152 replies to this topic

[missminni]

As some already know, I've been suffering with eczema since Jan. Very severe until May when I got it under control with a 12 day course of prednisone and fexofenadine...but it still rears its ugly head and I still have very dry skin...which I never had before I hi dosed with Res, as I've mentioned previously. I stopped hi dosing as soon as I got the eczema. In fact I stopped resveratrol entirely during my most severe outbreaks and began to take it again in May - between 1 to 1.5 g a day.
My blood tests from April showed ridiculously low levels of pregnenolone and dhea. preg was 11 dhea 13.
I started taking both but stopped the dhea last week because my hair started thinning and there is no way I am going to deal with dry skin and being bald. Does 7 keto dhea have that side effect too? Should I include it in my regimen?
This is my new daily supplement list geared to getting my skin back to normal.
In addition I'm drinking fresh aloe vera and heavily moisturizing my skin with flax, vit E and borage oil w/resveratrol mixed in
and just recently added hyaluronic acid to the mix.
I would appreciate feedback and advice. It's really messing up my life. I can't seem to get a handle on it.
Thanks

COQ10 400 mg

D3 4000 IU

silymarin 200 mg

pregnenolone 100 mg

Resveratrol 1 to 1.5 g

L-carnitine 250 mg

Glucosamine 4 g

Borage oil 3g = 900 mg GLA
1440 mg Linoleic
570 mg oleic

Flax Seed Oil 1TBSP = Linolenic 6.1g
Linoleic 1.5 g
Oleic 2.1 g

Fishoil EPA 1200 mg DHA 480 mg

Plus a powder I just got yesterday called Green Vibrance the ingredients of which are below:
sorry its a very long list....

Amount per 11.5 gm Serving
Nutrient Dense, Healing and Support Foods

Spirulina (certified organic) 1,500 mg.

Alfalfa grass juice powder (certified organic) 500 mg.
Barley grass juice powder (certified organic) 500 mg.

Oat grass juice powder (certified organic) 500 mg.
Wheat grass juice powder (certified organic) 500 mg.
Hydrilla verticillata (wild crafted) 500 mg.
Alfalfa sprout powder (certified organic) 440 mg.
Kamut® grass juice powder (certified organic) 400 mg.
Chlorella, pharmaceutical grade, soft cell 350 mg.
Parsley powder, freeze dried (certified organic) 250 mg.
Zucchini powder, freeze dried 250 mg.
Beet juice powder (certified organic) 200 mg.
Royal jelly powder (6% 10 HDA) 150 mg.
Midwestern bee pollen 150 mg.
Green bean powder, freeze dried 120 mg.
Carrot root powder (certified organic) 120 mg.
Broccoli sprout powder (certified organic) 100 mg.
Spinach, freeze dried (certified organic) 100 mg.
Cell Membrane & Nerve Support
Lecithin powder (Soy, non-GMO), 98% oil-free 750 mg.
Vitamin E (water dispersible d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate) 150 i.u.
Policosanol (60% Octacosanol; from rice bran wax) 5 mg.
High-Fiber Foods & Prebiotics
Larch arabinogalactan (FiberAid™ AG) 500 mg.
Stabilized Brown rice Bran 500 mg.
Fructo-oligosaccharides 500 mg.
Whole Apple powder (certified organic) 250 mg.
Milled Flaxseed concentrate (certified organic, de-oiled) 200 mg.
Antioxidants and Circulatory Support
Acerola berry juice powder
(25% natural vitamin C, certified organic) 200 mg.
Silymarin milk thistle extract (80% silybin: Silibum marianum) 60 mg.
Ginkgo biloba extract
(24% gingkoflavonglycosides, 6% terpene lactones) 20 mg.
Green tea standardized extract
(95% polyphenols, 80% catechins, 45% EGCG) 20 mg.
Grape seed standardized extract
(95% polyphenols, 90% proanthocyanidins) 20 mg.
Adaptogens
Schizandra berry extract (2% schizandrin) 100 mg.
Suma powder (Pfaffia paniculata) 60 mg.
Eleutherococcus senticosus extract (0.8% eleutherosides) 60 mg.
Immune Support
Astragalus membranaceus extract (70% polysaccharides) 60 mg.
Larch arabinogalactan (ImmunEnhancer™ AG) 30 mg.
Beta 1,3 - 1,6 glucans (yeast) 30 mg.
Sea Vegetable Complex
(providing 231 mcg. Iodine + trace minerals)
Nova Scotia Dulse (certified organic) 360 mg.
Bladderwrack (wild harvested) 360 mg.
Rockweed (certified organic) 180 mg.
Probiotic Blend
Twelve (12) Dairy-free Probiotic Cultures (25 billion total at date of manufacture)
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HA-111 2.5 billion
Lactobacillus rhamnosus B, HA-114 2.5 billion
Lactobacillus acidophilus HA-122 2.5 billion
Bifidobacterium bifidum HA-132 1.25 billion
Bifidobacterium breve HA-129 2.5 billion
Bifidobacterium longum HA-135 2.5 billion

