Low fevers and continual malaise

[Deena Barselah]

Over the past several months off and on and more recently, almost daily, I've had this feeling of malaise and low fevers.  The malaise feels like I am getting sick... that wave of sickness coming on where I get overheated or get chills, have a foggy head, maybe a little achy, low energy, fatigue, etc.  And my fever is in the upper 98s (I usually run in the 97s) and up to 99.5.  It comes and goes.  I can have several hours or a whole day of feeling normal (I even worked out yesterday!) but then it just comes back again.  I have gotten a full blown cold/sinus infection/cough a few times already this season, which is much more than I ever have before.  

For some reason, it seems like my immunity is down. I've gotten tested for several viruses and all sorts of things, but no clear indication of something that could be weakening my immune system.  

I was on the GAPS regimen for about 6 weeks but showed no improvement and am back to eating small portions of properly prepared grains.  

I do have digestive issues, but don't seem to have any specific foods that trigger reactions.  

A few things I DO KNOW:

• I have a low/slow thyroid
• Probably have adrenal fatigue
• I have somewhat low iron store levels (ferritin) 
• Possible mild case of crohns (had a colonoscopy and dr saw mucous and inflammation that looked like crohns, but tests came back negative)
• I get these sneezing fits every once in a while-- where I sneeze dozens of times in one day and then it just goes away... does not appear to be linked to any specific food.
• I tend towards constipation, but doing pretty well lately
• My hair is falling out more than ever before (could be thyroid, could be stress)

I eat a 100% clean diet of real food and make everything at home... no packaged food, no preservatives, all straight from the farm real food.  

I would love any suggestions!  

Thank you!!!

-Deena

[Kathy Brown]

If you have mucous and inflammation in your colon, have you tried eliminating any foods (especially gluten)? I could have written the first half of your post. I have been having a "hot flash" of sorts in the afternoon, where my temp goes up to 99.5ish, and I'm usually a low 97s person as well. My osteo isn't sure whether it's my lyme acting up though. There are so many things it could be... but I'd go with the natural stuff first, like eliminating gluten/dairy because they tend to cause inflammation, brain fog, etc. If you have low thyroid, are you doing anything for it?

[Deena Barselah]

Thanks!  I should have mentioned that I do not eat gluten.  The dairy I eat is either ghee, occasional butter and a small bits of cultured dairy here and there.  That's it. 

As for the thyroid, I do not take any medication... trying to heal it naturally with diet and rest and supporting my body the best I can.  Would love any tips if you have to share as well.

Kathy- question about your lyme disease.  I have wondered if I have that,  but testing came back negative and I also dont have the typical symptoms of rash, bone pain and others.  Do you have those typical symptoms?  I've heard lyme disease can be hard to test for and diagnose.  Wonderful if it's possible...

Thanks!

-Deena

[Cheryl Aubin]

Hi Deena,

   I have much of the same. Hypothyroidism, adrenal exhaustion, anemia (my iron level was a 3), extreme fatigue, and losing my hair. My doctor has done several tests over the last 3 years and when I went to see him in  April of 2011 he told me I was going to die. He wanted to redo all of the tests because they all came back fine and he couldn't understand why my iron just kept dropping.  He wanted me to start having blood transfusions. He actually told me that if I got in a car accident I wouldn't survive. I left his office in tears and called a naturopath.  I was in her office 2 days later and figured out that I have a sensitivity to gluten and I wasn't absorbing nutrients. On April 13th my iron was a 3 and after being off of gluten for 4 weeks, on May 13th my iron was 42. It took close to 4 months for my brain to "come" back. The memory loss was awful. I've been gluten free for 10 months now and am feeling so much better. I've got a long way to go to heal the adrenal exhaustion, etc. but at least I'm heading in the right direction. My ND has me on Vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, etc. My body was very depleted and I have to get it back up to where it needs to be and hopefully soon I'll be able to absorb more nutrients from foods. I didn't understand it because we also eat natural, all organic, grass fed meats and chicken straight from the farm. And only properly prepared grains. I never would have thought I had a problem with gluten, especially since I've been eating it my whole life.  Also, found out I can't tolerate dairy.  Have you looked into it possibly being a gluten sensitivity?  The symptoms are many and varied not just cramps and digestive problems. Just a thought. :)
Cheryl

[Deena Barselah]

Thanks for sharing your story!  It's really amazing.

