Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
I've been a member of this incredible and wonderful forum for two months, and thought I'd reflect a little. I actually wrote this post yesterday and then had one of those hilarious laptop self-sabotage moments... Shrugging that off and moving on definitely says something about the way MC has rearranged my priorities ;) I have a lot more patience for the trivial stuff (go ahead - pass me on the right on a one-lane road, you funny little red car!), and a lot more motivation to get the big, life-draining nonsense out of my routine (no big life changes yet, but a subtle reevaluation of how I spend my time is underway).
I feel great - I am not 100%. I'm hoping to look back on this in another month or two and be encouraged about my progress. Meantime, I'm trying not to leap to conclusions based on fluctuating symptoms and what I may have eaten 3, 12, or 72 hours ago. I'm keeping track, and recognizing it's going to take a while. Wonderfully, other than one incident at a restaurant, I've not had significant D in weeks. My weight seems stable; my energy isn't all there, but much, much better - in fact, I seem to wake up more easily than I have, maybe ever. Perhaps that slow-start to the day was more symptom than character flaw... my whole life.
I take seriously the concern histamine and mast cell issues, brought to my attention by many wise and experienced members here. We're in high pollen season, and I am guessing that increases my risk - or at least my total 'load' in that area (or else that just shows how I need to learn more about this topic). Just now I'm actually sneezing less than non-allergic folks, but that could be because my worst tree enemy hasn't hit its stride yet. (I love to think it's because of my wise dietary changes, though.) I am uncertain about whether I should use nettles as a supplement - they've helped me in the past with seasonal allergies, but I think they are a histamine-container or provoker themselves. And I may have missed my window of opportunity, as they worked best for me when I started them early in the allergy season (unlike an anti-histamine like Benadryl, which actually hammers the symptoms flat - plus side effects).
I have been using Histame before any meal I don't prepare myself, and also with home-cooked food such as fish, which we've had only rarely. So far, so good - I honestly cannot be sure what is working exactly, but have re-ordered the Histame and am optimistic that it will help, and will be comforting especially when traveling - like insurance.
My next steps will revolve around the Enterolab results. I'm going to list here what I'm currently eating, so please feel free to skip ahead - it's just in case I need to look back at this some future month for encouragement, or for an aha! about what I should already have figured out.
I've cut out all grains except occasional rice in very small amounts; all legumes; all dairy. I'm eating (in small amounts at a time, usually) many vegetables, mostly cooked but some raw (including carrots, radishes, mixed young salad greens); cooked fruit; raw bananas and blueberries; an occasional dried date as a sweetener; almonds, and to a lesser extent cashews, pistachios, and hazelnuts; eggs; beef a little (not my fave), chicken, turkey (please, turkey, don't break my heart), and to a lesser extent duck and lamb. This is a huge change for me - I wonder whether I can move back towards chickpeas and lentils, pending my soy result from Enterolab. I have occasionally eaten small amounts of fish (with Histame). I drink what I've always drunk - water (perhaps less now, interestingly - it seems easier to stay hydrated now that I'm GF), morning coffee, and some wine, plus herbal or green tea. And homemade nut milk, which is a great thirst-plus-hunger manager for long days out of the house.
Aside from shedding the most distressing GI symptoms, I've had weird benefits - my hair is less gray. That sounds nutty to me, but it's true - and even crazier - I now have hardly any cellulite. There was a time in my life where those vanity bonus points would have been much appreciated ;) At the moment, I'm more pleased that my blood pressure, which had just risen, has dropped right back to low/normal (110/70 is typical). A slight numbness in my left thumb & index finger is completely gone. If that was a harbinger of gluten-induced neurological damage, I'm a little horrified that I was unconcerned. On the up side, it is resolving... so maybe something even worse that I was ignoring, or hadn't noticed yet, will also heal in time. The numbness came right back after my little restaurant snafu, so I'm pretty sure it's a gluten effect. Amazing - and I had no idea, till 2 months ago.
