My Food, Exercise and Symptom diary starts in January of 2017. I followed a personalized version of the Whole 30 diet and an Autoimmune diet. I completed two elimination protocols in 2017 and 2018. I followed a Psoriatic Arthritis Diet after those elimination protocols. In late 2019, after 9 months with Disseminated Zoster, I tried a 5-day fast and elimination diet under the care of a functional medicine doctor. I had disease flares in early 2020 and fasted briefly in January and February of 2020. I am not yet disease free but I am not on a biologic nor do I take a regular NSAID. I am motivated to continue working at this with the goal of reversing my disease. I also keep a detailed medication diary of the many medications and supplements I have tried.
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
I started making my own kombucha this month and absolutely LOVE the way it makes me feel. I am struggling with ice cream right now because I found an amazing caramel pecan chocolate flavor that is addicting. I discovered 2 foods that may be problematic for me. I had 2 bowls of popcorn on October 6th and the next day I had raging psoriasis. I was also drinking a lot of lemongrass tea because my lemongrass was flourishing in my garden. I was also using it in stir-fries. I needed to move it in my garden and after digging it out and moving it my arms had a solid red rash. I am deducing that if my SKIN reacts to lemongrass, possibly my GUT reacts to lemongrass. So I’m abstaining for a while. I have some kombucha that is flavored with lemongrass and I’ll let it sit for a while before introducing it again. The other food culprit is peppers. I can have them in small quantities but when I eat a lot of them, I notice psoriasis flare the next day. Overall though, my lichen planus is getting better and if I eat right, I can have some good days so I am getting more optimistic that I am able to control my disease with my diet. It just takes discipline!
September 2020
August 2020
The coronavirus has been good for me in some ways. The slower pace has allowed me to put my exercise routine first and I have grown so much stronger this summer. But the drinking that I started at the beginning of COVID is now out of control. I drink daily and because I am home (no driving required), I don’t worry about how much I am drinking. I crossed a line on August 6th. I had a couple glasses at book club but then came home & poured myself a bourbon while watching TV. At some point, I lost memories of the evening. Nothing special, just sitting at home watching TV. That freaked me out that I have so little self-control! So I stopped the alcohol again. It was so much easier this time. I didn’t stress about what to order at a restaurant or at a happy hour (yes I’ve had a few outdoor social events, even during COVID). I feel stronger, I’m getting more REM sleep, getting up earlier. Overall a huge life improvement. I hate that alcohol is such a prominent part of our social world. It’s awful for me.
July 2020
This may be a sign that I am feeling better. For the first time in about 2 years, I forgot to log my food for about 2 weeks. I have attempted to write in what I remember. The good news is that my psoriasis has mostly been in remission and my psoriatic arthritis is mild in my hands right now. I am swimming almost daily. My back still hurts but I think it is better. There are times that I feel strong! I notice when I’m lifting that I am using my abs more. My swimming technique has also changed and I am doing more work with my legs rather than all the work with my arms.
June 2020
I am in a bit of a rut. I am not feeling horrible, but I’m not feeling great either. The low back pain is always present. It is worst in the morning and on some days I can not bend over to pick up my shoes without holding on to a wall. I’ve added standup paddleboard to my repertoire for the summer and I am swimming in the lake, which is much more exhausting than the short laps I manage in the pool. My exercise has been pretty good this month and I think that’s why it feels like a rut. I expect to feel better than I do. I started some ab exercises that are focused on the upper part of my ab-where I am the weakest. I’m doing planks and push-ups, focusing on the hollow curve of my ab. They don’t seem to be helping though! My other problem is I hate the amount of alcohol I am drinking again. It’s so frustrating that I have no control over it!
May 2020
May has been a month of slow but steady improvements. It is possible the 3 new antioxidants from April helped. But two other efforts may be helping. I started pelvic floor physical therapy and on May 6th and 20th she tried dry needling the scar tissue around my vagina and I noticed immediate improvements during sex. The other big effort was I had a chance to try platelet rich plasma (PRP) because my functional medicine doctor was training his staff. I was only paying “cost” so I decided to take the risk in multiple areas. PRP has shown some improvement with lichen sclerosis so we did it in my vaginal area. She went ahead and did the procedure they do for the “O” shot but I’m not noticing a major libido boost. She also put some in the facet of L3, L4, L5 and my SI joint. AND, I decided to take the plunge & do an aesthetic version on my face. So far (2 weeks after procedure), the biggest improvement is in my back. She sent me home with an extra syringe and I used it on my anal psoriasis and hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids shrunk noticeably but I’m not sure it will last very long. I had a mild anal psoriasis flare within days after stopping. But, the Dessert Harvest’s Aloe Vera Gele’ tamed it within a day or two so I am back to no flare. Feeling better than I have in months!
April 2020
My doctor is starting me on 3 additional antioxidant supplements to see if they calm my immune system and the psoriasis flares. Coincidentally, the psoriasis calmed the first day I started the antioxidants. I can’t give the antioxidants credit for that improvement. My Inverse Psoriasis, PsA in my hands and low back pain were bad for the entire month.
March 2020
I ended February with out of town guests and my sister in town with her four kids, then immediately made 2 trips the first week of March. So I adjusted my diet to accommodate other people. It wasn’t awful but it wasn’t great either. I cheated a lot this month and gave in to my sweet cravings. Then May 12th I started with symptoms that were consistent with coronavirus (except the fever). I called my doctor and they said I should get tested, so I did. It was negative but the symptoms of this virus were very strange and not like any flu or cold symptoms I’ve ever experienced. My psoriasis just will not go away. I know part of the problem is that I keep eating dairy, sugar & occasional alcohol. Since my doctor doesn’t want me using the vitamin D ointment that helps my psoriasis, I decided to start back on some of my supplements to see if I can continue to heal my body from the inside out. Part of me still believes that the reason the psoriasis is so bad is that it was the first part of my autoimmune conditions so it will be the last thing I get rid of. I want to believe that my body is continuing to heal and that if I keep working at this that my body will eventually be strong enough to keep my immune system in check.
February 2020
February started with an amazing trip to Aspen, Colorado. I continued the Vitamin D cream on this trip and it kept the inverse psoriasis at bay even though I was allowing myself some alcohol each day. My alcohol use was nothing like the binge drinking of a year ago, but I was drinking daily and with most meals. I had an amazing hot chocolate drink that caused significant tooting (dairy) but I’m going to say it was worth the distress just once. When I returned, my doctor encouraged me to stop the Vitamin D cream because our goal was to deal with these symptoms from the inside out. My disease is caused by something in my digestive system and if we keep working at it we can heal me from the inside out. I hadn’t really realized it, but my psoriatic arthritis was mostly gone. February was a tough month because I had out of town guests from Feb 21-27 as well. I also ran out of PT sessions, so between that & my out of town guests my exercise routines diminshed and the low back/SI joint pain returned.
January 2020
I started January with a 3-day fast to get rid of the inverse psoriasis and it worked. The Physical Therapy was almost debilitating at first. They had me lay on a foam roller, not the type for rolling out myofascia but just a soft piece of foam that was meant to reset the curvature of my back. After 15-20 minutes of laying on it, I could barely move. They also put me on a machine that was meant to stretch out the space between my vertebrae. I also started doing a Pilates Mat class because I had a free month at a rock climbing gym. The instructor at that class was amazing and I am still planning to circle back to those classes. At first, all this exercise made me feel worse, but by the mid-January I was feeling stronger than ever. I had a trip to New Orleans January 17-20 and although I tried to eat gluten free, I am sure I got gluten in more than one meal. I also drank alcohol on this trip and as a consequence, my inverse psoriasis and lichen planus reared its ugly head. So I did a modified version of the fast January 21-26 where I eliminated meat and ate smaller amounts of food. This helped but it was not as effective as a complete fast. The lichen planus went away but the inverse psoriasis lingered in a mild form. I also read about and bought a vitamin D cream that was supposed to be effective on inverse psoriasis. I bought it and it cleared up my psoriasis immediately!
December 2019
I picked the worst time of year to do this extreme diet, but I ran out of options and hit a low point that gave me the courage to leap into this challenge. I added a week to my 21 day diet because the week of Thanksgiving was supposed to be my all vegetable week, which thankfully, my doctor realized was not a practical or realistic thing to ask. So I was able to eat turkey and vegetables the week of Thanksgiving and some baked apples with a oatmeal crumble on top. My vegetables only week was November 30th through December 5th and I realized I felt better that week! My back and muscle aches got worse before they got better while doing this diet. And I hurt in places where I had not previously struggled like my upper abdomen rib area in the front, below my breasts was so tight I could barely breath without hurting. I started physical therapy and begain reintroducing foods in the following order: Eggs, tomatoes, peppers (red bell, green, ancho, pasilla, guajill, jalepeno), pork, quinoa, rice. We’re pretty sure the quinoa caused my inverse psoriasis to return so I will keep quinoa out of my diet and try reintroducing it once I am completely clear of symptoms for a long period of time.
November 2019
Now that I know I no longer have Disseminated Zoster, I am motivated to tackle my symptoms from another angle. I’m seeing an allergist/immunologist-watch for updates. And I’m doing the craziest thing I have ever done. I am seeing a functional medicine doctor and tackling a very extreme diet that starts with a 5 day fast, 21 days on specific foods and then a gradual reintroduction of all the eliminated foods to identify my food triggers. I stopped all my medications and supplements and took some recommended by this doctor that focused on healing me from the inside out.
October 2019
Another month with no alcohol and not only do I not see a health improvement, I had 2 flares that I thought were my Disseminated Zoster. However, it turns out, it is something else, and no one knows what. On October 4th I started feeling very tired, sinus drainage, sore throat, headache, and by evening, noticed some spots on my tummy. I could not get in touch with my doctor so I self prescribed increasing my anti-virals, which caused the spots to clear up by about October 15th. The one change that may be responsible for the flare, is I started Sulfasalazine on September 28th. It should not have caused this flare, but just to be safe, I stopped it on October 7th. I was scheduled to get the shingles vaccine (delayed due to insurance) and was especially frustrated that I got this flare waiting on insurance and doctor approvals. I pushed on my doctors to let me know when I could get the vaccine. One doctor told me to wait 30 days, but I had the sense that his office said that without any real science to back up their position. So I asked 2 other doctors and they both said as long as there were no active lesions, that I could get the vaccine. So I got the vaccine on October 21st. I felt great the day after I got it (most people feel like they have the flu for a day or two) and was very hopeful that it would be a turning point. But, by October 28th I was starting another zoster flare. But this time, my doctor said I should get some of the bumps biopsied again. And to everyone’s amazement, they came back negative for Disseminated Zoster. That is good news (zoster is serious) and now opens the door to a lot more questions. My diet in October has not been great, but I have managed to remain OFF alcohol, which is a huge accomplishment.
I also saw a Gynecologic Oncologist this month to give me a recommendation on how to deal with the vaginal ulcer that wasn’t healing. I was not impressed with her recommendation that we cut out the ulcer area!
September 2019
I’m frustrated that I have not lost weight after 9 weeks of no alcohol. That affirms that there is something drastically wrong with the way I metabolize alcohol. I have definitely been eating more sweets. And ice cream has become a regular part of my diet while adjusting to no alcohol. I’m struggling with constant back pain right now and I’m theorizing that it is because of the extra 5-10 lbs of fat in my gut. My posture and everything has changed. I have no core strength so I seem to use my lower back when bending over. My next behavior adjustment will be to get rid of the sugar. I need to tackle removing all inflammatory foods again, including nightshades and see how I feel.
Just got my bloodwork back and my cholesterol is through the roof. So I’m starting another elimination diet effective immediately (9/26). Limiting my food intake to protein, vegetables and fruit. The only other possible explanation is I cut my Omega 3 supplements in half a while back. I will probably add that back too.