I actually do not eat gluten.  I cut it out of my diet a few years ago, so I know it's not that. Ive also tried cutting out dairy and eggs here and there for periods of time with no relief either.  As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be a specific food, per se, that is causing my overall issues.  

Thank you again!

-Deena

Cheryl Aubin said:

Hi Deena,

   I have much of the same. Hypothyroidism, adrenal exhaustion, anemia (my iron level was a 3), extreme fatigue, and losing my hair. My doctor has done several tests over the last 3 years and when I went to see him in  April of 2011 he told me I was going to die. He wanted to redo all of the tests because they all came back fine and he couldn't understand why my iron just kept dropping.  He wanted me to start having blood transfusions. He actually told me that if I got in a car accident I wouldn't survive. I left his office in tears and called a naturopath.  I was in her office 2 days later and figured out that I have a sensitivity to gluten and I wasn't absorbing nutrients. On April 13th my iron was a 3 and after being off of gluten for 4 weeks, on May 13th my iron was 42. It took close to 4 months for my brain to "come" back. The memory loss was awful. I've been gluten free for 10 months now and am feeling so much better. I've got a long way to go to heal the adrenal exhaustion, etc. but at least I'm heading in the right direction. My ND has me on Vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, etc. My body was very depleted and I have to get it back up to where it needs to be and hopefully soon I'll be able to absorb more nutrients from foods. I didn't understand it because we also eat natural, all organic, grass fed meats and chicken straight from the farm. And only properly prepared grains. I never would have thought I had a problem with gluten, especially since I've been eating it my whole life.  Also, found out I can't tolerate dairy.  Have you looked into it possibly being a gluten sensitivity?  The symptoms are many and varied not just cramps and digestive problems. Just a thought. :)
Cheryl

[Cheryl Aubin]

Deena,

    Oops!  Sorry, didn't see your previous reply. :) Since you are already off of gluten I don't have any other suggestions other than to find a naturopath. Our naturopath is the one who helped  me and my husband when our MDs had no idea of what was going on.  She tested me and found out that I had adrenal fatigue and later it worsened to adrenal exhaustion. I know that can cause hot flashes, brain fog, immune problems, ect. She is working with me to get them functioning properly again. I am also seeing an MD that understands natural medicine and works with my naturopath to hopefully heal my thyroid and get me off of my meds. Wish I had more for you. Hope you are able to find someone who can help you.  :)

Cheryl

[Binbin]

Deena,

I suffered the same symptoms you mention above, it took me about 2 months work with a chiropracter who gave me standard process food supplements and suggested a few changes including:

- sweating out the toxins in steam or sauna

- green juice FRESH organic first thing in the morning to clean out the liver. included organic celery, cucumbers, parsley, ginger and juice of 1 lemon.

- milk keifer

- sauerkraut and other fermented veggies

- high quality CLO

- 3 eggs daily

- sea veggies eaten with 1/2 avocado daily

- high quality whey protein eaten daily

- 45 mins minimum brisk walking daily

- minimize fruit intake

- eliminate all gluten

- grains included quinoa, amaranth, barley and occasional brown rice

- bone broth soups

- high quality vit C and grapefruit seed extract.

If you want the names of the Standard Process supplments I was made to take please let me know. 

I am new to this site and don't know the rules if any (especially since it is catered to using food to heal ourselves).

Good luck!

[Deena Barselah]

WOW!  Thank you so much!!  This is a good guide.  So far on this list, I take CLO (but only recently started), use bone broth, do not eat gluten, eat small amounts of the whole grains you mentioned (good to know about occasional brown rice).  

When you frist started walking, were you tired afterwards?  I notice that I get quite tired after exercise... but maybe I need to be walking outside more.  

