I am not my illness

I am not my illness

A series about “diseases” /“chronic illnesses” and everything in between. Today I had the honor of speaking with Kenzie who has a condition called Wilson’s disease. Wilson’s disease is a genetic mutation that affects copper metabolism. Copper isn’t eliminated properly and instead accumulates, possibly to a life-threatening level. Symptoms typically begin between the ages of 12 and 23.

Please remember I am not a doctor just a certified herbalist, juice specialist and death doula in training trying to help the world heal and bring awareness to the many different “illnesses” we have on this planet.

If you would like to be interviewed or know someone please feel free to send me a message.

Would you like to use your real or fake name?

You can use my name, kenzie (:

Where are you from?

I am from McKinney Texas

When were you diagnosed?

February of 2022 right after my 22nd birthday. The craziest part is I remember that whole month my family and I had prayed for a diagnosis as a birthday miracle.

how old were you?

I was 22 years old when I was diagnosed

How long did it take you to be diagnosed?

I had had symptoms almost my entire life and spent over a decade looking for answers. I was dismissed by many doctors and even had some make horribly unprofessional comments such as calling me a “hopeless case” to my face at only 12 years old. One Gastroenterologist told me to “come back when I gained weight”, when I had come to him complaining of nausea, vomiting and weight loss as my main symptoms. He then refused to let me come back to see him or anyone else in the (very large) gastroenterology practice he was a part of, forcing us to seek out a new doctor at an entirely different hospital with no referral. Another physician once suggested my symptoms may just be “a load of B.S.” All of these were cases where doctors made a judgment before I had hardly had time to utter a word. They saw a young female patient and heard the words “mystery illness” and that was all it took for them to make up their mind about me. After many years, I decided I had to my own research and was able to narrow it down to what I thought may be the problem. With the help of an exceptional neurologist I was able to confirm that I have a rare genetic disease.

Symptoms you’ve experienced

I have had chronic pain, headaches, problems with my joints, hyper-mobility, GI issues, seizures, full body dystonia (this is a type of movement disorder that causes involuntarily twisting movements and muscle contractions), serious vision and balance loss, cognitive issues, memory loss, hormonal disruption, POTs and dysautonomia

What do you take for pain/nausea etc?

Currently I don’t take anything because I have found that for me personally, a lot of pain and nausea meds make my GI symptoms worse and I feel like it just perpetuates the problem

How has endometriosis / pcos/adenomyosis impacted your personal life?

If you do not see your diagnosis listed above please write it below!

I have a condition called Wilson’s disease. It’s a genetic mutation that affects copper metabolism. Basically I am not able to eliminate copper from my body so it accumulates, becomes toxic, and damages my organs. It can affect different people in different ways but my case has most severely impacted my brain and spine, so many of my symptoms are neurological.

My symptoms, like the dystonia, can be very noticeable and I’ve struggled with feeling embarrassed or like I should be trying to hide it. It’s been very hard to find a sense of community and I have yet to find anyone else who has experienced something similar. I’ve gotten a lot of weird looks and people have even laughed out loud at me before. I sometimes use an ID cane because of my vision loss, which also draws a lot of unwanted attention. Even though it helps me a lot, I avoid using it as much as I can get away with out of fear. I have found that I get approached much more often by predators when I have my cane because they see it as a sign of vulnerability. Because of all of this, I don’t go out a lot and have ended up pretty isolated.

What type of diet do you follow?

I eat a high protein vegetarian diet that’s low in copper

What’s a taboo that you wish was talked about more?

Depression/anxiety caused by medical problems. I feel like when people suspect that a person with medical challenges may be struggling emotionally they are more likely to assume the physical symptoms are a result of psychological problems. Its not uncommon to be accused of being dramatic or faking your suffering for attention. But, far from being “dramatic” I have put so much time and energy into trying to hide the fact that I’m disabled. I downplay it as much as possible. I only go out on the days my symptoms are at their least noticeable. I want very badly to just be normal and blend in.  

I wish people understood that depression and anxiety are often a byproduct of chronic illness. Medical problems can be severely life disrupting and factors such as constant pain, isolation, rejection, and lack of freedom are bound to cause emotional distress. It’s a natural response to a terrible situation that no one should ever have to experience. Regardless of the cause though, mental health challenges shouldn’t be anything shameful and are never the person suffering’s fault. I wish people with chronic illness were free to talk about the emotional impact of living with a health condition or disability without people using that to try to invalidate their pain.

Any other comments or questions. What would like the world to know ?

I spent over ten years being told by doctors that I should give up, or that it was “all in my head”. I couldn’t believe that doctors, the people who were supposed to be on my side fighting for me, would say these things. It was so discouraging, I eventually started wondering if maybe they were right and I really was crazy. After all, how would you know for sure? It left me feeling terrified about my future and I lost hope that I would ever recover. But despite that I kept going, I kept searching, and it saved my life. It turns out the condition I have is just incredibly rare. It was a long and grueling road but I will be eternally grateful that I stuck with it and my advice to anyone experiencing something similar is to KEEP GOING no matter what happens and no matter what anyone says to you. Your life and health are worth it.

Thank you!

Kenzie E.

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Juice + Disorder

Happy #WellnessWednesday!  Today we are back learning about Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. (Also referred to as widespread pain)

(fi·bro·my·al·gi·a)

Symptoms:

Pain and stiffness all over the body

Fatigue and tiredness

Depression and anxiety

Sleep problems

Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration

Headaches, including migraines

Risk Factors:

Beneficial Juices:

Sex. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men

Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Repetitive injuries

Illness (such as viral infections)

Family history

Obesity

Beneficial Juices:

Recipe for cleansing and energy:

3 sprigs of parsley

1 handful of spinach

1 handful of watercress

3 apples

Recipe for daily nutrition:

1 sweet potato

4 carrots

1 stalk broccoli

1 sprig of peppermint (optional)

Fruits and vegetables to eat and juice:

Apples, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Fennel, Green Beans, Jersalem Artichokes, Onions, Squash, Sweet Potato, Watercress

Herbs that help:

Milk Thistle

Calendula 

Dandelion 

Turmeric 

Garlic 

Echinacea 

Foods Trigger Fibromyalgia Pain?

