Day 2 of the Lupus water cure

So, some interesting things happened yesterday. Gross, but interesting. So, if you're not into gory details and/or feel uncomfortable with TMI illness posts, it's probably better that you don't read on. I mean, I like the page views but I'm not here to ruin your day (or your appetite) for sure.

Let's start with this morning, though. This morning I woke up, looked at my hand and gasped. I've been in a flare zone lately, so my right hand, which is where this all started, eons ago, has been particularly swollen and distorted. But this morning, about ¾ of the swelling was gone.

Now, I'm not one to jump to conclusions and I just started this drink a lot of water thing yesterday. It could be that my flare is simply going away. They do wax and wane like that. However, it's certainly encouraging and worth a mention.

Now for the grossness. I don't want to get too graphic but I spent a lot of time in the restroom yesterday. And yes, some of it was eliminating the overwhelming amount of water I was drinking. However, there were solids too, if you get my drift. It seemed as if I was flushing toxins. If you've ever tried a toxin flush, you know how it goes, right? And that's what it felt like.

And now for the really gross part. Ya, there's more. Along with Lupus meds and Lupus itself, many people have digestive issues in the form of acid reflux. I get it from time to time, although lately, due to green juicing, it hasn't been making an appearance. And thank goodness for that because it's nastier than it sounds.

Oh boy, now here's the really disgusting part. Last night, I ran to the bathroom at about 1:00 am and, sorry, there's no delicate way to say this, to vomit. There was no stopping it. And what came up was particularly strange. It was pure water mixed with a crap ton of stomach acid. The taste it left behind was indescribably horrid. I had to brush my teeth multiple times before it was gone.

I have no idea what this means or what caused it. Maybe my stomach couldn't take the extreme amount of water. Maybe I had excess acid that the water helped cleanse me of, albeit in a backwards manner. I don't really know what to think but I figured that if you're planning on trying this water cure, you would want to know what might possibly occur. Again, I apologize for the graphic details.

So there you go. I'm now starting day 2 with a little less excess everything in my system. Which is, I think, a good thing? Only time will tell. So far this morning, I have guzzled down nearly a quart of water. It's getting a little easier to drink mass quantities, even after just one day.

You see, with Lupus, I don't have much of an appetite, even for water. So that part is a good thing, anyway, even if the cure is a bust. At least I'm drinking more water, which we all should, of course.

I probably won't update you every day, but I thought all the changes were worth a mention, since some of you are trying this and might want to know what lies on the horizon. Today, I'm taking my home-schooled granddaughter on a field trip so I hope this isn't another “cleansing” day. LOL

Wish me luck!

Lupus - Trying the water cure

The other day, I came across an interesting and simple cure for Lupus that may or may not work. But since I found it widely suggested and with testimonials in some cases, I'm willing to try and also to share my results, if any, to help anyone else who may need it. The cure is water. That's it. Drink more water. Lots and lots of water.At least a gallon a day.

Oh, and salt was also mentioned. However, in my case, I have a definite and actually quite horrendous, salt addiction. So, I don't believe I need to add any more salt than what I already consume to my diet. Now, if you feel you might be missing the electrolytes provided by salt, you might want to try it with the added salt. 

Note: A search for “Lupus water cure” brings up various articles on the whole process.

As for me, I've decided that adding more water to my diet won't hurt, may not be a cure but will help me for sure. I used to drink a lot of water when I was younger. Not so much now, even though drinking more water is part of the “Goodbye Lupus” diet I've been following. I've been slacking on water consumption for many years. So what's the harm in trying out this water cure? None at all. It could just be the factor I've been missing, since I clearly don't drink enough of it. I'll update you on my progress.

Something weird, a side note, I guess, about my Lupus journey is that I've learned that conventional doctors, although most are well intended, are taught, not to find the cause of an illness, so that they may cure it based on what you were lacking, but to come up with “magic pills” for you to take that may or may not work in the short run and pretty much never work in the long run.

