Mrs D - Vitamin Help?
 

Hi - do you get tired of being our expert on these - but so glad you are here.... !

Quickie - I've got a whole new team of docs - so far the ones I've seen are really on the ball - yea! (found a GI doc that understands gastropareis - which is awsome too).... I'll be seeing a pain doc and new neuro at end of month and the other two have run some tests already... just got my Vitamin D and B12 - on Vitamin D I think thats important cause I have osteopenia and osteroperosis, and severe disk pain (they can see the disks pressing on nerves in the spine and collapsing).... also, B12, which I assume neuro will want..

numbers:

B12 - 558 (range 200-1100)
D - they say its high - 66 (range 15-60) - does this make sense?

I still am on only ensure and boullion and a little bottle of baby food every few days (but thats just sweet potatoes so far - cant tolerate anything else - even fat free real chicken broth) - so taking supplements other then in the ensure is really tough on my gut.... (I dont eat "meals" - just sip on liquids during the day in small amounts)

Do you think either of these are significant? Would there be another vitamin I'm missing on the osteo side??? (one thing - Ensure is pure vitamins!)

Thanks for any suggestions:confused:

For osteo...
 

magnesium and vit K are also important. So is protein.

The B12 is "borderline" if you live in Japan. But most doctors here would accept it. I would take the B12 if it were me.

In regards to the D... that's good. You must get outside regularly and not live in cold gray places.

Hi Karen
 

I just wanted to chime in here and say I am very glad you found a good GI doctor that understands gastroparesis. You sound very happy with him.:)

You could even be a little higher on the Vitamin D--
 

--though you didn't mention what units the measurement was in (ng/Dl, I'm assuming).

A lot of researchers now think our Vitamin D lab reference ranges are skewed too low, and that people should opt for ranges in the 75-80ng/Dl level at least. Ted Hutchinson on the Braintalk Vitamin forum has ammassed a huge database on Vitamin D with a lot of supporting evidence (studies, monographs, etc.) to this effect, if you want to take a look:

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/...ead.php?t=2822

Thanks for that Glen...Mrs d they were saying on are local TV we must all
get out in sun more...I have very fair skin and with Meds I take,I burn
so bad..But if and when the sun comes back do you think it's ok to put
on lot's of sun screen and get out for at least 20 mins.in my wheelchair.
I rreally enjoy it so...When it's cold and grey I use one of those lights
many people use for depression. J remainded me of upper body streght
and thinks for hands..Bob and I are doing srteching,which some people
think and foget they can do in bed...

I take Enhanced absorption with C-sorb it's a non acidic stomach,500 twice
a day,been ok even with Gycerna doesn't upset tummie but do I take the b-12 under tongue and is 1000 enough. Been sleeping found out at Oral surgery
Dr. have not only broke my teeth but hair line fracture of cheek bone
and broken nose,I look so cute. But fever put off any thing until next
Friday...Good think with flu running crazy he doesn't fill up waiting room.
I'm allowed for nest five weeks some baby food now and low fat broth.
I miss greens with vit d. Karen e-mail you and Baxter later. Mel hope your
cold is better. And Mrs.d your a sweetheart,where am I??? Sue ps
got a fever another reason the Dr. ran out the back door.:eek:

Sue I am sorry you are sick too. I am sorry you could not have the procedure done either but it is good the doc is being careful. I am sorry how did you get all this broken in your face?In any regards I am so sorry.
Kmeb sorry to post that on your thread and I am also glad you found a doc who is helping you though I am sorry you are going through so much. Random thought I know when I was on ensure there are different kinds that stress more vitamins then others I think. Some have a higher protein for ex then just the original ensure it is like ensure with extra protein.I only drank the plus so am not sure.Of course ask your doc cause you don't need any more issues. Feel better

Kmeb, hope this doc is
 

what they call a 'KEEPER!',
You can't go too wrong with too much B-12, and I've been told I to take 400-600 of D as I'm low. MrsD has been on target about the mag. as I dove rite in and did the Calcium+D rite off...and those side effects we won't go into! Adding the mag sorted things out.

