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Hi everyone,
It has been awhile since I've posted but here goes. I had my first phone call with DR. B two weeks ago today and although my BM's are still not qute there, she increased my superdophilis from 1 cap/meal to 2 caps/meal. After taking it twice and experiencing hot burning down the inside of both legs which I quickly mentioned to her, she decreased it down to 1.5 caps/meal until I speak with her again in about 2.5 weeks. She also mentioned that I should consider trying goat yogurt. I should be excited, right? I mean, being that I'm officially close to 2 months having started under her care and all. But I'm scared to because... my bowels/IBS. I have been doing well for the most part (I would say abouy 60% better), however, I feel like I'm not quite there yet both mentally and physcially to give it a try. However, I am ready to try it I want to ask those before me which brand you have tried and what your experiences were with it. The other question I have is, does it have to be plain goat yogurt or can it be a fruit flavor? I noticed when I went to the health food store, Sprouts, here in San Diego, that the greek goat yogurt they carry (can't recall the name brand right now), has over 20grams of sugar!! And that is the least amount of sugar in PLAIN yougurt, the rest have more. Any thoughts on this? I thought sugar wasnt good for us....at least not yet?? Soo I'm a tad confused about it. Dont get me wrong, I like sugar but I dare not risk having a flare as it has been quite hornestly 2 months since I last experienced a flare up and I'd like to keep it that way. I was seriously tempted to eat a small snickers from my son's Halloween candy but I was vey proud that I didnt (a huge victory in my book). I know at some point I'm going to have to croass paths with trying the yougurt and not live in fear but I'm not sure I'm ready yet, mentally, since its dairy. Not to mention (and here goes my next question), what does PLAIN goat yogurt taste like? It's super expensive and didnt want to spend the $$ until I ask for input since you cant return it (at least I would feel weird about returning it).
As far as the rest, well, with Matia's permission, I can now drink camomile tea. Yay! I had it today and no symptons. I can live with that. Plus, avocado (no burning) so I eat that occasionally. Mentally, I have improved dramtically and I hope it keeps going. No depression since 3 weeks. I mention this because I know that there are a few newbies on this site that are on the fence about starting this. I was there two months ago, feeling like my life is over and that I wanted to give up. Fortunately, my parents, brother and cousin have been my support group. My cousiin told me that unless you commit 110% to this and change your mind about giving up in life, then dont see her. I chose this for me, for my son. And I am happy and at peace with this decisioin. I started Diet 1 before I saw Dr. B, and I can honestly tell you that I thank God every day that I found Dr. Brizman. I was a skeptic before but the ladies here before me validated as to why I should and so I never have looked back. Don't get me wrong, I know that I have a long road to go, but the progress I have made to sticking to her diet 1 for two months, I can live now a somewhat normal life. That alone is progress and grateful for seeing her and making this decision.
Sorry for being a tad long winded but I felt inclined to share my progress to those that are scared about committing. I know that the financial part is difficult but as others have stated, if you can put it on a credit card, do so. Or, cut corncers elsewhere to save up to see her.
Goat Yogurt
Hello Adriane
I have been in treatment since the middle of April. My symptoms mild bladder issues, but very severe heartburn issues from severe yeast overgrowth issues related to IBS that probably lead to leaky gut syndrome leading to this wonderful disease. I also reacted terrible to dairy products because of my IBS, within minutes of eating dairy I would be most likey be running to the bathroom with abdominal cramping and diarrhea. When I started treatment I was eating my puffed rice cereal with spring water only, so not getting my needed protein for my morning meal. I have been pretty much on list one, with the exception of avoccado, since the end of Febuary when I found this site. It wasn't until July, Dr. B suggested I try goat yogurt, since I am not a huge fan of eggs and could not see myself eating them every morning for breakfast. I never would eat yogurt before first off because of my reaction to dairy, and couldn't handle the texture. After 5 months of not getting to change my diet, I was just so excited to try something new, even it was yogurt, something I never would have imagined getting excited over.
