Medication Diary 2019-Disseminated Zoster

I will never know what caused my disseminated zoster. There are 3 possible causes: 1) I stopped hormone supplements last October; 2) I switched from Humira to Taltz in November 2018, or; 3) a virus that went from a sinus cold to enlarged thyroids to a diagnosis of Disseminated Zoster from November 2018 to April 2019. When disseminated zoster was finally diagnosed I stopped all supplements. 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. It was a long year of strange symptoms trying to get my immune system back in balance. I gradually weaned off the anti-virals and was free of the zoster spots long enough to get both doses of Shingrex in October and December of 2019. I stopped ALL supplements in November 2019 while starting a very strict 5-day fast and 21-day elimination diet, which put the disseminated zoster in remission. The psoriatic arthritis initially got worse but it got better after about 6 weeks on the diet. The psoriasis also went into remission, but only for about a month. The first time I had alcohol and challenged my diet the psoriasis came back. My diet affects the severity of the flares, but it is almost always there. I believed my psoriatic arthritis was in remission because I had almost no PsA symptoms for about 3 months. But as I’ve gradually added foods back into my diet, I experience psoriatic arthritis pain in my hands again. I’ve come full circle and now take supplements, trying to beat psoriasis, but I know that what I really need to do is fast, eat a very simple diet for a few weeks, and then start adding back the trigger foods until I identify my problem (sugar and alcohol are the obvious cuprits)! I may never be able to take a biologic for my PsA again.

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

December 2019

Clearvite first thing, before eating anything, 2x/day week 2 & 3, 3x/day during the veggie week
30 minutes before eating breakfast: AM Cleanse, Ultra Cleansing System by Natural State Labs, AM Formula (can’t find online)
Superzymes by Natural State Labs (can’t find on Amazon or via a manufacturer), 1/day
Omega-3 Natural State Labs Omega-3 (1000mg, 180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA) plus D-3 25 mcg, Vit E 7mg, 2 tabs in a.m. & 2 tabs in p.m. Pretty sure this was plant-based, not fish-based
Probiotic, Natural State Labs, 100 Billion probiotics, 12 strains: Bl-04, La-14, Bi-26, Ll-23, Bb-03, Lc-11, Lr-32, Bl-05, Bb-06, Ls-33, Lp-115, Lb-87, Larch Arabinogalactin, Fructooligosaccharides.
End of day: PM Cleanse, Ultra Cleansing System by Natural State Labs, PM Formula (can’t find online)
STOPPED CBD Oil for pain, CBD American Shaman 30 ml bottle 10mg/ml. Water-soluble nanotechnology version. Full dropper in the morning. AND taking 1/2 dropper of the Blyss version (16 mg). No noticeable pain reduction in wrists or back.
12-23 2nd Shingrex vaccine

November 2019

Nov 11-15 Stopped all supplements for a 5 day fast, then Nov 16th started supplements recommended by Functional Medicine doctor. Gluten (gliadin) antibodies detected in my saliva (Ab, sIgA) so began a gluten free diet.

Clearvite first thing, before eat anything.
30 minutes before eating breakfast: AM Cleanse, Ultra Cleansing System by Natural State Labs, AM Formula (can’t find online)
Plant Protein by Natural State Labs in an almond milkshake 2x day.
Superzymes by Natural State Labs (can’t find on Amazon or via manufacturer), 1/day
Omega-3 Natural State Labs Omega-3 (1000mg, 180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA) plus D-3 25 mcg, Vit E 7mg, 2 tabs in a.m. & 2 tabs in p.m. Pretty sure this was plant-based, not fish-based
Probiotic, Natural State Labs, 100 Billion probiotics, 12 strains: Bl-04, La-14, Bi-26, Ll-23,
Bb-03, Lc-11, Lr-32, Bl-05, Bb-06, Ls-33, Lp-115, Lb-87, Larch Arabinogalactan, Fructooligosaccharides.
End of day: PM Cleanse, Ultra Cleansing System by Natural State Labs, PM Formula (can’t find online)