I am still concerned about the possibility of an egg sensitivity.  An IgG food allergy test revealed an issue with eggs.  I cut them out for a while and didnt see any improvement so I added them back in with no major effects, although lately I have noticed that I feel fatigued after lunch and I often have an egg during lunch.  I am going to try not having eggs with lunch and see if I still get the same fatigue/foggy head.  Would love to know anyones thoughts on this as well.

One question regarding the green juice is with respect to the goitrogens.  Were you using kale or any other greens or just the ingredients you listed here? Raw greens are high in goitrogens which can further suppress thyroid function, especially when eaten raw like in green juice.  Did your chiropractor have anything to say about that?  

my hunch lately was that I should eat less fruit.  I've been trying to notice the foods I crave and foods that when i eat them, I want more of them.  Seems like fruits fall into that category, so perhaps better to eat less.  

Please send along the supplements as well.  Much appreciated!

-Deena

Binbin said:

Deena,

I suffered the same symptoms you mention above, it took me about 2 months work with a chiropracter who gave me standard process food supplements and suggested a few changes including:

- sweating out the toxins in steam or sauna

- green juice FRESH organic first thing in the morning to clean out the liver. included organic celery, cucumbers, parsley, ginger and juice of 1 lemon.

- milk keifer

- sauerkraut and other fermented veggies

- high quality CLO

- 3 eggs daily

- sea veggies eaten with 1/2 avocado daily

- high quality whey protein eaten daily

- 45 mins minimum brisk walking daily

- minimize fruit intake

- eliminate all gluten

- grains included quinoa, amaranth, barley and occasional brown rice

- bone broth soups

- high quality vit C and grapefruit seed extract.

If you want the names of the Standard Process supplments I was made to take please let me know. 

I am new to this site and don't know the rules if any (especially since it is catered to using food to heal ourselves).

Good luck!

[Binbin]

Hi,

Yes when I first started walking, I felt I was dragging. And I did drag for about 10 days. Then it turned into walking, and probably 2-3 weeks later brisk walking.

The sweating out the toxins in wet or dry heat helped give me a boost of energy and I would walk right after those sessions.

Agree with your comment re: green juice and goitrogens. However the exact ingredients I mentioned above were exactly what I included daily in my juice (organic and should not sit for more than 15 mins after being juiced to allow the enzymes to be 'alive'). This helped flush out the liver and energy increased.

Another key thing I forgot to mention was including upto 4 tablespoons raw, unrefined, cold-pressed Coconut oil daily. 

If you notice upon eating a tablespoon of Coconut oil that you feel nauseaus, it is a hig indication of a dirty liver, in which case green juice for about 10 days along with the other things mentioned above, and THEN begin consuming the coconut oil.

Check to see if you have an egg allergy. If you do not, please find a farmer's market with duck eggs as your first option. You will notice a huge difference in quality of a duck vs chicken egg and duck eggs are beneficial for hypothyroidism.

Additionally I consumed 1 brazil nut every alternate day (any more and they can be toxic) for good selenium intake which jump starts with thyroid.

I am on a business trip right now. When I return home this weekend I will write up names of supplements for you. 

If I think of anything else I will def share with you.

One more thing I was told but never did do myself, was dry brushing. Google it if you'd like.

Good luck,
B 

[Cheryl Aubin]

Binbin and Deena,

Wow, my ND has me doing all the same things except the whey protein.  She has me doing green smoothies for breakfast and told me if I use Kale or another goitrogen to lightly steam it first.  I stick with other greens like mustard, dandelion, chard, etc. I also use organic, unrefined coconut oil and make coconut milk ice cream at home. One of the things she has me doing is castor oil packs to help my liver and I have REALLY noticed a difference. Research castor oil packs. I too dragged when I tried exercising in the morning and would actually get so tired I would fall asleep. My ND told me it was because of the adrenal fatigue and to try to exercise before bed instead. It worked and I slept wonderfully. :) As far as eggs are concerned...my husband is allergic to eggs, but we know people who are allergic to just the whites and some that are allergic to just the yolk. I highly recommend bone broths! I make beef broth and chicken broth using bones from grass fed animals. I also make fish stock. Great to have in the freezer to make quick soups. Research the benefits of bone broth.  I also eat brazil nuts and do the dry skin brushing.  She has me take my iron with Vitamin C for better absorbtion. Sorry, I'm all over the place, but it's late. Just wanted to agree with Binbin and tell you that all those suggestions have really helped me too.
Cheryl 

[Deena Barselah]

Hi Cheryl and Binbin,

Thanks so much for all if this insight into what your practitioners have recommended.  Cheryl- have you seen relief as well?  Has your thyroid begun to bounce back?