Lactobacillus helveticus HA-128 .5 billion

Lactobacillus paracasei HA-108 2.5 billion

Lactobacillus plantarum HA-119 2.5 billion

Lactobacillus lactis HA-136 2.5 billion

Streptocaccus thermophilus HA-110 .75 billion

Propionibacterium shermanii HA-182 2.5 billion
Enzyme Complex
Protease 4.5, (Aspergillus oryzae) 110 HUT
Protease 6.0, (Aspergillus oryzae) 110 HUT
Lipase (Aspergillus niger) 150 FCCLU
Amylase (Aspergillus oryzae) 6 DU
Invertase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 1 SU
Cellulase (Trichoderma longbrachiatum) 7 CU
Phyto-Minerals
Phyto-Boron (patented, from calcium fructo borate) 3 mg.
Phyto-Chromium (from Indian mustard, hydroponically grown) 80 mcg.
Phyto-Selenium (from Indian mustard, hydroponically grown) 50 mcg.
Tonics
Ginger root powder (certified organic) 20 mg.
Cayenne pepper powder (Capsicum fr.; certified organic) 2 mg.
Palatability
Mango powder (freeze dried) 100 mg.

[4eva]

Have you ruled out low stomach acid? Some find an ACV cocktail on an empty stomach will only cause acid indigestion if you do NOT have low acid. (In this case have some food ready to buffer the excess acid.)

I think you put about 2 oz of vinegar in about 4 to 6 oz of water, add some honey if you want. But my recall may not be good. You probably can find these measurements on the net.

[missminni]

Have you ruled out low stomach acid? Some find an ACV cocktail on an empty stomach will only cause acid indigestion if you do NOT have low acid. (In this case have some food ready to buffer the excess acid.)

I think you put about 2 oz of vinegar in about 4 to 6 oz of water, add some honey if you want. But my recall may not be good. You probably can find these measurements on the net.

low stomach acid causes eczema? what about the dry skin...is that caused by low stomach acid?
So, if I drink the acv and get acid indigestion it means I don't have low stomach acid and that would rule out low stomach acid as
a cause of eczema?
ETA~ I just researched this a bit and the symptoms of low stomach acid are:
Here are some of the common symptoms and disorders caused by low stomach acid: I only have two of them.

* Bloating, belching, and flatulence immediately after meals - Don't have
* Heartburn (often thought to be caused by too much stomach acid) - Don't have
* Indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation - Nope
* Undigested food in stools - never
* Acne - nope
* Rectal itching - no
* Chronic candida - no
* Hair loss in women - a bit but I attribute it to the Dhea I was taking in rather large doses.
* Multiple food allergies - no
* Iron deficiency - no
* Weak, peeling, or cracked fingernails -no
* Chronic fatigue -no
* Adrenal fatigue - I don't know....my dhea is very low
* Dry skin - YES
* Various autoimmune diseases - eczema
I'm going to try your test as soon as my stomach is empty. I just ate a little while ago.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Edited by missminni, 29 July 2008 - 07:35 PM.

[missminni]

Have you ruled out low stomach acid? Some find an ACV cocktail on an empty stomach will only cause acid indigestion if you do NOT have low acid. (In this case have some food ready to buffer the excess acid.)

I think you put about 2 oz of vinegar in about 4 to 6 oz of water, add some honey if you want. But my recall may not be good. You probably can find these measurements on the net.

