So that is great news. I truly am thankful. And perhaps we should just accept that and move on? Except that Isaac is still having stomach issues: several trips to the bathroom each day and increased stomach pain. (Which is puzzling, obviously, because of the clear-bill-of-health statement from the GI doctor.) For the most part his joints are almost completely better. For the past two days he has noted pain in his finger joints, but that's it. His hives seem to have cleared up. He hasn't eaten enough for me to judge his appetite yet. He is weak, but seems to be getting stronger each day and for that we are so thankful. I feel like we're settling back into normal.
But even if he didn't still have a smattering of symptoms, I don't know if I can just think, "Well, that was strange..." and move on with life. Because two weeks ago he wasn't able to move. And there's a reason for that. (Right?!) Even if all of his symptoms were from a viral infection, what is going on in his immune system that would make it respond that way? It's just not a healthy immune response.
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| {yesterday's breakfast} |
I had planned on eliminating gluten from his diet this week, just in case it was Celiac Disease, or in case he was having an allergic reaction to something that was triggering all of this (or some of it), but the doctor says it's not Celiac-- the biopsy would have shown that. So he said that's not necessary.
So we just wait, I guess. And watch him and see how he does.
As always, your opinions and ideas are always appreciated. Please do weigh in on this if you have thoughts. And again, thank you for your prayers and concern. You have been so kind, and you are so dear to me, all of you.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Stacy
Giving praises for the good report! ...but I do agree with you that it seems to be "more" going on and still unanswered questions to the symptoms he is still experiencing.
ReplyDeleteI know that virus attacks can be strange. My littlest had an attack that mimicked an appendix needing to be removed. The CT scan showed inflammation but all other indications were not typical so we waited and prayed. She had miserable symptoms requiring morphine IV and suffered for weeks in so much pain in the abdominal area. We were told to put her on a clear liquid diet for 48 hours and very slowly add in breads, plain rice, applesauce, and toast for the next few days. We were also told to avoid all sugars and anything processed after that and to keep spicy foods out of her diet for months. I think it was a 6 month ordeal, but she finally healed. She still has occasional bits of pain once in a great while, but we still never had answers.
All this to say that it may just be one of those things that remain a mystery. We prayed a lot during those months for answers and we will now continue praying for Isaac :)
That's so strange! What a hard road. I don't think I like mysteries. ;)
DeleteLove to you, friend. Thanks for your encouragement.
Oh dear mama ... big hugs to you. Just wondering if you've considered seeing a naturopath? I have gained so much deeper insight in working with mine - sort of expanding the lens thru which the body is understood and seen (vs thr western medical model which is pretty linear). For instance, my naturopath had labs run that were totally different and provided great insight (ie, very low vit d levels which are significant for me and not checked by main dr). I am constantly reminded of the mystery of our bodies and even more, the many tools that we have to see and experience healing ...
ReplyDeletePraying for you all ♡
Thanks, Emily. If I knew of any good ones in our area I might try that route.
DeleteLove to you, sweet friend, as you conquer your OWN health battles. Praying for you, dear one. (((Hugs)))
I'm not usually one to leave health advice related comments, so let me apologize ahead of time... sorry! I'm sure you're hearing all sorts of things from all sorts of people. Just know this is coming out of sincere love for you guys! I hadn't read this blog update before we talked today otherwise I would have chatted about it then.
ReplyDeleteI would try a gluten free diet. Even better would be grain free and low FODMAP. For years the biopsy test was the gold standard for getting a Celiac disease diagnosis but there is a whole community of people out there saying that a biopsy doesn't tell the truth. I think it's worth a try to go the food route. I'd eliminate gluten and move on to grains if needed.
Why I suggest grains too is that when I eliminated gluten from my diet, it wasn't immediately apparent that it was helping. My digestive system was too damaged. I eliminated more grains (oats and corn were big ones for me, rice was fine) until I felt better and eventually my gut healed a bit and I could handle everything but gluten. I also mentioned a low FODMAP diet, which is basically an irritable bowel syndrome diet that eliminates foods that can often cause problems.
