Monday, December 6, 2010
After Thanksgiving
Wow! It's been awhile since I last posted anything so guess I should update. I am doing great! After Thanksgiving I have been struggling with the horrible sugar addiction though. I am doing better since going to the nutritionist and adding something to help with those cravings. In total, I have now lost 31 pounds!!! I am so excited!!! The only Fibro pain I have really been having is some occasional arm aches. Other than that I have been doing well! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What I Ate Before I Knew I Had FM
Some may be interested to know what my diet was like before and during when I was hurting and in so much pain. I actually went through a time of eating better, or trying to and that was during FM pain. I had a diet extremely high in sugar before the FM got really bad. Donuts in the morning with chocolate milk, sometimes also a sausage roll in the morning, a snickers a day, and lunch always fast food due to my job. Some of my favorite lunches to eat were Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich (fried), Taco Bueno's Nacho Platter or Enchilada platter, sometimes Subway. Basically fattening foods, sugar, and soda or sweet tea. Of course, I had gained weight eating all this junk, but last October I started changing the way I ate. I went awhile with no donuts, then I would have one sometimes and occasionally treat myself to a candy bar. So I started to lose weight as a result. That same month I began that, I started having sinus infections that wouldn't go away with antibiotics. I was on those for 6 months til I finally had sinus surgery in March 2010. Coincidently, before my surgery was when I started having horrible side pain, which I now believe was due to all the antibiotics killing my good bacteria and therefore I had yeast overload in my digestive system. I had surgery and the side pain went away. Three weeks later it was back, then my arms and legs started aching and back muscles got more tender. During this time I had started to allow myself to eat more sugar and drink more soda. So with all I was eating and drinking it is no wonder my liver had been on overload, I had yeast in my digestive system, and my thyroid and adrenal glands were shot (even though doctor's tests showed them to be normal). Diet has everything to do with FM in my opinion and from my experience.
So you may ask, what do you eat now? Alot of protein and less sugar! I am still working on my diet but I am doing so much better with healthier choices. I like to either eat boiled eggs in the morning or grab a muscle milk. For lunch since I work out everywhere I still eat fast food, however I make better choices. I eat Taco Salads minus the shell, sour cream, and guacomole, soft chicken tacos, chicken fajitas, or a chicken sandwich on wheat. I try to limit how much red meat I eat and definitely try not to eat pork! Pigs eat anything and everything so I prefer not to eat them cause it can be toxic to the system. I do occasionally have a Snickers, but I am doing better on the cravings. For dinner I eat chicken and veggies or fruit most of the time. Sometimes I eat a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread (the real whole wheat bread, not the kind with brown color added to it) and I drink WATER!
As a result of changing what I eat and supplementing with whole food Standard Process I have reversed the FM and am in remission. I believe based on my diet changes I will just get better and better as I go on my journey and that I will crave less and less bad foods the longer I eat better foods!
So you may ask, what do you eat now? Alot of protein and less sugar! I am still working on my diet but I am doing so much better with healthier choices. I like to either eat boiled eggs in the morning or grab a muscle milk. For lunch since I work out everywhere I still eat fast food, however I make better choices. I eat Taco Salads minus the shell, sour cream, and guacomole, soft chicken tacos, chicken fajitas, or a chicken sandwich on wheat. I try to limit how much red meat I eat and definitely try not to eat pork! Pigs eat anything and everything so I prefer not to eat them cause it can be toxic to the system. I do occasionally have a Snickers, but I am doing better on the cravings. For dinner I eat chicken and veggies or fruit most of the time. Sometimes I eat a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread (the real whole wheat bread, not the kind with brown color added to it) and I drink WATER!
As a result of changing what I eat and supplementing with whole food Standard Process I have reversed the FM and am in remission. I believe based on my diet changes I will just get better and better as I go on my journey and that I will crave less and less bad foods the longer I eat better foods!