Foods that trigger fibromyalgia pain vary from one person to the next, and what may worsen your symptoms may not have the same effect on someone else.

Processed foods often have a lot of additives (excitotoxins) that can worsen some symptoms of fibromyalgia. Excitotoxins include:

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common flavor enhancer

Nightshade fruits and vegetables

These include tomatoes, bell peppers, white potatoes, eggplant, chilies and paprika.

Dairy Products 

Gluten 

Refined carbohydrates

Oily, Fried foods

Kids 101

Between 1% and 7% of children are thought to have fibromyalgia or similar conditions.

In children, fibromyalgia is called juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS). One of the most effective ways to treat fibromyalgia in teens and children is by using coping strategies to manage the pain. A technique called cognitive behavioral therapy helps children with fibromyalgia learn what triggers their pain and how to manage it.

Juice + Disorders

ACNE

Hey everyone, Welcome back for another informative blog post. This year on my mind more than anything is helping others to learn how to heal in the comfort of their own home. From acne to bedwetting to high blood pressure. this year we will learn about many disorders and ways to help you. During this series you will learn about causes, recommendations, dietary modifications, nutrients that help, beneficial juices and more.

If you want to learn more about juicing check out >https://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/05/15/unprocessed-juice/

> https://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/05/11/why-should-i-do-a-juice-cleanse/

>https://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/05/19/juice-cleanses/

To start off this series we will start by discussing acne. Acne is a general term often used to indicate acne vulgaris, which is a chronic inflammatory disease. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages. Acne typically appears on your face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders because these areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous) glands. Hair follicles are connected to oil glands.

Effective acne treatments are available, but acne can be persistent. A wide variety of treatment regimens exist for acne vulgaris including benzoil peroxide, retinoids, isotretinoids, keratolytic soaps, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, salicilic acid as well as hormonal, anti-androgen or antiseborrheic treatments. However, none of these methods is free of side effects and their exact role in therapy is not clear.

A major cause for acne is hormonal changes, including puberty or menstrual cycles, may also contribute to some acne issues. The hormones, which have been attributed to acne consist of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone, as well as insulin-like growth factor. In many adult women underline conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (POS), hirsutism, and endometriosis maybe a causing factor as well.

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone that your body naturally produces in the adrenal gland. DHEA helps produce other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.

Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics (an androgen-group of sex hormones)

Other major factors for acne include dandruff , excess oil production, hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells, bacteria, and inflammation.

It is important to remember that I am NOT a certified dermatologist just a humble herbalist and juicer spreading the knowledge I have learned and lived thru.

Acne signs vary depending on the severity of your condition:

Whiteheads (closed plugged pores)

Blackheads (open plugged pores)

Small red, tender bumps (papules)

Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips 

Large, solid, painful lumps under the skin (nodules)

Painful, pus-filled lumps under the skin (cystic lesions)

General Recommendations & Dietary Modifications

Cleanse your face twice a day with a sulfur-containing soap ( Always be sure to wash your face with clean hands)

Avoid using greasy creams and cosmetics and avoid medications that contain bromides and iodides.

Eliminate Sugars- Skin that is glucose intolerant is significantly impaired in acne patients.

(Glucose intolerance is an umbrella term for a group of metabolic conditions that result in higher than normal blood glucose levels)

Eating a high fiber diet may increase your chances with clearing your skin. Foods high in fiber like, whole grain cereals, whole grain breads, crackers, bran and legumes ( beans lentils, and split peas.

Reducing the consumption of fats and junk food may help with the decrease of acne and skin issues. A typical western diet is filled with lots of calories, fat, salt and sugar, and sadly too low in vegetables, fruit and whole grain fiber.

Schedule to do a juice cleanse once a month ( the start of the month is my go-to)

For a DIY Cleanse check out Humble Soul LLC Immune Boosting Box (https://humble-soul-llc-creations.myshopify.com/products/immune-boosting-box)

Always consult with doctor if and when you have series concerns about changes happening to your body.

Another trick I used in high school is cucumber juice, it is said to purify the blood and lymphatic system, resulting in a clearer complexion. Drink 4 to 5 cups per day for a week straight.

Warning; Cucumber juice may help with going to the bathroom! I recommend starting with 1-2 cups a day one in the morning and one in the evening. Make sure to eat a semi healthy diet and avoid FRIED FOODS, JUNK FOOD AND HEAVY PASTAS.

As always, please! , please!! , please!!! consult with a doctor or trusted physician before trying anything new from herbs to juicing etc. If you have a pre-exsiting conditions please also double check with someone certified ( herbalist or physician) if you take over the counter medications.

Nutrients That Help

Vitamin A: Reduces sebum production ; Sebum production – Is produced by sebaceous glands when they disintegrate.The sebaceous glands produce lipids, triglycerides, which are broken down by bacterial enzymes (lipase) in the sebaceous duct to form smaller compounds, free fatty acids.

Fatty Acids: If you have a low-fat diet omega-3 fatty acids maybe helpful. Pure cold-pressed flaxseed oil is a good source (high in estrogen).