I waited 2 hours after eating a piece of whole grain bread with tomatoe. I took one tablespoon of acv in about the same amount of water
and I didn't have any indigestion. Does that indicate low stomach acid? It would be wonderful if that was the cause of my problem. I'll try again
in the morning when I really have an empty stomach. If my problem is low stomach acid, would drinking ACV with water before meals help?

[4eva]

I had low stomach acid and didn't have very many symptoms. I would avoid high fat foods (some high fat foods) because they didn't seem to agree with me (would give me loose stools).

I think low stomach acid is not really diagnosed by any doctor.

I happened to discover mine by accident. Had a GI problem and in desparation took colliodal silver. That seemed to give me relief. I realized that colliodal silver can be acidic. I had low stomach acid no question about.

[missminni]

I had low stomach acid and didn't have very many symptoms. I would avoid high fat foods (some high fat foods) because they didn't seem to agree with me (would give me loose stools).

I think low stomach acid is not really diagnosed by any doctor.

I happened to discover mine by accident. Had a GI problem and in desparation took colliodal silver. That seemed to give me relief. I realized that colliodal silver can be acidic. I had low stomach acid no question about.

I'm hoping that's my problem It would be so much easier to deal with. Do you think I waited long enough
to take the test? 2 hours? What did you take to increase stomach acid? I've been reading about it and they mention a Standard Process
product called ZYPAN. I so hope this is the root of my problem...thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.

[missminni]

I had low stomach acid and didn't have very many symptoms. I would avoid high fat foods (some high fat foods) because they didn't seem to agree with me (would give me loose stools).

I think low stomach acid is not really diagnosed by any doctor.

I happened to discover mine by accident. Had a GI problem and in desparation took colliodal silver. That seemed to give me relief. I realized that colliodal silver can be acidic. I had low stomach acid no question about.

what did you take for it? I just read this and it sounds too good to be true. Can I just take lemon juice before meals?

Jonathan V. Wright, MD suggests that small, gradually increased quantities of lemon juice or vinegar will do the same job as taking pure hydrochloric acid supplements. (Pure Hydrochloric supplementation can be dangerous and needs to be carefully supervised.)

Edited by missminni, 29 July 2008 - 09:03 PM.

[4eva]

Yeah, I used betaine HCL supplements and think they can be ineffective. (Not dangerous. Years ago it was a liquid that was stronger and had to be drunk without touching your teeth. Nothing strong in a gelatin capsule.)You might want to try some with and without pepsin. Some may need pepsin some not. Also HCL capsules can be easier to transport.

I probably got the idea to use ACV to treat it from dr wright.

I switched to ACV because it helps with blood sugar.

I did actually develop a bacterial imbalance from the low stomach acid. This went away with the extra acid and change in diet. So low acid if left untreated might lead to thinks like candida besides absorption issues.

If you really wanted to you might get the heidelberg test. It may be hard to find a doc with this equipment. Its expensive and this problem isn't diagnosed that often. I didn't like the idea of a huge horse capsule swallowed and pulled back up by a string. I prefer the home test and self treatment approach.

[missminni]

Yeah, I used betaine HCL supplements and think they can be ineffective. (Not dangerous. Years ago it was a liquid that was stronger and had to be drunk without touching your teeth. Nothing strong in a gelatin capsule.)You might want to try some with and without pepsin. Some may need pepsin some not. Also HCL capsules can be easier to transport.

I probably got the idea to use ACV to treat it from dr wright.

I switched to ACV because it helps with blood sugar.

I did actually develop a bacterial imbalance from the low stomach acid. This went away with the extra acid and change in diet. So low acid if left untreated might lead to thinks like candida besides absorption issues.

If you really wanted to you might get the heidelberg test. It may be hard to find a doc with this equipment. Its expensive and this problem isn't diagnosed that often. I didn't like the idea of a huge horse capsule swallowed and pulled back up by a string. I prefer the home test and self treatment approach.

Me too.
I don't have indigestion as a problem, but when I drank the vinegar I didn't have any discomfort at all, so I
take it that means my acid is low and therefore I am not getting proper nutrients, so my skin and hair are dry and when I am stressed, I get eczema. It makes more sense than all the other scenarios I was considering.
So lemon juice or acv before meals will correct the problem? How long did it take for you to get results? how much did you take and when?
I cannot tell you how relieved I am to find this out. How long ago did you find out you had it?