Most conventional doctors do not want to hear anything about curing disease with diet and lifestyle changes. It's not their fault. It's what they're taught. I harbor no resentments. I'm just saying that I'm glad I have Lupus, in a way, or I never would have figured that out.Chronic illness can be a real eye opener, not to mention a mind and heart opener.

So, back to the water. My plan is increasing my few glasses of agua to a gallon a day. I have two months of prednisone left in my prescription. Wouldn't it be grand and glorious if, after two months of adding more water to my diet, I didn't need another prescription? One can dream. Yes?

I do know that inflammation is very often caused by dehydration and that was the first symptom I had. Inflammation from hell, that is. Debilitating, crippling, overwhelmingly painful inflammation. So, I'm thinking that even if the water cure isn't a complete cure, it may at least improve how I feel in that area, yes?

And that would be great because my right hand is starting to distort from the inflammation. To the point where it looks like I'm permanently giving Spock's live long and prosper sign with the wrong fingers split. Is that Lupus irony laughing at me? I don't know, but it is actually kind of funny. Live long and prosper? Really, Lupus, really? Talk about rubbing it in. Geesh!

Chronic illness changes all the rules

When you feel like this, not all things are possible.

The other day, someone gave me some wonderful inspirational advice. While there's certainly nothing wrong with that, this particular bit of wisdom just didn't fit for someone with chronic illness. It was about getting a regular job and getting out in the world.

Now, I do try to get out more than most people who are sick. However, I have no small amount of limitations. And as for working a regular job, well, as enthused as I may be, it's just not happening right now. I used to be a real go-getter. I still am inside. The problem is that chronic illness changes all the rules.

Turning can't to can.

Oh boy. This is a great rule, isn't it? I've always followed it. Concentrating on what I can do works pretty well for me. Unfortunately, with Lupus, not all my “cant's” are able to turn into cans. Life just isn't that simple with chronic illness. There really are things that I absolutely can't do now, no matter how hard I try. That doesn't stop me from trying, of course. It's just that my success rate is minimal.

If you eat right, exercise, etc.

I do all that all the time. In fact, I'm going vegan, take all the recommended supplements, stay as active as possible and do everything else that's good for me. I take excellent care of myself. I feel much better because of it. However, this is a chronic illness. It's not going away. I will likely have it for the rest of my life.

No matter how well I eat or how many times I go to the gym, I will most likely have a shorter lifespan than the majority of people. The truth is, although it's a good rule, it works best for healthy, young people. I'm lucky to see the improvement I have. Not everyone with chronic illness does. Sometimes it's just too little too late.

Positive thoughts bring positive results.

Once again, this is very true. Unfortunately, it's not as true for those with chronic illness as most of us would like it to be. I can dream sky high dreams and grow my little ball of sunshine all day long. I can share that positivism with everyone around me. I do, most days.

Problem is, chronic illness isn't comparable to a bad attitude. It doesn't go away just because you paste a happy grin on your face. Oh, I try. I will never stop projecting happiness. Still, there is a limit to how far a positive attitude can take you when you have a chronic illness.

I'm far from being a naysayer.

Still, as positive as I try to remain with this illness, I do find myself becoming frustrated by people's good intentions and advice. The problem is not their sincerity or their thinking. The problem is that some normally excellent advice simply doesn't apply to someone with chronic illness.

I understand that people who aren't sick daily may have a hard time seeing loved ones chained to their house or even their chair. It may seem that a sick person is lazy or unmotivated. That's simply not the case. They're usually just too sick to do much more.

Do you know someone with chronic illness?

If so, try to understand that they work through the pain daily. They often suffer from constant exhaustion. Sometimes just holding their head up is hard. If you catch them on a good day, they may be celebrating by overdoing it a bit. That doesn't mean they'll be up to that every day. It doesn't mean they are capable of living a “normal” life or working a “normal” job.

Why? Because there will quite frequently be those other days. So, trust them to know what's best for them, based on how they feel and doctor's recommendations. Life is hard with chronic pain and illness. It just doesn't go by the book.

People with chronic illness don't need your advice, but they may need a helping hand from time to time.