Chromium: Improves glucose tolerance levels and enhances insulin sensitivity

Zinc: Is important in wound healing, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration

Beneficial Juices

Carrot, Kale, and Parsley (Sources of beta-carotene )

Kale, Spinach, and Green Pepper (Source of vitamin b6)

Spinach, Kale, and Beet greens (Source of folic acid)

Ginger root, Parsley, and Carrot (Source of Zinc)

Herbs For Acne

Medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties can be used in different ways in the treatment of acne and other infectious diseases. The herbs below can be used alone or in a mix. It is always important to be aware of allergies you may have before trying a new routine and or product.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis ) Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a perennial flower native to the Mediterranean, although it is grown domestically throughout the world. Used for acne creams, soaps or oil are recommended.

Contains flavonoids believed to have antiseptic properties that inhibit the growth of acne causing bacteria.

Calendula oil is believed to be a mildly effective treatment for a variety of superficial skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

DO NOT apply it to an open wound without a doctor’s supervision. People who are allergic to plants in the daisy or aster family, including chrysanthemums and ragweed, may also have an allergic reaction to calendula (usually a skin rash).

(Vitex agnus-castus ) A popular herb which contains 250 species worldwide used for a range of female reproductive conditions such as PMS, infertility, acne and menstrual disorders. The Vitex agnus-castus fruit, also known as chasteberry or monk’s pepper, is about the size of a peppercorn.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as endometriosis; uterine fibroids; or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries should not use this plant. Pregnant and nursing women should not use this plant.

Vitex agnus-castus can affect hormones and might affect estrogen levels. Don’t use vitex agnus-castus if you have a hormone-sensitive condition.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) One of the most ancient medicinal herbs known to mankind and member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Chamomile whole plant is used for making herb beers, and also for a lotion, for external application in toothache, earache, neuralgia and in cases of external swelling.

Chamomile has also been used to treat colic, croup, and fevers in children.

Chamomile is often used to treat mild skin irritations, including sunburn, rashes, sores and even eye inflammations.

People sensitive to ragweed and chrysanthemums or other members of the Compositae family are more prone to develop contact allergies to chamomile, especially if they take other drugs that help to trigger the sensitization.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) The tea tree was named by eighteenth century sailors, who made tea that smelled like nutmeg from the leaves of the tree. A person can treat acne, athlete’s foot, contact dermatitis or head lice using tea tree oil.

The oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties.

Safe if used diluted in small amounts. (Jojoba and Sweet almond oil are popular for the skin/hair)

Tea tree oil should never be swallowed.

For the next section of learning we dive into myths about acne. For many years I have always heard that the cause of acne was junk food, pms, or stress but what if that was not all true.

Myth #1: Greasy foods cause breakouts

Because acne is caused by an increase in sebum, which is an oily substance, people have long assumed that eating greasy foods makes your skin greasy, leading to an acne eruption. This has never been scientifically proven, so you don’t need to worry about eating fried or greasy foods when it comes to your skin. However, there are plenty of reasons you should still limit these types of foods, especially when it comes to your heart and your waist circumference.

Myth #2 Eating Chocolate causes breakouts

For the most part, this is an old wives’ tale. Researchers haven’t been able to link cocoa to acne reliably. However, milk chocolate has a lot of sugar.When you eat chocolate, choose dark varieties with 70% cocoa or more because they’re much lower in sugar than milk chocolate. 

Myth #3 Wearing makeup makes you breakout

Some types of liquid face makeup can clog your pores, but most cosmetic companies now offer oil-free and non-comedogenic product. Be sure to wash your makeup off each night and clean your makeup brushes weekly to avoid spreading bacteria. 

For our last section of the post I am shouting out a few small businesses that may help you on your journey.

Shoutout to @Huegirlsz (twitter) Relieving problematic dry skin conditions, one butter at a time. https://huegirlszz.com

Shoutout to @tionneskin (twitter)Organic High Quality Handmade Skincare Products for all skin types.https://tionneskin.com

Shoutout to @NavNaturals (twitter) Nav Naturals is a mom owned skincare brand that makes soaps, body butters, scrubs and more for eczema, sensitive/dry skin & children too!https://nav-naturals.square.site

Shoutout to @Oilculture_ (twitter) We formulate skincare & hair care products from scratch with natural ingredients to heal, rejuvenate, exfoliate, soften, brighten & lighten your skin, and hairhttps://oilculture.bumpa.shop

Thank you so much for sticking with me till the end! I pray that this blog was informative and answered any questions you may have. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow me on my other social media platforms.

Facebook: Humble Soul LLC ; Instagram: @Humble___soul3; Twitter:@Humble_llc Website: https://humble-soul-llc-creations.myshopify.com Tik Tok: @Humblesoullc

REF: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/ ; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/symptoms-causes/syc-20368047 ; https://www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-tea-tree-oil-89521 ; https://www.wakehealth.edu/Stories/Common-Myths-About-Acne ;

Celiac Disease and What you should know?

Celiac Disease and what you should know? As someone who suffers from a chronic illness, it’s very important to educate as many as I can. We live in such a small world, and knowing what signs to look for and how to help someone else heal is very important. 

To read more about my story, check out https://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/07/10/adenomyosis-i-am-not-my-disease/. 

DISCLAIMER: Always seek your doctor or other qualified health professional’s guidance with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard a medical professional’s advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. Always consult with a doctor before making significant changes. 

What is Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is a severe autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.

Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risks of developing celiac disease.

Symptoms: 

• bloating
• chronic diarrhea
• constipation
• gas

Lactose intolerance due to damage to the small intestine

• loose, greasy, bulky, and bad-smelling stools
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the abdomen

For children with celiac disease, being unable to absorb nutrients at a time when they are so crucial to normal growth and development can lead to

• damage to the permanent teeth’s enamel
• delayed puberty 
• failure to thrive, meaning that an infant or a child weighs less or is gaining less weight than expected for his or her age
• mood changes or feeling annoyed or impatient
• slowed growth and short height
• weight loss

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31408136/ (more info)

How to make dietary changes?  

