Life

I have not been as diligent as I want to be with these posts. But life is busy. I'm currently studying for my professional engineering license, preparing applications for MBA school, holding down a full-time job, and dealing with weekly doctor's appointments (and the illness and pain and required cooking because of my dietary needs).

Back Troubles

I finally got the results of an MRI that I had on my back. Multiple torn and/or bulging disks. One of the disks is bulging into my central canal (the canal where my spinal cord runs) and pushing my spinal cord, which is causing the pain. At least now I know the cause of the pain.

I have begun multiple treatments - continued acupuncture, water therapy, regular doses of anti-inflamatory drugs, and muscle strengthening. So far, my back feels much better than it did before. I have an appointment with an orthapedist in mid-September. We shall see what he has to say...

Parasites & Nightshades

My feet were cold - something which is unusual for men - but my body was hot. My abdomen previously hurt. I have an excess of heat. These are symptoms. The potential cause - a parasite.

I recently finished taking a course of herbs called Wu Mei San. They tasted horrible. I tried to make a hot tea - awful. I tried to make a cold tea - worse. I tried to pour the powder past my taste buds through a straw - trial failed. I tried to pour the powder past my taste buds via a spoon - trial succeeded, power clogged my throat making it difficult to breathe for what seemed like a minute, powder burned my throat, came out of my nose. I bought some empty gel caps and spent a few hours filling them. Success at last.

My diet was significantly restricted while on the herbs. I hadto eat a bland diet without allergenic foods, fermented foods, foods containing yeasts or mushrooms, all sugars and sweets, and sweet/sour foods such as tomatoes and oranges. I was constantly hungry despite the volume of food that I ate (which was substantial).

While on the diet (and herbs) my energy level skyrocketed. Some nights I did not sleep very well. It didn't matter. I had plenty of energy at work. My acupuncturinst thinks it my be nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, chilies, tomatillos, potatoes, etc.). I am going to add nightshades to my list of foods not to eat to see if my energy returns. Hopefully, I can get my energy back...

Flickers of Normalcy - In Real Time

I am having flickers of normalcy (energy, no pain, normal stomach) in my life for the first time in 5 years. Last Friday I woke up feeling completely normal. The feeling was short lived, but it was a flicker nonetheless.