#59-CHALLENGE 28 THINGS THAT HELPED ME: WEEK 3
CHALLENGE 28 THINGS THAT HELPED ME: WEEK 3
Hey everyone!
At the request of my subscribers on Instagram, I am doing a challenge during this month of February 2023 under the #thingsthathelpedme.
It's about posting a post every day and sharing 28 things that have helped me.
Here are the posts for the third week:
DAY 15
LIPOIC ACID
Antioxidant
When I was taking NAC (N-acetylcysteine) as a precursor to glutathione, after a while I started having joint pain in my hands, then hips, knees, elbows, shoulders. My doctor explained to me that the excess NAC oxidizes. And if in addition, it is not well eliminated by the body, it comes to attach to the joints. Which explained the joint pains I was suddenly suffering from.
The solution for me was to take lipoic acid which is a powerful antioxidant to help eliminate oxidized NAC. It also has the ability to trap toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
Always be very careful and consult your doctor before using any product or supplement.
If you take NAC, have you had joint pain?
DAY 16
24/7
The oximeter (also called saturometer, or SpO2 monitor) is a small white box that accompanies me everywhere 24/7.
I bought it in 2018, as soon as the pericarditis started, thinking that this expense was perhaps useless. It has spread to the population for 2 or 3 years...
It allows me to control my oxygen level, the number of heart beats per minute and to check if I have extrasystoles.
By dint of using it, I can tell in advance the numbers it will indicate.
I really want to have a smartwatch one day, but for now, I fear it will give me more anxiety.
Which do you prefer, oximeter or smartwatch?
DAY 17
They are called Aspegic, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Nurofen, and they contain salicylates (or salicylic acid). Many pericardians (as we call us around here) take treatments with salicylates for their pericarditis.
I quickly realized that I was one of the people intolerants to salicylates, which means that I am unable to absorb a normal amount of salicylates without adverse effects (tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, headaches).
It's also important to know about salicylates so you don't risk an overdose. Salicylates are ototoxic and can affect the auditory system and lead to hearing loss and tinnitus.
In addition to the drugs listed above, I have personally reacted to the following products: rosemary, propolis, certain essential oils, a product against canker sores called Pyralvex. I am wary of turmeric supplements because generally speaking, anything claimed to be anti-inflammatory contains salicylates.
Read the instructions and precautions for use carefully. And in case of tinnitus and vertigo, ask yourself about the threshold of salicylates not to be exceeded.
Did you know this information?
DAY 18
Wheat gluten is everywhere in our food. Whether you want to remove it or simply reduce the amount ingested daily, it is useful to know where it is and what to replace it with.
Highly processed products labeled "gluten-free" are often poor choices for a non-inflammatory diet (sugar, salt, fat, rice, corn).
I AVOID
wheat (durum wheat, wheaten, kamut, Khorasan wheat), rye, barley, spelled and small spelled (although the latter would contain less gluten).
WHAT I EAT INSTEAD
buckwheat (flour, semolina, Japanese pasta called soba), almond flour, hazelnut flour, gluten-free oatmeal, pink lentil pasta.
What are your tips for eliminating or reducing wheat gluten?
DAY 19
TIPS
HOW TO LIVE ALONE
With a pericarditis
We are not going to lie! Pericarditis is one of the worst ordeals of my life.
My head has always made all the decisions. But with the disease, no choice, I have to listen to my body! He decides now. His energy, his pain, his lack of motivation, I have to take it into account.
How to live independently?
1/ Establish a routine and stick to it. When you deviate from it, come back to it. Don't blame yourself. Getting through a routine is a big win, even if it's just simple everyday acts like cooking, washing dishes, or getting dressed and getting outside for fresh air.
2/ Seek and use all possible aids. Home delivery for shopping. The tools that can simplify your live and save your energy.
3/ Have a support team and keep regular contact with trusted people who are able to support and encourage you in difficult times.
DAY 20
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Evening
I've said it before: my biggest breakthrough for pericarditis came when I increased the doses of marine collagen powder up to 10 grams a day, 6 days a week.
It has now been about 6 months and I have seen a significant improvement in my pericarditis, but also in my intestines, my skin, my tendons and joints, and recently, my muscles.
I take 10 grams of powdered marine collagen, either in a smoothie or in vanilla coconut yogurt or a soup. The best for me is at night. This is when I absorb it best.
Have you ever tried marine collagen?
DAY 21
ENERGY
NAC
Morning
You have probably already taken it without knowing it.
What is NAC and what do you need to know about it?
1/ NAC = N-acetylcysteine = Acetylcisteine
NAC has several names: N-acetylcysteine, Acetilcisteine, Lysomucil, Fluimucil, Acetadote. It is used as a medicine and as a dietary supplement. It thins the secretions (phlegm) present in the bronchi and facilitates their evacuation by coughing. It is also a direct precursor of glutathione.
2/ NAC = antidote to colchicine and paracetamol
NAC is the antidote to colchicine and paracetamol in case of poisoning.
When you have pericarditis, you often take colchicine as an anti-inflammatory. It would then be counterproductive, even dangerous, to take NAC because of the interactions between these drugs.
3/ NAC = joint pain
Few people make the connection between taking NAC and the joint pain it can cause. NAC can oxidize reducing the free radicals. If it is not well eliminated by the body, the residues of oxidized NAC come to be fixed on the joints. This results in pain in the hips, knees, hands, elbows, shoulders, etc. These symptoms can be confused with those of osteoarthritis. Lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant helping to eliminate oxidized NAC.
Did you take NAC without knowing it and under what name or label? Have you noticed joint pain?
One last week to complete the February challenge.
If you want to share your tips and tricks, or read the ones my followers have added, I invite you to check out my account on Instagram.
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!
Pericordially yours,
Vali