Tuesday - Dr Brett Allen Appointment

I got my test results back this past Friday and I was hoping for better.  Of course, I immediately went to typing an email to Dr. Brett Allen about the whys and the what nows.

Don't get me wrong, I feel great!  I expected my thyroid levels to be near perfect and my candida to be back in normal range.  I even wrote - "Maybe I should have detoxed harder!"   I can't say that would really have been a solution.  We don't get where we are overnight do we.  How can we expect to heal overnight?!

Totally unrealistic!  I want it now, but I get why I can't have it now.  It takes awhile and even 4 months is not enough time.  Some people heal quicker than others.  Some people can give up things and never look back.  I have been told I have great will power.  I beg to differ.  I just remember how I feel eating certain foods and what happened when I ate those consistently - like losing my job because my brain fog was so bad and the worse I would feel as the day went longer.  January was my worst month ever.  I was paranoid beyond belief, anxious, headaches, exhausted.  By the time noon came around I just wanted to lay around and sleep.  I got my blood work done then and knew the path I needed to go on.  I was starting a new job and needed focus so I went AIP.  Within a couple days I felt better but I know I needed to do more.

I looked into functional medicine, set up apps with 2 different doctors and asked questions.  I chose Dr. Allen because I didn't need to travel to an office, not that it was a deciding factor but it was a nice addition.  He focused on wanting to help me without breaking the bank.  Yes, my bank still got a bit broken since our current health care system doesn't acknowledge functional medicine, so zero coverage.  But, I knew this going in and it wasn't life altering where I couldn't get the supplements I needed.  I had told D and my family that I was at a point that I didn't care what it was going to cost me I wanted and needed to get better!  Honestly, yes I cared - a growing credit card causes stress!  I've managed it the best I could and hope to have it paid off way before the end of the year.  Dr. Allen was focused on answering all the questions I had and answered all my emails quickly!  

So, getting back to my lab results.  Yes, I still have candida.  How can I expect that it would have gone away or become manageable in that little amount of time.  What was the biggest factor and the solution to get the rest of the numbers to become within normal range -STRESS!

Honestly, I don't feel this at all.  I feel pretty good and am trying to relax in the evening and get rid of the electronics.  As of today I work within walking distance so walking is relaxing.  I also need to lower my exercise load.  This means following my training plan closer and when it says to not do cardio - don't do the cardio!!  No adding on more exercise because it seems like it was easy or I think I can add on more.

Honestly - I will probably gain more muscle!  Cue The Bigness Project!  I'm at the end of week 4 (again), so I will tweak what I have been doing and actually follow the program to the letter.

So slight disappointment that I need to continue the candida supplements - but I'm certainly ok with it.  I'm looking forward to the continued healing and learning process.  It's interesting if you just pay a  little more attention to your body it will tell you what works and what doesn't.

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Stressed and completely upset

I've debated if I should post this but it's part of my healing process, so here it is!

I'm extremely angry at this point (understatement!).  I can't have anything!  It doesn't matter that I may not want it I still can't have it.  I want a latte, I want to be able to eat ice cream if I want.   I want to eat a piece of chocolate or be able to bake something.  I want a different texture.  I'm not even hungry right now and I feel like if I could eat all the things I would.  I want a Siete tortilla chip with guacamole.  Or even a plantain chip for all that matters but nope!  Can't even do that.

I know this isn't forever but it's starting to weigh on me.  When you do things for others and get them the things that you can't have you become angry.  It's not directed at them you are just plan straight up angry, bitchy, unhappy, blah blah blah.

Pathetic enough I couldn't even buy anything I wanted.  All my money is going toward my care.  Yeah I know stop bitching, but I really don't want to.  I really just want to have my pity party right now and just get it all off my chest.  If I can 't rant then what good is writing about anything?!

Oh, but the one thing that I can have all I want of..... water.  Yeah WTH?!?  I hate water.  Yes I am one of those weird people.  I'd love to have a Zevia and I haven't had one of those in months.

Ok, so that was yesterday and today is Monday and I'm better this evening than I was this morning.  I got up early and went to the gym, which was great.  I had a decent workout.  It was a leg focused day and after running yesterday my legs were a little more tired so I couldn't push the amount weight I would have liked.  

I got home and my bad mood continued.  Everything was driving me nuts and I certainly didn't want to go to work!  I made my breakfast and had my tea as usual.  I had to take Jack out to go to the bathroom since all noises bother him and Stryker got me dirty!  I was so over today already.  I forgot to take everything with me.  No water bottle, no tea bag, nothing.  Then I noticed a 12:30 house showing when I got in the car!  ARG!  I usually call mom but didn't since I figured I would snap.

Long story, but everything went fine today.  I had meetings all morning and as soon as those were done it was off to lunch at home.  The buyers showed up on time and I was back to work when I needed to be.  I ended up emailing my doctor and letting him know how I felt.  He says it's for sure part of the detox process, as he has been through it as well as other patients and suggested to take some activated charcoal to help with the candida die off effects.  So I think I am going to try it tonight.

Dinner was fabulous and I think it helped.  I made sweet potato fries and roasted broccoli, avocado, bacon, brussel sprouts and a grass fed bacon burger mix.

The rest of the night I will try to relax and prepare for tomorrow.

Seriously.... AIP and what else?!

I already have so many partially finished posts that I just need to get one done!  Have you been there?  Stop and start..... vicious cycle.  I don't think I have ever done that so much with this as I have right now.

Let's just come straight to the point.  I have now 2 autoimmune conditions - Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Lupus (January this year).  January was my worst month ever.  I lost a great job (brain fog) and had a month where I was in a perpetual flare.  If prior to 9 years ago, if you were to tell me that food could make you feel like you were in hell I would have laughed.  Now I believe it is everything.  You put the wrong thing in and you are going to pay for it!  If you can imagine having a migraine without the pain, the flu, a concussion and a head cold all at the same time but only effecting your head, that is how I felt.  I would be alright in the morning but as the day went on I would be in a downward spiral.

February 1st I started a lazy AIP.  Why lazy you say?  Well I would occasionally eat an egg, or a potato, or almond butter.  Nothing to excess though.  For the most part I felt fine, but really I can tell that I shouldn't eat those things.  I had cheese a couple days ago and OMG it was the worse thing ever!  I so love cheese, maybe one day again.

Here was my dinner tonight

Organic top sirloin steak, roasted brussel sprouts and purple sweet potato. Ignore the wine, I told you I was a lazy AIP.  Besides, I just found out I have a bad case of candida (which we all have in our intestines) and I'm getting a protocol tomorrow.  So kinda living it up!  I have gotten a few things out of my system, or out of the house by eating them - protein bars, wine.... Sweets!  Luckily, my husband is out of town for the week so I will be a week in to my new protocol.  Hopefully I will be nice when he returns!

I'm certainly there for those who need some help.  I have done a lot of research over the years and I'm always willing to give opinions, or just be there to bounce ideas off from or just a shoulder to rant on.  I'm here to steer you in the right direction!

I'm wanting to start to coach again too.  So you see why I have so many posts that I still haven't finished and will to soon.  This week is my week of prioritizing!

But, I will start to post what recipes I have tried and how my protocol is going and what is entailed in it.  Looking forward to feeling better!!