A Year (or more) in Review

At the start of a New Year, it seems traditional to reflect on the ups and downs of the prior year.  In doing so, I realize I’ve been plugging along and somewhat frustrated.

2013 was a wonderful year for me.  Things started falling in place, my hair started growing back, I was loosing weight without effort, my psoriasis was gone, my lab work was FINALLY in “normal” ranges, etc.  I started a new job at the end of July and then my dad passed away in November.  About the same time things started going backwards again.

By the time 2014 rolled around, my psoriasis had returned, I was starting to grow a mustache again (very slight, but still there), my weight loss stopped, and my eyebrows were thinning.  What was different?  I’d been eating consistently all year; no new additions.  Basically a modified AutoImmune Paleo lifestyle.  I had successfully added back almonds and pecans, corn/soy free eggs less than once per week, and chocolate!

Frustrated and feeling like I was at my wits end, I turned to a functional doc via Skype in hopes they might find something I hadn’t considered.  He pretty much confirmed everything I had already known and/or suspected.  But, we did run tests I had never had and confirmed I had no parasites, yeast, h-pylori, ecoli, c-diff, etc, etc.  We also learned my neurotransmitters (NT) were out of balance (which I suspected).  Even though my #s were all within ranges, dopamine was significantly higher than all the other markers.  Our plan of attack was to continue working on healing my leaky gut and add NT support.  The first supplement I added completely backfired.  I gained a huge gut and 4 pounds over night!  Then, the next supplement caused horrible, realistic dreams and I would wake exhausted from being so active in my dreams; they felt like real life.  Five months later, I still haven’t lost the 4 pounds and my gut is more a mess than it had been in 2 or 3 years.

I know I’ve been sick for the majority of my life and this healing journey is going to be a long, evolving process.  But, I’ve been frustrated lately.  Just when you think you have things figured out, you get a curve ball.  What was it that initially changed?  I’ve been wracking my brain.  Is it really just the stress of returning to part time work?

I really think SIBO has been a problem for me and that I somehow had it under control until taking these new supplements last summer.  I had worked back up to being able to have a serving of fruit without problems.  Now, give me even half a serving of fruit and I can clear a room with toxic gas!  It’s horrible!  So, do I take the test which would put stuff into my body?  I’m so sensitive, I’m scared to death to try it.  Maybe I’ll just try the herbal remedies without the testing… I don’t know.  I’m at a loss for where to turn as it seems no one really has the answer.  But, I know something needs to change.

I truly believe there is no magic pill that will fix this.  It is a journey after all… one only I can go through; and that includes all the ups and downs.  I’ve been “whining” for 6 months now.  It’s time to get back up and keep digging…  I will find my triggers.  Maybe not last year, this year, or even next year.  But, I know with a positive attitude and perseverance, I will succeed.

Here’s to a successful new year full of new challenges and curve balls!  Happy 2015!