Morning

Collagen-9g of protein, 10g collagen, has methionine for liver detox
Iron Glycinate 28 mg.
Vitamin C, 1000 mg, a free-radical scavenger, good for detox
Hair, Skin & Nails by Nature’s Bounty–includes B2, B3, & B9 for liver detox
Pycnogenol, 100mg, PsA. Started 100mg and realizing I ordered 50mg on subscribe & save via Amazon, so I will need to adjust.
D3/K2, 5000 IU/90mcg–only on Sa, Su, Tu, Th because levels get too high if taken daily. all docs recommend at various levels 1/2018
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 640 mg, single pill, which is half dose, rec: Keystone Approach book.
L-Glutamine 1000mg, good for liver detox
CoQ10 200 mg
Valacyclovir 250mg 1x/day
ADDED: SAMe helps w methylation reactions-needs folate & B12, only took 3 days. holding off until finish functional health diet cleanse
ADDED: NAC, free radical scavenger, good for heavy metal toxicity, more effective than methionine, 11-1 to 11-8, stop for fast
ADDED: Milk Thistle, Silymarin promotes detox by several complementary mechanisms, 11-1 to 11-8, stop for fast
ADDED BACK: Alpha Lipoic Acid, 600 mg originally took for neurologist but also may help with fighting virus. 11-1 to 11-8, stop for fast

Evening

Hair, Skin & Nails by Nature’s Bounty—
Tumeric Curcumin, 1000mg, for PsA
L-Lysine, 1000mg, for D.Z.
Chelated Chelated Magnesium, 100 mg. 6/15 start
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 640 mg, single pill, which is half dose, rec: Keystone Approach book.
Methyl Folate, 400 micrograms, a cofactor in sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism. cysteine & methionine are precursors to known heavy metal chelators alpha-lipoic acid & glutathione.
Zinc L-Carnosine–this was for my gut, maybe change to another form better for detox
EndoMune Probiotic by a local doctor, Sa, Su, Tu, Th
Reishi Extract, 1 capsule (440mg-fruit body, 75mg Reishi spore)
CBD Oil for pain, CBD American Shaman 30 ml bottle 10mg/ml. Water-soluble nanotechnology version. Full dropper in the morning. AND taking 1/2 dropper of the Blyss version (16 mg). No noticeable pain reduction in wrists or back.
Imvexxy estradiol vaginal inserts, 10 mcg, Monday & Thursday

October 2019

Alternating Protopic and Clobestasol cream cleared my lichen planus ulcer. Both of products burned, the clobetasol was worse and she did caution me against using much of it.

INCREASED: Omega to 2x day. May switch back to 2x (higher dose). I reduced my dosage in March and my cholesterol went from 180 in March to 261 in September. I think this is the primary cause for the change.

Morning

ADDED 2nd dose: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 640 mg, single pill, which is half dose, rec: Keystone Approach book.
ADDED: 9/28 Sulfasalazine, 500mg 2x/day. Stopping 10/8-experiencing fatigue, night sweats, sore throat, sinus congestion and zoster spots popping up. She said it might take 3 months to know if it impacts my PsA pain but I would say I noticed improvements in the 1 week I’ve been on it.
ADDED: 10/9 L-Glutamine 1000mg
ADDED: 10/9 CoQ10 200 mg
ANTIVIRAL : Valacyclovir 250mg 1x/day, Increased dose during the first flare. 500mg 10-5 & 6, 1.5g 10-7, 1g 10-8
ADDED: Protopic ointment on vaginal lichen planus every other day for 2 weeks.
ADDED: Clobetasol ointment on vaginal lichen planus every other day for 2 weeks

Evening

ADDED: Sulfasalazine, 500mg 2x/day. It may take 3 months to know if it impacts my PsA pain.
ADDED: 10/9 Reishi Extract, 1 capsule (440mg-fruit body, 75mg Reishi spore)
CBD Oil for pain, CBD American Shaman 30 ml bottle 10mg/ml. Water-soluble nanotechnology version. Taking 1/2 dropper morning & midday so 5mg 2x/day. Starting 10/1 I’m increasing to 3/4 dropper 2x/day of American Shaman, so 7.5 mg 2x/day. AND taking 1/2 dropper of the Blyss version (16 mg). No noticeable pain reduction in wrists or back.

