My Supplements 2019

I’m getting ready to change up my current supplement regime. I’ve been taking around 18 pills a day plus drops and powders. But Dr. Pinkleton in Washington recently had the protocol cofactors compounded and I’ve decided to give this a try. It will cut out about 4 or 5 of my pills each day, and her compound has no additives and uses pharmaceutical grade products. So I feel more confident about what I’m getting. Less pills, less additives, high quality - sounds good to me. So I did a cost break down for my current regime and for the one I’ll be trying out next month.

When I purchase from vitacost.com, I try to get buy one, get one 50% off their brand products, or wait until they offer 20% off supplements. When using Amazon I try to use Subscribe and Save to increase my savings.

As another side note, several of my supplements are not part of the protocol. The lysine, inositol, high doses of B12, and high doses of zinc are things I’m doing unrelated to CP. So please don’t be confused by these supplements.

So here goes:


D3 $23.53 for 850 drops
https://www.vitacost.com/life-extension-liquid-vitamin-d3-2000-iu-1-fl-oz
20% off: 2.2 cents/drop (x40) = 88.6 cents/day

Methyl B12 $10.68 for 300 500 mcg caps 
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-b-12-methylcobalamin-500-mcg-300-capsules
20% off: 2.8 cents/cap
BoGo 50% off: 2.7 cents/cap (x2) = 5.3 cents/day

B2/Riboflavin $3.87 for 100 100 mg caps
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-b2-100-mg-100-capsules-1
20% off: 3.1 cents/cap
BoGo 50% off: 2.9 cents/cap (x2) = 5.8 cents/day

DHA500 $28.11 for 180 softgels
https://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-dha-500-180-softgels
20% off: 12.5 cents/softgel (x1) = 12.5 cents/day

Mega EPA/DHA $8.00 for 120 softgels (during their final clearance in August. I stock up!! 😁) https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item01937/mega-epa-dha
6.7 cents/softgel (x2) = 13.3 cents/day

Choline $8.58 for 100 500 mg tablets
https://www.vitacost.com/natures-way-choline
20% off: 6.9 cents/tablet (x1) = 6.9 cents/day

Zinc $5.99 for 180 30 mg caps
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-chelated-zinc-albion-zinc-glycinate-chelate
20% off: 2.7 cents/cap
BoGo 50% off: 2.5 cents/cap (x2) = 5 cents a day

Magnesium Glycinate $14.09 for 240 100 mg tablets
https://smile.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Absorption-Magnesium-Glycinate/dp/B000BD0RT0/
20% off Sub & Save: 4.7 cents/tablet (x3) = 14 cents/day

Magnesium Malate $9.99 for 180 142 mg tablets
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-magnesium-malate-with-malic-acid
20% off: 4.4 cents/tablet
BoGo 50% off: 4.2 cents/tablet (x2) = 8.3 cents/day

Ion Magnesium Chloride $53.99 for 240 115 mg caps
https://www.goodstate.com/good-state-ion-mag-ionic-magnesium-capsules-115mg-each-240-veggie-capsules.html
15% Auto-ship & 20% CP group discounts: 15.3 cents/cap = 15.3 cents/day

Magnesium L-Threonate Powder $23.04 for 3.293 oz (30 144 mg servings)
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Neuro-Mag-Magnesium-Threonate/dp/B076B6JTMW/
15% off Sub & Save: 65.2 cents/144 mg = 65.2 cents/day

Inositol Powder $15.77 for 8 oz (189 1200mg servings)
https://www.vitacost.com/jarrow-formulas-inositol-powder
20% off: 6.7 cents/1200mg = 6.7 cents/day

L-lysine Powder  $12.88 for 16 oz (357 1000 mg servings)
https://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-l-lysine-pure-powder
20% off: 2.9 cents/1000mg = 2.9 cents/day

B-complex $44.06 for 120 caps
https://www.vitacost.com/emerald-labs-coenzymated-b-healthy-120-vegetable-capsules-1
20% off: 29.4 cents/cap (x2) = 58.7 cents/day



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tressa's supplement $52 for 120 caps
https://www.doctorpinkleton.com/shop
43.3 cents/cap (x4) = $1.73/day

