Sunday, April 09, 2006
I had a wonderful chat the other day, with one of Action on Gilbert's Syndrome's latest supporters. She had called me in a lot of bother with bowel trouble which was really plaguing her. So, I sent out the usual information, and anything I could find relating to her specific problem, as I do for anyone who asks.
She called me a couple of months later, after beginning to take Milk Thistle, and adjusting her diet in line with my suggestions, and told me that has managed to remain free of her trouble for extended periods of time. I'm delighted and wanted to say to anyone who's listening - you can help yourself, and that's what we're here for at AGS.
Of course, anyone with a chronic systemic condition knows that despite your best efforts there will always be days when you're worse but just don't know why. But don't get discouraged, having good days is what counts most, and just listen to your body on the bad days. Here's a quote I hope might help:
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. (Phyllis Bottome)
She called me a couple of months later, after beginning to take Milk Thistle, and adjusting her diet in line with my suggestions, and told me that has managed to remain free of her trouble for extended periods of time. I'm delighted and wanted to say to anyone who's listening - you can help yourself, and that's what we're here for at AGS.
Of course, anyone with a chronic systemic condition knows that despite your best efforts there will always be days when you're worse but just don't know why. But don't get discouraged, having good days is what counts most, and just listen to your body on the bad days. Here's a quote I hope might help:
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. (Phyllis Bottome)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Magnesium!
It's one of my best discoveries yet. Not only did I take a hair toxicology test which showed I needed more of it, but just yesterday I spoke to a sufferer who had also been told it's absoloutely key in good health. Well, my experience has been to achieve rejuvenated energy. Have a look at www.coldcure.com for some interesting articles by George Eby, on magnesium and other minerals that can help fight common viruses. Viruses are the devil for GS sufferers, and I am always struck by the difficulty I have in getting over something as simple as a cold, thanks to my GS. Check it out, see if it helps.
It's one of my best discoveries yet. Not only did I take a hair toxicology test which showed I needed more of it, but just yesterday I spoke to a sufferer who had also been told it's absoloutely key in good health. Well, my experience has been to achieve rejuvenated energy. Have a look at www.coldcure.com for some interesting articles by George Eby, on magnesium and other minerals that can help fight common viruses. Viruses are the devil for GS sufferers, and I am always struck by the difficulty I have in getting over something as simple as a cold, thanks to my GS. Check it out, see if it helps.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
I had a great talk with a guy who called the other day. About how he's spent years trying to find out more about his condition, and how the NHS treats him as bits and not a whole. His specialist for one thing didn't even mention the fact he'd had a diagnosis for Gilbert's Syndrome, until he confronted him with symptoms he was sure must have some kind of explanation other than his other problems. Here again, as subjects of the Western approach, where you're just one diagnosis and not a jumble of different parts all trying to work together, one specialist will look at one bit, and ignore the effect of another bit because someone else is looking at that. With Gilbert's Syndrome you're even unlikely to get a diagnosis from a liver specialist, and more likely a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist because of the way the symptoms present - and they're not qualified to give you the best advice! It drives so many of us to spend years of frustration trying to divine some solutions to our so-called unimportant symptom. Well, I'm sorry if the fact that part of my liver works over 30% less well than is optimum, and that means I'm going to be more sick as a result doesn't figure in your calculations mister expert, but it sure well matters to me. And if you won't help me, then I'll just have to help myself!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Lots of people ask me for dietary tips for managing GS. Well, I have explored many a low fat, high protein option, and here's what today's lunch consisted of. Tinned tuna, mashed with avocado, garlic, and lemon juice - pop it on a crispbread, potato or wholemeal pasta. Lots of lovely protein for energy, lots of vitamins and minerals in the avocado, garlic and lemon juice. Plus it's absoloutely delicious.
Did you know that adding lemon juice to anything reduces its glycaemic index? What an earth is one of those I hear you ask - well this index rates how quickly your body will convert something to sugars. It's better for it to be low as this means there's a slow energy release into your body, and thus sustains your energy levels over the longer term. If it's high then you get a sugar hit, and then slump. If you have GS, then you need sustained energy to help your liver work properly, so you need foods with a low glycaemic index.
