The good thing is that I started my anti-viral medication on Wednesday. The bad thing is that it made me have a flare-up(started Thursday afternoon). The doctor said was expected and that if it was too bad then I should call and reduce dosage to slow things down. I'll manage. I think it will pass quickly. At least I hope. And the good thing is knowing that it's finally going to get out of my system. I'm also taking pomagranite extract. Sine the medicine is killing off the "bugs" the bugs die and dump toxins into my system, hence, the reaction.
That's all for now. It's taking me a lot of effort to type. My hands feel like they weigh 20 lbs each, and don't get me started about how much my coffee cup feels like it weighs. :)
peace!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Clarification
More information about the herpes 6 virus:
Some people are genetically pre-disposed to having a higher viral load of the herpes 6 virus. It's not anything similar to the genital or oral herpes STD. Unfortunately that's the first thing that pops into everyones head when they hear herpes. Strep throat is also in the herpes family.
Early in life it shows up as frequent infections like strep throat type symptoms, ear infections, rashes, etc. And the later in life (around late 20's and 30's) it often shows up with more severity and then the symptoms are that of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, lowered immune function, and other infections (because of the lowered immune functions).
Like cancer, everyone has the herpes 6 virus in their system, it's just usually within a certain range and is not considered harmful, but some people have a higher load because of genetics and are more likely to suffer it's symptoms. Then you add stress, timing in life, trauma, etc to the equation, and those people who already have a higher viral load, it ends up getting worse, and then requires treatment.
The good news is that it can be treating with an anti-viral medication. Whoo, hoo!! Lucky for me.
I just feel bad for all those other people out there who have fibromyalgia and they settle for what the normal doctors tell them to do, which is pain medicine (which only masks the symptoms further, allowing the virus to do more damage to kidneys and heart), an anti depressant and a sleep aid. I'm not saying that everyone with fibromyalgia symptoms all have a virus of some sort, but it's WELL worth checking into. Then it can take away the virus and not just mask it up and allow it to rule your life.
So if you have fibromyalgia, don't give in to what the doctors say, they are human, they are way busy, and they don't take your health personal like you should. Keep searching and keep looking for answers to why your body is not functioning like it should be. We were all made to be complete, and healthy. It means more tests and more time and more money, but it will be well worth it.
I look forward to sharing with everyone my path to healing and better health. Good health is getting closer every day. I look forward to starting the medication , like a child looks forward to Christmas.
Doctor up-dates:
Friday was my ultra sound on my heart, result in soon on just how much damage has been done. It reminded me of listening to my kids' heart beats when they were in my belly. Good memories.
Feb 4th is my next appointment with my doctor, were I'll get my results from my heart ultrasound, more blood results, and also start the antiviral medication.
Whew!
Some people are genetically pre-disposed to having a higher viral load of the herpes 6 virus. It's not anything similar to the genital or oral herpes STD. Unfortunately that's the first thing that pops into everyones head when they hear herpes. Strep throat is also in the herpes family.
Early in life it shows up as frequent infections like strep throat type symptoms, ear infections, rashes, etc. And the later in life (around late 20's and 30's) it often shows up with more severity and then the symptoms are that of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, lowered immune function, and other infections (because of the lowered immune functions).
Like cancer, everyone has the herpes 6 virus in their system, it's just usually within a certain range and is not considered harmful, but some people have a higher load because of genetics and are more likely to suffer it's symptoms. Then you add stress, timing in life, trauma, etc to the equation, and those people who already have a higher viral load, it ends up getting worse, and then requires treatment.
The good news is that it can be treating with an anti-viral medication. Whoo, hoo!! Lucky for me.
I just feel bad for all those other people out there who have fibromyalgia and they settle for what the normal doctors tell them to do, which is pain medicine (which only masks the symptoms further, allowing the virus to do more damage to kidneys and heart), an anti depressant and a sleep aid. I'm not saying that everyone with fibromyalgia symptoms all have a virus of some sort, but it's WELL worth checking into. Then it can take away the virus and not just mask it up and allow it to rule your life.
So if you have fibromyalgia, don't give in to what the doctors say, they are human, they are way busy, and they don't take your health personal like you should. Keep searching and keep looking for answers to why your body is not functioning like it should be. We were all made to be complete, and healthy. It means more tests and more time and more money, but it will be well worth it.