D3 $23.53 for 850 drops
https://www.vitacost.com/life-extension-liquid-vitamin-d3-2000-iu-1-fl-oz
20% off: 2.2 cents/drop (x40) = 88.6 cents/day

Methyl B12 $10.68 for 300 500 mcg caps 
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-b-12-methylcobalamin-500-mcg-300-capsules
20% off: 2.8 cents/cap
BoGo 50% off: 2.7 cents/cap (x2) = 5.3 cents/day

DHA500 $28.11 for 180 softgels
https://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-dha-500-180-softgels
20% off: 12.5 cents/softgel (x1) = 12.5 cents/day

Mega EPA/DHA $8.00 for 120 softgels
https://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-supplements/item01937/mega-epa-dha
6.7 cents/softgel (x2) = 13.3 cents/day

Zinc $5.99 for 180 30 mg caps
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-chelated-zinc-albion-zinc-glycinate-chelate
20% off: 2.7 cents/cap
BoGo 50% off: 2.5 cents/cap (x1) = 2.5 cents a day

Magnesium Malate $9.99 for 180 142 mg tablets
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-magnesium-malate-with-malic-acid
20% off: 4.4 cents/tablet
BoGo 50% off: 4.2 cents/tablet (x1) = 4.2 cents/day

Ion Magnesium Chloride $53.99 for 240 115 mg caps
https://www.goodstate.com/good-state-ion-mag-ionic-magnesium-capsules-115mg-each-240-veggie-capsules.html
15% Auto-ship & 20% CP group discounts: 15.3 cents/cap = 15.3 cents/day

Magnesium L-Threonate Powder $23.04 for 3.293 oz (30 144 mg servings)
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Neuro-Mag-Magnesium-Threonate/dp/B076B6JTMW/
15% off Sub & Save: 65.2 cents/144 mg = 65.2 cents/day

Inositol Powder $15.77 for 8 oz (189 1200mg servings)
https://www.vitacost.com/jarrow-formulas-inositol-powder
20% off: 6.7 cents/1200mg = 6.7 cents/day

L-lysine Powder  $12.88 for 16 oz (357 1000 mg servings)
https://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-l-lysine-pure-powder
20% off: 2.9 cents/1000mg = 2.9 cents/day

My Supplements

*D3* Life Extensions D3 drops without mint - 40 drops (Breakfast) - $0.75/day

$18.75 for 1,000 drops; 2,000 IU per drop
This is an AutoShip price that includes free shipping.
http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/item00864/Liquid-Vitamin-D3
1.9¢/drop

OR

$18.70 for 1,000 drops; 2,000 IU per drop
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Vitamin-Emulsion-Ounce/dp/B01LZ0SQUO/
1.9¢/drop

*Magnesium Chloride* Good State - 3 capsules (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - $0.57/day

$45.89 for 240 capsules, 115 mg
This is an AutoShip price that includes free shipping.
https://www.goodstate.com/good-state-ion-mag-ionic-magnesium-capsules-115-mg-each-serving-240-veggie-capsules-default.html
Watch for coupon codes from Good State to get further discounts. 
19.1¢/pill

OR

$54.99 for 240 capsules, 115 mg
https://www.amazon.com/Good-State-ION-MAG-Magnesium-Capsules/dp/B01L9D3F0S/
22.9¢/pill

*Magtein Magnesium* Magceutics - 2 capsules (Breakfast, Dinner) - $0.89/day


$26.74 for 60 capsules, 73.5 mg
This price requires the purchase of 2 bottles and includes free shipping. 
http://store.magceutics.com/magceutics-magtein/
44.6¢/pill
OR

$28.99 for 60 capsules, 73.5 mg
https://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Threonate-Magtein-Supplement-Inventors/dp/B011M06YFG/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
48.3¢/pill

*Magnesium Malate* Source Naturals - 1 tablet (Lunch) - $0.07/day

$25.25 for 360 tablets, 142 mg
https://www.vitacost.com/source-naturals-magnesium-malate-1250-mg-360-tablets
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
7¢/pillOR

$29.75. for 360 tablets, 142 mg
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GFJJKQ/
8.3¢/pill

*Riboflavin/B2* Vitacost - 2 capsules (Breakfast/Dinner) - $0.08/day

I use my methylated B complex with R-5-P in it at lunch, and regular B2 at breakfast and dinner.