September 2019

Finished the Amoxicillin and it has had no impact on the vaginal ulcer. Trying Silver Sulfadiazine cream 1%.

STOPPED: L-glutamine-2g of powder, switching to pill.
STOPPED 10/2: BioAstin, 12 mg. impulse buy from Costco.
CBD Oil for pain, Switched to Blyss Full Spectrum 1000mg bottle so 33mg/ml, 1/2 dropper(16mg) @ night. Trying an additional 1/2 dropper during the day. It may be bad for my sleep at night because feeling anxious, awake and restless when I should be sleeping. On 9/11 switched to a water-soluble nanotechnology version, CBD American Shaman 30 ml bottle 10mg/ml. Taking 1/2 dropper morning & night so 5mg 2x/day. On 9/13 moved 2nd dose to midday because noticing joints sore by bedtime. Not taking a dose at night.

August 2019

Per the August 22nd appointment with the Infectious Disease doctor, I am going to maintain the Valcyclovir at 250mg and can be on it when I get the Shingrex vaccine. However, he wants me to get the vaginal ulcer cleared up before I get the vaccine. Just in case it is associated with the autoimmune condition.

Considering ADDING: Riboflaven-for tumors/cysts in thyroid? and Consider an appointment with a pulmonologist regarding the lumps on my lungs.

Morning

STOPPED: Liquid Tumeric, 1000 mg, impulse buy from Costco. Ran out & will not replace
Inadvertently stopped L-Glutamine for about 2 weeks. Psoriasis flared.

Antibiotic / Antiviral / Probiotic

ANTIVIRAL: Valacyclovir 500mg 1x/day, Aug 8th reduced to 250mg/day
EndoMune Probiotic by a local doctor, forgot restarted 8/16, taking Sa, Su, Tu, Th

Evening

STOPPED: Reishi Mushroom, 1500 mg for Disseminated Zoster, ran out 9/2. It was for shingles, not PsA.
Continued CBD Oil isolate but not at all consistent.

July 2019

My July 1st visit with the infectious disease doctor revealed the presumed shingles rash that had transformed under my breasts from blisters to a large scaly patch was actually…Candida. I am stopping all the shingles management creams and starting antifungal creams. See June for links to sites that explain why I am taking some of these crazy supplements to get me over shingles and controlling my psoriasis.

CANDIDA Meds

Clotrimazole Troche, 10 mg lozenges for oral candida
Fluconazole, (Diflucan) for 5 days, 200mg tablet, for system
Clotrimazole betamethasone dipropionate cream, 45 mg tube, under breasts
Nyamyc powder on cotton balls

MORNING

STOPPED: Lactoferrin, 250mg, Ran out.
RESTARTED but STOPPED after few days: Provigil/Modafinil 100 mg, starting 1/4 tablet & will not increase to 1/2.
HOLD: Zinc Sulfate cream May have irritated the Candida.
HOLD: Drawing salve for blisters that ID doctor compounds.

Antibiotic / Antiviral

ANTIVIRAL : Valacyclovir 500mg 1x/day

Not at the same time as Antibiotic!

I gradually stopped because I forgot! Probiotic Bifidus Balance by Jarrow, 1pill, which is 1/3 dose. rec. Keystone Approach book
EndoMune Probiotic by a local doctor, 60 days supply. Took most of July but forgot after travel July 28th-August 15th.
STARTED: CBD oil. Alamo Botanicals, isolate, 500mg bottle 17mg/ml. started with 1/4 dropper and ended up with 2 droppers (2ml or 34 mg). Seemed to help with sleep but not with pain and sleep could have been a coincidence. Also didn’t take when traveled so was not taking consistently throughout July.