• Avoid all products with rye, triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), farina, graham flour, semolina, and any other kind of flour, including self-rising and durum, not labeled gluten-free. 
• Substitute potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, or bean flour for wheat flour. You can also use sorghum, chickpea or Bengal gram, arrowroot, and cornflour, as well as tapioca starch extract. (These act as thickeners and leavening agents.)

Also 

• Barley
• Triticale
• Malt, including malted milk, malt extract, and malt vinegar
• Brewer’s yeast
• Wheat starch

When checking labels, make sure they say “certified gluten-free” (rather than simply “wheat-free” ):

• Beer
• Bread
• Desserts, like cake, cookies, and pie
• Cereal
• Crackers and seasoned potato chips
• French fries
• Pasta
• Processed meat, including hot dogs and lunch meat
• Salad dressing
• Sauces
• Soups

Other Items To Be Aware Of:

• children’s modeling dough, such as Play-Doh
• cosmetics
• lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm
• skin and hair products
• toothpaste and mouthwash
• communion wafers

Nutritional Deficiencies Common in People With Celiac And Safe Foods to Eat: (Supplements are always an option as well)

Calcium: Dairy, Salmon, Sardines, Kale, Oranges 

Zinc: Alaska king crab, Lobster, Cashews, Mushrooms, Beans, Leafy greens

Iron: Beef, Tofu, Spinach, White beans, Chickpeas

Vitamin D: Dairy, Almond, Salmon, Almond milk, 

B Vitamins: Sunflower seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Lentils 

Supplements & Herbs For Treatment:

Curcumin: Used as an Anti-inflammatory 

Digestive & Probiotics: To help with your digestive system and bowel movements.

Papain supplements: Stimulate the small intestine enzymes to identify gluten, reducing the immune system response properly.

Fish Oil: Acts as a coating for your intestinal lining to keep your small intestines from becoming inflamed.

Herbal Treatments: Goldenseal and olive leaf extracts are commonly used to treat celiac disease because they help regulate and protect the immune system, reducing the small intestine’s autoimmune effects. 

Chamomile is another good herb to reduce digestive inflammation and upset stomachs that are associated with celiac disease.

Valerian helps reduce stress and spasms in the intestines.

 Activated charcoal is primarily used medicinally to absorb ingested poisons. And it also helps to reduce bloating and gas.

Ginger is potent anti-nausea effects and helps with sore stomachs.

Turmeric is a known anti-inflammatory, and many people find it speeds up the healing process. The easiest way to consume (large doses) of turmeric is to pop a pill.

Apple cider vinegar has been shown to alleviate many stomach dilemmas, and gluten ingestion is one of them. (We suggest diluting a tablespoon in one cup of water.)

Horsetail Tea: Reduces the digestive tract’s inflammation and the intestines while also boosting the digestive system’s strength and durability, so your system is less sensitive to gluten.

 Hair loss:

If your celiac disease has gone untreated for a long time, you may be malnourished. Malnutrition can cause hair loss, along with a host of other problems. Alopecia areata occurs when your immune system attacks your hair follicles, causing varying degrees of hair loss.

Case Studies To Check-Out:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23624889/ (study investigated the correlation of hair loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27833723/ (Celiac Autoantibodies in Alopecia Areata)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16498340/ (Reappearance of alopecia areata) 

Foods that help with Hair Loss: 

Spinach is a superfood comprising vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are required for healthy hair growth.

(Oatmeal )The ingredients included in an oatmeal hair mask are aloe vera, olive oil, and milk. Aloe vera has aloesin that promotes the regeneration of new hair follicles.

Curry leaves promote longer and stronger hair. Add only a few drops of the essential oil of curry leaves to your regular hair oil and massage your scalp with it. You can also boil some curry leaves and then use that water to rinse hair.

Flaxseed Gel massage stimulates the hair follicles in the scalp while improving blood circulation. It deals with problems like dandruff, hair breakage, and hair thinning. Flax seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help you avoid a dry, scaly scalp and nourish your hair.

(Avocado) Mix one teaspoon of avocado oil, a teaspoon of olive oil, half a teaspoon of natural honey, and one egg. Vitamins B and E in avocado strengthens hair. Vitamin E repairs the damage on the scalp that is likely to slow or prevent hair growth, while vitamin B is essential for hair growth.

Please, as always, drop any questions you may have below. Feel free to like and share. Remember to consult with your doctor before changing or adding anything to your lifestyle or diet. 

Chronic Pain and How to help yourself heal.

Hey, hey everyone, I hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday this season. I know with covid, things have been different, but I hope you find a piece of joy through it. Today we will dive into chronic pain, some of the causes, medication, and more. As always, please consult with your doctor or a trusted physician before changing your diet if you have any concerns.

What is chronic pain? 

Chronic pain is an unpleasant sense of discomfort. Imagine catching a cramp, a tree falling on the cramped spot, and then an elephant steps on you a bunch of times. Chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments. 

Chronic pain: 

It may be related to a number of different medical conditions, including (but not limited to) diabetes, arthritis, migraine, fibromyalgia, IBS, endometriosis, cancer, shingles, adenomyosis, sciatica, and previous trauma or injury. Chronic pain may worsen in response to environmental and psychological factors.