Vitacost B2
$3.87 for 100 capsules, 100 mg
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-b2-100-mg-100-capsules-1
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials and Buy One Get One-half off Vitacost Brand specials.
3.9¢/pill

*Omegas* Carlson Labs Super DHA gems - 2 capsules (Breakfast, Dinner) - $0.40/day

$16.19 for 80 capsules, 500 mg DHA
https://smile.amazon.com/Carlson-Mineral-Supplement-Softgels-80-Count/dp/B00425VYWM/
20.2¢/pill

OR

$44.53 for 180 capsules, 500 mg DHA
https://www.vitacost.com/carlson-super-dha-gems
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
24.7¢/pill

*B complex* Emerald Lab B Healthy - 2 capsules (Lunch) - $0.67/day
**This helps provide some of my Methylfolate, Methyl B12, Choline, & Riboflavin**

$40.46 for 120 capsules
https://www.vitacost.com/emerald-labs-coenzymated-b-healthy-120-vegetable-capsules-1
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
33.7¢/pill

OR

$48.95 for 120 capsules
https://smile.amazon.com/Emerald-Laboratories-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Coenzymated-Vegetable/dp/B00QVM0P3I/
40.8¢/pill

*Choline* Nature's Way - 1 tablet (Breakfast) - $0.06/day

$6.39 for 100 tablets, 500 mg
https://www.vitacost.com/natures-way-choline
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
6.4¢/pill

OR

$7.37 for 100 tablets, 500 mg
This is an Amazon "Add on item" at this price. 
https://smile.amazon.com/NATURES-WAY-Choline-500mg-Tablets/dp/B00024CRC8/
7.4¢/pill

*B-12 Methylcobalamin* Vitacost - 1 capsule (Breakfast) - $0.04/day

$10.68 for 300 capsules, 500 mcg
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-vitamin-b-12-methylcobalamin-500-mcg-300-capsules
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials and Buy One Get One-half off Vitacost Brand specials.
3.6¢/pill

*Se-methyl* Life Extensions - 1 capsule (Breakfast) - $0.09/day

$8.50 for 90 capsules, 200 mcg
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Se-Methyl-L-Selenocysteine-Vcaps/dp/B00A8K9K6M/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
9.4¢/pill

OR

$8.25 for 90 capsules, 200 mcg
https://www.vitacost.com/life-extension-se-methyl-l-selenocysteine-200-mcg-90-vegetarian-capsules
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
9.2¢/pill

*Zinc* Natural Factors - 1 tablet (Dinner) - $0.06/day

$5.57 for 90 tablet, 15 mg
https://www.vitacost.com/natural-factors-zinc-citrate-15-mg-90-tablets
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.6.2¢/pill

*K2 Menatetrenone* Natural Factors - 3 capsules a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - $1.10/day

$32.96 for 90 capsules, 15,000 mcg
https://smile.amazon.com/Relentless-Improvement-Naturally-Derived-No-Fillers-Science-Based/dp/B00GZVM092/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
36.6¢/pill

*Probiotics* Truflora Master Supplements - 2 capsules a week (Sunday, Wednesday) - $0.29/day

$32.95 for 32 capsules
https://www.vitacost.com/master-supplements-theralac-truflora-probiotics-enzymes-15-billion-cfu-32-vcaps
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
103¢/pill

OR

$32.21 for 32 capsules
https://smile.amazon.com/Master-Supplements-Truflora-Billion-Probiotics/dp/B002RG9D5S/
103¢/pill

*Probiotics* Theralac Master Supplements - 2 a week - $0.34/day

$35.95 for 30 capsules
https://www.vitacost.com/master-supplements-theralac-bio-replenishing-probiotic-30-billion-cfu-30-capsules
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
120¢/pill

OR

$35.96 for 30 capsules
https://smile.amazon.com/THERALAC-21111-Supplements-Theralac-30-Count/dp/B000T294Y2/

120¢/pill

Once a week, I set out several dixie cups, and several empty mint tins and put a day's worth of vitamins in each. Then I stack the cups and tins and set them aside. Each morning I can pour a dixie cup of vitamins in a mint tin and have all the vitamins I need for the day already prepared. Each morning my daughter grabs these six water bottles out of the dishwater and rinses them and fills them with water for me. These two things make such a huge difference in making this whole process easier! 


