Two-Year Update

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:02 pm

Hi All!

Welcome to the newbies!

I'm sorry you're here, but glad you found us.

I checked in today, and there were 502 posts since my last visit. Wow! I knew there'd be a lot...

To update: I am doing better in some ways, worse than others. I have been in a flare since May, but am starting to come out of it, at least I think so. I have been feeling overwhelmed and very stressed out. I knew I needed to prioritize, and so I cut back on everything, including church-related activities. One of the things I did was develop an 8-week meal schedule. That is a huge relief--knowing ahead of time what to feed my family every day, and myself.

I went in for a thyroid check last month, and my thyroid was way over-medicated. I hate to tell you what my FT3 value was, lol. I had not experienced what I consider to be hyperthyroid symptoms, but looking back on it, I think that's where a great deal of my stress came from. My PCP wanted me to cut down from 240mg of Armour to 180mg, and I cut back to 120mg instead. I suspect (as we've discussed before) that some of the diarrhea was from the thyroid med. Along with prioritizing some things, I think cutting back has made me feel much calmer.

I have lost 25lbs., which is absolutely amazing to me. You may recall my 18-month lament that my weight was so stable it stayed within .02 lbs no matter what I did. I think that changes in my diet and my weight loss is what kicked my thyroid too high after how well I did for some months on the 240mg.

Speaking of diet, I have come into a place of acceptance with that. The rule of thumb is I don't eat grains, legumes, or dairy, and right now I'm not eating any type of sugar (including honey and maple syrup) either.

It's funny how my tastes have changed A couple of times I had a piece of GF bread because it smelled so good coming out of the bread machine, but it didn't taste good. I ran out of almond butter and tried peanut butter a few days ago, and it didn't taste good. All my life I have hated vegetables--I blame my mother for forcing me to eat them--and I am starting to like vegetables!! I am so excited about all the recipes I find on the internet (Pinterest is my go-to site) for interesting, delectable vegetable recipes, and other paleo/primal recipes.

I'm not sure you can call this a "member success story." Two weeks ago, on my actual anniversary, I felt like I was worst off than I was two years ago, but on the other hand, I have learned in the past two years to be patient with myself and not to give up. That there will be an answer that will make itself known sooner or later, and I have to be open to it not being the answer that I want or coming in my time frame.

I won't be as active on the board as I have been in the past, but rest assured I love you and am thinking of you, and praying for you.

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 5:23 pm

Hi Marliss! Glad to hear you're feeling better even in a flare. I know exactly what you mean about tastes changing. I am completely amazed at some of the foods I thought I couldn't live without and now have no taste for them. Thanks for the website suggestion-I love new recipes.

Please do keep praying.... I appreciate it.

Best wishes for managing stress and good health!

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:18 pm

Hi Marliss,

Bravo! I was wondering how you were doing. Thanks for the prayers too! Brandy

Post by **tex** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:52 pm

Hi Marliss,

It's good to see an update from you. I too have been wondering how you were doing. Congratulations on the weight loss, and on setting priorities. In the long run, both those will surely pay dividends.

Since you've been away for some time, are you aware that quite a few members have recently found that refractory symptoms (including D) can sometimes be controlled by antihistamines? For some of us, antihistamines seem to work almost as well as a corticosteroid for restoring Normans. Apparently mast cells play a much larger role in this disease than almost everyone realizes.

I hope your progress continues.

Love,
Tex

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:12 pm

Hello, Marliss,

I, too, was wondering how you were doing. It's good to hear from you, but I sure am sorry you've been in a flare.

Love,
Martha

Christine. · Post by **Christine.** » Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:46 pm

Marliss
I hope you get back on the Norman track soon. Thanks for the Pinterest site. It looks great.
Christine

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:13 am

I'm one that antihistamines seem to be working on. I take Claritin before breakfast, Zantac before dinner, and Benadryl at bedtime most days. Success! Normans! I don't need the probiotic anymore (it contained soy, which I found out I'm allergic to), or even the Questran most of the time. Hooray!