Continuing in prayer. Much love to you all!
I know you love us, friend. And I value your input, truly. I know that you know this road of autoimmune issues well, so your opinion matters to me.
DeleteLove you. And I so enjoyed getting to visit with you today!
I just read the post prior to this one but thought it would make more sense to just comment here again.
ReplyDeleteWhen the gut is damaged (by gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease for example) proteins from food can seep out through the lining of the intestines. The immune system attacks those foreign proteins. If the defense mechanism stopped there, that would be just great. But what happens is that those foreign proteins look a lot like other proteins that actually belong in the body and the immune system becomes overactive, attacking those proteins as well. (Like joints, or the thyroid for example.) Keeping my gut healthy, and ultimately healing my gut, gives me the best chance of not having more autoimmune diseases or experiencing more serious symptoms of the disease.
A virus can bring on an autoimmune disease. Almost as if it was a sleeping giant and the virus awakened it. Or this could all just be one big virus and he doesn't have an autoimmune disease at all! I just wouldn't rule out a food sensitivity or Celiac disease yet, because the only true diagnosis in my opinion, is elimination and experiencing the results of it. And it's likely that at the beginning you would have to eliminate a bit more than just gluten to see results.
Again, I'm still praying for relief, strength, comfort and wisdom for you all.
You are so much more knowledgeable than I am about this. I'm trying to understand. I'll talk to Mark and then we'll tackle the issue with Isaac. (He is NOT a fan of eliminating anything from his diet, really.) Thanks for your thoughts, friend. I appreciate you!
Delete(And for your prayers!)
DeleteI just re-read this comment and I sound like a crazy person. I'm so sorry! I meant well, I promise. :). Please don't let me pressure you into any sort of decision because it could very likely be the wrong decision. Trust the doctors and trust Mark. Ignore those crazy Internet people, aka me! ;)
DeleteMy DH had a lot of the same symptoms Isaac had/has and when he takes gluten out of his diet, all or most of his symptoms go away. :) Have you read anything by Weston Price, Stacy? :) That's my two cents! Like Chatty said, I'm sure you've had SO MUCH "advice"! But it's hard not to share what's worked for us! Praying you find a solution and I'm glad the biopsy went well!
DeleteMy Chatty Housewife friend,
DeleteYou do NOT sound like a crazy person! And I do not feel pressured and I asked for your thoughts and opinions. And I know you and trust you. So stop apologizing already, silly! ;) (((Love you MUCH)))
Catie,
DeleteI read Nourishing Traditions years ago. I'm paying attention to his diet and we'll see if we need to eliminate. I may move in that direction for all of us, honestly. We'll see. That's a tough one because I LOVE TO BAKE BREAD. ;) Thanks for commenting, Catie!
Stacy, thank you. <3
DeleteOh Sweet friend. I am so sorry. I have not been here in awhile, and I am just catching up. I will be praying for your family and especially Issac. Your gratitude inspires me. I love your list and the numbers. I like your specific praises. Thank you for your example of steadfast faith.
ReplyDeleteCarolynn~
DeleteThank you. I so appreciate your prayers and your kind words. (((hugs to you and yours)))
Praising the Father with you for the clear biopsy report! Continuing with you in prayer ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Quinne!
DeletePraying for you guys, Stacy...(I'm Rebekah's sister..she formerly had the MoreLoveToThee blog). We have friends who's daughter went through something like this with hives, though not the other symptoms...but very hard time diagnosing for over a year, and it turns out it was related to puberty. Hoping and praying it's nothing serious for Isaac either.
ReplyDeleteCharissa
Yes, Charissa! I remember you! And Beka, too, of course. (Give her a hug for me, will you?)
DeleteThank you for your kind words and prayers!
~Stacy
I will do that! I know she still appreciates your blog here!
Delete