I know it’s been some time since I’ve posted here, and that’s partly because when I’ve wanted to share my thoughts I’ve usually taken to Instagram rather than this blog. But I thought I would do a bit of an update here, and include a recent Instagram post as well.
2017 proved to be a hard year for me. Of course, there were many new and exciting moments as well, but about halfway through the year after spreading myself too thin studying for my nutrition board exam, co- managing my small business, and working part time as an ESL tutor, I crashed- hard. July and August were extremely tough and I had to spend the vast majority of my days in bed all day long. Most of the time small tasks like going to the bathroom or to the fridge to grab food felt impossible. Things seemed to improve slightly in September, but not to where I was before the summer crash. Then, finally, in December, I inexplicably had a pretty good month. I traveled and was able to get out of bed for a few hours some days, and then didn’t even crash when I got home from traveling like I thought I might. Unfortunately though, January has been just as bad if not worse than the summer for me, and this drastic swing in symptoms has really caused me to reflect on how hard it can be to live with the uncertainty that presents with chronic illness. I shared some of my thoughts on this in
THIS Instagram post. Feel free to read, and follow me on Instagram if you’d like to keep up to date with my journey, as I seem to be (somewhat) better at posting there!
I’m not sure anyone actually even follows this blog anymore but if you do, I hope you are doing well, and I hope 2018 brings an abundance of health and happiness to you! ♥️
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Winter is hard and i'm so ready for spring!
Wanted to post a quick update regarding treatments, symptoms etc! Things have been kind of rocky (okay, rockier) over here the past month or so. January seemed to be a rough month for me, and February hasn't proved any different. Nothing really unusual or different, just lots of nausea, weakness, head pressure. Actually, my head pressure in particular had been a bit better the past 6 months or so, but it seems to be worse the past few weeks.
When these things (symptoms) increase out of seemingly nowhere, i start to panic. I know i shouldn't immediately go to worst case scenerio but because of everything i've been through in the past, that tends to be where my brain goes. I'm trying to work on this though. Trying to accept symptoms as they come and allow them to leave. I have been focusing a bit more on emotional work, rather than pumping my body full of things to kill off infection. EFT, meditation, yoga, amygdala retraining. There is definitely something to it all, and it resonates with me, so it's a path i hope to continue down indefinitely.
The good news is that when i look at my symptom log, over the past year, the last 6 months is definitely better than the first 6 months. Sometimes it doesn't feel like i'm getting anywhere, but i have to believe that i am. One teeny tiny step at a time.
My actual treatment regarding supplements etc. hasn't really changed much over the past few months. Mostly because i tend to be so sensitive, most of the new supplements i try to start go horribly after a week or so and i have to get off them to stabalize enough to be able to eat/drink etc. I'm still seeing the same LLND and she is convinced bartonella is a big piece of the puzzle for me, so i need to try to get my regular GP to sign off on a blood test for that, since she can't. This should be fun because my GP i'm convinced hates me and every time i try to bring up something to try or test for she looks at me like i'm the most ridiculous human on earth.
Also, just before christmas one of my wisdom teeth started coming in and got infected, so i had to do a round of amoxicillin for that (which was rough but actually went better than i expected it to go). Now my dentist wants me to get all my wisdom teeth out, but i'm hesitant to do this because of how NOT stable i am at the moment. I haven't had issues with the teeth since the amox cleared up the infection, and was kind of hoping it would just grow in normally now without any further issues. Either way, i'm going to see a holistic dentist to get their opinion on the whole thing, and see if they believe surgery is the best option for my case.
Other than that, nothing to update really. Other than the fact that i am so incredibly done with winter and can't wait until the weather starts warming up and the snow starts melting!
When these things (symptoms) increase out of seemingly nowhere, i start to panic. I know i shouldn't immediately go to worst case scenerio but because of everything i've been through in the past, that tends to be where my brain goes. I'm trying to work on this though. Trying to accept symptoms as they come and allow them to leave. I have been focusing a bit more on emotional work, rather than pumping my body full of things to kill off infection. EFT, meditation, yoga, amygdala retraining. There is definitely something to it all, and it resonates with me, so it's a path i hope to continue down indefinitely.
The good news is that when i look at my symptom log, over the past year, the last 6 months is definitely better than the first 6 months. Sometimes it doesn't feel like i'm getting anywhere, but i have to believe that i am. One teeny tiny step at a time.
My actual treatment regarding supplements etc. hasn't really changed much over the past few months. Mostly because i tend to be so sensitive, most of the new supplements i try to start go horribly after a week or so and i have to get off them to stabalize enough to be able to eat/drink etc. I'm still seeing the same LLND and she is convinced bartonella is a big piece of the puzzle for me, so i need to try to get my regular GP to sign off on a blood test for that, since she can't. This should be fun because my GP i'm convinced hates me and every time i try to bring up something to try or test for she looks at me like i'm the most ridiculous human on earth.