Having just taken a shower and seen the gobs of hair that come out when I shower (and throughout the day), it's quite upsetting.  I'm sure you can relate... just want to feel good!

A few questions for both of you:

1. regarding the coconut oil, does it have to be 4 tablespoons all at once?  Can it also be cooked in some food?  

2. I have done a castor oil pack before.  Cheryl- how often do you do them?  Every evening?  And for how long?  Best to make sure it rests on the liver, correct?  

3. How did your practitioners know there was a liver issue?  Just from all the symptoms? 

4. I have been having bone broth... in fact my fiance just got a HUGE pot of broth going this morning and we'll freeze a bunch of portions tomorrow when it's all done.  How much bone broth are you having?  

5. I will also try the dry brushing.  I got a brush and simply forgot to do it.  Do you do it before a shower?

6. Which vitamin C do you take?  Which iron?  Ive heard floradix is good for iron.  I have heard not so good things about taking vitamin c as ascorbic acid, so I'd rather stay away from that. 

7. I am going to test out the eggs over the next 2 weeks.  I'll see if I get a similar fatigued/foggy feeling after lunch when I a m not eating eggs.  If I do, it could be just a mid day fatigue issue, which I'll have to figure out otherwise.   When I was doing the GAPS regimen I was eating egg yolks in broth and juices and didnt seem to have an issue with that, so it could be the egg whites now that I am eating whole eggs, but I will test it out.

8. I didn't realize more than 1 brazil nut could be toxic!  Since it's coming from a food source!  Interesting... I will make sure to have 1 every other day as well.  

9. So it seems the exercise is key-- whenever I can get it in and feel reasonably okay afterwards right?  Even just a walk or some light movement, right?  I used to be able to exercise for an hour a day and always felt so rejuvenated afterwards!  now, not at all.  I always get tired.  Sometimes I get exhausted like I am going to fall asleep (or I actually do go to sleep) and other days I just feel tired.  

10. So the steam or sauna is good?  For how long? There is a gym near me where I could use one...

I think that's all for now.  Thank you SO much!

-Deena

Cheryl Aubin said:

Binbin and Deena,

Wow, my ND has me doing all the same things except the whey protein.  She has me doing green smoothies for breakfast and told me if I use Kale or another goitrogen to lightly steam it first.  I stick with other greens like mustard, dandelion, chard, etc. I also use organic, unrefined coconut oil and make coconut milk ice cream at home. One of the things she has me doing is castor oil packs to help my liver and I have REALLY noticed a difference. Research castor oil packs. I too dragged when I tried exercising in the morning and would actually get so tired I would fall asleep. My ND told me it was because of the adrenal fatigue and to try to exercise before bed instead. It worked and I slept wonderfully. :) As far as eggs are concerned...my husband is allergic to eggs, but we know people who are allergic to just the whites and some that are allergic to just the yolk. I highly recommend bone broths! I make beef broth and chicken broth using bones from grass fed animals. I also make fish stock. Great to have in the freezer to make quick soups. Research the benefits of bone broth.  I also eat brazil nuts and do the dry skin brushing.  She has me take my iron with Vitamin C for better absorbtion. Sorry, I'm all over the place, but it's late. Just wanted to agree with Binbin and tell you that all those suggestions have really helped me too.
Cheryl 

[Binbin]

Deena,

My mom gave me the list of all the items from my kitchen pantry, so here you go....

