Week 1 - Day 1

Okay, I told everyone that I would keep you updated on the clean eating. And, as promised, I will give you my... ahem... starting weight. 218lbs.

The meal that I decided to start changing is breakfast. Got the amounts that I should eat from a clean-eating friend of mine, and here is what breakfast looked like, this morning:

I don't know about anyone else, but that's a lot of food. I was able to finish about half of it. It was good, just too much. Maybe as my body gets used to not having the continuous, sugary/salty snacks all day, I will be able to eat more of the healthy foods.

Anyway, that's where I am now. I will continue with breakfast all week, and will make another change, next Monday!

Aaron

Clean Eating

Hello All! Hope this entry finds all of you doing well!

It has been a... different past few weeks. Apparently, my body decided it did not like one of my CIDP treatments, anymore, and decided to start "reacting" to it. After many medication adjustments, we THINK we may have finally worked it out so that I don't have that issue, anymore. Which is good, because this treatment really helps me, and I don't want to have to stop receiving it. So, any thoughts and prayers you can send my way for that would be greatly appreciated!

But, the reason for this entry has more to do with something that I've been hearing about for the past year or so: clean eating. When I first heard about it, I automatically dismissed it as the latest fad diet. Lord knows there are enough of those out there. However, the more I heard about it, I started to get curious. So, I did some reading about it, here and there. No serious research into it mind you, but some light reading.

Then, the other day, a friend of mine from the hospital came down to see me when I was receiving my treatment. I couldn't believe how much she had changed. She had lost weight, and looked healthier (she has lupus) than I had seen her look in years. I asked what she had been doing and she said, "Clean eating." She said she hadn't felt this good in many years, and was off of her medications for the lupus. It was time for me to do some more reading. So, I did.

Turns out, clean eating isn't just about weight loss. Those who try to practice it say that it's about returning to the way we ate years ago, removing a lot of the junk and processed foods that have become staples of our diets, anymore. By getting back to the older ways of eating, our bodies have a chance to deal with illness and disease in the ways it was intended, instead of having to battle what we put in it, as well. Clean eaters also claim that this type of eating habit can help reduce inflammation and increase the body's immune system strength.

Now, I don't know if any of this is true. To be honest, I am naturally skeptical and don't buy into things, easily. But, after doing my research and listening to my friend's story, I was willing to give it a shot. After all, what could it hurt?

So, that's where this post comes in. I want there to be record of what it is I'm doing and if it works. I am going to officially start on Monday, after I've had time to get familiar with some of the recipes and types of foods I should and shouldn't eat. On Monday I'll also post my beginning weight (I must really like you guys) and what meds I'm on (for the CIDP). As time progresses, we'll see if my weight comes down and/or my medications can decrease.

This is going to be a slow process, though. I am only changing one meal per week (breakfast one week, lunch the next... you get the idea). I am doing it this way so that I can be sure not to overwhelm myself and ensure that I stick with it. I will report my stats each week (on Mondays), and I'll be sure to be honest about whether or not I was sticking closely to the plan.

If any of you have any questions, please feel free to let me know on here, or on Facebook. I am happy to answer any and all questions.

Prednisone

Hi All!

It's been several months since my last post. Suffice it to say that not a whole lot has changed. It appears I may be at the point where I'll be for a while, if not forever.

I attempted to ween myself off of prednisone about  a month ago (with my doctor's approval). That did NOT go well. My symptoms returned in just a couple of days.
The reason I bring this up is for those individuals who hate what prednisone does to the body. It makes the body retain water, gain weight and overall can make a person feel very uncomfortable, especially at high doses. What I would like for people with this condition to consider before coming off of steroids is this: are the side effects of the medication worse than the symptoms of the disease, itself? And, be honest. Is a bit more weight around the middle worse than the inability to walk? Is the often-excruciating pain better than some fluid retention and the need to take some supplements? In my case, the answers favored taking the prednisone.

What we have to do, as CIDP patients and medication, is a benefit to risk analysis. Is the benefit greater than the risk (or side effects, in this case)? We make these decisions, every day. When getting something to eat or drink, when deciding what to wear. When determining where/when to stop for gas. Just with medication and illness decisions, the results can, and often do, have dramatic effects.

Foremost, make sure you talk to your doctor before making any of these decisions. The doctor has prescribed these medications for a reason. Obviously, we go to these doctors because we want their help. Making wholesale changes to their treatment plan without consulting them can be dangerous. This is coming from a nurse who's done it. Not smart. It's kind of like hiring a lawyer, then representing yourself, anyway. Always keep your doctor in the loop of any and all disturbing or uncomfortable side effects or issues. Just don't make the changes before that conversation happens (unless it is something dangerous - like some type of SEVERE reaction. At which point, you should seek medical attention, immediately).

I guess, overall, what I'm saying is use common sense. Talk with your doctor, as he/she is your partner in improving your overall health!

Here's wishing you a Happy Independence Day! I hope the love and comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ shines upon you, your family and our great nation.



Please understand that this blog is not meant as a replacement for the advice of your health care professional. It is for informational purposes, ONLY.