Extra Energy For LIFE!

When I was at my lowest point I only had energy for tiny tasks. Showering, feeding the dogs, minimal hobbies to keep my spirits up (like house plants) and medical appointments. Just the bare minimums. 

With the change in my diet and new medications and supplements I now have enough energy to broaden my life a bit. You know... to include other people and things. What I changed was:

• Results of genetic testing suggesting I have issues processing long-chain fatty acids.
• Now I eat a Vegetarian diet full of short-chain fatty acid foods.
• I take Amantadine 100mg, two pills in the morning. It helps with muscle pain, cramps and tremors.
• I recently added an amino acid called Nicotinamide Riboside 300mg. I take 2 in the morning. It helps with my energy in a massive way.
• I've been using the "Visible Pacing app" for people with chronic illness. It's like an anti-Fitbit for people with fatigue diseases. (not an endorsement)

These new tools have been very helpful in making sure I have a bit of extra energy. I now can spend time with my sisters and their families, with friends and making new memories.

Even away from my baseline I'm still doing better than I was.

When Stressed... ORGANIZE!

I have a beautiful coping mechanism when I'm stressed out. I clear through my crap and organize what I keep. My medications have been begging for a spring cleaning since 2018. Hah. And my bedside cabinet has been many things over the years. All of these got a good cleaning inside and out, then a thorough organizing. 

The biggest change however came with my daily medications. I've been bursting out of my pillbox for months and months now and I can never seem to find one big enough for all of my needs. Enter the small glass jar.

I scoured the internet for a gross of glass jars. Spice jars, tiny jam jars, but landed on these little "honey" jars. The shape makes them very easy to hold and the lid is simple for me to screw on and off. Unlike my pill box's which were very difficult for me to open and close. I was constantly popping pills out all over myself and the floor. Not good when you have animals in the house.

This is what I was using. A typical three time a day plastic pill box. I've been using this style for about six years now. I literally wear them out like shoes. Crazy.

Now each time of day and day of the week has it's own jar. I have tons of space in case in the future new meds or supplements are added on. Horary!

I used a white paint pen I had laying around for the top. I hope it stays. Ideally I'll put some kind of a top coat on it. Either using nail polish (expensive) or a Krylon spray. I'm hesitant however since neither are food safe. So for now I'll just be careful and see how they hold up.

I feel a weird sense of relief having all of my needs organized like this now. My fan is in position for summer breezes, I have Gatorade and bottles of water by my bed for bad days, I know where my "Pain" basket is and what's in it. Everything is all put away neat and tidy. This is what my "self care" looked like today.