Back to juicing, vitamin intake and detox....fun times

I suspected when I started my new vitamin regime I would have a few days of headache and general crappy feeling as my body takes in the good and lets out the bad.....I've done it before so I knew to expect it. While I was hoping it wouldn't happen it is. Today is day 2 of my new vitamin intake and of going back to juicing. I'm not juicing like I did previously, just drinking a green juice 2x a day (8oz each time) to increase the vitamins in my body.

Today I woke up with a headache that continues to increase in it's volume every little bit. It's not unbearable as of now, but definitely making me aware of it's presence. This should only last a couple days until my body levels off and gets rid of any crap. I also notice that my allergies are acting up today too - lots of sneezing and my sinuses are draining - I attribute it to the detox. In fact, one of the supplements I'm taking causes release of excess mucus, so I can safely say that's what's causing the excess of sneezing and sinus drainage. It's pretty cool when you know what things are happening, and reinforces the necessity of taking the supplement.

Other than that I am doing ok. Just going to take it easy until this subsides - today will be a great day to catch up on movies, emails and just rest it out. I hate going through this but as we all know I'm no stranger to feeling like crap and if this is what I need to go through to get on the other side and on the road to being better, then so be it....in the end it'll be worth it for sure.

I ended up having to get a few different combinations of vitamins but after all is said and done I'm taking what my body is lacking and what I need to function properly. My current list of daily vitamins is:
Antioxidant formula 2 a day

This is giving me 25,000 IU Vitamin A, 500mg Vit C, 400 IU Vit E, 350 mg B2, 15 mg zinc, 200mg Selenium, 2mg cooper....











L Glutamine 1000 mg 3x daily

This Serves as a source of fuel for cells lining the intestines; It's involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Glutamine can pass through the protective blood-brain barrier and, because of this, it is known as brain fuel. It Aids in protecting the body from ammonia toxicity; It appears to be necessary for normal brain function; it's essential for maintaining amino acid balance in the body during times of severe stress; It's used by white blood cells and contributes to normal immune-system function.




N AcetylCysteine (NAC) 600 mg 3x daily

N-Acetyl Cysteine is rapidly metabolized to intracellular glutathione. Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. Glutathione also detoxifies chemicals into less harmful compounds. Glutathione is known to aid in the transport of nutrients to lymphocytes and phagocytes, two major classes of immune cells, and to protect cell membranes. While purified glutathione is available as a dietary supplement, absorption is low, N-Acetyl Cysteine is thought to be a better method of boosting cellular glutathione levels. N-Acetyl Cysteine is currently being investigated as a treatment for AIDS. It breaks up mucus; N-Acetyl Cysteine at a dosage of 1,200 mg per day helps to prevent Influenza, reduces the symptoms of existing Influenza and reduces the duration of Influenza. Its action as an antioxidant and a glutathione precursor may also contribute to a protective effect against cancer.

COQ10 150mg daily

COQ10 can help you combat fatigue, as well as obesity, and a weak immune system. Several studies with small numbers of people suggest that CoQ10 may lower blood pressure after a few weeks. CoQ10 and vitamin E together are the principle fat-soluable antioxidants in cells, and CoQ10 may help vitamin E act more effectively in the body. CoQ10 has the potential to vastly improve human health and it's most valuable role may be in fighting heart disease.



Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg daily

Interestingly enough, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent and relapsing fatigue, often accompanied by numerous symptoms involving various body systems. Little is known about the cause of this disease; however, recent studies have shown that there may be a connection between CFS and free radicals in the body. This would suggest the use of antioxidants in the management of CFS. Clinicians in Canada concluded that anti-oxidant supplements such as glutathione, N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, Ginkgo biloba, and Vaccinium myrtillus may be beneficial in the treatment of CFS. Alpha lipoic acid is an extremely important antioxidant that destroys many of the free-radicals that are harmful to the human body. Lipoic acid is both water and fat soluble. This is beneficial in countering many different forms of oxidative stress and cellular damage in any part of a cell. Thereby, it can reduce the oxidative stress in the body while recycling the effectiveness of other antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and glutathione. Vitamin C and glutathione can be regenerated through reaction with alpha lipoic acid.
*Alpha Lipoic Acid has many benefits including fighting aging/wrinkles, reducing complications associated with diabetes, treatment for MS, helps revive loss of olfactory senses (sense of smell) as well as many other things - this is one powerful antioxidant!


