Headaches Suck!

I have to put my quest for calm legs and a slim waist to find the culprit behind these headaches.

I used to get blinding headaches a couple times a month and reasonable accepted them as being part of a girl. Two times a week not so much!

When I first moved to Ohio, I think that I had a constant sinus infection for the first two years. Back in 2002 (I was reminded Thursday, my memories not good) I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor for a different situation. Long story short, I went to a different one down in Florida and also found out that my nasal passages are not big enough. I was put on a very strong anti-biotic and have done very well until just about the past year.

What I am experiencing now is not the same thing so I am a little unsure of what to think. It starts out in many different ways and ends the same way. Blood shot eyes barely able to see, waves of nausea and extremely painful stabs that are almost constantly moving through my neck and head, usually on the right side only.

If I can find some relief, it is only lasting as long as I am very calm and quiet. No loud noises, bright lights, excitement and plenty of food for random munching in between the nausea. OK, your thinking Migraines, right. So did the E.N.T. that I just went to. Next OK. I took the medicine that he prescribed at 3:30 this morning and when that did absolutely nothing, I tried some good old Sudafed PE at around 11:00am. Nothing. So, now what? Is it a migraine if the migraine meds do nothing to help?

So it's now 11:06pm and I did find something that helped. Not perfect but I can see and I am famished. Don't laugh but I stood in a hot shower with a bag of ice on my head. I was going down to the hot tub however, it is a Saturday and the pool room was filled with at least 20 screaming little girls. Not exactly a headaches best friend. :0( As long as I remain still, I feel pretty decent. Every time this hotel heater kicks on I think I have a little set back. I know what you may be thinking, but if the headaches always started with the hotel heater I would call that the culprit.

Does anyone out there feel my pain?

Fibromyalgia And It's Many Faces

Wow! I just learned something new that I have to share.



Sometimes if I move to quickly or pick something up off of the floor I feel lightheaded. I have not passed out from it however, I have felt close. Then there are times when I am "minding my own business" and the world starts to spin around me. And, I am not talking about the Earths rotation. It's more like the Teacups at Disney!



According to Daryl Johnson at http://firbromyalgiadiet.wordpress.com/, dizziness is another symptom of the disease. One would have thought that my Rheumatologist would have told me. Of course when I first told my general physician that my legs were "jumpy", he looked at me like I was crazy. Now, it's common knowledge even if a lot of people think we're crazy.



Thanks Mr. Johnson. I'll let the doctor know...

Snack Time March 23rd

I needed a snack in between posting and since I the post is about the Raw Food Diet, I thought I should make it a good one.

Beefsteak tomato slices with herbed goat cheese wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves. Hot tea and a chocolate.

I actually think it wasn't a "perfect" combination but it certainly tasted good and I just started the book yesterday. Sorry but I forgot to take a picture before I ate it so here's a picture of some romaine lettuce.

Mangosteen Is Still An Unsure For Me

Well, I appologize however, I have no idea what to tell you. I am out of my Mangosteen juice and I am not sure if I should have ordered more or not. I have heard a lot of good things about this juice from alot of people. I am of course a "want to see it now" kind of girl. I do believe that this fruit could heal since it is provided directly from God for us to eat.

Each fruit has different properties and Mangosteen holds the good stuff. I really want to take it further though. I need to find a way that I can take it on the go too and this juice is not the solution for a flight attendant since it needs to remain refrigerated. I seem to suffer a set back when I wasn't able to drink it for 4 days in a row. I did see a difference in the beginning when I had a lot of days off. Is it all in my head? Is it possible that my legs didn't shake until later at night? I think not.

You'll need to decide for yourself.

I want to stick with the fruits and vegetables that I love and that I can include my whole family in. I just borrowed a book from the library, Raw Food Life Force Energy by Natalia Rose.

Next.

Chinese Herbs and Kidney Failure

I believe that through God and his bounty, including fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers we will be healed. However, God also gave us our own intelligence. Through this intelligence we have doctors and scientist that can best research and learn about these things. It is important that you study what you are putting in to your body in order to keep yourself healthy.

Scientist is England have discovered that certain Chinese herbs have resulted in Kidney failure in two cases involving women. Anything that is written on this blogsite is meant to offer a further look in to what is being tried to assist in the recovery or better health in a certain situation and in no way is my own findings. Please be sure to check with your doctor and be safe.

Read report.