I have not had pulse-racing symptoms for a while - I do sometimes feel flushed after a meal (suddenly several friends have mentioned they have this symptom... YIKES), and I think that's a histamine issue. I have had a couple of sudden headaches, mostly I think food-related, but one while cleaning up dead leaves in the garden (mold allergy, maybe - or post-lunch reaction?). I think the overall panic-button reactivity in my body is calming down, but it can be flipped back on like a switch, as I found out after that restaurant meal a couple of weeks ago.
I feel sort of philosophical and optimistic - I hope I don't tailspin if Enterolab reports that I'm reactive to some of my go-to foods. My plan has been to wait to reintroduce corn and (more than a spoonful of) rice even if the results say they're OK - but I think the whole point is I can't plan what I'll do about something I don't know yet.
I am truly awed by the help, welcome, humor, wisdom, advice, kindness, and more that I've found here. Thanks to each and every one of you, whether we've 'corresponded' here or not. I wish all of us great and improving health, and so appreciate our fellowship in helping each other to get (and stay) there.
Love,
Sara
Reflecting back (and forth) after 2 months here
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Sara,
Great post!
You're very perceptive. I hesitate to dilute your observations with my random thoughts, but FWIW, I suspect that I have some type of histamine issue during the late December to late February time frame. My blood pressure seems to average significantly higher during that period of time, (high normal), with occasional spikes. After February, it returns to normal, (for me - that doesn't mean that it is perfectly steady, but the average readings are much lower, and generally in the average to low average range). The period of higher BP readings seems to coincide with hay fever symptoms, and the only thing that I can blame it on during that time of the year would be mold, and possibly cedar, but cedar has never appeared to be a significant allergen for me.
Your description of a flushed feeling after a meal might be interpreted by a doctor as reactive hypoglycemia, or postprandial hypoglycemia, which is a medical term describing recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia that usually occur 1 or 2 hours after a high carbohydrate meal, (thought to be caused by an excessive release of insulin in response to a high carb meal, but persisting longer than necessary). I believe that you are probably correct, though, to associate the postprandial flush with histamine release. Documentation does exist, which verifies that postprandial histamine release does indeed cause a "flush" reaction.
That's an interesting observation about the numbness in a couple of fingers. Obviously, that's a form of peripheral neuropathy, so you may very well be right.
You're definitely paying close attention to what's happening with your body, which, of course, should expedite your journey back to health.
Love,
Tex
Great post!
You're very perceptive. I hesitate to dilute your observations with my random thoughts, but FWIW, I suspect that I have some type of histamine issue during the late December to late February time frame. My blood pressure seems to average significantly higher during that period of time, (high normal), with occasional spikes. After February, it returns to normal, (for me - that doesn't mean that it is perfectly steady, but the average readings are much lower, and generally in the average to low average range). The period of higher BP readings seems to coincide with hay fever symptoms, and the only thing that I can blame it on during that time of the year would be mold, and possibly cedar, but cedar has never appeared to be a significant allergen for me.
Your description of a flushed feeling after a meal might be interpreted by a doctor as reactive hypoglycemia, or postprandial hypoglycemia, which is a medical term describing recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia that usually occur 1 or 2 hours after a high carbohydrate meal, (thought to be caused by an excessive release of insulin in response to a high carb meal, but persisting longer than necessary). I believe that you are probably correct, though, to associate the postprandial flush with histamine release. Documentation does exist, which verifies that postprandial histamine release does indeed cause a "flush" reaction.
That's an interesting observation about the numbness in a couple of fingers. Obviously, that's a form of peripheral neuropathy, so you may very well be right.
You're definitely paying close attention to what's happening with your body, which, of course, should expedite your journey back to health.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
TooManyHats
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 550
- Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:30 pm
- Location: New Jersey
I think it's a good idea to put this into a post, especially for record purposes. Your list of foods is quite impressive. You seem to be doing very well. I too have heard about the flushing reaction after eating as a histamine reaction. I can't say I've noticed this with myself.
