I am two days shy of finishing my fourth week on the diet. I am feeling rather weak- I think this can be attributed to a few factors but mainly that I'm not quite getting enough calories daily. There are two reasons for this- I'm really having a hard time tolerating the shakes as they sort of make me want to gag at this time and I think I am just rejecting them emotionally. I have to force myself to drink at least 3/ day- 4 if I'm lucky. I do have homemade broth, jellos, and popsicles.

I find that I'm not eating these other things as often, or even herbal teas to help give me variety because I'm always waiting in between to take my Mucosa Heal and Aloe Vera juice on an "empty stomach." Normally I wait two hours between food and these supplements when I'm eating regular food, but now I think I remember you only need to wait one hour after liquid food to create an "empty stomach" for supplements. I'm wondering if even this is necessary- it seems like I'm always waiting to get to eat.

Also, I started the WOO protocol and am also unsure when to take this to not disrupt the Mucosa Heal herbs- (I do know to take the WOO 2 hours apart from probiotics.)

So I guess my question is, do I really need to wait all this time in between to create an "empty stomach" because my stomach feels "empty" most of the time I'm so hungry! It would be nice to just grab a popsicle or some jello or tea without having to look at the clock, ya know? Here is my (general) current schedule.

Morning:

8am- 3-4mg prednisone/ 50mg 6MP

10am- 1/3 cup Aloe Vera Juice followed by
3 Mucosa Heal (in apple juice)

10:20am- Shake #1 (2 Quercetin/ 2, 50mg Pycnogenel/ 2 tsp. Flax/ 1tsp.Udo's)

WAIT 2 HOURS

12:20pm- 1/3 cup Aloe Vera Juice followed by
3 Mucosa Heal (in apple juice)

12:40pm- Shake #2 (2 Quercetin/ 1, 100mg COQ10/ 2 tsp. Udo's/ 1 tsp. Flax)

WAIT 1 HOUR

1:40pm- 5 drops WOO (just started this so going slow)

WAIT 1 HOUR

2:40pm- 1/3 cup Aloe Vera Juice followed by
3 Mucosa Heal (in apple juice)

3:00pm- Shake #3 (2 Quercetin/ 2tsp. Flax/ 1 tsp. Udo's)

WAIT 1 HOUR

4:00pm- 5 drops WOO

Evening- Homemade broths, Jello, or popsicle.

STOP EATING 2 HOURS BEFORE BED.

BEDTIME- 1 - 1 1/2 tsp. each of all three Natren Powders.

Also, my bowel movements have increased since starting the diet- to 4-5 a day, and I've started bleeding again since starting the diet which is the OPPOSITE of what I expected. But I'm guessing the frequency is increasing because of the liquid stool and the fact that everything goes right through. The shakes seem to stay in, it's the broth that has me running to the bathroom a couple hours later. Also, I suspect the bleeding may be due to the explosiveness and urgency of the movements- at least that is what I was hoping because my bleeding was one thing that was mostly under control finally, so it's a bummer to see it back every day, every stool. Lots of painful cramping and gas while having a BM, too.

Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your help!

One Love,

Tara