[4eva]

I don't have low stomach acid anymore. some time ago I went for a nutritional treatment and since then have given up the HCL supplementation.

I had a number of deficiencies that explained my low stomach acid. I take lots of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc now instead of HCL.

I honestly think that everyone is diferent. You may need more or less than I did.

But if you take the HCL caps you want to feel a warm sensation in your stomach. That is an indication of the right amount of acid. Any more than that and you may have a problem. You also might try some vinegar after a meal if it was high in protein and fat.

[missminni]

I don't have low stomach acid anymore. some time ago I went for a nutritional treatment and since then have given up the HCL supplementation.

I had a number of deficiencies that explained my low stomach acid. I take lots of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc now instead of HCL.

I honestly think that everyone is diferent. You may need more or less than I did.

But if you take the HCL caps you want to feel a warm sensation in your stomach. That is an indication of the right amount of acid. Any more than that and you may have a problem. You also might try some vinegar after a meal if it was high in protein and fat.

I already take quite a few supplements What am I missing that will help with low stomach acid?
I would rather take vinegar or lemon juice than the HCL. Will that work as well?

[4eva]

Yeah, I think ACV would be good. Lemon juice I think is less acidic. You might want to experiement with how much you dulute the ACV with water. I know they sell ACV capsules. You might see if they help depending on the liquid.

I think the betaine HCL stuff is not worth the money. But youi might benefit from pepsin. Some enzymes or digestive aids have some HCL added. Again this is not dangerous. That warning about HCL supplements causing problems is nonsense. If the acid could harm your stomach why doesn't it breakdown the gelatin capsules.

But at least with ACV you get nutrients. I would take a lot of the betaine stuff and burb betaine up (derived from beets) because of all the betaine I had in my stomach. I think those capsules have more betaine than acid. I was glad to not have to deal with those supplements.

[missminni]

Yeah, I think ACV would be good. Lemon juice I think is less acidic. You might want to experiement with how much you dulute the ACV with water. I know they sell ACV capsules. You might see if they help depending on the liquid.

I think the betaine HCL stuff is not worth the money. But youi might benefit from pepsin. Some enzymes or digestive aids have some HCL added. Again this is not dangerous. That warning about HCL supplements causing problems is nonsense. If the acid could harm your stomach why doesn't it breakdown the gelatin capsules.

But at least with ACV you get nutrients. I would take a lot of the betaine stuff and burb betaine up (derived from beets) because of all the betaine I had in my stomach. I think those capsules have more betaine than acid. I was glad to not have to deal with those supplements.

I so appreciate this information. I never even thought it could be low acid. I just drank the juice from a half lemon mixed in a little water before I ate dinner. I will do that before every meal. I was reading that milk lowers stomach acid considerably and I am a big milk drinker. I'm going to have to cut that back. But i make a smoothee with fruit, aloe, milk and yogurt that I take my supplements with and now i am wondering if it is defeating the purpose. Do supplements need stomach acid to be digested, or are they so broken down they will absorb anyway? If I keep drinking the lemon juice before eating, how long do you think it will take before I notice a difference. Will lime juice work too or should I just bite the bullet and do the ACV? Thanks again for your help.

[4eva]

Yeah, I always thought that drinking any beverage with a meal would dilute your stomach acid. Too much of any beverage, obviously would do that. So fluids with a meal may dilute your own acid and what you add. You might wait maybe a half hour after your meal to drink some more ACV cocktail to take supplements with.

Also high fat meals or your EFA supplements might benefit from lipase. I take my EFAs with lipase to avoid fish burbs.

Now you might have to experiment with fats. Oil and vinegar is about cutting the fat with an acid. A high fat meal may require a lot of acid so maybe some help with the right enzymes, depending on how much you may eat in a meal and how much vinegar you can drink down.

Consider using buttermilk for your shakes. It has enzymes already. And you seem to be handling the tang of lemon juice. And maybe experiment with yogurt or kefir perhaps. You might try something that works best for you; be creative. Just consider the foods you eat and which ones may be digested better than just plain milk. Fermented foods are great.

