I'm probably the one who hurt your feelings by suggesting that the "leaky gut" thing go away for awhile.

What you may not realize is that we had two major incidents, one around Thanksgiving and the other a week or 10 days ago where trolls (and there's no other term for it) got ugly and hateful, telling others who did not share their view on this subject that they were, basically the lowest of the low. Not that nicely, though. We lost a couple of long-time members, both of whom I treasured, after unbelievably ugly personal attacks, both public and private. In the second incident a new-ish member asked if anyone had had heard of "leaky gut" because it was new to him. Within 24 hours that "gentleman" was telling everyone else that food was the source of all their problems, Big Pharma is evil, and again got downright insulting to someone who had asked about copay assistance for a biologic.

I don't know why this particular issue brings out this kind of behavior. there's nothing wrong with discussion. Different people have different outlooks and experiences. When a subject just seems to be troll-bait, though, I have a big problem.

Wow, Alto I owe you an apology. I was aware of the last one with pharma and I do have to say what he said shook me up a bit and made me sick to my stomach but I didn't put the connection together that it was said on the same thread that the leaky gut syndrome was on. As far as the other incident, I knew something was going on butI had no clue that it was over the same thing.
Having said that, I have picked up some other resentment not to me but to others and I am probably way off base with that to.

Hilynnea,
I feel bad for you. Wow, you do not deserve to get "chewed out" for attempting to educate yourself.
If you don't ask you don't know.

This is my opinion, only my opinion.
The body is a mysterious & alluding thing. Even with all modern medicine no one holds all the answers.
We are simply all different. There for makes sense what works for one may not work for another.
Your simply trying to learn to make the best choice for you! Don't stop no matter what you run across.

So many factors involved. For example I had a doctor who believed strongly in acupuncture but he would only recommend the most highly skilled. So in his opinion it was the skill not only the method.
There is also the severity of the disease with each person.

My best friend & sister at heart has ask me to try a supplement shake aimed towards helping my disease & pain. Now normally I'd back away as I've spent a small fortune & had my hopes up to many times.
Since it's been "donated" for me to try & it can't hurt I'm giving it a try.
What's the worst that can happen? I'll remain on my treatment & know my body enough to tell the difference.

I firmly believe is supplements, good ones. Such as calcium, vit D, magnesium & so on......
For me I would not rule out anything in the future that has proof it works. I also will not allow more damage & pain. As I can't reverse it or get those days back.

I can say this, it's my choice & only mine.
I realize what works for me may not work for another.
Hang in there & make an educated choice with your doctor.
I hope you stay in touch,
Blessings & best of luck
Sammy

Thanks again for all the comments. I guess we just discussed the elephant in the room. I have no intentions of leaving this group because you guys have truly been a god send to me.
For me personally, the meds the Dr have prescribed for me are working and so I am not concerned with that.
I just want to learn of other possiblities out there and was just trying to opened up an old thread that discuss alternative medicine and nutrition. Doctors don't have time to research everything. Maybe I am naive, but I figure my Dr. can worry about the meds and I will worry about my general health and anything else can help me.

I do have to admit I hate to research things and I am so grateful for you my friend because you have helped me understand things in English I can actually understand.

I'll second that, if one person finds something that helps then another stands a chance at gaining relief. If we don't try we don't know.

Good point made Jen.
We simply don't all respond the same.
I had a friend who had major relief from a med that did nothing for me.
In fact out of 3 of us we all did better on different treatments.

I'm trying these supplement shakes & if in anyway I feel better that's a bonus. Yet the severity & pain levels I've experienced are enough to remind me I need the relief & preventative care medical science has to offer.

If I did attempt something that back fired I'd take resposability & I'll admit I'd probably come crying to you all. Where else could I go where others could remotely understand?
Even though I would not tell others what to do I'd suggest they proceed with caution & wish them luck.

It's hard to understand & know how to proceed when you have TV shows like Dr. Oz with patients claiming they were cured.
The warnings that are attached to these meds are enough to scare most & send them looking for alternative treatments.
Either way knowledge is the key. Know what your dealing with, the good, bad & ugly.
This is a great place to learn & support.
It's not possible to agree 100% of the time as we are human. It's the respect we show even when we disagree.
Sammy

Hilynnea, good luck opening up the old thread. I think it would be great if there was a place specifically for discussions of alternative/complementary medicines. You are absolutely right that for all of us, staying as healthy as possible is the single best thing we can do that is in our hands. You are right, also, that there is a rather large elephant in this particular room!


On the topic of alternative & complementary medicine, one big hurdle for me is that none of the treatments, supplements, and claims have been evaluated by an outside authority. In the US, this would be the FDA. Anything sold by prescription has to pass tests for safety and efficacy. As Jen points out, nothing is 100% safe and effective in all persons, but nothing with FDA approval is useless and dangerous either, by a long shot. This is why supplements, for example, say they offer "immune support" or "support joint health". If they stated that they actually improved joint function, healed a faulty immune system, or, in the case of kale, washed your dishes and filed your taxes, the FDA would demand proof they did this, and did a better job than a placebo. Chard vs. kale: filling out a Form 1040.

Along with that, this article http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/science/herbal-supplements-are-often-not-what-they-seem.html?_r=0 came out about two months ago. That expensive bottle of herbs might not be what it they're selling it to you as.

I'm no fan of insurance companies, but again they won't cover drugs or procedures that they don't think are worth the money they are putting out for it. As most of us have found out the hard way, trying to separate our insurance companies from "their"- really OUR- money isn't always easy. If insurance doesn't cover it, a look at the reasons why never hurts.

Wow, Jen you have been through a lot.
Alto, keep the Kale jokes coming. That stuff is amazing isn't it.

Wow, great story, Jen. Thank you for sharing with us.

brightens me up 5 days before my neck surgery that is for damn sure.

:)

ros

Brighten you neck or lighten your neck because it lightens my load if you know what I mean.
Are you having neck surgery or did you have neck surgery?

my c 5 is blown through. wanted to wait. but lost the left arm inexplicably this past weekend (the fat lady sang). that beautiful car accident this past june with the young lady reading and typing her nursing schedule while driving behind me in traffic, courtesy of......

this is one that is not about whether i eat cashews or almonds or do enbrel or field dancing. i basically have to pick the parts of the disc out of my spinal column. now i can stay up all night wondering whether they are going to use putty or crazy glue. :)

you always know how to make people feel better hily. what a nice personality facet for you. thanks for the support

Ros

Ros, spinal injuries are some of the most difficult injuries to deal with. Hope the surgery sets you straight again.

And I hope that texter had good insurance.

Prayers for a speedy recovery

How frustrating Ros. No matter how many commercials and warnings people get they still drive and text. Anyway I am assuming she was texting. Thoughts and Prayers are with you. The surgery sounds intense. Do you have your surgery scheduled?

Holy Cow ladies, I am hurting just reading what you guys have had to go through.