Over the counter medicine Given:

• Ibuprofen
• Asprin
• Sedatives
• Opioids
• Antidepressants
• Antimigraine medicine
• Acetaminophen-pain relievers/fever reducers

Natural Remedies:

• Soak in warm water 20-40 minutes (herb soaks, water therapy, whirlpool tub)
• Dry heat therapy-heat packs or wraps) Plenty at Walmart 
• Essential Oils-Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary (Make sure to dilute oil or make a salve)
• Massage Therapy: A high-quality therapeutic massage spurs blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and boosts wellness feelings. 
• Meditate and Relax-If, you feel your pain, notice the pain, and return to your sound. Start with a few minutes, and gradually lengthen to 30 minutes if you find meditation enjoyable. Youtube has much good meditation-video; my favorite channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelSealey.
• Swap more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet-Anti-inflammatory foods—such as fruits, vegetables, unsaturated fats, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids—may play a role in reducing pain for some people. 
• Acupuncture- A Chinese practice where fine needles are used
•  Herbs to use- Devil’s claw and white willow bark, for example, can decrease the joint pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. And primrose and ginger may help ease chronic muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. Other herbs to use are turmeric, feverfew, eucalyptus, cloves, and green tea. 

My Top Two Herbs:

1. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds are stocked with 16 analgesic and 27 antispasmodic chemicals. It makes a pleasant licorice-flavored tea and is especially good for menstrual cramps. But avoid the herb while pregnant or nursing because of its estrogenic effects.
2. Gingerroot (Zingiber officinale) has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate digestive cramps and mild pain from fibromyalgia. You can take 1 to 4 grams of powdered ginger daily, divided into two to four doses. You are making tea from 1 teaspoon chopped fresh root simmered in a cup of water for about 10 minutes.

Fruits that may help with pain and inflammation:

• Pineapple
• Carrots
• Apples
• Cucumber
• Grapes
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Kale
• Spinach
• Blueberries
• Watermelon
• Limes

Juice Recipies-Soak your produce 1-2 cups vinegar / 10-15 min

Green juice:

Make for 30 days every morning: 

• ginger (peeled) – thumb-sized knob
• coconut water-1/2 to 1 cup
• celery – 2 full ribs (4 halves)
• lemon (peeled) – drink garnish size piece
• spinach – 1 cup 
• pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen) – 1 cup (
• ice – 4 cubes

Pineapple Suprise:

• ginger-1 to 2 inches 
• celery-1 bunch
• turmeric-1/2 inch
• cucumber-1 
• carrots-3 
• pineapple-2 cups fresh chopped or frozen
• pinch of black pepper 

Watermelon Slush:

• watermelon-2 cups frozen
• watermelon-1 cup fresh
• lemonade-1 1/2 cup 
• ice-4 cubes
• turmeric-1/2 tsp

Golden Tea: https://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/10/05/30-days-of-juices-and-smoothies-golden-tea-for-cramps/

If you have any more questions, please let me know!

IBS and It’s Connections To Adenomyosis & Endometriosis

Hey everyone, welcome back, and today we will talk about IBS and its connection to adenomyosis and endometriosis. I will tell you below for those who don’t know what IBS is or what the other two are.

IBS stands for Irritable bowel syndrome, which is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.

Adenomyosis is a condition in which the uterus’s inner lining (the endometrium) breaks through the uterus’s muscle wall (the myometrium). Adenomyosis can cause menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating before menstrual periods, resulting in heavy periods.

Treatments: Hysterectomy, Pain Medicine, Birth Control, and Hormone therapy

Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that usually lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis.

Treatments:  Hysterectomy, Pain Medicine, Birth Control, Hormone therapy, Conservative surgery, and Aromatase inhibitors 

If you are new to my blog, you should know that I am on the verge of having stage 2 adenomyosis and have IBS. In the medical world, ando ( for short) is known to get progressively worse over time without treatment. Not much research has been done, and I plan to change that now back to business. 

A common symptom of all three conditions are visceral sensitivity. This means someone with either condition has a lower pain tolerance for abdominal or pelvic pain. Their nerve endings may be especially sensitive. This can lead to a heightened response to pain. Some of the additional shared symptoms between all three and IBS include: 

• abdominal cramping 
• bloating 
• diarrhea 
• nausea 
• pain with bowel movements
• painful periods

Because of the shared symptoms, women tend to be misdiagnosed. 

How are they diagnosed? 

Honestly, they wing it. Doctors don’t have just one test that diagnoses either condition. When diagnosing IBS, doctors often try to rule out other medical conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example, lactose tolerance or Crohns disease. They may also order a colonoscopy or endoscopy. For ando & endo, there are a few different ways to be diagnosed, such as:

• Pelvic Exam
• Ultrasound ( Vaginal)
• Surgical laparoscopy 
• Medications 

What is it caused by?

Ando: 

There is currently no definitive cause; however, some research has suggested that hormones may play a role. Specific hormones thought to play a role include estrogen, prolactin, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. It seems to be a condition to occur later in life, in women who have had children already. Having had a C-section at some point appears to be a risk factor, as the procedure itself breaks through the uterine wall. Also I have seen cases of young women around 9 or 10. 

Endo:

No one knows for sure what causes this disease. Researchers are studying possible causes such as genetics or hormones. Endometriosis occurs more often in women who have short menstrual cycles or a longer-than-normal flow: Women who have fewer than 25 days between periods or who menstruate for more than seven days are twice as likely to develop endometriosis. And dioxin, an industrial chemical, may be a cause.

IBS: 

The third’s time a charm, right? Sadly there is no cause for IBS. There are possible factors like genetics and prior adverse life experiences (e.g., infection, trauma) that predispose someone to get IBS. You may feel muscle contractions, increased sensitivity to food, gas, or stool in the bowel. Other causes are brain-gut interactions. 

How are they tied together?

I know most of you probably scrolled down to figure out what the significant connection is?

With endometriosis, the tissue growths from endometriosis can develop next to the large intestine. Excess tissue can lead to inflammation and contribute to problems with bowel movements. 

