Continued Health and Wellness

Physical symptoms: mild dry mouth, mild dry eyes
Mood: Pretty steady
Energy: fantastic!

I saw my rheumy last week. Nothing much new to report. I let her know that I was having days where I could not get things going, fatigue could still get my down. She reminded me that I just had a baby six months ago, am working full time, and have two kids at home. That's enough to make anyone tired, not just someone with an autoimmune disorder. She gave me a prescription for prednisone for the days when I need some help. I'll report back here when I get a chance to use it and let you know how it works.

I saw my nurse practitioner a couple of weeks ago and she mentioned that my health and well being may be improved by eating better and losing some weight.  (I'd like to file this in the "No shit, Sherlock" category). I let her know that I had been working on some new dietary measures, getting to yoga and pilates a couple days per week, but this time the weight is more stubborn. She recommended to me the Mayo Clinic Diet.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been on the Mayo Clinic Diet and it's been pretty good. If you are the type of person who imagines the secret to your success is eating lots of fruits and vegetables, more whole foods and less processed food, and getting some exercise everyday, then this is the plan for you. It's been pretty darn great. While I haven't seen the scale go down so much, I have lost three inches around my waist in these two weeks. Simply, amazing for someone such as I.

I've made a goal of reducing the circumfrence of my waist by 9 inches. I'm a third of the way there!

Brain Fogginess

This photo really has nothing to do with today, I just thought it was a fun shot of my husband and my kid.

 

Mood: Stable

Energy: Moderate

Physical symptoms: sweating, flushed, thirsty

 

My husband pointed out to me yesterday that my blog has been highly focused on the physical aspect of my wellness and was seriously lacking attention to my other Sjogren's symptoms. Well, this one is just for you, Pal!

 

I've read that Sjogren's Syndrome can have an effect on one's cognitive processes. Pfft, I thought. My brain is as sharp as a tack and there is not one ounce of evidence that I'm losing my edge...until now.

 

Recently, I've been having that experience where you just...can't...think...of the word...you want to use!!  We've all had this happen, and I'd bet it happens more when we're under stress of any kind. However, my experience has been especially troublesome. I will sit there for a few minutes, I will tap my hand on the table, make nonsense noises, widen my eyes, slightly shake my head, and...eventually...just throw my hands up in defeat.

 

My Pal noticed this happening more and more and asked me why I hadn't included this information on my blog.

 

So there. It's on.

PS: I see my energy worker again tomorrow. I will update appropriately.

Fitness Quest

I've signed up to work with a personal trainer. Oh good god.

I've never worked with a trainer before and I'm quite nervous. I'm going to sweat like some sort of farm animal and become out of breath and gross while trying to communicate effectively with this total stranger who is trying to motivate me.

Weird.

I'm trying to decide if I should keep up with my lunchtime pilates and yoga classes. I'm getting to class, on average, once per week, but it's available 4 days per week. I find myself questioning whether to stay in because down-time is so hard to come by in my life with two small kids and one overgrown kid at home. Here are the questions I'm asking myself:

1. Am I benefitting from these lunchtime classes?
2. Do I miss my one hour break of reading or knitting enough to drop the classes?
3. Am I just trying to justify laziness?

Ugh. Maybe it's time for a compromise.  Maybe I'll commit to making one lunchtime class per week instead of angonizing over it every fricken day I'm at work. That sounds like a better plan.

Some days, it feels like this.

Mood: cautious (?? is that a mood?)

Energy level: moderate

Physical symptoms: running hot, some facial swelling

I am happy to report that my attempt to get back on track has been successful, at about the 85% rate. Here is what I can report:

1. I took my medicine on time yesterday and today!

2. I refrained from the obscene amounts of junk and convenience food.

3. I was good and active this weekend!

4. I bought foods that are good for my wellness.

5. I spent time with friends who make me laugh.

6. I am on the blog again, reporting the good news!

It is my hope that I will attend my lunchtime classes this week again. I have been slacking there lately. Yoga and pilates offered free at lunch is silly to pass up.

I see my rheumy in a couple of weeks. It takes months to get in to see her so this will be my last appointment for about a year or so. My last blood draw showed that my levels of SSA and SSB antibodies were still very high (190 and 86, respectively and a positive test is anything over 20). I hope that we can get those levels down and start feeling better.

Off to prepare my lunch for tomorrow, then to bed. I just had a stupid argument with my husband and I'm all agitated. Prolly take me an hour just to get to sleep!