In addition to these supplements I am also continuing to take Magnesium, Acetyl L Carnitine and Kelp - these are supplements I had already been taking and had documented early on when I started this blog.

I also started drinking the Dr Oz Green drink - which is made up of Lemon, Celery, Parsley, apples, spinach, cucumber and ginger root. This fresh juice is packed full of naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants and live enzymes. The spinach alone provides an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. Plus, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids. The other ingredients also have great vitamins and beneficial nutrients that by drinking them raw are digested faster into the bodies cells. It's something I've been wanting to get back to doing so I figured as long as I'm taking all these other supplements I might as well add some fresh juice to the mix. I'm drinking 8oz in the morning and again in the afternoon. It provides a nice burst of energy as well.

I've always seen people who take tons of vitamins each day and wondered to myself why someone would have to take so many supplements, often times they are referred to as "health freaks" - now I'm one of them and as I continue on my mission to get my health back, I'm learning more and more about how a life with a lack of the right amount of good things incorporated into your diet will lead to where I am today. It takes a long time to get here and will certainly take some time to repair. The good news is that it is reversible at this point and with the knowledge I'm gaining I can aid in helping my children incorporate the right things into their lifestyle so they don't have to go through life feeling sick, getting sick and dealing with adult health issues. Simply adding 1 daily multiple vitamin could be enough to prevent serious problems later in life. Maybe this is where I'm meant to be for the reasons of learning first hand how our lifestyle really does effect our health or lack of health. Maybe this course my life has taken will lead me to helping even more people learn how to take charge of their health, prevent illness and life a healthy life. I'm learning that "being healthy" doesn't have to mean not having fun or eating the foods we've come accustomed to like - it means having these things in moderation while making sure to incorporate the essential things for life, living food, enzymes and the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep our bodies functioning at optimal performance.

Through all this research I am really learning that there is a balance to it all - finding the right balance is the key to living a full healthy life - if you are one that doesn't take any extra vitamins I strongly urge you to consider even just a daily multiple vitamin to assist your body in being it's best. Of course, anything more than that should be discussed with a Dr as each of us is different and our needs are different.

To your health!

Test results are in and OMG.......

Well I got the test results from the blood work that was done at the end of June at my first appointment with the Fibromyalgia Center. This was the blood test that would look in my white blood cells to determine any nutrient deficiencies I might have. Well, I have some alright. The Dr said that she has only seen 1 other person have a test result this bad......So once again I score an A+ in the test department, on a test that you don't want an A+ on!

Out of 7 antioxidants tested, I am deficient in 5 of them. Antioxidants are what helps prevent cancer and keeps us healthy - they help fight free radicals and oxidation of our cells.......so no wonder I'm always picking up every illness I can find! My body can't fight them! My overall antioxidant function is at a whooping 37% - optimal function is at or above 65%.........

The blood work came back showing me deficient in the following nutrients:

*Glutamine - I will need to supplement with 3000 mg daily - 1000 mg 3x a day for the next 4-6 months - to learn more about the role of this Amino Acid CLICK HERE

*Glutathione - I will need to supplement with 600 mg 3x daily (1800 mg daily) of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) for the next 4-6 months at least. This is a really important one as without it, we die! CLICK HERE for an interesting article on the role of this "super antioxidant"

*Vitamin E - 800 IU daily - CLICK HERE to read about the role of Vitamin E

*Selenium - 200 MCG daily - CLICK HERE to see why this antioxidant is important to our bodies

*Coenzyme Q10 - 150 mg daily - CLICK HERE to read about this and why it's important for your health

*Lipoic Acid - 200 mg daily supplement - CLICK HERE to read more about this antioxidant and what it does

After doing the research on these and reading all about them and the importance of them for health, I wonder why I don't have high blood pressure and heart problems! I am thankful that I don't but according to my deficiencies I should! Hopefully by getting these specific things in check and within normal range I will prevent those things from becoming a problem later in my life.

