• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Search results

  1. outdamnspot

    Dilemma

    I'd like to test an OTC anti-histamine (too unwell to actually get to an immunologist) to see if it would help my food sensitivities/histamine reactions. However, Zyrtec contains lactose and Telfast contains maize starch, both of which I think I'm sensitive to. So this sucks. Is it possible the...
  2. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    So the thing I'm confused about: would using an earthing sheet without controlling the inflammation it generates just make things worse? Or are there still eventual benefits if one is willing to tolerate the inflammation? Because what I've generally read is that earthing will help kill...
  3. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    Unfortunately my CFS is severe and I'm intolerant of most supplements etc at this point, including curcumin. I also have severe insomnia with limited treatment options; an earthing wristband is one of the few things that will reliably get me to fall asleep at this point, especially when...
  4. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    So in the presence of an infection, is earthing not necessarily a helpful thing? Or is the increased inflammation a temporary side-effect?
  5. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    Sorry I'm a bit too brain fogged to fully comprehend. So how would blocking apoptosis lead to one feeling worse the day after earthing while asleep?
  6. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    So feeling worse from earthing could be some kind of 'healing crisis'? When I combined it with an antibiotic, the herx was immense. On its own, I find it helpful for calming me down and facilitating sleep but I am also more depressed/inflamed the next day.
  7. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    Is there a reason earthing could increase inflammation? I have been trying it on and off for sleep lately and it tends to make me feel more 'sick'.
  8. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    Yes, I was wondering if the depression means activating Th1 is inherently a bad thing, or more just a side-effect that one can decide to tolerate.
  9. outdamnspot

    Earthing simple and cheap methods?

    Out of interest, does anyone here still 'earth'? I was desperate to sleep last night so brought out my earthing band (even though it made me worse with continued use when I tried a few years ago). I've just started a new antibiotic too and the combined herx was profound; my guts were overactive...
  10. outdamnspot

    Seeing new GP - humor me?

    @YippeeKi YOW !! no magic answers at this point :( He was cognizant of CFS, but all of my bloodwork is normal and he didn't see the point in further testing. He did offer Clonazepam, but unfortunately benzos give me paradoxical agitation.
  11. outdamnspot

    For those who treated SIBO, did antibiotics change how you tolerated carbs/foods?

    I've tried the Creon the past two days. It's hard to assess the effects so far. I eat two main meals a day (ground beef) and tend to do a water enema afterwards, just because I don't have much natural motility. Apologies for the description, but usually this presents as a kind of 'sludge' with...
  12. outdamnspot

    For those who treated SIBO, did antibiotics change how you tolerated carbs/foods?

    The Creon capsules are 10,000 units, I believe. I was told to take 30,000 units per meal for my body weight. Unfortunately, I can't really afford any other supplements at the moment.
  13. outdamnspot

    Seeing new GP - humor me?

    I'm guessing if I don't get headaches/neck pain then CCI is probably unlikely and not worth investigating? I also had a brain MRI 3 years ago (supine) which was normal.
  14. outdamnspot

    Seeing new GP - humor me?

    I contacted the CFS society here in Australia (Emerge) and was given a list of practitioners with an interest in CFS. One of the GPs is in my area, so I made an appointment to see him tomorrow. I'm doubtful much can be done for me at this point, but out of interest, are there any tests I should...
  15. outdamnspot

    valium makes fatigue go !!!

    I only use prescription sleeping aids in emergencies to get out of severe crashes, which they're very helpful for. Just confused why Imovane tends to have an energizing effect whereas a regular benzo like Diazepam severely increased fatigue (esp. when very severe/catatonic patients often report...
  16. outdamnspot

    valium makes fatigue go !!!

    I notice increased energy the next day from Imovane/Zopiclone. However, a GP I saw yesterday wouldn't prescribe it and gave me Valium instead. I notice people say they get increased energy from benzos; however, while I slept well on the Diazepam (10mg), the fatigue is crippling today. Any...
  17. outdamnspot

    LDN and 'adrenals'

    I was wondering if LDN therapy was contraindicated in those with low-cortisol/poor adrenal function? I've read mixed things here.
  18. outdamnspot

    For those who treated SIBO, did antibiotics change how you tolerated carbs/foods?

    @hb8847 and @BeADocToGoTo1 apologies for not getting back to you, I've been too unwell to spend much time online. I just had a quick question @BeADocToGoTo1 I ended up getting a prescription for Creon from my GP. I've been nervous to try it because I've read people with severe...
  19. outdamnspot

    Safe to drink a lot of sparkling mineral water?

    I was always told we lose electrolytes on Keto and need to replace them. However, I can't tolerate Mg supplements. As an aside, would it be a stretch to think excessive use of plastic water bottles could be a trigger in leaky gut? Been wondering if there might be a link with worsening gut...
  20. outdamnspot

    Mast cell meds/adrenals

    Do they tend to 'crash' you?
  21. outdamnspot

    Mast cell meds/adrenals

    What time of day do you take them?
  22. outdamnspot

    Mast cell meds/adrenals

    A family friend who's a retired GP thinks I have MCAS and suggested trying an otc h1/h2 blocker to help curb my food intolerances. However, I was nervous because of how generally frail and sensitive I am. The logic is probably a bit shaky but when I am having histamine reactions, I am often...
  23. outdamnspot

    Safe to drink a lot of sparkling mineral water?

    I read for a water to be listed as a mineral water (as opposed to spring water) it has to have a certain mineral content. So I'm likely not getting much benefit from a supermarket brand?
  24. outdamnspot

    Safe to drink a lot of sparkling mineral water?

    I noticed a slight uptick in my health (basically, just less disabling crashes) since I began binge-drinking sparkling mineral water 2 weeks ago. I seem to really crave the stuff, and it helps with satiety, digestion etc. I had a bad episode yesterday, which I think may have been triggered by...
  25. outdamnspot

    Help with ideas on prokinetics for gastroparesis and advice on Mestinon

    @serg1942 why are you no longer using the GcMAF?
  26. outdamnspot

    Digestive enzymes?

    Has anyone here with food intolerances tried Creon? How did you handle it?
  27. outdamnspot

    What do you do all day?

    Try to survive :(
  28. outdamnspot

    For those who treated SIBO, did antibiotics change how you tolerated carbs/foods?

    I appreciate the help, and apologize if I sound defensive at all. I get frustrated because I can barely look after myself anymore, but have effectively been left to deal with this all on my own; it's just like sinking into a deeper and deeper hole everyday where the food reactions get more and...
  29. outdamnspot

    SEID and antidepressant failure

    I had adverse reactions to literally every single psych drug I tried, and the list is huge (I was trying to treat severe OCD, ADHD and depression prior to falling ill with severe CFS, though I suspect I'd already developed mild/moderate CFS at that point). SSRIs and antipsychotics gave me...
  30. outdamnspot

    For those who treated SIBO, did antibiotics change how you tolerated carbs/foods?

    I saw several functional medicine doctors a few years ago when my illness first became 'severe'. Unfortunately, since I'm 90% bedridden now, it isn't really an option physically or financially; here, integrative doctors charge more than specialists, and the stool testing they use (which I did 3...