Weight Loss Diary 2017 - Goal 1-0-5

WEEK 6 OF 12 (day 38 of 90)

Improvements:
- Eyebrows stable
- Hands do not feel as cold as usual, feet still feel cold
- Fatigue comes and goes as opposed to constant - still bad but feeling this will improve
- Digestion, some gastritis but continuing with ACV, collagen, digestive bitters and finishing up probiotic

Not improving:
- Hair loss
- Trouble falling asleep (side effect of detox)
 
I am going to try a solve for the fatigue, which has hit me like a bus today. Today has not been good.

Going to take my supplements close to bedtime and for my morning batch, early in the morning and then go back to bed for a few hours. That way, theoretically, I should have a window of waking hours where I am not drowsy and fatigued. It took me 5.5 weeks to figure out but I was thinking the fatigue would get better, sadly it has not, so I need to start taking the supplements at a different time with a snack as opposed to meals.
 
Good luck with your fatigue solver, hope it helps. I did notice that yesterday you had more improvements than not, hope that is encouraging.
 
Well I tried taking the supplements earlier and the fatigue is still there.... so that did not work lol. Our quarantine has been extended to May, which I expected, so at least I get to WFH when I go back next month.

Cate said:
I worry that this detox is doing you more harm than good. :grouphug:
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Hey Cate, yes, something is not jiving. Unfortunately, this is my last route to see if my body gets back to normal. I have 6 more weeks to go (I am half way through) and I am talking to my naturopath tomorrow for a status check-in. One of the supplements that I should be taking to open detox pathways has not come in yet, everything is taking longer with shipping due to COVID. That may help.

I can probably slow down the detox by taking half the supplements and see if that helps, but that means I will need to go for longer. I'll have to talk to A. tomorrow.
 
I just got off the phone with A. - she said that I should start feeling better in the next 4-6 weeks lol - seems like a long long time. I'm also waiting on one extra supplement that should arrive Mon and am hoping that helps with the fatigue. I feel OK right now - took my supplements early in the morning and went back to bed. Don't feel great but feel better than yesterday.

Sort of realizing life has to go on, I cannot wait to "get better". That's what I was talking to my therapist about too. She told me I cannot wait for my condition to get better to live in the present moment. She said to just live. It's a hard concept to wrap my head around some days. But I am slowly getting her drift.

Today I will be looking for new jobs.
 
misty22 said:
should
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Should start feeling better doesn't sound that promising to me. If she was confident you would start feeling better I would feel more confident that you would. I don't know what to say, Misty. This "detox" worries me.
 
alligatorob said:
Me too, can you get a second opinion on it from someone you trust?

Good luck with the job search.
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Hi guys,

Yes, I am getting a second opinion! Waiting for the lady to get back to me. I'll give her until after the weekend and follow up with her in case she's forgotten.

From everything I am reading online though, sounds like detoxing copper is a somewhat pretty miserable process. That said, I did reach out to a couple people and one said she would be OK doing a phone consult.

So let's see. Thanks for your concern! Hope you're both doing well <3

-----------------------------------

Fitness:
It seems like work is giving an allowance towards fitness equipment. I am not sure what the restrictions are around that, but I will ask HR because I would love some equipment to help with home workouts. Not sure how long this quarantine will go for. Right now WFH is until May. Could go longer though, the province doesn't really have a plan.

Quarantine is a bit crazy. I am realizing I need a printer and some other things, which I have done well without for years.

Job:
I started some job hunting modules (video format) that I bought last year. It's basically tips on how to optimize on the job hunting process. I'm using them to sink my teeth in but hoping to apply to 2-3 jobs a day to ease into the process. I will also need to type up my cover letter at some point today, my resume just needs a few tweaks. I'm trying to convince myself this is going to be fun.

Health:
I have some blood tests to do. I need to check my iron at minimum. I check my iron every few months. Bit hesitant going into labs right now with sick people. My reusable mask got delayed but should be in next week. I can always just wrap some cloth around my mouth and put it back in the wash. Aiming to get the blood test done on Monday to see if I should continue with my iron supplements.

My insomnia / sleep schedule is a bit messed up right now. I have been reading online how to get back to a normal schedule and multiple sources have said that an all-nighter may be required to get the body to sleep at a regular hour. Basically wearing out the body over 36 hours to get back into a normal bedtime routine. I am considering this as I have tried EVERYTHING else and I don't want to take any more supplements/medication. If that doesn't work, there is Nyquil bedtime.
 