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:52 am

Pat- how many of each do you take?

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:10 pm

Deb-- I take one Claritin (loratadine generic) 10 mg/day, one Zantac (ranitidine generic) 75 mg/day, and one Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride generic) 25 mg/day. I found them all at Sam's Club recently for much less than I'd paid at CVS. I hope they keep working as well as they are now!

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 4:46 pm

Hmmm, I've been disappointed that I haven't noticed any improvements with the allegra and zyrtec I've been taking. No improvements with D or the stuffy feeling in my sinuses & eyes. Maybe I haven't been using enough.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:10 pm

Marliss, I've been wondering how you were and am glad you checked in.
I'm dealing with thyroid issues too and am working carefully with my meds. You said the thyroid meds may have caused D. Was that from too much hormone or do you suspect a filler in the meds. It's certainly a balancing act. Hopefully we'll get it figured out. Deb

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:08 pm

Nice to "hear" from you again, Marliss. I hope your 8-week diet plan works for you and reducing stress helps, too. Keep us posted of your progress.

Gloria

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 11:50 am

Thanks, all!

I, too, am one for whom antihistamines are working. I was really clued into that last spring when seasonal allergies made my granuloma annulare go nuts, and I think that was the start in May of the current flare. BTW--I have had two normans in the last week.

I take a Zyrtec every day. I think it is helpful to have a consistent level in the body instead of taking one when the symptoms come on. I am waiting for the spring, when I may add Zantac if necessary. I think I am far enough away (more than a year now) from my 24/7 heartburn to risk this H2 blocker if necessary. In the spring I may have to ramp up to Allegra, also. We'll see.

I forgot to mention that my granuloma annulare, which I have had an extensive case of (both generalized and localized) since 2009 is almost gone. I went to the dermatologist yesterday and she gave me a prescription for an extremely-strong topical steroid in case it goes nuts in the spring again. I am excited that I don't look like I have a serious case of ringworm any more.

I told the dermatologist that I attributed my lessening of GA and psoriasis symptoms to going gluten-free, really grain-free. She said that patients have told her that going gluten-free helped them with psoriasis, eczema, and other skin issues, but since there was no current research, only anecdotal evidence, that she was not going to recommend it as a treatment option.

I asked if GA was an autoimmune issue since it was inflammation in the skin, and she said no, it's not like lupus, etc. Of course, it's all over the internet that there are associations between GA and celiac and thyroiditis, probably other autoimmune diseases, but there is apparently no research tying them together. This doctor seems to keep on top of things, so when/if research comes out, I will be forwarding it to her.

Y'all take care, and remember to vote!!

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:31 pm

Hi Marliss,
Thanks for your 2 year report. I like to hear how others are doing. That's amazing you cut out honey! I still have agave and honey and have not been able to cut them out. I can relate to your cutting back on activities. I am worried about isolating. I bought a bunch of craft supplies so that I would not go home and straight to bed. I made one crafty gift already. Interesting how your taste buds are changing - it's good you like vegetables. I had to look on google to see what granuloma annulare was so now I know.
Happy Anniversary! & Thanks for checking in.
Cory

hoosier1 · Post by **hoosier1** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:48 pm

Marliss,

Good to hear from you. I too popped back on the board just today after being, shame on me, absent for a while. Your success sounds like mine - overall slightly better but mostly mixed, and mostly different. You mentioned how your tastes have changed. Boy is that ever true for me. I used to enjoy eating mangos and now I can't stand them. Sugary foods are also too strong for me any more. I have many other examples of my taste changes but won't bore you with the details.

I am convinced I am multifactorial in my problems. The MC was diagnosed, but I often wonder about other nerve related problems. I also wonder about Chrons.

Regardless, I feel your pain and your success. It is good to see/hear from you again.

Rich