Two Health Victories

The health saga continues. I have two notable victories to share since last time I posted. The first is that I started seeing my chiropractor again. This isn't necessarily earth-shattering in itself, but he got a table that's quite amazing. It's called the CERAGEM-RH. You lay on your back on top of it and it has rollers that travel up and down either side of your spine along with infrared heat. Although the first couple half-hour treatments were painful since my back was so tight and I have next to no natural padding, I can already tell some health benefits after only three sessions. My posture is improving and my back seems both a bit stronger and more mobile. Most importantly though, my ribcage pivots like it is supposed to; before it wouldn't expand much (if at all) when I breathed deeply. It was kind of like trying to blow up a balloon inside a steel cage rather than in free air - I could breathe in to a certain point but it just wouldn't go anymore. That sensation is now gone.

The second victory is something quite simplistic. Some supplements actually work. I have been consistently taking a multivitamin, a probiotic supplement, and cod liver oil for the past week and a half and have noticed a marked improvement in my digestion. I haven't notably changed my diet, sleep pattern, or started making incantations in that time so I'm pretty darn sure that the supplements are doing it. Along with improved digestion has come, I believe, improved absorption - I have gained two or three pounds since my lowest.

The upshot of all the above is that generally, over the last week, I feel like my health has been improving. Yesterday I took a walk at a pretty good clip and my stamina held out for the nearly hour I was out. I have energy to do more than just sit around. Unfortunately, I was a bad boy last night and most of today and ate way too many nasty inflammatory foods (pizza, ice cream, pancakes, mac & cheese, creme brulee) so when I went for my walk today I was rather wheezy and didn't make it nearly as far in as good condition. It was a fruitful experience though; it reminded me of the cost of eating bad stuff.

Long-Term Treatment

As of today, I finished the IV antibiotics and started the nebulized (inhaled) antibiotics, which will be a long-term thing. I finish the oral antibiotics Friday. The intent is that whatever the IV and oral didn't kill off, the nebulizer will keep suppressed. I am, quite honestly, glad to be done with both the oral and the IV antibiotics. The oral are starting to bother my stomach and the PICC line is often itchy. I feel much better than a month ago and can only hope that the nebulizer does the trick.

On another note, I did a bit of Googling and discovered that Vita-Mix offers a medical needs program. I called to confirm and found that it was indeed true - all you need is a note with affirmation of medical necessity from your doctor. Considering I've lost 1/3 of my body weight since I was "healthy," I certainly think I qualify, and my immunologist agreed to write the note for me. Some might wonder if a Vita-Mix is simply overpriced hype. I was certainly skeptical until I used my grandma's. It blew every other blender out of the water - and it's about 20 years old. When I made smoothies, it even pulverized the berry seeds (which unlocks the nutrients within). I'm confident that it will be a big help toward returning to a healthy weight.

I've been a slacker and haven't kept a dietary journal. I'll start this week.

Health Update 06-09-2009

Last weekend was pretty good. I ate pretty well, felt decent most of the time, got enough rest, and caught up with a couple friends. I had my monthly IVIG infusion on Friday, which didn't knock me out as badly as it usually does. However, I have been feeling lousy the last couple days - tired, very congested, and generally kind of fuzzy in the brain. I've been staying home from work to rest but really feel like I need to get back. I'm still taking all the supplements and sticking to the Maker's Diet. I'm going to try to cut out ALL dairy, including goat and sheep, for the next couple weeks and see if that is indeed contributing to the congestion.

Health Update 5/19/09

Note: This post has been date-adjusted to fall on schedule. It was actually composed on 5/21/09.

Not a whole lot to report from last week. My lungs still seem compromised - I cough up a lot of stuff in the morning but it calms down after a couple hours. Since I've been on this round of antibiotics for 2 weeks (and other stuff for quite a while before then) and nothing should have survived this long, I'm wondering if this might not be one of a few things:

• My body is confused and the mucus production is an erratic immune response
• The Oxymatrine is starting to have some effect and my body is attempting to rid itself of the virus that my infectious disease doctor believes I am harboring (and have been for some time)
• The copious amount of goat/sheep dairy that I am consuming is actually more mucus-producing than I have been led to believe
• Some combination of the above

I am not getting better by leaps and bounds but I am definitely not getting worse so there is some hope. I have been very busy the last week and haven't been to the gym since last Monday.

Riding my motorcycle is doing me some good. The psychological boost alone from doing something I had missed for the last year has been great. It gives me a time of tranquility and reflection every morning and afternoon. Also, my back and neck feel a bit more limber than usual.

Pulmonary relief?

A few weeks ago, I was in pretty bad shape so I went to my pulmonary doctor. I was put on antibiotics for a couple weeks, some tests were ordered, and the doctor recommended some respiratory therapy. I also started The Maker's Diet around the same time. I didn't feel 100% at the end of the antibiotics but the lab has been slow in getting results. I have not been great the last week or so but have discovered a few key things:

• The therapy is helpful. It includes oxygen, a nebulizer with albuterol (a broncho-dilator), and something called "The Vest" which vibrates your chest cavity - theoretically knocking phlegm loose from where it may be stuck. I did all 3 in concert this morning (I just received training on The Vest last night) and felt better upon coming to work than I have in a while.
• I eat improperly on weekends. It's not so much that I deviate from my diet; it's the fact that I sleep in too late and get my schedule all messed up and usually don't eat enough to keep me going. With so little reserves, this is a bad deal.
• Exercise is really important. If I intentionally push myself for half an hour or more, I can tell a difference in how I feel for the rest of the evening after a workout. Weekends usually sabotage this too in regards to schedule.
• Kefir and yogurt, specifically goat-derived, are incredibly good for the gut and quite tasty, especially with some puréed berries mixed in. In general, The Maker's Diet has been helping. If nothing else, my appetite is much improved.