed those or other possible findings.

Amazoniac kindly suggested this...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JB2GOFI/?tag=rapefo-20
...looks like a whole different kind of thing, the "pre-biotic" thing.
Have you tried it?

Did Genova or your doctor recommend any special diet?
I read you were not eating dairy for a while.

Finally, in researching Genova and testing in general, I came across this site.
They used to use the Genova test--probably the one you got--
but dropped it and now use 2 other tests.
It was interesting to me the differences in test results between the two tests.
http://scdlifestyle.com/2013/04/6-g...s-why-you-should-get-stool-testing-done-asap/
If you scroll down on that page
until you come to the Six Cases--Case 1, Case 2, etc--
they show the two tests they use.
These reflect their use until recently of the Genova test.
But check it out...how different the results are.

Hope you continue to eat like a linebacker.
Well...a Peatian linebacker, I guess. :)
Your inclusion of "Ramble On' somewhere recently
does indeed indicate a return to good musical health.

I am one happy girl tonight. Santa came through. He didn't bring me the parasite I asked for, but he did give me a nasty infection and that's good enough for me. I've been telling doctors for over 6 years now that I feel like I have an infection that I just can't seem to shake. After a few basic stool tests and an ill preformed SIBO test came back negative, I figured my intuition was off. But thanks to Amazoniac for mentioning the more comprehensive GI stool test, those little critters were uncovered, significant inflammation shown, along with malabsorption and a lack of "good" bacteria. There was no yeast overgrowth found so I say a big hallelujah that I dodged the Nystatin enema that was proposed in another thread. Oh lordy we are a creative bunch!

I'm starting minocycline tonight. The test gave a few antibiotic recommendations that work well to eliminate the strains of bad bacteria I'm dealing with and minocycline was one of the options. I knew which antibiotics Ray suggests so I went with that one and my doctor agreed it was the best option. This also explains my umm...great flood of blood. Ray has said many times that intestinal irritation/infections mess with hormones.

I feel vindicated! It wasn't just doctors who didn't believe me, but worse, friends. I lost really good friends because they were convinced I was starving myself and told me I'd be sorry when I was pulled out of my home in a body bag. They were wrong! I let them all speak their peace and kept my mouth shut. I did that my whole life up until I got hurt. You wouldn't know it by the novels I write, but I kept a lot of my thoughts and feeling to myself. After being abused, it came natural to me to stay silent. That's why writing this log has been a huge challenge for me to step outside my comfort zone by being quite honest, vulnerable and most terrifying, being heard. I tried my best to always blend in a group and go unnoticed. You're less likely to be hurt that way, or so I thought. Lucky for me, my disease set me free and you lovely people let me speak my peace. :)

I like to think that this is why this forum was created. To help each other in finding our own path to health. I feel very blessed to have access to this forum and all the knowledge that is held within it. You guys have been awesome in supporting me in getting my life back, perhaps even one beyond my wildest dreams. And even something as simple as a song left for me, has helped lift my spirits when I really needed it most. I'm a lucky girl to have people like you who care.

So we shall see what becomes of my gut. I'm being hopeful. My doctor's plan is to kill off the bad bugs, then go back in and repopulate the good ones. In a Ray perspective, should I be looking to repopulate bacteria and if so, how? I've taken really good probiotics before only to end up with an even worse rash on my face so I'm not sure which route to take.

In honor of bugs everywhere, I present you with tonight's songs from the movie Beetle Juice. Get Shaking!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AQXVHITd1N4

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ic87SfqQAAM

 

[narouz]

OMG...what on earth is YPC??? Yards Per Carry? I do not wish to relive the Superbowl ...especially since you are in New England

Running to Google "Frozen" and "YPC".....clearly my lack of Pop Culture is showing.

Yard Per Carry is how I was interpreting her,
what with her mention of "eating like a linebacker"...
in a football universe.

 

[Jennifer]

So great you're feeling better, Jennifer!
So...haven't read your entire thread, but...
Dr. O...is she a specialist?
And did you order the Genova test through her?
(looks like that test can not be ordered privately, by a patient).

Thanks, narouz! :)

Dr. O is a regular GP with a holistic bent. I did have to order the test through her, yes.

What was the name/number of the test you got?
"Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects Microbial Ecology Stool Profile - METAMETRIX KIT"...?

Here's the link to the exact test I did:

https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects- ... stool-test

Sometimes lab tests can be ordered online by patients
because those online sites offer doctors who sign off/act as middle-men.
I wonder if this is true of Genova?
For example:
http://www.walkinlab.com/discount-p...-effects-microbial-ecology-stool-profile.html

Honestly, I'm not sure. You could contact Genova to see, but from what I experienced, I'm thinking you have to get it through your doctor. I had a nightmare of a time trying to get the price of the test. My insurance wouldn't cover it and in order to take it, I of course had to pay Genova upfront. However, I couldn't do that without a price and my doctor didn't have it. I tried contacting Genova for pricing and they told me I had to get it from my doctor. So almost a month went by before my doctor finally had the price for me so I could take the test.

