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Hi ladies,
I recently celebrated my 1 year anniversary being a patient of Dr. B. I actually had planned on writing a "then vs. now" about my progress but life has just been incredibly too busy. So, hopefully now that I have some time, I thought start on where I've been and where I am now, 1 year later. I know that I've dropped off the forum. Its not by choice, I do check it periodically, work and home life has keep me so crazy busy.
The past few months have been challenging in that the psioriassis on my neck has grown drastically. During my last call with Dr. B, she advised that I may need to see a dermatologist as the changes to my protocol, topical treatment and the fact that it has grown so much may need more attention. I was bummed to hear this but I suspected this was coming. Its not to say that she will not help me, its more to see if I may need to go on an antibiotic to fight this issue. The thought of going on an antibiotic really scares me. But, she said she will help me through this. The constant itchiness of my skin has worsened this issue, as its spread it further down my back. UGH! Its constant itchiness even when I sleep. So, I went to my primary care physician, she was incredibly open to the fact that I'm being treated by Dr. B. It was a breath of fresh air that she was open minded. I hadnt seen her in 1 full year and she was genuinely happy with the progress that I've made with Dr. B. She gave me the referrall and after waiting 2 weeks to get the medical docs approved, I wont, however, be seen by a dermatologist until Dec 6. Oh, joy! I have to try to stop and think before I scratch my back/neck. Its become extremely obsessive. My primary care physician wants to do a biopsy to see if its Lichen Simplex. I dont want to get a biopsy with a local anesthesia for fear of blader pain/burning and regressing. I dont care what its called, I just want my skin to start to heal.. But, reading about Lichen Simplex and Psioriassis, its all atributed to my favorite.... S-T-R-E-S-S. yep, my constant and never ending trigger. I stress about everything. I somehow have to deal with this demon as now its invading my skin. Luckily, this skin issue is covered by my long hair. But, when I give tours at work, I have to wear a hair net which results in showing my neck.. then I'm embarrassed because now its visible.
Aside from that, I'm back on my regular protocol after having switched to other supplements for the skin issue, which my bladder did not like (Formula 49, Gan Mao and I cant recall the other one). Up until this point, I have been very fortunate that I've tolerated all new supplements very well. However,, this time around, being off my "regular protocol" for about a month in August really made me regress completely. I lost 5 lbs and back down to 119, my IBS/soft loose stools came back, anxiety came back, you name it. So I asked Dr. B to go back to my standard and after about a day, I felt back to a normal functioning person with minor level 1-2 pain.
Sleeping: This has been a challenge but I think more caused by me. Working FT and being a mom & wife, my only down time has been at night and I got hooked on a TV series for about 2 months. Thank good ness that is over and I hope that my ritual of waking up in the middle of the night to catch an episode on Netflix is over. Yes, obsessive, I know! Yet, I was able to sleep a whopping 7 hours straight last night. Very cool.
Skin: I started using jojoba oil on my body in August. I broke out into a contast itchiness and tiny bumps all over. This lasted for about a month until I goodled side effects of jojoba. Sure enough, I do believe that my body just couldnt take the daily use of jojoba. So, I switched to DR. B's lotions.
List 3: I have been on #3 since about March. I dont cheat on the diet for fear of burning bladder pain. But, I have been eating too many potato chips. My period (which is now normal, YAY), came in a week earlier and sure enough, I knew it was coming so I bought a BIG bag of chips. I devoured it in 2 days. I know, its down to once a month of craving these darn chips and woofing them down. Not healthy but my only junk I can eat. I'm OK with what I eat, going to try spinach again to see if I tolerate it w/o frequency and burning. Keeping my fingers crossed. I could try List 4 veggies but I'm holding off.
Pain: When I over-exert myself or dont sleep well, then I tend to get sore legs, weak knees and pelvic pain which for the longest time I felt its like in my ovaries, I see the pattern now is lack of enough sleep attributes to these type of pains. It will last the entire next day and I'm OK the following day. But its been constant.
Depression/Anxiety: Unless I'm having a stressful day, the anxiety has decreased dramatically. I emphathize with so many of you who are new and the depression & anxiety takes over your life. I was there. It was a very dark place for me in my life. Its something I dont ever want to experience ever again. Please know that you will get better. Take those daily baby steps and think positive. Pray, meditate, reach out on this site, whatever you need to do. Try to surround yourself with a support group like this site, it can be your life line of getting through some really crappy moments when the pain makes you think of things that you never thought you would.
Sex/Vulvodynia: Well, this area has not improved for me. Dr B has re-assured me that it will in time, that I need to focus on my skin issues first and then can move towards this next big issue. I have faith in her that she can help.
I'm hoping my update will give those some inspiration to continue on. I'm not 100% better, I didnt expect to be in 1 year, but I'm functioning for the most part rather normally. Try to really hone in on what your body is feeling, read carefully what its trying to tell you when you try new foods. For example, three weeks ago I drizzed EVOO on pasta thinking it was OK. Well, later I read that extra Virgin OO is for later down the list. Boy, not fun to feel those side effects!
I will try and write more often. However, I do think of you all quite often, especially those that are new and may fear that this protocol does not work. It does! Just need to be patient.
Adrianne
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing Tommygurl :)
THank you
For your update! It really helps a newcomer like me. I am in a lot of pain tonight :(
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.