I’m currently sitting at my parents’ kitchen table, the puppies are running around all excited that it’s finally morning, mom’s making coffee, and the ground has a layer of snow. This is the way to start the day, really. – Well, that was a week ago. How has it taken me a week to get this post up? All well.
I have to admit that I don’t feel quite ready to write this update. Have I just not been paying attention to how I’ve been feeling? Not taking good notes? Or am I just suppressing it so I don’t remember how many awful days I’ve had? But I want to share some news with you – in case you don’t follow me on Instagram :
“…good news from my Dr appointment on Monday: “You’re healing, Laura”
Three words that keep ringing in my ears from my doctor appointment. My Dr said them three times as I told her about some of the progress I’ve made in the last 5 weeks.
It’s still surreal.
As she phrased it, I was in a whirlpool going down. Now I’ve stopped, I’m just bobbing now- it’ll still be choppy and rough going but I’m not spiraling anymore.
It was a good visit! I found out a few things, need to get in for some labs soon and finally admitted a few things (ex: going out of the house can cause anxiety! She said she’d guessed that about me and said we’ll probably have to work through those fears as I heal. ) But gosh and golly, I can’t believe it.
For more details, keep reading! 😄
I’m not breaking down garlic, or anything fatty; my recent crying bouts just means that I’m no longer so emotionally down all the time that I’m noticing when I am down (did that make sense?); My slow/steady weight loss is a huge sign of healing; sugar definitely irritates my fibro; I’ve been able to work on my novel again! I’m pretty sure there’s more that I’m forgetting but I’m still reveling in those words. 😃💕😄 ”
Overall Health: I have continued to notice that I am able to keep the house cleaner, work on my blog/novel, have less intense disassociation – well less intense flare ups overall. BUT – I had a level 10/disabling migraine that lasted for hours, my fibromyalgia flared awful (worse than it’s ever been) and sleeping is still a trial.
10-24 upped Iberogast to 7 drops/day. Tingles in left hand (ring and pinky up to elbow) Detox bath.
10-25 fatigue today. Migraine in aft/evening that was hard to keep down. Fibropain kicked up. Calves tight and feet hurt. Forgot to do all 7 drops, only did 6 of Iberogast. 10-26 level 10 migraine preceded by sparkly vision/loss. Worse pain I’ve had in months
10-31 IV with 6ccs of poly mba. Fatigue and brain fog all day. Did have a small burst of energy early evening.
11-1 drove to Bend! Some disassociation and migraine flared late afternoon
11-2 disassociation and fatigue all day. Fibro flared awful in hands all morning/afternoon.
11-3 upped Iberogast to 8 drops/day
11-9 cycle started early am. traveled home, migraine flared in early evening but one clonidine calmed it down
11-10 fatigue and achy all day. Took 2 clonidine and detox bath that helped for a few hours. migraine hit about a high 8
~also learned at one of my dr appts that my adrenals are WORN OUT.
*This was the most painful IV yet – with my fibromyalgia flaring in my elbows, she couldn’t get the catheter in. After half a dozen tries on my right arm, we went to my left and finally just put in the needle and put it on slow drip. Also did poly mba at the end – 6 cc’s of it. *
Migraines: Like I said, one level 10 migraine but overall they have stuck to the normal level 7/8 every day. Some days I’ve only needed one clonidine to keep the pain down.
Sleep: This has improved a little. I’m not needing the heating pad or blanket on every night. But the achy fibro makes it really hard to sleep.
Memory/Disassociation: Possible improvement in memory. Definitely some disassociation while on vacation. Sometimes just over-stimulation.
Vision: Once again, this only happened once this month!!
Fibromyalgia: This had settled in my elbows and would flare in my pinky and ring fingers sending tingles up my arm. I am able to hold things (crochet, phone, steering wheel, etc) for longer periods of time without it cramping. It did flare so bad in my hands one day that I couldn’t really pick up/carry anything. By the next day it wasn’t as severe but it was so frustrating and painful. Since then, it has flared more than it was but the last few days it’s been lessening. Left calf still self-cramps and shooting pains in my feet are more frequent.
TMJ: While it doesn’t pop all the time, this is a constant pain now. The front of my neck has started hurting frequently as well. My teeth ache and often I can feel the nerves pulsing from my jaw up to my temples. Ouch.
Celebrating feeling well enough to make some delicious snacks while on vacation!
Fatigue: This eased off and on – probably thanks to the IV. It has still been intense – to where walking across the room is exhausting – but not as consistently bad as last month.
Weight Loss: I honestly haven’t weighed since the beginning of the month, so I really don’t know how this has gone.
Mood: This has improved a little bit more. My inward negativity goes in waves, but it’s better than it being constant. I’m sure that being able to get things done around the house helps with this.
Bladder: This has, once again, been a main struggle this month. Waking about 3 times a night – frequent trips – suddenly urgent trips. ugh.
~Laura
How have you been feeling this month?
the start of a good life 