So what is the Paleo Summit to me?
For me, it is where unconventional thoughts lead to stunning results! Come and listen to what we put together for free!
Sean Croxton, of Underground Wellness, called upon me to talk about some stunning results. When Sean and I spoke, I was putting the finishing touches on a pretty epic bio hack to really address this with a real world N-1. Many of the gurus and experts will cite papers and research. Yet, I decided to use my primal instinct to bridge the gap to answer the question for myself. After 35 years of thinking and reading, I think I might have stumbled upon the answer to why the Paleo diet is the only adaptation a human may need to attain the road to Optimal!
In 2012, I will be unleashing the most counterintuitive theories that the paleo-sphere has ever thought of. I will show you how one factor in our evolutionary history may just hold the key to what precisely is optimal is for us all. The one fact might predetermine precisely what we should be eating, instead of what we can eat. Many paleo forums are filled with macronutrient options that we have adapted to tolerate and meet reproductive fitness. For evolution, reproductive fitness is paramount. In 2012, I will show that that many neolithic primal beliefs fall far short of the Optimal Paleo Life. Being able to reproduce is great for the species propagation, but being able to optimally age well is biological novelty that we all need to maximize.
In my Paleo Summit interview with Sean, you will begin to hear why our neolithic thoughts might just subjugate your paleolithic genes to stop you from reaching Optimal. Aging is not a “Peak Paleo topic” but it should be! Why you ask? It is because to age, and to age well, one has to apply principles to optimize our longevity. Many seem to be unaware that what maybe a “good vibration” for a young primal human may actually cut your life short and deplete your stem cell supply. It may be quite possible that Paleo dogma could cut your life short.
Sean and I discuss why neolithic technology may cut your life short, and may be killing you slowly as you read this post. We talk about why aging is a biologic novelty that evolution has not had enough time to create an optimal plan for. We talk about how the organ I operate upon (brain) always puts our paleolithic genes at risk, and is our ultimate biologic mismatch that undercuts our ability to reach for Optimal.
We talk about why the conventional wisdom of calories in and calories out is just partially explained by the second law of thermodynamics. Many bright minds in the blogosphere invoke the second law of thermodynamics when speaking of calories, but few have integrated a biologic framework with modern quantum physics to explain understand how useful work might be done in a molecular system when one form of stored energy is converted into another. In other words, how might thermalized energy be unavailable for work? The possibility of this thought is controversial in our community, but fully accepted outside our community in the world of physics and biologic theorists. We know today it is impossible to convert thermalized energy into stored energy. The second law of thermodynamics has been reformulated to account for the actions of single molecules from macronutrients. Physiologist Colin McClare’s contention, in the 1970′s, that all living systems consist of nested space-time compartments of various sizes in all cells; all the way down to micro-domains and the biochemical molecular micro machines in our cells that lead me to conclude that calorie counting was utterly useless endeavor. At the very least, his assertions imply that if thermodynamics were to applied to living systems, then they must apply to individual molecules in as much as to ensembles of molecules and the energy they confer within their bonds. Do I know these concepts are a difficult read and a tougher problem for understanding for most people? Yes, I do get that and I apologize for it, but the implications are staggering from a biologic stand point! What I have learned about quantum biology over the last 20 years taught me calories were a useless waste of counting that only raised my cortisol levels. With Sean, I try to shrink that complex scientific argument into a “Hostess Twinkie” analogy.
What else do we hit upon?
Is obesity and inflammatory brain condition?
Is obesity even a disease?
What are the 3 main problems associated with obesity?
How does leptin equate with complete energy loss in the earth’s life, as an analogy?
Are kids fat because Mrs. Obama is right or wrong?
Are all calories created equally?
What is the precise relationship between our brains and our genes?
How did mankind’s crowning achievement become our biggest evolutionary failure?
How does modern medicine CW on cholesterol negate all the good we might do?
How is optimal heath achieved through “minding our gut”?
Come join me and lets begin the discovery on the road to Optimal. Register for the Paleo Summit, Now!
Done and Done. cant wait
Technology killing us slowly…I'm guessing interruption of our Circadium rhythm? Not enough sleep will kill you slowly over time? Please don't tell me my iPhone is causing my genes problems! I don't know if I could give it up!
@James……..thought experiment for you…….who invented the iphone? Who ate a non optimal diet? Who worked themselves physically and mentally to succeed…………and how did it all end for him?
This is a perfect example of what a neolithic might do to your paleolithic genes if you allow the most amazing creation of evolution run your show totally.
Steve Jobs died of pancreatic cancer. So much for eating fruit smoothies all day long and being vegan….
