Martha

[Guest guest]

Thanks Martha, I appreciate you picking up on that and looking into it for me. I have read that you should never supplement with iron unless you have a definate deficiency but thats the only thing I've read. I will try to do a search as well. Thanks again for the heads up. Jackie

----- Original Message -----

From: MARTHA

Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 2:51 PM

Subject: Re: Patty

Hi Jackie,

I will have to contact my Internist / Cardiologist to find out the reasons why he told me to NEVER take anything containing iron -- as I really don't remember, however, I remember he was very adament about this! My Internist is also a Board Certified Cardiologist, who has treated over 1000 breast implant ladies in the DFW area. He does believe in alternative medicine, therefore the reason why I and many others have gone through antioxidant IV therapy with him. I had to go for over 2+ years to get to the point where I could tolerate enough vitamin C orally, and I continue to have to go back for a few "jump-starts" each year.

As soon as I find out about the iron, I will let you know, however, I do know anything containing 'iron' is a defininte "No-No" with him. Possibly, this is because of the metals already in our body?

Blessings,

MM / NSIF

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant FoundationDallas, Texas Headquarters

-----Original Message-----From: Jackie <poopie@...> < >Date: Friday, February 09, 2001 11:22 PMSubject: Re: Patty

Hi Patty, I'm happy to hear you are not feeling depressed any longer. When you described the brain fog as having a head full of cotton I can identify with that. I also lose my train of thought very easy and unless I have an attentive listener, I'm lost and have to admit it to save face. I hope that will change once I have the operation. Food reactions/sensitivities definately bring this on for me as well. For me, I describe them as almost 'flu like' symptoms. I hope you get this narrowed down or eliminated soon Patty. You've been dealing with this for some time now. At least your energy is much better than it was before.

The depression started lifting about Thurs Feb 1, because I started getting more energy and each day has just improved incredibly. We did get our insulation in last Saturday and what a difference it has made in keeping the heat in the house. It took us 5 hrs to complete that task and then we moved my son and then took the couple out for dinner that helped us all day. Whew! I rested all day Sunday and knew that I overdid it. Each day this week tho I have gotten up with a bit more energy and breezed thru my day with not much effort. I am walking about 2 miles a day on my lunch break and look forward to that. I've been eating pretty healthy but ya know why I think this is. I started experimenting with SAM-e 2 weeks ago with just one pill a day to allow my body to adjust and then I increased to 3 pills a day and just felt wonderful with increased energy and happiness, overall wellbeing. I have run out of SAM-e now and have had to go back to SJW because Canada doesn't allow SAM-e across the border. The only way I can get it is to go across the line and smuggle it and that might not be so bad but the exchange rate is horrendous. I have added iron supplements, folic acid, chromium with vanadium, & potassium. I also take alot of vit c and antioxidants, silymarin & evening primrose oil so I don't know for sure if it was the SAM-e that is solely responsible for the mood lift or if it was the combination but I'm sure we'll soon find out.

Yes the stress load we tend to put on ourselves can be pretty horrendous to say the least. I'm doing my best to stay positive and have to admit that its been pretty darned easy this past week with the increased energy. I just hope I can maintain this level and keep improving day by day. Thanks for asking Patty. I will check back soon. Take care, Jackie

From: Patty

Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 11:06 AM

Subject: Re: Patty

Hi Jackie!

Did you get all your attic insulation in????

How are you doing now? I hope your depression is lifting. I had a bout of it recently, as a result of some stress and drinking some coffee, a big no-no for me, but thankfully, it has lifted now. I do think it is all related to the stress in our lives, as well as wrong eating. It really felt like a major chemical imbalance. You are going through a very stressful period right now, waiting for your surgery date to be pinpointed, and I know how hard it is to wait. Just focus on happy thoughts and try to get some sunshine and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. I didn't do that enough when I should have.

As for the brain fog, that has been one symptom that is really, really hard to describe. I have used so many different terms for it, but for me the best way to describe it is "spacey". I feel like my brain is floating separately from my body, and I find it harder to concentrate on things. My head feels like it is stuffed full of cotton balls instead of hard working brain cells. It is harder to have full, meaningful converstations, and is much easier to just be still and quiet, although everyone around me sees me as acting normal. I want to sort of zone out instead of snapping to it. It feels like my head is inflamed, or something chemically is wrong inside there. It is not a headache, but just a feeling of weirdness that I don't know if anyone can understand unless they have had it themselves. As a matter of fact, I have it right now, and I am not very happy about that!

I have alot of energy and am doing OK that way. But when the brain fog hits, (and it does "hit" and come on fairly quickly), it just makes me go into slow motion and want to chill out for awhile, although I can force myself to do things. I just would rather not! It usually hits about an hour after a meal, or later in the afternoon, but hasn't been happening as often lately.

I am pretty convinced that the brain fog is a result of allergic reaction to foods, and to hormonal fluctuations associated with menstruation. I almost always get brain fog after eating chocolate, corn, B-vitamins by pill, and I am still trying to figure out which other foods do it to me. Usually, high saturated fat foods, or deep fried foods, which I almost totally avoid with an occasional slip here and there.

There was a recent posting about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from Ilena that had a description of the brain fog in it, and I was going yes, yes, yes, that is it, somebody knows about this! I need to review that article again.

I have heard that the liver flush can really help with allergies. I have done it a couple of times, and it isn't so bad.

Take care, I really pray that you hear about the medical insurance soon.

Let us know!

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Jackie

Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 7:28 AM

Subject: Patty

Thanks Patty. I know, it is baffling to have to wait so long but I think its all that beaurocratic crap of paper pushing that takes our government forever to get thru. I did call Sue (the recept at my PS's office) and asked her what it would cost me to pay for the surgery. She told me $1250.00 but advised that I wait for the medical insurance to approve it and I guess that is my feeling also right now. She said that I could be looking at surgery at the end of March.

I did some more research last Wed night regarding SAM-e for depression and found some other supplement recommendations that would help with the depression and energy. Since I had them in my cupboard I started taking them on Thurs and I don't know if they would improve things that quickly or if it was all in my head but I actually had energy Thurs and Fri. I've been sticking really close to a sugar-free and yeast-free diet and I know that has helped as well. I'm taking SAM-e right now and have for a week but have stepped it up to 3 tablets a day instead of the one I was doing prior to Thurs to let my system adjust to it as recommended. The lousy part is that Canada had banned it off the shelf so if I want to stay on it I have to cross the line and buy it in Washington. St 's Wort has been helpful in the past but since I had the SAM-e here I thought I'd use it. The worst for me is the depression, it seems to sap me of all strength and energy. With the strict diet and supplements, I figure if I can slowly detox my body before the surgery maybe the recovery will be smooth sailing so I am trying to stay positive about the long wait.

Are you still having trouble with your energy as well? How's your head doing? Still foggy? When you all talked about being foggy I didn't think I could relate to it. I have known for a long time now that my memory is poor but what I am especially aware of right now is that when I read or learn something, that info seems to drift off into a fog in my brain and I have to try real hard to remember it and lots of time I don't. I have to write everything down and have for a long time but lately moreso. Is that what you all mean with brain fog?

Well, today we are putting insulation in our attic so I guess I had better get off my butt and get things started. Yuch! I'd rather be sewing or reading or maybe something fun. lol See ya all later and have a great weekend. Jackie