Remember, the best thing you can do is just love and accept them for who they are and respect their struggles without condemnation. Because, like it or not, people with chronic illness have to live by a different set of rules than you do. Your advice, no matter how well intended, just doesn't work for them.

Chronic illness is a whole different ball game. Just be glad you're not in it and respect those who are to deal with it the best they can. It's the right thing to do.

Modeling your behavior after your kids

What are you up to these days? Is it something you'd want your kids doing? Is it healthy? Because, if not, maybe it's not such a good idea for you either. Seriously, folks, aside from example, if there are things you're doing that you wouldn't dream of letting your kids do, where is your head at?

Now, I realize, obviously, parents have sex. Otherwise, you wouldn't be a parent, now would you? You don't want your kids having sex too young. That's not what I'm speaking of. And yes, parents might have an alcoholic drink occasionally.

Still, have you ever asked yourself, “If I know the reasons I don't want my kids partying all night, being irresponsible with their money, throwing temper tantrums or cursing like a sailor, why do I feel it's OK for me?”

I feel so much better when I take my own advice, don't you?

And isn't that a great way to discipline yourself? By thinking about whether your behavior is something you would condone from your children, or in my case, grandchildren? Also, if we insert example back into the equation, how can you live with such a double standard?

You do know that kids emulate their parents, yes? In fact, I believe that I read somewhere that children learn more through example than they do through disciplinary measures, restrictions or those heart to heart talks many parents engage in.

Ya, I don't get it. When I told my kids at a young age they shouldn't drink to excess, smoke, party like it's 1999, etc. I had my own behavior to back it up. They saw that I practiced what I preached.

Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect, you guys. For example, there was a brief time period once my kids grew up where I slipped up a bit, possibly chasing after my lost youth. It was over quite quickly once I realized my error. It happens to the best of us. I get that.

When I was raising them, though, it just didn't feel right or make sense to tell them not to do things because they were bad for them if I was doing those same things myself.

Plus, we should be as kind to ourselves as we are to our kids. If it's not good for them, it's not good for us either, you know?

So there you go. Be nice to yourself. Care as much about how your life turns out as you do how your kids' lives turn out. You don't have to be perfect but why not address your behavior just as you would your childrens' behavior? Why have a double standard for them to question?

And yes, we are all different. I get that for some people, the behaviors I mentioned might be acceptable. Still, whatever your values are, don't just insist that your kids live by them. Live by them yourself. I guarantee your life will be better.

PS - Have a little kid fun, too. Jump some rope. Play some games with the kids. It's just as good for you as it is for them!

Doomsday preppers: Don't forget to invest in your health!

Stockpiling won't do you much good if your health is bad.

Are you prepping for doomsday or the inevitable zombie apocalypse? Got lots of water on hand? Canned your homegrown veggies? Stockpiled your weapons? What else is there? Well, you might want to think about your health. Frankly, I think my chances of long term survival are pretty slim with these illnesses I have. If you're not in tip top shape either, did you ever consider adding improving your health to your prep list? Otherwise, those stockpiles aren't going to do you much good, are they?

How fast can you run?

I hear those asteroids and meteors are pretty darn speedy. One minute you see them; Next minute, you're charcoal. In fact, their average speed is 25km per second. Can you top that? You better strap on those running shoes and practice for doomsday marathons. You never know when one might strike. This is one time it's important to be the leader of the pack.

How's your grip?

You might have to hang off a cliff or a tall building to wait for rescue. You know? Like in the movies? Unless you have arthritis, like me... If that's the case, let’s just say you might as well forget any survival techniques requiring an iron grip. If not, why not try some exercises to increase your gripping power? At the very least you'll be able to open those mason jars full of garden goodies.

How's your dental health?

Not likely to be many dentists left after doomsday. You don't want to end up hacking at your teeth with an ice skate like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Man, that must have hurt. Plus, I hear dental decay causes infections that travel through your bloodstream to the brain. You'll want your full mental capacity when those zombies roll into town. Better get to a dentist before they arrive.

How's your diet?

To keep up your immune system, you'll want to be sure your diet is nutrient dense. That means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. You'll need them after doomsday too, providing you're not one of the doomed. So remember to can those fruits and veggies for optimum nutrition.

