what has been going on...

Sue's questions in the comments below made me realize that I haven't posted much here lately...surprise, surprise...I guess I grabbed my apple and went into hiding...lol.

I have an appointment scheduled with the Cardiologist for sometime in July...arghh...I'm so enthused with this that I don't even remember exactly when it is supposed to be. It's for a consultation and for him to schedule the tilt table test. Since my last post, my train of thought was to not go back on the diet until after I get a proper diagnoses. The Lord has convicted me of the fact that it was just my flesh speaking...but...that doesn't mean that I just rushed into obedience here. Slipping is very fast...getting back up, however...not so fast. God is merciful though and my symptoms have not been awful...a few stomach problems...but overall not too bad. I do know that I need to change things though, I don't want to settle for just 'not bad'...I want GREAT!

why it matters

Sue...your comment below brought up a good point. I know what I need to do to alleviate this...so why does it matter what 'name' they give to it? For me right now the thing that I'm most concerned with is that this thing runs in families...obviously it is not a concern to me in regards to my children since it isn't my biology that they inherited...but I am concerned for my sisters who have been suffering silently for a lot longer then I have...one of which actually has fainting spells and also for their children. I want a proper diagnosis so that they can take this seriously and not just pass it off as not being important (since that's the message they have been receiving from the medical profession all of their lives)even though it is debilitating to them. I want to be able to tell them what has worked for me and be able to explain why...the 'life changes' that are needed are pretty intensive and having something more concrete then just 'it's good for you' might help all of us to stick to it better. It is important to all of us to have some validation of all that we have endured.

new tests

My doctor's office just called me a few minutes ago, they are going to be setting up an appointment for me back at the cardiologist...to discusss 'Dysautonomia' with him and have the table tilt test done.

So...we are moving foward with this. Ofcourse, today I feel just horrible...AF is back and I also have a sore throat brewing...arghhh.

I LOVE my doctor

I'm so sorry that I didn't trust her with this before, but better late then never. She just called me from home (today is her day off)to talk to me about my test results. She wants to do further testing. I told her about MVPS and she's going to read more about it and see where to go from here. She was super understanding and didn't brush me off at all. Praise God...I feel some hope about this.

MVP Syndrome

Mitral Valve Prolapse or MVP Syndrome: "Ninety-eight percent of people with MVP Syndrome have nothing wrong with their heart. The majority of symptoms are caused by an out-of-balance nervous system. "

So it seems that I have lots of company. I had my echocardiogram stress test today and my heart is just fine...yippee! Ofcourse they still can't figure out what IS going on. ARGHHH. I had an 'episode' while on the treadmill and it had the doctor baffled...he pretty much called it a 'panic attack' but went on to say that he's never seen an excercise induced one before. I've had panic attacks before and know what those feel like...they just come on out of the blue and make you feel like you are dying. This is different...I just can't walk up stairs, or hilly streets without getting light headed and breathless...and ofcourse there is a myriad of other symptoms as well. So I guess as far as what doctors have to offer me...I'm back to square one. I just really needed to have what I'm going through validated though...not exactly sure why.

I do need to get back to the no sugar diet and drinking lots of fluids again...that was really helping things.

prayers please

I'm sliding down a slippery slope again and making lots of bad choices...I really need prayers desperately. PMS is doing me in...I'm out of control.

Day 15

*A little bit down emotionally today...din't feel like doing my work out today.

*feeling very grumpy...hope it's not pms kicking in early.

*actually had some sugar cravings...so I made a peanut butter and jelly(sugar free) sandwich on whole wheat bread...not bad.

*can't stop going to the bathroom, even though I haven't been drinking as much.

*feeling somewhat overwhelmed...having family over for dinner tomorrow to celebrate Sarah's birthday and I can't get going with any of it.

*Just got word that my echocardiogram and stress test will be on May 22'nd at 11AM.

Day 14

*I can't believe that it has been two weeks since my 'change of lifestyle'...I feel so much better.

*Saw my doctor today and she was GREAT! I told her what I was doing and that I was feeling good, but that I just wanted to make sure that there wasn't something else going on there...just to keep an eye on it if there were...and she totally agreed with me. She has scheduled me for an echocardiogram and a stress test...then we'll go from there. She also ordered a whole bunch of blood tests to be done...so I had it drawn this morning.

