Round two with Dr. Khosh

[clevermanka]

I met with Dr. Khosh yesterday afternoon to get the results of my full panel food allergy test. Guess who's allergic to coffee beans, blueberries, cranberries, sesame seeds, mushrooms, and eggs? THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE. I'm also slightly sensitive to tomatoes. Because I haven't eaten dairy or grains in months (years?), those didn't show up on the allergen test, but they showed in the smaller-range panel that Dr. Pickell ran last year, so I'm assuming nothing there has changed. I'm okay with duck eggs in small quantities, so I'm gonna try making mayonnaise with those. But eggs as a meal are off the menu.

At least I'm not allergic to meat.

For those who want a more technical breakdown, I showed IgA antibodies to coffee beans, blueberries, cranberries, sesame seeds, and mushrooms. The eggs spiked on the IgG panel. IgA reactions are an attack on the gut (like celiac), while IgG reactions are mucous-membrane allergens. Some people believe IgG allergies can be treated and those foods eventually re-introduced to the diet, so here's hoping. That would mean coffee is 100% out, but there's the possibility I might be able to eat eggs again someday. And in the grand scheme of things, I suppose that's the better situation.

Guess I should take coffee out of my LJ interests.

Dr. Khosh was impressed with how few allergens showed up in the panel. He said I must eat incredibly healthfully, and voiced his admiration for my dietary habits. He also said that such a low percentage of allergens also meant that it was unlikely my bloating is due to digestive issues. He suspects a hormone imbalance--either excess estrogen or cortisol wonkiness, both of which showed significant irregularities in my 2011 tests. We are, though, doubling up on the digestive enzymes with each meal to see if that helps, too.

Before I left the office, Dr. Khosh did a thorough palpation of my abdomen. My gall bladder, spleen, and liver were all fine--not tender or swollen--and that points toward a hormonal issue, too. Apparently if there was a digestive issue, it's likely that one of those would have been tender or slightly inflamed, but no. He also made the observation "This is definitely not fat. This is bloat," as he was pummeling my stomach. So...that was nice to hear on one hand, but, as I mentioned a couple days ago, also a little frustrating. Because I can't do a damn thing about the bloat. Well, nothing I know about (yet) anyway.

So I'm still incredibly swollen and am rapidly running out of clothes that fit.

But I'm taking two new hormone supplements: One to bring down my estrogen levels, and the other to normalize my cortisol levels. Dr. Khosh said that even if the estrogen wasn't causing the puffiness (although he thinks it's a likely culprit), the way that my estrogen peaks out of sync with progesterone in my cycle is a bad thing. Repeated exposure to excess estrogen is bad for everyone (ha ha yes I know what you're thinking) and he wants to get that under control even if it has nothing to do with my other issues. My cortisol levels are pretty much opposite of normal. I'm at my lowest level first thing in the morning, when it should be at its peak. Then I slowly gear up until I hit my highest cortisol output around 4:00 in the afternoon, which is exactly when cortisol levels should be decreasing, and I stay pretty high until I go to bed. This probably explains some, if not all, of my sleeping issues. The cortisol regulator sounds interesting--he said it could facilitate vivid dreams, and sometimes disturbing or scary ones that deal with past trauma. I have no idea what my subconscious could possibly come up with as far as trauma, but I'm interested to find out. I like dreams, even if they're freaky.

The sleeping issues, by the way, have resurfaced. Wednesday and Thursday nights/mornings I woke up between 4:00 and 4:15 and never really fell back asleep. This morning I woke at 5:15, but I didn't go to bed until 11:00, so that might explain the later hour.

So, for now: Instant elimination of coffee beans, blueberries, cranberries, sesame seeds, mushrooms, and eggs from my diet. Continued use of probiotic until it runs out. Doubled dose of digestive enzyme with every meal, and the estrogen-decreasing stuff with every meal, too. Two of the cortisol-regulators at bedtime.

I see him again in three weeks.