MrsD Why the Vit K? I have found very little on it that is enlightening.

Sue - Good job with the teeth! Takes true talent to find you've not only done in your teeth but your jaw as well! We all have to be careful about doctors' offices these days, you know? They're full of sick people!

May you all have a few pain free moments? Even if it's in your sleep, at least in real sleep you don't know or care! - j

more on Vit K...
 

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...mins/vitaminK/

Vit K is made in our bowels, and since kmeb has "issues" there, she probably does not. Also it is in green, leafy veggies.

I love cooked kale, collards, spinach, turnip greens, etc. Have them at least once or twice a week, as well as a fresh salad at almost every dinner. Some nites, dinner is only a large Chicken Caesar Salad.

Collard Greens??

I assume these are not fattening, but what do they taste like??

I always wanted try these.

Mel

Good stuff to eat..
 

I wish I could eat all the good stuff - I love(d) to eat! But, peeps with gastroparesis cant digest fiber (so a salad would be deadly) - and very little fat - thus the liquid and extremely restricted diet for those whole can tolerate some food (this is from autonomic neruopathy):(

Do you make chicken soup? One thing I do sometimes is add in spinach in the last 10minutes or so (sometimes cabbage works) just before serving. It wilts, but keeps its green color and nutrients.

I like colorful soup...so I add all kinds of things. Chunks of buttnernut squash work well, instead of potatoes and absorb the flavorings nicely too. (squash needs at least an hour in the soup).
Curry in the chicken soup is also very tasty and provides the anti-inflammatory actions of tumeric to help with pain.

You can add swiss chard to sandwiches instead of lettuce. That is easy too.

There is a shredded broccoli slaw now in stores, makes a nice salad instead of plain old cole slaw.

I understand why kmeb cannot eat fiber...this post is for the others reading here.

Seems that a juicer might work for kmeb however? Have you tried that? If you liquified the veggies,
that would be one way to get the nutrients without the fiber.

Mrs D!
 

I'm just jealeous I cant eat!!! Melody - ever watch the food channel? Lots of yummy ideas there! And Mrs. D - never had butternut squash until I tried the baby food recently - its good!

My family told this story about me...that I loved that baby food squash.
So they would have to alternate spoonfuls of it, with everything else or I wouldn't eat! I have always loved it ...:p

Kmeb -- I would try the juicers...you might feel alot better getting all the
antioxidants, and trace things you must be missing from the Ensure.
The juicers keep the fiber out. And since the fiber is what gives you problems, I'd consider it.

Mel, Similar to cooked spinach, but each has a slightly different taste. I like them cooked from fresh, but also the different tasting ones that are 'seasoned', in a can. Seasoned usually with smoked ham, bacon, or such. I like them with malt (or wine) vinegar sprinkled over them, too.

Mrs D may be onto something?
 

I bet if you use a juicer, then something like a coffee filter to get the extra fiber out, you'd get the 'essence' fresh and unadulterated? Next issue would be after going to the expense of getting the machine and then foods to be 'juiced', could you drink the end products? What all would be ideal for your particular system? Could you stand or live thru the trial and errors? From what all you've said, sounds 'iffy'. Pity tho, Could be interesting otherwise?

Just a random thought. - j

Let's start with Bob and collard greens.

THESE COME IN A CAN????? Really??? I must look for them.
I never knew that I could buy collard greens in a can.

So I gather I just heat them up, add a bit of fresh garlic, and some lemon, salt and pepper to taste, and I'm good to go!!!!??

Sounds interesting. I am sipping decaf green tea all day for my cold. Loosens everything up. I now like Green Tea (something I never thought I would).

Oh, kmeb. can you try juicing? Imagine, all the stuff you can't put in your tummy, but you might be able to put them in the juicer and it comes out all liquid. I gather you have to run this by your doctor. Not too much, but you'll get SOME of the taste.

Like this morning, when I juiced our juice. There's a produce stand near Cornell (in NYC),and yesterday I bought:

1. 4 boxes of blueberries,
2. 1 box of raspberries,
3. 1 huge box of strawberries,
4. 2 bunches of asparagus,
5. 3 heads of Romaine Lettuce,
6. 2 nice pints of grape tomatoes,

AND IT ALL COST JUST TWENTY BUCKS. This will last me the whole week.

