Finally, some answers!

I finally had my appointment with Dr. Levin (a doctor who specializes in preventative medicine - or has lots of answers to random medical issues). When I was 24, I went to him struggling with adult acne and he totally fixed the problem. So, when I started getting horrible gas and stomach cramping and inability to digest foods properly, I finally made the appointment with him (after I spent months trying to fix it myself).

Ali and I diagnosed me with low stomach acid since I seemed to fit so many of the symptoms (the big one being the problems I had with my vitamins). But in the meantime, I had done a stool analysis and went over those results with him. And those results confirmed what we thought. It showed that I did not have enough beneficial flora (despite using probiotics) and had an imbalance of bacteria in my intestines. It also showed that I had a moderate level of vegetable fibers in the test which indicates: "a reduction of gastric HCL secretion or insufficient output of pancreatic enzymes".

And after listening to my symptoms and the time line when they started, it definitely indicated that I have low levels of HCL (hydrochloric acid) - which is your stomach acid. And that stuff is very important - if you don't have enough, you can't digest your food properly and if you aren't digesting your food properly, then you aren't getting sufficient nutrients. And that can lead to minor things like dry skin all the way to Crohn's and worse. So this is a pretty serious issue and this doctor said it was an epidemic in our country. I would have to agree!

So, he gave me 2 supplements (both are safe during pregnancy). One is Digestin and the other is Digesta-Guard, which is a probiotic. I've been using both since Wednesday and it seems that the Digestin is really helping. I'm not ready to commit 100% to it, since my symptoms often seem to come and go and are very hard to pinpoint. But I know this is the right answer, it's just a matter of the Digestin having enough of the HCL in it. It's kind of a pain because I have to take it with each meal, but boy does it beat the stomach pains and gas. If this works, then I have a new lease on life! :)

I'm ready to be able to eat like a normal person again, not having to worry so much about what I eat. It's hard enough to make sure that I'm not eating refined foods and sugars, but to have to worry about even more than that (in addition to my family's dietary issues) is hard! Plus being pregnant adds so much more to it. I'm hungry all the time and I hate having to eat (that's not normal)!

Let's hope I've found the answers to my problems!

Lemon Juice

Okay, this doesn't really have much to do with pregnancy at all. But, I just had to share my new discovery with my youngest daughter, Tailyn. She was diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder early this year. Thankfully, I already knew about it and had made the necessary dietary changes and supplement changes. And now she is almost 2 and is totally thriving developmentally. It's amazing.

But... We have always struggled with poop! She goes back and forth between normal bowel movements and explosive blow outs. I know those are not normal, even though a pediatrician has told us they are and it isn't acceptable to me. So, after learning about my low stomach acid, I figured Tailyn has it too. So, I switched her juice to homemade lemonade (with a little cane sugar added in) and the very next day, her poop was completely normal. And for the last 2 weeks, we have had totally great bowel movements. Lemon juice has been known to be a digestive aid - not the stuff you get in a bottle, but fresh lemon juice. It's a pain to have to squeeze all those lemons, but it's worth it!

She still struggles with soy, I think, in addition to gluten and casein, but we have had total success with the lemon juice. :)

21 Weeks!

Wow, I'm so sorry that I haven't been blogging! No real excuses, except for life and 2 kids and spring and summer activities.

The big news is that we found out last Thursday that we're having our 3rd little girl! We are so thrilled and our oldest daughter is ecstatic! Very fun. I never imagined myself with 3 girls and I'm sure Brian never did either, but now, we can't picture ourselves any other way. I have loved watching Emma and Tailyn play together, so adding one more to that will be so fun to watch. And Emma is already planning bunk beds in her room for her and Tailyn.

My pregnancy has been very easy for the most part. But this is the honeymoon stage, they say. :) I don't feel too big and am enjoying feeling the baby kick lots. She seems to be the most active in the evenings and in the early morning - hopefully she won't stay on that schedule after she's born!

My one complaint has been with my digestive system. And as I blogged about earlier, it has caused me a lot of suffering and annoyance. But, after many months, I think we may have a lead on what the problem is. One day Ali started talking about her low stomach acid after she went through a week of having digestive problems. And then we started talking about it in reference to my problems. Maybe this was the answer for me? That I didn't have enough stomach acid to digest my foods properly, which could lead to bacterial build-up in my intestines and cause other problems.

At at this point, I was taking enzymes for every meal (except breakfast) and they weren't helping any more. So, I decided to take a break from them. That morning I also forgot to take my vitamins with breakfast like I usually do. I had the best food day! Nothing bothered me and I even pushed myself. I had a ton of potato chips, which usually cause me all kinds of pain and discomfort and I had no problems! It sounds so silly, but it was such a great day! To suddenly be able to eat what I wanted when I wanted it withouth worrying.

My theory is that because I was taking my vitamins in the morning (and taking all 6 of them), I used up all of my stomach acid right at the beginning of the day and the rest of the day, I didn't have enough acid to digest foods properly. So, I stopped taking my vitamins in the mean time. I've noticed an improvement, but I'm still having problems.

I think the answer lies in taking HCL Betaine, which is a stomach acid supplement. But, of course, it says you shouldn't take it when you're pregnant, unless it's been approved my your doctor! So, I'v been very hesitant. I'm going to take the info to my midwife on Monday to ask if I can take it. And on Wednesday, I see a Natural MD to go over my stool analysis and hopefully get some more answers then.

There are alternatives to the supplement. But I can only drink so much Apple Cider Vinegar. :( That actually does seem to help quite a big, but it's hard to take it when you're on the go. So, hopefully I will be able to take the supplement. This has been so hard being pregnant, since I have to eat and eat well. I would rather just not eat, but that isn't an option.

So, there you have it. I promise to blog some more. So keep tuning in! :)