Tuesday, March 17, 2009

tired

There are so many different things I could post in here, sometimes it gets kind of overwhelming.

It's not really a recipe blog, or a diet blog, or a rheumatoid arthritis blog. It's not strictly an autism blog, or a colitis blog.

It's just... an SCD blog, I guess. Our journey.

With that, I have an update on my condition.

I'm currently taking doxycycline to combat my rheumatoid arthritis. Antibiotic therapy is not widely used, but the research behind it is interesting to be sure.

I've been on the antibiotic now for almost three months. My doctor went over my lab results with me, which were drawn after one month on the antibiotic.

At the time, I was in a lot of pain and discomfort. But all of my disease activity markers... are trending downward. Also, I'm able to tolerate more advanced foods, like raw fruits and veggies in small amounts. Yay!

But, if all of these markers are looking good, why do I still feel bad? My wrist is still all swelled up. So are my hands.

The hypothesis is, I'm experiencing a Herxheimer reaction.

In simpler terms, I'm going through a massive round of die-off of bad bacteria -- which pretty much everyone on SCD can identify with.

So! My doctor thinks I should stay the course, because the medication is actually working.

And contrary to popular belief, you CAN be on medication and do SCD at the same time. Now, many medications have ingredients that you probably should steer clear of, but you can either choose to take them (which will delay or slow healing) or you can get them compounded at a compounding pharmacy.

So. I am doing OK, even if I am in a lot of pain right now.

I have another recipe to post for you when I have a bit more energy, I promise.

And man, I just can't stop making pickles!! They taste so awesome!

9 comments:

Caitlin said...

Whatever name or purpose you want to bestow on this blog, it accomplishes your aim. Whether you're writing about your son who likes getting into 'pickles' himself - or your RA and how the the SCD is helping in that area, I'm always interested in what you have to say.
The Dr.s are still trying to figure out what's 'wrong' with me (low platelets, fat red blood cells-that's in addition to what they already know I have.) You know they see me as a potential gold mine.( the Hematologist,Rheumatologist, blood tests etc.) But the SCD is amazing, and reading blogs such as yours is such a support. Keep up the good work,both you and full-of-pickles-Clark!

Unknown said...

Try some probiotics to get your friendly bacteria back up they get run over by the antibiotics.

Unknown said...

Caitlin!

Thanks for your comments. I love it when you stop by!

Paul,

Actually, I'm on a HUGE amount of SCD legal probiotics. My doctor wouldn't hear of me not taking them -- which of course is a good thing.

I'm up to 12 billion cfus on acidophilus, but only 6 billion on the boulardii. I take them at bedtime well after I take the antibiotics. :)

fernpixel said...

get well soon!

I think its possible to combine medication and SCD too. I haven't been able to be off my maintenance drugs yet though.

Unknown said...

Everybody gets better at different speeds. So many things can affect our conditions. Stress affects me just as much as the next person, and it ends up exacerbating my condition just like it does for those of you with UC and Crohn's.

We can only try our hardest and give our bodies the best chance possible.

Thanks for writing! :)

Susan

Jasmine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jasmine said...

Spanish black radish can be useful for flushing a die-off :)

~Nut-free Meatfruit nuttymeatfruit.blogspot.com

Elana said...

pickles = the best
die off = the worst

Hang in there!

xo Elana

Unknown said...

Thanks Elana. :D