I look forward to sharing with everyone my path to healing and better health. Good health is getting closer every day. I look forward to starting the medication , like a child looks forward to Christmas.
Doctor up-dates:
Friday was my ultra sound on my heart, result in soon on just how much damage has been done. It reminded me of listening to my kids' heart beats when they were in my belly. Good memories.
Feb 4th is my next appointment with my doctor, were I'll get my results from my heart ultrasound, more blood results, and also start the antiviral medication.
Whew!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Results.........dun, dun, dun........
Some results are in, more to come. Don't worry, I'm not contagious.
So, I tested positive for the Epstein-Barr virus (mono (cronic mono), but not full blown, if that makes sense), Herpesvirus 6, and also CMV. And we all know that I'm dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) along with fibromyalgia like symptoms. I'm really glad I kept searching for a doctor that would keep searching. I think to many people give in to the pain meds and then their main issue continues to go unnoticed until it wrecks havoc on their body, and they end up with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, strokes, etc, etc.
The herpes 6 virus is a virus that everyone has in them, but some poeple are genetically pre-disposed to have a higher viral load of it in their system. It usually only shows up in childhood as rashes, swollen glands when stressed, lower immune function, frecuent infections (strep, ear) etc. Then, whether is timming or stress that triggers it, for some reason it shows intself later in life (from what I've read it's usually in the 20's or 30's) For whatever reason now (probably due to stress) it has reared it's ugly head full blown into my life. The symptoms include Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, fibromyalgia, lowered immune system, and other infections. Because this infection had been in me for a long time, a whole 28 years, it has already effected and done some damage to my kidneys (stage 2) and heart. Which I'm working on now that I'm aware of the root of it.
The next step.........this week I'm taking some natural goodness stuff to boost my immune system, then next week I'll start an antibiotic to get this stuff out of my system. It may take awhile since it can hide out in bone marrow, etc. I'm taking some immune system stuff first because my doctor doesn't want to put any more stress on my kidneys and heart by being on the antibiotic (which kills the bugs, but then the bugs dump out toxins). I've already done EKG's on my heart, but I'll be going in to a specialist to get an ultrasound done on my heart in the next few weeks. I also have a full 4 hour glucose test scheduled for Feb 10th. On a side note: my hernia is the least of my worries right now, I'll take care of it some other time.
Below is information from an article that talks about the correlation between CFS, ESV, and HHV-6. I'm going to post more as I find out more, for you guys, but also for me to have information I need, where I know where it is.
"Antibody Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Herpesvirus 6 and Human Herpesvirus 7 in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
To test for an association between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), antibodies to these viruses were tested in the serum from three groups of individuals: (1) 10 CFS patients with chronic fatigue beginning with a clinical pattern of acute infectious mononucleosis [IM; true chronic IM (CIM)]; (2) 10 CFS patients whose illness did not start with acute IM (non-CIM), and (3) healthy controls. High EBV antibody titers were demonstrated in most patients. Antibodies to ZEBRA, a product of the immediate early EBV gene BZLF1, were detected in the serum of CFS patients at a higher frequency than in healthy controls. Antibody titers to HHV-6 and HHV-7 were also higher in the patients with CFS than in the controls. These results are consistent with the view that CFS patients may have reactivations of EBV, HHV-6 and HHV-7."
Enjoy your day!
Thanks for reading.
PS: We're moved back into our house downtown, it's still for sale and we're going to do some more work on it to make it sellable.
So, I tested positive for the Epstein-Barr virus (mono (cronic mono), but not full blown, if that makes sense), Herpesvirus 6, and also CMV. And we all know that I'm dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) along with fibromyalgia like symptoms. I'm really glad I kept searching for a doctor that would keep searching. I think to many people give in to the pain meds and then their main issue continues to go unnoticed until it wrecks havoc on their body, and they end up with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, strokes, etc, etc.
The herpes 6 virus is a virus that everyone has in them, but some poeple are genetically pre-disposed to have a higher viral load of it in their system. It usually only shows up in childhood as rashes, swollen glands when stressed, lower immune function, frecuent infections (strep, ear) etc. Then, whether is timming or stress that triggers it, for some reason it shows intself later in life (from what I've read it's usually in the 20's or 30's) For whatever reason now (probably due to stress) it has reared it's ugly head full blown into my life. The symptoms include Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, fibromyalgia, lowered immune system, and other infections. Because this infection had been in me for a long time, a whole 28 years, it has already effected and done some damage to my kidneys (stage 2) and heart. Which I'm working on now that I'm aware of the root of it.
