JUICE FAST: heal thy belly

Here we go--Juice fast!
Let thy belly heal! I've always enjoyed a healthful week of juice, going as long as 14days before. But now I'm angry, pissed and on a mission to heal my self. Inspired by Kris Carr and Joe Cross, I'm ready to join the long distance club. Not sure how long I'll go this tome, but I'd like to mark three weeks and see how I feel.







Day 1: Bit hungry, rumble tummy, headache at night. 10 weeks of double vision.
Day 2: Migraine till noon, bit hungry but ok
Day 3: Headache in AM, not hungry, right eye drifting up a bit.
Day 4: CT scan (so AM fast). I feel good. Initial juice fast headaches and food cravings are all gone. I'm in --with great energy.
After my CT today, I saw my GP, who checked my blood sugar levels. All great!
Been cleared by my neuro and GP to do an extended juice fast.
Will this reboot me? Dunno, but after eating super clean for one week and juice fast for 4 days, I've lost 7lbs of the 20 I gain from taking prednisone.
A step in the right direction.
As for my double vision---still double (10weeks and counting). Possibly a little worse today.
Day 5: Right eye starting to drift. Going to acupunture.
Day 6: Feel great physically, vision still doubled. Right eye drifting madly. Watermelon juice is so yum. It almost made me forget how angry & pissed off I am at my eyes. But then I tried to see something.
Day 8! Still double vision, but no droopy eye. Less frozen face. 13lbs bye-bye.
Day 9: ....meatballs at one of my events smelled good.
Day 10: The chefs presented new Eritrean & Indian menu items for events. I ate with my eyes and nose. The curry and stews looked colorful and smelled d-lish. No desire to undo the healing I've done.
Day 11: Had neuro follow up. My ct scan results are lost, I did face-off with the scale that told the beastly takes of gained prednisone pounds. I'm officially down 13pounds. Right eye still feels like I'm looking in a double mirror or through a marble, but this is an improvement.
Day 12: As an experiment, took 120mg mestinon at 5am. woke at 8am. eyes are very week, like legs would feel after running 1000 stairs, almost wobbly, (if eyes could wobble), my near-sight is 90% focused. I can count my toes. Far-sight is blurry, but more like I need major glasses.
Will see how I feel after mestinon wears off around noon.
(Somehow blogspot lost my log from day 12-30. Day 17 & 23 were the hardest. Day 17 everything smelled like ranch dressing. Everybody's lunch, the cafe near work, my assistant. My friend Raquel pointed out I must be craving salt, so I started up drink pink Himalayan sea salt "Soley". Worked like a charm.)
Day 31:
Feeling great!
Day 32:
Raspberries and juice for breakfast. Avocado and zucchini for lunch. My eyes are near perfect, little tired after a long day of computer-ing. I will continue to juice, but this juice Feasting/Fast is done!

Health Update:
I feel and look like me again.
25 prednisone pounds gone.
My vision is near perfect.
Bloodwork good.
CT scan shows that extra cells in thymus are gone.
MRI shows brain is stable, tiny spot of inflammation is gone.

Clean Eats: "The Notorious List" to buy Organic!

The Environmental Working Group creates an annual list, aptly named The Dirty Dozen, which helps consumers decide which produce they would most benefit from purchasing organic. The latest list to make the notorious list includes:

The Notorious List:
Apples
Celery
Bell Peppers
Peaches
Strawberries
Nectarines (imported)
Grapes
Spinach
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Blueberries (domestic)
Potatoes
Green Beans
Kale/Greens

Based on the data collection, the Environmental Working Group also compiles a list of what they call the Clean 15. Produce with the least amount of pesticides is included on this list: Onions, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Avocado, Cabbage, Sweet peas, Asparagus, Mangoes, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Sweet potatoes, Grapefruit, Watermelon, and Mushrooms.

Detox: CTscan RADIATION

Prepping for a follow up CT scan this Friday to check my thymus for any tumors which could be responsible for the Myasthenia Gravis. CT scans take pictures using radiation. Here are a few steps before and after to keep the nasties to a minimum. I will also be getting acupuncture.

