As My Joints Turn

I recently posted about my big diet change.  For about one month, I stuck to it like glue.  I had one cheat day that clocked in around 2200 calories, but overall, I stuck to my plan of 1200 calories or less.  I removed gluten, dairy, and salt.  I also limited carbs and sugar.  I was proud of myself.  My hope was to lose weight AND to see if any of my autoimmune arthritis symptoms would improve by a change in diet.  The first week, I did see a reduction in swelling.  I attributed that to the low/no salt.  By the second and third week, the swelling was back and the pain was still pretty high.  Regardless, I stuck to it.  Determined.  I’ve gained 30 pounds over the past few years due to lack of mobility and the use of prednisone for both pain/swelling and upper respiratory issues.  If I am being honest…..I treat my depression with food, too.  I was determined to get my life back on track and get healthier.

Then I went to see my rheumatologist.  I proudly got on the scale and guess what happened…..I gained 4 pounds.  GAINED. FOUR. POUNDS.  My heart cracked.  My rheumy  and I discussed other potential diets.  I’m going to crack open the Plant Paradox soon to see if removing lectins helps me reduce inflammation.  I left with a script for blood work, The Plant Paradox on my kindle, and a deflated ego.

I posted on facebook and so many people jumped in with suggestions.  I needed to get feedback from people but each one stung a bit, because again, I could only see my failure.   I didn’t start this diet willy nilly.  I met with a nutritionist and weighed the options of meal replacements vs. other diets.  I seldom do anything for my health without thinking about it long and hard.  So this diet was not a spur of the moment decision.  Finding out I gained weight got me thinking that my thyroid levels were off again.  That is a good excuse right?

Well, I got my blood work results back and guess what….I’m hypothyroid again.  You see I have a thyroid but due to Graves disease, I needed to “kill it” with radioactive iodine.  I’ve been fairly regulated for almost 20 years  with medication, but now the lovely menopause is wreaking havoc with my hormones.  Oh, and I’m also anemic.  So all the cards are falling into place as to why I am so tired all the time.  Why weight keeps packing on the pounds no matter what I do.  It’s all so depressing.

Living life with multiple illnesses criss-crossing is so exhausting.  I feel like I never have a good day.  I feel like I am losing myself in the non-stop chronic life ride.  How sad is it that blaming my thyroid for weight gain makes me feel better.  This little tiny organ can at times, make my life miserable.  It’s not my fault, right??  I put forth a solid effort only to come up short.  Today, I’m being miserable and sad.  In a day or two, I’ll refocus and try again.  This life is the eternal two steps forward and one step back.

Venting done…………

Photo credit:  Dr. Doni @ https://doctordoni.com/2014/05/how-well-is-my-thyroid-working/

Well, it’s been a week on the “get-healthy-by-removing-everything-you-love-from-your-diet” diet.  I’ve stuck to a reduced salt, low carb, low sodium and mostly gluten-free diet (I didn’t realize one of the meal bars I got had gluten and I had 2 over the past week).  Just to refresh, I decided to try a significant diet change to see if my symptoms from arthritis and fibromyalgia improved.  On Day 7, I’m not seeing a major change.  I have had a bit of a reduction in ankle swelling, but the pain is pretty awful.  I really hoped that by reducing the swelling would help to reduce pain.  Sadly, I now can feel just about every

Less swelling but more pain. Ugh….

bone in my foot because it aches.  Walking is still a major chore.  I’m not giving up on the diet even though I am semi-miserable without my favorite foods.  Wish me luck as I continue on in my quest to lose weight and help my ankle hate me a bit less.

On another note, I am in the process of writing a book called, “Making Lemonade”.  It’s about my journey with Georgia Grace and how her chronic illnesses changed my life in many ways.  After her recent life-threatening bout with bloat, I decided that I needed to get professional photos taken for the book cover sooner than later.  I didn’t know that the photographer would then write a blog to accompany some of the photos.  I have to say, my heart swelled a bit reading it.  My heart swells even more when I look at the photos.  Now I have to choose.  If you are in the Philadelphia area and are looking for a pet photographer,  check out Pet Imagery Lauren Kaplan Photography.  She is as amazing as her photos.  Also, check out her blog and let me know if you have a favorite photo!  I’m having a hard time choosing.  http://www.petimagery.com/new-session-favorites-georgia-grace-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-ridley-creek-park-pa/

I learned through the Chronic Illness Bloggers Network that a company was looking for bloggers to try out their new pain relief product.  I read about the device and decided I wanted to do a test trial.  Lucky for me, Saringer Life Science Techologies chose me to review their new contrast therapy device called Benepod.