I've added zyrtec to my histamine regimen and am hoping it helps me to expand my list of tolerable foods as well as some possible help with all the itching.
What I found most interesting was your observation about staying hydrated. I'm finding it much more difficult to stay hydrated. I can't seem to drink enough, and when I don't, I'm awakened in the middle of the night with terrible leg cramps.
Keep up the good work!
I've added zyrtec to my histamine regimen and am hoping it helps me to expand my list of tolerable foods as well as some possible help with all the itching.
What I found most interesting was your observation about staying hydrated. I'm finding it much more difficult to stay hydrated. I can't seem to drink enough, and when I don't, I'm awakened in the middle of the night with terrible leg cramps.
Keep up the good work!
Arlene
Progress, not perfection.
Progress, not perfection.
Sara,
Great post! You seem to be quite in tune with your body and your reactions. That's probably helped you immensely in determing your intolerances. It's taken me quite a while to get to that point. I didn't even realize that mouth sores were unusual until months after I was on the board and someone mentioned it.
I am hoping that Enterolab puts the final pieces of the puzzle together for you and you can feel confident that your plan is the right one for you. You should be getting the results very soon - we'll all be interested in them, I'm sure.
Gloria
Great post! You seem to be quite in tune with your body and your reactions. That's probably helped you immensely in determing your intolerances. It's taken me quite a while to get to that point. I didn't even realize that mouth sores were unusual until months after I was on the board and someone mentioned it.
I am hoping that Enterolab puts the final pieces of the puzzle together for you and you can feel confident that your plan is the right one for you. You should be getting the results very soon - we'll all be interested in them, I'm sure.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Sara,
Thanks for your post!! I envy your ability to cut out all grains and legumes for now. I'd be lost (and hungry). Hopefully you can add some back in soon. I suspect mast cell issues too, especially since my skin is so reactive (dermographism). But I haven't reached for antihistamines yet to test that theory. I agree about the need for water. Ever since staring the GF/DF diet, I am MUCH LESS thirsty. I believe in drinking when you are thirsty, but now I have to force myself to drink (I also have low BP, so I need fluids to avoid fainting). I suppose it could be from less D soaking up the fluids, but I think I retain much less water too. Ditto on the cellulite!! I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it. I was thinking just yesterday how toned I feel despite doing no exercise. I was this thin after breastfeeding my 2 kids, but it was different. I was flabby and skinny. Now I feel firm and healthy and it drives the hubby crazy that I don't exercise. I'll get to it eventually! Several friends have asked me about my diet becuase they want to get similar results. Then they try and realize how hard it is...
I suppose I am thankful that with MC you always know when you've screwed up and eaten the wrong thing. Your body always tells you.
Can't wait to hear what Enterolab turns up!
Thanks for your post!! I envy your ability to cut out all grains and legumes for now. I'd be lost (and hungry). Hopefully you can add some back in soon. I suspect mast cell issues too, especially since my skin is so reactive (dermographism). But I haven't reached for antihistamines yet to test that theory. I agree about the need for water. Ever since staring the GF/DF diet, I am MUCH LESS thirsty. I believe in drinking when you are thirsty, but now I have to force myself to drink (I also have low BP, so I need fluids to avoid fainting). I suppose it could be from less D soaking up the fluids, but I think I retain much less water too. Ditto on the cellulite!! I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it. I was thinking just yesterday how toned I feel despite doing no exercise. I was this thin after breastfeeding my 2 kids, but it was different. I was flabby and skinny. Now I feel firm and healthy and it drives the hubby crazy that I don't exercise. I'll get to it eventually! Several friends have asked me about my diet becuase they want to get similar results. Then they try and realize how hard it is...
