So, I’m 5 months in as of 2 weeks ago. I’ll take a blood test next week to assess inflammatory levels. Symptom-wise, I’m about the same as the last few months: little to no pain, steady weight of 147. (I’m almost 5’11″). My body looks the best it has in a long time. I am riding my bike up hills without feeling like I’m going to vomit. Am in much better shape than I ever was, partly not being anemic is helpful. Now I only black out when I smoke marijuna and get up too fast.
The neuropathic symptoms ebb and flow. They went away almost entirely a week ago, only to resurge yet again at the end of my period. They were bad for a few weeks last month. Is it bread? The iron shots? My broken tooth exposing mercury amalagam? An immunological dysfunction? Indirectly related to the worms? Who the hell knows? My left eyelid twitches, as does my ring-finger toes. I feel a little dizzy and sometimes weird sensations in my mouth, like my tongue is a little too big. Pin pricks in my feet and legs at times. Was that a blackberry thorn or an internal nerve that’s overexcited? MRI and nerve conductivity test in two weeks, then I’ll know the grizzly truth. Or not.
Digestive symptoms range from solid, but skinny (a little ribbon like, unfortunately – bad hemmerhoids, or an anal stricture? Not probing anytime soon, so I try not to worry too much.) The first part is half mixed with white mucus. Still have mucus in the afternoons, or when I fart without having gone to the bathroom recently. If this ever ends, I will be a happy farter.
I can pretty much guarantee loose stools by what I eat. Salad? Yep. Indian food? Yes. Too much vegetable fiber? Gas. I’m going to remove bread from the picture and see if anything happens. I am enjoying my plum tree, however, for the first time in 7 years. Amazingly, can eat about 7 without diarrhea, even more if I space them out. Currently enjoying an almond flour waffle with ripe nectarines, sips of strong black tea bought in Victoria, Canada. I’m not too deprived.
I went on a vacation to Seattle, Orcas Island, and Victoria. Wasn’t emotionally ready for the trip, with my two girls. Husband left behind to feed the chickens and water the extensive garden. For the first time ever, I didn’t have to cook for a week beforehand. But I should have, since I had diarrhea for a lot of the trip.
Then I got insomnia. Which was lovely under the stars on Orcas Island. I actually watched them move across the sky. Victoria wasn’t so fun, stuck in a hot hotel room with all the peaceful sleeping family. I had hours to contemplate my anxiety caused by getting flare-ups on every single vacation I’ve ever been on, as well as how damaged I am from all the years of sickness. Alone with only yourself for 6 hours a night while you try to tell yourself that it’s OK not to sleep at all is not my idea of a vacation. Each night, I would finally drop off around 3 and then get waken by the family at 6. It is light until 10:30 and dawn at 4:20. I had lots of days to notice that. Glad to be back in a place that’s dark at 9:00 like normal.
So I cashed in on my husband’s frequent flyer miles and flew back first class. After a few more sleepless nights, melatonin kicked in as well as the soothing sounds of the ocean and my husband’s arms, and I am back to my 9 to 5 AM schedule and can sleep again with promise. The plus side is I’ve found I tolerate magnesium glycerate without diarrhea, so now perhaps I can finally address that deficiency.
I also discovered I love where I live and have no need to travel ever again. But I’m sure the lure of New York or Florence will call one day, and I will have forgotten my horrible trip anxiety and inability to sleep. Or maybe I’ll just bring my husband along and an extra large bottle of melatonin. I tried Ambien for two nights, and still took at least 2 hours to fall asleep, and let me tell you, that drug is trippy. Could feel my brain soften and then I got really relaxed and happy, but I still couldn’t sleep, so I just lay there in a hypnotic state and pretended all was well.
I’m probably going to reinfect after the MRI and dental work, since the dental work seems to effect people’s worms. Should I get 20 this time? 15? Who knows? Will do an egg count before and after to assess the population.
Oh, how I wish someone scientifically inclined would partner up with me. Anyone in the Bay Area want to frequently test my stool and teach me how to incubate the hookworms and safely dispose of the waste? Please contact me.
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