Hugs and prayers for relief and healing, dear

I'm still waiting to hear back from my doc and neuro regarding the IVIG, but in the mean time, I decided to try some supplementation in the hope that it would help these joints of mine.

Last week I started taking 3000 mg of Omega-3 from fish oil concentrate and 1000 mg each of EPA & DHA (fatty acids), along with my usual supplements. I take quite a bit of supplements, but have for many years because of my digestive issues and restricted diet.

I haven't made any other changes and the joints are definitely doing better in the last few days. So much so, that I haven't needed to take Ibuprofen at all in the last two days. This is a HUGE change and I am really encouraged by it.

The joints are still stiff and inflamed, especially in the morning but nothing like they were. They also loosen up and get mobile within a couple of hours in the morning or after being still for a while, instead of being like that all day.
I am able to walk without crutches or a cane during the day, although I still need something to lean on in the morning or if I have been sitting for a while.

In the last two days I have been able to get outside for short walks with the dog and even got back on my cross country ski machine yesterday for a few minutes. If things continue to improve at this rate, I'll be doing a happy dance within the week .

With love, Erika

WooHoo for you!!!

What kind of fish oil and EPA do you take? They vary a lot in their source, and I have not been able to digest any of them in the past. My digestion is good, as long as I stick to the diet which I've found to work over many years. But sometimes one would like to add something new. I wonder what is a safe source of fish oil? Fish are widely toxic today, due to toxins in the waters of several kinds. I cannot eat ANY fish without hearing about how I have made a mistake, from my digestive system. And yet, if I stick to my diet, I have almost no digestive disturbance.

This is the one that I have been using and I take 2/day. It is enteric coated, as I also have digestive sensitivities, and I haven't had any problems with it. The fish source is from mackerel, anchovies and sardines, rather than salmon. Those smaller fish tend to be less toxic than the larger species. The oil in the supplement is also purified.

http://webbernaturals.com/products/3...rength-omega-3

With love, Erika

Not quite doing the "Happy Dance" yet, but getting there. The joints continue to improve and I'm continuing to increase exercise accordingly. it is good to be out for short walks again and also to be able to use the arm exercisers on the X-Country ski machine. it was hard to use them because I couldn't hold onto the handles very well...just managed to use a crutch to assist balance. I am now able to use the machine properly without the crutch .

I saw my PCP yesterday, who finally got hold of my MS Neuro re the IVIG. The neuro is cautious about it because of past reactions that I've had to meds, especially the prednisone that has been tried in the past. He suggested waiting until my blood work comes back normal and to not use the Solu-Medrol with it, if I do decide to get it. Recent blood work is still high in platelets and liver enzymes (CPK), so I've decided to wait with the IVIG.

In the mean time I am scheduled for a circulatory-cardio work up in a week due to a couple of mini-strokes that I've had recently. It is odd that I've had those because my cholesterol levels are "awesome", according to my PCP, and my heart rate and BP are low due to the autonomic neuropathy. The mini strokes are probably due to the high platelet count, which is likely due to the Parvo infection, so I'm taking a low dose aspirin to decrease clotting risk.

I haven't had to take Ibuprofen for the last 5 days for joint pain. Sure there is still joint pain and inflammation, but it is tolerable. I'd rather have the pain than to be taking the Ibuprofen, as it raises havoc with my digestive system.
So all in all, things are coming around .

With love, Erika

I'm a bit better too, Erika. My stepdaughter recommended raw honey for bacterial infection (do not know what I had, but my grandson has the same thing, which came back after leaving, and he's on antibiotics). Whatever it is it seems better on the raw honey. Or maybe it just went away. But I have more energy and less depression. Lately I'm likely to fall off a cliff into exhaustion and depression at any time, so not counting my chicks yet.