Ways I Help Myself (THAT WORK!)

Living with an autoimmune disease has been a big adjustment. Aside from all the medical sleuthing and endless doctors appointments. Just keeping healthy and finding things to make me more comfortable has been an expensive game of trial and error. I'm very fortunate to be able to afford "complimentary care" for my condition(s). But I know not everyone can. With that in mind, I thought I'd share what has been helpful for me over the years.

1) Animal Therapy.

The year that I was treated for Latent TB I took a very long nap every day. Every time I'd go lay down my dog "Sweetie" would come lay down with me. She wouldn't get up again till I got up. Although dogs are a huge commitment and not for everyone, I don't know how I would have gotten through that year without her. She's still my best buddy and always there for me.

2) Pinterest. 

I don't like social media, but consider Pinterest to be more of a "visual bookmark" or "bulletin board" than social media. Pinterest has been a great place for me to keep my sense of humor and look up relevant medical things. I've found wonderful items, blogs and websites through them. 

3) A very good probiotic.

I read some research recently saying that a probiotic containing multi-Lactobacillus can be just as effective at treating peripheral neuropathy as Gabapentin. Although I don't find THAT to be quite the case for me, I figure it can't hurt after being on antibiotics so long. File this one under "can't hurt, might help."

I'm currently trying out some new things to keep my immune system health. My own pen/stylus for my purse so I don't use the one at the check out stand. Paying more with Apple Pay so I don't handle money. Keeping disposable gloves, face covers, cup covers, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray on me at all times. I tend to over-correct when faced with a new challenge, then right-size after a few months. It gives me the feeling of control when really I have little. 

The Plaquenil seems to be helping so far. Today is my last dose at 200mg. Tomorrow I start taking it 2x a day. Here's what I've noticed:

Pro's:

+ My hand joints are less stiff, sore and painful.

+ My lower back pain (that I've had at least 18 years) is much less severe. Like from a 9 to a 5.

+ My morning joint body pain is much less. Like from a 6 to a 3.

+ My nocturnal thirst and mouth dryness is much better than it was.

Con's:

- I'm even more tired than I was before (which is saying a LOT!)

- My neuropathy is the same (though I was told it may do nothing for that.)

- I'm itchier (which is also saying a lot.)

- *Dizziness slightly increased at first and is tapering off now (but still far from normal.)

- *I had a bad headache the first day, but it went away.

- *My stomach was sensitive at first, but it went away. 

- *Had 1 night of "peeing like mad" then it went away.

Overall I'd say it's doing what I'd hoped with fewer side effects that I'd feared. It's also only been a week. I'll make sure to keep reporting on how it's working (or not.)