First of all, thank you for the out-pouring of support. When I revealed my autoimmune disorder, so many people reached out with messages and comments which surprised and touched me. Here’s an update:
I just ended a 3 day semi-juice fast and I feel a lot better. I drank living juices for breakfast and lunch, followed by broth-based soup dinners. No dairy or wheat. I didn’t snack except for a little fresh pineapple (which is very good for arthritis). I have done strict fasts in the past, but this time I was much more relaxed. I don’t see the point in suffering through a detox just to rebound with a retox. I didn’t take out caffeine, because I never intended to give up coffee. Why go through days of grumpy, sluggish headaches only to drink coffee later? I need to be energetic and alert right now. In fact, lack of energy is a main symptom I am trying to eliminate.
It has been two weeks since I’ve had any nightshades.
I feel a lot better. In no way am I cured. I still have stiffness in my hands and toes, but it is a bit better. My pain has gone down from an eight to a four. For me, level four pain is doable. I don’t put much stock in this yet. The nature of my symptoms is to flare and remit, so I can only judge its effectiveness through a long lens. I am grateful for the relief and hopeful that it may work, but I remain skeptical.
Emotionally the nightshade elimination hurts. I’m fine with giving up potatoes and eggplant. Tomatoes are very hard, but giving up peppers is daunting. I cook with red pepper flakes almost everyday. I want my kids to develop a pallet that can appreciate spicy food. So many cuisines rely upon peppers for flavor: Thai, Indian, Mexican, to name a few. If I think about it too long, wondering if I’ll be able to go out to eat without a huge hassle, I get apprehensive.
But I take it one day at time, one meal at a time.
Today I am feeling a little bit better.
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