Chlorella
Today, I have started on Chlorella to make my Ph more alkaline instead of acidic. Ph has alot to do with FM from what I have been reading and their are studies showing Chlorella aids in removing toxins from your liver and body. I will update when and if this helps and FM symptoms I have remaining, which aren't many. A couple of books recommended to me are "Alkanize or Die" and "Body Balance" but I haven't got around to reading them yet.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Update
It has been a little while since my last post so wanted to update on how everything is going. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and it has been 5 weeks since I started supplements and making my nutrition better. I also Zumba for exercise which is great. Let me just back up a bit to this last summer when I first went to the chiropractor. My back was so tender she couldn't hardly adjust me with her activator tool. She had to set it to what she would use on a child. I was that sensitive and in so much pain. The adjustments did help, but I was still tender, however she was able after some visits to bump the activator up to adult strength. It was still quite painful but not as bad 4 weeks ago when I had been taking supplements for 1 week.
Fast forward to yesterday, she started using the activator on my hips and lower back which used to be excrutiating. It didn't even hurt. I was amazed at the difference in my muscles and she didn't have to do any muscle work like she did before cause they were so relaxed. What I am doing is definitely working. I believe the answer to this is in proper nutrition and exercise.
Also, last week I was trying to conserve the Antronex cause I thought I was running out and didn't have time to make it to pick more up. My arms started to ache really bad. I had dropped the dose from 3 a day to 1 or 2 over 2 days. For some reason I wasn't thinking and forgot this supplement helps the liver. So I took 3 tablets and in about an hour or two my arms stopped aching. Come to find out I had a bottle in my cabinet all along. This is not a pill I will be skimping on. I still need to do the liver cleanse, however I am not sure when I will get to do it yet. Possibly the 2nd week of November. After that I can update on how that worked for me and if I noticed any differences in how I feel.
I went from not being able to clean my house, to cleaning my house. Sure it isn't perfect, but I do way more than what I was and I work full time. I am so happy about it too. I am vaccuuming 1 to 2 times a week and sweeping and mopping about the same. I can put up the laundry. I may not get to all of it, but it is amazing how much more I can do because my energy levels have greatly increased and pain has decreased. I believe the energy increase is mostly do to the thyroid supplement I am taking. I was even able to groom my dogs properly the other evening. Usually, I do a quick shave down and bath, but I was able to do longer haircuts and take more time on them. I am convinced what I am doing is working and hope more people suffering with FM and CFS will give this a try to see if it works for them. I knew in 2 weeks I was better and then 2 days after starting the thyroid I knew for sure that was working to give me more energy. I feel alive again. Going to the chiropractor just confirmed that I am definitely doing better and this is the solution, whereas the pain and FM meds the doctors give are just a cover up for pain and not a cure.
Fast forward to yesterday, she started using the activator on my hips and lower back which used to be excrutiating. It didn't even hurt. I was amazed at the difference in my muscles and she didn't have to do any muscle work like she did before cause they were so relaxed. What I am doing is definitely working. I believe the answer to this is in proper nutrition and exercise.
Also, last week I was trying to conserve the Antronex cause I thought I was running out and didn't have time to make it to pick more up. My arms started to ache really bad. I had dropped the dose from 3 a day to 1 or 2 over 2 days. For some reason I wasn't thinking and forgot this supplement helps the liver. So I took 3 tablets and in about an hour or two my arms stopped aching. Come to find out I had a bottle in my cabinet all along. This is not a pill I will be skimping on. I still need to do the liver cleanse, however I am not sure when I will get to do it yet. Possibly the 2nd week of November. After that I can update on how that worked for me and if I noticed any differences in how I feel.