[niner]

If you really wanted to you might get the heidelberg test. It may be hard to find a doc with this equipment. Its expensive and this problem isn't diagnosed that often. I didn't like the idea of a huge horse capsule swallowed and pulled back up by a string. I prefer the home test and self treatment approach.

Why not just run a tube through your nose and down into your stomach to pull up some stomach contents. I've had this done; it's not as bad as it sounds, at least if the person running the tube is competent. At least that way you could really check the pH. That said, I have a hard time buying the low stomach acidity causes eczema idea.

[missminni]

Yeah, I always thought that drinking any beverage with a meal would dilute your stomach acid. Too much of any beverage, obviously would do that. So fluids with a meal may dilute your own acid and what you add. You might wait maybe a half hour after your meal to drink some more ACV cocktail to take supplements with.

Also high fat meals or your EFA supplements might benefit from lipase. I take my EFAs with lipase to avoid fish burbs.

Now you might have to experiment with fats. Oil and vinegar is about cutting the fat with an acid. A high fat meal may require a lot of acid so maybe some help with the right enzymes, depending on how much you may eat in a meal and how much vinegar you can drink down.

Consider using buttermilk for your shakes. It has enzymes already. And you seem to be handling the tang of lemon juice. And maybe experiment with yogurt or kefir perhaps. You might try something that works best for you; be creative. Just consider the foods you eat and which ones may be digested better than just plain milk. Fermented foods are great.

Great advice. I'll just cut out the milk. Kefir's a good idea. I like it too. I'll get lipase...never took it before. I really don't eat high fat meals. I probably need to eat more fat. whenever I've kept track of my diet, it's always low in fat. Can I do lemon or lime instead of vinegar or do I still have to do vinegar too? How long before I can expect improvement?

[missminni]

If you really wanted to you might get the heidelberg test. It may be hard to find a doc with this equipment. Its expensive and this problem isn't diagnosed that often. I didn't like the idea of a huge horse capsule swallowed and pulled back up by a string. I prefer the home test and self treatment approach.

Why not just run a tube through your nose and down into your stomach to pull up some stomach contents. I've had this done; it's not as bad as it sounds, at least if the person running the tube is competent. At least that way you could really check the pH. That said, I have a hard time buying the low stomach acidity causes eczema idea.

At first I was huh? how? but when I did the research there was lots of stuff about it being one of the underlying causes of eczema. Low stomach acid can be caused by stress and aging in general, both of which apply in my case.
As for the tube down the nose, no. uh uh. no can do. The ACV test worked fine for me.

[4eva]

there is one method with a capsule that I assume is large because it sends back radio signals about how much acid. Regardless of size they pull it back up.

Another method I've read about is they scoop some stomach content out - say ahhhhhhh ouch! Neither sounded like something I really needed to have done.

I'm not sure how long it will take to see improvement.

I think this low acid may explain the excema but who knows. You should be better off fixing this problem all the same. I'm not sure what the connection is exactly - poor absorption or something else.

I think vinegar is stronger than lemon and lime. But if you don't eat much fat, add some enzymes you might be fine. Its a trial and error process.

Niner, why did you have the tube down your stomach?

[missminni]

there is one method with a capsule that I assume is large because it sends back radio signals about how much acid. Regardless of size they pull it back up.

Another method I've read about is they scoop some stomach content out - say ahhhhhhh ouch! Neither sounded like something I really needed to have done.

I'm not sure how long it will take to see improvement.

I think this low acid may explain the excema but who knows. You should be better off fixing this problem all the same. I'm not sure what the connection is exactly - poor absorption or something else.

I think vinegar is stronger than lemon and lime. But if you don't eat much fat, add some enzymes you might be fine. Its a trial and error process.

Niner, why did you have the tube down your stomach?

Yeah, trial and error. Mostly error. I woke up with a worsened case this morning. Got to get some fexofenadine. I don't want it to get so bad I Have to use prednisone again. I don't think it has anything to do with the ACV. In fact I did the test this morning on a totally empty stomach with 2 tBSP of ACV and I didn't have any indigestion. So low stomach acid definitely figures in somewhere.

