Toxic overload in todays society!

[Mrs H]

Hi guys I've just been doing some research and found a really interesting site (ill provide the link when I'm on the laptop and not my phone!!) About IBS. Its provoked a lot of thoughts in my head but thought I would throw it to you guys and see what you think!
As many of you know I've been ill for 2 yrs now with chronic nausea (for those who read the thyroid post the final tests were normal so ruled it out!)I also suffer regular bouts of stomach cramps and the squits! I can't eat a normal diet and currently live on pancakes and ginger tea. Its really getting me down at the minute as energy is a big problem so I've begun research. All hospital tests r normal!
The article is a man who believes that in todays modern world we overload our bodies with toxins and become ill. He suffered from Ibs for many years and as an experiment adapted a basically toxic free lifestyle, ate organically, used natural cleaners, filtered his water, used natural body wash products etc. He even stopped watching tv so as not to be subjected to any rays it may give off. He claims that within 2 days his symptoms dramatically improved and within 4 weeks were gone.
What our your thoughts on this? Any input will as always be gratefully received!! Xx

[Milims]

I don't know about the TV thing, but I do believe that we do over toxicate ourselves on a daily basis. I don't think that it's just about eating organic foods and it's also about looking at the products we use. Did you ever see the program that investigated things like air fresheners, makeup and other general household products? I was horrified at how many real toxins there are in this stuff. I also discovered (I'll try and find the article on the web) that after the war there was a shed load of stuff left over from the chemical warfare attacks - so they put it into cleaning products Now I do what I can to cut down to the essential ingredients that do the job - so washing is done with soda crystals, bleaching is done with "Oxy" type products - the ones that break down to water and oxygen. Pretty much I look at the label and ask does is have more than 5 ingredients and do you recognise the names of them? If I recognise them would I want to put them in my mouth?

Here's something food for thought: http://www.rense.com/general19/chemical.htm

And one more : http://www.health-report.co.uk/are_chem ... rload.html

[oldjerry]

In my experience,most gasterentorologists diagnose IBS when they run out of ideas.I've spent nearly 30 years in the, all too freequent company,of people with gastric disorders.If your symptoms persist,INSIST upon a second ,third and fourth specialist's opinion,to eliminate the possibility of diverticulitis(bloody painfull,but not critical)or Crohn's (a whole new ballgame,but you CAN deal with it).There are loads of quack(and maybe genuine) cures around, made all the more attractive as gastric problems where the symptoms are largely toilet -based,and difficult to discuss,even contemplate,but you need ,first and foremost a good consultant.
Best Wishes,PM me if you want.

[okra]

I am also of the opinion that our exposure to so many small doses of a cocktail of chemicals is causing problems

[Rosendula]

I agree with everybody . Seriously, I agree with OldJerry - get as many professional opinions as you can. What has struck me over the last decade or so is how many people I know who have suffered for a long time, going to see their GP over and over and being given prescriptions for medication that doesn't have any effect, or sometimes makes the symptoms worse, and have then gone back yet again and found a locum standing in for the regular GP, and the locum immediately came up with an alternative solution - tests, a real diagnosis and a prescription for things that actually do work. So if you haven't already had an opinion from every qualified doctor in the world, insist on having it.

I also agree with the toxins thing - not only in cleaning products and 'beauty' products, but also in shop-bought food. I'm sure that as an Isher you probably already believe in home cooking, but if you can go as natural as possible, cut out all processed rubbish, avoid preservatives and stuff, you might find your situation improving. And let's face it, it can't hurt to try. I recommend you have a nosey around this website when you've a bit of time to spare - Weston A. Price Foundation

[crowsashes]

i suffered for years with similar problems - which were as bad as i get the urge to go and i HAD to go no holding it in and it meant not much of a life. oddly when i was pregnant it drastically improved ( as did other things which were to do with my hormones) which led me to believe it is associated with my hormones.

cutting down on cleaning products, finding a brand that a) doesn't bring me out in a rash and b) reduced my symptoms was both stressful but at the same time relieving! it is hard for some to believe the kind of chemicals that can knock our hormone balance out of whack and cause problems. i believe it does have a massive effect. before LO i wasn't all that 'ish' at all. using quite 'toxic' products and not thinking anything of it, now im much more natural. ill be honest, i still have bad attacks - they are reduced to once a month (with the pain/discomfort) but it can go on for several days and the need to be next to a loo im 'lucky' if that happens 3-4 times a year.

i still have a list of foods that i cant eat - beef, it 'sits heavy' pork too, wheat has to be limited, bran is only eaten when needed, pasta unless gluten free and i avoid most products containing soya except the odd dish with tofu as i cant resist a good malaysian dish with fried tofu

at the time though i also lived right in the city centre next to a very busy road- now i live much further out of town on a very quiet street ( lucky to see 10 cars go by a day) and i dont know if that has anything to do with it either my alcohol consumption, although never as bad as my uni days has gone down too. so maybe it is a combination of things?