With adenomyosis, sometimes the uterus is so enlarged that a lump can be felt in the lower abdomen and can also cause pressure on the bladder and bowel, causing urinary frequency and constipation. It’s typically the same with endo but a little different. 

I know that was a lot of information, so if you have any questions, please send them here.

(https://www.humblesoullifeofajuicer.com/question-me.php)

Check back in a few days for a new post. Stay bright.

Refrences: 

https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis

https://www.webmd.com/women/endometriosis/understanding-endometriosis-basics

https://medlineplus.gov/endometriosis.html

http://endopaedia.info/subtype17.html

https://www.moms.com/adenomyosis-explained/

https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/endometriosis-and-ibs

http://sifaka.cs.uiuc.edu/~yuelu2/opinionintegration/health/Adenomyosis.htm

lhttps://patient.info/news-and-features/is-adenomyosis-the-cause-of-your-heavy-painful-periods

Adenomyosis The Truth Behind The Pain: Sue

Hey, everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today we will be continuing a project I have been working on called Adenomyosis: The truth behind the pain. I have over 50 and counting women who are ready to tell their story. I was a little discouraged, but I realize these stories need to be read. We will have a new story every week, even a few videos. Of course, we will still have blog posts about getting healthy, juices, boosting the immune system, and more. Thank you for taking this journey with me lets get started. 

1. Would you like us to use your real name or a fake one? 

Sue

2. Where are you from?

I’m from Virginia 

3. When were you diagnosed? How old were you?

Suspected for many years but not able to diagnose until age 40 with robot assist lap. Had multiple tests, scan imaging, and surgeries, including two laps, Drs were sure they would find endo but never did. Just fibroids and ovarian cysts. 

4. How long have you had Adenomyosis?

She answered in question 3. 

5. Do you have children? On birth control or any medicine for ando? Or have you had a hysterectomy? If so, when?

No kids. &11-Was told by many Drs forever that if I had a child, it would make my pain go away. Over the years since puberty, I took oral BC pills. Many years continuous oral BC pills to prevent period. Depo Provera shot worked for about ten years, preventing period. Depo had to be administered every 8-10 weeks instead of 12 to stop breakthrough bleeding. Dr refused to give me a depo shot after weight gain came on sudden and believed it was the depo causing that. I tried Mirena IUD. I was on the doorstep the next morning, begging dr to remove it due to pain unless I was lying flat on my back. He said IUD could cause pain in women who have not had children. Hysterectomy leaving ovaries May 27, 2020.

6. If you have had a hysterectomy, do you still have symptoms? 

No symptoms so far since hysterectomy.

7. What are your symptoms?

Severe cramps and clots since puberty. Pain became in my 20s constant, not just on my period. Pelvic pain pressure and feeling like my insides were going to fall out through my vagina. Pain and bleeding after intercourse. Bloating. Back pain. 

Unknown if associated -migraines, IBS w constipation, weight gain

The only reason for hysterectomy was continuous bleeding with excessive clotting for three months straight. 

8. What do you take for pain, nausea, etc.?

Drs I saw would only prescribe ibuprofen 800 and alternate Tylenol. A heating pad helped with pelvic pain.

9. How long did it take you to be diagnosed?

Until age 40 as all my previous doctors would not do hysterectomy due to not having tried to have children

10. How has Adenomyosis impacted your personal life? 

The pain reduced my overall quality of life: depression, relationship issues due to sexual aspects due to pain.

11. What’s craziest/dumbest thing some have said to you?

You have ovarian cysts and fibroids, but that’s doesn’t cause the pain you describe 

12. Any other comments or questions?

-it’s debilitating on overall life and unfair to make women wait for relief with a hysterectomy because of their marital status and pregnancy attempts. The pain needs to be controlled. We are not drug seekers

13. What would you like to see on the blog?

How each woman’s symptoms differ, and treatment plans differ. Is there any correlation with other medical problems such as cervical cancer, PCOs, retroverted uterus, endo, PID, etc

I choose to start back with this story because I do not often hear many like this. As a child, you learn how to take care of yourself. If you are like me, you had a health class in school that explained periods, cramps, etc. But no one talks about chronic illnesses. I feel as though it’s taboo. Most people have the “that would never happen to me mindset.” Most people, especially men, assume “it can’t be that bad.” Even growing up, most women are molded to take care of every person. Women take care of the household, children, pets, and husband. Women bend, but we must never break. This space is safe. You are allowed to be in pain. You are allowed to be vulnerable. You are safe here.

Adenomyosis The Truth Behind The Pain: Hystrectomy ; Happy

Hey everyone, welcome back; today, I had the pleasure of getting to know happy. A 44-year-old woman who’s strength can not be measured. If you were diagnosed with adenomyosis and want to tell your story, please send us a message.

• Would you like a real name or fake name used? Happy for first name to be used. 

• Where are you from? Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK

• How old were when diagnosed? How old were you when you got a hysterectomy? 44 for both op and diagnosis. I suffered from period pains from when I was 9 or 10 years old and was diagnosed as a grumbling appendix, I suffered bouts of debilitating pain monthly for a couple of years before I started my period.   I was 14/15 years old when I then went on the pill (Femedene and Celeste) I remained on the pill  until I was 42, it hid all of my symptoms until I stopped taking it in 2018. I try to treat myself of any ailment naturally and at 42 I had decided that was the last chemical to be removed from my life. Very quickly I suffered migraines and pain but never heavy bleeding eventually it became a bi monthly cycle of debilitating pain and severe migraines for 5-6 days at a time every time I ovulated or had my period. I had been pushing for a hysterectomy since my early 30’s and finally at 40 my dr agreed,  but I didn’t opt for it until I could no longer deal with the effects on my life and mental health so only about 18 months after I came off the pill. I was formerly diagnosed with adeno at my 6 week post op appointment with my gyno. Before that it had never shown on my ultrasounds or been suggested that I can recall. It was a huge relief to know there had actually been something wrong with me all this time. 