[elphaba]

I've read in a couple of places that strange as it may seem, Apple Cider Vinegar leaves an alkaline residue in your body, just like most (maybe all) of the citrus fruits. But this doesn't mean that it won't help you. I've been taking it and I have eczema. When I quit taking it, my eczema gets worse. Though I wish I could say it helped rid my system entirely of eczema but it doesn't. Still working on that.

Seems that Benadryl after taking a couple capsules at bedtime for a month or so helped it the last time I had a big flareup but even though I was taking a relatively low dose, it still seemed to keep me drowsier than I liked during the day time hours so I'm trying to avoid Benadryl unless it gets worse. (May be trying it soon..)

Also, I just read in the NYTIMES online that in the opinion of this author anyway, frequent bathing is recommended which goes against the traditional wisdom. Read the article at: http://www.nytimes.c...agewanted=print - may require registration -
[July 1,2008 Cases Her Skin Erupted, and the Detective Work Began By INGFEI CHEN]

But I still think the low stomach acid is an interesting theory and plan to pursue that a bit more. I've always had terribly thin pealing nails and I take a lot of vitamins (including the B's) so maybe there is something to that theory.

I also am searching for the info on line here where someone said they cured their child's eczema with DMSO and resveratrol. How much resveratrol - should one use the 98% or th 50% or is there a special resveratrol cream? Still searching for this one, maybe it's above.

[missminni]

I've read in a couple of places that strange as it may seem, Apple Cider Vinegar leaves an alkaline residue in your body, just like most (maybe all) of the citrus fruits. But this doesn't mean that it won't help you. I've been taking it and I have eczema. When I quit taking it, my eczema gets worse. Though I wish I could say it helped rid my system entirely of eczema but it doesn't. Still working on that.

Seems that Benadryl after taking a couple capsules at bedtime for a month or so helped it the last time I had a big flareup but even though I was taking a relatively low dose, it still seemed to keep me drowsier than I liked during the day time hours so I'm trying to avoid Benadryl unless it gets worse. (May be trying it soon..)

Also, I just read in the NYTIMES online that in the opinion of this author anyway, frequent bathing is recommended which goes against the traditional wisdom. Read the article at: http://www.nytimes.c...agewanted=print - may require registration -
[July 1,2008 Cases Her Skin Erupted, and the Detective Work Began By INGFEI CHEN]

But I still think the low stomach acid is an interesting theory and plan to pursue that a bit more. I've always had terribly thin pealing nails and I take a lot of vitamins (including the B's) so maybe there is something to that theory.

I also am searching for the info on line here where someone said they cured their child's eczema with DMSO and resveratrol. How much resveratrol - should one use the 98% or th 50% or is there a special resveratrol cream? Still searching for this one, maybe it's above.

Benadryl does nothing for me but make me sleepy.
I just refilled a prescription for fexofenadine 180 mg which I find effective in keeping the eczema from getting worse. It doesn't really get rid of it but it doesn't allow it go into overdrive. If I took it everyday instead of when I just have a breakout it probably would work better. I'm going to try doing that now.
I haven't had a breakout like this since I got off prednisone in May. I don't know what set it off, but its off and running. I think low stomach acid is definitely worth exploring. I just got some HCL w/pepsin capsules to take with meals. The apple cider vinegar would be hard to do if I'm eating out and the taste, although tolerable, is not one of my favorites.
I read the same post about res and dmso curing eczema...but I didn't find that the case for me al all. I tried it and it actually made my breakout worse and the DMSO burned. I had to wash it off right away.
Eczema's a bitch. I just have it since January, and when I hear of people who have it for years I cringe. It's horrible, and when it gets full blown,
it's beyond belief. Today I started to get that prickly burning sensation you get when it's going to be real bad, but it seems to be subsiding now so maybe the fexofenadine kicked in, or maybe all the new supplements and HCL I just took are helping.

[4eva]

I think change is good. You were hoping for improvement not a worsening.

That would make em want to dig deeper.

I'm going to use this as a way of walking you through my logic so its not in the abstract.

What if low acid caused candida. The ACV might have made it worse because it caused a die off maybe. Die off means toxins. Or, die meant the yeast are not coming back in numbers because it was a little bit of acid.

I'm not saying you have candida. My point is that a change for the worse may actually indicate that your are making progress but not home yet.