Oh, hon. Going 36 hours without sleep would add so much more stress on your body.
Who diagnosed you with excess copper in your system, Misty & if it was really high how do you think it got there? This all seems so extreme to me & must be knocking your body around.
 
Cate said:
Oh, hon. Going 36 hours without sleep would add so much more stress on your body.
Who diagnosed you with excess copper in your system, Misty & if it was really high how do you think it got there? This all seems so extreme to me & must be knocking your body around.
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Hi Cate,

Copper toxicity is a thing - I don't doubt I have an excess in my body but I need to do some "proper" blood testing, which is why I need to go to a lab also. I am working with a functional doctor in the States on the copper toxicity - she basically diagnosed me through a hair mineral analysis test. Hair is soft tissue and blood won't show the things that happen in the tissue, or what is getting stored in the tissue like a hair test analysis does. It's a strange concept but there is online information from various sources if you look for it.

To your point of concern though, I am checking in with another professional, am closely tracking symptoms and am going to do a few blood tests to see if this is truly a concern. You have the same concern as my mother. She doesn't understand what I am doing either. But also, after going to multiple doctors after 3 years & losing 70% of hair density and having hypothyroid symptoms while labs are normal, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel on this route. I'm almost half-way through the protocol. If it doesn't work in the next 2-4 weeks, I'm going to re-evaluate it. Believe me, I do not completely buy it either. It feels strange to me as well.

Re: 36 hours, I do not know how I will do it. It's the only "natural" method online it seems. I only need to do it for one night and if I can't, I can't. I am worried with work in 3 weeks, I will need to be on a schedule and I need to start sorting out the insomnia now. I am sleeping at 6/7 am these days and because I am on sick leave I can sleep in but my schedule is out of whack. Worst case, it will somewhat correct itself when I go back to work. I just miss being on normal people schedule time right now.

I really do appreciate your concern - and it is not lost on me.
 
Good to know you are getting a second opinion. I had never heard of anyone with a copper problem, so I looked it up, seems it does happen. Wikipedia has a good article Copper toxicity - Wikipedia it lists the causes, do any of those fit you?

Best of luck with it, I hope it works out for you.
 
alligatorob said:
Good to know you are getting a second opinion. I had never heard of anyone with a copper problem, so I looked it up, seems it does happen. Wikipedia has a good article Copper toxicity - Wikipedia it lists the causes, do any of those fit you?

Best of luck with it, I hope it works out for you.
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Hi Rob,

Yes, I have a number of symptoms that line up with it and just a general heavy metal toxicity. Hair loss, fatigue, brittle nails, insomnia, dry skin, low blood pressure etc. The list goes on. I personally don't know people with the condition but it is a thing and since I have already tried the conventional medicine route, giving this a go. Let's see how I fare. Today is day 45 of 116 day protocol.
 
Hi, Misty. Honey, I wasn't doubting that copper toxicity was a thing. I also understand you trying alternative things as you have not been getting any answers with mainstream doctors. I probably would feel better about it if you had cut out foods that are high in copper first. I hope you don't mind me saying anything.
 
How do you know you have too much copper (or other metals)? Is there a blood test or something that you can compare to normal levels? Maybe you've already done it.

Don't mean to be second guessing, just want the best outcome for you.

I like Cate's idea about looking into copper levels in foods, it could help.

You'll get through this, I know you will.
 
Cate said:
Hi, Misty. Honey, I wasn't doubting that copper toxicity was a thing. I also understand you trying alternative things as you have not been getting any answers with mainstream doctors. I probably would feel better about it if you had cut out foods that are high in copper first. I hope you don't mind me saying anything.
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Hey Cate, yes I have eliminated foods high in copper (nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, avocado as examples) but copper is a bit in everything so it's hard. Plus the copper that has built up in my body is what needs to be removed, it's a toxic buildup in the brain, kidneys, liver etc. For some people it deposits in the eyes too.

No, of course, I don't mind you challenging me on this, I know you care.

Hi Rob, I did a hair tissue test and will be doing a blood test too. Human tissue shows what is stored over years and the blood is just a snapshot in time. I was reading more about it, the blood needs to be somewhat clear for your body to function. So what the body does is deposit toxic heavy metals (lead, copper, aluminium etc.) into your tissues for survival. Toxic blood would mean poisoning and death, so your body is designed to clear the blood ASAP.