All best to you and the ones you love!

Keep Calm and Carry On

"You're going to be just fine"

- from the box of Band Aids in my bathroom

Mood: labile, tearful
Energy: low to moderate
Physical symptoms: beginning to show

I'm in a dirt pile right now. I've completely let go of everything I was working on so hard and made my way back to the land of candy and crap and convenience eating. What a sad state.

In fact, my pants are feeling tight right now. I'ma go change into my comfies...

brb...

Back on line...

Much better .::relieved sigh::.

A wise man said to me: "Change happens when you get uncomfortable"  True dat.

I have been refraining from writing on here due to the embarrassment (and, I'll admit it, shame) that I feel about how far I've fallen in such a short period of time. I had to remind myself today that the falls are just as important as the get-back-ups and their documentation is crucial. How else will I know how to predict and prevent this behavior that is so destructive?

I won't bore you with the details of my crash. I know them well, so I will not be short changed by not keeping a strict inventory here. If at some point I think making a strict inventory will be beneficial, I will certainly add it here.

Okay, the plan to get back on track:

What has been working during this fall (i.e. do more of this):

• I've kept up with my exercise on the weekends
• I'm eating at home in the evenings instead of out to eat
• I make gluten free choices when they are just as accessible as mainstream choices
• I make time to be alone when I need it

What needs improvement:

• Meds have not been taken consistently
• Eating candy and drinking caffeine (the two biggest baddies!)
• More fruits and vegetables in my meals
• Journaling and reflection (including blog)
• Tracking food and activity
• Activity during the week
• Lunches in restaurants during the week

Next steps:

• Water, water, water: two 32 oz bottles tomorrow
• Take meds immediately after brushing teeth
• Have a fruit smoothie for breakfast
• Attend the Saturday Kettle Bell class
• Purchase microwaveable veggies in a bag, fresh fruits, and my fav yogurt
• Go shopping with my hubby for some fun time
• Take a nap
• Blog my success!

Hey, the Band Aids were right! I am going to be just fine.

Acupuncture, Energy, and Laughter

In the latest installment of my journey to wellness, I had a fantastic visit with my lady friends from graduate school. We all hunkered down to watch movies, sit by the pool, and make very inappropriate music videos. I would post one here for you all to see,...but I may not get invited back for next year.  We laughed our arses off. The kind of laughing where your throat gets soar and your eyes water. Ooooh, it's like fuel for the soul.

One of my dear lady friends at this girls' weekend recently lost her older brother. Part of her journey of grief and recovery from this traumatic loss has been to work with an energy worker to help clear the energy sitting stagnant. She described her experience with this energy worker as powerful and enlightening. My interest was piqued.

I set up an appointment with the energy worker and had a very moving experience. She read chakras, she allowed for energy clearing, and had some clairvoyant capabilities, as well. I won't bore you with the details of this experience, but I had an excellent opportunity to help my body and emotions catch up with the progress my mind has made in terms of forgiveness and healing.

My acupuncture appointments have been going well, too. I enjoy being in the presence of my acupuncturist Stefanie Beniek and having time to relax and heal. She placed some tiny magnets in my ears as acupressure points and the things are still in there after a week!  I hope that doesn't say anything about my hygeine.

I continue to experiment with my diet. I have been intentionally seeking out gluten free options when I can find them. I'm beginning to wonder whether the fatigue I feel when I eat sugar is actually due to gluten. It's so hard for me to tell if I don't completely start from scratch and add back foods individually. I don't have that kind of patience. And...with two small children...it almost seems like a luxury to be so patient.

Sending you love and good energy! Make a great day for yourself!

Downward Spiral...

And now, for your guilty pleasure, let me perform for you...the downward SPIRAL!

.:cue circus music:.

Step 1: Go to an outdoor wedding, do not wear bug repellent, and get bitten up like a virgin in a vampire movie.

Step 2: Take a benedryl in the morning before going to work to keep self from itching

Step 3: Get incredibly sleepy and rationalize the purchase of a huge diet soda to keep self awake

Step 4: Ingest bucketloads of aspartame and the unholy cravings for sugar and carbs return with a vengence

Step 5: Ingest bucketloads of carbs and get more tired and sluggish than before

Step 6: Experience the regret of a wasted day

Step 7: CRASH!

I'm going to my acupuncture appointment tonight. I hope that helps. Stupid bug bites. The catalyst for a day of bad decision making.