I am currently on day 17 of my gluten free diet. If I would have known that I would have felt this much better just by eliminating a single ingredient from my diet, I would have done this as soon as I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.I talked about the little difference in just a week in my last post (The trouble with my husband is...) and I am blown away by what another week is like.
More about the amazing difference in a bit. I had the pleasure of talking to Wendy Semyck of Ozark Organics last week when I was ordering my organic box of fruits and veggies. A friend referred me to the co-op when she found out I was going gluten free and thought it might be a great resource for me since she goes to market and has access to gluten free breads and pizza crusts and other baking supplies. I learned more applicable information in that 30 minute conversation than in any of my research that I have been doing. I want to pass this info onto my lovely blog readers because it was great stuff. So here goes:
1. Did you know that gluten is the sticky stuff that makes food stick together? That's why it is so prevalent in the diet. Did you also know that the main side effect of gluten is decreased thyroid and adrenal function? In all of my Fibromyalgia research, those are two of the main symptoms listed by several sources as a cause for the icky symptoms. The decreased function isn't enough to show up on a lab test as a panic value, but they will often show up on the low end of normal.
2. There is a fine art to making gluten free pasta. If you cook it too long you end up with mush. If you don't cook it long enough, you have a crunch that usually isn't desired. Wendy said the way that she cooks her gluten free pastas is that she will bring her water to a boil, throw in her pasta, and then bring it back to a boil, do a quick stir, cover the pot with a lid and then turn the burner off. She sets a timer for 12-15 minutes and she gets perfect "al dente" pasta everytime. I tried her technique with some gluten free pasta I had and it works amazing.
3. You have to rinse gluten free pasta after you drain it or is gets an icky starch film on it. It doesn't deflect from the taste, but it does give it a weird texture.
4. Gluten can taste amazing. Prime example is the gluten free pizza crust that she gets at market.
5. Our bodies tend to hold onto gluten and it can take up to a year to get it completely out of your system.
Cool stuff, right?!
So people keep asking me what the main differences are. Some things are blatantly obvious...mornings being a big thing. I have turned into a freaking Mary Poppins where I used to be the epitome of Grumpy Cat. I'm not saying that I don't still have a rough morning here and there, but I don't groan and moan all morning anymore and haven't for over a week now. I also have my sense of humor back. I can't really describe what I mean by that but have you ever had those days where you could crack a joke and you were just mentally on top of things...THAT is what I'm talking about. I have THAT back and its been gone for a while. I have energy past 8 o'clock, which I used to just want to lay down and crash at that time. It would be so hard to stay awake for more than 5 minutes after the kids were put to bed and that usually was me and Zac's time to catch up on each other's days and have time together. That has been stolen for so long due to my fibro. It is nice to have it back.
I will say that I'm still in a healing process. I'm still learning. Last night I ate at a "new to me" restaurant and didn't know the menu well. I had to have eaten some sort of gluten because I am having the same effect as a sugar free gummy bear would have on the colon today. (If you do not get this reference, please see this link, http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-Gummy-Candy-Sugarless-5-Pound/product-reviews/B000EVQWKC/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1, and read the reviews. I will warn you. You will cry from laughing so hard just from reading the first review.) I still have days where I do wake up a bit exhausted and need a nap, but it is no longer a nap all day and get nothing done type of day. I'm to the point that I never want gluten again if it will give me my life back. I'm still taking my vitamins and am planning to get my hormone levels checked soon. I am determined to get my life back this year and this has helped so much. I am not a doctor, nurse, or anything of the sort. I'm just a 34 year old female who is tired of feeling like crap. Going gluten free does take some work and research but I am here to say that the benefits have been amazing. I highly suggest that you try it cause you really don't have anything to lose, except maybe some horrible Fibro symptoms. Blessings!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
The trouble with my husband is....
I cannot think of a time EVER that my husband has lied to me. Its a blessing and a curse at times. When I come out in an outfit that I think looks amazing and he asks, "Are you gonna wear that?" it can be very hurtful and I usually go change. However, when he says something really sweet, I know that he means it.