Other products some use:

*D3* Healthy Origins
$14.57 for 360 capsules, 10,000 IU
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Healthy-Origins-Vitamin-D3-10-000-IU-360-Softgels/21298
4¢/pill, .8¢/2,000 IU
OR

$17.07 for 360 capsules, 10,000 IU
https://smile.amazon.com/Healthy-Origins-Vitamin-Non-GMO-Softgels/dp/B0031BQN10/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
4.7¢/pill, .9¢/2,000 IU

*D3* New Beginnings Micellized
$28.00 +shipping  for 750 drops; 1,200 IU per drop
https://www.nbnus.net/shopexd.asp?id=370
3.7¢/drop, 6.2¢/2,000 IU

OR

$37.04 for 750 drops; 1,200 IU per drop
https://smile.amazon.com/New-Beginnings-Nutritionals-Micellized-Vitamin/dp/B00VC8XAMY/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
4.9¢/drop, 8.2¢/2,000 IU

*Magnesium Glycinate* Drs. Best
$13.39 for 240 tablets, 100 mg
https://smile.amazon.com/Doctors-Best-Absorption-Magnesium-Glycinate/dp/B000BD0RT0/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.
5.6¢/pill

OR

$15.38 for 240 tablets, 100 mg
https://www.vitacost.com/doctors-best-high-absorption-100-chelated-magnesium-240-tablets-2
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.
6.4¢/pill

*Manesium Citrate* Life Extensions
$6.75 for 100 capsules, 160 mg
https://www.iherb.com/pr/Life-Extension-Magnesium-Citrate-160-mg-100-Veggie-Caps/47676 .
6.7¢/pill

OR

$8.52 for 100 capsules, 160 mg
https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Magnesium-Vegetarian-Capsules/dp/B000LLULUM/
Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.8.5¢/pill

 

*B-12*
Source Naturals Methylcobalamin
$9.05 for 120 melts, 1000 mcg
https://www.vitacost.com/source-naturals-methylcobalamin-vitamin-b12-sublingual-cherry-1-mg-120-sublingual-tablets
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials.7.5¢/pill

OR

Vitacost Methylcobalamin $3.69 for 60 melts, 1000 mcg
https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-quickdots-methylcobalamin-b-12
Watch for 15-20% off Vitacost specials and Buy One Get One-half off Vitacost Brand specials.
6.2¢/pill

*Zinc* Good State Ionic Zinc Sulfate

$21.99 for 1,000 drops, 15 mg per 10 drop serving

https://www.goodstate.com/good-state-liquid-ionic-zinc-ultra-concentrate-10-drops-equals-15mg-100-servings-per-bottle.html
22¢/serving

OR

$21.99 for 1,000 drops, 15 mg per 10 drop serving

https://smile.amazon.com/Good-State-Liquid-Ionic-Concentrate/dp/B00D0VI0A8/
22¢/serving

*K2* Life Extensions

$17.54 for 90 capsules, K1, MK4, & MK7

https://smile.amazon.com/Life-Extension-Advanced-Complex-softgels/dp/B004GW4S0G/

Further savings are available with Sub and Save options.

19.5¢/pill

Progress report...

This is an update I shared in a group I'm a part of for the Coimbra Protocol. I thought I should share it here too:


As I was doing my exercises today, I was reflecting on this time last year. It was pretty exciting, so I had to share. I know some of you have already heard my story, so feel free to pass this post up! ;) 

I was diagnosed in the hospital, the end of last July. My original neurologist seemed hesitant to diagnosis me, as I also had positive Lyme tests and higher anticardiolipins. He wanted me to see several specialists, and he wanted me to get a second opinion at a reputable neurological facility he was referring me to. He was a very sweet and considerate neuro who didn't want to just drug me up unnecessarily. For that I am grateful!!

