Autoimmune Roots

Large quantity of supplements taken for autoimmune condition

Medication Diary 2018-Two Bunion Surgeries

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Psoriatica
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Medication Diary 2018-Two Bunion Surgeries

I had two bunion surgeries in 2018. My right foot in January and my left foot in June. With each surgery I had to be completely off the foot for 6 weeks, then gradual weight bearing for 6 weeks. My scooters were life savers. I kept one upstairs and the all terrain one downstairs. I navigated the stairs of our home on my bottom, which was a good arm exercise since I wasn’t able to do much else. I had never been one to take medication and I was now taking a lot of supplements AND on a biologic for my psoriatic arthritis that might be a forever medication. I wanted to stop as many as I could.

I stopped hormone supplements, allopurinol, and calcium in the Fall of 2018.  Humira had improved my psoriatic arthritis but I still had significant pain in my hands. My doctor suggested I try Taltz, which was supposed to be more targeted for psoriatic arthritis. I switched from Humira to Taltz in November 2018. I will never know whether what came next was because of the Taltz, stopping the hormones or the result of a virus. A complex infection that went from a sinus cold to enlarged thyroids to a diagnosis of Disseminated Zoster from November 2018 to April 2019 prompted me to stop all supplements. Even though my goal was always to eliminate as many supplements as possible but my Infectious Disease doctor piled on more supplements in May of 2019 to rebuild my immune system and fight the shingles virus. See my 2019 Medication Diary with Disseminated Zoster for more details.

To fully understand why I was taking each of these supplements you’ll want to review my post on the progression of my disease and the diet and elimination protocols I have tried.

2018 Nov

STOPPED: Humira 40 mg since 1-2016-every 2 weeks through 10-2018. Last dose Nov 5th.

ADDED: Taltz 80 mg, 1st dose was 2-80 mg on Nov 15th.

2018 Oct to Dec–weaning off hormones

ADDED: 1 Probiotic Bifidus Balance by Jarrow to evening pill packs because wasn’t remembering to take daily from the fridge. Leaving in fridge until fill pill packs every 3 weeks. Dosage on container is 3x/day.

STOPPING: Oct 9th -23rd Cut Estradiol & Progesterone dose in half. So 1 click of Estradiol (1.25 mg) & take 200 mg progesterone every other night. Oct 24rd-Nov 6th cut in half again, 1 click estrogen & 100 mg progesterone every other day. Nov 8th-Nov 21st skip 2 days between doses. Hot flashes bad so continued to phase out estrogen by taking 1 click on 11/27, 12/2, 12/7, 12/12, 12/19, 12/27, 1/7/19. Continued 100mg progesterone every 3 days (skip 2 days) until January 22, when ran out. The doctor thought continuing progesterone after estrogen would help with receptors.

ADDED: Increase D3 to 4 days a week to get levels up a little higher.

STOPPED: Vit C 1-2017 to 10-2018 for gout

2018 Sept 1 

  • STOPPED: EVENING Citracal calcium 630 mg, D3 500 IU, zinc 5.5 mg, copper .45mg, manganese 1.15 mg, sodium 5mg 3-2018, so half dose
  • STOPPED: DHEA SR, 10 mg, $33 Focus, $27 180 Walmart 3-2016—hormone dr-most of it is not available to the body as it is processed in the liver first. Didn’t find data supporting the micronized or cream version. See if notice a problem & add back if testosterone gets super low.
  • STOPPED: Cod Liver Oil-I wasn’t taking daily as a liquid because I would forget.
  • ADDED: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 2x-1075 mg, single pill, which is half dose, rec: Keystone Approach book

2018 August 1

  • STOPPED Iron Glycinate-interferes with the absorption of zinc & calcium. I need the zinc I’m taking for intestinal health & calcium for bones. See if notice iron levels decreasing over time & add back if needed. Glycinate is a Non-heme form & so not as readily available as Heme iron, best 1 hr before or 2 hrs after meal, caffeine & calcium interferes. consider only taking lactoferrin
  • ADDED: Chelated Manganese 10 mg manganese bisglycinate chelate, 8-2018, Magnesium Miracle, tried liquid first–for bones & muscles, do not seem to be getting diarrhea from this as I did many years ago from the basic Magnesium.
  • ADDED: Zinc L-Carnosine, 8-2018, Gut Protocol & Magnesium Miracle, for gut AND bones

2018 June

  • Bunion Surgery on left foot

2018 May Medication Diary

Stopped D3 for 2 weeks per rheumatologist. Bloodwork showed it was at top of Vit D range. Stopped 5-24, Re-start after surgery but take M, W, F.

2018 April Medication Diary

  • Stopped Move Free–not noticeable
  • Started Tart Cherry 100mg & Celery Seed extract 240 mg but stopped for surgery. Only take if gout symptoms, not sure I notice a difference

 Feb to March The Gut Health Protocol by Herron–this had a huge positive impact on my gut health

  • Diatomaceous Earth–noticed an immediate change in BM
  • Lactoferrin
  • N-acetylcysteine
  • Interphase+ from Klare Labs
  • Allicin/Garlic
  • Cinnamon Oil
  • Zinc L-Carnosine
  • Checked stomach acid with Betaine HCl & still low…up to 5 tablets
  • Ate fermented foods
  • Ate bone broth
  • Add L-Glutamine  Maintained until April 20th afterward took it only when bouts of diarrhea

2018 Mar Medication Diary

  •  ADDED: Citracal calcium 630 mg, D3 500 IU, zinc 5.5 mg, copper .45mg, manganese 1.15 mg, sodium 5mg 3-2018

2018 Feb Medication Diary

  • CHANGE: D3/K2, 5000 IU/90mcg K2 good for gut health
  • ADDED: Alpha Lipoic Acid, 600 mg 11-2017 Neurologist-can benefit small nerve fibers which can be a problem with PsA

2018 Jan

  • Bunion Surgery on right foot
  • STOPPED: Testosterone, my levels were way too high