Today, my husband spoke a truth that will probably forever change my life (and probably the lives of those around me). I was in my usual procrastinator state of getting out of bed and he nonchalantly said, "You know I think this gluten-free thing is working for you. I can tell that you bounce back quicker than you used to." I was still laying in bed at the time and I asked him to clarify his statement. He looked at me and stopped what he was doing and said, "Can you think of a time recently that you have been in this good of a mood on a Monday morning?" It wasn't that I was up and about and acting like Mary Poppins. I was in bed for Pete's sake. However, I WAS alert and I WAS joking and loving and ME! The statement caught me off guard but in a good way. I still hurt but it wasn't debilitating. I also noticed my fog had lifted or at least seemed to have let up some. When I finally hit the point of, "if I don't get up now my kids are gonna be late for school", when I sat up, I didn't do my usual dreadful groan, and I also didn't limp to the bathroom.
While I am somewhat elated and encouraged by his words, there is a sadness that comes with them. It means this gluten free thing that I have started is going to have to become a lifestyle, not just a 2 week stint. It also means that, with me being me, that I now need to learn everything there is to a gluten free lifestyle, cause that is just how I am. And probably the hardest part of all, is that I can no longer walk into any restaurant or friends' home and eat whatever I want. I have to worry about what is in each item of food, and question it, and then be questioned about why I need to know, and then have the pity card thrown in my direction. I don't want pity. I want to be healthy and the person that I know I should be. I know that this upcoming few months is gonna be a LOT of work.
While I don't mind being taken care of when I am truly, and I mean, can't get out of bed, sick, I detest being pitied when I am just living my everyday life. EVERYONE is fighting a battle of some sort. Even though I write a blog about fibromyalgia, I HATE talking about it in front of other people. I don't want their pity. I don't want to seek it out. I don't want to spend an evening out with my ladies discussing what I use to help me sleep or how I deal with the pain. This is MY battle, not their's. I also don't want the stigma that goes along with having Fibromyalgia. I work in the medical community. I know how doctors talk about fibromyalgia patients. I know that they see us as lazy and drug seekers. And I want to blow that stigma far, FAR away from me. (****Disclaimer****Just because I said that last statement, please don't think that I am calling YOU lazy and a drug seeker. I am not. Also, if you are my friend and you have questions about fibro, I am an open book. Please just seek me out one on one. Otherwise, I will blow you off and not answer your questions as detailed as I would if we are in a one on one setting. So lets go have a gluten free lunch together. ****Disclaimer ended****)
I know that I have this awful disorder. I have every symptom. I keep finding things that are related to fibro that I didn't even know that were symptoms until I am doing research later and find that some ailment that I have had is a known symptom of the disorder. I know that it is real! Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia is one of the most overly diagnosed conditions in the world. Doc explained it perfectly to me. Someone comes in to a doctor with unexplained pain, labs are normal, tests done are normal, everything is normal, yet this patient looking for answers...a diagnosis...for why they feel why they feel. The doctor doesn't want to say, change your diet or exercise more or "suck it up sista". A doctor's job is to diagnose problems and in most cases give meds for said problems. Fibro is such a multi-symptomatic condition that it is easy to say, "You have fibromyalgia syndrome. Here, have a pain pill and an anti-depressant." And sadly, when a doctor gets someone like me that says, "I don't want those meds. I want to know why my body is acting this way. Fix me naturally." The response is usually, "Then I'm sorry. I cannot help you."
So here's the deal (pickles): Don't give up! YOU are paying the doctors to help you. They work for YOU! If you don't like what your doctor is prescribing you for help, you have the right to question. You have the right to say," why do I need to take this pill. Is there something else I can do?" There are doctors out there who are willing to work and help you figure out why you feel this way and its okay to seek them out and get their opinion. Some people see that as breaking loyalty to the doctor they have had for years but it is not that at all. You have to worry about YOU. I'm not saying that a pill won't help you. I take medicine when I am at my worse. But I don't want to depend on it to get me out of bed in the morning. You are the one in control of your treatment. Before you start a regimen of prescription meds or insane amounts of vitamin therapy or some fix-it-all pill, research it people. In a world filled with Google and libraries, why would you not. Find a doc YOU trust and run it by them and get their advice. Fibromyalgia is a hard condition to have. Don't let it rule you! You can be the one in control, it just takes a lot of hard work. Blessings and soft hugs my fellow fibromites!