Comments

[hdsqrl.livejournal.com]

WOW. I find all this sort of stuff fascinating...I really hope you're on your way to a sleepier, less puffy you!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I hope so, too! And yes, if nothing else, my body troubles have forced me to be more interested/educated in health and human physiology.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

i'm curious about the cortisol regulation stuff, and look forward to hearing how things go on your end.

bummer about your no-fly list. :-(

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm really excited to see how it works on me. If it works on me. The adrenal support tablets he gave me last month didn't do beans, so I hope this new stuff has more of an effect.

OH MAN I'M GONNA MISS COFFEE.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

honestly? i drink enough tea that i don't miss it (of course, tea is a vehicle for honey in my world, not a ritual or end unto itself)

what's the cortisol-fighting stuff you're going to be using?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I can't have tea because of the high fluoride content.

MY LIFE.

Um...the cortisol stuff is called (helpfully) "Cortisol Manager." It's basically a bunch of herbs and shit I've never heard of.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

Is it this (http://www.integrativeinc.com/products/Products-by-Health-Concern/Neurological-Stress-and-Sleep/Sleep/70453-Cortisol-Manager.aspx) Cortisol Manager? I might try to get a hold of some myself, if you give it positive reviews.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's it!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I'm crossing my fingers and waving a dead chicken for you.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmmmm. Dead Chicken is what I'm having for dinner! =D

[ms-danson.livejournal.com]

That sounds promising.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's definitely good for my psyche to have a different angle.

[dotar-sojat.livejournal.com]

On the one hand, bummer that so many of the things you like are causing you problems. On the other, it's good that you have something concrete on which to get your footing and make decisions.

Did you know that a properly motivated person can make coffee out of persimmon seeds? I have been, in past years, properly motivated. Tastes like coffee, but kind of nutty. ...of course I'm not sure if I roasted it, or burned the heck out of it...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

a properly motivated person can make coffee out of persimmon seeds

Holy crap. I...I am pretty darn positive I am not that motivated. About anything.

[bluetourmaline.livejournal.com]

Have you ever had chicory coffee? The taste isn't the same, but it's not that bad as a drink.

Bummer about the blueberries, cranberries and mushrooms --- but health is worth more.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Chicory can be problematic for people with gluten issues.

I KNOW, RIGHT?

Here's to health! *clink* =D

[bluetourmaline.livejournal.com]

Oh darn, I forgot about that.

Are you still able to have wine?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

YES THANK GOD.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

BRAISE THE LARD.

[bluetourmaline.livejournal.com]

P.S. I admit that I keep reading "Dr. Khosh" as "Dr. Kosh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosh_Naranek)" and have this mental image of the Vorlon in his encounter suit palpating your abdomen.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha! That would be terrifying.

MAN that was a good show. *sigh*

[dotar-sojat.livejournal.com]

Apparently the conquistadors had such amounts of motivation-- Coranado, I think, while wandering around in Texas and Oklahoma (maybe even Arkansas), is known to have roasted some of 'em up.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

CRAZY SPANIARDS.

Oh wait...

[radiantmephit.livejournal.com]

I know it is heartbreaking for you to have to take eggs off the menu. What a damned shame. But if doing this helps you feel better it's totally worthwhile. And there are SO MANY THINGS that are still on the menu! All kinds of meats. All kinds of vegetables. Strawberries, raspberries, apples, grapefruits, and pears! Dude! In a way it's very exciting. Next time I eat CK's awesome chard and bacon dish, I'll be thinking of you.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Mmmmm. I LOVE CHARD.

I stay away from fruit since raw foods aren't a good thing for me. In the fall, I have an occasional baked apple. But mostly I don't eat fruit.

[indigodreamer.livejournal.com]

Here's that link! http://hyenacart.com/stores/inspiredbyfinn/index.php?c=28

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

whoa! all that craisin eating was bad for you, who knew?
But coffee, blueberries and eggs? aw man. At least it's hopeful that eggs could make a comeback, especially since we get good healthful ones.