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 9-1 S, G | fruit, rice krispie bars | |
| romaine w coldcuts, tomatoes, cucumbers | ||
| G | shrimp, fried fish | |
| 9-2 | fruit, few bites of scrambled eggs | |
| green salad, chicken salad, tomatoes, squash, cucumber salad | ||
| D, S, G | grill chicken, okra, cheesy squash, tomatoes, peppers, peach cobbler | |
| 9-3 | granola bar | |
| salad, okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, chicken, | ||
| S,D | DQ blizzard w peanut butter & chocolate | |
| phyllo wrapped spinach, spinach phyllo square, chips & artichoke/spinach dip | CBD .5 of Blyss | |
| 9-4 | Smoothie-blackberry, strawberry, mango, spinach, oatmeal, tumeric, grapefruit juice, 9g collagen | L Glutamine |
| 5 okra, 2 peppers, 1 tomato, 1 small onion, 2 garlic, 1 chicken thigh | ||
| mint choc chip ice cream | ||
| G, S, | pizza, pasta, sausage, tiramisu, cannoli, ginger beer | CBD .5 of Blyss |
| 9-5 | smoothie-fruit, 9g collagen, oatmeal, tumeric, grapefruit juice | |
| chicken thigh, okra, squash, tomato, spinach | ||
| S,D | ice cream | |
| S | small portion beef & veggies, milky way candy | |
| salmon, okra, squash | CBD .5 of Blyss | |
| 9-6 | 4 or 5 coffees | CBD .5 of Blyss |
| G,S | half veggie wrap, bbq Vickie’s chips, Smore’s cookie | |
| Loaded large serving of nacho’s | ||
| 9-7 | 4-5 coffees | |
| D, S | Salmon, squash, okra, onion, ice cream | |
| .25A, G | 2 chicken legs, foie gras on bread, pate’ in bread, small sip of wine | 1 ml CBD |
| 9-8 | gyro meat, greek salad, naan w oil, hummus | 1 ml CBD |
| S, D | ice cream | |
| tomatoes basil oil vinegar parm, chips w bean & cheese, 1/2 cantalope | cantalope gave me gas | |
| 9-9 | 4 small eggs, veggies-cauliflower, onion, pepper, squash, eggplant | Very low REM, .75 ml CBD |
| S, D | ice cream | |
| dove ravioli-pine nuts parlsey parm, squash w onion & peppers, okra | .25 CBD | |
| 9-10 | 4 small eggs, veggies-cauliflower, onion, pepper, squash, eggplant | Poor sleep, bad headache, 500mg valtrex |
| 2 protein or paleo bars | ||
| celery w hummus, almond butter, & almond butter on bread | dose of nano cbd in store | |
| salmon, dove ravioli, okra, squash | ||
| 9-11 | bacon egg taco | 1/2 ml nano cbd, l glultamine, 500mg valtrex |
| enchilada, rice beans at school | ||
| S | 7 lindt chocolates spread out over afternoon | |
| 4 dove ravioli w alfredo sauce, okra, squash, cauliflower | 1/2 ml (5mg) nano cbd | |
| 9-12, S, D, G | Corner bakery turkey avocado sandwich w chips, fruit & cookie | |
| S, D | 3 lindt chocolates, small serving salmon & squash eggplant pepper veggies, ice cream | |
| 9-13 | 2 coffee, nuts | bad headache, stiff for 2-3 hrs |
| 2 dove ravioli w alfredo, squash-eggplant-pepper mix, spinach, 9g collagen | 1/2 ml (5mg) nano cbd in morning & midday | |
| 2 fish tacos, 1/2 of 1 tortilla, salad | ||
| D, S | ice cream | |
| 9-14 | 2 coffee | 1/2 ml (5mg) nano cbd, mild headache |
| smoothie maybe, not much, then cantalope | ||
| nikki’s sashimi plate w rice & all the sides-ate lots | was weak from working outside | |
| 9-15 | coffee, egg avocado tomato | 1/2 ml (5mg) nano cbd morning & afternoon, headache |
| chicken leg, fried eggplant, squash | ||
| S,D | ice cream | |
| 9-16 | smoothie | headache |
| cream asparagus soup w tofu | ||
| few fried eggplant | ||
| 9-17 | Smoothie | headache when wake |
| salad chicken grilled veggies | ||
| yakisoba w pork | ||
| 9-18 | egg avocado tomato | headache when wake |
| S,D | ice cream | walked lots |
| s,d | 2 sushi rolls, ice cream | missed afternoon cbd dose |
| 9-19 | egg avocado tomato | headache & sinus congestion |
| S, D | soup from freezer? ice cream | |
| ate something b4 mtg, then veggies, & brownie, small candies during meeting | ||
| 9-20 | 2 protein bars, nuts | |
| 3A | 3 champagne, tempura asparagus, 1/4 eggplant sandwich, broccoli salad | massage, facial |
| 3A | hummus, naan, bread, charcuterie, paella, gin & tonic, Old Fashioned, gin cocktail | |
| 9-21 | eggs benedict | |
| S, G, 3A | 4 kinds of ravioli, red wine, french 75, macaroons | |
| 9-22 | eggs benedict over quinoa, cinnamon roll | |
| S, D | ribs, potatoes, broccoli, ice cream | |
| 9-23 | broccoli soup w pumpkin seeds, collagen | fasting bloodwork |
| D, S | ice cream | |
| S, D | riced cauliflower w onion, peppers, butternut, pork/venison shwarma balls, tahini sauce, ice cream | |
| 9-24 | oatmeal, craisins, honey, cookies | |
| S, D | ribs, potatoes, broccoli, ice cream | left side back pain but more in hip joint |
| 9-25 | cherries | |
| S,D | riced cauliflower w onion, peppers, butternut, pork/venison shwarma balls, tahini sauce, ice cream | left side back pain but more in hip joint |
| brussel sprouts, trout over lentils w pesto butter, nasturtium, scallop appy | xtra cbd dose b4 bed | |
| 9-26 | 3 coffee, riced cauliflower w onion, peppers, butternut, pork/venison shwarma balls, tahini sauce | felt better this morning |
| orange, trail mix | ||
| spinach bacon salad, 4 chunks chicken w pasta, 3 strawberries, blackberries, raspberries | walked, massage | |
| orange | ||
| 9-27 | 2 c coffee, rotisserie chicken leg & thigh, 2 c broccoli | left sinus congested, headache |
| pear w almond butter, 9 g collagen, ginger tumeric tea | 1 hr cycling glass | |
| 1A | 1 glass Cava, Burrata asparagus artichoke, beet appy, goat cheese, bread, Seabass w fried cauliflower | |
| 9-28 | 2 coffee, veggie saute-onion fennel carrot, 2 eggs, .25 avocado | |
| beef carpacio, snapper, carrot, bread, | wrist pain, R side back muscle pain | |
| 9-29 | 2 c coffee, rotisserie chicken leg & thigh, 2 c broccoli | |
| S | 4 lindt truffle balls | |
| lamb chop, broccoli carrot saute, spinach salad w bacon & onion | wrist pain, R side back muscle pain | |
| 9-30 | kale salad w bacon & onion | |
| 2 chicken wings, banana w almond butter | wrist pain, R side back muscle pain | |
| shwarma meatball w tahini, 1 zucchini, 10 shishito peppers | 50″ indoor cycle class | |
| S | 2 lindt balls |
August 2019
I stopped drinking alcohol August 1st. I read This Naked Mind by Annie Grace and am currently working through her other book, The Alcohol Experiment. Watch for my book review and detailed notes coming soon. I am thoroughly enjoying my alcohol freedom. My social experiences are so much richer without alcohol. I remember people and what we discussed. I absolutely love it. I am eating more sugar and for the moment, I’m not going to worry about that. I am also continuing to build my strengh by working out in some way almost every day. I have been doing pilates and swimming for most of July and August. But my classes are about to run out so I will be exploring other workout options by September.
- Aug 8-Aug 31 Reduced Valcyclovir to 250 mg. Will stay at this dose until I get my shingles vaccine.
- Only other problem is the vaginal ulcer is back, not going away and possibly even getting worse. Aug 19th ulcer burns very bad and was red up into the vaginal wall. Skin around the ulcer looks white, like lichen sclerosis, but biopsy ruled that out.
- Aug 22-26. Feel like I’m recovering from strenuous workout. Muscles all ache.
- Aug 25th. Wondering about the role of L-Glutamine. I inadvertently stopped using for about 2 weeks and my psoriasis has flared. Adding back & will log if I notice a difference.
- Aug 29th. Diagnosed Group B Strep in vagina. Starting Amoxicillin Aug 31st.
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 8-1 | 3 coffee, eggs, yogurt, granola | |
| 2 high protein bars | walked 6.5 miles | |
| S, D | 2 crab cakes, bites of shee-crab soup, green beans & bell peppers, ice cream | |
| 8-2 | 3 coffee, eggs, yogurt, granola | walked 5 miles |
| Thai Drunken Noodles with chicken, large portion | ||
| G, S | Naked Rainbow roll (from grocery store) and a cookie | |
| 8-3 | eggs, pancake, fiber ball, zucchini bread, oranges, grapes, blueberries | walked 5 miles |
| Amish pretzels, strawberries, Amish root beer | ||
| S,G | Amish meal-meat loaf, corn, cucumber, tomato, zucchini casserole, cake, pudding, peaches | |
| 8-4 | egg casserole, pancake, fiber ball, chocolate zucchini bread, oranges, grapes, blueberries | walked 6 miles, back starting to hurt end of day again |
| philly cheese steak over fries, onions, ketchup | ||
| 2 cookies | ||
| 8-5 | trail mix, 2 bars while traveling, lg starbucks | bad lower back pain, only 3 hours of sleep |
| Thai-tofu over fried eggplant, green tea | ||
| Haagen Dasz ice cream bar, 3 coffees | ||
| 2 ribs, 1/4 potato, tomato celery, romaine salad | ||
| 8-6 | 3 coffees | |
| eggs, b’fast sausage, cheese, tomato, salsa | ||
| Smoothie-cranberry, pineapple, acai juice, tumeric juice, oatmeal, 9g collagen | 50″ pilates | |
| 2 ribs, zucchini in butter, sweet potato in butter | ||
| S | Costco coconut, chocolate, dried cranberry cookie | |
| 8-7 | bacon egg taco | very bad headache last night |
| tomato w pimento cheese, tortilla chips w bean & cheese | ||
| tomatoes w hummus, Skinny pop cheddar | ||
| Kombucha, antipasta salad, buttered shrimp over noodles & zucchini, berry cobbler | ||
| 8-8 | 2 coffee, orange, L Glutamine | 50″ pilates |
| 2 ribs, sweet potatoes, zucchini, tumeric concentrate | ||
| coffee, avacado toast appy | ||
| D, S | 15 small dumplings, 1/2 c ice cream | |
| 8-9 | 4 coffee | headache when woke |
| smoothie-mango, cranberry, moringa powder, 9g collagen, oatmeal, acai juice, tumeric juice | ||
| egg casserole square | ||
| S, G | cucumbers, burger on 1/2 bun, wedding cake | |
| 8-10 | 2 egg, sausage, cheese, pico tacos | left sinus congested |
| turkey sandwich w cheese, tomato, cucumber, threw away some bread | ||
| S,G | shrimp beef zucchini pepper kebabs over rice, wedding cake | |
| 8-11 | 1 egg, sausage, cheese, pico taco, cantaloupe | left sinus congested |
| chips, turkey cheese sandwich on romaine | ||
| S, G, D | wedding cake, ice cream | |
| 8-12 | smoothie-banana, mango, strawberries, oatmeal, 9g collagen, moringa powder | slight headache, left sinus blocked |
| S | Caveman, Dark Choc Almond Coconut bar, cucumber & hummus | |
| chicken thigh, broccoli, frozen potato fries | ||
| S, D | ~1 c ice cream | |
| 8-13 | 3 coffee, smoothie-cranberry, mango, peach, moringa powder, 9g collagen, tumeric juice, acai juice, grapefruit juice | |
| egg casserole, broccoli | pilates class | |
| S | 9 lindt chocolate balls @ 75 calories each=675 calories! | |
| S, G | oyster, bread w butter, squash soup, steamed drum, lentil corn succotash, peach cobbler | CBD |
| 8-14 | 3 coffee, bacon egg taco | |
| egg casserole w tomato | ||
| chicken thigh, baked potato, broccoli | ||
| S, D | ice cream..can’t remember but lots | swim 320 yards, CBD |
| 8-15 | banana, kale, pineapple, oatmeal, tumeric, acai, collagen, moringa powder smoothie | Good REM & Deep |
| cucumber, celery, hummus, tomato | ||
| S, D | ice cream | |
| steak, asparagus, potatoes, pea salad | ||
| flourless chocolate cake, caramel, whipped cream | CBD | |
| 8-16 | Smoothie | Good REM & Deep |
| Chik fila fries, honey roasted peanuts | 6 hr drive | |
| chicken spaghetti, salad, roll, cobbler, cantalope | ||
| 8-17 | cantalope, scone | OOT, slept bad, awake |
| Costco caesar salad | ||
| catfish, rice & beans, loaded baked potato | No exercise except moving son | |
| 8-18 | crab cake eggs benedict | OOT, Slept bad, awake, low REM & Deep |
| G, D, S | honey roasted peanuts, ice cream bar | Swim 320 yards, 7 hr drive |
| bbq over baked potato, wilted kale garlic w EVOO | CBD | |
| 8-19 | smoothie-kale, banana pineapple, 9g collagen, moringa powder, acai, tumeric, oatmeal | Not awake, but low REM & deep |
| 2 oz steak & scallop potato | swim 320 yards, flying today | |
| Ceviche, Peruvian seafood stir fry | ||
| 8-20 | cuban sandwiches | |
| G | Kind bar, Red hots | drive 5 hours |
| 8-21 | eggs, cheese, salsa, sausage, potatoes, oatmeal, granola & raisins | |
| 3 oysters, Mahi mahi w shrimp & creole sauce, trout w crab & hollandaise, potatoes, salad | Drive 16 hours | |
| 8-22 | lobster enchiladas, saute’d vegetables | |
| G, S, D | ice cream, chips, salad coldcut meat, lettuce, tomato, macadamia nut cookie | Swim 320 yards |
| 8-23 | kind bar | |
| G | deviled egg, finger pimento cheese, chicken salad sandwiches | |
| yogurt, blueberries, almonds, Costco trail mix | ||
| slider burger, mac/cheese, salad, 4 shrimp, bacon jalpeno | ||
| 8-24 | 3 coffee, Smoothie-blackberry, mango, kale, oatmeal, 9g collagen, oj, tumeric | woke w headache & congested left sinus |
| D, S | chicken leg & thigh, broccoli, white choc ice cream | |
| scallop & negihama handroll, unagi, hamachi sushi, half of whole fried snapper, bites of tempura, cucumber, kale | left sinus blocked when went to bed | |
| 8-25 | 3 coffee, smoothie-mango, berries, kale, oatmeal, 9g collagen, tumeric, oj | night sweats, woke w headache & left sinus congested, feel like recovering from hard workout, L Glutamine |
| cheese, 4 shrimp wrapped in bacon, corn, okra, lima beans, spinach blueberry pecan parmesan salad, grapefruit drink | ||
| 8-26 | smoothie-cherry, strawberry, kale, oatmeal, oj, tumeric, 9g collagen | L Glutamine, L sinus congest & mild headache, when climb stairs & HR climbs |
| D, S | chicken leg, thigh, broccoli, ice cream w reese’s | headache behind L eye most of day |
| 8-27 | smoothie-banana mango oatmeal kale 9g collagen oj tumeric ginger | starting to wonder if I have fibromyalgia, L-glutamine, 7″ HIIT elliptical |
| salad, pork, chicken, black beans, empanadas, eggplant | ||
| S, D | ice cream | |
| G | crab cake, salad, 2 pc bread | |
| 8-28 | 2 coffee, smoothie-banana strawberry kale 9g collagen oatmeal oj tumeric ginger | l glutamine |
| Paleo bar, lots of coffee | ||
| G, S | salad, steak, potato, berry cobbler, few sips of wine | |
| 8-29 | egg, hash brown, grits, fruit, granola | |
| salad w chicken, egg, blue cheese, pea soup, lots of coffee | ||
| G, S | salad, steak, greens, risotto, lemon cake, beet ice cream | |
| 2A | 1 glass red wine, 1 Old Fashioned | |
| 8-30 | egg, hash brown, grits, fruit, granola | |
| salad w salmon, french fries, broccoli | ||
| G, S, D | pretzels, nuts, chikfila 3 nuggets, fries, cookies & cream shake | |
| 8-31 | 3 coffee, smoothie-cherries, pinapple, kale, oatmeal, ginger, tumeric, oj, grapefruit juice, 9g collagen | |
| 2 pcs pizza | ||
| DQ ice cream blizzard, chocolates, nuts, pretzels | while driving | |
| shrimp, fried fish |
July 2019
July turned out to be a turning point in my battle with Shingles. The Infectious Disease doctor has been the best at slowly getting me healthy. He said the rash under my breasts was actually a very bad candida infection and that I had it in my entire system (including my mouth). I started feeling better within days of starting the medications and have slowly been building my strength. I don’t believe I’ve had a shingles blister since the last 2 bad ones under my breast that cleared up around July 4th.
