Part III: Almost Normal

Hello folks!

I'm so sorry about my long absence.  This time I've been away because I've been feeling good and have been out and about almost like a normal person.  I suppose you can say I've been making up for lost time.

I'm actually recovering from a nasty throat infection right now, but I'm otherwise doing well.

The biggest improvement has been with my energy.  After taking high doses* of CoQ10 (prescribed by my neurologist after a test confirmed I had low levels of it) for over a year, I have more energy than I've had in my entire adult life.  I don't make this statement lightly, and I'm definitely not saying that CoQ10 has "cured" me.  What it has done, however, is help improve the way my muscles make and process energy.

The improved energy allowed me to start exercising over the summer (with permission and specific guidelines from my doctors), something that would have been impossible just two years ago.  Unless I'm feeling ill, I exercise once a week for about 25 minutes with a trainer.  That's really my only formal exercise in a given week, but it's still 100% more than I used to do!

Before I agreed to work with my trainer, I interviewed him and made sure he understood where I was coming from physically.  Even though I looked young and healthy on the outside, I had the muscle atrophy of a 70 year old.  I also explained the instructions from my doctors.  No free weights because they're tough on the joints.  Bands are ok.  No heavy aerobic exercise because they could damage my muscles.  Low impact is fine.  He understood and really got it.

Around the time I started exercising, I started taking generic Plaquenil.  This medication is often prescribed for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.  Though I can't tell for certain, I think this medication is helping me as well.  The joint pain in my hands seems to have decreased.

Fast forward to today.  I saw my neurologist this afternoon, and she confirmed my strength has increased.  This is the second visit in a row that she said my strength has increased, so I'm thrilled to know I'm on the right track.

We both think my improvement may be due to a combination of factors: the CoQ10, Plaquenil, and the strength building exercises I do with my trainer.  We also agreed that today would be my last visit with her as my neurologist because what I have is not neurological.  I will be continuing my followup with my rheumatologist and primary care physician.

That's all I have for now.  I've got to go to bed!


* Note added November 2, 2013:  I take 400mg of CoQ10 two times per day (total 800mg/day). 

Feeling Much Better Now

Thank you to everyone who posted words of support! I'm feeling much better now. Of course, I'm still as tired as ever, but my mood has improved greatly since the weekend.

After this Sunday's day-trip for work passed without a major crash, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I think the anxiety I had about that trip was much more than I realized. I've also been steadily feeling better physically since my return from North Dakota. The viral symptoms (low-grade fever, sore lymph nodes and throat) have pretty much gone.

Work is still extremely busy, but I have started a different way of keeping track of all my projects. In the past, I have kept separate "To Do" lists for myself, depending on the individual project. I would try to write my lists of things to do in order of importance or priority. This took a lot of effort and brain power.

Now I just have one long "To Do" list that I add to whenever I think of anything I need to do, regardless of the project, its order of importance, or priority. It's much easier to not have to prioritize or rank order everything. I started this list on Friday, and it's already made a big difference in how I feel. I've even become more efficient in getting things done!

The fatigue is still a problem. I've been sleeping 9-10 hours a night on weeknights (and more on weekends), but it's not helping (no surprise there). On the upside, I'm feeling better mentally. Without mental strength, everything is 100 times as challenging...including physical healing.

Other thoughts on my mind...

• I'm still waiting to hear back from Georgetown and University of Illinois at Chicago. I'm starting to feel like I've been dumped. I haven't heard a peep from either research project. I suppose only time will tell if I'll be able to be a part of a research project.
  
  
• I have invited my husband Kenny to write a few blog entries about CFIDS to post on my blog. You'll start to see his posts from time to time in the next week or two.
  
  
• I really need to balance my checkbook.

Today's Activities: work. Today's Most Annoying Symptoms: exhaustion, pounding headache.

Mood (10 is best): 6
Energy (10 is best): 3
Physical Discomfort (10 is worst): 5

Things are Looking Up

I've been sicker than usual for about a week. Last night I went to bed around 8pm and didn't get up this morning until 8am. The best news is that I'm physically starting to feel loads better. Hooray!

I'm pretty sure I'm still running a low-grade fever, but everything else is feeling pretty good. My lymph nodes are barely bothering me at all. Yeah!

This is all excellent timing because my mom will be coming over to our place for a weekend visit. She lives in another state, and hasn't been to visit for at least a couple of years (we usually fly out to see my parents at their place).

I've been looking forward to my mom's visit ever since she made plans to come. It's even given me a great excuse to purchase a few things for our home that I've been putting off for some time. :)

I have to get back to work now, but I'll write again later.