And medicine finds nothing

[LBTC]

Hi, everyone!

Well, I've had very few rides in the last few weeks. I've dropped out of the two races I was going to do.

I've been tested for a barage of ailments, and all of my tests read normal. (edit: for those who missed the earlier thread...I keep getting sick this training season)

There's only the stool sample and a follow-up urine sample to go...(fun, right?)

When I saw the homeopathic practitioner, she kind of scared me. But she did see a digestive problem that would be a contributor. Told me to stop taking almost all of my supplements, drink ginger root tea (the real stuff, not the bagged stuff), take this stuff called USNEA and Royal Jelly....and to stop eating bran and use ground flax seeds instead. Day two of having all of that going on and....well...I'm not loving it but I'll definitely give it a try for a few weeks. I'm surprised that my energy level hasn't gone completely rock bottom, but it's not all that high, either.

Have any of you tried any of these supplements / remedies before? Any thoughts? How did they feel to you?

This week I expect to have one or two really stressful days - I may have to work quite late, so I don't expect to be able to ride...at least not a lot. Wednesday I plan to ride with the gang, and hope that I make it through that alright. heh. I'll keep you posted.

Keep well, everyone,

Namaste,
~T~

[neuroticcyclist]

My father in law was very depleted during chemo and was given royal jelly for energy and it seemed to perk him up. I had looked the stuff up and found out that it is the food eaten by the queen bee!

[Justina]

You said you had to drop out of a couple races... I used to teach aerobics and your story reminds me of overtraining and perhaps a mild case of pnumonia. When I first started to teach I worked soooo... hard and kept getting sick (it was very frustrateing) turned out the problem was a combination of the two.

[RoadRaven]

LB, I'm like Justina... I'm wondering about over-training too... even with rest days in a week, sometimes the body wants a complete break and you might find taking a week off completely is just as helpful as anything else.

Keep us posted about the change in diet/supplements. I find that kind of thing very interesting.

[Surlygirl]

I use flax seed. If you can, buy the seeds whole and store them in the fridge because they will go bad quickly otherwise. I bought a pepper mill this week and I put the seeds in that and store in the fridge. I grind them on yogurt, fruit, cereal whatever. They have to be ground. Good for your heart.
Sorry your not well. Sometimes the solution isn't always easy to find.

[LBTC]

Thank you all, once again for your generous support! It's great to hear your ideas and to bounce my ideas off of all of you!

here's what I've found so far: The usnea tincture is fairly unpleasant to take, but not horrible. I don't know what exactly it's supposed to do, but I don't seem to have any negative response to it.

The ground flax seeds are easy. I've actually started putitng them in my cat's food too (hyperthyroid and mild kidney issues). 2 tablespoons on my cereal in the morning, another tablespoon with whatever later in the day.

the royal jelly is horrible. those vials are most disgusting! but, once it's down and the taste is gone from my mouth, there are no negative problems. It is very expensive. If I can find some alternative to it, I'd be quite happy.

the ginger root tea is curious. I know I've made it correctly (sliced ginger root placed in boiling water and simmered for at least 20 minutes), and it tastes just fine to me. Unfortunately, it burns - from my esophogus through my stomach, it burns for about 1/2 hour or so. It's like heartburn, sort of.

Have any of you drank ginger root tea before? Has anyone else experienced this burning sensation? oh, and that seems to be accompanied by a sort of light-headedness....anyone?

If no others have experienced this, it makes me wonder if my real problem is an allergy to ginger (something I'd thought I'd had a long time ago after a bite into ginger made my tongue go numb). It certainly would explain a lot!! With each onset of each new "cold" or "flu" I've increased my ginger intake: nibbling on crystalized ginger, drinking store bought ginger tea, adding crystalized ginger to my banana bread, making soup with loads of garlic and freshly grated ginger.

What do you think? Any chance of that?

As for overtraining - well, it's been about a month since I've done anything close to training. So, over the next few weeks I'll try to bring myself up to a level where I think starting makes sense (at least 2 rides in a week, plus one other workout), and see how that goes. I"ll keep you posted and thank you all for all the support and ideas!!