- July 2-6 Fluconazole
- July 2-11 Clotrimazole lozenges
- July 2-18 Clotrimazole/Betamethazone cream followed by a Nyamyc powder under breasts.
- July 7 Started Imvexxy. Missed a few doses of starter pack. Started 2x/week pack on July 28th.
- July 1-Aug 8 Reduced Valcyclovir to 500mg/day
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 7-1 S, D | leftover salmon, brussel sprouts, israeli couscous, ice cream | |
| honey chicken instant pot, rice, broccolli | ||
| 7-2 | egg casserole | |
| can’t remember | ||
| 2A | leftover salmon, brussel sprouts, israeli couscous, wine | |
| 7-3 | egg casserole, avocado | wakeboard! |
| lasagna, zucchini boats, chicken, can’t remember veggies | ||
| 3A | tequila, lime & topo chico | |
| 7-4 | egg casserole w avocado | |
| veggies, hummus | ||
| D, S, G | chicken, mixed veggies, sausage, roast potatoes, apple pie & ice cream | |
| 3A | wine, tequila drinks | |
| 7-5 | egg, bfast sausage, cheese, salsa taco, watermelon, cherries | wakeboard! |
| brisket, salad, caprese, apple pie & ice cream | ||
| 7-6 | egg, avocado, salsa taco | |
| apple crisp & ice cream | ||
| caprese, broccolli, green beans, hummus, apple crisp | ||
| 7-7 | scrambled eggs w veggies & sausage, watermelon, cherries | |
| finished apple crisp! probably 2 cups total | ||
| grilled chicken leg, green beans, broccoli, | ||
| 2A | Gin&soda, tequila, cheddar skinny pop | |
| 7-8 | 3 coffee, ? | |
| ?A | grilled chicken, okra, cucumbers, tequila drinks | |
| 7-9 | eggs, sausage, fruit | wakeboard! |
| ?A, G | boat day-grapefruit beer, hard seltzer, sandwich, chips | |
| ?A | sausage, potato, okra, brussel sprouts, tequila | |
| 7-10 | eggs, sausage, fruit | |
| 4A | Sol Luna, 2 chispas | |
| 7-11 | eggs, sausage, fruit | Frio |
| sandwich stuff? | ||
| fried fish, potatoes, onion rings, cucumber, spicy tequila | ||
| 7-12 | eggs, sausage, fruit | Frio |
| 3A, G, S | hard seltzer on water, coldcuts on lettuce, 2 monster cookies | |
| 2A, G, S | Fajita salad, spicy tequila, wedding cake | |
| 7-13 | fruit, Costco Aussie bites | Frio |
| 3A, G, S | hard seltzer on water, coldcuts on lettuce, 3 monster cookies | |
| 2A, D | steak, salmon, squash, cucumber, tomato caprese, margaritas, cookie cake | |
| 7-14 | fruit, breads | Frio |
| 3A, G, S | hard seltzer on water, sandwich on lettuce, coconut cooke, wedding cake | |
| 5A | grilled chicken, cucumber, spinach-tomato, gin, 4 wine | |
| 7-15 | fruit, Costco Aussie bites | Frio, PsA-hands hurt |
| romaine w tomato, cheese, black forest ham | ||
| S, 2A | coconut cookie, 2 red wine | 30 lap swim, 300 yd |
| 7-16 | 2 coffee, blueberries, cherries, green tea, tomato & cheese, popcorn, cashews | PsA-hands hurt |
| G, S | schlotzsky’s sandwich, salad, chips, 3 chocolates, 1 coconut cookie | no self control right now |
| 3A | lamb, squash, tomatoes, popcorn, 3 red wine | |
| 7-17 | Smoothie-pear, plum, oatmeal, 18g collagen, acai, oj, tumeric | L-Glutamine |
| 2A | 2 rose, tuna sashimi, grilled octopus, potatoes, short rib veggie w noodles | 36 lap swim, 360 yds per fitbit |
| 7-18 | broccolli, ham, bone broth soup | Pilates class |
| 2 tomatoes w vinegar, oil, parmesan, basil. banana w almond butter | ||
| 2A | 2 red wine, skinny pop cheddar popcorn | popcorn upset my stomach |
| 7-19 | smoothie-banana, plums, 9 g collagen, moringa, oatmeal, oj, acai, tumeric | |
| 2 tomatoes w vinegar, oil, parmesan, basil | Swim 30 laps, 300 yds per fitbit | |
| 4A | shrimp w sauce, half burger, fries, cream cheese beignet, G&T, Martini, 2 red wine | |
| 7-20 | 3 coffee, smoothie-pineapple, plum, grapes, moringa, 9g collagen | |
| 2 eggs, 1 tomato | swam 32 laps, 320 yds | |
| 3A | Margarita, 2 chardonnay 3 “sushi” rolls. Uni, Negi-hama, shrimp/scallop | |
| 7-21 | 3 coffee | |
| huge 3 egg omelette w bacon, broccoli, carrot, onion, garlic. | ||
| 2A | large pork chop ~12 oz, new potatoes w butter, squash ribbons w tomato, basil, onion, garlic & cream, 2 margarita | |
| 7-22 | 3 coffee | |
| squash, basil, tomato w cream over arugula & 2 fried eggs, mint ice cream, lemon cookies, banana w almond butter | 50″ Pilates class, sweet food cravings | |
| 2A | lamb, buttered potatoes, broccoli, 2 red wine | |
| 7-23 | egg casserole, 1 tomato | |
| Indian buffet-gorged | swim, 32 laps, 330 yds | |
| 3A | 3 red wine, 4 cups skinny pop cheddar | Very weak will power these days. |
| 7-24 | 3 coffee, 1 orange, smoothie-pineapple kale oatmeal, 18g collagen | |
| squash basil tomato cream with arugula | ||
| S, G | 8 Biscoff cookies | sugar cravings out of control! |
| 6A | 1 bottle Kombucha, 1 entire bottle-Gruner Veltliner white wine. | |
| 3 pcs pizza, eggplant parm, pasta, salad | ||
| 7-25 | 3 coffee, smoothie-pineapple grape plum kale 9 g collagen | bad night sweats |
| tuna sashimi tostado, 1 broiled oyster, 1 beef carpacio toast, caesar, halibut, bok choy, mushrooms in miso | ||
| 7 A | 3 white, 2 red, 2 dessert wine | |
| 7-26 | squash basil tomato cream with arugula, egg casserole square | bad night sweats, hot flashes with sweating during day |
| 5A | burgers, various salads, margaritas, wine | |
| 7-27 | 3 coffee, 2 egg, sausage tacos, cherries, cantaloupe | |
| 8A | 5 or 6 crab, 4 french 75, 4-5 red wine | got bad drunk, should have eaten more |
| 7-28 | 1 egg, sausage, cheese, taco | bad headache |
| open face pimento cheese, Haagen Dasz ice cream bar | swam 320 yards | |
| cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cilantro, pumpkin seed, tumeric, coriander, cumin salad, small amt mango | ||
| 7-29 | Paleo bar, apple, peanut butter bar | |
| No A | Thai eggplant w chicken | walked 7 miles, 3-4 my normal |
| D, S | ice cream | |
| 7-30 | 2 coffee, eggs, 2 toast w honey | |
| No A | caesar salad w chicken | |
| nut crusted pork loin over spinach, brussel sprouts in soy, steamed green beans | walked 7 miles | |
| 7-31 | 2 coffee, eggs, 2 toast w honey | noticed hands less swollen |
| chik fil a market salad w chicken | walked 7 miles | |
| 2A | Frutti de mare over veggies, 2 red wine | hands hurt immediately |
June 2019
I don’t know if I have my husband’s cold or if these are Disseminated Zoster symptoms but I am starting June extremely tired, with a wicked sore throat, sinus drainage, plugged left ear. The Infectious Disease doctor suggested I try coconut oil, and colloidal silver on my throat for a few days and if it doesn’t get better then start an antibiotic. He also has me weaning OFF the valcyclovir but my blisters are getting worse!
June 1-? Very bad sore throat, left ear feels like I have water in it, and now the added sinus drainage, which may mean I have my husband’s cold. The ear & throat symptoms were there before my husband’s cold.
- Not sure exactly when it happened, but night sweats have lessened.
- June 1-3 Eight blisters
- June 1 Started trying to meditate via method in Stress Less Accomplish More by Emily Fletcher.
- June 4 blisters fading
- June 6 Nine blisters! Started Provigil, CBD oil for fatigue & pain.
- June 6-19 Two 1gm Valcyclovir/day instead of 3. Bloodwork showed potential impact on my liver from anti-viral so I need to reduce dosage even though I’m not clear of the disease.
- June 8-12 Z pak for potential Strep Throat. Not sure it is working. Throat worse on 6/9.
- June 8 Started Zinc Sulfate cream on large surface of body. Both for Disseminated Zoster & for Psoriasis. Hurts in genital area. Burns on face.
- June 10 Blisters are continuing to surface. Now on chin, neck, stomach, between breasts, groin.
- June 13 Very sad, irritable, very negative self talk for 2 days. Stopped Provigil & CBD oil
- June 12-17 Horrible scaly rash around mouth & circles on face that may be psoriasis? But I’ve never had on my face. Zinc Sulfate may have made Psoriasis crust over? But the area around my mouth seems more associated with the sores in my mouth. My saliva seems to be irritating my skin in the corners of my mouth & it is scaling & scabbing over. No amount of moisturizer seems to be able to help.
- June 17 Small blisters are still popping up next to the existing blisters. Zinc Sulfate cream makes the existing blisters harder, but I’m optimistic it may be containing the blisters to the general area under & between my breasts (an upside down T). One may be appearing on my neck right now.
- June 14-21(add final end date when scabs fall off)…Two Large blisters under my right breast have had a scab since June 14th, they hurt and are red all around the blister. They might be infected, but I can’t figure out why the scab will not fall off. This is not the same as previous blisters. I’m keeping cotton under my breast and continuing to apply the Zinc Sulfate cream.
- June 20-July 1 One 1gm Valcyclovir/day
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 6-1 | fruit, coffee | |
| egg, sausage, potato | ||
| 4A | gin/grapefruit drink | |
| steak, potato, salad, saute veggies, wedding cake | ||
| 6-2 | eggs, coffee, fruit, cake | |
| potato, saute’d veggies, salad, crab salad | bad sore throat | |
| 2A | steak, potato, salad, 2 wine | |
| 6-3 | eggs, coffee, banana | |
| S | salad w avocado, cake | |
| 6-4 | 2 coffee, 2 eggs, pepper, spinach, broccoli, onion, garlic saute | L-Glutamine, meditate, yoga |
| S | cake, grapefruit, zone bar | |
| bbq, roasted potatoes, caesar, saute’d peppers | ||
| 6-5 | moussaka, greek salad, 1/2 pita | |
| mango, nuts | ||
| S, 3A | lasagna, caesar, cake, 3 wine | |
| 6-6 | egg casserole w avocado | started colloidal silver & 1/4 provigil |
| guac, chips, strawberries | throat bad | |
| 3A | carpaccio, sole, potato, carrot, broccoli, creme brulee, g&t, 2-3 wine | drainage worse, fatigue |
| 6-7 | 2 coffee, egg casserole, avocado, salsa | L-glutamine, diatomacious earth, liquid tumeric |
| strawberries | 1/4 provigil | |
| 4A | duck, sausage, potato, green beans, wines | |
| 6-8 | spinach, banana, oj, collagen, muringa powder smoothie | started Azithromycin, bad diarrhea |
| scalloped potatoes & butternut | No provigil | |
| 3A | crab stuffed snapper over spinach, butter sauce, 3 wine | |
| 6-9 | scalloped potatoes & butternut, spinach | diarrhea causing hemorrhoids, took anti-diarrheal |
| cheese, peppers, hummus, kombucha | No provigil | |
| no A! | leftover lettuce wrap w rice | |
| S,D | ice cream | |
| 6-10 | 2 coffee, spinach, oatmeal, collagen, moringa powder, banana smoothie | bad pain left back throat/mouth pain, 1/2 Provigil |
| sausage, potato, broccoli | horrible hemorrhoid pain | |
| No A | broccoli soup, ice cream | |
| 6-11 | 2 coffee, spinach, banana, oj, collagen, moringa powder smoothie | throat may be slightly better but still spots |
| spinach, leftover crab & snapper | ||
| No A | 1 shrimp taco & beans | |
| 6-12 | 4 coffee, bacon egg taco | bad throat, fatigue, last Zpak pill |
| shrimp taco, spinach, half avocado | ||
| 1A | charcuterie tray, maybe 1 glass wine | |
| 6-13 | banana, spinach, collagen, moringa powder, oatmeal smoothie | |
| blueberries, kefir, grapefruit | ||
| 3 raw oysters, 4 fried oysters, fried snapper cheeks | ||
| 6-14 | 2 coffee, egg casserole, avocado, strawberries | |
| crab stuffed mushroom, beef tenderloin, green beans almondine, scalloped potatoes | scaly rash around mouth horrible | |
| 4 A | 2 G&T, 2 red | |
| 6-15 | 2 coffee, poached egg on english muffin w peppercorn sauce | felt slightly better! |
| sweet potato chip snack | ||
| 3A | lamb, snap pea arugala salad, asparagus, israeli couscous, scallop potatoes, G&T & 2 red wine | |
| 6-16 | 2 coffee, quiche, mango, blueberries | |
| peach | ||
| 1A | chispa margarita, lobster enchiladas, sauted vegetables | |
| 6-17 | mango, blueberry, kefir, collagen | throat spots gone, but still hurts under tongue |
| quiche?, peach | ||
| 2A | rose wine, albarino wine, shrimp kung pao, dumplings | very long meditation at dr office |
| 6-18 | 2 coffee, quiche, avocado, salsa | sinus drainage bad |
| 2 salads, israeli couscous, leftover kung pao | ||
| No A! | mint ice cream, peach | |
| 6-19 | 2 coffee quiche, salsa, mango, blueberries | |
| broccoli, bone broth, beans, mint ice cream | ||
| carpaccio, eggplant parm w artichokes, beans | ||
| 6-20 | 2 coffee | only 1 valcyclovir! |
| S, G | zoe’s chicken, veggies, salad, cookie | |
| S, G | hummus, veggie, orzo, banana pudding, 2 cookies | |
| 2A | kombucha, 3 small reece’s, fruit, nuts, 2 jello shots | |
| 6-21 | 2 coffee, quiche | |
| Cheese, nuts | ||
| 3A | 3 wine, oysters raw & charbroiled, ossobuco ravioli, grilled octopus, | |
| 6-22 | 2 coffee, quiche | Drainage |
| Chicken strips, kombucha | ||
| No A | Chicken pot pie, salad, banana, strawberries | |
| 6-23 | Fruit, 2 eggs | Headache |
| Caesar salad, student union sushi | ||
| 2A | Chicken fajita peppers onions, tortilla chips, salsa, vodka drinks, | Bad sinus drainage, 2 blisters on groin |
| 6-24 | Banana, 2 coffee | Sinus drainage bad |
| Chicken strips, coleslaw, biscuit | ||
| No A | snack? | |
| 6-25 | eggs, bacon, tomato | fatigue |
| pear, blueberry crumble | ||
| 4A | sashimi plate, fried fish, sauted sweet pea greens, sake, 3 wine | |
| 6-26 | chicken, beef kabob, pita bread, hummus | CT w contrast, bad drainage |
| S, G | 2 choc chip cookies, 2 reeses | |
| No A | israeli couscous w arugula & asparagus, 1/2 c mint ice cream | |
| 6-27 | caesar salad w chicken, 2 cookies | |
| hamburger, fries, cheese, fried okra, brussel sprouts | ||
| 5 A | 2 grapefruit beer, 1 G&T, 3 wine | |
| 6-28 | veggie, sausage quiche, fruit, yogurt | |
| 2A | salmon, brussel sprouts, israeli couscous, 2 wine | |
| 6-29 | egg casserole | |
| PeiWei cauliflower chicken stir fry | ||
| 5 A | salad, pizza, charcuterie, cauliflower, G&T, 4 wine | |
| 6-30 | eggs, sausage, tomatoes, fruit, yogurt | |
| 3A, S, G | Overate! chips, queso, guac, beans, fajita meat, cake pops, pie, 3 sangria |
May 2019
I’m afraid my Psoriatic Arthritis is becoming a secondary problem. The Disseminated Zoster will not go away. I was only off the anti-virals for 7 days. Disseminated Zoster symptoms are worse than PsA. Primarily because I am like a leper. I don’t want to touch babies or get too close to anyone I know that could catch this, including my parents! I have waves of feeling like I’m coming down with the flu and the spots itch and ooze. I’m struggling with feelings of helplessness and desperation right now. I don’t know what to do. I saw an infectious disease doctor on May 10th and he gave me a bit of optimism about overcoming this. He mostly prescribed supplements (see notes under May 2019 of my Medication Diary for details) to help me fight it and to keep my PsA in check while my immune system gets strong enough to beat the Disseminated Zoster.
