Sunday, October 26, 2008

First day on Avonex

I went to the hospital today at 11:00 in the morning to take my first dose of Avonex. At first I was nervous, starting a new medication and a bigger needle, but thank God it wasn't painful and it was quick. I left the hospital hopeful. I took two panadols to make sure I wasn't going to feel the pain to much. I did my daily activities but started to feel tired around 3:00. I took another two panadols. Things were ok but by 6:30 it hit me. I felt complete physical weakness. I could barely find enough energy to lift my arms and legs. I laid down on the bed for about an hour strongly aware of my heart beat, while my body was completely sucked of energy. After about an hour and half I felt the weakness wear off and so I got on the computer to write this update. I pray this will be the only day I will feel side effects of the medication.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Making Healthy Choices

I have decided to stop eating white carbohydrates and switch to brown. White is processed food which causes oxidative stress, the underlying cause of many diseases. I am trying to cut it out of my daily food intake. I am now eating brown rice, which is not bad at all, natural bread, or spelt bread and mainly Rye bread, which I am really learning to love. They are wholesome and I actually get full faster. I have also started to use brown natural cane sugar instead of the processed white sugar. I have stopped using the microwave as well. I pray I will stick to these decisions.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Changing to Avonex

I went to see my Neurologist and he told me that I should go on Avonex since I definately didn't tolerate Ribif well. Avonex is injected once a week instead of the Rebif three times a week. However, it is a longer injection that will go into the muscle. I'm not thrilled by the idea but i will go on it confidently.
I still in my heart don't believe medication will get to the root of the problem like the vitamins, but I will take it while at the same time taking my nutritional supplements that I have been recommended from a doctor. I still have not received them yet. I will take both the medication and my vitamins and then when I do my MRI and see my lesions decreasing then I will know its not the medication but the vitamins.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Feeling Alive Again

I just came back from a yoga workout and I feel great. I feel I did something absolutely essential for my recovery. I realized how stiff my body is and how much work I have to do to get my flexibility and balance up to par. I am committed more then ever to have exercise as a big part of my life. Now that I have my energy back I feel I can do it. The nine months I was on the medication I was depleted of any energy I originally had and never could work up energy to go to the gym.
I am planning on going back to the neurologists office at the end of this week so we can discuss my case. I really in my heart don't feel medication is the answer for me. I feel I will improve dramatically now that I have experienced the dark side of the medication. Those nine months of sever muscle and joint pain, overall weakness, made me realize more the ever how much I want to heal. I am dedicated to my health.
I have contacted a doctor whom I feel will aid me to recovery. He has prescribed to me a list of high quality vitamins which I will start as soon as I receive them. For now I am sticking to the vitamins I have listed. With the will of God, I believe in my heart I'm on the right path.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Going off the Medication

I have decided to take a break from my medication. I will try a one week period and see how my body feels. I discussed it with my doctor and he finally agreed. Right now my body feels broken. Every muscle and join in my body is aching. I really don't want to live like that anymore. I pray and hope I will bounce back after I stop the medication. In my heart I feel that once I stop things will get better and I will start to recover and heal, with the will of God always.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Update

I'm alright these days. Still take panadol the days of my medicine. I am trying to take as minimal as I can but sometimes I just can't tolerate the overall body weakness. I am positive though. Despite the feeling that i'm dragging myself through life, I am trying to lead a normal life and not let my body get the better of me. I am taking my vitamins, doing yoga, trying to eat as well as I can and pray these vitamins are going to strengthen my immune system.