What helps and what makes it worse

Things that make it worse – Things that make it better

For me, it has been difficult to narrow down what makes the symptoms worse or better. Things seemed so random those first few years and it was difficult to establish trends and to understand. I am posting this here in the hope that some of you out there may find this helpful in establishing an environment conducive to your recovery.  Or at least save you some sanity.

 

Worse:

Each time my baseline is lowered for any reason, it seems as if it takes me longer each time to recover back to wherever my baseline was previously.

1.       PHYSICAL EXERTION – The severity of my symptoms are directly related to how much I try to push my body (or mind, eyes, etc) to do. I do NOT recover with rest as I would normally expect.

 

2.       COLD weather – I have difficulty regulating my body temp due to Autonomic Nervous System dysfunction. From early Sept to May I wear many layers in attempt to keep warm. During this time, my baseline is lowered considerably and symptoms become dramatically worse due to cold temps. This will last until it is warm outside again.

 

3.       Getting sick * - This lowers my baseline substantially. I was having a string of better days until I got sick in late Jan. A simple cold I got from my Son dramatically lowered my baseline for nearly 3 months. It’s mid-May now, I am only now starting to improve back towards what my baseline was before getting sick. Each time I get sick, hurt or do too much it takes longer and longer to get back to my previous baseline.

 

4.       Physical Trauma – Each of the 4 times I had a PICC installed or removed, my baseline was notably lowered for roughly 1 week each time. There are other examples, but this is the most recent that comes to mind.

5.       Stress and/or anger ** - This is a big one. Looking at my logs today, I noticed I had first written about this within the first few weeks of this. ALL of my symptoms become instantly worse, the pain and tingling especially. This will last a long time, weeks or months. A Neurologist explained why Cortisol does this to people with Mitochondrial damage which was helpful. I had a hard time believing myself on this one. But I've come to learn many others experience this as well. You must learn to deal with stress and avoid anger at all costs.
      
       I have suffered a very severe reaction, so I assure you I understand how impossible that may sound. I watched my Son grow up through pictures. Concentrate instead on the love you have in your life and what each second you get means to you.  Like me, you may find through  this process you develop an entirely new outlook on your life. Past, present and future.

 Better:

1.       GLUTATHIONE – Substantial improvement in baseline. Substantial improvement in brain fog, energy levels, stamina, pain, etc.

2.       Saline Drip (NSS) – Helps with tightness in flesh as well as a  small but noticeable improvement in certain types of pain (burning acid like feelings in flesh, stiffness, etc)

3.       Massage/Acupuncture helps quite a bit with pain and mobility. I also believe this helps overcome much of the cirulation issues I have.

4.       Supplements – See 'Supplements and Injection Routine'

 

 

 

I will continue to add to this over time.