The next step.........this week I'm taking some natural goodness stuff to boost my immune system, then next week I'll start an antibiotic to get this stuff out of my system. It may take awhile since it can hide out in bone marrow, etc. I'm taking some immune system stuff first because my doctor doesn't want to put any more stress on my kidneys and heart by being on the antibiotic (which kills the bugs, but then the bugs dump out toxins). I've already done EKG's on my heart, but I'll be going in to a specialist to get an ultrasound done on my heart in the next few weeks. I also have a full 4 hour glucose test scheduled for Feb 10th. On a side note: my hernia is the least of my worries right now, I'll take care of it some other time.
Below is information from an article that talks about the correlation between CFS, ESV, and HHV-6. I'm going to post more as I find out more, for you guys, but also for me to have information I need, where I know where it is.
"Antibody Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Herpesvirus 6 and Human Herpesvirus 7 in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
To test for an association between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), antibodies to these viruses were tested in the serum from three groups of individuals: (1) 10 CFS patients with chronic fatigue beginning with a clinical pattern of acute infectious mononucleosis [IM; true chronic IM (CIM)]; (2) 10 CFS patients whose illness did not start with acute IM (non-CIM), and (3) healthy controls. High EBV antibody titers were demonstrated in most patients. Antibodies to ZEBRA, a product of the immediate early EBV gene BZLF1, were detected in the serum of CFS patients at a higher frequency than in healthy controls. Antibody titers to HHV-6 and HHV-7 were also higher in the patients with CFS than in the controls. These results are consistent with the view that CFS patients may have reactivations of EBV, HHV-6 and HHV-7."
Enjoy your day!
Thanks for reading.
PS: We're moved back into our house downtown, it's still for sale and we're going to do some more work on it to make it sellable.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A relaxing weekend in the woods........
This weekend we headed up to the Duckabush Cabin in the Olympic Mountains for some much needed R & R. I made the reservation a few months ago, and have been looking forward to it since. We didn't get stuck or snowed in this time, like we did at the Hamma Hamma Cabin last year.
Teh Duckabush cabin was built in 1907 and was the first ranger station/cabin in the Olympic National Forest. They had old historical pictures around the cabin. We did get a fresh dusting of snow on Saturday night and we woke up to a beautiful white wonderland, to add to the snow already on the ground. On Saturday we did a little 2 mile hike to Ranger's Hole, an old fishing spot the forest rangers use to go to. I was fine for the whole hike, but about an hour after we got back to the cabin, my body went into shutdown mode. Luckily I listened. So I just slept for about a half an hour, then I was functional again. Darm that chronic fatigue, I could barely keep my eyes open and it took me all of 60 seconds to fall asleep when I layed down, even with the kids yelling and shouting (with joy of course) playing their Rukus card game.
On sunday after we got back home I was able to paint one of the kids' rooms at the Cota house. Oh......... so the kids and I are moving back to the house in town in the next few weeks. I decided it's best to live there until it sells. I know, I'm spastic at times!
Well, Dr appointment tomorrow again with the natural path in Lacey, hope to have some good news soon.
take care, Heather
Teh Duckabush cabin was built in 1907 and was the first ranger station/cabin in the Olympic National Forest. They had old historical pictures around the cabin. We did get a fresh dusting of snow on Saturday night and we woke up to a beautiful white wonderland, to add to the snow already on the ground. On Saturday we did a little 2 mile hike to Ranger's Hole, an old fishing spot the forest rangers use to go to. I was fine for the whole hike, but about an hour after we got back to the cabin, my body went into shutdown mode. Luckily I listened. So I just slept for about a half an hour, then I was functional again. Darm that chronic fatigue, I could barely keep my eyes open and it took me all of 60 seconds to fall asleep when I layed down, even with the kids yelling and shouting (with joy of course) playing their Rukus card game.
On sunday after we got back home I was able to paint one of the kids' rooms at the Cota house. Oh......... so the kids and I are moving back to the house in town in the next few weeks. I decided it's best to live there until it sells. I know, I'm spastic at times!