I suppose I am thankful that with MC you always know when you've screwed up and eaten the wrong thing. Your body always tells you.
Can't wait to hear what Enterolab turns up!
-
MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Hi Sara,
Loved your reflective post. One of my favorite things about this family is to learn about individual members and their treatment plans. The more detail, the better :). I'm happy for you that you got your Enterolab in after they had added more items to test. Hopefully that means that you're done with testing after you get the results and put them into your diet.
The BIG surprise for me when I got my results back was the yeast allergy - yikes, I had just started to enjoy Udi's gluten free bread products. Hope you do not get any similar surprises - sounds like it's turkey you're worried about -
that it comes back fine.
Wishing you all the best and look forward to hearing about your Enterolab results.
Love,
Kari
Loved your reflective post. One of my favorite things about this family is to learn about individual members and their treatment plans. The more detail, the better :). I'm happy for you that you got your Enterolab in after they had added more items to test. Hopefully that means that you're done with testing after you get the results and put them into your diet.
The BIG surprise for me when I got my results back was the yeast allergy - yikes, I had just started to enjoy Udi's gluten free bread products. Hope you do not get any similar surprises - sounds like it's turkey you're worried about -
that it comes back fine.Wishing you all the best and look forward to hearing about your Enterolab results.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Thank you all so much. I got so much out of reviewing the journeys of others here, which led me to observations I never would have made otherwise (some of which may not be exactly accurate, but time will tell).
Tex,
It makes so much sense that symptoms (including BP) would vary seasonally, and I bet no one thinks to look for that. (Mold allergy is the worst, worst, worst.) Interesting that you & Gabes both mention blood sugar. I've always been told that mine was fine, though my father had some weird condition where his urine sugar was high, but blood sugar normal... which I've always mean to google ;) I must be consuming a lower-carb diet since dropping grains & legumes, and maybe my already unbalanced system hasn't gotten that memo yet. In which case, it's a good thing I stopped provoking it. BTW I added B vitamins, in a complex plus extra B12, and will shop for the specific forms of the B6/9/12 used in Metanx when I restock. Thank you for that. (Metanx is a prescription form of B6/folate/B12 that Tex has used, and I suspect it has been helping me in several ways, not only the nascent peripheral neuropathy.)
Arlene, I was looking at Zyrtec, but worried about the inactive ingredients (sensible precaution, or overworry- not sure). I'm glad it's helping you. Sorry about the leg cramps - I had a few nights of leg cramps, and they are terrible. I have been using topical magnesium... I have no idea how much I'm really absorbing, but either it has helped or the cramps stopped for some other reason. I have a book on hold at the library about magnesium - another topic I don't know enough about yet. I will let you know if I learn anything useful when it arrives.
Gloria, you recently made a comment about mouth sores that got my attention, and made me realize I wasn't even thinking about non-digestive symptoms, other than brain fog (perhaps due to brain fog, lol) - you really helped me to pay more attention, and I noticed a lot of things I'm not even tracking yet. (I've set aside my diary, and will start with a nice new notebook with my Enterolab results tucked into the front cover.)
Zizzle, I think you may be able to tolerate the non-gluten grains better than I do, maybe because of the difference between 'true' celiac genes and whatever version I have, or because you're younger, or just - some other form of luck ;) I'm able to manage hunger because I work at home a lot - and I sometimes screw up. As I spend more and more time working elsewhere at this time of year, I'll need a new set of strategies. I've had that thought, too - at least I *know* what I can't eat, or get to find out fast! (Thanks, MC!)
Thank you, Maggie - I have tried to tune in to what my body is telling me, but I may have misinterpreted. I think that's always a risk, when we try to guess what the signals mean. I appreciate your encouragement.