Dr. B told me that goat yogurt is much gentler to digest than cow products and most people don't have reactions to goat yogurt because of this. She also said that it had to be plain yogurt with no extra sugar added. All dairy products naturally have sugar in them, so cannot avoid. I live in the Midwest and we only have one option to choose from as far as goat products goes. I eat plain Natural Redwood Hill Farm. If you have ever eaten greek yogurt it has a similar sour taste like that. I too was apprehensive to buy it because of the cost and fear I would react to it, not like the taste and be mad the I wasted my money on it. I add my puffed rice with about 4 oz of yogurt and I have actually come to enjoy the taste, probably more because I treasure the simple things that I can have off of list one. No clue when I will be able to move on to adding more things, but am hopeful I will turn the corner sooner than later!:)
I suggest buying just a little container first, and adding maybe just half of that to some sort of cereal you can tolerate. The crunch of the cereal makes it more enjoyable, not as enjoyable I am sure as adding fruit, but some day we can jump for joy for this achievement!
Best wishes to everyone and happy healing!
What kind of rice cereal do
Cprince, what kind of rice cereal do you use? I was looking at making it myself last night, but didn't figure it out. All commercial cereals have sugar and other stuff that we cannot have.
cereal
Blondy,
I eat organic rice puffs made by Nature's Path. It has no added ingredients just organic brown rice. They also make it is kamut and millet puffs. I find it in the gluten free section at our Whole Foods and at other natural food stores. Pretty boring, but okay for list 1.:)
Adriane- That is such a
Adriane-
That is such a great post. I am so happy for you! I'd kill to eat some goat yogurt but I understand you being scared. Remember even if you do flare a bit- Dr b can help you.I'd give it a try!
Thanks ladies!
CPrince,
Yep, this is the brand which I saw at the store. Thanks for your candid feedback. Once I'm ready I will give it a try. You were able to answer more of my questions : ) Another question since you mentioned you have IBS. When did you start to see improvement on your IBS once you started treatment? What supplements did she have you on and did you feel an immediate improvement?
Deir,
How are you? I have been thinking about you and wondering if you are feeling better since your posts last week sounded like you werent feeling too well. Thank you for the support. I think I will wait to try in a week (after my period which starts on Monday). I dont want to throw in anything else into the mix yet as my periods alone need to stablize and I dont need the added issues.
Hears to everyone feeling heatlhy this weekend.
IBS
Adriane,
I saw improvements within the first couple of months of treatment, as far as the intense cramping and bouts of diarrhea go. I am having more issues with the constipation side of things going only every couple of days now and that awful constant bloated feeling. I still have the occasional diarrhea, but only occurs 1-2x/month. Dr. B and I have had to constantly switch my protocol. I don't seem to be tolerating the herbs too well, so the only thing that has stayed pretty consistant is taking probiotics: mega, bif, and digestalac. Occasional tweeking in how much of each I take. Currently, I am waiting for rehmanniae peonniae to arrive to add this in. Crossing my fingers that my body will tolerate ok. Progress like it sounds for many of us is slow, up and down, but as far as I can tell in the right direction.:)
I agree with you and what your cousin had said. I knew I couldn't keep going on the path I was on, in fear, anxious, and pain consuming my life. It is well worth the cost and drastic lifestyle changes to become healthy. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it, life with less pain and uncertainty, and the dream of being blessed with having children at the end of all this!
Best wishes with trying the yogurt when you are ready!:)
IBS
Just chipping in on the IBS subject (one that's dear to my heart!). Mine has dramatically improved in the last month - my fifth of treatment. No longer have weeks on end of diarrhea, which makes everything MUCH better. Helps my bladder too as I would get terrible burning after diarrhea which would take hours to subside. Solid BMs now, hurrah! And I'm on 2xmega, 2x siberian ginseng and 1/2 a bif 3x a day, and just adding in digestilac now (tried with 1/2 per dose, but got burning, so now on just 1/4 a day!)