Also, just before christmas one of my wisdom teeth started coming in and got infected, so i had to do a round of amoxicillin for that (which was rough but actually went better than i expected it to go). Now my dentist wants me to get all my wisdom teeth out, but i'm hesitant to do this because of how NOT stable i am at the moment. I haven't had issues with the teeth since the amox cleared up the infection, and was kind of hoping it would just grow in normally now without any further issues. Either way, i'm going to see a holistic dentist to get their opinion on the whole thing, and see if they believe surgery is the best option for my case.
Other than that, nothing to update really. Other than the fact that i am so incredibly done with winter and can't wait until the weather starts warming up and the snow starts melting!
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Youtube Video (Part 2 of Update)
Part 2 to my last blog post. Explaining how i use my essential oils.
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
An Update On Treatments! Old & New!
Hi guys! Not really sure if anyone reads this anymore but for my own reference it's time for an update! So there have definitely been some changes over the past few months in regards to my treatments and how i've been feeling. I'm happy to say i've noticed some improvement in symptoms! The last 2 weeks of August while I was in Maine I had kind of noticed it, then it seemed i got worse for a week or so once back home, but by the end of September I seemed to be having more better days, and this month has also been sprinkled with better days here and there.
I can't tell you how encouraging this is, after being stuck at this standstill for so long, travelling to different states, trying everything under the sun and not feeling ANY different. I wish i could say that i'm feeling huge major improvements and i know for sure it's (fill in the blank) supplement that is doing it, but as you guys probably know if you're dealing with lyme, or any chronic illness, it's never black and white.
I CAN say that the one thing I HAVE done differently since mid August is I started using essential oils! If you're part of the lyme forums on facebook or even just do searched in google for lyme treatments, chances are you've come across essential oils at some point. I had several times and actually had some experience with essential oils in general because of my old etsy shop (i made naturally scented body butters, bath bombs, perfumes etc). But i never really used them medicinally, just for fun! In August after reading yet another story of a woman who recovered from late stage lyme using the oils, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a kit from doterra. I will explain more how I use them and which ones i find helpful in my youtube video (will be posted tomorrow? maybe?). But i definitely am kind of addicted and can't wait to get more to try!
Another thing that's new! I went to a new practitioner who does something called B.I.E. It's a form of accupressure and was created to deal with allergies at first. But it's really just a way to bring the body back into homeostasis. My first appointment was at the beginning of October and it went well. My practitioner explained that my "polarity" is reversed. She said this is often the case with people who have chronic illnesses, and who have tried everything and nothing seems to be working (me!). When your polarity is reversed, your body looks as good things (mainly foods) as a a threat, and it allows bad things (viruses, bacteria, etc) to stay. She explained that we couldn't move forward with testing all the foods/substances and doing the corrections until this was fixed. So the last 3 supplements you see on the list below are from this practitioner and are supposed to help correct this, then i'll be starting the testing/ accupressure treatments.
As far as my herbal/homeopathic protocol goes, this is what I am currently on:
Tox-Ease GL (12 drop 2x daily)
Parazomin (12 drops 2x daily)
UNDA 243 (10 drops 2x daily)
Licorice Root Tincture (20 drops 2x daily - 250mg)
Chlorella (3 grams 2x daily)
Hydroxy B12 (1000mg once daily)
Folapro (half tab once daily)
Vitamin D (2000mg once daily)
Thymus/Echinacea (20 drops 2x daily)
Le Tonique (1 tbsp 2x daily)
*Stress Fomula (1 tab 2x daily)
*This Stress formula and I are not friends. It's basically a b-complex, and for whatever reason my body hates b complex. This could very well be due to MTHFR issues (which i have) however EVERY practitioner I see tells me i test as needing some form of b-complex. SO for now i am taking half a tab for a few days then taking a week off. My symptoms just get worse and when it gets to the point where i can't eat because i'm so nauseous/weak I need to back off and do what is best for my body.
Alright I think that about sums it up for now! I will write again soon. Hopefully. Maybe. :)
I can't tell you how encouraging this is, after being stuck at this standstill for so long, travelling to different states, trying everything under the sun and not feeling ANY different. I wish i could say that i'm feeling huge major improvements and i know for sure it's (fill in the blank) supplement that is doing it, but as you guys probably know if you're dealing with lyme, or any chronic illness, it's never black and white.