• What made you decide to get a hysterectomy? I have never wanted children and wanted a hysterectomy from an early age as I didn’t want to have an accidental pregnancy, but I was always told “I may change my mind” so it wasn’t until i hit 40 my dr agreed. 

• Pros and Cons? I am pain free, I feel like I’m finally the woman I always should have been. No cons other than a longer recovery than I expected
• What symptoms did you have before surgery? Before and after the pill I suffered debilitating pain that kept me in bed and on pain relief for days on end. Migraines, cramping in hips, lower back and down from of my abdomen to the top of my legs, bloating, breakouts round ovulation. Stabbing pain in my left ovary. Lethargy.

• How was recovery? Do you still have the same symptoms? I no longer have any symptoms, Although I  do still bloat a little with my cycle. I had a few months early on where I still had a little ovulation pain as I kept my ovaries but that’s subsided . Recovery was longer than I thought it would be, you read about people being fine after 2 weeks, I was off work for 7 weeks and was a full 3-6 months before I felt 100%. I found the hystersisters website a great help, it gave me week by week info on what to expect during recovery and a place to talk with others going through the procedure the same week as me. I’m slim and fit and healthy so honestly thought I’d bounce back, the first 3 weeks I could barely sit up for more that 30 mins at a time and slept a lot and got tired very very quickly. The pains changed day by day as my body healed, the worst part for me was lying or standing I had a feeling like my organs were readjusting to their new more spacious environment. For the first 6-7 months I felt like the muscles stitched to close off my vaginal cavity and cervix entrance were pulling down and they got tired quickly and felt like they needed stretching, I’ve now reached a point that I don’t have discomfort. I also had strong pelvic floor muscles and I know my body had to readjust and strengthen muscles in that area to be balanced. That was the biggest issue. And gas in the joints after the op, so painful but after a few days it disperses, no one told me about that. Constipation and having to learn the new way my body told me I had a full bladder….that took weeks to work out 😂 Despite that I don’t regret my decision and the recovery period was better than a good day of pain by miles!

• Do you have any children? If not, why did you decide against it? No I’ve never wanted children 

• How long did it take for your surgery to be approved or accepted? More than 10 years asking for it, finally agree at 40 then as soon as I decided I wanted to proceed it was only about 2 months before I had the procedure 

• Anything you would tell someone considering getting a hysterectomy?  For me it was an easy decision, I never wanted children so I didn’t struggle with any of the usual “I can’t have children” “I won’t be a woman” hell I didn’t even know what was wrong with me. But for those that want children it’s a huge decision. So take your time, for as long as you can cope with the adeno pain, but all of the treatments (apart from the hysterectomy) are just pain management but they don’t stop it, it doesn’t go away it just progressively gets worse, I my consider myself lucky I didn’t suffer as badly as many others.

• Before surgery, what treatment plan/medicine did you use? As I like to treat myself naturally rather than with pharmaceuticals. I used CBD oil, devils claw and white willow bark (natural equivalent to ibuprofen and aspirin) and turmeric and a heat pad for pain relief. Peppermint oil, magnesium and cooling mat for migraines. And when the pain became unbearable I used cocodamol. None of the treatments I used got rid of the pain or migraines just made them bearable. I also did meditation, yoga, reiki, EFT and past life trauma investigations, these did give me some help. 

• Anything you would like the world to know? It’s your body so don’t be dismissed by doctors with its period pain, push for an MRI and ultrasound, Don’t be forced to take medications if you know you want the op, don’t be forced into the op if you can live with the pain. There needs to be more information on adeno as there’s very little. You can get hot flushes after the op, I believe it’s caused by the ovaries resetting after the shock of the operation and jeez all I can say I hope menopause doesn’t hit like the one hot flash I had because I ended up on the bathroom floor with my pants round my ankles sweating profusely and shaking, my poor husband wasn’t sure what to do with me (lol). So be prepared!

Asking and accepting help is hard, but if you have the op you need to accept and ask for help. Be kind to yourself. 

Adenomyosis The Truth Behind The Pain: Jen

ADENOMYOSIS THE TRUTH BEHIND THE PAIN:

Hey everyone, good evening, and welcome back. Today we are reading Jen’s story. Jen has had a hysterectomy and is here with an encouraging story.

• Would you like a real name or fake name used? Just going by Jen is fine

• Where are you from?  New Zealand

• How old were when diagnosed? 38 

• How old were you when you got a hysterectomy?  38

• What made you decide to get a hysterectomy?  I had a polyp that caused a lot of bleeding and it looked abnormal on a scan so they needed to remove it. Along with the polyp, it looked like I had diffuse adeno, so we knew the best way forward was a hysterectomy. 

• Pros and Cons?  No more pain, no more bleeding, no more swelling. The con I did not count on was prolonged infection! I knew infection was a risk but I had read it was so small and only affected a small number of women each year. I did not realise I could become one of those women!

• What symptoms did you have before surgery?  Bleeding and pain were my biggest symptoms. I couldn’t walk 10 minutes without bleeding and doubling over in pain. 

• How was recovery?   Recovery was tough. I will fully admit that. In addition to the polyp, I had adhesions and 20 fibroids. My right ovary was bound to my bowel and my uterus was adhered to my bladder in such a way that my bladder could not empty properly. So, my first few days were really, really tough. I remember week 3 was pretty tough too. Do you still have the same symptoms? No. My symptoms have completely resolved except in the case of active infection. I’ve had 3 bouts of infection since my hysterectomy. 