Anyways, before I could get in to all the specialists, my health declined and I wound up at the hospital with all my labs tests and MRIs. They called in Infectious Disease (who ruled out Lyme of course lol) and the Neuro met with me. She looked at my MRIs and the extensive lab work my PCP and Neuro had run, and diagnosed me with MS. I did steroids for three days and started baclofen for the right side of body spasms. 

Last year, after I was released from the hospital, my family and I spent some time at my parent's house. Today, as I did my marching and stair stepping, I was remembering slowly walking around my parent's house, with my husband at my side. I wasn't doing much of anything helpful. I spent most of my time in bed or sitting on a chair. My movements were pretty slow and I was easily overwhelmed. I remember laying in bed crying, as my daughter cried in the next room, while my husband tried to put her down for a nap. I felt so helpless. 

I also remember asking my husband how he was doing. I went to say, "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you." I stopped mid sentence and busted up laughing. Here I am, laying in bed, being so careful with my movements to avoid spasms. I wasn't doing much of anything for anyone!! But I was gonna offer my assistance with his new found life stressors. It's the thought that counts, right?! ;) Thankfully, he was doing well and didn't need me to do anything for him. :) 

Today I woke up around 9 - my husband wakes up and gives the kids breakfast and such. I did some school with my children. (We homeschool, which was another concern I had last year - what was gonna happen with that? Well, thankfully, my kids are still homeschooling, on track, and doing great! I've even taught my son how to read this year!) I took care of lunch. I took care of my family and the things that come up when managing a number of kids. I did 30 minutes of marching/stair stepping - that was quite a work out! I made what my son called a "big dinner" haha - Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Don't tell my Grandma - she'd be ashamed that was called a big meal. Ha ha! "You're getting back on track, mom!" The kids were excited for me. I bathed my daughter and now I'm putting her to bed. My husband was able to help my son with a project and/or work for most of the day, rather than helping me around the house or with the kids. 

I've had my ups and downs, my days of freaking out feeling like this isn't working. I've tweaked doses, brands, types of magnesiums, and various supplements. But it was crazy looking back today to where I was a year ago. I'm still not driving or doing my grocery shopping or running through Walmart with all my kids haha, but I am definitely improving!! 

Obviously with RRMS, I was gonna recover from some of that anyways. And I know prayers, PT, baclofen, and steroids helped a lot. But clearly this protocol is working!! 

I started the protocol on extremely low doses with the help of my awesome PCP last September. Then I had an MRI in December with new lesions. I then increased to correct doses in December. Michael cawley helped me wth a dose adjustment in February. And I've pretty much been at that dose since. 

I feel so grateful God led us to this protocol before starting Gilyena. I feel so grateful for the help and support of my family, amazing doctors and educators, and this group. Last year, we were excited when I made it to the dinner table. Today I made dinner and took care of my family!! What a wonderful blessing. 

Adventures while reacclimating with the public world...

As many of you know I haven't been driving for well over a year now. I gave it a try a few months ago and got to the end of the street and headed straight back. My interaction with the public world has been pretty limited. I've been feeling better lately and can definitely "handle" more. It's great really. I don't get overwhelmed as easily! This may not be something that makes sense to everyone, but I know a few of you will understand. Anyways, I've gotten out to do a few more things lately.

It's interesting as you try to acclimate to the world. I remember early on, smells really bothering me. I'm still not a big fan of smells, I haven't been for awhile. But man alive the world was SO smelly!! Smelly like laundry soap and fabric softeners. Smelly like perfumes - oh boy!! Do people even realize how hard this is for some people?! Anyways, that was a side note. Ha ha

Today, I opted to run into the fabric store with my daughter to help her pick out material for her next sewing project. This is the second time I have used a credit card machine recently that has made me realize - I don't get out much! LOL Today I swiped my credit card, my daughter took the bags, and I went to walk off!! Oh wait, I'm supposed to sign!! LOL Well, not only am I supposed to sign, I'm supposed to insert, not swipe. And oh I thought this had a chip, but where is it and where do I insert?!?! Thankfully the man was very sweet and patient as I fumbled along. He said, Don't worry I have a 4-year old, I'm very patient. Ha ha Was that supposed to be comforting?! LOL

The other day, the kids had finished some stuff with their summer reading program. So we decided to cash in for their free Chipotle prizes at the library, get some books, and head to Chipotle. While at the library, I had to run to the restroom - so I left the kids with my husband. I walked straight into the men's restroom without even thinking! At first, it seemed a little strange, it seemed a little smaller or something. Then I realized the line of urinals along the wall and almost died. I high tailed it out of there so fast!!!

