10 days later and feeling a bit better #fibro #naturopathicways

Figured it is a good time to post an update about my latest "experiment". It's amazing to say but I have been feeling a lot better, even though it's not even been 2 weeks since increasing the vitamin B complex and starting the "biotherapeutic drainage". Pain levels are down and energy has increased. I really realized this in passing reflection yesterday when I had a migraine coming on and noticed that it had been a bit since reaching for the trusty bottle of ibuprofen. Even with the humidity, I am not going out of my mind with exhaustion and pain. Yea sure, now that I am not on the needle and doing the seed rotation to balance my hormones, I am not looking forward to certain things that used to bring me to my knees in pain and tears. But, the ND was quick to respond to my e-mail to tell me what to take to reduce the pain for the cramps. I hope it keeps on the positive side. Better yet, I know it will because I want this to work and will do everything in my power to ensure that. Sure, following the anti-inflammatory diet to a T is not my idea of fun and took away a lot of foods that I do enjoy. A girl has got to do what a girl as got to do. I have had some "cheat days" but try to keep it up on a whole.

One thing about diet change is not necessarily the experimenting part of trying new foods but not wanting to spend money on foods that you may or may not like; not wanting to waste food or money, essentially. I talked with someone at the local market who sells gluten free veggie burgers (which also work very well crumbled onto salad), among other things.  She has a learning kitchen and I we were talking about this dilemma. It would be nice to not necessary learn how to cook the recipe but to learn about different ingredients and taste the ingredients and complete recipes. I could then take the recipes I liked and do it for myself at home without any waste. Once I get comfortable with the ingredients, I can change it up and have fun with it. However, having that initial start would be invaluable.

There are many things that are integral to whole health: finding the right practitioners, the right supplements and vitamins, the right foods, the right pacing style, and the right lifestyle. It is so incredibly important to keep it up and not to lose faith in oneself. When struck with an illness, it is way to easy to lose yourself. With confidence and the right frame of mind (and a good support group) anything is possible as long as you are willing to keep trying. I, for one, will keep with my experiments until I find the right balance that works for me.

A move from the conventional to the naturopathic #fibro #healing

It has been quite the fibro month plus all the regular life stuff. First of, I am extremely proud to say that it will be 8 weeks this upcoming Monday since the beginning of my latest experiment of no more marijuana. I have noticed a few things: clarity, way fewer migraines and headaches, and generally feel more in touch with myself. I am very happy to say that this trend will continue for a damn long time. In fact, I think I will officially pass on my paraphernalia, which I have only had a few months now. I have passed the test and can now be freed. It is an odd trick of the mind really, in order to have an easier time to quite, I didn't throw away what I had. Instead, I kept it in its hidden location, knowing that it was there. Knowing I could and that I don't works for me. I did this my first time around in 2007 as well. Here I am, nearly 6 years later, using the same (successful) technique. Damn, it feels good. Plus, with going to the gym once a week again, I am feeling stronger and have less upper back pain.

On the not so good side (I will get back to the good in a moment), I recently had a really bad flare. So much that I left work early last Wednesday as I was near tears in misery and pain, stayed home Thursday and worked from home Friday because I didn't have the energy to come in to work. On Thursday, I woke up to all 5 animals with me; they knew. I was very thankful to be surrounded by so much love as I was recovering. Prior to fully crashing, I felt like I was burning out. The awful thing about burning out is that once you go through one burnout, it is too easy to have another. Between the weather and many other factors in work and life, I was toast. This lead me to pursuing alternative methods: I booked a free 15 minute consultation with a naturopathic doctor.

There is a wonderful little health store in the city centre that I can easily get to by bus that has many resources. One day, I was talking with one of the girls and she suggested going to see the naturopathic doctor about hormonal imbalances. The doctor happens to work upstairs of the store. In the middle of my crash, I went to see her. Thankfully a friend of mine drove me to and from (even took me out to dinner, yay!). I had a good feeling from her and felt that she was really listening and could help me. So, I booked for a full hour consultation. I went there yesterday. It's like seeing a light, a glimmer of hope. Conventional medicine works for some but my body is so sensitive to most medications that I usually end up with the side effects rather than the benefits. Given how much pain and how much I have been in flares over the last 6 months, I had to do something. For the last week I have been thinking, "I don't want a cure, I want to heal". The difference between naturopathic medicine and conventional is that in naturopathic, the aim is to heal the person, not ail a singular disease or issue. As with most anyone with heal issues, there is usually more than one thing going wrong and it is all connected somehow. I need a wholesome approach to my health to feel better. With my own blessings and her support, I am embarking on a journey that I am sure will help me immensely now and in the future. We have started by cleansing the years of damage I have done to myself and work on getting me balanced again. I know I am on the right track, I can feel it.