Help wanted (Score so far related)

[IWMP]

Good Job Jersey Girl!!! Hope they give you the liquid. That's interesting because I found levothyroxine to be problematic and give me all sorts of issues. I had read about natural thyroxine from animals at the time. I did find a brand that was better but not great. Can't remember the name. Began with an M, I think. I decided ultimately to tell the Dr I had enough. So I'm unmedicated but tsh and thyroid peroxidase antibodies are elevated but not significantly. I think we are experts in our conditions far more so than some drs because they aren't loving with it.

How's food going, anything exciting or new?

[Jersey Girl]

Good Job Jersey Girl!!! Hope they give you the liquid. That's interesting because I found levothyroxine to be problematic and give me all sorts of issues. I had read about natural thyroxine from animals at the time. I did find a brand that was better but not great. Can't remember the name. Began with an M, I think.

Monograph. It's dessicated thyroxine. There's a product called Armour over here but I don't know if it's the same thing. There are multiple brands of dessicated thyroxine. I can't figure them out to save my life.

I decided ultimately to tell the Dr I had enough. So I'm unmedicated but tsh and thyroid peroxidase antibodies are elevated but not significantly. I think we are experts in our conditions far more so than some drs because they aren't loving with it.

I'm with you on that. I may not be an expert but I live in this body and I know whatever symptoms I might have and sure, I rely a lot on intuition and cause/effect reasoning. Then I search for information to try to educate myself further. There are 3 things I was diagnosed with and it seems that I figured them all out on my own but only because I dig, dig, and dig for information. In one case I learned that there was a world class expert on a particular issue right here in Denver (!) so I scheduled in with him. He was amazing and did an investigative evaluation that no regular Primary would even know how to do. In that case my old PA wanted to directly put me on medication for the condition. I set off on a journey for information and that's how I learned about the expert who after his extremely thorough evaluation said I didn't need medication at all. That's a long story but I dodged a serious bullet that time.

There are so many studies on the NIH website as I am sure there are on the NHS website as well. I may not understand all the math involved but I do understand the conditions under which the trials were conducted and the outcomes. I try to look for cases that resembles my own as best I can. I found the Roemheld syndrome (gastro cardiac syndrome) all on my own very early on when I searched for "afib after eating" and there it was. I brought in studies to the gastro NP and she actually wrote it into my clinical notes.

With this SIBO business I knew it was a consideration and when I looked for risk factors, I saw the connection with autoimmune among other things. Not even one provider had brought it up and when I asked it really wasn't addressed until now. My providers typically tell me I'm intelligent and articulate with regard to explaining what I think is going on and when I make a request I know what and why I am asking for it.

Nicky, I know tons of people around my age and probably younger who never search for information. They just take whatever the docs give them without question. Me, I question everything. I do think Hashimoto's is a central piece of how I developed SIBO. It explains SO many things even possible pancreatic insufficiency. I've always been a slow and deliberate thinker but once I reach the point of being able to see the full picture and I'm sure of something, that's when I go to work advocating for myself.

How's food going, anything exciting or new?

Nothing new reintroduced lately. Next up in the queue are fresh tomatoes. I'm going to add those to the chicken combo plate and move forward from there to the next thing. Already have the tomatoes!

I'm still feeling remarkably better. I can't even believe it!

[Jersey Girl]

A little something I wanted to say. Last night I was deleting photos from my phone. Got rid of approx. 1K photos to start with--all craft photos I take for publicity for the shows. I noticed photos of myself on the phone and how you could SEE me getting sicker and sicker over time. I felt so sad for what happened to me, that woman in the photos. It was just really hard to actually see that and I know I have some grieving to do for the stolen bits of my life. But with over 2 weeks of very good days, I'm definitely better now and working to stay that way so I am grateful for that and I feel good knowing that I always tried to persevere.

[msnobody]

A little something I wanted to say. Last night I was deleting photos from my phone. Got rid of approx. 1K photos to start with--all craft photos I take for publicity for the shows. I noticed photos of myself on the phone and how you could SEE me getting sicker and sicker over time. I felt so sad for what happened to me, that woman in the photos. It was just really hard to actually see that and I know I have some grieving to do for the stolen bits of my life. But with over 2 weeks of very good days, I'm definitely better now and working to stay that way so I am grateful for that and I feel good knowing that I always tried to persevere.

Keep the photos going so you can see your improvement.

[Jersey Girl]

A little something I wanted to say. Last night I was deleting photos from my phone. Got rid of approx. 1K photos to start with--all craft photos I take for publicity for the shows. I noticed photos of myself on the phone and how you could SEE me getting sicker and sicker over time. I felt so sad for what happened to me, that woman in the photos. It was just really hard to actually see that and I know I have some grieving to do for the stolen bits of my life. But with over 2 weeks of very good days, I'm definitely better now and working to stay that way so I am grateful for that and I feel good knowing that I always tried to persevere.