So I should be able to get an antioxidant blend that will take care of everything except the NAC and COQ10 - those are going to have to be their own supplement unless I can find one that incorporates all of it - so far in my research I haven't found one that does. Most have everything EXCEPT the NAC and COQ10. I'm really going to have to figure out a way to remember to take these things as that is one area I am really bad in - if I can take something 1x a day great, but for those that I'll have to take 3x.....I might need to figure out how to have my phone remind me - oh I'm sure I can find a pill reminder app or something on my phone!!

At my treatment today I had a 1 hr massage, chiropractic adjustment and trigger point injections in my hips. Today's massage focused on my hips and legs. Let me tell you, I would of never known how tender my muscles/soft tissue is without this massage. It actually hurt more than anything today. She really worked my hips as that is where I find I have most of my pain. Right now I am a little uncomfortable in the area where she did the work but am anticipating that will go away after today like it did last week due to the injections after the massage work.

Tomorrow I'll be heading out to get my new supplements as the Dr wants me to get on them ASAP - she also said that I'm a good candidate for IV nutrient therapy but will also need to take the oral supplements. She said she wouldn't be suprised to hear that I'm feeling a lot better after a couple weeks on the supplements since I'm so deficient.

I feel like this has taken me in the right direction so far and am excited to see how I feel once I start these supplements. Although the test results aren't great, they will lead me to getting better and that is the ultimate goal! I'm really feeling that it is going to happen now that we are getting things dialed in to specifics.

This week I have my phone appointment with the Mayo Clinic as well - that's on Thursday with the nurse. I'm sure I'll have things to say after that call so stay tuned for more updates - things are rolling along in the right direction! Although a long road, it's going to be one worth the travel by the time I reach the end of it! I just know it!

The picture says it all. Living with Fibromyalgia is painful and a number of people will never find relief of that pain. I'm on a mission to find relief but at times wonder if I will ever truly be pain free. Every symptom listed in the picture is present in most sufferers most of the time. It's not just one or two of these symptoms...it's most of them, if not all of them, all of the time. I can say out of these 23 symptoms, I have 19 of them everyday. No wonder I am always sick, always tired and always feel so run down. It's exhausting being a host to these ailments.

Today I had my first appointment (out of 20) at the Fibromyalgia Center up North. This appointment consisted of a 30 minute soft tissue massage and 2 trigger point injections in my back (if you look at the picture of where the woman has her fingers, that is where I got the injections on each side). Now I'm not feeling as great as one would expect after getting a massage....I never do. I can tell exactly where she massaged me as the areas hurt...tomorrow they will hurt more. The injection sites are tender which is to be expected. I got a headache after the massage and was extremely tired immediately afterward as well. I found it difficult to do much the rest of the day after returning home due to the fatigue.

From what I understand the trigger point injections help the muscles stay relaxed for a few hours longer than they would without it. This allows the body to heal according to the Dr - the theory is that over time the massage will hurt less and I won't need the injections as the muscles will learn how to stay loose instead of tightening up again so quickly. The injections also serve partly to help relieve any pain associated with the massage as well - so it's an effort to help the muscles stay loose and keep them from being as sore as they would be without it.

I'm really new to all this alternative medicine so I don't want to jump to the conclusion that it isn't for me.....if asked right now, I don't feel good and probably would tell you that I am not sure about all this....but I need to give it time to work - I have an appointment scheduled every Monday for the next 4 wks......I'm hoping to be able to see some kind of positive benefit/effect after a couple more appointments. I honestly just don't quite understand how the massage works to help, although I've read about it, I have links here on my blog about it as well but still don't "get it" - I know the body functions best when all areas are working together so I'm sure the massage is one aspect of getting the body to work in harmony with other vital components.

Bottom line, I just want to feel better NOW...not in 4, 5 or 6 weeks from now....NOW......which I know isn't going to happen. It's taken many years for me to get to this point, so it's going to take some time to reverse the causes that got me here.

