I am able to hide and keep pushing on most of the time, but wonder if there’s a better way. I’ve spent the last eight years trying to keep my kids healthy and before that was too busy teaching to slow down enough to analyze and research my issues.
Not to mention, that my mom is still convinced that everyone has these issues, which makes me wonder if it’s a hopeless cause to try to heal all of them. Do you guys all have headaches, exhaustion, joint pain, muscle spasms, GI issues, brain fog, and bouts of anxiety/ depression? I know plenty of people that don’t, so decided it’s time to heal… and be like the rest of you normal people!
What Didn’t Go As Well As Planned
Most trips to a doctor result in abnormal blood results, referral to a specialist, and many prescriptions written. You guys know how I feel about drugs, but have given most of them a chance. After a month or two of not feeling completely healed, I’d quit!
Yep, I’ve Turned Into THAT Girl
Then, I got deep into homeopathic solutions. If it’s been recommended, I’ve most likely tried it. I’ll attach my chart, but have noticed that my body builds up a tolerance for them and I need to switch it up.
More Therapy, Anyone?
I’m a month into taking advantage of meeting our out of pocket maximum for insurance and being more consistent about therapies that have helped in the past. I have a cognitive behavior therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, and massage therapist. I’m also trying to be more deliberate about yoga and bible study.
My Diagnosis… Thus Far
I have Mixed Connective Disease (autoimmune) and Fibromyalgia. I read a book called From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum. It was very helpful and gave options for both types of people… those that want a quick fix via prescriptions and those that like to take the road less traveled. 😂
My Favorite Solutions
Please let me know if you’d like me to add some research to support these ideas.
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1. Magnesium
There are numerous side effects if you arte deficient, but its difficult to test as its excreted in your stool. A valid test, take some and if you have a bowel shortly after… you are good to go. If you drink an entire bottle of mag citrate and the label says results will occur in 30 minutes… and you ate impatiently waiting 27 hours later, you are deficient! Once I get on a regular routine of taking these yummy gummies, my bowels start to regulate, I get less headaches, and I sleep better (make sure you take before bed). The label says its anti-stress, but I haven’t noticed that as much.
2. Fish Oil- I
I will only buy … from Sprouts because I can’t handle the fishy burps from others I’ve tried. Another benefit is that if you get a bottle that tastes fishy, they will allow you to exchange and ensure your next bottle is better. This helps my brain fog and exhaustion. I just squirt some in my mouth after breakfast. Kinda like a dessert! 😉
3. Vitamin D
I did a blog about this because most people are deficient in this, as well. There are many issues linked with this. My doctor put my on a prescription of 50K mg once a week. I felt amazing and loved it, but had serious stomach pains and took way too long to figure out it was too much D.
4. CBD gummies
I was hesitant to accept this suggestion as there aren’t any regulations and they seem like a fad. My rheumatologist convinced to trust a local pharmacist that did all the research and only sells from reputable distributors. I am two months in and love. I’ve had two sleep studies and the first one stated that I don’t go into REM 4 and 5 very often. This results in needing 11-13 hours of sleep A DAY to feel rested. That doesn’t work well in real life. I need to set multiple alarms and typically don’t remember the first ones. Ever since I started the gummies, I dream a ton, which represents deep sleep AND wake up ON MY OWN, before rhe alarm! Worth every penny!5. Heat and Ice
These are free and helpful for those of you that have daily issues. People often ask, why dont you just take a Tylenol? It cant be good for my body to do that every day. I save my Imitrex prescription for when the pain causes nausea because its so intense. Every other day, it’s likely you’ll see me driving around with an ice pack velcroed to my forehead and a bed buddy warmed up and wrapped around my neck. Hey, whatever works!
6. Epson Salt- who doesn’t need a good excuse to sneak away and relax in a warm bath? The list of benefits is as long as vitamin D. I don’tnotive immediate effects, but love the time alone. /p>
7. NO gluten or dairy- by far the most difficult attempt I’ve made. However, it also has the most obvious results. After 19 days of doing well, I had daily normal bowels for 2 entire weeks! This is 1 week and 6 days longer than my previous record! I used to think a painful bowel every 3-6 days was normal. My headaches were less frequent and I didnt feel that overall yuck. I have “tested” this theory when on vacation (mostly because restaurants and dinner w friends and family is a lot more difficult to be cautious), but wound up back where I was before this journey.
8. Limited red/ processed meat, alcohol, salt, and sugar- my rheumatologist recommended these as well, but I was honest in saying I need to take baby steps! 😂
9. Dental night guard and contour pillow- these were both recommended by doctors and I’ve been impressed. The night guard
10. Ribose
I may be the odd one in the bunch and these suggestions won’t help others, but after many years of keeping track and documenting successes, I think I’m getting closer to saying I FEEL HEALTHY!
I pray you can get there, too.