I went from not being able to clean my house, to cleaning my house. Sure it isn't perfect, but I do way more than what I was and I work full time. I am so happy about it too. I am vaccuuming 1 to 2 times a week and sweeping and mopping about the same. I can put up the laundry. I may not get to all of it, but it is amazing how much more I can do because my energy levels have greatly increased and pain has decreased. I believe the energy increase is mostly do to the thyroid supplement I am taking. I was even able to groom my dogs properly the other evening. Usually, I do a quick shave down and bath, but I was able to do longer haircuts and take more time on them. I am convinced what I am doing is working and hope more people suffering with FM and CFS will give this a try to see if it works for them. I knew in 2 weeks I was better and then 2 days after starting the thyroid I knew for sure that was working to give me more energy. I feel alive again. Going to the chiropractor just confirmed that I am definitely doing better and this is the solution, whereas the pain and FM meds the doctors give are just a cover up for pain and not a cure.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
First Post/ Background
As many people are, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia around July 2010. In the past I had not felt right. I slept alot and couldn't hardly wake up. I was never refreshed after sleeping and at times I would have muscle pain and leg aches. I couldn't tolerate a massage and when I was pregnant I and hyperemesis. I just dismissed it as normal and went on. I did discuss it with my doctor, but she put me on anti depressants, which didn't help at all. My thyroid was tested more than once and found to be normal.
In March 2010 I started having right side pain. It started out as a dull aching so I thought maybe it was my gallbladder. The pain went around into my back. All tests came back fine. I finally went to a chiropractor who at my second visit asked me if I had ever been told I had FM. I said no and with how tender I was she thought I could have it. I went to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed it. By this time the pain was sharp in my side and I narrowed it down to my ribs and it went all the way around to the back. My arms had also started aching daily by this point and working was very difficult. I was more tired than ever and couldn't hardly get awake enough to get out of bed. I would sit up first, then eventually put my legs off the side of the bed and slowly get up. My muscles and knees would be very stiff in the morning and even after sitting for long periods of time. Headaches and Migraines were horrible, but chiropractic care helped with that some and also helped with some of the backaches and muscle soreness.
The Rheumatologist prescribed Tramadol which helped for the rib pain and some leg aching. They prescribed Nerontin. I have forgotten why I didn't take it, but something didn't work with it. So I called and they tried Cymbalta but it made me sick to my stomach. So I gave up on traditional medicine and tried to only take Tramadol as needed, but it was usually daily. I was reading that I should exercise, which the thought was horrible. How could I in so much pain? But I did start Zumba although it hurt my side alot. At 30 years old, I felt like an 80 year old.
Someone told me about a nutritionist in my area. I decided as soon as I could I would go and see her. So I did within a month. I was in so much pain I couldn't bear it any longer and I was so tired. She looked at my blood under the microscope and commented on how tired I was and saw some things wrong. She checked my Zinc levels and they were lacking, which is why I craved sugar all the time. She felt my adrenal glands were fatigued and I possibly had a plugged up liver among other things. She wanted me to eat more protein and I had to do a yeast saliva test the next morning. That was postitive so I started supplements to combat the yeast. Yeast eats sugar, so that could be one reason I wasn't feeling well since I ate sugar alot.
So I made the necessary diet changes the best I could. It was very difficult and I still found myself eating something sweet about every day. I was taking the Standard Process supplements. After 1 week I thought maybe I felt a little better. I was still exhausted, but I seemed to not be in the pain I was. After 1.5 weeks I knew I was better. I went back to see the nutritionist after 2 weeks and my body was feeling great, but I was still very very tired and still craved sugar but noticed it was less and less. My rib pain was gone.
One of my homework assignments was to take my basal body temperature under my armpit in the morning before rising to check my thyroid. I did that for about 7 days and it was always very low. So I started Standard Process Thytrophin PMG. Evidently the tests at the doctor's office can be negative for thryoid, but that doesn't mean you don't have a problem. The next morning I seemed to wake up easier. Then the next day I was up early! It just seemed easier to get up unless I went to bed very late, but if I get enough sleep I am up on time or early now. This was what told me what I was doing was working!!!
Today it has almost been 4 weeks since I have started Standard Process supplements. I am going to be doing a liver cleanse in a few weeks so hopefully that will help me even more. These are the products I am currently taking:
Thytropin PMG
Adrenal (Desiccated)
Cataplex B
Folic Acid B12
Multizymes
Antronex
Congaplex
Zinc Liver Chelate
http://www.standardprocess.com/
I am going back to my chiropractor and I can't wait to see what she says about my improvement! In my case and I think in many others, FM could be just a bunch of things I was deficient in which was causing certain things like my thyroid, adrenals, and liver to not function right. That in turn was causing me alot of pain and exhaustion. I am still on the road to recovery. Not sure how long it will take, but I am so glad I went to the nutritionist. I want to share my story so that I may help others recover from FM and feel better. I can even Zumba for exercise with no side pain. I have lost weight too. This is just my story! What is your FM recovery story?