I CAN say that the one thing I HAVE done differently since mid August is I started using essential oils! If you're part of the lyme forums on facebook or even just do searched in google for lyme treatments, chances are you've come across essential oils at some point. I had several times and actually had some experience with essential oils in general because of my old etsy shop (i made naturally scented body butters, bath bombs, perfumes etc). But i never really used them medicinally, just for fun! In August after reading yet another story of a woman who recovered from late stage lyme using the oils, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a kit from doterra. I will explain more how I use them and which ones i find helpful in my youtube video (will be posted tomorrow? maybe?). But i definitely am kind of addicted and can't wait to get more to try!
Another thing that's new! I went to a new practitioner who does something called B.I.E. It's a form of accupressure and was created to deal with allergies at first. But it's really just a way to bring the body back into homeostasis. My first appointment was at the beginning of October and it went well. My practitioner explained that my "polarity" is reversed. She said this is often the case with people who have chronic illnesses, and who have tried everything and nothing seems to be working (me!). When your polarity is reversed, your body looks as good things (mainly foods) as a a threat, and it allows bad things (viruses, bacteria, etc) to stay. She explained that we couldn't move forward with testing all the foods/substances and doing the corrections until this was fixed. So the last 3 supplements you see on the list below are from this practitioner and are supposed to help correct this, then i'll be starting the testing/ accupressure treatments.
As far as my herbal/homeopathic protocol goes, this is what I am currently on:
 |
| Some of my current daily supplements. Note the devil stress fomula looking all inconspicuous on the end. |
Tox-Ease GL (12 drop 2x daily)
Parazomin (12 drops 2x daily)
UNDA 243 (10 drops 2x daily)
Licorice Root Tincture (20 drops 2x daily - 250mg)
Chlorella (3 grams 2x daily)
Hydroxy B12 (1000mg once daily)
Folapro (half tab once daily)
Vitamin D (2000mg once daily)
Thymus/Echinacea (20 drops 2x daily)
Le Tonique (1 tbsp 2x daily)
*Stress Fomula (1 tab 2x daily)
*This Stress formula and I are not friends. It's basically a b-complex, and for whatever reason my body hates b complex. This could very well be due to MTHFR issues (which i have) however EVERY practitioner I see tells me i test as needing some form of b-complex. SO for now i am taking half a tab for a few days then taking a week off. My symptoms just get worse and when it gets to the point where i can't eat because i'm so nauseous/weak I need to back off and do what is best for my body.
Alright I think that about sums it up for now! I will write again soon. Hopefully. Maybe. :)
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Finally an update!
I haven't posted in forever! So decided it was time!
So I actually just got back from 2 weeks in Maine a couple days ago. My family and I go almost every summer, and it's absolutely beautiful there. I was definitely worried this time though, as this was the first time I'd be going since my health went downhill a year and a half ago. Thankfully, I was able to do more than I thought i would. I definitely had days where i stayed home at our cottage all day, but I also had days where I was able to get out and go to the beach, out for dinner, or even shopping for an hour or two! The shopping especially surprised me, as I didn't think I'd be well enough for any at all. All this has kind of made me wonder if there really is a mold issue here at home that needs to be dealt with. The fact that I seemed to do better away from home is both encouraging and worrying. We have tested the house (using the ERMI mold test) and came up a bit above what is considered "safe" for that test. But, with all the research I've done, I haven't really been able to find anyone who got a score much lower than ours, and black mold (the really bad one) wasn't present in our testing so I just don't know.
Anyways, now i'm back home, still on a bunch of supplements/vitamins. Still trying desperately to get back some sort of "normal". I'll have a follow up appointment with my LLND in a week and see if she has any new ideas. I feel like I'm definitely thinking more and more about finding another doctor as well though, since i'm not making much progress with my current one (and have been with her for about 9 months now).
If anyone has experience with dealing with mold, especially in relation to Lyme, please feel free to contact me! Or if you have a super wonderful miracle worker doctor that is good with hard cases :) haha
So I actually just got back from 2 weeks in Maine a couple days ago. My family and I go almost every summer, and it's absolutely beautiful there. I was definitely worried this time though, as this was the first time I'd be going since my health went downhill a year and a half ago. Thankfully, I was able to do more than I thought i would. I definitely had days where i stayed home at our cottage all day, but I also had days where I was able to get out and go to the beach, out for dinner, or even shopping for an hour or two! The shopping especially surprised me, as I didn't think I'd be well enough for any at all. All this has kind of made me wonder if there really is a mold issue here at home that needs to be dealt with. The fact that I seemed to do better away from home is both encouraging and worrying. We have tested the house (using the ERMI mold test) and came up a bit above what is considered "safe" for that test. But, with all the research I've done, I haven't really been able to find anyone who got a score much lower than ours, and black mold (the really bad one) wasn't present in our testing so I just don't know.
