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How I live with Autoimmune Diseases

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Living with SLE Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Dysautonomia and Levoscoliosis pain is an everyday part of my life. I made a choice many years ago after many years of failed and subpar results from modern medicine to go natural in my approach to treat and manage these diseases.

During the six years, I was on the modern medicine path, my medicine was changed almost monthly... Everything I was given had its own host of side effects that I would, in turn, be given yet another medicine to treat..? I was sick and miserable ALL the time even during the remission phases of my diseases. My life literally revolved around when it was time to take my next pill...

I also gained a ton of weight in a very short period of time due to the medications and because of my diseases and a back injury sustained during a dog attack on Valentine's day in 2001, I was unable to work out at the level needed to lose the weight. Eventually, due to the weight gain, I developed Pre-type 2 Diabetes

So fixing my diet and under doctor supervision, weening myself off all the medications (I was on 9 different prescription medications at the time I made the decision) was my first step. Eating real foods, kicking the processed foods out of my diet and cutting out sugar was my first diet and lifestyle change. Then I proceeded to cut out gluten and found out that although I didn't have celiac disease I did have NCGI Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. One of the first things I noticed after cutting out gluten was the General Edema and water retention that I had dealt with my whole life was gone! If I did eat something with gluten in it, I would swell up all over and would get a stomach ache. So I try to be 100% gluten free now!

After fixing my diet, my second step was supplements. What was I lacking and what did I need to take? So, after getting some bloodwork done I seem to have low Iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. I don't like taking Iron pills so I increased my intake of Iron rich foods. As for vitamin D and B12 it seems I suffer from malabsorption of B12 and have to have either injections or take it sublingually. I tried both methods and I choose sublingually. I also take a vitamin D3&K2 supplement.

Now the third next step, although the third one I'm mentioning was probably the single most important step that started my journey to health and wellbeing. Changing one's mindset to not be a victim of your life's circumstances and health issue's but to step up and be a warrior who fights like hell!this one is not easy! The decision to change your life requires more than just the thought it takes action. In 2007 I saw a documentary called The Secret which started me on my path of taking control of my destiny and health. I have since bought and read every book on The Secret. That documentary and those books have literally changed my life and helped me find my path in this life and I highly recommend them!

The fourth step was to work on becoming more active. It's definitely difficult to try and exercise when you are in pain 24/7. Working out just exasperates my pain levels and typically causes me to be bed bound for anywhere from a few days to a week or so depending on how much I overdid it. Problem is I never know I'm overdoing it till it's done... for me walking is something I can incorporate into my daily routine relatively easy because sitting causes me too much pain. The longer I sit still the more things start to hurt and lock up. So getting up and moving is vital for me. However, although I can stand and/or walk longer than I can sit. I am not able to stand or walk too long either because that also will start to cause me too much pain. So I spend my days switching every 15 to 20 minutes from sitting, standing and pacing. I try to get at least 10,000 steps in a day. I use my Fitbit flex 2 to help me keep track of my steps and reach my goal. At the urging of my chiropractor, I've also been trying to add light stretching to the mix as well.

Lastly, there's my pain management. Living with pain every second of every day can be very tiresome. Not just physically tiring... It can be mentally and emotionally exhausting as well. There are days when the pain is bearable and only a minor nuisance and if I just keep myself occupied I can somewhat ignore the pain, then there are days when my pain level is so high it's unbearable and you would give anything for it to just stop! Those are definitely the hardest days in so many ways. Without taking pain meds I've tried everything from aromatherapy, soaking in a hot tub, massage to meditation...etc. I've also used supplements to help manage my pain like CBD Oil and Phenocane which was recommended by my Rheumatologist.

So, this is how I have learned to live with and manage my autoimmune diseases to date. My story is ever changing. What works now may not work later down the road due to the progression of these diseases. My story is also not intended to be used as medical advice or a treatment plan. Everybody's story, experiences and journey with autoimmune diseases are unique to each individual. My personal story is my own and not to be used as a guideline for anyone to follow because what works for me may not work for you. If you too live with autoimmune diseases please do your research, work with your team of doctors, find what works for you and write your own story! As long as you never give up and you keep fighting! We are warriors!

Thank you for stopping by and checking out How I live with autoimmune diseases! Do you or someone you love live with autoimmune diseases? Any pieces of advice for us warriors? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

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Love And Light!