Quick Check In

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:01 pm

I haven't been doing very well, and it's my own fault. It seems that I am willing to live with a certain level of symptoms in order to be self-indulgent. Of course, I have not touched gluten (never again, God willing) but I have eaten corn and rice. I "seem" to be okay with corn. But rice continues to be a major no-no, and other grains, too. And I have been eating cheddar. I have such a love/hate relationship with lactose-free cheddar. If I could know for sure that it causes a problem, but I don't, so I continue to eat it, fast from it, eat it, fast from it...

Now that my MC is not so debilitating (bear with me, lol) I have started focusing in a major way on my thyroid issues. It turns out that I have double MTHFR gene mutations, so all the B vitamins I have taken have done little good. The naturopath has me on the methyl formulations now, and I have bumped my iron consumption a little with a chelated version. These two changes are foundational for better thyroid management, according to what I have learned. So that's good.

I did a cortisol spit test and found out that my adrenal glands are in serious trouble. The naturopath put me on a number of supplements. I now have a chart of what I take at what time of day posted on the inside of my cabinet door. Seriously.

More and more I understand how chronic issues like MC and Hashi's are integrally tied to stress. When I take my supplements properly, supporting both my thyroid and adrenal glands like there was nothing wrong with them, I am amazed at how calm and peaceful I feel. When I don't, I don't. Unfortunately, I have a client which is taking huge amounts of my time because a manager is not doing his job and the owner is so busy that he can't handle the issue right now, customers are not getting taken care of, and employee morale is not the best. So the days pass, and I find I haven't taken my supplements like I should, and I am really stressed and not sleeping much.

So if you think about me, or pray for me, right now the most important issue is that I would take care of myself the way I need to, otherwise all the people I love who depend on me to be wife and mother won't be taken care of the way they deserve, and my business will not be taken care of either.

I don't have much time to spend here right now, but I think of you often. I appreciate you.

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:40 am

Marliss, I'm so sorry you're not doing well. Postive thoughts and prayers to you in this stressful time. I so agree with you that stress and MC/LC go hand in hand. I have started off the new school year with a great attitude, am sleeping well, taking care of myself and WOW, do I feel good! Take care of yourself!

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:17 am

Hi Marliss,

You seem to have done an excellent job of assessing the problem, and you're right — when there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all that is expected of us, it's our own health that suffers first, followed by our commitments/obligations to our loved ones.

I completely agree that ultimately, stress is the primary engine that drives autoimmune diseases, and the deterioration of not only our health, but our appreciation and enjoyment of life in general. And obviously, the less time we have to devote to controlling stress, the more formidable it becomes, and the more it tends to control our life.

In many ways though, staying busy can help to keep our mind from dwelling unnecessarily on issues that might contribute to the type of chronic stress that can be so harmful to our health. The trick may be to find a way to perceive the time-consuming work as therapy, rather than as a source of stress.

You've apparently always been a self-starter, and an innovator, so I have no doubt that you will find a way to sort your priorities in a way that will not only allow you to regain control of your health, but boost it to a new level.

Take care of yourself Marliss. Your health is important not only to everyone around you, but to everyone here, as well.

Tex

UkuleleLady · Post by **UkuleleLady** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:27 am

I am praying for you, dear cousin! :D I could not agree more with your and Tex's assertion that stress is disastrous to us.

My husband and I are setting aside 15 minutes to meditate daily and after months of this, I'm starting to see some benefits. All throughout the day I am repeating affirmations such as "all is well" and "my thoughts are calm, peaceful, and centered".

I got these from Louise Hay (Heal your Body book), but beyond any quantum effects they may or not have, I believe that hearing these thoughts in my head serves as a reminder to un-brace my shoulders, soften my belly and just be and let be. A very different approach for me.

I am sending you lots of love and positive thoughts, Marliss, as well as all of us who are struggling with this disease (and others).

I hope you start feeling better soon.

Nancy

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:19 pm

Marliss,

It sounds like you are carrying quite a load right now. I will send prayers your way and hope that you can manage the stress.