FOODS THAT CAN HELP DETOX RADIATION OUT OF YOUR BODY
http://eatrightforyourlife.org/2012/05/19/foods-that-can-help-detox-radiation-out-of-your-body/

Science for Zombie: Maybe Zombies need Lecithin (aka Brain & Nerve food)

"BRAINS! BRAINS!" Maybe Zombies (or anyone suffering from brain fog) need Lecithin.

Lecithin is a naturally occurring compound found in all cells in nature, plant and animal. It plays a major role in almost all biological processes - including nerve transmission, breathing and energy production.

The word Lecithin is taken from the Greek Lekithos, which means "egg yolk". A fitting name for this essential nutrient, for the egg is considered a symbol of life, strength and fertility. Lecithin is important for all of these biological functions and more.

Our brain is approximately 30% Lecithin, 66% of liver fat is made of lecithin. In addition, it is an essential constituent of every human cell. The insulating myelin sheaths that protect the brain, spine and thousands of miles of nerves in your body are almost two-thirds Lecithin. Even the heart has a high concentration of Lecithin.

Lecithin is composed of many different components, including Choline, Inositol, Linoleic Acid, Phosphatidylserine, beneficial fatty acids and triglycerides. These valuable constituents of Lecithin are vital for the proper functioning of many metabolic processes.

+++ HOW DOES LECITHIN WORK IN THE BODY? +++

May 26, 2011 | By Gord Kerr LIVESTRONG.com

Lecithin, or phosphatidylcholine, accounts for almost 50 percent of specialized fat molecules, called phospholipids present in animals and plants, and forms a major component of mucus layers and cellular membranes. The choline in lecithin is an essential nutrient responsible for the vital biological functions lecithin provides. The production of acetylcholine, facilitated by lecithin, assists the nervous system, Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute notes.

FUNCTION
The liver synthesizes lecithin from food and disperses it throughout the body's circulatory system to protect cells from destruction by oxidation, and to help strengthen cellular structures. As a phospholipid, lecithin is a complex mixture of glycolipids, sterols, triglycerides, carbohydrates and fatty acids.The main component of lecithin, choline, aids in digestion of fats, keeps cell membranes semi-permeable, facilitates cell communication and regulates the movement of fats, ions, wastes and nutrients in cells. Lecithin also aids the nervous system in the production of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter important for memory, learning and sleep.

NUTRIENTS
Lecithin is derived from foods, such as egg yolk, fish, liver, yeast, wheat germ and peanuts, but its main sources are vegetables such as sunflowers, grape seeds and soybeans, the most common form used in supplements for soy lecithin oil and granules. One tablespoon of soybean lecithin oil contains 47.6 mg of choline, in addition to 25 micrograms of vitamin K and 1.1 mg of vitamin E. This amount of lecithin has 104 calories and 13.6 g of total fats, which breaks down into 2 g of saturated fatty acids, 1.5 g of monounsaturated fats and more than 6 g of polyunsaturated fats, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Nutrient Database.

CHOLESTEROL
Because choline in lecithin helps emulsify and remove fats from the liver, it may reduce the formation of deposits on artery walls or in the gall bladder and thus help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. A 10-week study in 2003 found that fat-free soy lecithin lowered cholesterol absorption by as much as 38 percent and reduced LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, by 14 percent among the 45 participants. The conclusion, published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association," was that powdered lecithin lowers LDL cholesterol and cholesterol absorption when consumed with fat-free foods.

MEMORY
The choline in lecithin plays a role in brain and nerve function by advancing acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved in memory and muscle control, which protects the body from nervous system disorders. A study at the Institute of Public Health in Cambridge, England, found that patients with dementia and cognitive impairment had a diminished ability to convert choline into acetylcholine within the brain. Patients suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and people with subjective memory problems were assessed and lecithin was shown to have a dramatic positive result in subjects with subjective memory problems, researchers reported in the online Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews in 2003. They did not, however, conclude that lecithin was a viable treatment for patients with dementia.