Well, Dr appointment tomorrow again with the natural path in Lacey, hope to have some good news soon.
take care, Heather
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Does it really get worse before it gets better?
If so, then I'm going to get better soon.
So.......for the short version. I had to go to the emergency room at St. Peters Hospital in Olympia on Friday. In the morning I had some lower abdominal pain, but by the late morning it hurt to stand up straight at work, so I went in. Of course not after calling my doctor, and a few others to ask about symptoms and to see if I could avoid the emergency room and the fees that go along with it.
Anyways, like I was able to tell the doctors, I have a hernia. Actually I've had it for awhile, but it just wasn't very bad, so I just put it off. Well, I could no longer put it off. I must have aggravated it somehow, maybe that file cabinet I shouldn't have lifted. Oh well! The surgeon wasn't at the hospital on Friday so I have to schedule an appointment to get it take care of soon. Fun, fun! (sarcasm, there's really no other way to deal with it.)
On a good note....I went to the naturalpath Dr in Olympia last week and did a bunch of other tests for my fibro symptoms. He thinks he can find what else is going on and help me, yeah!!! I'm so excited! (not sarcasm)
Ok, back to the grind!
So.......for the short version. I had to go to the emergency room at St. Peters Hospital in Olympia on Friday. In the morning I had some lower abdominal pain, but by the late morning it hurt to stand up straight at work, so I went in. Of course not after calling my doctor, and a few others to ask about symptoms and to see if I could avoid the emergency room and the fees that go along with it.
Anyways, like I was able to tell the doctors, I have a hernia. Actually I've had it for awhile, but it just wasn't very bad, so I just put it off. Well, I could no longer put it off. I must have aggravated it somehow, maybe that file cabinet I shouldn't have lifted. Oh well! The surgeon wasn't at the hospital on Friday so I have to schedule an appointment to get it take care of soon. Fun, fun! (sarcasm, there's really no other way to deal with it.)
On a good note....I went to the naturalpath Dr in Olympia last week and did a bunch of other tests for my fibro symptoms. He thinks he can find what else is going on and help me, yeah!!! I'm so excited! (not sarcasm)
Ok, back to the grind!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
My reoccurring dream............
I keep having a dream that I find something that makes my pain go away, all away, not just to ease it or keep it at bay. In the dream I wake up and I jump around and then start crying because I don't hurt ANYWHERE and I'm sooooo happy ! And I just can't believe it. I get my life back to the way it was. No joint pain, no muscle pain, no fatigue, no worn out feeling. I have strong healthy muscles, I can move freely, I'm not distracted by the constant pain all over my body, I don't have lumps in my tissues, my fingers don't hurt to type or write, sounds don't amplify in my head, and my joints stop popping all the time, and I can stop all the vitamins I have to take. Ahhhhh! I get my pep back!
I'm still holding on to the hope that this dream can become a reality. I'm continuing to pray about it and seek answers. So far doctors have been useless and others who have fibromyalgia say that I can help it get better and deal with the pain better, but that it will never go away. Fooy!
Pressing on, Heather
I'm still holding on to the hope that this dream can become a reality. I'm continuing to pray about it and seek answers. So far doctors have been useless and others who have fibromyalgia say that I can help it get better and deal with the pain better, but that it will never go away. Fooy!
Pressing on, Heather
Monday, January 5, 2009
We went snow shoeing and I didn't die!
......at least not on the trail. My body actually held up really well during the snowshoe trip at Hurricane Ridge this weekend, but by Saturday evening I was feeling it pretty good. Oh that wonderful Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!! I was wiped out, lost most mobility in my hands and arms (which is weird because I didn't use my arms), got chilled (even though I was hot all day long), and my muscles felt like I hiked 20 miles in the snow, uphill.
So with this fibro stuff my body doesn't know when to turn off the muscles, so two miles in the snow ends up feeling like twenty miles in the snow for me. Good thing I'm not a weeny! :) And I think it also has to do with my circulation, because after moving around and getting the blood flowing, it's like my body is trying to push out toxins, and they get all blocked up. Hence the reason why I need to keep moving every day.
Hailey and I ended up turning around sooner then the rest of the group, which was good, because then I maybe wouldn't have made it back to the lodge without help. And the rest of the group ended up snowshoeing about 4 miles. Will had a blast and didn't complain a bit. He's such a trooper!
Happy New Years to you all!!
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