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and Chinese Herb Study

• Introduction: The purpose of this limited study was to determine the benefits, if any, of using herbal preparations traditionally used for adrenal support and toning in the treatment of a steroid-dependent client diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It was not my intent to replace or supplant standard allopathic treatment but rather to use herbs to support it. Using the frequency and severity of observed symptoms during the course of treatment I hoped to determine:
  
• If herbal support could play a role in reducing dependence on cortico-steroids
  
• If herbal support could adequately address the symptoms that frequently result in an increase of cortico-steroid dosage Background:Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (henceforth referred to as S.L.E.) is a multi-symptom, multi-organ connective tissue disease that primarily affects women of child-bearing age. SLE tends to run in families with l0% of sufferers reporting additional affected family members. It is l0 times more likely to afflict women than men and black women are at much greater risk than white women (l in 1000 for white women vs. 1 in 250 for black women). The reasons for this statistical difference are as enigmatic as the disease process itself. While no specific causative agent has been identified, the triggering of symptoms is thought to be multifactorial, with the following playing a part in the overall disease picture:
  
• genetics
• environmental factors
• immunologic response patterns

It is a disease that frequently alludes early diagnosis, hiding behind multiple vague symptoms that are easily explained away by both patient and health practitioner alike. While its presence is generally heralded by an acute flare-up of non-deforming arthritis in one or more joints, it can strike any organ in a variety of complex and sometimes baffling symptomatology.Diagnosis is made based upon observed symptoms and histological evidence of increased auto-immunological changes in the blood (i.e. increased FANA levels, increased T cell count, etc.). Prognosis for those afflicted with SLE varies greatly depending on the severity of the auto-immune response by the body and the organs afflicted, with most fatalities occurring as a result of acute kidney failure. It is a disease that can creep through the body for many years doing little more than disrupt normal activity or it can move with devastating speed, destroying vital organ tissues in the process.
The advent of modern corticosteroids (ie...prednisone, cortisone, et al...) has done much to improve and prolong the life of the average SLE sufferer. In the late l950's the expected life expectancy after diagnosis averaged 5 years, today's treatment regimens allow patients to survive in access of l0 years after diagnosis, with many achieving normal life spans. However, these potent pharmaceuticals are not without their drawbacks. Prolonged corticosteroid use, such as is employed in the treatment of advanced manifestations of SLE, frequently results in adrenal atrophy and immunological suppression of the body's defenses. Additionally, its long term usage frequently results in a variety of unpleasant side-effects including:

• mood swings
• depression
• generalized edema of body and face
• redistribution of body fat to the abdomen
• weight gain
• lethargy

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by the illness itself, which only adds to the health care professional's treatment dilemma.

Click here to read the full study and results.

Camping In the Summertime

Michael is already talking about

"When we go camping again...".
As long as I have somthing for him to do and/or an electrical
outlet, I am good to go. Oh yeah, and a comfy bed, toilet and food.

Give me a break, I just took a fun test that said I am a city yuppie!
I forgot the heat/air-conditioning too. A good book and did I mention
food? It would be more fun if I could ride a bike but anyone who
knows me knows that anything involving athletics is scary.

It's 2:10 and the Dogs Are Still: Mangosteen

I have had my juice for two days now. I definitely think there's a difference. Whereas yesterday I was ready to run before ten in the morning, I still feel great. I am getting ready to go to the gym now because I am still tired. I think that's from the new "don't freak out on my family" meds the doctor prescribed on my last visit. :) That is a whole different post.

Or is it....

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Sleep

BASICS:
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurologic sensorimotor disorder that is characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs when they are at rest. The urge to move the legs is usually, but not always, accompanied by unpleasant sensations. It is less common but possible to have RLS symptoms in the arms, face, torso, and genital region. RLS symptoms occur during inactivity and they are temporarily relieved by movement or pressure. Symptoms of RLS are most severe in the evening and nighttime hours and can profoundly disrupt a patient's sleep and daily life.

RLS affects approximately 10% of adults in the U.S. Researchers believe that RLS is commonly unrecognized or misdiagnosed as insomnia or other neurological, muscular or orthopedic condition. RLS may also be confused with depression. According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, approximately 40% of people with RLS complain of symptoms that would indicate depression if assessed without knowledge or consideration of a sleep disorder.


RLS runs in families and may have a genetic component. In a recent study, the first RLS gene was discovered and was shown to account for approximately 50% of RLS cases. However, the researchers who identified the RLS gene cautioned that having it does not guarantee RLS. Rather, there are likely to be medical, environmental or other factors involved in translating RLS genetic susceptibility into RLS symptoms. Another recent RLS study also found that a genetic variant may account for about half of RLS cases and revealed an association between RLS and a gene for limb development, suggesting the possibility that RLS has components of a developmental disorder.

Read More...

It's Official on the RLS Front

OK, wow! I think that I figured something big out.

Remember how I said that I was excited about the fact that I went from needing my Requip earlier and earlier? Maybe I didn't but it's true. I usually take it with my 8:00 pm meds because it does make me tired. I try not to take it at work until I get to the hotel at night because I was about passing out on the passengers.

I read how the Mangosteen juice has been shown to help with Restless Leg Syndrome, so I bought osme immediately. It took a few days but sure enough I went from needing the RLS medicine sometimes as early as 4pm to as late as midnight. (I never got up the nerve to skip it and hope that I didn't wake up jumping like a fish.)

Well, I was just at work for four days without the "stuff" (my juice) and I have something to report. It didn't register until this morning about half an hour ago when my right leg started to rev up. Two nights ago, I needed to take the Requip at about 10:30pm, last night at 8:30pm and this morning, 10:00am! I am off all week so I will get back on the program and let you know if it was a coincidence but that's pretty strange. Don't you think???

New shoes, Please.