@Ivy…….you are my southern hemispheric rockstar!
Dr. Kruse,
Sorry for posting off topic, but I am not sure where this question would fit. I am asking you because you are probably the only person in the world who understands all the components of the Quilt AND dentistry!
I have a badly decaying wisdom tooth that needs to be pulled. It could be poisoning my whole system, and as I am dealing with some very serious health problems, that is something I cannot afford.
My only concern is whether the trauma and local inflammation of extracting the tooth could set off an inflammatory storm elsewhere in my body — or brain. This is also something that I cannot afford, since I may be dealing with a brain already damaged by excitotoxicity.
Thank you for your time!
@MM it could but a bad tooth is the source of a real problem……if the tooth is really shot you need to get it done. Taking wisdom teeth out is not that tough to do a-traumatically. I loved taking wisdom teeth out when I was an Oral Surgeon. I still kind of miss it. I just tell people my skills moved north about 6 inches and the root canals I do now have bigger nerves associated with them and no saliva.
Maybe this would be a good time to tell us about oil pulling!
Dr Jack – if I win lotto this weekend I will be there! In the meantime, you have @ed Ivy… who is she and how do I get in touch (one southern hemisphere paleo, to another…)
Love you… loving cold showers too XO
@Ivy is glamorama on MDA monster thread………she lives in Australia. You can find her and connect with her there.
Thanks Dr Jack – she's gorgeous! I'll contact her
@janet Her before and after she posted at the MDA site are magnificent.
Looking Forward..
Wow there is really a lot of Paleo info coming to us with this summit. Amazing how all the big names got involved.
Dr. Jack,
What do you know about gall bladder removal in relation with optimum health? You mentioned leaky gut and vitamin K2 deficiency.
What else should we, the gallbladderless, be aware of?
Thanks already,
Petra
@Petra Removing a gallbladder is the most common operation in the USA. Many general surgeons believe the organ was put there for them to remove. Many view it as a useless organ. I do not believe that at all. I look at the gallbladder as the pacemaker of the gut……….the most important thing it does for us is it releases massive amounts of CCK. When food containing fat enters the digestive tract, it stimulates the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK) from gut mucosa. CCK release is the pacemaker that sets up the amazing coordination of digestion of fats. It works in concert with leptin. There is a receptor in the mouth called CD36 that is the first fat sensor……it is the canary in the coal mine for the gallbladder to tell it to get ready that a fat meal is coming. The type of fats at dinner are also critical but are typical in a primal template. Try to concentrate on 10-18 carbon fats because these are best at stimulating Cholecystokinin (CCK) that destroys the night time appetite. I use coconut oil, ghee, pastured butter, and bacon lard to get this effect. I use the fat to cover the carbs and the protein most times in sauces.
CCK signals the liver to begin to make bile to emulsify the fat in the meal. People who get gallstones stones tend to eat a high carbohydrate and low fat diet. The best evolutionary adapted diet for all mammals…….is a paleolithic diet. I will lay out why that is the case in my book. Most vertebrates have gallbladders, whereas invertebrates do not. There is a damn good reason for this evolutionary novelty to tied to the reason we are best adapted to this diet. Within the broad boundaries of this diet lies the best type of diet for us……the ketogenic paleolithic version. This is the one that confers to us the most evolutionary adaptations for maximum survival in my opinion. It is also one that has the highest amount of fat within it. Becoming a lipophile allowed us to shorten our guts from our primate ancestors and it allowed us to increase our intake of fat to forum the most amazing biologic machinery every created by evolution…….the human brain. The evolution of the human brain has speed up the speed of evolution probably by a factor of 100 according to most evolutionary biologists. If this is true than having a gallbladder becomes one of the most important things for the human GI tract because without it we become suboptimal people to use the diet that is best adapted for our gut. If you look a medical text book of risk factors for gallbladder disease you will see these words somewhere in the chapter………FAT FEMALE FORTY and FERTILE. Every medical doctor on the planet knows this information. You know what they do not know though? Why that those four things cause gallbladder disease. All four symptoms have one common tie. That is excessive estrogen production. The most common type of estrogen in people with gallbladder disease is estradiol, what we call E2. Estradiol is conjugated in the liver by sulfate and glucuronide formation and, as such, is excreted via the kidneys. Some of the water-soluble conjugates are excreted via the bile duct (think gallbladder), and partly reabsorbed after hydrolysis from the intestinal tract. This enterohepatic circulation contributes to maintaining estradiol levels. In English this means that when fat is broken down it liberates E2 into our guts to get rid of the excess. If you no longer have a gallbladder you slowly begin to concentrate E2 in your body. The fatter you are the worse it gets. This is why most neolithic diseases are tied to obesity. This is the main reason for estrogen sensitive breast cancers in older females. Humans become estrogen dominant (both male and female) when they eat the standard Western diet. You need a gallbladder to rid your body of excess E2. It is a critical point. I could write 2000 disease right here who all have estrogen dominance as a cardinal feature. Now you can see why understand how one system ties into another can lead to a biologic mismatch, alter signaling and cause cancer, heart disease, and atherosclerosis over time………….So the next time someone says let's just remove your gallbladder………..let my warning echo in your head. You wont hear this from my profession. Remember they believe that God put the gallbladder there for us to remove. It has no real purpose. I can not tell you how many time I have heard this in my training and from many surgeons.
