Feeling Better - Yay!

[Guest guest]

I only found this group and joined a few weeks ago. Maybe it was an omen. ...

I found a new doctor and had my first appointment with him two weeks ago. As of

this past Saturday, I have had my fist pain free days in 10 months. The

bloating is down, my energy level is up, and I'm feeling like my old self again.

My flare ups are diminishing. They are not gone, but they aren't growing and

getting worse at an alarming rate. Three weeks ago, it felt like I was heading

for another hospital stay. I'm so glad that's not the case.

So I figured I'd highlight the changes in my health care and diet that may be

contributing to this improvement in my condition.

- I started taking regular daily multi-vitamins along with OTC potassium and

iron. I alternate between the iron and potassium. I don't take both the same

day.

- I cut aspertame and all artificial sweetners from my diet. Aspertame was once

trialed as a pesticide and now it is approved to be in our food. That can't be

a good thing.

- Cutting out the junk food and eating better food. I also plan on including

more anti-inflammatory foods in my diet.

- Two weeks ago my new doc gave me a shot of cortisone and he put me on

plaquenil. (No more antibiotics and prednisone as my previous doc put me on

again and again.)

I started to see an increase in my energy levels from the dietary changes. Now

with the cortisone and plaquenil, the flare ups in my legs have subsided. OMG,

I had forgotten what it feels like to feel good. Trudging through my days had

become my norm.

What a change! I sure hope it keeps up. I've even lost 12 pounds in the last

three weeks. I'm sure most of it is water weight, but I'll take it. I have a

lot more weight to lose too. Hopefully I can stay well enough to do just that

and improve my overall health so I can possibly kick this EN bug for good.

Keeping my fingers crossed and I'm glad to be sharing some good news.

Monika 8/2008