CONSIDERATIONS
Although there is no recommended dietary allowance for lecithin, 2 tbsp. of lecithin granules sprinkled on yogurt, soups, cereals or other foods may have health benefits, according to the Vitamin Stuff website. You should get your doctor's approval before using lecithin or any other kind of supplement. High intakes of lecithin or choline could produce acute gastrointestinal reactions, salivation, sweating and anorexia. Prolonged and repeated intake of lecithin may be associated with the development of depression or an over-response of dopamine receptors.

Good Eats: Blood Cleansing Foods

Some of the best Blood Cleansing Whole Foods!

• Aloe - the gelatin absorbs toxins
• Apples - the pectin removes heavy metals
• Avocado - antifungal
• Beets
• Blueberry
• Celery & celery seed
• Cranberry
• Cabbage
• Dandelion Greens
• Flax
• Garlic
• Grapefruit (awesome, but interacts with over 80 medications!)
• Kale
• Lemon - balances Ph
• Seaweed - the gelatin absorbs toxins
• Watercress
• Wheatgrass - oxyginates your blood

Herbs

• Basil - antifungal
• Cilantro - removes heavy metals mercury
• Parsley - removes mercury
• Oregano - antifungal

Top 15 Cleansing Foods:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/top-15-cleansing-foods.html?page=1

Blood Purification:
http://www.squidoo.com/purifyblood_removetoxins

Follow up: Naturopath

Had my follow with my naturopath the in March.

Blood labs are all decent despite the prednisone. No Lyme, thyroid in check. All pretty good, all normal, except low in vitamin D.

Hair analysis shows interesting statics:
• Slightly high in environmental toxins: antimony, barium and lead. Nothing too alarming, but of note.
• Very low in potassium, selenium, manganese, chromium and lithium.

She recommended I eat specific foods : Bananas, bone broth, mushrooms, garlic. Coincidentally these have been the foods I've been craving and blogging about. (Queue Twillight Zone music here). Am I actually listening to my body??

• Potassium - bananas
• Selenium - mushrooms
• Chromium - bone broth

But the fact that I'm so low in nutrietns means that I'm not digesting properly.

AutoImm Science: not clean eats

Here's a wee bit science on MG, irritants & eating clean and common not-clean foods.
Decaf: Caffeine is a acetychloine-easterase inhibihitor (just like mestion). Caffeine irritates the digestive track. Water process decaf still has a small amount of caffeine. Non- Swiss water process decaf is decaffeinated by chemicals also an irritant to intestinal lining.

Nuts: Some people have actual nut allergies, but most people with auto immune issues have a hard time digesting nuts due to their high phytic acid levels. Phytic acid irritants the digestive track which then lets proteins,bacteria & such leak into you blood. Your immune system doesn't like foreign proteins, etc in your blood (think mad cow) so it attacks. Re triggering your auto-immune response.

So while decaf is a quick jolt to make a muscle talk to your nerves for a brief moment, drinking the decaf just possibly re-scratched your autoimmune response. Once the threshold is hit-BAM relapse!

The theory to eat "clean" is to not irritate the digestive track, not let protein leak into your blood, & finally let your intestinal lining heal. Hopefully eventually putting you into remission.

I am discovering that hot spices (nightshades-paprika, cayenne, chili)) and refined salts are two major irritants for me. Sneaky buggers are in everything-especially refined salts! Can't realistically eat out without getting a heap-full.

Good Eats: eat/drink clean

Well 9 weeks of bad eyes, weird facial expressions. Pretty much blows! Over it.

Have decided to cleanse my blood with food. Figuring the simplest way to purify and change my blood is to purify my food. Started eating clean (only veggies, fruit and poached salmon, no spices) for 3 days and my vision has majorly improved. I'm convinced that I'm on to something.

My thoughts are about a major juice cleanse. Hoping to start on the weekend. Need to get doctor clearance.

Med Alert: CellCept

Laughing & Crying: Started CellCept yesterday and got a 5 day rocket boost of prednisone to help restore the bum eyes. After 12 days of very non-existent vision, I was decent enough to drive to work today.

So I packed my vegan paleo dandelion banana MCT oil coconut oil flaxseed smoothy, popped my handful of meds (pred, mest & CellCept), and jumped into my moto.