June 2019

My new best friend the infectious disease doctor that is managing my Disseminated Zoster likes the Life Extension website and referred me to their advice on Herpes and Shingles and Psoriasis. These links have some background info on why I’m taking some of the crazy supplements below.

Costco currently has the Vital Proteins Collagen for $29.99. That is cheaper than my recurring order form Vital Proteins with the discount!

I thought I was taking Magnesium, but just this month I realized my bottle is Manganese. Which is completely different. It is possible I started with Magnesium but just bought the wrong thing the last time because I was buying that directly from my Whole Foods. I now have a recurring order set up with Amazon for Chelated Magnesium so hopefully, I will not mix them up again!

ADDED: Vitamin C, 1000 mg
ADDED: BioAstin, 12 mg. impulse buy from Costco.
ADDED back: Lactoferrin, 250mg, which I previously took when doing the gut health protocol, but Life Extension website says it is also good for Shingles. I’ll only have a few weeks of this before I run out. Will not reorder right away.
ADDED: Liquid Tumeric, 1000 mg, impulse buy from Costco.
ADDED: Provigil/Modafinil 100 mg, starting 1/4 tablet, increased to 1/2 tablet for about 5 days but made me irritable, agitated, and I had some crazy thoughts.
ADDED: Zinc Sulfate cream to rub on my skin where blisters break out & on psoriasis/hemorrhoids. Burns like crazy in the genital area so didn’t use. May have caused scab on psoriasis spots on my face. On my body, it appears the spots get a crusty head sooner, but possibly fewer breaking out next to them.

Antibiotic / Antiviral

Zpak Azithromycin June 8-12 for potential strep throat
ANTIVIRAL REPEAT: Valacyclovir 1gm 3x/day Apr 27-June 6, 2x/day June 6-19, 1x/day June 20-July 3. Also took Apr 10-Apr 19 but D.Z. returned after 5 days off meds.

For throat pain

ADDED: Silver Colloid for throat pain-if it doesn’t help I’m supposed to start an antibiotic. Taking 6 droppers, 3x/day. Googling says this is bad orally so will not do for long.
ADDED: Virgin Coconut Oil for throat pain, swish around in mouth & swallow slowly. If it doesn’t help I’m supposed to start an antibiotic.
ADDED: Oregano oil drops on throat per Stress Less, Accomplish More book advice.
ADDED 6/12: EndoMune Probiotic by a local doctor, 60 days
ADDED: CBD Oil for pain
ADDED: Reishi Mushroom, 1500 mg for Disseminated Zoster
STOPPED: Tart Cherry, 800 mg. ran out & don’t notice a difference
ADDED: Zinc Sulfate cream to rub on skin where blisters break out & on psoriasis/hemorrhoids. Burns like crazy in the genital area so didn’t use. May have caused scab on psoriasis spot on my face.
Drawing salve for blisters that ID doctor compounds.

May 2019

ADDED April 28th: D3/K2, 5000 IU/90mcg–only on Sa, Su, Tu, Th because levels get too high if taken daily. all docs recommend at various levels 1/2018
ADDED: Tart Cherry, 800 mg. To see if it lessens PsA pain.
ANTIVIRAL REPEAT: Valacyclovir 1gm 3x/day Apr 27 until get rid of Disseminated Zoster. Took from Apr 10-Apr 19 but D.Z. returned after 5 days off meds.

May 10: Saw an Infections Disease doctor who will manage my Disseminated Zoster. I should continue on valacyclovir. He could treat me more aggressively but is afraid it will cause a PsA flare so he gave me the following:

ADDED:

Drawing salve that they compound. It tingles on the skin and after 24 hours I believe it may work to make the individual blisters go down. I have no idea if this helps make the disease go away, but it will probably make me less contagious, which is a mental relief.
Tumeric Curcumin, 1000mg, for PsA
L-Lysine, 1000mg, for D.Z.
Pycnogenol, 100mg, PsA.
Hair, Skin & Nails by Nature’s Bounty–a cocktail for my skin in case psoriasis acts up. Noticed Costco also carries this so will compare prices before the next purchase.
Methyl Folate, 400 micrograms
Zinc L-Carnosine–he didn’t recommend, but it is listed as a natural intervention on Life Extension website so I am restarting my zinc.