- May 3 Twelve blisters, center of back, high. Tender spot on head but not large bump like before.
- May 4 another new one but on right breast
- May 3 Continuing antiviral
- May 5 More blisters under breasts, center back consistent
- May 6 Spot on throat behind L thyroid hurting, some sinus drainage
- May 9 Lymph node on L swollen and tender.
- May 9 Possible Lichen Sclerosus spot on vagina, need punch biopsy. Shave biopsy did not provide enough material.
- May 11 Throat pain last 6 days pretty bad.
- May 13 Fatigue. Vaginal biopsy & stitch (which came out in 1 day) but biopsy spot healed well.
- May 15 Blister on lip and finger
- Mid-may The night sweats are not just at night. It happens constantly throughout the day. Not a hot flash like when I was going through menopause. My entire body sweats from tips of toes to top of head and it lasts for several minutes. I can’t get dressed, fix my hair, put on make-up or even my clothes until it not only passes but I dry off.
- May 21 Blister on lip and groin
- May 25 Spouse gets some sort of bad cold. Biopsy showed simple ulcer on vagina, probably from psoriasis or a blister, not lichen sclerosus.
- May 25 Possibly no active blisters?
- May 27-29 Maybe 1 small blister?
- May 29 Sore throat starting again, left ear stopped up
- May 30-31 Three blisters, sleeping in different room and night sweats not as bad. Use a ceiling fan and can roll to cool spot in bed when the hot flash starts.
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE and SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1 | 3 coffee | 20″ yoga |
| S, G | zoe’s chicken, beef, salad, small piece chocolate cake | |
| S, G, 3A | brisket, salads, pecan pie, apple pie, 3 wine | |
| 5-2 | oatmeal, yogurt, fruit | 20″ yoga |
| salad w beets, zucchini, peppers | ||
| G, S | tastes thru Costco | |
| G, S, 4A | Tenderloin, salads, orzo, berry crumble w ice cream, 4 wine | |
| 5-3 | oatmeal, yogurt, fruit | 12 blisters on back |
| bbq turkey, carrots, blanced green beans | ||
| S, ? | 10 lemoncello almonds | |
| 3A | bbq turkey on potato, green beans, 3 wine | |
| 5-4 | 3 coffee | new blister on R breast |
| chick fil a cobb salad w grilled chicken | 20″ yoga | |
| S, chemicals | lemoncello almonds | |
| 3A, S, G | lettuce, beef, beans, cheese, guacamole, tortilla chips, 2 margaritas, 1 beer, 1 cookie | |
| 5-5 | 2 coffee | |
| Japanese grill veggies, shrimp, scallop, small amt rice | slight sore throat in same spot as b4 | |
| 3A | bbq turkey, okra, squash, 3 G&T | new blisters under breast both side, center back |
| 5-6 | 2 coffees, 1/2 c blueberries, 1/2 c chobani yogurt | new blisters on face & more under breasts! |
| kale salad w pecans and yogurt dressing | 20″ yoga | |
| 3A | lamb, broccoli, kale salad, potatoes, 3 wine | |
| 5-7 | spinach, mushroom, garlic, onion & 2 eggs | 20″ yoga |
| 1A, G | beef, pork, quesadilla, guac, tortilla chips, margarita | |
| 5-8 | bacon egg taco | throat much worse |
| G, S | spinach salad, pasta, fruit, 3 choc chip cookies | |
| 5A | carpaccio, eggplant parm, 5 wine | |
| 5-9 | 3 coffee, L Glutamine | |
| steamed broccoli, 2 whole deviled eggs | 1.5 hr nap | |
| S, No A | lamb, broccoli, green beans, beets, small chocolate | |
| 5-10 | 3 coffee | very groggy & disoriented |
| 2 eggs w carrot, pepper, onion, garlic, spinach, few green beans, 1/2 avocado | Saw I.D. doc & gave me lots of supplements. Phaseing in. | |
| No A, S | roast chicken thigh, potato w butter, grilled 1/2 romaine salad w goat cheese, chocolate | Tumeric, Lysine 20″ yoga |
| 5-11 | 3 coffee, egg casserole, oatmeal w yogurt & blueberries | Pycnogenol, hair/skin/nails, methyl folate |
| turkey, sweet potato, green beans, broccoli | 20″ yoga | |
| pepper, cucumber, nuts, ham, cheese lettuce, desserts, lemoncello almonds | ||
| 5A | 4 gin & tonic, cheap champagne | |
| 5-12 | tortilla chips w ham/cheese, beans, guac, tomatoes at moms | |
| S, G, 3A | steak, potato, brussel sprouts, 3 wine, orange tart w whip cream | |
| 5-13 | 3 coffee | 20″ yoga |
| G, S | chicken, potato, mixed veggies, 2 sugar cookies | punch biopsy for lichen sclerosus |
| 2 coffee | very fatigued | |
| 2A | minimal leftovers, wine | |
| 5-14 | 3 coffee, egg casserole, avocado | 20″ walk |
| banana, berry, oatmeal, OJ, Grapefruit juice smoothie w collagen & yogurt | ||
| 2A | lobster enchiladas, sauted veggies, plantains, 2 tequila/lime drinks | |
| 5-15 | egg casserole, avocado, salsa | blister on lip & R index finger |
| leftover chicken, brussel sprouts, broccoli, potato | 20″ yoga | |
| 2A | Tsukemen, 2 wine | |
| 5-16 | egg casserole, avocado, salsa | |
| chicken, sweet potato, green beans | ||
| S, 2A | beef stew, potato, green beans, 2 cookies, 2 Old Fashioned’s | |
| 5-17 | egg casserole, salsa | |
| roast chicken, potatoes, green beans | ||
| G, 3A, S | 3 margaritas, mexican appys-beans, cheese, chips, guac | drank too much! |
| 2A | chips & 2 wine w TV | up too late drinking! |
| 5-18 | egg casserole w salsa | 20″ yoga |
| 3A | fajita, 2 margaritas & wine | |
| 5-19 | eggs, veggies, bacon | |
| No alcohol! | brownie, snack for dinner | |
| 5-20, No A | can’t remember but good | 20″ yoga |
| 5-21 | can’t remember but pretty good | 30″ walk |
| 2A | lobster enchiladas, 2 chispas | |
| 5-22 | quiche | |
| 2 cookies | ||
| No A | brisket, ribs, scallop potatoes, asparagus | stayed up until 4am w graduates |
| 5-23 | quiche | 30″ walk |
| No A | brisket, ribs, scallop potatoes, asparagus | left side pain |
| 5-24 | quiche, kale smoothie | left side pain |
| S | avocado, chips, cake | |
| 5-25 | avocado pepper omlette | aleve to break pain cycle. Maybe no active blisters |
| 5A | 2 g&t, 3 tequila, 3 pork tacos | |
| 5-26 | kale banana smoothie, small quiche | 2 blisters under L breast, 1 on chin |
| turkey, beef bbq, mac/cheese, fried okra | ||
| 2A | broccoli, small amt bbq, 2 wine | |
| 5-27 | quiche, avocado, strawberries, blueberries & yogurt | muscles very sore-neck, shoulders, back |
| 3A | mango salsa, guac & chips, 3 wine | 20″ yoga |
| 5-28 | quiche & avocado | 20″ yoga |
| yogurt w pear/blueberry crisp, collagen | ||
| 3A | queso, chips, 2 french 75 & 1 wine | |
| 5-29 | leftovers-lamb, beef, cauliflower, sweet potato | sore throat seems worse when I wake, L ear stopped up |
| yogurt w pear/blueberry crisp | 20″ yoga | |
| 4 wine, chips & guac | ||
| 5-30 | banana kale collagen smoothie | |
| cucumber, snap peas, strawberries, 3 chicken strips | ||
| G, 3A | rose prosecco, sandwiches | |
| 5-31 | coffee, fruit | |
| S | wilted chard, pasta-zucchini mix, pecan cake/cookies | |
| 3A | wine, salad, spaghetti |
April 2019
See March for the background, but I am on antivirals for Disseminated Zoster. The disease probably became active because of my suppressed immune system on the Taltz (Nov 15-Feb 15). I stopped Taltz and all supplements Mar 18th except iron. I have a theory that when my body is healing or fighting an infection, my PsA symptoms subside. That has proven true in this case. Since I stopped the Taltz (Feb 15 last dose) I have not had PsA symptoms, but I’ve felt like I have the flu from the Disseminated Zoster. I have been on antivirals for 1 week and on Apr 16th my feet hurt when I tried to run. Woke Apr 17th with the swollen pressure feeling in my hands, feet, and legs. I’m not sure when I may restart Taltz because I need to heal completely from the Disseminated Zoster first. I keep thinking of my grandfather and my mom, who not only lived with this disease but farmed and worked the land with these pains their entire life. I can do this.
AND, I just heard that I DO have a UTI but the bacteria is resistant to the Bactrim that I was taking. So now I must take a regimen of Augmentin. Will start on April 17th.
As an aside, my 17-year-old son went for a 4 mile run yesterday for the first time ever. I was surprised and he said, “Mom, the Humira is working, my legs didn’t hurt.”
- Apr 2 resting heart rate maintaining in mid-80’s
- Apr 2 Night sweats continuous throughout this experience.
- Left thyroid started growing in January or February and went down while on Amoxicillin. Right nodule was slightly tender during that time but not noticeably larger until after left shrunk. It was getting bigger but now (4/2/19) seems to be getting smaller.
- Apr 7 tried AZO for bladder. Gave me gas, nausea and diarrhea.
- Apr 10 started Antiviral for Disseminated Zoster-finally found the right diagnosis
- Resting heart rate was 96 at highest and is now back to 70 bpm.
- Apr 12 Started eating fish again now that thyroid down.
- Apr 16 Felt like PsA flare-hands, feet, shins
- Apr 18 Started Augmentin for UTI, Urinalysis showed bacteria resistant to Bactrim
- Apr 19 Finished Anti-viral
- Apr 22 My hands and feet were very swollen and muscles were cramping so much my hands would not release and my feet were curling under.
- Apr 23 Fatigue waves so finally took a 1-hour nap. Small red bump on the chin that could be zoster. One large bump on the back of my head that is only slightly red. Got biopsy of the spot on vagina that wasn’t healing.
- Apr 23 Resting HR got down to 65 bpm but began going up.
- Apr 24 Tender bump on the back of my head like previous HZ blister.
- Apr 25 Couldn’t breath when drank red wine. Stopped
- Apr 26 Foggy brain, sinus drainage, drank too much.
- Apr 27 Definite Hz blister under breast, several on back. Restarted Antiviral, Resting HR back up to 70 bpm
- Apr 29 Hz blister on forehead, dizzy, especially if move head too quickly
- Apr 30 Seven Hz blisters on my back, VERY dizzy at bedtime.
