Sunday, July 18, 2010

Antivirals, wow

Just a quick update. I've been put on Valtrex for my chronic Epstein Barr and this has helped me significantly. I'm almost normal these days. I look healthier than I have in years. I'm just a bit anxiety ridden. If reducing my dosage of Armour thyroid doesn't work, I'll try Buspar. I need something to keep a lid on this. I found a bruise on my niece, recently. A huge one. We reported it to Child Protective Services and they ended up arresting her father. Her mom is in a mental hospital and she may get out soon. If this happens, I will be reluctant to visit. Her drug problem is quite severe and it is very difficult to witness. Also, she has physically assaulted me on multiple occasions. So, that's basically a huge part of why I have anxiety.

The bummer these days is that I'm suffering from a slipped disk. I wear a neck brace at night and in the car and I have been taking muscle relaxers. Also, I have been seeing a physical therapist. I want to get back to the gym, so I really hope this doesn't last. Unfortunately, it's not getting better very fast and the doctor seems concerned about this. It's just one thing after another. Arg.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Cortef saved my life

So I've been on cortef now for around 7 months and the difference is like night and day. I can't believe all the changes that have occurred over the last two years! I'm turning 32 next week and although I have been sick since about the age of 24-25, I didn't really start making huge life changes until the end of my 29th year. In this time I have gone gluten, grain and dairy free. I started on Armour thyroid and cortef. I've lost about 25 pounds, my skin has cleared up, I'm less puffy, I have way more energy, I'm less depressed, I no longer have panic attacks....The list goes on. I'm back in school and I'm actually able to do it. This is all very exciting, as it was not clear from the beginning whether or not there was any hope for me. The last big change was the cortef. Before that, although I had come quite far, there was still some major stuff holding me back. I had trouble with energy levels. I had an all consuming sense of weakness that kept me from really being able to exert myself during exercise. During yoga, at times I would have to stop in the middle of class and eat something to get my blood sugar back to normal. As long as I'm on the cortef, all is well. If I miss a dose, that sense of weakness and fatigue comes back. The doctor thinks that at some point he will try to wean me off of the stuff, but I am wondering how long it will be before I'm able to go without it. I doubt that I'm there yet.

I still suffer from TMJ and allergies. The TMJ seems totally hopeless at this point. I can't seem to get myself to stop clenching at night. I've tried everything. I need to try meditation but something seems to keep me from it. Haven't figured out what yet. As for allergies, hopefully a trip to the allergist will be a good first step.

Okay, that's all for now. I'm not feeling very talkative these days. I ran out of cortef before the weekend and had to go without it, so I'm recovering from that. It was awful.

Later!