Well, yup.... it seams so obvious now!!!

I was seriously luckily to snag a unprecedentedly close parking spot (still 3 blocks from my office in heels) and did the fast two step to the closest office loo. Jacked up on a double dose of prednisone, sweating like a rabid Hunter S Thompson character, wearing unusually large black Gucci yet Ray Charles-esque prescriptive eyewear, dragging a duffle of healthy lunch, fruits, filtered water & briefcase of i'm-back-from-the-vacation-from-hell papers, I MADE IT. Barely!!! Phew!!!!! God damn. That was close. Repeat several times till noon.

Apparently (as per ehow to avoid diarreha from CellCept) when initiating CellCept, it is advisable to start with a meal that is low in fat or oils and avoid high fiber foods!!! Once you adjust you can then follow the label instructions and take on an empty stomach.

I'm always the last to know..... Always the last.

Oddly, the only major comment I received was that I was "wearing those shade again".

Go figure.

AutoPaleo: to egg or not to egg

I've never had issues with eggs, so why are they making me feel worse now? Here is a great article about eggs for those with autoimmune issues:

The WHYs behind the Autoimmune Protocol: Eggs
By ThePaleoMom.com
http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/06/whys-behind-autoimmune-protocol-eggs.html

The The Autoimmune Protocol
http://www.thepaleomom.com/autoimmunity/the-autoimmune-protocol

MG: March - July

Well end of March, April and May went pretty smooth. Felt great, started to exercise. Work was good, life felt pretty normal. Started eating eggs and rice again. Tapered down to 15mg eod by Mother's Day and started to feel some eye issues. I struggled through it for three weeks but no improvement. I've had little reply or information from my neuro.

It is now my summer vacation July 2. Both my eyes are extremely difficult to open. Left eye is pulling outwards and extreme ptosis while the right eye is straining, moderate ptosis.
Returned to taking 30mg everyday of prednisone despite not hearing from my neurologist. Panick, fear, who knows, wtf?

Curent Meds: (Prednisone & Mestinon, starting CellCept)
• Day 3,4,5 - Lots of fear, crying, self-pity.
Hoping I bounce back as quickly as I did the first time around.
• Day 6 - left eye can flutter open when laying still and taking 120mg mestinon.
• Day 7 - eyes opening, vision blurred double. Lungs feel a bit labored. Walking in a marsh mellow world. Dishes feel heavy. Can't focus enough to actually watch a movie. (We think this flare was maybe triggered by Advantage-ing the dog. Guessing).
• Day 8 - Longest 8 days ever! 3.5yr old & dog bouncing off walls, Can't see, gone rouge with the meds, haven't heard from neuro (nasty superlative here!), vacation total crap (cant drive, cant see tv. no pool, no backyard camping, no county fair, no fire works, no beer while BBQing, no gardening) Worried about not returning to work Monday! Dog ate my hammock. No visual improvement.
• Day 11 - Visit to Neuro. Pred to 60mg for 5 days, then back to 30ng.
• Day 12 - Bad vision in AM. Rested. Starting CellCept. Re-reading my paleo entries, going bad to strict AutoPaleo Protocol. (See CellCept blog).

Survived the 5 days of 60mg of prednisone. Vision is but a wee better. Honestly thought I would feel better.

PREDNISONE TAPER:
• Day 1 tapering back down to 30mg.
• Day 2 tapering - major migraines, sweating, chills, laid out.
• Day 3 tapering - lead weights describe it best. Migraine. Feels like someone took an egg beater to my brain. This is my "this is your brain in drugs" moment. And I'm hating it. It's also a workday. Seriously want to die. Started eating completely clean--only veggies, fruit, poached salmon. No spices.
• Day 4 taper - Vision is getting a bit better. Migraine gone. Got to go to band practice after work, so I had something to look forward to. Feels like MG is in my jaws. Face feels numb in the mornings. Eyes won't totally shut.
• Day 5 taper - Eyes are little better. Double vision comes and goes. Thought I would be better along after all the meds, but it's slowly proving. So i'll take it. Wanting to start a juice fast.