Looking a bit encouraging

I am encouraged with this cycle so far (granted - only on day 9, but still)... my temps in the AM have been much more steady, haven't seen any peaks or dips showing hormone fluctuations.  I am hoping this continues, we will see.

I am upping my doseage of Metformin to 1500mg this evening which is where Dr. Yeung wanted me and we've gradually increased over 3 weeks now.  I am not noticing any side effects other than a bit of gassiness on the days that I have upped the dose.  Hoping that continues.  I need to get out more blood glucose test strips to check my fasting #s and see what kind of difference it has made.

We have decided to wait another couple months to see if the Met gives me a good strong ovulation before any further testing, etc... I am so anxious and excited, it's hard to be patient, but this is best.  :-)

Antibiotics done!

I am glad that is over.  I only had to take them for a week, but had several side effects that weren't horrid but annoying for sure.  I am praying that the probiotics that I am taking now will take over and repopulate my gut so I don't have any further issues.  I had a weird taste in my mouth, thick swollen tongue, sores on my tongue, burning/dry eyes, a strong sense of smell.  Looking forward to getting back to normal!

Intro Stage 1 "Die Off"

Feeling pretty crummy here today.  I started feeling "off" yesterday and was pretty tired and had a bit of a sore throat.  By the time I got to bed, I had a drippy nose too.  This morning I woke with a headache, sinus pain, swollen glands, runny nose, sneezing and tired and achey.  I have been having regular bowel movements.

Tom is feeling good.  He has been taking regular salt baths for his yeast rash and I think that may be helping him (if these symptoms are all die-off).  He is enjoying the soups, especially the creamy beef soup in the evening.  He has been having regular bowel movements.

Heather is feeling better than the rest of us so far.  She has said a couple times that she felt a little weak and had a bit of a sore throat but she has been acting fine and has not complained about her tummy.  She has been having regular bowel movements.

Rose woke up this morning feeling pretty bad.  Yesterday she said that her legs were weak and she felt dizzy.  Today, her tummy hurt and she ended up vomiting around noon.  She felt better afterwards and did not get a fever or look sick, so I am thinking this is die-off.  She is the only one who didn't have a bowel movement yesterday and has not yet today either, so we may need to do something about that.  She got a salt bath last night, I will make sure she takes another one this evening.

Will woke up also feeling tired and with weak legs and acheys.  He carried a bowl around for a bit during parts of the day but did not need to use it.  He actually fell asleep on the floor in the dining room - just was crawling around and then zonked out for about half an hour!  He got a salt bath this afternoon and it seemed to perk him up a bit.

We will stay put with the yummy soups and adding 3 tsp fermented beet kvass, sauerkraut juice, or whey to the bowls at dinner.  We are taking the probiotic and cod liver oil at dinner also.  We had planned to add coconut milk kefir today but decided to wait since everyone was feeling poorly.  I will decide tomorrow if we add the kefir in.

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...

Possible nut allergy?

I have noticed itchy skin (mainly face) and Will has been more gassy since we added in raw cashews and peanut butter. Plan to go off them for a bit and add one at a time back in to see for sure.

Symptoms after the Holidays

I have not been eating well or exercising since Thanksgiving. :-( Many, many of my symptoms and several pounds have found me again... and a few extras:

• Very tired and low energy
• Heart palpitations
• Back pain and kidney pain
• Constipation
• Missing menses
• Sciatica with spotting/menses (from endo?)
• Knee and ankle pain
• Migraines
• Difficulty sleeping and rising
• Tonsil stones
• Itchy, flaky scalp and face
• Twitchy right lower eye lid
• Breakouts along chin
• Bloated and gassy
• Dark, sweet, cloudy urine (though blood sugar has been normal)
• Loss of appetite but increase in cravings for sugar
• Foggy brain and difficulty conversing and focusing on tasks

Hoping and praying for quick recovery as I start taking better care of myself. I need to remember to come back and read this when November hits next year - IT IS NOT WORTH IT!!!!

Been sick

Came down with a cold / cough / sinus infection Thanksgiving day, been pretty miserable. On top of that, started spotting and then full-blown cycle at the same time. Very short (16 day) cycle this month. :-( It wasn't too bad as far as sciatica pain, but the endo spot on my nose did flare up and bleed the last day of menses as usual. Not sure if the sciatica wasn't as bad because I was already in bed and not moving around on it or what. I have been taking my supplements this past week, but not my smoothies (just no energy to make them and keep forgetting to ask Heather to) and I have been eating poorly (whatever Tom brought home / felt like warming up). So... not feeling great still, but feel like it's improving slowly. I hope to get back to my good diet and all the supplements by this weekend at the latest, I will weigh on Monday and survey the damage.

I am contemplating starting the GAPS diet in the New Year. Any thought or experiences anyone?

More endo info

Endometriosis develops when endometrial-like tissue starts growing in places where it shouldn’t be, away from the lining of the uterus, often in the abdominal cavity or pelvic region, but sometimes in lungs or arms, and elsewhere. These tissue growths respond to hormonal signals in the menstrual cycle in the same way that uterine lining does, building up and breaking down each month. But while the uterine lining can be flushed out of the body during menstruation, the tissue remains of endometrial growths have no place to go. Internal bleeding, inflammation and other problems result.

Conventional diagnosis is difficult because even using a technique such as laparoscopy, in which the abdominal cavity is inspected through a fibre-optic tube inserted through a small incision at the navel, in many cases the endometriosis cannot be seen. Often the first clue a doctor has, especially if there are no obvious symptoms, is when a woman complains of infertility.