Rich, I'm not entirely sure about the life changes. One example - I have an occasional gig with a bit of cachet and a little too much aggravation, for not great remuneration. I think I could take that on less frequently, or maybe try to set some conditions to make it work better for me, and be willing to decline more often if they can't make it a lovelier situation. In the bigger picture, I'm trying to take care of what matters in life (people, and I don't mean Facebook), look at how I spend my time, stop shoving creative impulses to the side for more practical matters... amazing how fast I dispatch practical matters when I have something I'd rather be doing. Clearing room - whether's plants I don't love in my garden, or clothes in the closet... Interestingly, I have given this less thought than I've been giving to food & health, and maybe this would be a good time to turn up the volume on that - thanks for asking!
Ant, thank you so much. I often forget how important writing is to thinking (for me, at least), but I never forget how much we honor one another by reading ;)
Kari,
I am trying not to hope for specifics from the tests! I am relying heavily on almonds and eggs, and it will be good to know about those two, for sure. But I am guessing that an 'OK' from Enterolab might be similar to a green on MRT... not a guarantee. (I believe I learned that from you!)
Again, thanks to all - I would be months, even years, behind on my path, if I were even on a path at all, if not for each and every one of you.
Love,
Sara
Tex,
It makes so much sense that symptoms (including BP) would vary seasonally, and I bet no one thinks to look for that. (Mold allergy is the worst, worst, worst.) Interesting that you & Gabes both mention blood sugar. I've always been told that mine was fine, though my father had some weird condition where his urine sugar was high, but blood sugar normal... which I've always mean to google ;) I must be consuming a lower-carb diet since dropping grains & legumes, and maybe my already unbalanced system hasn't gotten that memo yet. In which case, it's a good thing I stopped provoking it. BTW I added B vitamins, in a complex plus extra B12, and will shop for the specific forms of the B6/9/12 used in Metanx when I restock. Thank you for that. (Metanx is a prescription form of B6/folate/B12 that Tex has used, and I suspect it has been helping me in several ways, not only the nascent peripheral neuropathy.)
Arlene, I was looking at Zyrtec, but worried about the inactive ingredients (sensible precaution, or overworry- not sure). I'm glad it's helping you. Sorry about the leg cramps - I had a few nights of leg cramps, and they are terrible. I have been using topical magnesium... I have no idea how much I'm really absorbing, but either it has helped or the cramps stopped for some other reason. I have a book on hold at the library about magnesium - another topic I don't know enough about yet. I will let you know if I learn anything useful when it arrives.
Gloria, you recently made a comment about mouth sores that got my attention, and made me realize I wasn't even thinking about non-digestive symptoms, other than brain fog (perhaps due to brain fog, lol) - you really helped me to pay more attention, and I noticed a lot of things I'm not even tracking yet. (I've set aside my diary, and will start with a nice new notebook with my Enterolab results tucked into the front cover.)
Zizzle, I think you may be able to tolerate the non-gluten grains better than I do, maybe because of the difference between 'true' celiac genes and whatever version I have, or because you're younger, or just - some other form of luck ;) I'm able to manage hunger because I work at home a lot - and I sometimes screw up. As I spend more and more time working elsewhere at this time of year, I'll need a new set of strategies. I've had that thought, too - at least I *know* what I can't eat, or get to find out fast! (Thanks, MC!)
Thank you, Maggie - I have tried to tune in to what my body is telling me, but I may have misinterpreted. I think that's always a risk, when we try to guess what the signals mean. I appreciate your encouragement.
Rich, I'm not entirely sure about the life changes. One example - I have an occasional gig with a bit of cachet and a little too much aggravation, for not great remuneration. I think I could take that on less frequently, or maybe try to set some conditions to make it work better for me, and be willing to decline more often if they can't make it a lovelier situation. In the bigger picture, I'm trying to take care of what matters in life (people, and I don't mean Facebook), look at how I spend my time, stop shoving creative impulses to the side for more practical matters... amazing how fast I dispatch practical matters when I have something I'd rather be doing. Clearing room - whether's plants I don't love in my garden, or clothes in the closet... Interestingly, I have given this less thought than I've been giving to food & health, and maybe this would be a good time to turn up the volume on that - thanks for asking!