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 4-1 | smoothie banana, cranberries, collagen, moringa powder, OJ | |
| S | turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, chips, creme brulee almonds | craving sugar-ate almonds |
| no A | Vietnamese chicken over lettuce, sprouts, rice noodles | |
| 4-2 | half smoothie w cranberries | 1 hour cycle class |
| S | turkey broccoli soup, creme brulee almonds | craving sugar |
| 2A | 2 wine, charcuterie | Re-did bloodwork |
| 4-3 | half smoothie w cranberries | 7am mtg, but very good REM sleep last night. Bladder pain worse. |
| chicken thigh, green beans, zucchini, 5 cho covered almonds, 10 choc covered walnuts | Extreme hot & cold all day. Tired. Took nap. craving sugar still! | |
| 3A | pizza, soup, salad, 3 wine | could not get oxygen. Sinuses swollen? |
| 4-4 | L Glutamine, EmergenC, Drank DE just in case a parasite. | slept 8+ hrs but only 40″ REM. |
| bone broth, collagen, broccoli, chicken | ||
| baked potato w bbq | Tired spell around 4 | |
| salad, chicken, green beans, zucchini, cranberry juice | bladder pressure & pain when stop urinating. | |
| 4-5 | 2 coffee, smoothie-banana, cranberry, oj, 20g collagen, moringa powder | L Glutamine, DE, milk thistle |
| greens cauliflower broccoli, pumpkin seeds, carrot. Potato w bbq | 1 hr cycle class | |
| S, 4A | salad, steak, potato, green beans, key lime pie, 2 G&T, 2 wine | Resting heart rate finally below 80 first time in 9 weeks! |
| 4-6 | Smoothie w banana, cranberry, collagen, | slept well |
| broccoli turkey soup or leftover venison stir fry | ||
| 4A | shepherds pie, sausage wraps, 4 wine | bloodwork still shows infection |
| 4-7 | chicken crepes, asparagus, tomato, ice cream | slept well |
| No A | leftover chicken thighs & veggies | Tried AZO for bladder but felt worse-nausea & diarrhea |
| 4-8 | smoothie | 1 hour spin class |
| broccoli turkey soup | Tried AZO for bladder but felt worse-nausea & diarrhea | |
| 5A | 5 wine, snack meal-wings, shrimp, peppers, celery, broccoli, pimento cheese, artichoke dip, avocado, chips | on feet lots party prep, very tired all day & couldn’t nap |
| 4-9 | smoothie? | |
| shwarma, broccoli, cauliflower, labna, hummus, garlic, pickles | gave me gas! | |
| didn’t eat again | ||
| 4-10 | bacon egg taco | |
| 3/4 pimento cheese sandwich | ||
| 3/4 c of stir fry & rice, 1 c mint choc chip ice cream | Disseminated Zoster diagnosis, started anti-virals | |
| 1A | snacked on roasted veggies, celery w pimento, 1 glass wine | |
| 4-11 | smoothie-banana, berries, oj, oatmeal, moringa, 18g collagen | feeling better, heart rate down to 70! |
| 5 white choc covered almonds | ||
| 2A | cucumber salad, part of whole fried fish, few bites of tempura, hamachi, negihama, unagi, and spicy scallop, 2 wine | 1st fish since 3/18 |
| 4-12 | smoothie | |
| whataburger grilled chicken salad & 2 chicken strips | ||
| 3A | 3 tequila lime drinks | |
| 3A | beef tenderloin, scallop potatoes, green beans, chocolate chip cookies, wine | |
| 4-13 | egg bacon taco | |
| 3A | arugula, sausage, tortellini, grapefruit/tequila, lime/tequila | beach all day, drinking lots but slowly |
| 3A | crab cakes, steamed veggies, fried green tomato app, salmon app, 3 red wine | |
| 2A | 2 gin & tonic, late night drink (2am) & potatoes | can’t digest if drink late & eat. Vomited the small amt of potato |
| 4-14 | bacon egg taco, croissants, coffee | |
| broccoli turkey detox soup, avocado & chips | ||
| ribs, okra, broccoli, cauliflower, salad | ||
| No A | ice cream | craving sugar! |
| 4-15 | smoothie banana, berries, moringa, collagen, oatmeal | 1 hr spin class |
| squash, asparagus, okra, 1 beef rib | ||
| No A | kale sausage salad, artichoke/mayo dip as dressing | |
| 4-16 | strawberries, blueberries, chobani yogurt, 18 g collagen | Hands, feet & shins hurt, PsA is back as virus recedes |
| pork butt, kale salad, raw peppers | ||
| 12 chocolate covered walnuts, pistachios | ||
| S, 2A, D | paloma, wine, veggie, turkey stew, cookies & cream ice cream | |
| 4-17 | 2 coffee, smoothie-banana, berries, moringa powder, 18g collagen, chia, hemp, yeast, flax | hands, feet hurt when wake. Yoga-20 minutes |
| 2 coffee, veggie turkey stew | I do have UTI but resistant to bactrim, starting Augmentin. | |
| 2A | brussel sprouts, bite of mac/cheese appy, potato/parm crusted haddock, broccoli, ice cream dessert, french 75 & pinot grigio | |
| 4-18 | smoothie-papaya, cranberry juice, oj, oatmeal, 9g collagen, moringa powder | PsA-hands, feet, ankles hurt all day. Tried magnesium oil |
| turkey broccoli detox soup | Yoga-20 minutes | |
| S, G | stir fried veggies, beef, 2 white chocolate macadamia nut cookies | |
| 4-19 | Smoothie-Papaya, cranberry, oatmeal, 9g collagen, moringa powder | |
| turkey broccoli soup | ||
| S, D | savory? then ice cream | |
| 4A | salmon, tuna, grilled octopus, noodles w short ribs, 4 drinks | |
| 4-20 | Smoothie-papaya, cranberry, oatmeal, 9g collagen, moringa powder | |
| S, D | broccoli detox soup, ice cream | |
| 4A | leftover noodles & short ribs, 4 white wine | |
| 4-21 | smoothie-papaya, cranberry, OJ, oatmeal, 9g collagen, moringa powder | |
| artichoke soup | ||
| 10A all day | cheese, olives, quail, lamb, scallop potato/butternut, green beans, carrots, grapefruit salad, 8 red wine, 2 champagne | |
| 4-22 | artichoke soup | |
| chicken Caesar salad, probably ice cream | ||
| No A | lamb, scallop potatoes, carrots | |
| 4-23 | no b’fast, 2 coffee | hand pain |
| turkey soup w collagen & moringa, artichoke soup | ||
| ice cream, 2 more coffee | massive fatigue, brain fog, 1 hr nap | |
| 3A | 3 G&T, gala appy’s, beef, veggies | small possible HZ blister on chin |
| 4-24 | 4 coffee | |
| broccoli soup, poblano corn soup w collagen & moringa | biopsy of vaginal ulcer | |
| 3A | chopped salad, eggplant Parmesan, 3 G&T | possible new HZ blister on head |
| 4-25 | grapefruit, nuts | food w augmentin |
| leftover chopped salad w ham | ||
| 2A | eggplant parmesan @ Maggiano’s, didn’t eat the pasta, G&T and a red wine | got stopped up with red wine like in February so stopped |
| 4-26 | 2 coffee, grapefruit w antibiotic | foggy brain, sinus drainage. Finished Augmentin |
| lamb, carrots, artichoke soup | moved compost, yoga | |
| 8A | rose all day! zucchini in basil cream sauce | drank all day. Way too much |
| 4-27 | coffee, 2 eggs over veggies, avocado | spots recurring. restarted antiviral |
| 4 shrimp, avocado, crawfish queso, chips | ||
| 3A | G&T, 2 red wine, healthy taps-veggies, pork, liver pate, beets, broccoli | |
| 4-28 | 3 coffee | |
| S | grapefruit, ham, lemoncello chocolate almonds | Aleve for hand, wrist pain |
| 2A | Tequila, lime, topochico, 2 shrimp tacos w beans and veggies, red wine | |
| 4-29 | 3 coffee | Aleve |
| artichoke soup, broccoli soup, ham | Hz blister on forehead, dizziness all day | |
| nuts | ||
| 2A | beets, goat cheese, broccoli, ham, 2 wine | |
| 4-30 | 2 coffee, grapefruit, mango | woke easier, hand pain less |
| S, D | thai butternut squash soup, 2 cups! coconut almond ice cream | 7-8 blisters on my back |
| 2A | potato w bbq & broccoli, 2 wine | VERY dizzy at bedtime |
March 2019
This has been a rough month and I just don’t understand why I keep experiencing setbacks. I keep wondering what God is trying to tell me! Read February for the background. I am fairly confident I do not have cancer in my thyroid. My bloodwork from March 8th shows very high CRP and Sed Rate, which indicates an infection. My TSH is almost non-existent and my T4 is high, which implies Graves disease. But some of my symptoms make my endocrinologist hesitate to prescribe beta blockers and a steroid so she sent me to an ENT. He said my throat looks like I have acid reflux (which I don’t) and he prescribed amoxicillin just in case I got a gram-positive infection from the fine needle biopsy. He said to give it 1 week and if it isn’t better we will do a CAT scan of my neck. The Amoxicillin did stop the intense throat pain and shrink my left thyroid. However, as I finished it, the right central thyroid nodule started growing. At the same time, the red spots that had mostly been showing up as one or two on my chin, head or breast began to proliferate all across my torso, groin, scalp and even in my ears. I showed my GP the rash and he recommended some crazy things like Pepcid AC and Zyrtec to block ALL my histamines and make sure it wasn’t allergies. He wanted me to wash my hair with RID in case it was lice and he even asked me if I got into red ants. Seriously! It did look like red ant bites, but all over! It looked like the chicken pox. Then 2-3 days after the Amoxicillin, I woke with the worst urge to pee and pain when I did. I had not had a bladder infection in 20 years but I was pretty sure that was what was going on. I left a urine sample that didn’t look so great so they started me on Bactrim. It might have been a coincidence, but while on the Bactrim, the right thyroid nodule gradually got smaller. The rash was not slowing down so I finally saw my dermatologist and she tested for yeast, fungus, virus and ultimately did a biopsy which definitely diagnosed Disseminated Zoster. I started Antivirals on April 10th and am beginning to feel like a new person.
Here’s how the symptoms progressed.
- Sept 2018 dark skin blotches on breast near armpit and under the breast
- Nov-Dec 2018 some sort of cold
- Jan 2019 Neck tender to the touch.
- Feb 2019 Sinuses blocked but not congested
- Red skin bumps on torso, breasts, chin, and nose
- Exhausted. Low back pain was a constant but not sure when started. I know it stopped by mid-March 8.
- Resting heart rate rising from 70’s in late January to high 90’s in mid-March!
- Headaches when waking
- Mar 2019 Throat sore on inside getting progressively worse
- Cough developed
- Absolute exhaustion by Mar 17-20. Sleeping lots.
- Mar 18 started antibiotics-accidentally started at half dose, full dose Mar 21 pm.
- Mar 20 throat pain slightly better but drainage worse. Feels like a cold again, new skin bumps on face, neck, head, chest.
- Mar 21 Resting heart rate dropped from 96 bpm on Mar 13 to 82 bpm.
- Mar 22 sinuses stopping up again
- Mar 23 woke with a headache and low back pain again
- Mar 24 rash worse on torso, upper back started mid-day, heartrate slightly higher.
- Mar 25 woke w headache
- Mar 25-28 Pepcid AC & Zyrtec to block histamines (see if clears rash)
- Mar 26 Finished Amoxicillin. Left thyroid gradually decreased on Amoxicillin but right nodule grew larger thru ~Mar 28.
- Mar 28-Apr 2 rash on upper back itch & bumps popping. Rash on torso slowly spreading to breasts.
- Mar 29 very painful UTI wiped me out, no energy for day. I know I had vaginal ulcer at this point because I was afraid to have sex AND I knew that sex did not cause the ulcer.
- Mar 29-Apr 7 Bactrim for UTI.