Right now there is no reliable tissue testing apart from hair testing, and the traditional medical field doesn't recognize it. They would only recognize it if it were poisoning or something called Wilson's Disease, where the liver cannot excrete the copper from the body. Without getting too technical, I am testing for Wilson's Disease, it's genetic I believe but rare.

Thank you both for looking out for me <3
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Re: copper toxicity, I did a few indirect blood tests. Vitamin D and Iron, my vitamin D is stable, which it never is and I haven't been getting sunlight so that was good. Iron is low - it's always low - and by the theory of copper toxicity, it makes sense. The copper is driving down the iron. I have been on iron supplements my whole life and my body can never keep it up. It's likely due to the copper. I have been reading more about copper toxicity and all the symptoms are lining up and this is the only theory I have so far.

I had a therapy session today and I basically cried throughout it. I think my therapist didn't know what to do but she did comment I seemed more affected than the last time she met me. With a combination of fatigue, quarantine, lack of motivation and not being able to get to my goals, I believe my emotions have snow-balled. I think it's also because I was disappointed with my wig, it did not look good on me, lol. I had ordered some extensions too and as I suspected, they're just too heavy for my hair and tearing them away.

So after my therapist session today, I had time to think. I don't think I can suddenly be motivated but I was trying to think a solution to the mess I am in and I came to the following conclusions:
  • Copper toxicity: Slowly I am beginning to believe I have this. I have read so much on it now and I was having some trouble believing I have it. But everything I have read seems to line up with this. I have to accept this is the best diagnosis I have and I have to just put my heart into this protocol. My heart hasn't been in it. To be honest I feel super lost and confused and I do feel like I sound like a crazy person explaining it to other people.

    Acceptance looks like surrendering to the process, eating well and probably joining a FB community or something to help support me through this, I will need to find someone/some people who are going through similar.It's tough because it seems like a niche but it's an idea.

    I have ten more weeks of this to go through and I will need a second opinion. I have to follow up with that lady. I hate sinking even more money into this but I feel like it would be good closure. Unless she sends me down a rabbit hole but I will have to see.

  • Hair: I have to give this protocol a chance. If I am serious about a wig, at least for the first one, I am going to have to walk into a salon and buy an expensive one and have someone show me how to wear it. I thought I could get away with a mid-range one but it looks awful. I will need to try and then buy. Or look for a better alternative online.

  • Fatigue: I've been cleaning up the diet to help my liver process things better. Have been juicing celery. I think a second opinion may help too. I'm not sure if feeling this miserable is normal or not. I have read both ways online.

  • Job: I am taking baby steps with this. When I have energy, I have been watching some job search modules I purchased. The next step is to go over the resume and cover letter. My speed is definitely not what I like to be at, but I'm in this for a while, so may as well approach it the best I can. Plus God sees me making an effort. He knows. And what is meant to be, will be.
I'm trying to do the best I can. It's definitely not where I want to be, but some patience and thinking with my brain vs emotion required.

Day 49 of 116
 
Day 50 of 116

Accepting the situation I am in. Not fighting with my body. If I need rest, I need rest. Contemplating extending sick leave for 2-3 more weeks. Talking to my family doctor on May 1st & will have a good idea of fatigue by then as well.

I am contemplating putting the job hunt on hold, or just not putting as much pressure on myself to accomplish anything in the next two months except healing. Maybe I need to really slow down.
 
Day 52 of 116

My energy has been better today. I took a sleep eze but I have been able to sustain energy for a few decent hours. I was able to write an important email and do some tax prep work.

I have been taking a trace mineral supplement that may be working and celery juice every other day. I believe these are helping.

Hopefully I will have some energy to job hunt tomorrow. I can only do so many tasks in a day and am taking it easy.

I am considering taking an additional 2-3 weeks off work, but will chat with my doctor this coming Friday to see what she thinks. I'm not sure what insurance would require and I don't care much about work. Work and stress got me sick, they've not treated me well there and I think I need to be well rested and energized before I go back. A girl on my team is moving to Vancouver and the other one is going on mat leave soon and I imagine the extra work will fall onto me. So, not too thrilled to go back. In retrospect, work has been toxic on a whole other level.

Anyways, planning on some positive steps forward.
 
I'm glad you sound a bit better, Misty. What a bummer about the wig. A really good wig would be so good for you.
Sending you a hug in case you might feel like one :grouphug:
 
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