Anyways, now i'm back home, still on a bunch of supplements/vitamins. Still trying desperately to get back some sort of "normal". I'll have a follow up appointment with my LLND in a week and see if she has any new ideas. I feel like I'm definitely thinking more and more about finding another doctor as well though, since i'm not making much progress with my current one (and have been with her for about 9 months now).
If anyone has experience with dealing with mold, especially in relation to Lyme, please feel free to contact me! Or if you have a super wonderful miracle worker doctor that is good with hard cases :) haha
Friday, 6 June 2014
DIY Tick Repellent
I know I haven't done a treatment update in forever (mostly because not much has changed!), but for now I wanted to share this super simple and all natural recipe for tick repellent! It's that time of year, and the BEST way to avoid dealing with the hell that is chronic lyme disease is to NOT GET BIT in the first place! There are a few options- bug sprays with Deet and/or Permethrin, essential oils, vinegar mixes etc. This recipe combines a few natural ingredients and is super simple to whip up!
You can also use other essential oils in this recipe, many do a good job at keeping bugs away. Rose Geranium is another great option for ticks! Because my dog is terrified of the spray bottle (he won't let me near him with it!) I just apply a drop of Rose Geranium oil to his back every morning.
You can also use other essential oils in this recipe, many do a good job at keeping bugs away. Rose Geranium is another great option for ticks! Because my dog is terrified of the spray bottle (he won't let me near him with it!) I just apply a drop of Rose Geranium oil to his back every morning.
Friday, 11 April 2014
DIY Laundry Detergent Powder!
So this is a super simple recipe for DIY laundry detergent. I've been using it for a few months and it works just as well as commercial detergent, is a fraction of the cost, and doesn't have all the horrible chemicals found in all the most popular brands.
RECIPE:
2 Cups Washing Soda
2 Cups Borax
2 Bars of any regular soap (I used Dr. Bronner's castile bar soap, but any soap will do!)
30 drops of essential oil of your choice (optional)
Grate the soap into a large container and add in the washing soda and borax and essential oils if desired! Simple as that! Use 2 tbsp per load in HE machines, or about 1/4 cup in older washing machines!
When it comes to fabric softener and dryer sheets, alternatives are definitely also encouraged. Did you know that the ingredients aren't even listed on these products?! You'll see something like “biodegradable softeners” or a similarly vague term. Yepp, legally manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on these products, yet they contain some of the most toxic ingredients in any hosuehold cleaners!
From the article "7 Reasons to Ditch Dryer Sheets" found HERE:
"Seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:
1. Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.
2. Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death.
3. Camphor on the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.
5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).
6. Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression.
7. Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapours causes central nervous system depression."
Chloroform in my dryer sheets?! Uhhhh NO THANK YOU!
Instead of fabric softener I use 1/4 cup of vinegar (your clothes will NOT retain the smell). I just pour it into the fabric softener section of my washer.
Instead of dryer sheets I use an old cloth with about 5 drops of essential oil (this will also make your clothes smell pretty!), or aluminum foil balls (literally just scrunched up aluminum foil!). I don't have any issues with static when I do this, even when washing things like fleece blankets.
RECIPE:
2 Cups Washing Soda
2 Cups Borax
2 Bars of any regular soap (I used Dr. Bronner's castile bar soap, but any soap will do!)
30 drops of essential oil of your choice (optional)
Grate the soap into a large container and add in the washing soda and borax and essential oils if desired! Simple as that! Use 2 tbsp per load in HE machines, or about 1/4 cup in older washing machines!
When it comes to fabric softener and dryer sheets, alternatives are definitely also encouraged. Did you know that the ingredients aren't even listed on these products?! You'll see something like “biodegradable softeners” or a similarly vague term. Yepp, legally manufacturers are not required to list ingredients on these products, yet they contain some of the most toxic ingredients in any hosuehold cleaners!
From the article "7 Reasons to Ditch Dryer Sheets" found HERE:
"Seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:
1. Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.
2. Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death.
3. Camphor on the US EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.
5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).
6. Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression.
7. Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapours causes central nervous system depression."
Chloroform in my dryer sheets?! Uhhhh NO THANK YOU!
Instead of fabric softener I use 1/4 cup of vinegar (your clothes will NOT retain the smell). I just pour it into the fabric softener section of my washer.
Instead of dryer sheets I use an old cloth with about 5 drops of essential oil (this will also make your clothes smell pretty!), or aluminum foil balls (literally just scrunched up aluminum foil!). I don't have any issues with static when I do this, even when washing things like fleece blankets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)