Ant, thank you so much. I often forget how important writing is to thinking (for me, at least), but I never forget how much we honor one another by reading ;)
Kari,
I am trying not to hope for specifics from the tests! I am relying heavily on almonds and eggs, and it will be good to know about those two, for sure. But I am guessing that an 'OK' from Enterolab might be similar to a green on MRT... not a guarantee. (I believe I learned that from you!)
Again, thanks to all - I would be months, even years, behind on my path, if I were even on a path at all, if not for each and every one of you.
Love,
Sara
-
irisheyes13
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 212
- Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:46 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Sara,
What a wonderful, upbeat, detailed and informative post! I read it yesterday but wasn't in a spot where I could reply.
You really do seem to be very in tune to your body and how you are handling foods which I'm sure is a big part of why you are already seeing such a positive result despite the fact that you haven't received your Enterolab results.
I love the fact that you've noticed little (or not so little;) details like less gray hair and cellulite and the numbness in your finger/thumb, the lower blood pressure and less dehydrated. Those are some seriously fabulous results. You've given me pause and I've got to say that I haven't experienced any of this which tells me I have a long way to go.
Cutting out the majority of grains from your diet is commendable. I too, hope you are able to continue to enjoy all the proteins you are currently eating...fingers crossed! I believe if I didn't have to eliminate many of the meats and eggs, it would make eliminating grains and starchy veggies a bit easier. I'm confident that no matter the results of your testing there will be no tail-spinning for you! You've already got a wonderful grasp on things and it's now just a matter of fine tuning! So happy for you:)
Love,
Kelly
What a wonderful, upbeat, detailed and informative post! I read it yesterday but wasn't in a spot where I could reply.
You really do seem to be very in tune to your body and how you are handling foods which I'm sure is a big part of why you are already seeing such a positive result despite the fact that you haven't received your Enterolab results.
I love the fact that you've noticed little (or not so little;) details like less gray hair and cellulite and the numbness in your finger/thumb, the lower blood pressure and less dehydrated. Those are some seriously fabulous results. You've given me pause and I've got to say that I haven't experienced any of this which tells me I have a long way to go.
Cutting out the majority of grains from your diet is commendable. I too, hope you are able to continue to enjoy all the proteins you are currently eating...fingers crossed! I believe if I didn't have to eliminate many of the meats and eggs, it would make eliminating grains and starchy veggies a bit easier. I'm confident that no matter the results of your testing there will be no tail-spinning for you! You've already got a wonderful grasp on things and it's now just a matter of fine tuning! So happy for you:)
Love,
Kelly
Thanks, Kelly. I feel as though I'm not out of the woods yet - so many here have eliminated the primary food offenders and then gone on to discover new/secondary ones. I may be wrong, but my idea was that my only hope was to shut the door on all possible problem foods. It takes a while for the body to come around. I do now think I'm having a hypoglycemic issue after eating carbs that I hadn't recognized. Not sure whether this is my body yelling "hey, where's the pasta" - in which case it will settle down... or maybe there's some kind of autoimmune damage (pancreas?), in which case I surely hope I've headed it off at the pass. (For now, no added sweetness - farewell, my beautiful local/raw honey! - and the planned almond pulp cookies will be savory crackers instead.)
I think the main message for me is to remember that I do not have it all figured out. And that's OK. (Good thing, because I'm not going to have it all figured out next week, either.)
I appreciate and respect that it wouldn't work for everyone to take the very restrictive approach I adopted from the outset. It might even have an unforeseen consequence that gradual elimination of foods doesn't have. If I were traveling for work regularly, as I've done in the past, or trying to feed a whole family as well as my own needs, it would have been much harder to shut the door on grains, convenience foods, etc. I also have exceptional spousal support and help. And it's still a big adjustment.
