I was feeling pretty good the last few days while following the diet. Yesterday was my neice's graduation party and I was freeling fine up until about 1.5 hours prior to the party. My calves and feet did a sudden swelling on me for no reason. Yes, the weather is warmer but it was cool and comfortable in the house. I didn't over do anything either.
I could barely stand on my puffed out feet. I got to the grocery store and went in just to get stuff for a caesar salad. I was so tired after that. My sister told me I should have stayed home but I toughed it out for a few hours.
Another thing I noticed was that I was in a bad brain fog as well. I could not remember people's names that i have known for over 20 years (my brother-in-law's family) and just in speaking a word would completely leave my brain.
Then, at about 2 o'clock in the morning I woke up and felt that i had a full out cold. Now not so much. I am achey and sore but the sinus issues are not there. No headache either.
With this happening for no reason, it is frustrating. This disease is just nuts. Not only day to day canit change but minute to minute. I was actually eating right with no dairy, processed, gluten and I was eating organic when possible. I was taking my medicine correctly and I wish I could pinpoint something I did wrong.
Well, I'll just have to keep going. There is nothing else for me to do.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Getting Back on Track: My 2011 Resolution
Last year I went through months of being really good on my diet and even did as much exercise that I felt I could (normally about 3-4 days a week for about 20-30 minutes at a time). Keeping in mind that after years of being undiagnosed, I was a newbie to this disease (was just diagnosed April 2010 and only knew about Dercum's for about a year before that). So, I was very dismayed that my weight was not changing except for the 10 pound fluctuation that happens with the swelling on a day to day basis.
With my fists clenched and me pumping both back and forth in the air at the whole miserable fate of this disease, I gave up. Why should I care if I eat right and exercise if my weight is going to remain at the same point? Why not gorge on ice cream sundae dinners and Dunkin' Donuts' coffee rolls? Extra cheese and sausage and/or pepperoni pizza five times a week with out a care in the world? Don't mind if I do. Don't feel like cooking dinner? Well, HELLO Micky D's!
And it wasn't only my diet that went to Hell. Even with the pool opened at my parent's house all last summer, I went in the pool twice. I had so many excuses as to why I should not exercise, I started to believe I really was not supposed to do exercise at all with Dercum's because it would just make it worse.
Well, I can tell you that convincing myself diet and exercise did not matter took a toll on me not just physically but emotionally as well. Having a chronic illness does not mean one should lay down and just give up. Life is what you make of it and I choose not to be a victim but a fighter.
Being good to your body does not mean you need to give everything up. The old adage "everything in moderation" is key to living a better life. One just needs to figure out just what their own moderation level is. For me, it is definitely a once a week rule. I will try for 2 weeks to be very good and detoxify my system and then I will allow myself a once a week cheat treat. If I don't mentally plan for this, I can easily fall back to my old ways.
I have been given the gifts of wisdom and the need to help others but now I am changing how I disperse these on others. Whether it is the people I train at work or the advice I am giving at Cure Dercum's and before that at MD Junction, I always tell people to do as I say not as I do. Well, for my late but very much needed resolution for 2011, I will lead by doing not just in words. I even started getting organized at work which is just a huge step. My desk is no longer considered in the top 3 messiest at work. I am not perfect but every positive step I take will not only help me but every other person in my life.
I hope this inspires others to do the same.
With my fists clenched and me pumping both back and forth in the air at the whole miserable fate of this disease, I gave up. Why should I care if I eat right and exercise if my weight is going to remain at the same point? Why not gorge on ice cream sundae dinners and Dunkin' Donuts' coffee rolls? Extra cheese and sausage and/or pepperoni pizza five times a week with out a care in the world? Don't mind if I do. Don't feel like cooking dinner? Well, HELLO Micky D's!
And it wasn't only my diet that went to Hell. Even with the pool opened at my parent's house all last summer, I went in the pool twice. I had so many excuses as to why I should not exercise, I started to believe I really was not supposed to do exercise at all with Dercum's because it would just make it worse.
Well, I can tell you that convincing myself diet and exercise did not matter took a toll on me not just physically but emotionally as well. Having a chronic illness does not mean one should lay down and just give up. Life is what you make of it and I choose not to be a victim but a fighter.
Being good to your body does not mean you need to give everything up. The old adage "everything in moderation" is key to living a better life. One just needs to figure out just what their own moderation level is. For me, it is definitely a once a week rule. I will try for 2 weeks to be very good and detoxify my system and then I will allow myself a once a week cheat treat. If I don't mentally plan for this, I can easily fall back to my old ways.
I have been given the gifts of wisdom and the need to help others but now I am changing how I disperse these on others. Whether it is the people I train at work or the advice I am giving at Cure Dercum's and before that at MD Junction, I always tell people to do as I say not as I do. Well, for my late but very much needed resolution for 2011, I will lead by doing not just in words. I even started getting organized at work which is just a huge step. My desk is no longer considered in the top 3 messiest at work. I am not perfect but every positive step I take will not only help me but every other person in my life.
I hope this inspires others to do the same.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Day 3 of Diet
Yes, I decided to go back onto my diet. I following most of the RAD guidelines but mix it up with the Alkaline/Acid diet and TCM's cold/damp condition diet. I have to say, I am feeling better in just the short three days.