I received the device, free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  I was so excited about this product that I felt the need to videotape my review.  Check it out!

In summary, I feel that Benepod is a great tool to use when you don’t want to use more pain relieving medication.  It is very calming to your pain receptors and thus, masks the feeling of pain.  The pain relief lasts long enough for me to complete other tasks and to fall asleep.

Pros:

• small and lightweight
• easy to use, requires no extras to use (no lotion, tape, etc),
• safe to touch (but do not leave it plugged in)
• does what it says and relieves pain/takes the edge off of pain,
• can be used with provided charger or a portable charging device
• automatic shut off after 20 minutes
• cost is $49.00 on Amazon.

Cons:

• Requires electricity to work which can make it inconvenient in some places
• shape (it doesn’t contour to certain places like elbows, so it can be awkward)
• you must hold it on your body (it does not attach and you have to move it around)
• it does make a noise, so it can be heard by others if you are using it in public.

Benepod is not a cure or a treatment, rather, it is a tool that you can use to help provide some temporary pain relief.  I recently had minor surgery that required stitches.  When the numbing wore off, I had a horrific burning sensation that caused a big fibromyalgia flare. I was in sad shape but could not take more pain medication.  I didn’t dare put the device near the stitches, but I used it up and down my arms to help with the fibromyalgia pain.  After 20 minutes, it took the edge off the pain. It was the only thing that helped me fall asleep that night.

Thank you to Benepod for giving me this device to trial.  I am a fan.

To learn more about Benepod, click here:  https://www.saringer.com

To purchase Benepod, click here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0784Y9KZK

In closing, please know that I was not paid for my review.  I did however, receive the Benepod device for free.  I would not recommend it if I didn’t find it helpful in my fight with chronic pain.  I consider it a good tool for temporary pain relief.

Today I was in a lot of pain.  My ankle and feet were so swollen that I could barely walk.  Each step I took felt like I was walking on a joints made of glass that shatter with each step I take. I try not to complain about my pain. I try to wave it off when people see me limp and ask if I am ok.  I try to focus on other stuff to avoid breaking down in tears.  I try not to wish that I was normal and healthy…..because I know that wish will never come true.

I no longer hold out hope that I will ever feel better.  I guess now, I just try to hope for a good day once in a while.

The swelling in my left foot is so bad that it has me worried.  I did some research and I am fairly certain that I have edema.  I am seeing my rheumatologist in 2 weeks and I decided to try some different things to see if I can clear up this swelling.  I can easily call my doctor, but I know the treatment will be prednisone.  Instead, I decided to go gluten and dairy free with no/low sodium and low carbs to see if a change in diet could help reduce my pain and swelling.  I am also wearing compression socks, taking short walks hourly, and keeping my leg elevated as much as possible.  So far, I’m seeing no improvement or change whatsoever.  Worst case scenario, there will be no change and I will have to cave and go on a dose of prednisone.  Best case scenario, I’ll lose weight while I begin to feel better.  Regardless, I figure it will give me some good data before seeing my rheumatologist.

Everyone claims gluten free makes you feel amazing.  This is my third round of  the gluten-free diet and honestly, it’s never done anything much for me.  When I tell gluten-free people that, I’m told “You must not be doing it right.” (Like I can’t figure out which items I am eating have gluten or not??)  I know people have good intentions, but it’s just so infuriating.  It makes me want to chow down on a big old bowl of gluten in front of them while wearing a shirt that says, “Gluten is my spirit animal”.

I’m so very tired of feeling grumpy because of pain.  I guess it’s time to be grumpy because I can’t eat my favorite foods!  LOL  So wish me luck as I try to feel better through a change in diet.

My health has not been the best lately.  Hoping to make some big changes soon to improve my health.  Just taking a moment to wish all a Happy Easter and Happy Passover….or if you don’t celebrate either, Happy Sunday!!  Wishing you the best from my furry family.

Milo, Jaxson, and Georgia Grace

Be well! xx