I actually got my Nystatin in the mail a while back
but have been holding back myself
because HDD posted something that caused me to lose my nerve
but also because I began considering dumping the dollars for a Genova test.
Figured it would be nice to know if the test could show I had candida
before I blasted my colon with Nystatin and disturbed those or other possible findings.

Yeah, I don't blame you. I'd say, if you're dealing with some nasty digestive issues then the test would probably be beneficial so you know exactly what it is you're dealing with. You could end up spending a lot of mental energy and money with special products, supplements ect. and still not find relief because of targeting the wrong thing.

Amazoniac kindly suggested this...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JB2GOFI/?tag=rapefo-20
...looks like a whole different kind of thing, the "pre-biotic" thing.
Have you tried it?

Amazoniac is a gem. :) He kindly suggested the Prescript Assist for me too. I haven't tried it yet. I've just been following my cravings and so far, I seem to be doing well with that approach.

Did Genova or your doctor recommend any special diet?
I read you were not eating dairy for a while.

Dr. O told me to eat whatever I tolerate and that she'll tackle repopulating my gut after I'm done the Minocycline.

I quit dairy because it would give me a facial rash, but since taking the minocycline, I've had plenty of dairy without a reoccurrence of the rash.

Finally, in researching Genova and testing in general, I came across this site.
They used to use the Genova test--probably the one you got--
but dropped it and now use 2 other tests.
It was interesting to me the differences in test results between the two tests.
http://scdlifestyle.com/2013/04/6-g...s-why-you-should-get-stool-testing-done-asap/
If you scroll down on that page
until you come to the Six Cases--Case 1, Case 2, etc--
they show the two tests they use.
These reflect their use until recently of the Genova test.
But check it out...how different the results are.

Yeah, I actually came across that very same SCD article before I decided on doing the GI Effects test. In it, they mention that they like that the BioHealth pathogen screen test uses stool samples taken each day for three days. This was why I gathered 3 days of stool samples instead of just the one day. Genova gives you the option of doing either one.

All in all, I'm happy with the test and so far the results from the Minocycline Genova recommended for my particular infection have been good. Though, in order to not feel nauseous and stop the vomiting, this linebacker has had to move away from some of the Peaty diet staples and add in other foods. I'm thinking of keeping this dietary shift as it's done wonders for my mood and dance moves.

 

[narouz]

Amazoniac is a gem. :) He kindly suggested the Prescript Assist for me too. I haven't tried it yet. I've just been following my cravings and so far, I seem to be doing well with that approach.

I read a review or analysis of it somewhere recently.
It was very interesting to me
because (so went the review)
it is a probiotic and a prebiotic.
I haven't paid close attention to the distinction.
But the gist I read about with the prebiotic portion of the product
is that it is like 30 different soil-based bacteria.
And it is speculated that
those bacteria aren't expected to take up residency
but rather to drift through and cause helpful reactions....

 

[thebigpeatowski]

Gasp!!! I had NO idea you were vomiting Jennifer!!! How'd I miss that? I'm jumping for joy that you can eat dairy with NO rash, it's so good for your bones.

 

[Jennifer]

Amazoniac is a gem. :) He kindly suggested the Prescript Assist for me too. I haven't tried it yet. I've just been following my cravings and so far, I seem to be doing well with that approach.

I read a review or analysis of it somewhere recently.
It was very interesting to me
because (so went the review)
it is a probiotic and a prebiotic.
I haven't paid close attention to the distinction.
But the gist I read about with the prebiotic portion of the product
is that it is like 30 different soil-based bacteria.
And it is speculated that
those bacteria aren't expected to take up residency
but rather to drift through and cause helpful reactions....

Yeah, I'll be honest, I really have no clue what to think of probiotics/prebiotics. I've used a soil based probiotic in the past and it exasperated the rash I had on my face terribly. It got so bad that I had to stop taking it. So far, I haven't come across anyone mentioning this happening to them so this makes me quite weary of taking another probiotic.

I don't know, in all my life, I've never dealt with such a nightmare of gut bacteria. This has been crazy!

 

[Jennifer]

Gasp!!! I had NO idea you were vomiting Jennifer!!! How'd I miss that? I'm jumping for joy that you can eat dairy with NO rash, it's so good for your bones.

Yeah, that second 100mg of Mino made me so sick I couldn't log. I'll try to get that done tonight. Let's just say it ended with me giving in and eating vegetable fried rice and beef teriyaki and questioning if I want to continue done the Peaty path.

And thank you! I'm one happy camper the rash doesn't come back with dairy. :)