So if youre missing a gallbladder consider supplementing NAC, MSM, and DMSO to speed up the removal of the serum estrogens like E2. You can even do a test to check your clearance of estrogens from the liver. When it builds up in men this is how they get man boobs.
To become Optimal you must handle dietary fats like a true champion. This requires a functional gallbladder. Always guard your guts from bad foods, diets, thoughts……..and my profession. That is my best advice to you why this organ is critical to a primal life.
Signed up after seeing your tweet. I'm another Aussie and am looking forward to the day when I can show you (and others) my before and after photos. Messed up and making this day 1. This time I'm better prepared. The reset is the first protocol where I don't obsess about food. Once my omega ratio is sorted and nipple vasospasm is under control. I'll be adding ice baths to the protocol (have adrenal fatigue). Thanks for all the info you provide.
@Jack That sounds so familiar 🙂
Most common surgery? probably circumcision or cataract surgery is most common. Can't find exact figures, but abortion and cesareans would be up there also…
Regardless….off on a tangent there.
People vary widely in their sensitivity to sense fat. Those with plenty of fat receptors (cd36, and gpr120) sense dietary fat, and stop. Probably around 20% of people are "deficient" in these receptors, and thus overeat.
Interesting thing about gpr120 and other fat receptors, (trans membrane proteins) it is also found in human lingual tissue, likely contribute to fat detection, and especially GPR120 is sensitive to omega3 fatty acids.
The ability to digest fats, efficiently, and completely, made us so superior. And the gall bladder and liver together are responsible.
@Dr John Data from payments of insurance claims show its gallbladder removal. The cost may not exceed others……but surgical volumes are there. I do not consider cataract surgery surgery honestly. LOL
@Dr. John. Assuming that one only has a defect of cd36 and grp120 then the nights fat burnoff mode would regulate their weight no matter how much they "overate"
Wondering out loud if a defect is the fat receptors accompanies specific configurations of metabolism dysregulation.
…..
Ok upon further reflection I guess it is pretty obvious that my statement is correct these clusters and glycoprotiens majorly control glucose and lipid metabolism so…. why would we continue to look to the driver of the broken down bus as the reason it doesnt move?
@Jonathan…
those receptors are just transmembrane proteins, that in a gustatory sense, "tell" you about the consumption of fat. This signals the ventromedial hypothalamus that you are satiated, and then to tell the lateral hypothalamus to stop eating.
I'm not a big believer in the calories in…cal out idea. Nor can you apply the 2nd Law of Thermo to the human body…we are not a closed system…it takes calories to burn calories….generated heat ramps up our metabolism…etc.
These receptors (actually genetic expression gives rise to those transmembraneous glycoproteins) are there or not, due to epigenetics. Years of "bad bus driver" habits causes expression or in this case, no expression of cd36/grp120 receptors….
As Dr. Jack says: "Guard Your Guts"…or what you put in your cake-hole will change you.
Hi Dr. Jack,
You have no idea what it means to me, to finally see a well founded reply on the gallbladder issue from medical point of view.
My thank does not fit in this comment 🙂
Petra
@Quelson…….booyah back at ya.
Not that you need much coaxing, but do please continue with your in depth and technical explanations. No need to ever dumb it down for us – the first read won't make any sense, but we'll go find some additional information (recommended reading is always welcome), and by the tenth time, that light bulb will go off, and we'll feel great 🙂
The Paleo crowd enjoys a good challenge
@casey that is not true in some paleo sites………I can assure you of that.
I also want to say thank you for the understandable explanation of the function of the gallbladder. My mom and sister both have had their's removed, and I am doing my best to avoid that fate.