Took it all home on the Access-a-ride.

If I went to my local supermarket, the asparagus alone would have cost me $10.00..

This morning, I just added some berries to the carrots and a bit of apple and it was the nicest anti-oxidant drink I ever had. Just 4 oz for me, but I loved it. Cornell said it's okay to do this. They don't approve of oranges when you are diabetic and they also said "it's better if you eat the fruit than if you juice it". But in my mind. I got a bit of ALL OF THE BERRIES, and the other veggies, so to me, I liked it.

mel

Mel, you'll put - 'V-8' ........ out of business :)
Yes, in a CAN !!
Look where you find canned spinach.

Look at this girl. I think she just had some fruit!!! lol

http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...q903b6738p.gif

How about some FILTERED
 

NO fat, lo carb NO fiber filtered essences of veg and meat products? IS IT DOABLE?

Hummm...CAN V-8 actually GO thru a filter? Can it be de-acidified? I'm assuming here that if that old intestinal tract isn't working, that ACID would be just that...ACID-plus? Wonder what neutralizes it? Goshes this could become very chemistry oriented...I am deficit in this quarter...Wish I'd done better... OH well, I have other attributes... - j

Thanks
 

everyone, appreciate suggestions - mrs d. - i was going to ask my gi doc for referral to nutrionalist - think i'll call him this week and see if i can get - cause i know i cant have acid according to the gastroparesis diets i see on line (and experience - even citrus because of the acid too)....

if a juicer will let me have some healthier and different tastes and seems to be ok to the dietician - i'll give it a shot (have a family member who has some mega juicer that leaves no pulp at all - so maybe that is an option!)

we'll see:confused:

There are juicers on Ebay...some really a steal.
I was thinking you'd use them for vegetables mostly. Citrus is hard to handle, but you might get a little in there, diluted and try it eventually.

Blueberries,stawberries are really high in antioxidants, however.
Using the veggies, you'd get some potassium too.

My Dr. Amy and son got me a Jack Lalane Jucier and Veggie used for both,
They got me a big one because of Bob's girls and when all the kids are
together. There's a small one as well,but a bit pricey. I remember doing
with that man and his wife when in the 70's all you needed in equitment
was a dining room chair or sturfy flolding chair,the floor and I used my
babies for weights..The baby would be up and hollowing at 6 in the morning.
They all found that show fun,didn't know they were getting there
Mom in shape. Anyway he's in his 9o's or 104 something like that,if you
have a hard time with your hand's and wrist's it great..

Mrsd. my daughter makes my Grandson Butter squach,or butter nut soup.
He's 9 months old today..Now this is mean,my Mom use to fixed my son when
he was 9 months old mashed potatoes he would clap his hands and
dive in,well 1 day with out saying anything she mashed up her favorite
Turnips,well he got a mouth ful and you know how babies look when
there trying to get something out of there mouths fast..This kid was
gagging ,look like his face was turning blue..Then I look ed at Mom and she
started laughing,my Dad said Jonnie Joe that was mean. Boy before
he had mash potatoes anywhere he would smell them.

My husband a nice Jewish man did not care for grits,collar greens ect.
Well we were on vaction once were eating breakfast,he was looking
at me like are you nuts,but said in a loud voice SUE put those down
there GRITS,well you don't say that in Mississippi..They just put them
on the plate in the south..Those people looked until I ate every bit,then
reached over and ate his..Yet it took me forever to make Borsh (beet soup}
well sour cream,well the trouble was back then everyone never wrote
it down,so nothing tastes like Mothers..

I'm become a e-bay nut now as well,so far never had any trouble,has
anyone else???Boy my wrists and hands hurt today,it's so cold again.
Mel what else do you like juiced up. Kemb I lost 10 lbs. this week,
I bet Baxter her kitten could keep her whole body warm he's just
so cute,I told Bob I thought I would get a cat,now he wants one,
talk about falling and poor cats.. Hugs all Sue