Today, my husband spoke a truth that will probably forever change my life (and probably the lives of those around me). I was in my usual procrastinator state of getting out of bed and he nonchalantly said, "You know I think this gluten-free thing is working for you. I can tell that you bounce back quicker than you used to." I was still laying in bed at the time and I asked him to clarify his statement. He looked at me and stopped what he was doing and said, "Can you think of a time recently that you have been in this good of a mood on a Monday morning?" It wasn't that I was up and about and acting like Mary Poppins. I was in bed for Pete's sake. However, I WAS alert and I WAS joking and loving and ME! The statement caught me off guard but in a good way. I still hurt but it wasn't debilitating. I also noticed my fog had lifted or at least seemed to have let up some. When I finally hit the point of, "if I don't get up now my kids are gonna be late for school", when I sat up, I didn't do my usual dreadful groan, and I also didn't limp to the bathroom.
While I am somewhat elated and encouraged by his words, there is a sadness that comes with them. It means this gluten free thing that I have started is going to have to become a lifestyle, not just a 2 week stint. It also means that, with me being me, that I now need to learn everything there is to a gluten free lifestyle, cause that is just how I am. And probably the hardest part of all, is that I can no longer walk into any restaurant or friends' home and eat whatever I want. I have to worry about what is in each item of food, and question it, and then be questioned about why I need to know, and then have the pity card thrown in my direction. I don't want pity. I want to be healthy and the person that I know I should be. I know that this upcoming few months is gonna be a LOT of work.
While I don't mind being taken care of when I am truly, and I mean, can't get out of bed, sick, I detest being pitied when I am just living my everyday life. EVERYONE is fighting a battle of some sort. Even though I write a blog about fibromyalgia, I HATE talking about it in front of other people. I don't want their pity. I don't want to seek it out. I don't want to spend an evening out with my ladies discussing what I use to help me sleep or how I deal with the pain. This is MY battle, not their's. I also don't want the stigma that goes along with having Fibromyalgia. I work in the medical community. I know how doctors talk about fibromyalgia patients. I know that they see us as lazy and drug seekers. And I want to blow that stigma far, FAR away from me. (****Disclaimer****Just because I said that last statement, please don't think that I am calling YOU lazy and a drug seeker. I am not. Also, if you are my friend and you have questions about fibro, I am an open book. Please just seek me out one on one. Otherwise, I will blow you off and not answer your questions as detailed as I would if we are in a one on one setting. So lets go have a gluten free lunch together. ****Disclaimer ended****)
I know that I have this awful disorder. I have every symptom. I keep finding things that are related to fibro that I didn't even know that were symptoms until I am doing research later and find that some ailment that I have had is a known symptom of the disorder. I know that it is real! Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia is one of the most overly diagnosed conditions in the world. Doc explained it perfectly to me. Someone comes in to a doctor with unexplained pain, labs are normal, tests done are normal, everything is normal, yet this patient looking for answers...a diagnosis...for why they feel why they feel. The doctor doesn't want to say, change your diet or exercise more or "suck it up sista". A doctor's job is to diagnose problems and in most cases give meds for said problems. Fibro is such a multi-symptomatic condition that it is easy to say, "You have fibromyalgia syndrome. Here, have a pain pill and an anti-depressant." And sadly, when a doctor gets someone like me that says, "I don't want those meds. I want to know why my body is acting this way. Fix me naturally." The response is usually, "Then I'm sorry. I cannot help you."