Chiro-Zyme (brand) T4 to T8 Bil (2 before a meal, 3 times daily). (Available at a health practitioner's office)

Private Label (brand) Pro-NH3 (2 with breakfast and lunch. Make sure you get atleast 25 grams protein at breakfast and lunch). Chiro-Zyme (brand) 

Standard Process Thytrophin PMG (1 twice daily with food)

Standard Process Adrenal Dessicated (1 twice daily with food)

Usana Proflavanol C100 (2 tablets twice daily with food)

USANA Health Paks (1 packet twice daily with food)

USANA Bi-Omega (1 capsule, 3 times per day)

Huge co-relation between mal-functioning thyroid, adrenals, sluggish liver & gall bladder and as well as lack of protein absorbtion.

Increase omega 3 dramatically, and reduce Omega 6 and 9.

Eat fish atleast once daily, not farm-raised (fed corn and soy).

Whey protein powder that has been made by low-heat process. I have used Bluebonnet brand successfully.

Eggs should be farm pastured raised from farmer's market and not reggular stores to get beneficial choline amounts.

Milk kefir should be from RAW organic milk. Atleast 1/2 cup twice daily on an empty stomach. Better to do 'second-ferment' process on your kefir. Look at http://culturedfoodlife.com/second-ferment-your-kefir-your-tastes-b... for instructions, but do NOT combine fruits with kefir.

Increase consumption of fermented veggies dramatically (make at home or buy Bubbie's brand suaerkraut from refrigerated section at grocery store, If consuming Bubbies at least 1/3 bottle daily),

High quality pro-biotic. I successfully used RenewLife brand critical care 50 billion for 3 months.

Consume 1/2 avocado daily with 1 teaspoon dulce or kelp mixed together.

Eliminate all sugar products including agave or anything that may spike your blood levels in order to allow your adrenals to jump start.

Eliminate all flour products, soy, potatoes, corn, beets or high GI products to allow adrenals to jump start.

Steam/sauna upto 1/2 hour daily. Increase water and liquid consumption due to loss of fluids.

If you feel more sluggish during process, increase sauna/steam to twice per day. But do NOT sit for more than 1/2 hour at a given time.

Dry brush techniques daily before shower/bath. Google for exact instructions.

Dramatically increase consumption of bone broth daily. Sip through day if you can carry to work in thermos, will aid in restoration at faster pace.

Get Vit D and Vit K levels checked. Increase consumption of gouda cheese for Vit K and sunshine for it D for D levels. Both these levels have huge impact on thyroid.

Coconut oil can be 1 tablespoon through the day 3-4 times. Ideally raw, but if need be cook with it.

Exercise after steam or sauna, once toxins get released you will feel relaxed but body will have energy so use that time to walk/move the body.

One last thing I forgot to mention yesterday. This involves the principle of how when the bio-plasmic body is contaminated (the subtle body that is invisible to most human eyes) it manifests in issues in the body specifically to do with the glands of the endocrine system. What helped me the MOST is doing the following.... use 4-5 cups of sea salt (that is not iodized, just pure sea salt) and mix in it about 1/2 cup almond/jojoba oil, 1 tablespoon peppermint essential oil and 1 tablespoon lavendar essential oil. Create this salt scrub and leave in your bath area. Rinse your body with warm water. Then stand in the shower and LIBERALLY use this salt scrub on your front chakras and your back chakras paying extra attention to your front and back throat (realted to thyroid) and front and back navel (related to adrenals area) and scrub gently. Also pay special attention to front and back liver chakras, and front and back spleen chakras. Keep this salt scrub on for atleast 7-10 mins. Then rinse of with water, and then use soap and water and shower properly. Do this once a day, and you will be amazed how quickly things shift for you. This process allows you to get rid of the congested energy in these areas and allows the glands to get back to normal. If you need a diagram of the different areas, let me know and I will try to find something for you or create one myself.

I cannot tell you how amazing it is that I am back to normal, full of energy and life, I now hike 5 miles daily, and feel good. You can do this!!

[Binbin]

Cheryl, 

How lond did you have to make those changes and do you notice a difference altogether in your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing?

Who knew little glands could cause such havoc, eh?