My husband is doing the Leptin RX. He needs to lose around 80 more lbs before he can have his knee surgery (via the VA). He has no thyroid as it was radioactively destroyed in 1973, so he takes synthroid. He also has asbestosis. So far he has lost 12 lbs in two weeks and is thrilled with the progress so far. Are there any other recommendation that you would suggest pertinent to his situation that maybe are not addressed in the Leptin Reset?
BTW, we added the krill oil to the supplements that he takes and it has made a world of difference in the pain management of his knee.
Thank you.
Susan
@susanyes tell him to the read 2/11/12 blog post………it will help him big time
i'm looking forward to your presentation at the paleo summit, dr. kruse, but i am disappointed at what looks like several rehashes of the ancestral health symposium.
@V my talk is no rehash……..I am going to hit neolithic thinking technology loving paleo's were it hurts for their own good.
PS did you remove the comments about the supplement i mentioned?
@V What supplement?
Thank you, Dr. Jack for your detailed and intelligible description of how gall bladder works. I immensely enjoy reading your blog and really appreciate your engagement and approachability.
Please keep the science in your upcoming book. It is important for the credibility or your recommendations. And include a list of acronyms.
the de vany supplement
Hi Dr. Jack,
I have hypothyroidism and am still trying to get my meds right. I have put on 35 pounds in the past 3 months. I have just come across your site and recently the paleo sites. I would like to do the leptin reset. I am a vegetarian, I do eat eggs and dairy. Is it possible for me to do it as a vegetarian? Thank you for all your info, I am excited about all this new info that I am learning about that will be life changing for me! I also see the summit will have info on being a vegetarian and doing paleo! Cant wait! Thanks for your help!
@Kris You can but you will take much longer because your diet has a ton of omega 6's in it. I would suggest you look into the Whole 9 program for vegetarians……Im a afraid I am a bit more paternalistic. I want you eating omega three meat and offal as soon as possible be I believe in reaching for an A all the time and not settling for a B or C. My bias……Good Luck!
@Kris.
6 – 10 eggs = 50 gram of protien.
As a vegetarian getting your protien with a low carb (under 50) count will be problematic but not impossible.
Keep us informed
Yes, please keep the science in your book. Without it, it's a religion. We would have to have faith in your method, without understanding (if we wish to dig) the facts behind it.
I am SO excited about this — I have sent it to my family members as well — we can't wait!
oh, i found your answer, nevermind.
hi again. i believe you said that people wanting to increase BAT through cold exposure should not do so if they have a heart condition. but what about the admonition contained in the following excerpt from dr. demopulos that no one over 40 should do so:
"Thank you for the article on winter swimmers. The laboratory studies were rigorous
and related only to winter swimmers, wherein the body is totally immersed in cold water,
while the individual swims and maintains core body temperatures.
There is no way to even partially mimic this, with cold showers, or even purposeful
exposures to cold air.
I do not recommend: winter swimming, cold showers, purposeful exposures to cold
air. The reason is that the majority of adults over 40, both males and females, already
have significant atherosclerotic disease in their coronaries, carotid arteries, and cerebral
arteries. They can not afford the risk of cold-induced spasm (narrowing) of already
compromised arteries and having a reasonably good lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL,
LDL) does not mean your arteries are in good shape, since approximately 50% of people
who have a heart attack due to coronary artery disease have normal lipid profiles.
One of the things that fools people is that the autopsies on the type of patient just
described often shows only partial occlusion of the coronary artery by atherosclerotic
plaque, with seemingly adequate remaining space. ThatÃs because the acute spasm
(narrowing) of the artery, secondary to cold or a heated argument, or over-exertion
physically, disappears at the time of death because the smooth muscle cells in the arterial
walls relax, thereby creating a false post-mortem appearance of only partial occlusion."
Thoughts?
@V Im not a Demopulos advice fan. When you apply a protocol as I outlined to try this in your home after speaking with your own doctor you can make an informed decision for yourself. The quality of your life is based upon the quality of your decisions. My opinion is that Dr. Demopulus is a safe middle of the road CW thinker. My blog is about optimal living. If you choose optimal you will consider things that others wont. If you go for mediocre listen to Dr. Demopulos and sit on the couch and eat a SAD and go to see your doctor as you slowly die.
The choice in your demise is yours to make after weighing your options.
Thank you for directing me to your post on gallbladder removal. WRT your recommendation for NAC, MSM, and DMSO to help remove serum estrogen, I have seen recommendations for DIM in this regard as well. Does DIM work similarly to MSM, or is it substantially different?
@Bob DIM is a good too. Lots of my function MD friends like it while my dysfunctional friends remain clueless about it. I used to be too but I read lots of papers on it and I like it.