In March 2010 I started having right side pain. It started out as a dull aching so I thought maybe it was my gallbladder. The pain went around into my back. All tests came back fine. I finally went to a chiropractor who at my second visit asked me if I had ever been told I had FM. I said no and with how tender I was she thought I could have it. I went to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed it. By this time the pain was sharp in my side and I narrowed it down to my ribs and it went all the way around to the back. My arms had also started aching daily by this point and working was very difficult. I was more tired than ever and couldn't hardly get awake enough to get out of bed. I would sit up first, then eventually put my legs off the side of the bed and slowly get up. My muscles and knees would be very stiff in the morning and even after sitting for long periods of time. Headaches and Migraines were horrible, but chiropractic care helped with that some and also helped with some of the backaches and muscle soreness.
The Rheumatologist prescribed Tramadol which helped for the rib pain and some leg aching. They prescribed Nerontin. I have forgotten why I didn't take it, but something didn't work with it. So I called and they tried Cymbalta but it made me sick to my stomach. So I gave up on traditional medicine and tried to only take Tramadol as needed, but it was usually daily. I was reading that I should exercise, which the thought was horrible. How could I in so much pain? But I did start Zumba although it hurt my side alot. At 30 years old, I felt like an 80 year old.
Someone told me about a nutritionist in my area. I decided as soon as I could I would go and see her. So I did within a month. I was in so much pain I couldn't bear it any longer and I was so tired. She looked at my blood under the microscope and commented on how tired I was and saw some things wrong. She checked my Zinc levels and they were lacking, which is why I craved sugar all the time. She felt my adrenal glands were fatigued and I possibly had a plugged up liver among other things. She wanted me to eat more protein and I had to do a yeast saliva test the next morning. That was postitive so I started supplements to combat the yeast. Yeast eats sugar, so that could be one reason I wasn't feeling well since I ate sugar alot.
So I made the necessary diet changes the best I could. It was very difficult and I still found myself eating something sweet about every day. I was taking the Standard Process supplements. After 1 week I thought maybe I felt a little better. I was still exhausted, but I seemed to not be in the pain I was. After 1.5 weeks I knew I was better. I went back to see the nutritionist after 2 weeks and my body was feeling great, but I was still very very tired and still craved sugar but noticed it was less and less. My rib pain was gone.
One of my homework assignments was to take my basal body temperature under my armpit in the morning before rising to check my thyroid. I did that for about 7 days and it was always very low. So I started Standard Process Thytrophin PMG. Evidently the tests at the doctor's office can be negative for thryoid, but that doesn't mean you don't have a problem. The next morning I seemed to wake up easier. Then the next day I was up early! It just seemed easier to get up unless I went to bed very late, but if I get enough sleep I am up on time or early now. This was what told me what I was doing was working!!!
Today it has almost been 4 weeks since I have started Standard Process supplements. I am going to be doing a liver cleanse in a few weeks so hopefully that will help me even more. These are the products I am currently taking:
Thytropin PMG
Adrenal (Desiccated)
Cataplex B
Folic Acid B12
Multizymes
Antronex
Congaplex
Zinc Liver Chelate
http://www.standardprocess.com/
I am going back to my chiropractor and I can't wait to see what she says about my improvement! In my case and I think in many others, FM could be just a bunch of things I was deficient in which was causing certain things like my thyroid, adrenals, and liver to not function right. That in turn was causing me alot of pain and exhaustion. I am still on the road to recovery. Not sure how long it will take, but I am so glad I went to the nutritionist. I want to share my story so that I may help others recover from FM and feel better. I can even Zumba for exercise with no side pain. I have lost weight too. This is just my story! What is your FM recovery story?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)