Keep the photos going so you can see your improvement.

That's a good idea! I'd be willing to do that maybe once a month? If things keep going forward the way they are it would really help my self image/mental health to see it moving in a positive direction. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Jersey Girl]

Little update: Ate at the brewery today and had 2 very small pieces of margherita pizza. Felt some symptoms bubbling up. Put the left over in the freezer as soon as I got home. As yummy as it is, I do NOT want to go backwards. After I start the Creon I'll try it again. But not right now. I'm not willing to take chances.

Weight: Holding right at 85 1/2 lbs.

My signal to further increase portion sizes and get some healthier snacks going.

[Jersey Girl]

So since we have no appointments (!) I declared this whole entire week to be my week of self care where I get to do whatever I feel like doing...or not do. I made a command decision. I'm preparing myself to restart free weight workouts. I expect it'll take me about 2 weeks or more before I actually start using my weights again depending on how long the preparation takes but it's coming. Something has got to give with this skinny body of mine. Muscles are definitely still there. I figure I should take advantage of that.

I have spoken.

p.s. I cut my own hair.

[IWMP]

So since we have no appointments (!) I declared this whole entire week to be my week of self care where I get to do whatever I feel like doing...or not do. I made a command decision. I'm preparing myself to restart free weight workouts. I expect it'll take me about 2 weeks or more before I actually start using my weights again depending on how long the preparation takes but it's coming. Something has got to give with this skinny body of mine. Muscles are definitely still there. I figure I should take advantage of that.

I have spoken.

p.s. I cut my own hair.

That is awesome. Sounds like you are ready for a new start. <3

[Jersey Girl]

So since we have no appointments (!) I declared this whole entire week to be my week of self care where I get to do whatever I feel like doing...or not do. I made a command decision. I'm preparing myself to restart free weight workouts. I expect it'll take me about 2 weeks or more before I actually start using my weights again depending on how long the preparation takes but it's coming. Something has got to give with this skinny body of mine. Muscles are definitely still there. I figure I should take advantage of that.

I have spoken.

p.s. I cut my own hair.

That is awesome. Sounds like you are ready for a new start. <3

I'm trying. That's all I know. This illness really did a job on me that is for sure. I might be able to get in to the shop for a hair cut next week, too if the weather cooperates!

[Jersey Girl]

Random little bits.

Still feeling better. I haven't felt this good since before April 2023. Thank you, Lord!!!!

Symptoms: I get symptoms but they aren't horrid, it's a tingling sensation now, and they're in a different place on my tummy now. I have no idea why but I'll take it!

Growing noises: I don't know if I said this. With SIBO you can't tell if you are hungry or full. I guess it's the bloating or slow digestion? The past week or two I noticed my stomach actually growling when hungry. I haven't felt that (or heard it!) since forever.

Other noises: I can hear all kinds of gurgling in the lower tummy now. That started a while back when I felt that my system was working again. Doesn't bother me. I celebrate it!

Weight: Holding.

Food Goals: Increasing portions to get more calories.


Food changes:

--Fresh strawberries have made a comeback! Frozen strawberries still in the freezer. Not as tasty as fresh (mushy) but they are there if I need them.

--Dry Cheerios and fresh strawberries for snack.

--Pretzels for snack still.

Food waiting in the queue right now:

Plain greek yogurt (strawberries and blueberries want some company)
Tomatoes
Baby spinach
String cheese (mozarella--should be okay, not my favorite)
Wheat crackers
Pancakes or waffles (Dying to try!)
Pecans
All are already here or coming with Sunday delivery.

Adding food back is the reverse of an elimination diet. It has to go slowly and add only 1 thing at a time. So far, so good!

Meds and supplements:

FDgard (BFF)
VSL #4 Proby (BFF)
Simethicone (as needed)
Lactase (not daily, one time if I'm feeling concerned)*

Have NOT taken the Creon. Chickened out for the time being. Call me coward. I don't mind at all.

Exercise:

Wow! That wasn't even on the list until now!
Doing muscle warm up routines in preparation for free weights!!! Fortunately I know exactly how to start and what to work up to. Basically it's stretching and then engaging muscles without using weight. Then add weight that is even lighter than my free weights. Things such as a can of soup or a roll of coins if I have any. Whatever I can find. Maybe my resistance bands. I have all the equipment and accessories I could possibly need. I'm starting several miles behind square one and I know it.

*I don't think I'm lactose intolerant but I get squirrely about things some times. I'm surprised I haven't completely lost my mind by now but I do have my moments, like that ER run where I cried like a baby in the CT scan room. I feel like I've been shot at so many times. I figure I've earned whatever bit of paranoia I might have some times. It's okay to feel vulnerable.