( i have had numerous tests, all came back normal and very good for me and those were through different doctors. )

[The Riff-Raff Element]

I recall reading an article by a very serious neuro-biologist which was putting forward the hypothysis that the gut may be capable of simple emotion.

His idea hinged on the observation that the gut is highly connected with the brain - far more than is the case with other organs - and itself contains significant amounts of nervous material; perhaps 20% of that found in the brain.

He was looking for ways to test the idea, but he speculated that IBS may be linked to the general emotional state of the individual - the stomach coming out in sympathy, as it were.

I've not seen much about this since, but I've not really been looking. Anyone?

[oldjerry]

Well yes,as in 'I was so nervous I nearly crapped myself'Without doubt the people I've met(in numerous gastro waiting rooms)diagnosed withIBS have often been of a'thoughtful' disposition.I think stress(or even percieved stress) can aggravavate most gut disorders,and probably other health probs too.......I've had Crohn's for many years,but Mrs OJ reckons I was born with IBS (Irritating bastard syndrome !)

[Mrs H]

Good old Mrs Oj!! She gave me a laugh this mornin!! Oj I sent u a wee pm last night.
I'm sure its true it probable is a lot to do with ur thoughts. This all started with me after having baby 2 and doing a huge emotional house move. I'm still not settled here so maybe that has a lot to do with it but we can't move back to Kent so I've just gotta get used.
The toxic stuff is quite scarey I was reading more stuff last night.
The in laws r due today so ill probably be on the crapper all morning!!! Lol xx

[AnnaD]

Have you tried cutting out grain and sugar? I know of a lot of people who have cured their IBS on a diet free of processed foods, grain and sugar. It seems to heal a lot of health problems.

[Millymollymandy]

I recall reading an article by a very serious neuro-biologist which was putting forward the hypothysis that the gut may be capable of simple emotion.

His idea hinged on the observation that the gut is highly connected with the brain - far more than is the case with other organs - and itself contains significant amounts of nervous material; perhaps 20% of that found in the brain.

He was looking for ways to test the idea, but he speculated that IBS may be linked to the general emotional state of the individual - the stomach coming out in sympathy, as it were.

I've not seen much about this since, but I've not really been looking. Anyone?

They've always said it was linked to stress. I used to get it mostly in the evening and when I was going out - that's not to say I was nervous but maybe not as calm as when I was at home. These days though I can get it in the afternoon when I'm at home for no reason whatsoever and sometimes it comes on after eating dinner. I don't know the reason but mine (just awful stomach ache) is very debilitating - it is fine if I lie down as that eases the cramps but it's hard to do that if I am out!

[fifi folle]

My situation was similar to toxic overload in some ways. I had gut problems for several years, daily vomiting, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, bloating and abdominal pain. I went through all the tests which all came out clear, eventually as a last resort I went for colon hydrotherapy. Saw a highly qualified nurse, went through full history etc and was diagnosed with candida in the bowel. I had recurrent thrush before this but didn't put two and two together. I had colonics regularly, took supplements and made changes to my diet, took a few months and eventually felt so much better! I lost weight and was so much happier! The gist of the diet was to cut out wheat, dairy, gluten, sugar, caffeine and alcohol for 4 months. It also helped me I think as it's similar to the endometriosis diet, a gynae condition with which I have since been diagnosed. I really need to go on it again but am pregnant so don't want to make any major changes.
I truly believe that the bowel can reflect your emotional health, I would have coped with my health problems if I hadn't also been working in a stressful environment with managers who were continually more concerned with my absence rate than the health of their staff! Part of my recovery also involved me changing jobs!! A lot of hormones are found in the bowel including serotonin so I guess if there is an upset in the bowel it can disrupt hormones and then cause a vicious circle, just me thinking out loud!

[Alice Abbott]

Mrs H I have a huge book called Healing with Whole Foods - Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford. It's from the US so I'm not sure if its something you will have seen. It has several paragraphs on IBS, nausea and vomiting which are hard to summarize. It doesn't seem to mention nausea being connected to IBS so you may have a couple of problems which are playing against each other if IBS is what has already been diagnosed. There is some suggestion that the liver may be involved with any problems too.

If you have not seen the book I could type out the info here for you to see what you think?

[Sky]

I always joked that at the first bit of stress I suffered IBS.

[Alice Abbott]

Thanks for the pm , Mrs H. I'll see if I can type out or even scan some of the info and pm it back to you.

In the meantime I spoke to my MIL this morning who had somewhat similar problems (she is in Waterford). She now takes something called Bimuno which can be bought online and finds it a huge help so that's something worth trying if you haven't already heard of it?