So here's the deal (pickles): Don't give up! YOU are paying the doctors to help you. They work for YOU! If you don't like what your doctor is prescribing you for help, you have the right to question. You have the right to say," why do I need to take this pill. Is there something else I can do?" There are doctors out there who are willing to work and help you figure out why you feel this way and its okay to seek them out and get their opinion. Some people see that as breaking loyalty to the doctor they have had for years but it is not that at all. You have to worry about YOU. I'm not saying that a pill won't help you. I take medicine when I am at my worse. But I don't want to depend on it to get me out of bed in the morning. You are the one in control of your treatment. Before you start a regimen of prescription meds or insane amounts of vitamin therapy or some fix-it-all pill, research it people. In a world filled with Google and libraries, why would you not. Find a doc YOU trust and run it by them and get their advice. Fibromyalgia is a hard condition to have. Don't let it rule you! You can be the one in control, it just takes a lot of hard work. Blessings and soft hugs my fellow fibromites!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The trouble with a chiropractor...
I had my appointment with my chiropractor yesterday. Her name is Dr. Kala Hatch from Hatch Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center. I adore her. My appointment was a true work-over and I needed it since my back was in excruciating pain (level 10 for sure). I started with a massage with the massage therapist at her office, Nan Quinney. After an hour of knots and muscles being relaxed, I was put through more muscle therapy with a tens unit, heat, and some ultrasound to break down the muscle fibers in the knots. Then I got to talk with Kala.
Kala Hatch is one of these people that you feel instantly comfortable talking to. She listens and has a wealth of knowledge. She also loves learning. As we spoke about the book that I had read (see prior blog posts), she began take down notes and researched with me about Dr. Kantika Van Der Merwe. I told Kala that I had concerns about the technique this other doctor used since she had mentioned in the book that the guy that made it famous later had his chiropractor license revoked. She was quite understanding of that and went and looked up the technique that Dr. Kantinka uses. She joyfully remarked, "its the Bess (sp?) technique. I started studying that a while back but when I started nurse practitioner school I put it on hold. I have all the information at home. Let me research it again and see what we can do." We went on to discuss the different vitamin supplements that Dr. Kantinka suggests in her book. There are several. It was so cool to see Kala light up when I would mention a certain vitamin.
So we have a plan. The first thing that she asked me to do was to try going gluten free for 2 weeks. She said, "I want you to try it for 2 weeks and then have a gluten-fest on day 15 and if you feel like crap after eating it then you know that you are gluten sensitive." I really liked the fact that she said gluten sensitive. Many people have a full blown allergy to gluten known as "Celiac's disease". I know that I do not have that. However I could see having a gluten sensitivity. In my other research, I have found that many fibro patients have delayed food allergies. If you eat the same foods over and over and over, your body starts to have minor allergic reactions to it. I truly feel like 2 weeks is just a blink in this lifetime and so I don't mind to use this as a testing time. Kala also asked me add some vitamin supplements to my regimen. The first one was a B12 complex. I have been told to take this one in the past and I blew it off. I actually had that in my medicine cabinet at home so no big deal. We had talked about Cur cumin. Kala said that is a form of tumeric, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. There are several other benefits to taking it like immunity support and IBS relief. I also talked to her about a drink that I had drank when I was first diagnosed and she told me to start that as well. It is from the company, Fatigued to Fantastic Energy Revitalization System. This drink was designed by a doctor who specialized in treating Fibromyalgia. It has several vitamins that are known to aid naturally in treating the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. We talked about possible future treatment, but she wanted to do another visit. I get Wellness Labs every year at my place of employment and she wanted to see them. She had some very interesting things to say about Thyroid testing, which went along with a lot of my research, which I was excited about. So I go in today to have her look at those and to let me see a specific type of Iron that she uses that she says does not have all the ugly, typical side effects of Iron. So I go back in today to discuss those things.
