General update

Almost 3 weeks now since starting our new eating plan. It has been very easy and fulfilling to eat this way. I have lost almost 10 lbs in the past 3 weeks. I have days when I have a bit more energy, but am still fairly tired - though able to accomplish more throughout the day and not noticing the 3pm slump quite as much. I have not had issues with anxiety, difficulty breathing or heart palpitations recently, but am still taking SAM-e. I have not had severe endo pain, though some minor pain (not debilitating) in the past 3 weeks, but I also have not had a normal cycle since Nov 28. :-( I have not had a migraine in a while either, nigglings that I could get one but nothing serious. I have not any trouble with the tonsil stones for the last few weeks, my scalp has much improved, no thyroid pain. I have had itchiness on my face which I am working to figure out if it is an allergy to nuts or yeast growth, either way may need to cut them out of my diet. All in all, some good improvements.

My cycle is puzzling me for sure though. Have not had a menses since Nov 28 and have had 2 sessions of spotting for 2-3 days, now am spotting again. I get moody and achey and tired beforehand but then only spot. Need to figure that out. I have not used the pro cream since the end of December so it's not that. May need to consider another hair analysis and hormone panel soon.

Tom has mentioned that he has not had any heart burn for the last few weeks - hooray! The kids are doing very well on the plan. They are not complaining much, they are looking healthier. Rose said the other day that her lettuce tasted like candy - they were eating big wedges of it plain! Heather's attitude is much better the last few days, I had to stop in the middle of her grammar and tell her how much I liked seeing her smile and having her cooperate, she said that she felt happier - hooray!

That's it for now...

Symptoms today

I had a frustrating day. Frustrated with myself because the week had been going so well but I woke up this morning and just didn't have any motivation. I laid in bed too long, I didn't stay on schedule with the kids, didn't stay on top of meals or clean-up, didn't take my supplements or exercise. So... just kinda down this evening. Not feeling horrible, but need to pick myself up and get back to it Monday. We will be gone much of the weekend and are having company Fri/Sat, so will start afresh on Monday.

Breathing is more difficult in the evening as usual, but not too bad. My heart was racing before I even woke this morning. Tom could feel it and asked me about it. I have no idea what I was thinking about or dreaming about, but it was pounding. Stopped after a bit. Other than that... not much else to report for now.

Symptoms today

Had another better day today. I was feeling really quite good this morning, didn't take my supplements until around 4pm though and I was feeling really, really tired by then. I think it was helping me to take them earlier in the day, to not get that exhausted 3pm thing. I woke up with a stiffness in my right shoulder and right side of my neck, not horrid but it's been there all day. I have a bit of discomfort in my throat, and am slightly constipated - and today I noticed that the patch of dry skin on my scalp seems to be returning. That is a yeast symptom for me and went away after my yeast detox diet over a year ago... it stayed away quite a while too. I am back on the diet now, so I hope it doesn't get bad. The evenings seem to be worse for me with the breathing issues. I need to do better with water still - need to get out a pitcher and fill it in the morning and pour from it through the day so I can see how much I am actually drinking and force myself to finish it. I did exercise today. I know that others are praying for me and I so appreciate it. Good night!

Symptoms today

I had a good day today. More relaxed and I am actually in a pretty upbeat mood tonight - yeah! I slept well last night thanks to a great relaxing massage from hubby. Up early again this morning and got school and chores done before heading out to a friends to babysit. I so enjoy all the children playing together, 9 kiddos for the afternoon and it was fun and relaxing! :-)

I had a bit more trouble with the tonsil stones, some mild breathing issues late afternoon and some pretty strong heart palpitations after dinner but didn't last long. I took all my supplements and ate well. I did not do my T-Tapp due to being gone all afternoon, but will get back to it tomorrow. I did not drink enough water and am having some mild constipation returning, need to work on that. I picked up a book from the library today to read at night... that may help me get to sleep without fretting. Off to bed now!

Symptoms today

Had a better day today. Tom agreed to take the phones in the mornings for me, the afternoons the kids did independent study/reading. I am tired, not used to being up so early, but it did help to get more accomplished during the day. Hoping I sleep better tonight.

Let's see, an update on symptoms...
*My anxiety/breathing was better during the morning, worsening through the afternoon and is pretty bad again tonight.
*Back pain is pretty much gone.
*Constipation has been much better for a couple weeks now.
*Cycle - felt a bit crampy in the belly and legs today, but nothing so far...
*Exercise - have been pretty consistent for 2 weeks now with some form of daily exercise, woo hoo!
*Food - vacation was pretty bad, just ate more frequently, though not horrible foods.
*Joint pain - not too bad right now.
*Migraine - none since last bout.
*Sleep - was doing pretty well until anxiety started, now tossing and turning but once I get to sleep I seem to do fine.
*Supplements - taking daily per list
*Throat - still get a bit hoarse and feel some tightness upon swallowing.
*Tonsil stones - greatly decreased, what has helped is more frequent brushing, including tongue and gargling with mouth was once a day.
*Water - working on drinking more, got down probably 48 oz today?
*Weight - uggh.... working on that, I started today with my strict diet again! :-)

There we go, a good run-down. Off to bed now.

Just want a deep breath!

I am struggling the last few days... to just breathe. Uggh! I think it is anxiety. Got much worse on Friday on our drive home from our vacation and has been an issue all weekend. I just canNOT get a good deep breath and I feel like I need to yawn all the time, but I can't. My heart is racing some too. I have to work hard not to focus on it, or I get panicky and it gets worse. I am better right when I wake up, but once my thoughts start racing, I start struggling. I feel like I am not getting enough oxygen - though I am sure I am, as I am not light-headed or turning blue or anything serious.

I am guessing that it stems from a big week coming up... and I am anxious about being able to handle it. Tom had a big meeting with the road assoc on Saturday at the same time that Will had his first soccer practice. Tomorrow morning I go back to running the office, and we start school for the year. We are implementing a new chore schedule, If/Then consequence chart, and daily routine with the beginning of school. Also working on healthy eating and exercise again. Tuesday I have to compile a food co-op order. Friday we start our co-op classes up again. Saturday my brother and his girl are in for brunch. All of this is great, fun stuff but I feel a lot of pressure to get things ready and be sure I have the energy to do it. I also feel myself dreading the migraine/depression that I anticipate in the next week or two with my cycle. I know I shouldn't expect it, should cover it in prayer and let go... but I just can't seem to do that. Please pray for/with me in the next couple weeks, that my health would dramatically improve and I would have better coping skills with that. Thank you!