*My exercise tolerance has greatly improved. I just finished doing my Lesley Sansone workout and I actually feel good after it...instead of the usual ready to go into a panic attack or keel over and die.

*I think the main difference with what I'm doing now and what I've tried in the past is that I'm so focused on how it is making MY body feel...instead of whether I'm losing weight or not...or whatever else. I love this little 'taste' of what it is like to feel good (or at least 'normal')...I never want to go back.

*I'm not 'dieting' in the regular sense at all...I'm eating plenty...in fact I even eat at times when I'm not what I would consider really hungry...I think the snacking of healthy foods is keeping my blood sugars balanced or something. I'm sure all the whole grains and nuts must help with my Magnesium depletion too.

Day 12

*a little bit more tired today...I think there is some hormonal stuff going on...being day 12 probably some pre ovulation hormones, I'm assuming. Some 'yeastie' stuff and 'twinges'...some emotional stuff too and bit more short tempered (for no reason).

*overall still improving though. I can make it all the way up the stairs now and only start getting breathless when I'm at the top (when I stop).

Dirt exposure 'boosts happiness'

BBC NEWS | Health | Dirt exposure 'boosts happiness'

I knew it! This is why my kids just love playing in the dirt out back...now do you think I get the same benefits from cleaning up after them? LOL.

Lots of dirt around here today...so we should all be pretty happy...right?

just do it...

"Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but
later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been
trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak
knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not
be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and
the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." ~Hebrews 12:11-14

where in the world...

Wellington Grey -- Miscellanea -- World obesity

The downside to being the land of abundance I guess.

Day 11

I've been seeing so many improvements that if it were before, I'd be tempted to cancel my doctor's appointment. However...I'm not going to do it. I still want all the tests done and if everything is ok...then I want to discuss the possibility of getting off the meds.

My next step now is to increase my exercise tolerance. I did the Lesley Sansone DVD again today and actually got through the entire thing...albeit at a slower pace...but hey...whatever it takes.

You may have noticed that I have a new footer with each post...lol. Ok...so I like that little added benefit of this way of eating...and goodness knows that I need to lose the weight...so I figure I'd motivate myself this way.

Healing...

P5:...In the Presence of God: "Today's Verse


Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits -- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases ....

Psalm 103:2-3/NIV"

Day 9

*awesome morning...lots of energy, no dizzyness or mind fog.

*attended a family celebration and was still able to stay on the diet...praise God..even though I didn't get as much water in as when I'm home.

*by the afternoon I was crashing though. The bathrooms at the function hall were in the basement, so after a few trips up and down the stairs with the kids...I had had it, and started having one of my 'episodes' with labored breathing and jitters and all.

*overall...much improved.

*I don't think I've mentioned before how great my bowels are doing with this new way of eating (had to put this last comment in for Sue...LOL). Very regular and much less gassiness...yipeee. I'm also loving my Lactaid milk!

Day 8

*A bit more energy! I woke up early and even attended the 6:45 AM Mass...it was such a lovely morning and it was so great to get out that early.

*I seem to be able to go up the stairs a little bit easier these days...sometimes I even forget and over do it a little bit and then have to pay for it. I need to reach a good balance.

*I have an awesome and supportive husband (praise God). He took both kids out food shopping yesterday, because I had to back out at the last minute because of some symptoms. A couple of days before that he took both of them to see my dad at the nursing home, while I stayed home and rested from my migraine episode.

*I find that when I'm having some symptoms...taking a nice warm bath helps (not too hot though, because that can send me over the edge too...close to passing out even.)

*I just finished reading 'The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonimia Survival Guide'...it was alright, but I had already read most of what it had to say online...nothing new. It re-emphasized the importance of proper diet, exercise and 'fluid loading'. It also went into how you can have MVPS without having actual MVP...that was interesting.

*So...overall, I'm confident that I'm on the right path with all of this...the diet and so forth. I really feel God's hand in all of this...guiding me forward.

