Not everything comes with scientific study, especially supplements, so I am ok with that. But I understand what you are staying.

As far as the rectal bleeding, it was thought to be hemroids since the blood was red not brown, bright red usually means hemroids. So, that does not scare me either.

I guess I am not a person that needs scientific proof. There are far more positive reviews than negative with this.

I agree with the taking a break from it though I believe that to be the case with ALL supplements. Nothing is forever.

I am already on probiotics, and I did see a few suggest that.

I think there are fear mongours with anything that people do not understand. The fact that this is used as a pest control freaks people out and causes fear. I am not motivated by fear. Too many positive things has been used by God in my life to let fear rule me. I understand checking things out but in the end all supplements can be good or bad, look what niacin did, and it is safe.

You were/are? against iodine, but there is so much out there that is good about iodine and breast fibroids and such. Real people, some of whom I have talked to. I am still of the mind iodine is such an important supplement for thyroid and breast health.

I think you have a more medical scientific mind MrsD, as perhaps you worked in the medical field? But thats ok, everyone is different, everyone has to be lead on their own. I respect difference of opinion, and certainly am not trying to persuade you or anyone else of what to do. I only share my own journey.

Yes, I would like to see a timeline here, on DE... a longer use than a month or so as we have here.

Anyone here can try what they want. I only pointed out the concerns I have based on my experience with drugs, chemistry and supplements.

This is a written format and as such people need to be aware of the responsibility posting advice. What works for one may not work for another. This is why I prefer to find studies examining things and published as studies. I have a foot in both worlds...the medical and the alternative. Both have their weaknesses and strengths.

I like to see more balanced information before trying something myself. And so I tend to spend long hours searching the net and sharing here.

Most people and doctors do not know about Oxalobacter's role in preventing kidney stones, for example. So I provide that information when needed to help patients prevent further injury.

Mrs. D, what about the kidney stones? I can ask my Urologist about it since I have not heard of that.

There is a bacteria in the normal bowel flora...Oxalobacter fomigenes. It is killed off by chronic antibiotic use:

More here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396938/

At the time I first learned of this good bacteria, it was not available in probiotics, but these 3 seem to be and are also helpful to some extent:
http://www.greattastenopain.com/nl/09/04_06/062609.asp

http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v83...i2013104a.html

Oh, I very rarely need antibiotics since I know how to keep from getting UTI's now. I also take a good probiotic daily. Too bad, I was hoping something would help kidney stones besides all I am doing now.

I came across a good article on Kidney stone prevention from Harvard Medical School's "Harvard Health" publication. The article is titled "5 steps for preventing kidney stones" by executive editor Daniel Pendick. If you Google it I'm sure you'll find it too. It's a good read and not too long.

I agree with Mrs D that research studies are preferable before embarking on a controversial supplement when ever possible. Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone and take a calculated risk. You have to risk reaching into the unknown.

I've read about double blind studies done on acupuncture where the results showed only the slightest improvement over placebo but I personally have witnessed it "appearing" to powerfully heal when everything else I tried failed. Perhaps my experience was coincidental and was healing on it's own all the while. I tend to doubt that it healed itself but who can say for sure? Who can say if the is a deity watching over me assisted me or not? Sometimes it's a faith thing.

I knew someone who went on a wheat grass fast for 3 years consuming only wheatgrass juice and a few supplements who got terribly ill as the detox effects were long lasting and extremely severe but he never strayed from his commitment to ride it out what ever happened and eventually started to improve to become a very fit and energetic person where before he had a very weak immune system and was always tired and sickly.

Lengthy wheat grass fasts are well known for their intense detoxification and nutritional healing. Some who were too weak before doing a detox like that have died. There is always the risk. You only have my word on that story and frankly you don't know me from the man in the moon but you can read up on wheat grass fasting just like you can with DE. I suspect DE is much easier to stick with than wheat grass too.

You might want to experiment with wheat grass as well. There are lots of seemingly unusual remedies out there that only come by word of mouth that have saved peoples lives for centuries. We all are out of balance in one way or another and we cant expect all remedies to behave the same for everyone. For some taking a leap of faith there is healing regardless of collected evidence or not. Proof is in the pudding as they say.

Pain is a great motivator and I'm willing to take a leap of faith on adding DE to my daily routine if there is the slightest chance it will help. Perhaps it will take weeks or months before I feel or see improvement in my pain or in my lab results. As long as it isn't too hard on my system I'll stay the course. I'm planning on getting some at the compounding pharmacy I mentioned to get started myself. I'll order some where you got yours to continue on.

Thank you!

Birdman, those steps are always the first thing to do. Nothing new but thank you, I did look at the steps. No easy answer. My specialists always prescribe Potassium citrate(I think that is right, I forget right now). I take that and do all I can.

Birdman, thank you so much for that last post, I relate to it on a very personal level. Thank you for your contribution.

Just found this thread. I've taken DE off and on for some yrs but never stayed with it. Now I'm back on it and plan to stay with it...my knee issue and other OA issues are more advanced in the last year so I'm going full throttle and now back to DE and will take it daily for at least 3 months and "see"...

Any new info to add here?