April 2019

Med, Qty, Start date, Stop date, prescribing dr

L-glutamine-2g when I remember
Collagen-9g of protein when I eat a smoothie or goat milk kefir
Probiotic Bifidus Balance by Jarrow, 1pill, which is 1/3 dose. rec. Keystone Approach book
Iron Glycinate 28 mg.
ADDED Apr 1st: Jarro Dophilus Women-while on antibiotics and for a while afterward.
ADDED Apr 17th: Chelated Manganese, 10mg manganese bisglycinate chelate, 8-2018, Magnesium Miracle
ADDED Apr 17th: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 640 mg, single pill, which is half dose, rec: Keystone Approach book.
ANTIVIRAL: Valacyclovir 1gm 3x/day Apr 10-Apr 19 for Disseminated Zoster
ANTIBIOTIC: Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) 500-125 2x/day Apr 17 to Apr 27 for Bactrim resistant UTI.
DID NOT RESTART: B-12 5000 mcg, methylcobalamin—endocrinologist, sublingual, when I remember…not often!
DID NOT RESTART: Taltz initial dose 11-15-18, 2 @ 80mg, then 80mg 1/month
DID NOT RESTART: Slo Niacin 500 mg 175 tablets $16.99 (Costco) 3-2016—hormone dr-but for cholesterol more & may cause gout so consider stopping
DID NOT RESTART: Kirkland Premium Performance Multi
DID NOT RESTART: Alpha Lipoic Acid, 600 mg 11-2017—neurologist

2019 March

March 18th TEMPORARY STOP ALL Supplements: all supplements except probiotic, iron and zinc. But my endocrinologist didn’t think Zinc was that important so only continued zinc for a few weeks. Avoiding iodine in an attempt to stop hyperthyroidism. I didn’t know what was wrong until Disseminated Zoster diagnosis on April 10th.

ANTIBIOTIC: Amoxicillin 3-18 to 3-25. Using diagnostically to see if I feel better before CAT scan of the neck. Hypothesized a possible gram-positive infection from thyroid biopsy.
ANTIBIOTIC: Bactrim 3-29 to 4-6 for bladder infection-but Urinalysis showed no UTI infection but definite issues.
REDUCED on 3-14: Omega 3 dosage from 1075 to 640 mg. Changing from Omega 2x to regular mostly because of cost. I only take 1 pill, not 2.

ADDED: Iron Glycinate, 28 mg. I’m starting to chew ice again so clearly low in iron and bloodwork from March 8th and April 2nd show low hemoglobin and low hematocrit.
ADDED BACK on 3-7: Black Cohosh-testing to see if it improves night sweats.

2019 February

STOPPED: Black Cohosh to see if notice difference. 2-10-19

STOPPED: Citracal calcium 630 mg, D3 500 IU, zinc 5.5 mg, copper .45mg, manganese 1.15 mg, sodium 5mg 3-2018 (this is half the bottle dose). Mom’s rheumatologist told her to stop so I’m following that advice. My bones have healed from my surgeries & I’m afraid it interferes with my magnesium absorption. 2-4-19

MOVED: Zinc L-Carnosine to evening now that I’ve stopped Calcium

2019 January

STOPPED: Estradiol 2.5mg & Progesterone 200mg

STOPPED: Allopurinol-100 mg taking since 4-2017. stopped 1/23

ADDED: Black Cohosh 540 mg 2x/day for hot flashes, minor improvement

ADDED: Evening Primrose Oil, 1/day at night, late January, noticeable improvement-fewer hot flashes during day & fewer times awake at night

Rheumatologist visit: neck & sinus x-rays (congested for 2 months), bloodwork end of February to check uric acid, can try taking colcrys only if my bunions still hurt, allergy meds for congestion.