You could have this problem (low acid) for a long time and its not going away overnight. But it may be changing something related to the excema - maybe absorbtion of nutrients.

If using something else helps for now then go for it. But yoiu may consider being more patient and more persistence in your search for the cause of the excema.

EFAs are supposed to help I think. Maybe this is something that may improve over time. Some problems are not so simplistic.

[missminni]

I think change is good. You were hoping for improvement not a worsening.

That would make em want to dig deeper.

I'm going to use this as a way of walking you through my logic so its not in the abstract.

What if low acid caused candida. The ACV might have made it worse because it caused a die off maybe. Die off means toxins. Or, die meant the yeast are not coming back in numbers because it was a little bit of acid.

I'm not saying you have candida. My point is that a change for the worse may actually indicate that your are making progress but not home yet.

You could have this problem (low acid) for a long time and its not going away overnight. But it may be changing something related to the excema - maybe absorbtion of nutrients.

If using something else helps for now then go for it. But yoiu may consider being more patient and more persistence in your search for the cause of the excema.

EFAs are supposed to help I think. Maybe this is something that may improve over time. Some problems are not so simplistic.

I follow your logic. It got so bad today I had to go on prednisone...for ten days...and I took the first 50 mg dose
at 5:30 and it doesn't seem to be doing much. In fact it's almost worse in a certain way. I got the HCL/pepsin and magnesium and potassium
and zinc and cooper because I realized I am not eating enough to get all the nutrients I need...maybe all the new stuff in my system triggered the eczema, but it was
getting bad before...over the weekend...so .... I still think low stomach acid might be the answer...and I'm going to work on that, but this
attack has to subside.
Also, I just learned that prednisone shuts down your adrenals...and mine were shot anyway...so I'm going to start
taking supplements to build them up again...I just hope the prednisone kicks in tonight because its starting to really stress me out and that only makes it worse. I was getting an attack from the last week. I had been taking dhea for a couple of months and then I stopped sudenly on thursday because my hair was thinning and the next day I started to get a rash on my leg and then the next day it spread a little more so I don't think this was caused by what I did today...it just probably exacerbated it. I think its all about my adrenals...and taking dhea isn;t the answer...building my adrenals is...but I'm not sure if I should be building them when they are getting shut down by the prednisone.
I'm confused about what course to take now.

[4eva]

I assume from your handle that you are female. Women can benefit from natural progesterone cream. Progest cream can help to modulate cortisol levels. But this can take some time. You also need to work with a doc who does hormone tests, and it helps to have an understanding of your hormones. That may be a possibility.

What dose of prednisone are you taking?

[missminni]

I assume from your handle that you are female. Women can benefit from natural progesterone cream. Progest cream can help to modulate cortisol levels. But this can take some time. You also need to work with a doc who does hormone tests, and it helps to have an understanding of your hormones. That may be a possibility.

I'm postmeno and have taking pregnenolone for years and it did the trick just fine. Beautiful skin, feeling
great, working out and looking 20 years younger than I was, which no doubt I get from my dad. It was only when I stopped taking it at the same time that I started Resveratrol...last Novemeber, that the dry skin thing happened. The eczema kicked in 2 months later when Minni (my dog) was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 6 months to live. I fell apart.
It was a calamity of things all coming together at once and ending in eczema. And now I'm trying to figure it all out. Actually I was doing good until I stopped the dhea. Stopping supplements suddenly is a stupid mistake that I seem to repeat.

What dose of prednisone are you taking?


I'm taking 50mg for two days, 40mg for the next two days, 30, 20 and so on in 2 day increments.for the next ten days.
Thank God I think it just started kicking in after 5 hours. If you never had a full blown eczema/angioedema attack, you
can't understand the degree of pain that accompanies one. It's like burning up, on fire...excruciating. The thought of
having one again is going to make me have one again!!

[4eva]

Oh, glad to hear that.

Sounds like the prednisone will be a short run.

That will give you time to figure out what you want to do next.

[missminni]

Oh, glad to hear that.

Sounds like the prednisone will be a short run.

That will give you time to figure out what you want to do next.

