Long-time readers of this blog know that I have struggled with food intolerances including dairy and soy. Recently I gave up gluten to see if that was the problem, but when it didn’t seem to make that much of a difference, I put it back in my diet.
Symptoms I Have
For the last year, I have known that something was wrong with me. After I had my last child, my hair started falling out. The doctor assured me that it was just the typical hair shedding that happens after pregnancy. But a year later, the hair was still falling out.
Then, my body started tingling all over at random times, which prompted my physician to test me for thyroid problems. It turned out I had low thyroid levels, so I was put on thyroid medication. I have been on that medication for a year now, and even though the doctor said that was probably the cause of my hair loss, the hair is still falling out. Even my hair dresser noticed and said something about it. Luckily, I was blessed with a full, thick head of hair. After two years of constant hair loss, I would say the volume has diminished by about 50%, which means I just have a normal head of hair now. 🙂
In addition, since my youngest was 4 months old, I have had chronic diarrhea. (Sorry if it is TMI.) At first, my doctor determined it was dairy, so I went off dairy and was fine for a few months, until it started again. Then she thought it was soy, so I went off soy. I was fine for a few more months, and then EVERYTHING made me sick. When I complained to my doctor, she said it was no longer a medical problem, and I just needed to decide how much I wanted to restrict my diet. Keep in mind, she had run no tests to see if any of these guesses were really the problem.
About a year ago, I also began experiencing numbness in my face at random times. The doctor determined it was acid reflux and prescribed Prevacid. I was better, unless I went off the Prevacid. Within the last two months, though, I have begun to feel that my throat was closing up on me at random times. The doctor assured me it was just the reflux. Though it was extremely uncomfortable at times and made me panic a bit, it always went away after a few hours.
Not satisfied with my doctor’s dismissal of my symptoms, I went to a pain and wellness doctor. The first thing he ordered was a stool sample. While it was a bit annoying to wait 6 weeks for the results, I was surprised by them.
The Surprising Results of My Test
When I went to see the wellness doctor, he walked in with 3 interns, and I immediately freaked out. I felt like a lab specimen, but luckily, it wasn’t that bad.
There were several problems he saw:
Yeast—I tested as high as a person can for yeast in the intestines. The doctor seemed to think this was the main issue. When I researched it further, I discovered that excess yeast can cause thyroid problems and reflux problems. It can also cause intolerances and allergies.
Diminished pancreas functioning—Apparently the pancreas is supposed to excrete enzymes which aid with digestion, and mine doesn’t do that very well, which makes it difficult for my body to digest food.
Inability to absorb fat—The doctor said that my body basically can’t handle any fat and gets rid of it all. So, while I was proud that my cholesterol was down to 172 at my last physical, it might not have been so much my diet but the fact that my body can’t absorb fat. Because I can’t break down and absorb any fat, my body has trouble getting vitamins.
What’s Next?
I took a nutritional panel to see what nutrients I am deficit in. (Based on my scaly skin and hair loss, I would say quite a few.) The results for that will come back in October.
Conquer the yeast—I am now on an anti-yeast diet, which means I can’t have any fruit, fibers or starchy vegetables. No sugar or sweetners either. The only thing I can drink is water and herbal tea, and my diet will be primarily meats and vegetables. It is restrictive for sure, but I feel empowered that I am finally able to make a change that will improve my health. The new motto is “Kill the yeast!”. I will also take medication in a few days to help kill the yeast.
Take digestive enzymes—I was also given digestive enzymes to supply what my pancreas can’t currently supply so I will be better able to digest my food.
Take an intolerance and allergy test—Later in the fall, when things settle down, I will take an intolerance/allergy test. I may have the dairy and soy intolerance, or maybe (hopefully) my reaction to that food was just a matter of being unable to digest fat.
I don’t know that the yeast is the entire problem, but I am happy to finally feel like we are on our way to finding out the cause of the problem. I look forward to feeling normal again, and I am so happy that I went with my instinct and sought out another doctor when my own doctor dismissed my symptoms.
Have you had intestinal yeast overgrowth? Were you able to successfully treat it?
I did not have a yeast build up but after baby #4 I too had some of the same problems but when they tested my thyroid it was totally normal. I went to several specialist and they finally ended up putting me on meds for diabetic neuropthapy (tingling in the hands and feet that made it hard to stand and hold things. Had to leave my job which I loved because of it). This did help for a while then it came back worse. Finally my husband and I prayed about it and I went to Denver to see a hollistic doc. He took one look and said my thyroid was off. He took the blood test just to make sure but his was way more involved. Sure enough I had low thyriod and he put me on a natural supplement and in 3 months I was back to normal.
Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. So glad they have found what was making you feel bad. I know that for me I would not have cared what it was as long as they found something to fix. The not knowing is way worse.
I am glad yours is under control, Heather. Sorry about the job you had to give up, but at least you are feeling back to normal. I can’t wait to feel that way again. 🙂
It all work out in the end because I ended up having #4 and staying home the whole time. The first day you feel normal will be great. I would think “wow now I have the energy the ids have.” Praying that you feel great soon.
Thank you for your prayers. I can’t wait to feel like that, and I am glad you feel like yourself again, especially with 4 little ones!
Wow, Melissa – I could have written that post. I have had SO many similar symptoms. I’m having a colonoscopy in a few weeks to rule out that… but I’m going to ask my endo to check for the other issues you mentioned.
Good luck. You know how miserable it is. I hope everything comes out fine with your colonoscopy. I had one a year ago, so that is something we don’t have to rule out. If you find out something different, please let me know.
I am so glad it is working out for you. It’s frustrating not feeling well. I hope all of it resolves with the tweaking of the enzymes and meds. You’ll be in my prayers for sure.
Thank you. I am hoping this is the solution too.
I read your post yesterday and I have some thoughts to share with you from my experiences.
First I completely agree with getting second opinions for all medical issues, including dental.
I learned many years ago that the thyroid blood test that family doctors request is not nearly as accurate as the ones that the wellness doctor asks for, but you already know that. I took a more accurate one here in Canada 5 years ago that cost me $300.
So a couple of other questions (if you already mentioned these then I just missed them).
Have you had your hormones tested by the wellness doctor?
Are you taking a daily potent Probiotic pill?
I know you are open to experiementing with your diet. Have you tried the Primal diet or the Paleo diet?
The Primal Diet is very similar to the diet you described above. It revolves around meat. Check out this very informative site:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com
Paleo is found on many sites as well. This one is quite informattive:
http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/
Both diets are very popular (not fad diets) and were designed to help all of us with all these health issues that we are experiencing.
And when it comes to life and death, please try not to spend too much time in the what if chair… I’ve spent too much time there and it didn’t benefit me at all. Instead it just builds up more stress in the body which makes us more unhealthy.
I know things will all work out for you. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions. My regular doctor checked my hormone levels, and they came back normal. I haven’t taken a probiotic. So far, I went on this anti-yeast diet, and in a few days I will take the prescription he gave me to wipe out the yeast. The Dr. did tell me that I had healthy levels of the good bacteria. Funny you should mention Paleo because I looked into that a few months ago when I went off gluten. I think that would be a diet that would work well considering my issues. I appreciate the links and will check them out. Do you follow the Paleo diet? Just curious, and if so, how does it work for you?
Melissa,
Have you looked at/considered The Wheat Belly Diet? I know giving up gluten is along the same lines. I hope you are feeling better soon.
M
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t looked into this but will check it out next time we are at the library.