• Do you have any children? Yes, I have one living daughter and have had 10 miscarriages. If not, why did you decide against it?

• How long did it take for your surgery to be approved or accepted?  I first approached a gyn about a surgery when I was 34. I knew something was wrong and that the bleeding and pain I was having was wrong. She told me that she couldn’t possibly give me a hysterectomy because (I’m single) I might meet a man who would want children and she couldn’t rob him of that. I was devastated. It was only when I was 38 and absolutely had no quality of life that I found a doctor through Endometriosis New Zealand that came highly recommended for excision surgery that I made an appointment. I went in basically ready to beg on my knees for a hyst and he was just like, yup. This is what you need. Let’s get some diagnostics to confirm it, but I agree, let’s get it done. I was so happy! Someone finally listened to me. 

• Anything you would tell someone considering getting a hysterectomy? Be prepared for complications. I was not. It’s such a small chance but the treatment for infection is such a horrible thing to go through, especially, if you’re like me, and have recurrent infection. Talk to your doctor about ways they are going to manage to reduce your likelihood of infection and how to catch it. Watch for bleeding post-surgery and really take it easy. I was like a bull in a china shop and did too much too soon. 

• Before surgery, what treatment plan/medicine did you use?  I was on so many pills. Too many pills. Several pills to stop the bleeding. Pills to stop the side effects of the pills for the bleeding. The Mirena. I was on too much at once. I think because I kept bleeding no one knew what to do, and rather than do any diagnostics (like look for a polyp), they just kept throwing tablets at me.  And I didn’t know about polyps. The idea never occurred to me. I had 20 fibroids inside me that we didn’t know about, that a scan did not catch. Surely, they were causing me grief and I was being told to just tough it out. How amazingly ignorant! 

• Anything you would like the world to know? Adeno is a serious, life-altering, life stopping illness that affects women in the prime of their lives. So many people only hear of Adeno once they are diagnosed. I know I was one. We need more awareness, more funding to fight for research and more progressive hysterectomies for our women. My hysterectomy is the very best thing I’ve ever done for myself. 10 months on, even with 3 lots of infection under my belt, I feel free and liberated. I’m no longer chained to the pain, the bleeding and the bloating. I can do so much and live the life I want. Every woman with adeno deserves this freedom. 

Adenomyosis The truth behind the pain: Karen

Hey everyone welcome back today we are here to read another story and how this disease impacts women all over the world. Today we meet Karen. 

1. Would you like us to use your real name or a fake one?

Just Karen (only 1st name) would be fine. 

2. Where are you from?

Boston 

3. When were you diagnosed? How old, were you?

I was diagnosed at 19, and I am 24 now. 

4. How long have you had Adenomyosis?

Possibly my whole life (but symptoms started since the age of 10), but things have progressed dramatically since I turned 19 and continues to worsen with every month. 

5. Do you have children? On birth control or any medicine for ando? Or have you had a hysterectomy if so when?

I don’t yet have children. I have tried numerous bc pills, but all of them cause side effects and constant breakthrough bleeding and, for some reason, even more pain after the first few months. My cycle seems to override the pills after the 1st two months. It’s awful. I have to take Tranexamic Acid/Lysteda (pro-clotting medications) during my period so that I don’t bleed out and end up in the ER. I also take NSAIDs for pain. 

6. If you have had a hysterectomy do you still have symptoms?

NA

7. What are your symptoms?

Extremely heavy periods to the point of hemorrhaging every month. Pain for around 2 weeks (Week before and during my period) and occasional ovarian cysts. I have extreme pain and contractions during my period. I have leg pain, back pain, and a general heavy uterus. 

8. What do you take for pain, nausea etc…?

NSAIDs like Advil or naproxen and sometimes prescription pain meds if it becomes unbearable, but usually I stick to OTC. 

9. How long did it take you to be diagnosed?

About a year

10. How has Adenomyosis impacted your personal life?

It impacts every moment of my life. When I am not in pain or bleeding out, I am worrying about it. My period takes away 5 days of the month where I am bedridden and so debilitated that I cannot function like a normal human being. It takes away my life. I can’t go anywhere or do anything with this massive level of blood loss and pain. 

11. What’s craziest/dumbest thing some has said to you?

“People need to suck it up if they have cramps- it’s not that bad. People are wimps”, was said to me once. Also, my own mother said, “well, I don’t see you collapsed on the floor with blood everywhere. If you’re not in that state, then you have nothing wrong with you” the next month, I actually did pass out from blood loss, but even then, she has no sympathy for me and does not take it seriously.

12. Any other comments or questions you would like seen answered or heard (what would you like the world to know about Adenomyosis)

It is a heartbreaking and debilitating condition. Chronic pain is no joke. It takes away your life. Blood loss has to lead to severe anemia in my case. I have lost all energy and just moving hurts most days. I am balding because all of my iron stores are depleted. I have chest pain and brain fog, and I have heart attack symptoms because of the severity of my anemia. I am scared for the future and my fertility. I don’t know if I will make it to the point of having kids. I want to get everything out, but I am scared that even a hysterectomy won’t be enough. I believe a lot of people have adeno and endometriosis together, and it seems to be the case for me. The pain is often localized to my uterus, but sometimes it is everywhere in my pelvic area along with ovarian pain and cyst rupturing as well. It is a nightmare to deal with both of these issues. 

13. What would you like to see on the blog?

I would like to see success stories and what people do to manage the pain and the bleeding. I haven’t seen enough success stories out there, and I would love to see some hope. 

14. What diet do you follow? Have you changed it at all since being diagnosed?

I am a vegetarian, and I minimize dairy when I can. I am a healthy eater and still fit and lean despite the toll that this disease has taken on me. I am no longer able to be a competitive dancer, so I try to eat healthily to keep myself lean.