Exactly. I want to supplement for
low acid stomach and weak adrenals at the same time. But I need to do it
methodicaly...I haven't been. I'm going to. In fact, when I checked into it,
those supplements are the very ones I've been neglecting,

[missminni]

I just found out this piece of info which I am mulling over in an effort to get to the bottom of my problem:

Prednisone is a synthetic compound that resembles naturally produced cortisol and is one of the commonly used oral steroids. Steroid refers to these three groups that contain a hydrogenated cyclopentano perhydro phenanthrene ring system. Steroids help control metabolism, inflammation, immune function, salt and water balance, development of sexual characteristics and your ability to withstand the stress of illness and injury.

So that would indicate that my problem lies with too much or too little natural cortisol since my immune function is not working properly as Eczema is an auto immune condition.
I am thinking its too little, since I don't have a weight problem, which I believe indicates too much cortisol. If prednisone
resembles cortisol and relieves my eczema I am thinking that my adrenals are not producing enough on their own.
If I take a cortisol support supplement will it increase or decrease it accordingly?
I am considering this one but I don't know if it's appropriate for my situation.
I need to find a adrenal/cortisol support supplement. Any and all recommendations would be appreciated.

Super Cortisol Support with Relora by NOW Foods
NOW® Super Cortisol Support is an herbal and nutritional formula designed to support healthy adrenal function and maintain healthy cortisol levels. The adrenal glands help the body respond and adjust to stress generated from both internal and external forces. Under chronic stress, cortisol can be overproduced, resulting in weight gain and difficulty in managing healthy blood sugar levels. Super Cortisol Support combines adaptogenic herbs with Chromium, Corosolic Acid and Relora® to help the body manage the negative effects of stress such as excess abdominal fat deposition, overeating, and low energy levels.

I also came across this list of supplements that promote adrenal support (none of which I take) and will be adding them
to my list. I found a B complex that covers all the B's on the list, a Pantothenic Acid powder, Ascorbate vit C powder,
and a liquid calcium, and a gamma E complex.

Pantothenic Acid 1500 mg divided with meals

Vit C 2000-5000 mg

Vit E 800IU divided

niacin non-flushing hexano 25-50 mg

B6 50-100 mg

B complex 50-100 mg

Magnesiuma at bedtime 400 mg

Calcium 750-1000 mg

I really need advice on this.

Edited by missminni, 31 July 2008 - 11:53 AM.

[4eva]

Pantothenic acid is good but the calcium pantothenate form is better. You can take it at high doses without any probelms. The powder you found may be the pantothenate form. Pantethine form might be useful too. Some B vitmins come in different forms and you may get better better results with all the different forms, at least in the beginning.

PABA can also be good for the adrenal. Cordyceps might be useful. And zinc is also important to the adrenals.

Licorice prevents the breakdown of cortisol. This might be helpful. It can have estrogenic effects though. Rutin prevents the oxidation of adrenaline.

I've used relora and think it is great for helping with sleep latency, night eating, blood sugar control, and stress. But I don't think it may help increase cortisol or improve receptor sensitivity.
Sometimes adrenal problem also happen with thyroid problems. And this may not show up on tests. Iodine is useful. People who don't use table salt and don't eat much fish might need iodine supplements or sea vegetables. An iodine patch test can be useful self test to try. Iodine makes the receptors more sensitive to the hormones your body is able to produce.

[4eva]

Pantothenic acid is good but the calcium pantothenate form is better. You can take it at high doses without any probelms. The powder you found may be the pantothenate form. Pantethine form might be useful too. Some B vitmins come in different forms and you may get better better results with all the different forms, at least in the beginning.

PABA can also be good for the adrenal. Cordyceps might be useful. And zinc is also important to the adrenals.

Licorice prevents the breakdown of cortisol. This might be helpful. It can have estrogenic effects though. Rutin prevents the oxidation of adrenaline.

I've used relora and think it is great for helping with sleep latency, night eating, blood sugar control, and stress. But I don't think it may help increase cortisol or improve receptor sensitivity.
Sometimes adrenal problem also happen with thyroid problems. And this may not show up on tests. Iodine is useful. People who don't use table salt and don't eat much fish might need iodine supplements or sea vegetables. An iodine patch test can be useful self test to try. Iodine makes the receptors more sensitive to the hormones your body is able to produce.