I want to add that if you need help with treating your Fibromyalgia naturally and live in the Mountain Home, AR area, Nature's Way on the square is amazing when it comes to supplements. I spoke with Jack when I arrived and he was great. I told him about my meeting with Kala and he said she was spot on with everything that she had told me. He took me right to the drink mix that I had taken before. I told him about the B12 complex that I had and he said it was a great one. He then said that I should add a D-Ribose powder to my regimen as well. Jack said that many of the people with Fibromyalgia had had great results with it. I had asked Kala about it and she said that she didn't know much about it. I decided Jack had agreed with everything that Kala had suggested so that it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and get it. I had bought liquid Tumeric at another health food store in town and I almost wish that I would have waited because he had great things to say about the Cur Cumin that they had at the store there. Next time for sure I will get it at Natures Way.
Well that is the beginning of my journey. I did stay gluten free all day yesterday and went to bed feeling horrible. I know that this is supposedly normal but I still don't enjoy it. I am hoping that if I can get past this that it will be well worth it. I will keep you updated on my treatment and hopefully some of you can find your own path to recovery by using some of it. That was the goal of writing this blog and so I hope that it will continue to serve that purpose. Hang in there fibro friends. Life is too short to not enjoy the journey!
Friday, January 10, 2014
The trouble with back pain is...
Yesterday was rough! It was cold. It was rainy. Anyone with fibromyaglia knows that is the making of a miserable, painful day. If you have followed this blog for any length of time, you should know that I hate taking medicine for this disease. However, yesterday, I did not function until I took something. I laid in bed until 11 and only got up due to my husband's request. Yesterday I actually got mad at my body. I do this on occasion, yet yesterday I can honestly say I was beyond angry. Something had to change.
I finished the book that I talked about in my last post (Taming the Beast: A Guide to Conquering Fibromyalgia by Dr. Kantinka Van Der Merwe). She brought up some pretty awesome things that I have never read in all my research. While she mentioned the over-active immune system and different vitamins one can take to feel better, she talked about the spine quite a bit. Her theory (since no studies have been done, however she has worked with Fibromyalgia patients for several years) is that some people, especially women, are created with very narrow spinal canals. Things that a radiologist will deem as "normal degeneration" might not be normal. She states that she uses a technique done by a chiropractor who did wonderful work in those with severe chronic pain. Unfortunately, not many use this chiropractor's techniques because he lost his license because he made claims that he "cured" people. Dr. Kantinka states that in spite of his bad rap, his technique is sound and while it doesn't "cure" people, it does help a lot of people. Dr. Kantinka's office is in Fayetteville, AR. I know that 2 1/2 hours is worth a drive if it will "conquer" my fibro flares, however, long drives make me flare and I'm just not up for it.
In an effort to still help myself, I have set up an appointment with MY chiropractor. I am hoping that she and I can develop a treatment plan together that will help based off of Dr. Kantinka's book but it will be something local. Its a long shot and I'm hoping that it will give me SOME relief. I have to do something. I have decided I can no longer keep living in a state of wondering what I will be like when I get up in the morning. Its not fair to my husband or my boys and most of all, myself. Change will happen this year! It will and I will be sure to share when it does.
Keep fighting fibromites and do not give up on finding YOUR cure.
I finished the book that I talked about in my last post (Taming the Beast: A Guide to Conquering Fibromyalgia by Dr. Kantinka Van Der Merwe). She brought up some pretty awesome things that I have never read in all my research. While she mentioned the over-active immune system and different vitamins one can take to feel better, she talked about the spine quite a bit. Her theory (since no studies have been done, however she has worked with Fibromyalgia patients for several years) is that some people, especially women, are created with very narrow spinal canals. Things that a radiologist will deem as "normal degeneration" might not be normal. She states that she uses a technique done by a chiropractor who did wonderful work in those with severe chronic pain. Unfortunately, not many use this chiropractor's techniques because he lost his license because he made claims that he "cured" people. Dr. Kantinka states that in spite of his bad rap, his technique is sound and while it doesn't "cure" people, it does help a lot of people. Dr. Kantinka's office is in Fayetteville, AR. I know that 2 1/2 hours is worth a drive if it will "conquer" my fibro flares, however, long drives make me flare and I'm just not up for it.