@Kris, I just wanted to add that after 25 years of vegetarian living, I took the plunge several months ago (emboldened and enlightened by Dr Kruse's site (and Mark Sisson's)) and have NEVER felt better. Every symptom I used to have is gone. It can seem impossible to consider at first, but keep reading and learning. Good luck and all the best.
@Lauren……this means I am doing something right because this move will save your life.
@Jack, thanks for getting back to me. I have always strived for an A+ in everything I do also so I will keep trying with this too! If you get bored and need a good challenge and need a vegetarian guinea pig to study on I am your gal:) I am sure there are more out there like me who need help too!!
I just started working with Chris Kresser and he wants me to at least add butter/cod liver pills…
I will keep reading your site and learn all I can. Thank you!
@Jonathan, thanks for the breakdown. I know Dr. K said protein powder is last resort but this morning I had eggs and a veggie stir fry and a protein drink 2 scoops from Jay Robb so I got to a little over 50gr of protein. I had zero snacks (a first) and then for dinner I had some grilled veggies a plain greek yogurt with some blueberries. I stayed under my carb amount and had zero hunger. I was very satisfied today and did not think about food:) I would love to be able to reset my Leptin even if it takes longer…
@Lauren, I am glad you are feeling better, I think we all have to do what we feel is best for ourselves. I may at some point feel I need to do something different but for now I will keep trying as a vegetarian. I had extreme stress in my life for about a year and right after it ended my body just got so sick. I am hoping to get back to feeling good like before. This is all so interesting and really makes sense how it all ties together. I now need to find a dr. in Los Angeles that is a little more forward thinking! At least I have Chris to help me too! I am thankful for these sites and all the people that contribute to them.
Good enough isn't so great. Change is hardest at the beginning. Messiest in the middle. And best at the end………..
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy ( for anything) helpful or harmful? Just wanted to know your thoughts.
@Brenda I love HBO and will write on it at some point……it has some amazing effects. I even use it in my practice.
WRT your recommendation for NAC, MSM, and DMSO to help remove serum estrogen – Can a person who already has developed 'Man boobs' due to years of dietary abuse and raised E2, be helped now by taking these supplements along with a change to a paleo diet.?
@Resurg comes a time when it becomes awfully tough. This is a clinical decision that requires a long term doctor patient relationship……to really decide. I have a rule……if you go paleo as a male and in 18 months the boobs dont go……..go see a surgeon
Really great site Dr Kruse-thanks for providing such relevant information to help us. Gall bladderless for 12 yrs & heaps of problems later(osteopenia-#T6) with use of all those "good " drugs. I have been on reset& leaky gut Rx for 3mths, ceased Fosamaxas soon as I read your post. Am 5ft 3, 126lbs, 62yo & have flabb. No more indigestion! yeh! Taking ox bile as well. My problem is with the famous coconut oil. I can't stand it. I've gleaned all the posts here hoping for some clever hints about how to conceal it, wasted heaps trying various concoctions.I hold my nose & try not to perk. Any suggestions? Main query I have is-Even if I manage optimal D3 will my inability to down sufficient co affect Hdl being raised?
@Jude I put my coconut oil in my optimal coffee and my bone broth recipe both of which will be available on my website shortly.
Dr. Kruse said: " When you apply a protocol as I outlined to try this in your home after speaking with your own doctor you can make an informed decision for yourself."
When you speak with your doctor, what do you speak about? What kind of tests should your doctor run before s/he green lights you for the cold exposure protocol you outlined in your blog?
@V This referred to someone with a medical problem who was concerned about using this technique…….
@Jack Are you saying Gynomastia can be reversed? Would love to drop my C cup
@jon Since I know a bit more about your issues……nope. You gonna need a surgeon. But I do not want you doing this until you are around 230-250. Just keep going. Im going to drag you to back to optimal because you deserve it.
I have an OT question.
Modern hearing aid have a wireless connection between the two aids. This way the aids can cooperate just like real ears and this improves the understanding of speech. The field of the transmitter passes right through the brain of course. It is said that the amount of radiation you receive on one day is equal to the amount you receive from five minutes using a gsm. What is your opinion: is this safe in the long run?
@Marijke Great question…….but you have hit on something that I am passionate about. You might like my answer. I am no fan of neolithic solutions like these unless you are perfectly OK of dealing with long term issues for the short term gains………and we have no way now to know what either are. Just understanding the biology and the quantum effects of this type of radiation leads me to believe that their are real concerns. Modern science however remains in the dark ages just exactly what they are. So my advice is…….be safe until we know. I wont even use the cell phone within 3 Cm of my head. I also wont keep it in my pocket when its not in use.