But for most sufferers, the symptoms are obvious and painful. Since endometrial tissue responds to the same hormones as the uterus does at menstruation, the sufferer has the same cramping pains, bleeding and irritation that are a familiar part of a normal menstrual cycle. Imagine agonising period pains that spread throughout the abdominal cavity and you understand why some women with severe endometriosis faint with pain.

Orthodox treatment is with drugs that all have unpleasant side-effects. According to Merck Manual of Medical Information, danazol, one of the most common treatments, can lead to weight gain, acne, a lowered voice, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, muscle cramps, bleeding between periods, mood swings, hair growth, liver malfunction and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some things I can do (many I am already doing):

• WATER - lots and lots of water!!! (see below post)
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Eat more salmon
• Magnesium
• Red and green veggies
• Berries (anti-inflammatory)

Some things I need to reduce or remove from my diet:

• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Wheat
• Dairy

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.

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!

Symptoms today

Today was not a bad day. We went to church and stayed just for morning worship, came home and grilled out for lunch before Mom and Oscar left. It was so yummy! I laid down and slept on the couch for a while after they headed out - yep, it was close to 4 and I was beat. I got up at some point and moved to my bed and slept until about 7. The most bothersome symptoms are my lower back and the constipation right now. AF is still hanging around. I took my supplements before bed since I had forgotten earlier. My tonsil stones seem a tad better, though I still was clearing my throat due to the feeling that something was down there. I feel hoarse, and I remember during my nap waking and feeling like there was some stabbing pain around my thyroid. It didn't last long, maybe it was a dream, I don't know? I am looking forward to starting exercise tomorrow.

Symptoms today

Today we slept in until 9am - the whole house! Nice :) My mom and her hubby are visiting, so I have been eating things I shouldn't but I am enjoying the time with them. We had a brief outing to the library and local shop for a few groceries but otherwise were home. I was able to sit and close my eyes for a few moments when my 3pm slump hit. We did not stay up too late.

I am still very constipated, af is still here, tonsil stones were bothersome, joints achey - esp wrist, no headache, lots of lower back pain. I did take my supplements and drank a couple glasses of water.

Symptoms today

Today I could not get out of bed - E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D... so, finally got moving and left the house for some groceries. I was on the verge of a headache all day and found my sunglasses to be a necessity. At lunch I felt like I was going to throw up - I mean seriously, not just a little nauseous - I was looking for a bag. Ends up, the reason I am so tired and was nauseous was that AF decided to stop by again. Uggh, uggh, uggh... only been 2 weeks? Visited with our friends for the afternoon and that was nice as always. Got home from a long day and am heading for bed now. My mom and Oscar are visiting over the weekend and I hope to enjoy some time relaxing. My back is very, very sore and it's hard to walk. Some heart palpitations this evening. I also feel quite hoarse and my tongue is enlarged. Tonsil stones continue. Eyes are burning, time to go close them.

Symptoms today

Feeling a lot better than yesterday, mind more clear, headache lingered a bit and then left by the end of the day. My throat is bothering me - harder to swallow, feels like the tonsil stones are gathering and I am coughing up a good bit. I feel hoarse, my tongue feels very fat. I have some shoulder pain. No heart palpitations. I only took 1 of the thyro-complex tablets instead of 2, going to experiment with that. Still constipated though stomach pain is better. Spotting a little?

Calendar above

I am adding a calendar which will show details about how I am feeling.

Here I will record my...
- supplements
- how I slept
- foods I ate
- how much water I drank
- exercise
- how I was feeling/ changes in symptoms

Hoping if I track symptoms and other details that more of a pattern will emerge and help me with figuring out changes I should make, what is and is not helping, etc...

Symptoms today

Horrible migraine started suddenly mid-day. Very constipated and some stomach pains. I had flashy lights in my vision, mostly left eye - almost completely obstructed vision on that side. Pain was quite bad and after some sleep seemed relieved but returned due to a short trip out of bedroom into the lights. I did a water enema, skin brushing and salt water bath, felt some better but not completely. I was nauseous and finally gave in and took some tylenol. It took at least a good hour until I could sit up and then was able to eat dinner and visit as long as it was dark in the room. Around 11pm, I got up and turned off most of the lights around the house and then worked on office work until around 4am when I went back to bed and slept until 7:30. Another symptom I had was my heart was racing and I was jumpy all day. I was wondering if it was too much of the glandular support, but it started before that.

Evaluation, part 1 - Symptoms

Alright, I've been doing pretty poorly the last few weeks and so am re-evaluating where I am and what I should be doing to take care of myself.

Here are my current symptoms:
- achy joints, esp in the morning
- very difficult to wake up - can't think or speak for a while after rising
- bloating, constipation and stomach discomfort
- swollen tongue
- hoarseness
- tonsil stones (ick!)
- occasional hypoglycemic "sugar crash" feeling
- light-headed upon standing up
- scant, painful, irregular menses with no ovulation
- dry skin on face, elbows, feet
- rapid re-gain of all the weight I lost
- always feel tired, can fall asleep sitting esp around 3pm
- difficulty falling asleep, tired but "wired", time when I have most energy
- heart palpitations, hard thumping in chest
- frequent headaches and light sensitivity
- sensitivity to noise
- cold hands and feet
- depression, moodiness esp mid-cycle
- thirsty, but nauseous when drinking water
- kidney pain in lower back
- dark, sweet-smelling urine
- dry, coarse hair that falls out easily
- increased facial hair
- dry feet
- difficulty remembering facts, names, dates
- inability to concentrate/focus
- stressed and overwhelmed very easily
- puffy face, bags under eyes
- slow movement and slow/slurred speech
- difficulty in drawing a full breath
- dry/burning eyes
- low body temperature in the AM
- itchy face at times