- Resting heart rate was 96 at highest and as of Mar 30 staying around 85-87 bpm
| DATE: | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 | blueberries | |
| whataburger chicken salad | ||
| No A | salad, pasta beef bake | |
| 3-2 | fruit | |
| salad, lasagna | ||
| No A | chicken fingers, potatoes, cole slaw, salad | |
| 3-3 | eggs | |
| horrible coldcuts, cheese, lettuce, tomato, chicken salad on white bread | ||
| No A | french fries, banana | |
| 3-4 | 2 tacos, egg, chorizo, beans, potato, cheese | thyroid biopsy |
| No A | misc. chocolates | Flu like aches, Left lymph node swollen |
| 3-5 G, S | salads, chicken, veggies, 3 cookies | Bad headache |
| chicken, broccoli, asparagus, rice | ||
| 2A | 2 Old Fashions | |
| 3-6 | bacon egg taco | |
| chicken, asparagus, rice | ||
| A, G, S | salad w nuts/cranberries, butternut squash soup, asparagus, salmon, steak, potato, cakes, tequila cocktail | Only 1 drink! |
| 3-7 | egg casserole, avocado | |
| S | chocolates | |
| A | Sushi, sake? | couldn’t finish food |
| 3-8 | fast for bloodwork | bloodwork |
| light lunch | pilates | |
| 1A | protein, veggie, G&T | |
| 3-9 | zone bar, banana, nuts | 4am at airport |
| S, G, A | mojito, tequila drinks, fish tacos | |
| 10A all day? | habachi grill, wine | |
| 3-10 | ? | beach walk |
| fish tacos, tequila drinks | ||
| 10A, S, G | lamb chops, misc appys, wine | tired, can’t breath, throat hurts |
| 3-11 | eggs benedict | snorkeling for exercise |
| fish tacos on lettuce | ||
| 10A, S, G | grouper in tomato sauce, wine, scotch | |
| 3-12 | fruit, granola | |
| ceviche bar | ||
| 10A, S, G | mexican buffet, drinks all day | dessert daily last 4 days |
| 3-13 | 1 egg benedict, fruit | |
| burger & fries | ||
| 2A | sushi, sake | |
| 3-14 | eggs benedict w spinach & tomato | |
| G | cuban burger, sandwich, nachos | |
| 4A | Oysters, Mussels, red wine | |
| 3-15 | yogurt, fruit, granola, muffins | |
| Moussaka | ||
| 2A | Tom Kai Gai, Sushi, sake | |
| 3-16 | yogurt, fruit, granola | |
| G, S, 2A | caesar w fried shrimp, 2 key lime drinks | |
| 1A | Carrot soup, shrimp, Old Fashioned | nausea, exhausted |
| 3-17 | bread, banana | night sweats bad last night |
| No A! | Green Curry w grouper, green tea | slept 1-2 hr in car, slept 2 hrs on plane, coughed all night |
| 3-18 | coffee, apple, zone bar | Endocrinologist appt |
| carrot soup with spinach | ENT appt, started amoxicillin | |
| S, No A | misc canned soups-poblano corn & veggie, choc covered nuts, chocolate truffles | took sleeping pill & slept 9 hours |
| 3-19 | coffee, banana, almond butter | very tired |
| mushroom soup, veggie soup, poblano corn soup | 2 hour nap | |
| S, No A | green curry soup w potato, pork, venison, broccoli, slice of cake | going to avoid iodone |
| 3-20 | coffee | may be slightly better! slept 9 hours |
| green curry soup, drinking green tea w ginger & tumeric all day | L Glutamine | |
| banana w almond butter | Emergen C | |
| coffee to keep my energy up | no nap today | |
| No A | small amount of green curry soup | |
| 3-21 | 2 coffee | zinc, amoxicillin |
| Emergen C, Suja mighty dozen juice, kombucha | iron, aleve | |
| Green curry soup | ||
| coffee, | ||
| banana w almond butter, green tea w tumeric and ginger | ||
| 2A | salad, fruit, 2 gin cocktails | |
| 3-22 | 2 coffee | amoxicillin, zinc |
| Emergen C, milk thistle, NAC | long walk | |
| S | green curry soup, taste of lemon cake | |
| 1A | grilled poblano stuffed with veggies & cheese chunks, 1 tequila cocktails | |
| 3-23 | 3 coffee, Fresh OJ, amoxicillin, zinc | headache, no poop. unusual for me, maybe because 2 iron/day last few days |
| Emergen C, milk thistle, green curry soup | ||
| 4A | salmon appy, green beans, potatoes, shortribs, carrot cake, lemon cake, 4 wine | sinuses stopped up, very tired |
| 3-24 | 2 coffee, oatmeal, craisins, blueberries, tart cherries, almonds, coconut milk | rash much worse, 14″ REM sleep all night! milk thistle, L glutamine, probiotic, Amoxicillin |
| Emergen C, OJ, lemon cake, banana w almond butter | rash on upper back started | |
| No A | cashews, almonds, suju juice | amoxicillin |
| 3-25 | 2 coffee, oatmeal, craisins, blueberries, tart cherries, almonds, coconut milk | amoxicillin, L glutamine, probiotic, zinc |
| green curry soup, added broccoli, collagen & Moringa powder, slice of lemon cake | ||
| No A | salad w broccoli, squash, radish, pumpkin seeds | Pepcid AC & Zyrtec in case rash is from allergy |
| 3-26 | oatmeal, banana, spinach, collagen, moringa powder, tart cherries, oj | amoxicillin, L Glutamine |
| salad w olives, ham, cheese-blick | ||
| No A | thigh, asparagus, kale salad, 1/3 avocado | pepcid ac & zyrtec |
| 3-27 | 2 coffee, oatmeal, banana, collagen, moringa powder, wild frozen berries | pepcid ac, amoxicillin-last dose, L Glutamin, EmergenC |
| Broccoli, turkey, rutabaga, cilantro, tumeric, ginger soup | ||
| 3A, S, D | bibb salad, duck over sweet potato puree, ice cream, prosecco & 2 red | |
| 3-28 | 2 coffee, oatmeal, banana, cherries, collagen, moringa powder, OJ | pepcid AC, Zyrtec, L Glutamine, EmergenC |
| creme brulee almonds | ||
| Broccoli turkey soup… | Pepcid AC & Zyrtec | |
| S, D | 1/2 c intense chocolate ice cream | |
| 3-29 | 2 coffee, cranberry juice, smoothie w fresh cranberries | 2am chills & realized I have UTI. Soaked in tub for 2 hours in middle of night & drank as much water as possible |
| 3A | short ribs, potato, cauliflower, brussels, fries, whiskey cocktail, 2 red wine | exhausted all day. Started Bactrim 5pm & 11pm |
| 3-30 | Starbucks Sous Vide eggs, coffee | Woke 2am nauseous. Pee hurts, drink water, BM of undigested short ribs |
| Pad Kai Gai soup | Bactrim 11am, Align 3pm. Stomach rumbling when food in it. | |
| 5A, S, G | steak, potato, carrot, Key Lime tart, 2 G&T, 2 wine, 1 french 75 | 2 Align spaced thru out day |
| 3-31 | Smoothie? | No BM |
| 2A | BBQ, Smoked Turkey, creamed corn, taste of Mac & Cheese, 2 G&T |
February 2019
On the one hand, I have turned a corner. I am exercising and have even begun to run in short bursts. On the other hand, I have a small problem that has grown throughout this month and by the 20th was freaking me out. My left thyroid area was tender to the touch, but only on the outside, not inside my throat. So many people around me were struggling with allergies and when I would mention it, my spouse would tell me I was just not used to having allergies. So I felt like a hypochondriac and tried to carry on. But by the end of February, I was having waves of exhaustion late in the evening. My sinuses would stop up suddenly, but it wasn’t from congestion, it was more like they were just swollen and I could not breathe through them. The neck tenderness got bad enough to push me into action and I saw my doctor on the 25th. I knew I was going to be out of town for a week in March and began to want some answers before that trip. I had an ultrasound on the 25th that showed my entire left thyroid was very large, almost 5 cm. And all the nodules on my right thyroid were also larger than before. One had microcalcifications so they ordered a biopsy, which I did on March 4th. I was very concerned that it might be cancer as fast as it was growing. This change happened in less than 2 months. The biopsy came back negative for cancer but suggested something like Hashimotos, Graves or Thyroiditis.
| DATE: | FOOD: | SYMPTOM & EXERCISE |
|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | egg casserole | |
| navy bean soup | ||
| chocolates, red wine | ||
| 5A | potato sausage kale soup, chicken dumpling soup | |
| 2-2 | egg casserole, pigs in blanket, fruit, cinnamon roll, chicken salad on lettuce | 50″ walk |
| 4A | leftover soups, red wine | |
| 2-3 | banana, apple | |
| 2 egg potato tacos | ||
| 1A | salmon, quinoa, asparagus, 1 Rose | 30″ walk |
| 2-4 | 3 coffees | stretch |
| S | salad, chicken, potato, broccolini, mouse | |
| 2A | salad greens, cauliflower, gyro meat, 2 rose | |
| 2-5 | 2 coffee | yard work |
| 3A | salad, chicken pot pie, strawberry cake, 3 mimosas | 30″ walk |
| kale salad, 1 wine | ||
| 2-6 | egg casserole, avocado, tomato | milk thistle, NAC |
| 5A, G | french 75, white wine, oysters, beef tartar, scallops, greens, spinach souffle in cream sauce | |
| 2-7 | coffee, banana collagen small smoothie | 1 hr cycle class |
| chicken salad sandwich on white bread, chips | little gas | |
| pork, asparagus | walk dog | |
| 2-8 | coffee | |
| quina, black bean, cauliflower stems, squash | ||
| pecan pie cups | ||
| 3A | red wine, steak, potato, asparagus, kale salad | |
| 2-9 | 3 coffee, egg casserole, tomato pesto, aspargus | walk dog |
| S, G | pecan pie cups | |
| 7A | branzino, taste of lots of veggies, 3 G&T, 4 red | |
| 2-10 | poached eggs over greens with hash browns | |
| NO A! | pasta carbonara-lots of fat, bacon, rich | walk dog |
| 2-11 | kale salad w sausage, pine nuts, parmesan | |
| 1A | pork roast, potatoes, asparagus, 1 wine | |
| 2-12 | blueberries | |
| navy bean soup & Suja green drink | ||
| S | ice cream, almonds | |
| No A! | salad, mixed veggies, gyro meat, lindt truffle | headache overnight |
| 2-13 | 6 coffees! bacon egg taco with tortilla | Haven’t been noting coffees & drinking too much again! |
| egg casserole, tomato, avocado | ||
| creme brulee almonds–lots, 1/2 cup? | ||
| 7A | 5 rose, 2 red, pate on crackers, strawberry cake | headdache 3:30am |
| 2-14 | 3 coffees | walk dog |
| grouper, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrot | ||
| 2 lindt truffles, 2 chai tea | ||
| 1 tomato meatball, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, tomatoes | ||
| 2-15 | 2 bars | up at 4, 6am flight |
| 2A | grilled octopus, risotto, wine | |
| 15A | Best meal of my entire life at one of world’s best restaurants with wine pairings | |
| 2-16 | eggs, bacon, fruit | |
| 3A | wine tasting | |
| 1A | mushroom soup, burger, 1 glass wine | |
| 2A | wine tasting | |
| 2A | pasta w shrimp, bread, small salad, wine | too much white carbs! |
| 2-17 | eggs, fruit, bacon | bad sleep, massive sweat |
| 3A | wine tasting, charcuterie, pizza | |
| 5A | 2 wine tastings | |
| 2A | steak, potato, asparagus, 2 wine | |
| 2-18 | eggs, bacon, fruit | |
| 1A | tuna sandwich, bloody mary | |
| 2A | 2 Manhattan’s | |
| 2-19 | 3 coffee | |
| banana, 1 tbsp almond butter | ||
| G | 2 tea, broccoli, pasta venison bake | tummy rumbly |
| S | 2 lindt | |
| G, 3A | broccoli, pasta bake, 2 wine, 1 baileys | |
| 2-20 | Shrimp taco, fried avocado taco | |
| 5A, G, S | G&T, tastes of 10 things but not too bad, 4 red, dessert tasting | |
| 2-21 | suju green juice, nuts | bad sleep, massive sweat |
| G, S | veggies, salad, tomato basil soup, 2 cookies | |
| S, G, No A | chicken, green beans, mini bundt cake | neck VERY tender. Felt awful! |
| 2-22 | suju green juice, banana, blueberries | bad sleep, massive sweat |
| egg casserole-tomato, cauliflower, broccoli, onion, avocado | 1 hr cycling class | |
| S, G, No A | salad w fried chicken bits on top, part of a milkshake | |
| 2-23 | 2 clementines | didn’t sweat much |
| taco meat, lettuce, tomato, avocado, tostado chip-(corn?) | walk dog | |
| 3A, G | gumbo, fried shrimp, crawfish, 2 vodka sodas, fireball | |
| 2-24 | eggs florentine | didn’t sweat much |
| 1 A | grilled salmon, potato, roasted carrots, grilled romaine, G&T | yardwork |
| 2-25 | no b’fast | bad headache during night, soaking sweat |
| beans, quinoa, frozen dinner | thyroid ultrasound | |
| No A | salmon? spinach? | |
| 2-26 | 2 egg bacon tacos | woke 4:45am so off day |
| bad turkey coldcut, cheese, tomato, lettuce, 1 pc bread, “Grandma’s Cookie”—low point | ||
| 1A | chips, queso, G&T | |
| 2-27 | no bfast | 1 hr cycle class |
| protein & veggie, can’t remember | medical massage | |
| No A | can’t remember but no alcohol! | |
| 2-28 | no bfast | |
| tilapia picatta w spinach | ||
| 4A | lobster ravioli, buratta, caprese, G&T, red wine, scotch |
January 2019
I stopped Physical Therapy for my feet because I have to start over with my deductible. My goal is to start a home exercise routine (stay tuned). This is actually a pretty low point for me. I had a 3 week viral cold in December, a serious PsA flare for 3-4 days early January. My right hand and right ankle are swollen and my right ankle is occasionally giving out when I walk. My bunions both hurt and there is even blue bruising visible on my left foot (the most recent surgery). The bruising & flare are probably because pushed beyond my limits over the holidays. In addition to all of the above, no more estradiol means the hot flashes, brain fog & general irritability are raging right now. That combined with a lack of sleep probably initiated this PsA flare. The athletes foot fungus (tinea pedis) on my right surgery scar is better than it was, but I am so tired of dealing with this issue. Some days I think I’ve finally turned a corner, but then it flares up again.