Doctor's appointment

I called my doctor and I have an appointment for May 10th at 8AM. I told the receptionist it was about 'anxiety issues'...lol...I didn't want to mention 'heart' or they'd probably have me go to the ER. I got the book 'The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia Survival Guide' and am hoping to get enough information to give to her so that she doesn't look at me like I have two heads. Please say a prayer for me. I'm going to insist on further testing...at least another echocardiogram. She'll probably want to send me back to the cardiologist but I really don't want to go back to the same guy who just put me on meds and that was the end of it.

May God's will be done though.

AN UNTROUBLED HEART

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me." –John 14:1

Although we will suffer in life, we don't ever have to let our hearts be troubled. We can have hearts which are trouble-free. Even in the worst circumstances, we can have a peace beyond understanding (Phil 4:7). To keep our hearts from being troubled, we must have faith in God (Jn 14:1) and take our rightful dwelling places in God's house (Jn 14:2).

This is from today's readings...isn't it awesome? I'm claiming it and giving all of my heart troubles to God.

Heal my heart O, Lord!

When we humble ourselves -- which means to dispel ego -- we place God first, and this allows Him room to work. There is even a health benefit: the more humble we are, the more even-tempered we become, and better is the chance we have of softening our arteries (which respond to stress), bolstering our immunity, and lowering our blood pressure.

When I said that hardness of spirit could translate into hardness of heart, I recall the example of a friend’s sister. After her husband left her, she took the bitter route, her hatred for him soon growing into a hatred of others – even members of her family.

Her demeanor literally turned hard, expressing itself in a coronary attack that left her with only a quarter of her heart functioning (when she was still only it her thirties). Her heart had grown so hard that it fractured.

read entire story Here

Day 6 and 7

Well, I had a terrible migraine for two days straight. I'm finally done with it today, but I'm so exhausted. They take a lot out of me...similar to an SVT episode for some reason.

The 'diet' is still going well. I really like the Sugar Busters program, it's very healthy and easy to stick with. Just wish that I were feeling some improvement by now.

Diagnose-Me: Condition: Mitral Valve Prolapse

Diagnose-Me: Condition: Mitral Valve Prolapse

I found the bove article pretty interesting...especially on how it links yeast over growth and migraines to MVP.

I was actually looking for information on Migraines...I'm having another real doozie today and could use some prayers. It's very hard to endure them with two little ones under foot.

By the way, I want to call my doctor to make an appointment for the echocardiogram...but I'm hoping to start feeling a little bit better and want to learn a little bit more about all of this so that the 'medical professionals' (I had originally typed in 'idiots'...I'm so bad)won't put me through the wringer.

Day 5

*woke up with the beginnings of a migraine. A lot less then what it tends to be though. I think they are hormonal. I also had intense pain of my left buttock...very weird...even the skin felt painful...I hadn't hurt myself in any way though(I had the same thing on my shoulder the other day...hmmm). So...not a feel good type of day at all.

*Still had some shortness of breath episodes...but I really do think it is getting a tiny bit better (or is it hopeful thinking?).

*I took the kids to the playground and they still like to go on the kiddy swings, even though they are fully capable of using the other ones now. The problem is that I need to pick them way up in order to sit them in there and then it is a pain and a half to get them out...especially Christian. My heart nearly stopped there for a minute...I swear...no more kiddy swings for him...lol.

*Not sure if I posted my weird symptoms before...I get a really funny feeling when I lift heavy weights and when I strain to open a jar or something like that. I also can't bend down to touch my toes. Picking up after the kids is a huge hassle...I usually have to sit myself down. Then there is the going up the stairs thing...it is more then just getting breathless and tired...it's like it throws me into a panic...I get all jittery and everything. I also get this feeling that I can't get a deep enough breath in at times (quite frequent actually)and that can come right out of the blue...could be just driving around even. All of this has been going on for a very long time...I just discounted it as anxiety and never mentioned it to anyone but my immediate family. Any of the previously mentioned activities would also give me SVT...but that has changed that I'm on the meds now. Oh yes...and I can't get overly emotional...I got an SVT before by having a laughing fit(and I LOVE to laugh).

*I want my life back!

Getting rid of excess fluid

2.5 lbs down from yesterday! And finally breaking a huge plateau that I've been on for ever. I know that it is fluids and for me that is great. Maybe it will help with my shortness of breath too. Even though I'm not doing this for the weight loss, I have to admit that I was really hoping that it would help with that too.

Praising God in a mighty voice today! He is so good to me.