***I moved recently, so I apologize for my absence!***
On 8/20/17 I started my LEAP/MRT program. I am about to wrap up phase 2 and enter phase 3. I feel pretty awesome despite how tough it can be to hold off on beloved foods. I am keeping a few notes about questionable foods (raspberries, mustard, and beets) that I am unsure if the response was from external allergens or the food itself. I will retest those again later. I don’t care too much for any of them that I need them right now, anyway.
So, as I enter phase 3, I wanted to say that I would do this program again without a second thought. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it requires discipline and endurance. But, there is a real improvement and that’s all that matters to me.
Here’s what I can have beginning on 9/16/17:
- Coconut 1.6 (9/16)
- Turmeric 1.6 (9/17)
- Garlic 1.4 (9/18)
- Lemon 1.5 (9/19)
- Salmon 1.7 (9/20)
- Cashew 1.4 (9/21)
- Walnut 1.6 (9/22)
- Orange 1.6 (9/23)
- Eggplant 1.5 (9/24)
- Basil 1.4 (9/25)
- Honeydew 1.4 (9/26)
- Celery 1.4 (9/27)
- Cabbage 1.6 (9/28)
- Beef 1.7 (9/29)
I actually ordered these beginning with my favorites because last phase I did it based on level. It was terrible waiting to get to peanuts (I will eat an entire container of PB in a day if no one stops me).
Below are some of the foods/meals I had while on phase 2. You can check them all out on my instagram account.
Well, how about that nicotine experiment? Today marks 63 days (or, 2 months) using nicotine replacement therapy. On 10/5 I will have a procedure (flex sig) to determine how I am doing in terms of clinical healing. I am so nervous. I’ve also not told my GI just yet, so let’s keep this between us – haha!
Regarding how I feel in general? There are times I have forgotten to take my meds and had to circle back, terrified. Forgetting the canasa isn’t so much of a big deal, lately. However, forgetting the lialda and the GERD meds scares me. I’ve actually forgotten those both on 2 occasions now and simply took 2 lialda later in the day (too close to my next dose to take a full dose). Maybe it means I will be ready to be on the maintenance dose of lialda (2) instead of the 4 pills?!
Anyway, all that above just means that I feel great. I have forgotten that I have this terrible disease because on most days I feel wonderful. Of course, I still suffer from some secondary symptoms which I can’t totally fault UC for. I am wondering if some are related to the meds. For instance, I have severe dry eye in my right eye mostly. I have to use drops in the morning just to open them without feeling like I am ripping off my eyelid from my eyeball. They get a little red, also. My hair and skin are dryer than normal and I have an itch (that I attribute to the dryness). I do still suffer from occasional fatigue and body aches, but I am able to be active and actually get a real workout in (I’m a lifter). This is great considering I was in the hospital nearly 2.5 months ago wondering if I was dying (dramatic fall).
I’m still vaping, but I have arrived at a solid love for the 6mg dose. In my research, it’s estimated that my old preferred brand of smokes deliver about 2mg per smoke, with about a 90% absorption rate. If I use the vape like I would a cigarette, then at 6mg, I would estimate my absorption at about 1.8 to 2.5mg per 10 minute session. Unfortunately, you have to vape longer and harder than when smoking a real cigarette, but I am simply trying to mimic what I would have smoked in my previous life before the emergence of UC. I want to mention that I’ve been using 100% VG Organic Juice from ECBlendFlavors.com. Totally reasonable prices and I’ve had no issue with their juice. Check them out if you vape.
On my 5-day nicotine update post, I made a little plan. I want to revisit that now that I am 2 months into my experiment.
- Come completely off of prednisone successfully (22nd) b
- Get my LEAP/MRT food sensitivity testing (26th) b
- Stay on mesalamine (4.8gm oral + rectal) b
- Stay on the Specific Carbohydrate diet on a fanatic level b
- Combine my LEAP/MRT results with SCD b
- Gradually reduce my oral mesalamine dosage in approximately 6 months*
- Reducing 1 pill every month* UPDATE: Maintenance level is 2 pills
- Gradually reduce frequency of rectal mesalamine*
- Every other day, every two days, etc*
- Gradually reduce nicotine dosage* UPDATE: This is after about 5 years
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- 18mg at the highest level, dropping by 3mg each month or so* UPDATE:
I’m digging the 6mg
- 18mg at the highest level, dropping by 3mg each month or so* UPDATE:
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- See if I can maintain remission solely on the Specific Carbohydrate diet and LEAP/MRT results*
- Redo the LEAP/MRT blood work as needed
- Our bodies change every so many years
That’s all for now, folks. Thanks for reading. I’ll be in touch more now that I have gotten myself situated at the new place!
MY UC AND ME 