My favorite thing that I did to treat myself was taking a trip to a local grower, Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, and bought some freshly picked, very delicious strawberries. I also picked up some organic veggies that I grilled and added to some quinoa (a gluten-free grain). I love having the grill back up and running. I don't know why I waited so long to get propane. I usually grill all year round but last winter was a tough one for me.
Since starting the diet, I am not feeling hungry between meals and no heartburn at night.
So, what does all this mean? Basically, I am eating organic/natural when possible. For protein I am consuming cage-free, natural eggs, chicken and lots of fish. I am avoiding dairy and red meat though I'll be able to have some every once in a while. I am staying away from gluten products and anything processed. Nuts and a piece of 72% cacoa dark chocolate for dessert. YUM!
My favorite thing that I did to treat myself was taking a trip to a local grower, Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon, Massachusetts, and bought some freshly picked, very delicious strawberries. I also picked up some organic veggies that I grilled and added to some quinoa (a gluten-free grain). I love having the grill back up and running. I don't know why I waited so long to get propane. I usually grill all year round but last winter was a tough one for me.
Since starting the diet, I am not feeling hungry between meals and no heartburn at night.
So, what does all this mean? Basically, I am eating organic/natural when possible. For protein I am consuming cage-free, natural eggs, chicken and lots of fish. I am avoiding dairy and red meat though I'll be able to have some every once in a while. I am staying away from gluten products and anything processed. Nuts and a piece of 72% cacoa dark chocolate for dessert. YUM!
Friday, June 10, 2011
A Very Tiring Week
It was a tough week. Just tired and sore. My allergies are kicking in but made it to work everyday (thought about calling in a few times - OK at least a few times every morning). I just find if I let the fatigue and pain get to me, it will win. Got to keep going.
I hope to get housework and the Cure Dercums blog up and running. Already threw it out there on Facebook and got a few bites. Kind of exciting. I really think we can make the site something everybody can turn to. So, no rest for me. I'll hit the hay acter watching a bit of the game (Go B's) and then get my sorry butt out of bed in the morning. Got a lot to do!
I hope to get housework and the Cure Dercums blog up and running. Already threw it out there on Facebook and got a few bites. Kind of exciting. I really think we can make the site something everybody can turn to. So, no rest for me. I'll hit the hay acter watching a bit of the game (Go B's) and then get my sorry butt out of bed in the morning. Got a lot to do!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
UGH! Humidity
One of the hardest things I find trying to deal with this crazy disease is the weather. For the last three years from May to August, the skin on my stomach has a burning sensation constantly. The only thing that takes this feeling away is when the humidity breaks, but, of course, I live in New England so it is just a constant aggravation.
I explain the sensation as feeling like getting a really bad sunburn and it is starting to heal.
I cannot wait for the pool to open up. Not only will I be getting so badly needed exercise in, it will cool me off for at least part of the time.
So, what to do, what to do...
I explain the sensation as feeling like getting a really bad sunburn and it is starting to heal.
I cannot wait for the pool to open up. Not only will I be getting so badly needed exercise in, it will cool me off for at least part of the time.
So, what to do, what to do...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Balancing Life with Pain
My allergies are acting up. I mean they are acting up BAD. For people with DD allergies can play a huge role in how you feel. My whole body is burning. The top of my head hurts as if someone hit me with a baseball bat. Oh, but enough of my complaining for now.
This week has been tough. Phil is out of work after basically waling out of work last Wednesday. I have been supportive but him being out of work has made the squirrels that run is circles in his head go into overdrive. I basically told him he needs steady work or he is just going to sink deeper into his depression. He tells me that he would like to argue with me but he knows I am right. Oh, what a difference than five years ago when I was still in my "relationship" with my ex husband.
So, with all this going on and trying to get Cure Dercum's off to a start, I have not stayed at work for a full eight hours. I do end up working at home to cover the time but still there is just too much going on in my head. Maybe some of the squirrels jumped from Phil's into mine.
This week has been tough. Phil is out of work after basically waling out of work last Wednesday. I have been supportive but him being out of work has made the squirrels that run is circles in his head go into overdrive. I basically told him he needs steady work or he is just going to sink deeper into his depression. He tells me that he would like to argue with me but he knows I am right. Oh, what a difference than five years ago when I was still in my "relationship" with my ex husband.
So, with all this going on and trying to get Cure Dercum's off to a start, I have not stayed at work for a full eight hours. I do end up working at home to cover the time but still there is just too much going on in my head. Maybe some of the squirrels jumped from Phil's into mine.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
New Project
I did a lot of work this weekend on a new project. I am hoping it all pays off in the end and by pays off I am hoping that it helps many people dealing with Dercum's. This has been a long time coming. I am finally feeling like I am doing something to help.
I will be able to post recipes and organize all things Dercum's. DM and I will be able to basically do what we have wanted. For now the info is being pulled in from other sites but I hope to get some together in our own words. With Dr. H on our side, how can we go wrong?
My pain has been somewhat behaving but my belly is on fire. I need to get back into a better diet. I wnat to take doen as much weight and swelling over the next - yikes - less than 5 months before the wedding.
I will be able to post recipes and organize all things Dercum's. DM and I will be able to basically do what we have wanted. For now the info is being pulled in from other sites but I hope to get some together in our own words. With Dr. H on our side, how can we go wrong?
My pain has been somewhat behaving but my belly is on fire. I need to get back into a better diet. I wnat to take doen as much weight and swelling over the next - yikes - less than 5 months before the wedding.
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