I think we discussed something about a lack of progesterone not long ago.. that makes sense to me. This article (http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/articlepage.php?id=72) on Estrogen Dominance might be helpful. I'm taking progesterone and testosterone myself, I've cut the biestrogen out because it made my breasts and fingers swell.. like I needed *that* haha!

I hopehopehope this made a difference.

I'm remembering also reading somewhere that probiotics are contraindicated in some digestive problem, now I'm going to go look that up!
Cortisol regulators.. hmmm.. that sounds helpful, too!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yep, I mentioned to him my concerns about probiotics and he thought I'd be better off at least finishing this bottle. He hopes, though, once my gut calms down after eliminating the few remaining allergens, I won't need to supplement with pro- or pre-biotics.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

I hope that this regimen addresses your problems, and that you get to reclaim eggs fully in the near future. Of that list, I wouldn't miss blueberries, cranberries, sesame seeds, or mushrooms, but coffee and eggs... Boo. =(

If it helps you, though, then the payoff is grand! I am so sorry about that horribly frustrating bloat. May it get gone, once and for all.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

May it get gone, once and for all.

HEAR HEAR.

[nottygypsy.livejournal.com]

No mushrooms, NO COFFEE? oh honey, I'm so sorry!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks. SO SAD.

[jimmy-hollaman.livejournal.com]

Holy Crap Girl! The list of foods you can eat and drink gets smaller and smaller. And the no coffee thing sucks big time, i mean... woof, just woof.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I really hope that this is it and it won't get any smaller!

*crossing fingers*

I can still eat steak. I can still drink wine. This is my new mantra.

[jimmy-hollaman.livejournal.com]

yay for steak and wine!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

I'm kinda glad to hear about the hormone thing because you know I've been suggesting hormone stuff for what seems like FOREVER now and I've always been dubious at any test that says it wasn't that! It just seems like too many of your other symptoms (fatigue, etc.) also fit an estrogen/progesterone/testosterone issue. So, yay to that, at least, if just tweaking your hormones could help. I've taken testosterone cream for years now.

Of your NEW list, blueberries would be the biggest killer for me. Followed by eggs, since they are my fall back protein. While I think I could do without the coffee just fine, because I don't drink it regularly and drink far more tea instead, probably what would happen if I found out that i could NEVER HAVE IT AGAIN is that I would go into a total panic and then want all coffee, all the time. So, :(

Otherwise, I find all this news encouraging!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It certainly could have been worse. I shudder to think if I turned out to be allergic to chicken, beef, or pork. TRAGEDY.

My earlier tests did say there was a problem with estrogen, but Dr. Pickell seemed unconcerned about it. Interesting how two different doctors use the exact same test results to purse entirely different methods of treatment.

[amjhawk.livejournal.com]

That kind of totally sucks.

I'm sorry.

But if there's anyone who can deal with it, it's you.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ha! Thanks. And...yeah. I HAVE LOTS OF PRACTICE DEALING. =D

[carmy-w.livejournal.com]

I'm late to the party, but I'm glad you now have some new plan of action!
For someone who never drank coffee till she was 25, I would absolutely DIE without it now!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, you wouldn't. =D

But you would feel pretty shitty for a few days, I can tell you that!

[carmy-w.livejournal.com]

Oh, alright, dammit.

I agree-I would feel pretty shitty.
I have no idea what to suggest to you for wake-up juice, since coffee & tea are out of the picture, and since I'm quite sure you would rather go without than do those silly little speedbottles they sell at gas stations (5-hour energy drink, etc., not the pills, that is).

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

GODDAMN I MISS MINI-THINS.

But...probably best I gave up that habit a long time ago.

I don't need a wake-up drink if my adrenals are in proper shape and I'm getting enough quality sleep. I rarely drank coffee for the caffeine, and when I did, it was usually in preparation for a late night out! =D