Hope that helps.
Did you know that adding lemon juice to anything reduces its glycaemic index? What an earth is one of those I hear you ask - well this index rates how quickly your body will convert something to sugars. It's better for it to be low as this means there's a slow energy release into your body, and thus sustains your energy levels over the longer term. If it's high then you get a sugar hit, and then slump. If you have GS, then you need sustained energy to help your liver work properly, so you need foods with a low glycaemic index.
Hope that helps.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Hi there everybody, welcome to today's story, from Rebecca. I'm so glad she got in touch, as it certainly makes me feel like I'm not alone when I hear that someone's been through the same. Here's her unedited story so that you can share it too.
I was diagnosed with Gilberts Syndrome 10 years ago and have had all
> the symptoms mentioned (on the website) plus more. I only got it under control and
> realized it was the Gilberts causing some of my problems after going
> to am acupuncturist who had practiced acupuncture at the state
> hospital in Beijing China for 18 years.
> I had been to the doctors numerous times saying I felt sick had pains
> in my right side just under the ribs, was thirsty all the time had
> terrible IBS , constant headaches and also threw up a lot for no
> apparent reason. The doctors just treated me like I was a
> hypochondriac. So I gave up on the conventional way and went the
> alternative way hence ending up at the acupuncturist. He told me I had to give up certain foods like dairy.
> caffeine, alcohol,anything refined or pre packed with added chemicals
> colorants etc. And to eat about every 3 hours. The combination of
> treatment ,herbs and a total change in my diet has changed my life.
> There are still times were I feel awful but can usually put it down to
> having eaten or drunk something I should not have. It is like a jug of
> water ,it depends on how full the jug is as to how much of the naughty things I can consume.
>
> A combination of eating regularly, exercising regularly which speeds
> up the digestion and expulsion of toxins, sleeping well and excepting
> that there are times I just do not have the energy or am just feeling
> to unwell. All these things have helped immensely. On top of the
> Gilberts Syndrome I also suffer from Migraine and have a Vestibule
> imbalance and unfortunately all these things can set each other off so
> often I am hit with a treble whammy. So be thankful you only have
> Gilberts syndrome but maybe there are people with the same problems I have, if so I would love to hear your story.
>
> thank you for reading this ,hope it helps Rebecca
I was diagnosed with Gilberts Syndrome 10 years ago and have had all
> the symptoms mentioned (on the website) plus more. I only got it under control and
> realized it was the Gilberts causing some of my problems after going
> to am acupuncturist who had practiced acupuncture at the state
> hospital in Beijing China for 18 years.
> I had been to the doctors numerous times saying I felt sick had pains
> in my right side just under the ribs, was thirsty all the time had
> terrible IBS , constant headaches and also threw up a lot for no
> apparent reason. The doctors just treated me like I was a
> hypochondriac. So I gave up on the conventional way and went the
> alternative way hence ending up at the acupuncturist. He told me I had to give up certain foods like dairy.
> caffeine, alcohol,anything refined or pre packed with added chemicals
> colorants etc. And to eat about every 3 hours. The combination of
> treatment ,herbs and a total change in my diet has changed my life.
> There are still times were I feel awful but can usually put it down to
> having eaten or drunk something I should not have. It is like a jug of
> water ,it depends on how full the jug is as to how much of the naughty things I can consume.
>
> A combination of eating regularly, exercising regularly which speeds
> up the digestion and expulsion of toxins, sleeping well and excepting
> that there are times I just do not have the energy or am just feeling
> to unwell. All these things have helped immensely. On top of the
> Gilberts Syndrome I also suffer from Migraine and have a Vestibule
> imbalance and unfortunately all these things can set each other off so
> often I am hit with a treble whammy. So be thankful you only have
> Gilberts syndrome but maybe there are people with the same problems I have, if so I would love to hear your story.
>
> thank you for reading this ,hope it helps Rebecca