Thank you Jack! I completely agree.
Hi Dr. K ~
I have a rather strange situation I was hoping to get your input on. I started the leptin rx in December and about 10 days into it I ended up with a major sore throat – turned into swollen glands and I also thought a tooth infection because my dentist previously thought several teeth were infected due to some pain I was having.
Xrays showed all teeth to be fine, but I had one pulled anyway. Turns out there was no problem, but a new dentist says there is a major bite issue.
I stopped the Rx because of being sick. Just re-started about 2 weeks ago and now have swelling and pain where the tooth was extracted. Coincidence? Possible detox reaction? I'm not sure what's going on. It's causing my face (both sides) to massively swell.
Any thoughts at all on what's happening? Xrays show no infections, but obviously something is happening and both times it was within 2 weeks of starting the Rx!!
@janessa you need to fire that dentist! pulling an adult tooth for no good reason? My bet is your HS CRP is through the roof and your B12 level is in the crapper. You need a hack. Gut methylation issue or an estrogen detox pathway issue in the liver causing a relative lack progesterone causing neurologic problems secondary to low BDNF and NGF. I bet your diurnal cortisol sucks too on a salivary assay. All things you can get done inspite of modern medicine by yourself.
Janessa's question is a good one. I hope you get around to answering it.
@gladina……youre late to the party……it was answered
Thanks Dr. K. I appreciate you giving me something to work with. I'm at a loss here. After seeing numerous dentists and docs, spending thousands on testing and getting nowhere it's such a relief to actually get some real help.
You're right that my B12 is low. I hate to be a pain, but what kind of tests do you recommend for determining the gut methylation issue? I have had several stool tests done in the last year and the only findings were lack of beneficial bacteria and low levels of SCFA's.
I'm going to do a saliva hormone test next week, but how do I test for the estrogen detox pathway issue? I've had cortisol saliva done in the last 2 months and it was fairly normal. Slightly low in the afternoon, but other than that looked good.
I do believe I have liver issues and do coffee enemas on a regular basis. Not sure what else to do to help. Never heard of BDNF or NGF. Just looked them up and I've got to admit it's got me a bit scared. What tests do I do to check this out?
And yes, I agree I need a hack. Any suggestions?!?! I've searched high and low and haven't found anyone worth paying anymore.
@janessa when you search for an answer from someone else and cant find the answer what might you consider? Rely on yourself. If you keep reading and adding parts guess what I am going to teach you. I designed the QUILT to do this………you want it now…….I cant teach you what is in my head in a few months. Just get on my back and I promise I will be your North Star.
You are very encouraging Jack and I appreciate that. One of my main problems is this horrible brain fog though that makes it very difficult for me to really comprehend what I'm reading. I'm an engineer by trade and was always very sharp up until a few years ago when I fell sick. Now I feel like a complete idiot most days!
@janessa I will show you how to solve that……..using Factor X.
I can't wait!!
Dear Dr. Kruse: I seriously need your help. I am terribly ill. I will try to be succinct but my story is complicated. I am 51, married, two young kids 6 and 9. Life-long migraines (imitrex mostly daily by 40s). Developed alergies to septra and amox. In mid 90s developed sub-clinical hypothyroid and put on levoxyl. Had periods of feeling like I had CFS. Spent lots on supps. After first baby c-section was screened for Lyme (joint pain and fatigue). Neg and also ANA neg. Now think I had been given an fq prior to hypothyroid. 2007 mid-year severe fatigue, achy, knees hurt, overwhelm, etc. Upped thyroid to include T3 and improved (believe I was given fq in Jan 2007). Jan 2008 levaquin 500 X 10 days for sinus infection, May cipro, June the fatigue and achyness is back progressing over time with word-finding issues, anxiety, broken sleep, light sensitivity at night, blurry vision at times, overwhelm, elevated cortisol, 25 pound rapid weight loss, migraines GONE, knees ache, hips ache with walking, poor endurance, tingling hands, elevated B/P, etc. Nobody knows what is going on. Given various antidepressants (stay with lexapro 20 mg) and ativan 1 mg prn. Able to continue to work full-time but often come home and go right to bed. Sleep disrupted. Severe abdominal pain commences 1/1/09. Was worked up many times in ED. Only dilaudid works, worse after eating. Gallbladder removed and found to be fine (surgical antibiotics?). Healed