Living with pain

Image from here.

I've mentioned before that I live each day in constant pain. Sometimes the pain is worse than at other times, but it is always present. I ache through my entire lower body. I frequently have headaches. My back is in a constant state of burning. Sometimes it keeps me awake at night. It keeps me from doing many of the things that I need and want to do during the day.

For example, I love playing the piano. I find great enjoyment in making music. To sit at my piano for more than about 10 minutes causes me so much pain I have to lie down afterwards. I haven't really played my piano much in years now. And that makes me sad.

The pain is horrible, but what is worse, in my opinion, is the fatigue. It is awful to try and take care of a very active 10 month old (soon to be 11 months old) when all I want to do is stay in bed. I want to be involved and excited to be with my son. I need to be active in teaching him. But I'm so tired.

Recently my back started to go numb. I thought perhaps something was out and pinching a nerve. I went to physical therapy and it was decided I should have an MRI. My neck was fine, but there was some concern about my brain. For about a week we thought it was possible that I had MS. Although we haven't entirely ruled that out, we don't think that is what it is now. We went through so many tests, many of which were rather invasive, only to end up back where we were. As far as the medical eye can see, I'm perfectly healthy. Which is wonderful. Except that I hurt. The plan of attack? Try a new medication and see where that leads.

I have done a lot of research on Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I am not one of those people who have entirely lost faith in conventional medicine, but I do believe that sometimes they just don't have the answer. I am willing to take medication if that is what I need to do. But I have decided that before I resort to that I am going to do an elimination diet. I have a theory that perhaps what I am eating is causing my problems. Based on the research I have done so many people benefit from this type of diet. Once I am done with the program I hope to know what triggers what in my body, then I can decide if I like that food enough to deal with the consequences.

Why am I telling you this? Because I am sure that I will need some support. It's a 28 day program. I'm starting it tomorrow. It's pretty intense. You cut out pretty much everything but the very basic greens and beans (that sort of thing). I will only be consuming foods that are hypo-allergenic for a while. Then I'll start adding things back in slowly. I'll be reporting my progress and findings here. If it works I'll let you all in on it. Wish me luck.