I am currently in the middle of a four day trip and I wore the wrong shoes. Day 3 is today and I think I will throw them away when I get home. Sorry Mom, they are the super cute black flats that you bought me but they are just too big.

I put them on my feet on Friday because they were upstairs and I had my hands full. I figured, "Hey, they are shoes. What better way to carry them down the stairs then to put them on"? I was suppose to take them off when I got down there and put on my flight attendant shoes. Oops.

I was half way to the airport before I realized and was not going back. Of course this is not like forgetting my watch where you can walk into any airport convenience store and pick up a cheap $9.99 version.

The first day, I take a step up onto the employee bus and my right shoe decides to stay behind. I stepped right out of it. Luckily someone picks up the shoe and puts it on the step for me to put back on. And, this only happens two more times so far in the last three days. Tonight, though, my arches are cramped and my legs hurt. Could be the 25 minutes on the elliptical yesterday but I blame the shoes.

Mangosteen Update..I lost count already.

I am not even sure what day it is let alone how many days it has been since I started drinking the Stuff. Obviously, the Mangosteen fruit does nothing for the memory. I have been really tired again too. Like a really annoying tired.

Roller-coaster tired.

One minute, I am fine and the next, I want nothing more than to lay down. I lay down and I am wide awake. So, I get up only to be completly exhausted a few minutes later. This is probable attributed to the random sleep at varying hours. One of the hazards of being a flight attendant is that without careful planning, the trips never start or end at the same time.

One thing that is a definite is that I have not needed my Requip for up to four hours later than usual. Bonus. That alone is worth it. I keep forgetting to not take my blood pressure meds and monitor it to see if that has improved again. I was off of all of it for a while so I am not afraid to try it again.

I do have a doctors appointment with my Nephrologist (kidney) on the 17th of this month so I will be able to check my levels properly then.

The Shackles Video Is For My Friend

Hello everyone. I have a friend who is suffering with a brain tumor right now. Another blog that I have is one for Flight Attendants (my career) so that we can keep up to date with each other. Yesterday, I wrote a post for my friend Rema. Since then, I have heard one of my favorite songs twice.

I heard Mary J. Blige's song, Shackles first on a video on twitterBREAK.com and then again on the Morning Show. I had to blog it of course and share it will all of you.

Have a blessed day!

Ugh...headaches. What are they?

It started on Saturday night and finally went away this morning.

A headache.

I thought that it was due to sinus problems. Or maybe the fact that I dusted and vacuumed the day before. Perhaps the moon set differently according to the headache website I just read. OK, time for a visit to the doctor.

What I do know is that when it starts either the back of my neck or my jaw starts to hurt. By the time it's full blown, the top front quandrant of my head including my forehead, eyes and jaw are so sore I can barely eat. My neck and shoulders are tense and sore. If I cannot lay down and sleep right away, I become pale as a ghost, usually vomit and can barely move.

This time, I took some Benedryl and slept for 14 hours so maaybe it is just allergies?

Have you suffered from a headache lately and what are your remedies?

Mangosteen Juice Review Update Day 6

It's about 10:00pm and I realized something important. I have not yet taken my Requip meds for Restless Leg Syndrome. For those of you who are sceptical about the whole "syndrome", I do believe that I make it worse when I think about it too much.

However, I cannot deny that the pill that I usually need sometimes as early as 4pm has been needed later and later over the last 3 days. On Monday, I didn't take it until 9:00pm. Tuesday, it was actually after 1:00am and last night, 11:30pm. On Tuesday, I was still working a flight to Newark, NJ and that's the time I went to bed. I actually couldn't even lay down for 20 minutes because my legs were pretty bad. Tonight, I really need to get to bed, so I will take it as soon as I finish here. 10:00pm is still very good progress.

Very excited!

Chinese Takeout

I am not sure that I have ever been so excited about chinese takeout but yeah it's here.

I really do like those SpecialK protein bars but they do not last long enough to procrastinate about lunch. I did get to workout today so I don't fell too bad about the egg roll I am about to eat. In my defense, I did order roast pork with vegetables and steamed rice. That's good, right?

I am very disappointed that I have not had my Mangosteen since Monday though. Tonight I will get back on track.

Here is the Video of the Mangosteen Juice Product as Promised

Here is a short video of Adam's 100% Mangosteen juice that I promised. This way you can see for yourself exactly what it looks like. As you will see, it is quite thick. I was a little turned off by how thick it was when I first poured it however, how bad could it be. Right? Take a deep breath and down it goes. Hey, not bad. Not bad at all. I appologize for how shaky I am but I left that in so I can check that too. Do you think this stuff will cure the shakes? Oh yeah, and that's Michael in the back ground screaming Mom.

The product is made with both the fruit and dried rind of the fruit. So, there is a little bit of a grit if you really move it around your mouth. If this bothers you then simply drink it as a tonic and not a juice. I am going for benefit here and the good taste is simply a nice surprise and the possibility of feeling a gritty rind is not a big deal. My goal is to feel better and stop the need for some of my medications. I have not tried this sooner because I thought I couldn't afford it. Then I added up my prescription costs each month.

God's bounty is always better than man made pharmiceudicals if it can be helped.