after surgery but did not bounce back and pain continues. Admitted, diagnosed with advanced autoimmune vasculitis (Polyarteritis nodosa).Almost died, in hosp 2 months. Superior mesenteric hit hardest with mesenteric ischemia. Also renal and hepatic arteries. Pumped full of steroids and cytoxan (killed ovaries, periods stop). Discharged on cytoxan, prednisone, ativan prn, fentanyl patches, PICC line/TPN no oral food, coumadin, prilosec BID, norvasc BID, given reclast IV. Slowly recover, fatigue and pain main issues. Sleep ok, anxiety pretty much gone. Two admits for central line infections (one fungal), one gram neg and gram pos. Do not know what I was given to treat. Weaned off fentanyl after 6 mos, on solid food at 6 mos and back to work half-time and half-time long term disability. Fatigue easily. Seeing rheumy 90 min away at UCLA. Switch to Imuran at 6 months (liver hates cytoxan). By end of 2009 doing fair, weigh back (too much due to prednisone). Tapered prednisone over time to 5 mg. Ativan very rarely. Oxycodone rarely. Typical US diet. Avelox Jan 2010, feel in several months vasculitis may be flaring with increased fatigue, up pred to 10mg. Develop neuropathy in left arm along ulnar nerve (classic I now know for fqs). Put on Lyrica by UCLA doc, pain improves, taking ativan more for insomnia and mild anxiety. Off and on hypokalemia since first hosp (now know fqs deplete it). In September given 4 infusions of rituxan and no measurable B or T cells. Feel GOOD, like I am in remission. The given levaquin in Nov, Cipro in Dec (ear drops). Start to notice some fatigue. Unrelenting sinus infection, Z-pack, etc. UCLA rheumy gives me levaquin in Jan and Feb even though still on prednisone 5 mg at that point. Start to feel the aches, weakness, nausea and fatigue during first course but she thinks it is vasculitis. Anorexia, started dropping pounds. Need ativan to sleep, apathy sets in, overwhelm, depression, doom and gloom thinking, want to sleep all day. Family concerned. Go to psych and many antidepressants and mood stabilizers trialed. Feel worse. He tries ketamine injection witch calms anxiety for few days. Switch pyschs, told the benzo is my problem, switched to klonopin liquid 0.5 mg and begin slow daily micro-taper in July, Stopped Imuran, coumadin and prislosec on own. Time goes on, sleep getting worse, pins and needles, burning skin, dizzyness and disorganization, APATHY, anxiety, fear, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity. Skin is becoming very dry, collagen is going, flesh hangs, losing lots of weight. In December, fibromyalgia-like symptoms develop, calfs swell if stand for any period. Tachycardia, B/P all over the place even on meds, get light headed standing and pulse up, B/P down from standing…getting worse. Severe headaches. Telecommuting barely. In bed 95% of time. Can not sleep at night. Nothing helps not Mg, not homeopathy, not vistaril, nothing for sleep. Awake 48 hour stretches, Crash hard during day. Shake all over, internal tremor. Ache after any exertion, home-bound. Mind is going. Memory terrible, miss keys on keyboard, word-finding issues, loss of sense of time. Feel like waves of toxicity in brain. Burning skin chest, throat, tongue, mouth eyes. Know now (finally since all my reactions were delayed) that the fqs have hurt me badly. In December went all organic, no tap water, stopped dairy and gluten just in case, react to even organic eggs with itching. Like most floxed persons can not tolerate sugar, soy, caffeine. Getting worse. Tachycardia bad. Still micro-tapering liquid benzo (cut 0.003mg/day) and will be off in late March. Very frighted. Wonder about dysautonomia and mitochondrial damage/disease. Feet and hands cold and numb and sometimes prickly. Occasional oxycodone for pain. No NSAIDS once I learned of fqs. No doctors believe me. Vision getting worse. Floaters, poor night vision, things out of corner of eye. Feel like I now have MCS. So….that was long. I am hoping you might have some thoughts for recovery. I am taking cod liver oil, wheat germ oil, ALA, L-carnitine, Mg oil spray, Q10, wobenzyme, probiotics, T4, T3, norvasc and lexapro 20mg only (plus tapering klonopin). Know I can not detox until off the benzo. Please let me know what you think. I need to live for our two young kids. I am educated PhD Epidemiology and my job depends on my mind. Thanks so much! Amy
@Amy your story is proof that modern medicine has lost its mind. You need to by buy a paleo 1.0 book, like the The Paleo Answer or The Paleo Solution and marry it to my leaky gut Rx. I would strongly recommend you google Terry Wahl's name and watch her TEDx talk………..You need to divorce yourself from modern pills for ills and consider listening to your body. Its trying to tell you something but your brain is so disordered you are not capable of listening.
