The Autoimmune Solution - Amy Myers and Susan Blum books

gettingready

My daughter who is 25 this year has been "kind of diagnosed" with an autoimmune problems. Not decided which one yet (long story).

Some time ago I came across this:



I am about half way through the book now and frankly as much as it makes an awful lot of sense - the dietary restrictions are pretty extreme.

I myself do not eat meat but everything I do eat seems to be damaging and unhealthy (beans/pulses/grains etc). Daughter lives at home with me now so trying to find a balance between what eat and what she can/should eat.

Amy Myers is based in US so again a bit of an issue with access to some suggestions from her book.

Has anyone read the book?

Anyone on here with autoimmune disease and can comment if following this plan helped at all?

Kindle version of the book is under £6.00 now so not very expensive but possible worth having a look if you suffer from autoimmune disease and conventional medicine is not helping..

gettingready

bump.......

skint_chick

I haven't read this specific book but I am following the auto immune protocol as I have a serious autoimmune disorder and some other less serious symptoms. I've been doing this since June 2014 - I started paleo then went completely AIP and now I've reintroduced a few things. I basically eat meat, veg and fruit - except for tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and other things I'm allergic to. It has meant I no longer take medication, I have massively increased energy - I'm at the gym 4/5 times a week - and I've lost almost 4 stone. I've also had 2 days off sick in the last year compared with 5 months the year before.

I would recommend checking out information on websites and trying your local library first - Mickey Trescott, the paleo mom, the paleo autoimmune protocol, phoenix helix - it might take more effort to have separate meals but it is definitely worth it. Also you should probably get an official diagnosis sorted out if that's possible rather than trying to treat 'a sort of' issue

A.Penny.Saved

The GAPS constructed by a UK based doctor and SCD diets are worth a look but they are extremely strict. However it's needed in order to destroy what is causing the problem with the hyper permeability of the digestive system. Leaky gut is term that is often used or Increased Intestinal Permeability Syndrome (IIPS). Biofilms are involved and they are extremely difficult to beat.

None of them really know where the problems lie, it's all a bit of a wide fix all, missing more than hitting the mark which is why they can take so long to have any effect.

Don't waste money on supplements that are meant to "heal" the gut because they do not work! They cannot work without eliminating the cause which as I have said is extremely difficult. Even getting what is need to raise the odds is unnecessarily obstructed by certain groups. I have been trying to get what I need to finish them for 12+ months and I am no closer to getting what I need now. It's very frustrating.

gettingready

Thanks a lot for your replies.

I have not finished the book yet but it does make a lot of sense.

Getting proper diagnosis is extremely difficult, it has been dragging on for like 20 years now as first ANA/ANF tests were coming up high when daughter was 5-6 yo and there was no explanation then.. fast forward 19 years and still not solid diagnosis.

skint_chick

It's very difficult to get a firm diagnosis in the UK - I had to point out to my GP that my symptoms were typical of my autoimmune disorder and I've had the same symptoms since 1993 and only got a proper diagnosis after I pushed to be sent to a specialist in 2011 after being put on long term medication. My specialist is lovely but didn't have the resources to do anything other than prescribe more medication. I did all the research about alternative lifestyles myself and with the support of Facebook groups and internet resources have managed to resolve the majority of my symptoms and am confident that given a few more adaptations the rest will resolve/improve.

I think your daughter should give some sort of diet adaptation a go - it's tough and takes work but can be completely worth it to feel better. If one variation doesn't work try something else - it's better to try something that carry on as she is without a diagnosis and not feeling any better.

gettingready

Thanks - what specialist was that?

I will have a look at "functional medicine" in UK as the book author is US based and things are a bit different there. Lots of tests are not even available in UK..

skint_chick

I have an autoimmune disorder that affects my lungs, joints, skin and eyes - so after several trips to an eye specialist at A&E, a dermatologist who was baffled, and a rheumatologist who just gave me steroids I did some googling and suggested to my GP that I should see a thoracic specialist, who confirmed my self diagnosis with blood tests and lung function tests.

Most people with general immune issues seem to see a rheumatologist if they're having joint issues, an endocrinologist if there's thyroid/hormone problems or just get referred to general medicine because GP's don't know what to do. I think with autoimmune disorders everything needs to be treated holistically rather than one specific symptom at a time. I'm in a Facebook group - UK Paleo and AIP for autoimmune disease and some people there have seen UK specialists privately so you could get your daughter to join and ask for advice - there might be someone who has the same specific symptoms and can suggest a specialist or specific tests that can be done in the UK

gettingready

Thanks

I am also reading this now



Very interesting...

Found a doctor who is also a functional medicine practitioner and will be making an appointment for a consultation in May there for my daughter.

There seem to be a lot of functional medicine practitioners with some certificates but not many medical doctors who ale also functional medicine practitioners and I was looking for one that is MD so happy to find one now.

gettingready

About what is functional medicine

http://www.functional-health.co.uk/treatments/functional-medicine

There’s a huge gap between research and the way doctors practice. The gap between emerging research in basic sciences and integration into medical practice is enormous—as long as 50 years— particularly in the area of complex, chronic illness. Most physicians are not adequately trained to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic disease and to apply strategies such as nutrition, diet, and exercise to both treat and prevent these illnesses in their patients.

lessonlearned

Hi there Getting Ready

Just as soon as I get the book I'll read it and come back to you.

After my own experiences and what I have learned I am more than happy to share my knowledge.

In fact I'm now on a mission.......:rotfl:

My son recently met the girl of his dreams - the wedding is set for next May 2016"

She has been a lifelong sufferer of migraines and has recently developed worrying symptoms of joint and muscle pain, pelvic pain, severe back ache and extreme fatigue.

She is currently undergoing all the usual tests, scans etc.

I suggested she give up grains and see what happens. She has been grain free for a week now and just this morning I had a call from my son to say that she feels a lot better today.

There is so much we don't yet know but I'm am determined to learn more.

A bit of background about me.

I am not a doctor.

One of my grandmothers was a herbalist and she taught me a lot. I have retained a lifelong interest in holistic medicine, especially when I first started learning about food additives way back in the 80s.

When I was in my early 50's I fancied a career change and trained as a beauty therapist but somewhere along my course I became less interested in fake nails etc and got really immersed into natural skin care and products, aromatherapy etc.

I intended to take it further and go on to take diplomas in complimentary medicine but my husband got sick and I became his carer. He died last August and now that my life is back on an even keel it is my intention to go back and finish my studies and get my diplomas.

Throughout the last 10 years I have continued reading , researching and experimenting.

I do not profess to be an expert by any means but I am learning all the time.