Gloria

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:03 pm

Marliss,
I am so sorry to hear about your levels of stress. Why is it so hard to be diligent about taking about the meds that make us feel better? So weird that we sabotage ourselves KNOWINGLY.

I hope you get it under control and manage all you need to do.

Many, many hugs!

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 11:50 pm

Awww, thanks you guys. :bigbighug:

And thank you especially, Tex, for your encouragement. You seem to always know just what to say.

I went back to the naturopath on Monday and she dropped the dose of Isocort for my adrenal glands in half mainly because of how jumpy I've been feeling and my soaring blood pressure. I feel calmer a great deal of the time, which is good. I checked my thyroid, and my FT3 and FT4 are in range now instead of way too high, so that's good, too.

The bad news is that my gut is raging. So I'm going to go back to the beginning--chicken, broth, stewed carrots, maybe some apple sauce. The good thing about that is that it's a tried-and-true formula for figuring out what's up. Hopefully it is food and not a supplement.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:22 pm

Hope you begin to feel better soon and the basic diet quiets your tummy. When stress is added to the mix, that little bit of cheese, cup of ice cream can wreak havoc. I cheat with Parmesan cheese and chocolate.

Sending out healing thoughts, Marliss.

Sheila W

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:31 pm

Big hugs for you Marliss, you're in my prayers. I'm taking more supplements than I ever have but I hope it gets me to a better place. Sometimes it's almost comical trying to think if I missed one. Of course, they're not all taken the same way everyday so your list on the cupboard door makes perfect sense.

Right now, my cheaters are high histamine foods and Lara bars. They all may be ok but then again maybe not.

janet · Post by **janet** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:45 pm

OH DEAR MARLISS, I KNOW ITS SO VERY HARD TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF OR PUT YOURSELF FIRST,OR EVEN OFFER UP A PRAY FOR YOURSELF.SO I WILL OFFER ONE UP FOR YOU.
YES I DO AGREE STRESS IS A BIG FACTOR IN MC.
BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT? I WAS ALWAYS KEEPING TOO MANY BALLS IN THE AIR IN MY YOUNGER DAYS (AM NOW 75 YRS) TRYING TO PLEASED EVERYONE, KEEP THE PEACE, CHASING MONEY,
WORKING, COOKING CLEANING, AND PROUD TO TELL EVERYONE I HAD HIGH STANDARDS.
WELL WHAT A PHONEY I WAS, REALLY THIS IS SO TRUE IN THE END WHEN WE RETIRE WE ARE ALL THE SAME, ALL IN THE SAME BOAT TOGETHER.

IT REALLY NEVER MATTERED. NOW IS THE TIME, TODAY AND ALL OUR TOMORROWS.

IF THIS IS AWFUL ADVICE, I'M SORRY. I'M STILL YOUNG ENOUGH TO MAKE MISTAKES, AND OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE MORE SENSE.
GOD BLESS YOU MARLISS.

MARIE

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:48 pm

Janet, that is excellent advice! At 42 I'm learning the same lesson.

JeanIrene · Post by **JeanIrene** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:45 am

Marliss, I'm sending prayers and good thoughts your way, too. Hope things improve soon.

Jean

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 1:25 pm

Dear Marliss,
Stress is not a good place to be for those of us with LC and I for one am sick of people telling me, "water off a ducks back". No water rolls easily off my back and I am probably already knee deep in water anyway.
Since you mentioned apple sauce, I wanted to share how I make applesauce in my crock pot, no sugar added.
6 cups apples, peeled, sliced
1 cup water
optional: cinnamon, nutmeg (I put a cinnamon stick in and take it out at the end but some people are seriously allergic to cinnamon)
Put into slow cooker on high 4-5 hours or until apples are soft. (You can pulse in food processor if you want a more smooth consistency but I don't). Makes about 3 cups, and will store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Feel better soon,
Cory

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:07 pm

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes, everyone! You are tops in my book!! :bigbighug:

Thanks for the recipe, Cory! Sounds really good, and I bet it makes the house smell great! By the way... I keep meaning to tell you that you look wonderful for 60. I hope I look as well as you do.