Oh and I should add, I have slowly been tapering prednisone as well and I am down to 2 mg. I have lost 55 pounds and am skeletal now. I had previously to the latest floxings had no issues with prednisone at all. Thanks again! Amy
Thanks Dr. Kruse. Do you think I can get some recovery from the toxicity? Will your suggestions reorder my brain. I am very frightened and to believe that all this damage over simple sinus infections. Is there something specific to help the symptoms? Have you heard from others with fq toxicity? I so appreciate your time. Amy
@Amy undoubtably.
Wow – just watched the Dr. Wahl's video. I will have my husband shop so I can start the diet ASAP. Will order a Paleo book and check out you RX. Do you know of anything specifically that I could eat or take to help me sleep. Thanks!
@Amy see……….a thought will change your DNA.
Hi Dr Kruse,
I have a wonderful full of life 15 year old who had an ovarian torsion a year ago. They operated on her and saved her ovary and she seems back normal (her periods are finally back but are long and heavy). She started to loose hair and has lost massive amounts in the last 6 months: she has 1/3 left of very beatiful full head of hair. She is a very active atlethe, a varsity player, etc and very muscular (with NO subcutenous fat anywhere) but becaue she feels fat (as the size of her tights is larger than some of her very skinny friends) she is intermittenly starving herself and than she binges. Her D is low (22 ng/ml) TSH 2.07, T4- 1.2, 17hydroxyprogesterone 18 mg/dl, Androstenedionae 64; she has low white blood count of 4.2; DHEA sulfate 171, FSH – 9.9, insulin – less than 2, glucose 84, normal lipids (except triglicerides which are low -35), CHOL/HDLC os 2.7; iron total -12; ferritin- 55; prolactin 5.3, LH – 2.9; estradiol- 28; cortisol am 13.2; testorone total -19. testosterone free – 1.3.) Does this look like PCOS to you, and how do I go about helping her. Unfortunately, our pediatrician is a traditional Md and has nothing to offer, not even a suggestion as what to do next to stop her continued hair loss.
@Elle she is headed for major trouble……I would not allow her to work out period. I would make her change her diet to a strict AI paleo diet….. and I would have her start on CT protocol at once. She is headed for disaster if you do not read her the riot act. In my house she would hate my guts until I fixed her. And trust me I don’t negotiate. Just ask my wife or kids…….She has a leaky gut for sure and her diet and exercise must radical change yesterday.
@Amy — After reading your long symptom list you have LYME DISEASE, Babesia & Bartonalla. If you google these infections you will be reading about yourself. I know you tested negative, but was it through Igenex Labs in CA? An Elisa test through lab corp is useless in determining lyme. Also, lyme is a clinical dx, not a labortory one. You need to find yourself an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor) try going to http://www.lymenet.org and go to the seeking doctor section. You will post where you live & that you are looking for a doctor and someone will give you some names.
I am in remission from Lyme and would be more than happy to point you in the right direction. I worked with an LLND (naturopath) who is Paleo.
My boyfriend has the same issue. Everyday he breaks out in huge hives on his neck and arms and chest. His feet and hands swell a little too. He got blood tests ad allergy tests, and it all came back negative. I’ve spent hours on the computer researching and the best I could come up with was cold hives, but after an experiment, my theory proved wrong. It drives me crazy that I can’t figure it out. I’m determined to discover what it is before the doctors. Shoot me a message and I’ll keep u up to date on my findings.
I am a healthcare employee…..the only vaccine offered to employees was the live vaccine. I decided to get it and be the “guinea pig” instead of my toddler. Received the nasal spray on Tuesday, woke up Wednesday with a sore throat and stuffy nose, Thursday had a terrible chest congestion/cough with fever and splitting headache, Friday all symptoms were worse and I couldn’t breathe! I was diagnosed on Friday with H1N1 and pneumonia….. good thing I got the vaccine, huh?
@Vasculitis I dont take vaccines…….last one I had to take was Hep B in med school. That was it.
Furthermore, i believe that mesothelioma cancer is a unusual form of most cancers that is commonly found in all those previously exposed to asbestos. Cancerous tissues form inside mesothelium, which is a safety lining that covers the vast majority of body’s internal organs. These cells typically form within the lining from the lungs, tummy, or the sac that encircles the heart. Thanks for discussing your ideas.
My sister is dealing with a pseudo tumor. Drs are clueless what to do for her. She is starting to lose her eyesight.
I read your article but could not understand what to do exactly. What advice could you give.
I’m so concerned for her
Thank you so much-
Renee
Copy the article and give it to your sister.