In an effort to still help myself, I have set up an appointment with MY chiropractor. I am hoping that she and I can develop a treatment plan together that will help based off of Dr. Kantinka's book but it will be something local. Its a long shot and I'm hoping that it will give me SOME relief. I have to do something. I have decided I can no longer keep living in a state of wondering what I will be like when I get up in the morning. Its not fair to my husband or my boys and most of all, myself. Change will happen this year! It will and I will be sure to share when it does.
Keep fighting fibromites and do not give up on finding YOUR cure.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
The trouble with a cure is...
Today is the 2nd day of the new year. Yesterday I wrote down my resolutions and one of them was to find a cure for this "disease" that I have. I don't want a repeat of 2013. It was a rough fibro year. I want a fresh, new 2014. I want to finally figure out what makes my body tick and avoid the things that make me hurt and deny me of the much needed energy that I want to have. This journey has been going on for so long, but this year I feel there is hope. I guess I kind of start out every year with hope, but this year it feels more renewed than usual.
I'm reading a book right now. It is definitely in the top of Fibromyalgia books that I have read. It is called "Taming the Beast: A Guide to Conquering Fibromyalgia". (http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Beast-Guide-Conquering-Fibromyalgia/dp/1491089903) With each chapter I read, I keep saying, "Yes! That is me!" I am excited to see what comes of this book and that is probably where most of this hope stirs from. Dr. Kantinka is from Fayetteville, AR. I have read many times that it is believed that Fibro symptoms have a genetic link and I have also read that most come from a cervical injury. In this book it is theorized that it is possibly both.
It is believed that you have the genetic predisposition to get it but it isn't "activated" until something sets it off. I have a grandmother that had a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and I have it, yet, as far as I know, neither my mother or sister have any signs of Fibromyalgia. I also know that neither my sister or mother have had any kind of neck injury (to my knowledge) as to where I have. Most of my symptoms started in high school and I can attribute most of it back to a very minor fender bender where I was rear ended. I was in a harsher wreck when I lived in IN and my upper back fell victim. So knowing where this all started from I believe is HUGE! If someone can tell me why I have it, I am starting to trust that they might have an answer of how to help.
Part of my goals for this year is to eat clean and keep better track of food and how it makes me feel. I have read that Fibromyalgia patients are more prone to food allergies and sensitivities. I truly believe that I can live medicine free and change the course of this disease if I just pay attention to my body. I look forward to seeing how this year will play out. I will keep you updated. Until then, I recommend reading Taming the Beast. It has been a good read so far and I'm just on Chapter 7. I hope that your year is good as well! God bless!
I'm reading a book right now. It is definitely in the top of Fibromyalgia books that I have read. It is called "Taming the Beast: A Guide to Conquering Fibromyalgia". (http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Beast-Guide-Conquering-Fibromyalgia/dp/1491089903) With each chapter I read, I keep saying, "Yes! That is me!" I am excited to see what comes of this book and that is probably where most of this hope stirs from. Dr. Kantinka is from Fayetteville, AR. I have read many times that it is believed that Fibro symptoms have a genetic link and I have also read that most come from a cervical injury. In this book it is theorized that it is possibly both.
It is believed that you have the genetic predisposition to get it but it isn't "activated" until something sets it off. I have a grandmother that had a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and I have it, yet, as far as I know, neither my mother or sister have any signs of Fibromyalgia. I also know that neither my sister or mother have had any kind of neck injury (to my knowledge) as to where I have. Most of my symptoms started in high school and I can attribute most of it back to a very minor fender bender where I was rear ended. I was in a harsher wreck when I lived in IN and my upper back fell victim. So knowing where this all started from I believe is HUGE! If someone can tell me why I have it, I am starting to trust that they might have an answer of how to help.
Part of my goals for this year is to eat clean and keep better track of food and how it makes me feel. I have read that Fibromyalgia patients are more prone to food allergies and sensitivities. I truly believe that I can live medicine free and change the course of this disease if I just pay attention to my body. I look forward to seeing how this year will play out. I will keep you updated. Until then, I recommend reading Taming the Beast. It has been a good read so far and I'm just on Chapter 7. I hope that your year is good as well! God bless!
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