| DATE: | FOOD: | SYMPTOM & EXERCISE: |
|---|---|---|
| thru 1-8 | sugar, gluten & alcohol daily | cold virus thru xmas, PsA flare 1/6 to 1/9, hot flashes, brain fog, irritable |
| 1-8 | mini fast thru 2:30pm | |
| cauliflower, kale, sausage soup w veggie powder & collagen powder | ||
| S | millionaire candies | |
| 3A, G | turkey pot pie, salad, gin & tonic, 2 scotch | hot bath, night sweats |
| 1-9 | mini fast thru 2:30 pm | |
| cauliflower, kale, sausage soup w veggie powder & collagen powder, turkey pot pie | ||
| S | 3 lindt truffles | |
| No A! | mexican beans, rice, chicken, cheese enchilada, chips, salsa, chocolate cake | bloated, no hot bath, no A, & slept in bra/pantie=fewer night sweats |
| 1-10, 4A, S | chicken marbella, sweet potatoes, salad, wine | |
| 1-11 4A, S | lg serving of lamb chops @ restaurant, wine | headache from wine, massage! |
| 1-12 | mexican for lunch w margarita | |
| wine all afternoon | ||
| 6A, S, G | sea bass, brussel sprouts, asparagus, wine | |
| 1-13 to 1-15 | turkey soup for lunch | neck very tender-thyroid? or from cold? |
| 1-16 | egg bacon taco | neck tender |
| G | turkey soup, cookies | |
| 3A, S | sushi, gin & tonic, wine, cake | |
| 1-17 | eggs | neck tender |
| S | turkey soup, cookies | |
| 2A, G | shrimp tacos, salad, 2 margarita | |
| 1-18 | turkey soup, cookies | |
| 5A | vietnamese shrimp, cabbage, tomato stir fry, 3 tequila, 2 G&T | |
| 1-19 | omlette w lots of veggies, avocado | |
| 8A | 4 G&T, 2 red wine, 2 shots | |
| 1-20 | 2 eggs, 4 cookies | |
| S | greens, broccoli, tomato, pork loin, 4 choc truffles | |
| 1-21 | coffee, smoothie, 5 truffles | L Glutamine, walked dog! |
| arugula, pomegranate, goat cheese & nut salad, grilled pork, potato, 1/4 ice cream | ||
| 4A, S, D | G&T, 2 rose, 1 Tequila, | hands sore immediately after G&T! |
| 1-22 | 3 coffees, smoothie | need to cut back on coffee!, L-Glutamine |
| S, G | General Tso’s chicken, brown rice, 3 egg rolls, 2 fried donut balls | |
| 1A | g&T, eggplant parmegian | slept w pressure gloves |
| 1-23 | 3 coffee | bad headache-sinus? |
| shawarma, broccoli, cauliflower, labna, hummus, pickles | ||
| 5A, S, G | 5 wine, grits, shrimp, salad, parm cracker, cake | |
| 1-24 | smoothie | |
| chicken sandwich, beef sandwich, salad | cycle class | |
| 1-25 | no b’fast, can’t remember lunch | |
| 5A, G | 5 wine, baked ziti casserole, veggies, salad | |
| 1-26 | baked ziti leftovers | |
| 8A | steak, potatoes, brussels, cauliflower, 8 wine | |
| 1-27 S | small cinnamon roll | |
| leftover pasta | ||
| 4A | 4 wine, crab cakes, coleslaw, caesar salad | |
| 1-28 | juiced greens | bad night sweats that were more constant than intermittment |
| roast pork, baked ziti leftovers, brussels, cauliflower | ||
| S | 4 lindt | walk dog |
| baked potato w bbq pork roast & cheese | ||
| A | can’t remember but probably wine | |
| 1-29 | goat milk, cherry, collagen, moringa veggie powder | started sleeping w mouthpiece to stop snoring |
| nut mix, 1/3 c | cycle class | |
| 1A | 1 red wine | |
| pork roast, brussels, potato | ||
| 1-30 | 2 eggs over arugla & sauted cauliflower, onion, carrot, celery, garlic & herbs | |
| 3A | 5 lindt, 3 white wine | walk dog |
| pork roast, brussels | ||
| 1-31 | egg casserole-from yesterday saute | slept in 2nd bedroom on reg mattress |
| A | 2 white choc lindt, 1/4 glass red wine | |
| rosemary lemon pork w cream sauce, lg salad, brussels |
December 2018
As you can see, I have not been logging my food, exercise, symptoms or pain on a daily basis. Food: too much alcohol, sugar & gluten but not horrible and not as much as I have consumed in prior years. Medications: I think the Taltz is better for my hand pain but the tendons in my shins are hurting more. I gradually weaned off the estrogen and progesterone this month (details under medications) and hot flashes started up again, that are quite miserable. That may also be why I had a few bad headaches this month. I started Black Cohosh & I think it may make the hot flashes slightly more manageable. Exercise: I’ve been doing Physical Therapy for my feet and that has helped me to regain strength and to lessen the pain in my feet and ankles. I did a few sessions of cycling and yoga a the beginning of the month but couldn’t do that & the PT each week so stopped. Update January 2019: Athletes foot fungus (tinea pedis) on right surgery scar still there and responding VERY SLOWLY to meds. Tea tree oil directly on scar seems to help but layering on different antifungals.
November 2018
Sometime in mid-October I turned a corner healing from my foot surgeries and found myself willing to put things away & tackle a few piles that have accumulated over the last year. I’ve tapered back on the drinking a little, but it is still almost daily. I’ll be finished weaning myself off hormones by the end of this month and I took my first dose of Taltz, which may have helped break the constant pain in my neck and lower back. I need to strengthen my core but it is hard to get motivated & exercise through the pain. You will see in my food log that I’m eating sugar & gluten way more than previously. If I eat a dessert with sugar & gluten I will get gassy & bloated with lots of pelvic pressure. Linking those symptoms to the food makes it easier for me to avoid them! When I am tired though I have almost no willpower. The holidays will be hard, but I am looking forward to a fresh start in January with a focus on exercise! Update January 2019: Athletes foot fungus (tinea pedis) on right surgery scar. Treating daily with different antifungals, sometimes looks better but not changing much.
| DATE: A=Alcohol, S=sugar, G=Gluten | FOOD: | SYMPTOM & EXERCISE: |
|---|---|---|
| 11-1 | smoothie | |
| broccoli-liver detox soup | ||
| 2A | leftovers..can’t remember but healthy, 2 wine, stayed up late w tv & ate chips! | |
| 11-2 | smoothie | |
| spinach, garlic, tomato, chicken-amazing! | ||
| 3A | crockpot venison stew-carrot, onions, oven dried tomatoes & peppers, potato, garlic-nothing canned-super good, late nite wine | |
| 11-3 | eggs, sausage, fruit | |
| lettuce, coldcuts, pickles, stew | ||
| 4A, G, S | burger, chips & queso, 4 wine, pecan pie & taste of other desserts | |
| 11-4 G, S | eggs, sausage, peppers & onions, fruit, small piece pumpkin bread & a bar | |
| 1A | large salad with chicken on top, 1 red wine | |
| 11-5 | strawberries, kefir, 9g collagen | back & neck pain |
| D, S | stew-lots, ice cream | |
| S, NO A! | nuts, choc covered walnuts | |
| 11-6 | eggs w peppers & onions | bad lower back pain, stretching morning & night |
| sushi & dumplings, ice cream | massage | |
| 2 pcs pizza & 1 cookie | aargh, lost willpower | |
| 11-7 | bacon egg taco | excruciating back pain |
| trail mix | ||
| chicken, pepper, spinach, pasta, 3 pcs chocolate | ||
| 3A, S | carpaccio, lobster, scallop, asparagus, lettuce, potato, creme brulee, rose bubbly, bourbon | small amts of all food but high quality. felt good |
| 11-8 | smoothie | |
| G, D | salad, half tuna & half pimento sandwich on wheat | |
| D, S | ice cream I think… | |
| 3A, G | GF zucchini lasagna, chicken pepper spinach pasta, 3 wine | |
| 11-9 D, G, S | GF zucchini lasagna, chicken, 1 cookie, ice cream | |
| 5A, G | grilled chicken sandwich-pulled off most of the bread, 2 G&T, 3 bourbon | |
| 11-10 | 2 eggs w tomato, pepper, garlic, avocado | |
| smoothie | ||
| tuna salad, chips, cookie | ||
| 4-5A | paella, stuffed peppers, hummus, sangria | |
| 11-11 | blackberries, kefir, almonds, 9g collagen | |
| tom kai gai soup | ||
| banana w almond butter | ||
| 1A | venison, peppers, celery, onions stir fry red wine | |
| 11-12 to 21 | working on a deadline & not logging. will hit some highlights | |
| 11-14 | took first Taltz injection | |
| 11-15 | neck pain finally broke. Either Taltz or massage | |
| 11-16 to 11-20 | very sleep deprived, ate sugar | |
| 11-17 | smoothie | |
| S, G | can’t remember but probably sandwich, cookies | |
| S, G | mexican-chicken, rice, beans, tamale, sopapilla cheesecake | |
| No A!!! | queso, chips, guac | feet swollen |
| 11-18 | eggs, bacon taco, cheese | |
| S, G | croc monsieur, cookies | |
| 3A, G | salad, pizza, wine | worst headache ever during night |
| 11-19 | bone broth soup | didn’t sleep well night before, probably wine on lack of sleep |
| 5A, S | steak, potato, green beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheesecake, 5 red wine | walk |
| 11-20 | 1 egg | walk |
| G | half chicken breast, peppers, onions, green beans, ravioli w tomatoe & pesto sauce | lymphatic massage |
| 4A | 4 red wine, nuts | |
| 11-21 | coffee-consistently drinking 5+cups/day right now | woke very relaxed-probably massage |
| fish tacos, rice, beans | Forgot estrodial, hot flashes, possibly worse from lack of sleep | |
| 4A | shared whole fried fish, grilled hamachi, sushi, cucumber, pear, whiskey, sake | |
| 11-22 | pumpkin bread, salmon-cracker-cream cheese, egg | |
| turkey, dressing, sweet potato, brussel sprouts, gravy | immediately tired | |
| pecan pie & whip cream | pretty sure hands swoll immediately, took advil | |
| 3 rolls w turkey, miracle whip & picles | ||
| small pecan pie & ice cream | definitely feel it in joints! | |
| 11-23 | coffee, pumpkin bread | |
| G, S | turkey, dressing, brussel sprouts, gravy, sweet potato, pecan pie | |
| 2 french 75, few nachos, turkey on biscuit | ||
| 11-24 | coffee, pumpkin bread, egg hash with peppers, onions, garlic | |
| 5 A | red wine-bottle? | |
| Smoked lamb, pork, beef, potato, dressing, carrot, brussel sprouts, | ||
| sex in a pan dessert | massive cramps, gas | |
| 11-25 | coffee, pumpkin bread, bacon egg taco | migraine during night |
| leftover fish, sushi, 1 piece flatbread, oranges | ||
| turkey soup, pear, 2 chocolate | ||
| 2A | 2 glasses rose |
October 2018
Things are getting worse rather than better. I am out of control. Please don’t give up on me. I’ll get myself back together soon & occasionally have a good day. I’m committed to writing down what I eat so I can connect my behavior to my symptoms. Update January 2019: Athletes foot fungus (tinea pedis) on right surgery scar. Thought it might be psoriasis but based on response to different medicines, it is not.
| DATE: A=Alcohol, S=sugar, G=Gluten | FOOD: | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 10-1 | 3 coffee, smoothie-pineapple, cherry, banana, edamame, arugula, ginger, tumeric | BM normal. Bad neck shoulder chest pain |
| falafel, pita, broccoli, cauliflower, hummus, babaganoush, | ||
| 3A | cookie, 3 white wine | |
| 10-2 | 4 coffee, Pineapple, cherry, kale, 9g collagen, tumeric, ginger smoothie | LGlutamine |
| pork, squash, blk beans, mushrooms | ||
| 5A | few bites bbq, potato salad, beans, 1 white, 4 red wine | stayed up late watching tv, |
| 10-3 | 3 coffee, mango, cherry, kale, 9g collagen, ginger, tumeric smoothie | L-Glutamine, pilates, only 6 hr sleep |
| G, S | turkey cheese tomato lettuce on wheat, chips, 2 cookies | neck tension into my jaw |
| G, 3A | 2 slices pizza, 3 red wine | |
| 10-4 | bacon egg taco | |
| tuna on wheat, chips, choc cookie | horrible neck pain | |
| 2A | chicken leg, broccoli, arugula salad, 2 red wine | hands hurt |
| 10-5 | egg casserole, avocado | |
| 7A, G | fajita taco, beans, 2 margaritas, 1 G&T, 1 bottle wine, half bag sweet potato chips | at ACL |
| 10-6 | half smoothie, egg casserole, avocado | |
| 7A, G | G&T, chicken sandwich, fries, half bag sweet potato chips | too much wine @ ACL but drank more water |
| 10-7 | egg casserole, banana, | stomach wrecked |
| 3A, G | burger, tater tots, 3-4 wine all day | |
| 10-8 | half smoothie, pear | |
| broccoli soup, egg casserole | ate very little til 3pm | |
| chicken leg, roasted cauliflower, few roasted potatoes, 1/2c ice cream | ||
| 10-9 | coffee | LGlutamine, milk thistle |
| broccoli, pork, potato, goat milk kefir, plum, 9g collagen | ||
| 2 peppers, cucumber, tomatoes w hummus | ||
| spaghetti squash w spinach, 1/2 meatball, 1/2 svg ravioli lasagna | neck pain bad | |
| 10-10 | bacon egg taco | L Glutamine, milk thistle |
| G | spaghetti squash, spinach, pork, small amt ravioli lasagna | Gut healing after horrible weekend |
| 1A | can’t remember but relatively healthy, only few sips of some wine | |
| 10-11 | Smoothie, 9g collagen, egg casserole | LGlutamine, milk thistle |
| G | salad, 1/2 tuna sand, 1/2 turkey sand, hummus, tzatziki | |
| 5A | chicken piccata, pasta, salad, 4-5 wine | |
| 10-12 | smoothie w kefir, 9g collagen, egg casserole | LGlutamine, milk thistle |
| 3A | chicken, green beans, 5pm G&T, 6 pm beer, 11pm bourbon | |
| 10-13 | 3 coffee, egg casserole, smoothie | L Glutamine, milk thistle |
| can’t remember | missed some days | |
| chicken parmesan, veggies | ||
| 3A | gin & tonic, 2 bourbon | |
| 10-14 | coffee | |
| torchy’s shrimp taco, trailer park-fried chicken | ||
| 1A | shishito peppers, venison, okra, corn, salad, 1 good red wine | |
| 10-15 | coffee, smoothie, egg casserole | L Glutamine, milk thistle |
| pear, trail mix | ||
| 1A | lg salad, leftover pork, broccoli, corn, 1 red wine | |
| 10-16 | smoothie w 9g collagen | L Glutamine, milk thistle |
| egg casserole w 1 tomato | ||
| A | steak, potato, brussel sprouts, shrimp garlic butter, creme brulee, 1 Red wine | |
| 10-17 | Smoothie w 9g collagen | L Glutamine, milk thistle |
| spinach, broccoli, tomato, onion, garlic & 2 eggs | Spin class | |
| leftover pork, brussel sprouts, potato | ||
| white cake w icing | immediate gas from cake | |
| 5A | 5 red wine, 4 c chips | stayed up late watching TV |
| 10-18 | smoothie, 9 g collagen | LGlutamine, milk thistle, lg BM, pain worse this morning-wine or sugar or lack of sleep? |
| broccoli soup | elliptical intervals 5″ | |
| veggies at mtg | ||
| 10-19 | Smoothie | |
| S | salad w grilled chicken, tzatziki, 2 cookies | |
| A | 2 beer | |
| 10-20 | can’t remember but healthy at home | |
| leftovers | ||
| 10-21 | 2 mimosas, salad, veggies, roast beef | |
| 2A | can’t remember but healthy at home | |
| 10-22 | broccoli, cauliflower, labna, babaganoush, falafel, pita | Spin class |
| chicken, beans, salsa, chips, small amts of all | ||
| beans upset my stomach | ||
| 10-23 | smoothie | L Glut |
| banana & almond butter | ||
| 5A | sushi, fish, big mixture, wine | generally feeling better |
| 10-24 | smoothie | |
| leftovers-can’t remember | hands not hurting | |
| S, G | salad, 3-4 ziti w meat cheese sauce, cookie | |
| 10-25 | smoothie | |
| leftovers healthy | pilates class | |
| 1A | leftovers for dinner, 1 wine | |
| 10-26 | smoothie | |
| tater tots, banana & almond butter | ||
| leftovers | ||
| 10-27 | eggs, sausage, fruit | computer all day |
| coldcuts, tomato, pickles | ||
| 2A | pizza, 2 gin & tonic | |
| 10-28 | eggs, bacon | very swollen..gin? computer? |
| 10A | james beard dinner-very diverse menu, | |
| 10-29 | broth, water | colonoscopy prep |
| 10-30 | colonoscopy | |
| falafel, broccoli, cauliflower, hummus, babaganoush, pickles, labnah | noisy digestion | |
| salmon, broccoli | diarrhea still | |
| 10-31 | smoothie | |
| salmon, spinach, broccoli | ||
| leftover chicken & veggies | ||
| 3A | 3 wine |
September 2018
I would love to believe that I will eat more cleanly now that school has started but the reality is there is an event almost every night of the week through Thanksgiving and most of them will include a glass of wine. So I’m pledging to do my best! Update January 2019: Athletes foot fungus (tinea pedis) on right surgery scar. I thought it was just the way my scar was healing so did nothing in September.