At my appointment today I also received a preliminary treatment plan pending them getting all my labs and medical files in. Once those all come together I will have more things included such as supplements, IV nutrient therapy and nutritional counseling to help everything work together to maximize the benefits.

Right now it's just all unclear to me how this will all come together to help me feel better as it seems that the entire treatment plan consists of a weekly massage with injections and some chiropractic, 1x each 5 weeks I'll see a pain management Dr and 1 time a counselor if I want or feel the need to see one. I'll also get some nutritional counseling in the process and the nutrient therapy will be added if needed once all my labs are in and reviewed. About 10 wks into it I will have the option to explore accupuncture or continue with the massage and weeks 15-20 will start some physical therapy.

The goal is that at the end of 20 wks I will be less sensitive in my soft tissue/muscles/joints, be able to exercise more with less pain/fatigue, be more energetic and be well on the road to a healthier, less painful me. I hope it plays out this way - I need to trust and just let go of any doubts I am feeling right now because they could potentially hamper my progress - let go and let God as the saying goes.

On the Mayo Clinic side of things I'm still waiting for them to call - I had to go into the lab on this last Friday to get yet another blood draw as one of the tubes of blood couldn't be processed for some reason so they (the lab) needed more blood to process the one test that was ordered (one out of many)

Why can't "trained professionals" seem to do it right?

I had two different appointments this week and at both they needed to draw blood. My experience with this has never been the best. I always wonder what is so hard about putting a needle in a vein and taking the needed blood. These people are "trained" to do this and yet it seems most don't really do a very good job at it. It almost makes me want to get trained as a phlebotomist so there is at least another person out there who does know how to do it well - because I would for sure make sure I was one of the best after some of the trauma I've dealt with in regards to having needles stuck in me!

Yesterday (7/1) I had an appointment with my primary Dr as the Mayo clinic requested he do a full physical and asked for several lab tests to be done - he told me all that was being done but I don't recall the specific names - checking my Vitamin D level, CBC and several other technical test names - the nurse had to get 9 vials from me which brings me to my vent......she stuck me in the left arm and literally nothing came out when she put the vial thing on the needle - nothing......I've never had this happen before and asked her if she got the vein, which she was certain she had......she tried to get something to come out before she pulled the needle and went for my other arm.........on the right side she decided it would be good to stick me in the same spot that I had blood drawn on Wed ....which was already bruised and tender......so that hurt but the blood was flowing this time so I just let her go so I could be done with it.

After 1.5hr with the Dr and answering tons of questions, being poked, prodded and checked out I left, arms wrapped in purple tape, prescriptions in hand and ready to wait for the Mayo clinic to contact me - My dr said it would probably be about 3-4 wks before I hear anything since they will need to wait for the lab results and review my files to determine if they will take me - My Dr seems to think they will, I hope he is right. In the meantime I'll be starting treatments in a couple weeks with the Fibromyalgia Center and looking forward to getting myself back to feeling good and living my life like I should be.

I'm exhausted both physically and emotionally from all of this. I really can't wait to feel better and be past it all...hoping that I never have to endure it again to this extent - although being chronically ill there are what is known as "flare ups" from time to time and all based on environment and conditions that sometimes can't be controlled such as the weather.

Today I took my daughter to the mall - we were there for a little over an hour between getting her feathers put back in her hair and something from the lego store for my son, I'm wiped out....just that trip took all I had.....and I still have to go to my friends this evening as she is getting married in a couple weeks and tonight is her night with her bridal party (I'm the matron of honor)......so as I muster up enough energy/strength to get ready for this evening I am glad we aren't going out dancing or something like that, I don't think I could do it. We are going to the movies so at least I don't have to deal with anything that takes to much physical energy to do. I know tomorrow will be a day of not doing much for me after being out late tonight. Just "being out" is very draining to me right now. Possibly had I not taken the trip to the mall today with the kids I would have a little more energy for this evening - it is what it is I guess and onward I go..........I must admit though I'm already looking forward to getting home and going to bed!

Until next time...stay well and enjoy your health - enjoy feeling well, having energy and being able to do what you want, when you want! You never know when it could suddenly be taken away from you! Trust me on that!