Thinking of you and prom night! And wishing you smooth sailing - maybe you don't have as far to go as you fear, now that you've done so much to get yourself a good map and compass.
Love,
Sara
I think the main message for me is to remember that I do not have it all figured out. And that's OK. (Good thing, because I'm not going to have it all figured out next week, either.)
I appreciate and respect that it wouldn't work for everyone to take the very restrictive approach I adopted from the outset. It might even have an unforeseen consequence that gradual elimination of foods doesn't have. If I were traveling for work regularly, as I've done in the past, or trying to feed a whole family as well as my own needs, it would have been much harder to shut the door on grains, convenience foods, etc. I also have exceptional spousal support and help. And it's still a big adjustment.
Thinking of you and prom night! And wishing you smooth sailing - maybe you don't have as far to go as you fear, now that you've done so much to get yourself a good map and compass.
Love,
Sara
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Sarah
in line with my post on Andi's thread. Being patient, being diligent and figuring out the MC Management plan that works for you is worth every ounce of energy you put in.
it has only taken me 16 months from Dx to get to where i am now. I did make some biggish changes, moved towns, changed jobs to a less stresfull job.
The extra wellness that has come from those changes has been worth it for me, The easter period with Joe and my friends is the best i have felt in over 18 months, it was the reminder to me that the changes and the sacrifices I made, are worth it!
In Dec 2009 when tex said to me in my first post 'you will get your life back' at the time i kinda doubted it.
Reflecting now is I didnt get my life back, i got a slightly different life back and it is far far better than the pre MC life, there are different views and values and priorities, i appreciate the gift of wellness, via this forum i have contact with amazing people, also learnt about patience, tenancity and definately, you get what you give.... if you nuture and support your body with good inputs, you will get wellness.
in line with my post on Andi's thread. Being patient, being diligent and figuring out the MC Management plan that works for you is worth every ounce of energy you put in.
it has only taken me 16 months from Dx to get to where i am now. I did make some biggish changes, moved towns, changed jobs to a less stresfull job.
The extra wellness that has come from those changes has been worth it for me, The easter period with Joe and my friends is the best i have felt in over 18 months, it was the reminder to me that the changes and the sacrifices I made, are worth it!
In Dec 2009 when tex said to me in my first post 'you will get your life back' at the time i kinda doubted it.
Reflecting now is I didnt get my life back, i got a slightly different life back and it is far far better than the pre MC life, there are different views and values and priorities, i appreciate the gift of wellness, via this forum i have contact with amazing people, also learnt about patience, tenancity and definately, you get what you give.... if you nuture and support your body with good inputs, you will get wellness.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Gabes,
That's fantastic progress. Patience and diligence - yup, every time I let one of those go by the wayside, I'm reminded how valuable and worthwhile they are ;)
I am sporting new lipsticks, BTW, thanks to your inspiration (and Kelly's research... and from a site Gloria recommended for something else). So if the students give me great evals tomorrow... thanks for that, too, cyber-friend! What a funny team we all are. LOVE IT.
Love,
Sara
That's fantastic progress. Patience and diligence - yup, every time I let one of those go by the wayside, I'm reminded how valuable and worthwhile they are ;)
I love this. I don't see it exactly clearly from here, but that's exactly what I'm already smelling somewhere down the road. How exactly my values/priorities are being reshaped, and what that means about choices down the road - I don't have to have that figured out tomorrow. (Tomorrow, I have to figure out what to have for breakfast, so I can leave bright and early, do my thing, and come home still energized and well... one thing at a time.)Gabes-Apg wrote: Reflecting now is I didnt get my life back, i got a slightly different life back and it is far far better than the pre MC life
I am sporting new lipsticks, BTW, thanks to your inspiration (and Kelly's research... and from a site Gloria recommended for something else). So if the students give me great evals tomorrow... thanks for that, too, cyber-friend! What a funny team we all are. LOVE IT.
Love,
Sara