| DATE: A=Alcohol, S=sugar, G=Gluten | FOOD | EXERCISE & SYMPTOM |
|---|---|---|
| 9-1 to 9-2 | Drank daily but not as heavily as in past & had small amount of sugar daily. Good food tho so not much sugar or gluten. | Felt okay. BMs good. Alcohol affects my sleep & the inflammation so more motivated to limit it. |
| 9-3 | coffee, egg, veg, saus casserole w tomatoes | |
| No A! | lemon cake, 1 cookie | |
| large green salad, 3 choc covered walnuts | hungry when went to bed! | |
| 9-4 | coffee, peach, blueberry, 9g collagen, kefir | Pilates stretch BM normal |
| large salad | ||
| bbq baked potato, salad, squash & mushrooms, okra, zucchini | ate too much! | |
| .5A | drank half of a gin & tonic. 1/2 c ice cream | realized onions make me crave something sweet after I eat! |
| 9-5 | 2 coffee, smoothie-banana, pineapple, kale 9g collagen | 1st BM normal, 2nd BM too loose, L-Glutamine |
| 2:30p chicken on corn tortilla, squash, cheese, salsa, greens | pilates. Was super hungry & now very tired after eating | |
| 3A | pork loin, asparagus, salad, scallop potatoes, goat cheese quiche, berry gallette, small amts of each, 3 wine | |
| 9-6 | smoothie-9g collagen | |
| bbq baked potato & broccoli | swim 30 laps | |
| 3A | arugala, salmon, avocado, 3 white wine | lost some detail here-forgot to save? |
| 9-7 | smoothie-9g collagen | bifidus probiotic |
| broccoli soup, tom kai gai soup | pilates | |
| 3A | gin & fizzy water on bus, Mango margarita, white wine | |
| 3 pork tacos w avocado & cotija cheese | awake til 3am, bus to game | |
| 9-8 | 1pm egg, veggie, b’fast sausage hash | swam 25 laps |
| 5A | steak, baked potato, asparagus, grilled romaine salad, 5-good red wine | woke at 3am for almost 2 hours |
| 9-9 | torchy’s fried avocado taco & shrimp taco | BM very firm! |
| 2 coffee | no exercise | |
| No A | salad, squash w mushrooms, choc covered walnuts | few toots |
| 9-10 | pineapple cherry kale smoothie, 9g collagen | L Glutamine, BM normal |
| hot sour soup, Sesame chicken white rice, egg roll | Pilates | |
| No A | salad w squash & mushroom & asparagus | |
| S | choc walnuts | |
| 9-11 | egg casserole | medical massage |
| ice cream | no exercise, L foot pain where K wire attaches to 2nd metatarsal | |
| salad, broccoli, venison slice | overall pain for last week | |
| 2A | 2 wine | |
| 9-12 | egg bacon taco | no exercise |
| broccoli, half potato w bbq on top | L foot pain bad | |
| 2A | shrimp cocktail & corn chips, 2 french 75 | |
| 9-13 | 2 coffee, peach kale 9g collagen smoothie. kefir, blueberries & almonds | stinky BM-peppers, tomato & probably sugar in cocktail. L foot getting serious. can’t walk morning. L Glutamine, milk thistle, meloxicam |
| caesar salad, few slices chicken in small amt pasta, 2 oatmeal cookies—aargh! | mtg weakness! hurting lots & no willpower | |
| 2 coffee | pilates-felt better | |
| chicken, thigh, broccoli, fennel, carrots, onion mix, sweet potato | mom & dad in town, lost track…. | |
| 3A | 2 or 3 wine | |
| 9-14 | coffee, smoothie | |
| coldcuts on romaine lettuce leaf, chips | Dr put me back in boot. Over exerted | |
| Fish tacos | ||
| 9-15 | eggs, bfast sausage, veggies, avacado, tomato | hands hurt |
| choc covered walnuts | ||
| sushi & sake | ||
| 4A total | 3 wine | |
| 9-16 | chicken breast w cilantro sauce & salad | hands hurt |
| No A!!!! | salad | |
| 9-17 | kale pineapple banana smoothie 9g collagen | |
| egg, bfast sausage tacos w avacado, tomato, salsa | ||
| 2A | 2 empanadas, 1/2 quesadilla, tomato mozzarella app, 2 wine | |
| 9-18 | coldcut turkey & provolone on romaine w roasted peppers & chips | L Glutamine, Bifidus, massage focused on lymphatic drainage |
| kefir w blueberries & strawberries | ||
| korean pulled pork on lettuce, cabbage | ||
| 5A | 4 white wine, 1 scotch | |
| 9-19 | kale, pinapple, banana, 9g collagen smoothie | headache, but BM normal, L Glutamine & Milk Thistle |
| chicken thigh/leg, small amt sweet potato & white potato, arugala salad, kefir & strawberry | ||
| 4A | 4 red wine-Chappallet | |
| small amts: bib salad, fried okra, green tomato, cauliflower, 3 slices gourmet pizza | ||
| 9-20 | peach, kefir, 9g collagen | First BM firm, 2nd diarrhea! probably red wine! Lglutamine & milk thistle |
| 1 chicken strip, gyro meat, pita, tzatziki, lettuce | ||
| No A, S, D | 2 oz grilled chicken w couscous, cheese cake, hot tea | Good job resisting A late at night! |
| 9-21 | smoothie kale, banana, pineapple, 9g collagen | LGlutamine, normal BM |
| small plain salad, cookie | physically tired, nap | |
| 2 coffee @ 4pm | not falling asleep last 2-3 nights & haven’t been writing down afternoon coffees | |
| 2A | fish taco, white bean nachos, 2 pinot grigio | hip hurt |
| 9-22 | trail mix, 2 eggs, veggie hash for lunch | no LG, forgot morning meds 2 days |
| 2 coffee @ ~2pm | need to start watching, trouble sleeping | |
| salmon, okra, squash, potatoes, spinach salad | bike ride | |
| 5A | 2 Gin & tonic, 3 pinot noir, flourless choc cake whip cream | Seemed ok @ bedtime |
| 9-23 | coffee | woke w terrible headache |
| korean pulled pork on lettuce w cabbage | bike ride | |
| green tea, watermelon, cantelope, tumeric tea | neck, back, hands, hurting today | |
| No A | very small amt flourless choc cake, ice cream & whip cream | |
| 9-24 | 3 coffee, minifast til 1pm | BM normal, pain slightly better |
| korean pulled pork, cabbage, on lettuce, sour cream, avocado | bike ride | |
| 3A | 2 red wine, 1 bourbon | |
| smoked pork, whole sweet potato, asparagus, spinach salad | ate 8pm, then stayed up watching tv til midnight | |
| 9-26 | 2 coffee | BM firm then normal |
| 11am 2 eggs, sausage, peppers, asparagus, avocado | 40″ bike ride | |
| 2A | 2 red wine, 1/2 cup mixed nuts | |
| 9-27 | 2 eggs over arugla & sauted vegetables, avocado | BM too firm. Hurt |
| kefir, plum, almonds, 9g collagen | 20″ bike ride | |
| pork, okra, potato, squash | ||
| 3A | 1 red, 1 white, 1 bourbon | |
| 9-28 | egg casserole & smoothie w 9g collagen | Lglutamine |
| salad, broccoli soup, half of an iced sugar cookie | immediately craved more when finished cookie | |
| pork, okra, squash, potato | ||
| 4A | 4 white wine late after game | went to bed 1:30am |
| 9-29 | squash casserole, trail mix | LGlutamine |
| quinoa, veggie wrap w caesar dressing, chips, cookie | filled me up for way longer than expected | |
| 4A | calamari, tuna tartar, lobster bisque, scallops, asparagus, bite of cheesecake & flourless choc cake, bourbon & 2 champagne, red wine | Huge BM ~4pm & ~10pm. Firmer but not too firm, held shape. Seemed healthy. Quinoa? |
| 9-30 | coffee & trailmix | huge BM again! Not too firm & held shape. |
| salmon eggs benedict w potatoes & mimosa | ||
| stir fry & dumplings w rice | 3.3 mile bike ride | |
| sweet tooth—coffee cup of ice cream |
August 2018
I originally thought I would use August to do a cleanse. It has been harder than I thought because summer celebrations have not let up! However, I do believe I have made progress and overall am drinking significantly less than 2 years ago and the sugar and gluten are almost negligible parts of my diet compared to a couple years ago. It is important to recognize this progress!
| DATE: A=Alcohol, S=Sugar, G=Gluten | FOOD: | SYMPTOM: |
|---|---|---|
| 8-20 M | peaches, black raspberries, blueberries w milk & 9 mg collagen | L Glutamine 2-3 normal BMs |
| Bone broth w broccoli, cauliflower & sausage Lintel & sweet potato soup | stomach gurgled | |
| 3A | 3 Gin & Tonics popcorn | |
| 8-21 T | peaches, black raspberries, blueberries, almonds w milk Egg muffin w veg & sausage | Forgot L Glutamine & Collagen |
| greek salad, broccoli, chicken kabob | ||
| S | 1/2 c Ice cream | Swim laps |
| Pork loin, roast potatoes, carrots, salad | tummy squeaks after pm vitamins | |
| 1A | Gin & Tonic | |
| 8-22 W | 2 coffee peach, blk rasp, blueberries, kefir, almonds | Pilates L-Glutamine |
| 3 fish tacos but only part of 1 tortilla, ~1 tbsp beans | ||
| S | coffee 1/4c cookies & cream ice cream | had mona lisa procedure today |
| 2A | 2 Gin & Tonic | realized not enjoying, need to stop! |
| Venison, green beans, zucchini, salad, cantalope | ||
| 8-23 Th | 2 coffee, peach, black raspberries, figs, goat kefir, sliced almond | woke w headache, Humira |
| leftover chicken wing, green beans, roasted potatoes | Swam 30 laps | |
| NO A! | roast beef, tomato, lettuce on half the bun, salad & broke down….2 peanut butter cookies during mtg! | Started Bifidus Balance Probiotic |
| 8-24 F | 2 coffee, Smoothie: cherries, berries, kale, 9g collagen protein | headache gone! Pilates-core feeling stronger |
| cinnamon tea | Bifidus | |
| 2 egg, sausage, veggie muffins, avocado, salsa 2 cups coffee | BM | |
| leftover pork butt, green beans, squash, roast potatoes | ||
| 3A, S | 3 white wine, brisket, potato, taste of key lime pie | |
| 8-25 Sa | coffee–Train Wreck with food today! | minor gas, 2 BM-normal, Pilates-core/legs |
| 2A, S | eggs benedict, 2 mimosas, birthday cake | |
| 4A, G, S | 2 white wine 2 red wine shrimp tempura, lamb chop, sticky toffee pudding | |
| 8-26 Su | 2 coffee, 2 egg,veg, saus muffins w avocado & tomato | BM-normal BM-Diarrhea after ate |
| 4A, G | 2 Gin & Tonic, 2 red wine, homemade pizza on grill | bifidus balance, cod liver oil |
| 8-27 | Disaster with food, trying a fast this morning, coffee, kombucha | Did not sleep well. Woke 1am for about an hour. stomach rumbling. BM normal tho |
| 20 hour fast! | 4pm peach, blueberry, almond, kefir | swim 30 laps |
| No A! | pork loin, caesar salad, mixed fresh & roasted veggies, 2 choc covered walnuts | bifidus balance, cod liver oil. to bed hungry but proud of myself! |
| TABLE NOT SAVING | ENTERED 3X | RE-ENTER From Memory |
| 8-28 | 2 coffee | body in detox-tired & sore, BM ok but hard pieces |
| egg, spinach, tomato, mushroom, avocado on croissant w coffee @ B’fast meeting | ||
| blueberries, kefir, 9g collagen, 2 coffee | L Glutamine, bifidus balance | |
| 8-29 | ||
| 3pm two egg, veg, sausage muffins w avocado & salsa | very stressful day-3 hours w friend who needs to go to rehab | |
| 2 Gin & Tonic @ movie | ||
| 8-30 | 3 coffee, blueberries, 9g collagen, kefir | BM normal, L-glutamine |
| nuts, 1:30-egg, veg, sausage muffin w avocado & salsa | medical massage-changed leg lengths! | |
| 3 choc covered walnuts | ||
| can’t remember but protein & veggie for sure | ||
| 8-31 | smoothie? | |
| leftovers? | ||
| meat potatoes for in-laws? |
Food and Symptom Diary week of 7-29-18
I am still recovering from summer. I had vowed to stop the alcohol and sugar as soon as all the trips stopped. This would be my first week, but I had alcohol every night except one and I helped myself to ice cream daily. However, I DID start back on some supplements that are good for my gut bugs (L-glutamine first thing in the morning). And I seem to be responding well to the additional Magnesium supplements. This week I finished the liquid form that I was adding to my morning smoothies. I’m transitioning to a chelated pill form and will see how I respond to that. Watching for diarrhea as that is a clue that I’m not absorbing the magnesium. Here’s the diary if you are truly interested. July 29th week
2017 to 2018
If you want a copy of my food log from January 2017 to August 2018 email me and I’ll scan it in.