Here's some nutritious non-perishables you might not have thought to stockpile:

*Beans (for protein: no meat available)

*Grains (for your daily bread)

*Rice (carbs for energy to fight off demons and marauders)

*Nuts and seeds (for Omega brain power)
*Canned or dried fruits and veggies

Note: All these goodies are long lasting and nutritious.

Yes, if you're a doomsday prepper, be very health conscious. You won't be much good to yourself or anyone else if your health condition is lacking.

Healthy living is three fold

Sometimes in the quest for good health, we miss the reality that good health isn't just about caring for our physical well being. In fact, sometimes we forget to do even that. And trust me, I have been there. When you're raising 3 kids on your own, followed by helping to parent your grand-kids, you kind of get left in the dust sometimes. Anyway....

Here I am, 56 years young, trying to recover my lost physical, mental and emotional well being. Yes, being healthy is three fold for sure. Right now, my main concern is the Lupus and Rheumatoid that runs in my family. It caught up with me when I was busy looking after the kids/grand-kids and making sure they were healthy.

Still, it has become clear to me that my emotional and mental health have suffered some serious blows over the years too. In some ways, they're harder to heal than the chronic illnesses I've been saddled with. Emotional scars run deep.

I've also always had a hard time communicating with other people, you guys. Writing helps for sure, but at some point you have to deal with (gasp) real people. And heck, I have a hard enough time just ducking the blows on social networking.

I'm getting better at this, though. I've actually even worked up the nerve to come out about being HSP. That's a fancy term for being overly empathetic and sensitive. I'm not bragging, believe me. I would much rather be “normal” sometimes.

It would be great not to feel everything so deeply that it's distracting. Or not. I guess what I'd really like is to be my same caring self but be able to detach a little too. So that's what I'm trying to do. And for me, it feels a little like not caring, but I know the reality is that I need to focus on healing myself and let other people do the same.

Because of course, that's healthier for them too. Also, I am not immortal. Surprise! Who knew? So if my peeps have issues after I'm gone, I'd like to know that they are up to the challenge. Practice makes perfect, yes?

So maybe my readers, who are used to me bubbling, gushing or bellyaching over every little thing have noticed the change. And maybe you haven't. Because, hey, you have your own lives, right? But I'm trying like crazy to focus on self improvement lately.

Because physical health is not the only kind of health that matters. Healthy living is three fold and all my folds need help! LOL

It's all about balance, I think....

What is a healthy balance, exactly?

Now, folks, I abhor it when people hit me with that “everything in moderation” crap. You see, to me, that's just another way of saying you have no intention of giving up your bad habits so you're just going to engage in them a little bit. You know. Not enough to kill you, but just enough to satisfy you. That seems like a cop-out to me. But I do believe in healthy balance for sure. And yes, there is a difference.

Hard work is good for you. Goofing off is good for you too. But neither one is good for you if you do it too much, or leave the other one out entirely. You feel me?

So when I talk about healthy balance, I'm talking about doing good things in moderation, not doing everything you want to in moderation. Because not everything you enjoy is good for you. Got it?

But wait, let's back that up. Because I want to assure you that in no way am I perfect in this department. There are plenty of things that are bad for me that I engage in, in moderation. The point is, though, I know that's not a good plan and I'm working on it. I'm not allowing myself the luxury of complete defeatism just yet.

I guess I'm just not built that way.

But neither am I perfect, as I said. Oh man, I sure wish I could live the way my Dad did sometimes. He pretty much always “stuck to his guns.” He really made sacrifices in order to assure that he was doing the right thing. Always.

But being as how I have not yet achieved the status of his greatness yet, I must humbly admit that some of my balance does include those bad habits. It's just that I know it shouldn't. You know?

I now find myself struggling to strike a good, healthy balance, by leaving behind those bad “everything in moderation” theories and striving to do better. It's a journey, folks. But I will get there.

And what I'm trying to say here is that I believe a healthy balance should not include unhealthy things. Do you agree? I'd really like to know.