Namaste,
~T~

[Deanna]

Hi, everyone!
When I saw the homeopathic practitioner, she kind of scared me. But she did see a digestive problem that would be a contributor. Told me to stop taking almost all of my supplements, drink ginger root tea (the real stuff, not the bagged stuff), take this stuff called USNEA and Royal Jelly....and to stop eating bran and use ground flax seeds instead.

I'm familiar with homeopathics (I worked for a homeopathic pharmaceutical company for 5+ years), and this sounds like something prescribed by a naturapath, not a homepath. Most homeopathic remedies end in a number and a letter, for example Usnea 10X or 6C and need to be taken when your mouth is "clean" as the remedies are extremely dilute and can easily be counteracted. If your not seeing results (though usnea is indicated for headaches in the Materia Medica), make sure you ingest nothing but water for 20 minutes before or after your dosage. It can be very time consuming to find the exact (and they are very specific) homeopathic remedy for what ails you, but when you do it's AMAZINGLY effective.

[LBTC]

Thanks for the info, Deanna!

I called her a homeopathic practitioner. In fairness, I don't know what she calls herself. During the consultation she spoke a lot about homeopathy, however the diagnosis was based on my answers to her questions and a look at my irises..and the usnea is clearly labeled as a herbal dietary supplement.

I've had one full day ginger-free and last night I already felt more like me!! Now, if I can manage a couple of days without cheese, too......hmmmmm

The rain here is wicked, so tonight it's kickboxing, not riding. It's still something... which is better than nothing!!

Wish me luck and thank you!
~T~

[CorsairMac]

funny - you've been on my mind today! Good to hear you feel better after a day without ginger....as for the cheese - I have a friend who is allergic to dairy. Everytime she eats it she gets a little tickle cough. Now she Knows she's not supposed to eat dairy, but she's decided in her world that a tickle cough is worth her having cream in her coffe or cheese with her food. I guess it's just a matter of what you're willing to tolerate in order to have something you want.

[LBTC]

Aw, so nice to know you're thinking of little ole' me!!

The day has been good! Funny how what would have been a slightly better than average energy day for me 5 months ago is now a fantastic day! I feel great!

I can't believe that I still have some energy left! yahoo!

Kickboxing was great. I need to eat earlier, though...some of those pushups were HARD! heehee

I've struggled since I got home trying to think of what to eat without cheese....I'm microwaving a potato and boiling eggs and I'll have some mushrooms and peppers on the side. that should do me!

Day 2 without ginger and the folks at work have noticed a difference. Apparently, I didn't look as grey today. yay!

And, yeah, I agree. If you know just what the allergy is, and all that it does, you may be able to tolerate it sometimes in moderation, in order to enjoy your favourite things. It's all about joy, right?

I feel so lucky to be part of this forum! you gals are amazing!

Namaste,
~T~

[CorsairMac]

can you tolerate tofu?.....you can use that was a cheese substitute. There are also cheeses made with alternatives, my problem is they all have casien (sp) which is a milk byproduct so they're no go for me.

[oroight]

[QUOTE=LBTC]Hi, everyone!

Well, I've had very few rides in the last few weeks. I've dropped out of the two races I was going to do.

I've been tested for a barage of ailments, and all of my tests read normal. (edit: for those who missed the earlier thread...I keep getting sick this training season)

Hi LBTC
lm sorry lm just I just have to ask,,,

Did your doc test for celiac disease ?,-when you can't tolerate gluten,
fatigue,headaches,bloating are just a few of the symptoms you mentioned ?
Gluten is in wheat oats rye barley and is in lots and lots of processed foods too?
Or maybe your allergic to wheat?
best luck with your health
oroight

[CorsairMac]

LBTC: they do make soy cheese, and rice cheese and I can't remember the others. You could try any of those for your "cheese needs"!

[RoadRaven]

[QUOTE=oroight]

Hi, everyone!

Well, I've had very few rides in the last few weeks. I've dropped out of the two races I was going to do.


oroight

Welcome to the forums, oroight
You road race?

[oroight]

[QUOTE=RoadRaven]

Welcome to the forums, oroight
You road race?

Thanks RoadRaven
Nah l dont race,
but l wish l had the road skills to try it!! l bet its a buzz Whats it like??