There can be any number of reasons for lethargy, but yes, some people are distinctly sensitive to vinegars, including ACV. If you suspect this as triggering problems for you, do remove it from your program.

I wouldn’t worry about marinating pork; I would just eat it in the form your body says ‘yes’to.

Do try, though, to incorporate a variety of meats and fish -whichever ones do not bring symptoms for you- in your diet.

All my best,
Baden

I’m so glad you’re daughter’s stools are improving!

Unhappiness does come up in healing. Theories about this abound. One idea is that healing resurfaces all “traumas” we’ve been through previously, while the body works it out for good. eg. If we had profound sadness when first becoming ill (a common emotional response), we might experience some of that sadness again wile healing. Another idea is that die-off in general will leave one at times temporarily lethargic and sad. In this case, increasing die-off relief supports (slowing probiotics, incorporating one or more detox baths per day, etc) can make all the difference. Another idea is that of too-low carbohydrates. In this case, increasing foods such as butternut squash, carrots, honey, and nuts (if at that stage) can shift this.

I would proceed to Stage 4 without waiting for further improvement. That is, I always recommend people keep progressing through the stages until a given introduction brings up a clear reaction, in which case we would remove that food for now, rest at the previous point for a few days, then move forward again (skipping the suspected item).

All my best,
Baden

All my best,
Baden

I think you’re saying your son has been on full GAPS for three months, and is now preparing to start the intro. Is this correct? If yes…

A person will move forward from Stage 1 after 1-3 days (your preference, unless there is major stool symptoms which would have one on it for up to seven days). A person will move forward to Stage 2 without having yet introduced kefir.

Does this help?

All my best,
Baden

I hear you about the fatigue this symptom would trigger!

Some thoughts:

1. Almost everyone will experience random stool consistency and frequency in the first few months of GAPS. This seems to be par for the course. This said, 6-10 BMs per day is not as common.

2. There are definitely some people -especially those with Crohn’s- who will experience more BMS initially and for an extended period. Some have regarded this as part and parcel of healing, ie. an essential release, required to get the body in balance.

3. Releasing is good; losing too many minerals or becoming dehydrated is not. You may want to add an electrolyte drink to your program. In my blog’s internal search engine, type the word electrolyte for recipes.

4. If meat soup is serving you well, that’s great. It should be a major part of your diet in any case. However, moving on to include additional nutrients, textures, and flavours is important both physically and psychologically. Definitely don’t worry about veggies at this point. Early on, many people -especially those with intestines so aggravated as to be diagnosed as Crohn’s, IBS, etc- cannot tolerate any. Healing will change that, and they can be added in due time. Try just increasing fats from the insides of animals, egg yolks if tolerated, etc.

5. The probiotic juice should help overall. This said, it may also trigger increased (or decreased) bowel movements, so start with a tiny amount -less than a teaspoon per day, allow for some further changes in BMs, and increase it very slowly.

All my best,
Baden

I love discussing all matters related to GAPS! Unfortunately, I just don’t have the means for one-on-one contact with folks. (As most people prefer one-on-one, it would mean ultimately writing far more than I can manage.) Please do feel free to post controversial diet issues here, though. I welcome all thoughts -including controversial ones- for discussion. The only limits I set on blog comments is attacks on others, etc, (and things entirely unrelated to healing) and I’m confident that’s not what you’re talking about

All my best,
Baden

Thanks so much for letting Gabi and I, and all the blog readers, know what’s working for you.

All my best,
Baden

Thanks for letting me know the HCI is helping, and for all your encouraging thoughts about what we’re doing here!

All my best,
Baden

I typed GAPS PANDAS into Google and found this page: http://www.facebook.com/GAPSDiet/posts/10150389104822840

All my best,
Baden