The conclusions to this week's adventures...I'm definitely handling more and doing well, but I really can't be trusted alone in public just yet!!! LOL Watch out though world - Chrissy is on her way back!

At the end of the day, it helps you realize how much these simple things, we have all grown accustomed to, can be so difficult for those with chronic illnesses, brain damage, someone coming from a different country who may not speak our language, etc etc. As you go throughout your day today, don't be so rushed that you can't take the time to notice someone in need around you. There may be someone coming from another country and they might feel so overwhelmed by not understanding anything around them. There might be a new Mom trying to figure out how to handle a baby AND go grocery shopping at the same time. There may be a lady who looks fine on the outside, but she's in such chronic pain she can't concentrate long enough to decide which item is best suited for her. Maybe there is a child who is so consumed with a devastating situation at home that they are unaware of their surroundings and bump into you. We all come with all sorts of baggage. Some "baggage" is easy to see - the man in the wheel chair who needs you to help him open the door. The old lady in the parking lot who needs a hand loading her groceries. Other baggage isn't as easy to see. Try to slow down in the midst of the craziness to show patience and love to those around you - you never know what they are facing!

New favorite song...

A little setback...

Well, it appears I've been a bit set back again.

This is frustrating and annoying, as I really thought I was beyond the point of getting kicked back down like this. A tired day here or there? Sure! But I spent yesterday and today in bed - not even so much out of exhaustion, as much as the dizziness/swirling that tries to hit me when I get up and/or move my head wrong. The protocol I'm on takes time, but I had kinda started to think I was in the "safe zone". I'm still not really sure if this is just old symptoms flaring, as they are all symptoms I've had before or just a new relapse.

This certainly isn't the worst I've been, but it's definitely a step back. I had not made a full recovery yet from past relapses, but I was headed in the right direction - walking briskly 30 minutes every night, starting to help more around the house, starting to help with the business again. The dizziness was starting to lift. My stress capacity and ability to handle things around me had definitely increased.

I'm still not driving. It's been a year. I tried a little bit ago, as the dizziness had been getting better. I got to the end of the street and headed straight back. It truly is amazing how much our brains process just going through life. We take it for granted and don't even realize how much it is doing. Life isn't supposed to tax a normal brain.

I'm still not doing my grocery shopping either. My husband and I went into an Indian market the other day. It was a lot of fun, but a reminder that I'm not ready for grocery shopping yet. Your head turns way too much when you're in a grocery store. :) I bet some of you never even realized that, huh?! ;)

We tried hitting Target last week to go dress shopping for my daughter's recital. It ended with me crying in the parking lot, calling my mom, asking her to help my daughter.

My husband and I chatted and he reminded me: I'm doing things now that I wasn't doing 3 months ago. Maybe in 3 months, I'll be grocery shopping and maybe 3 months after that I'll be driving again. I had renewed hope. :) I recovered quicker from my Target trip than I did the Indian market trip earlier that week. So we came up with a plan: My husband would drop me off at the Walgreens down the street and let me walk around a bit by myself. He would stay in the car with the kids. We would try to give my brain a chance to reestablish new pathways, starting with small chunks of time. Who knew Retail Therapy REALLY was a thing?! :) But it just never happened last week.

Then Saturday the dizziness/swirling started getting worse. We skipped a meeting we were supposed to go to Saturday night, and we skipped church Sunday morning. My daughter had a recital Sunday night and I didn't want to comprise myself. I made it Sunday night and was feeling a bit better, but got hit again Monday morning. Now I've been in bed more or less for two days. I'd really just like this to go away.

The lies try to hit...Will I miss my kids' childhood stuck in bed? The discouragement tries to come in! But like I told my friend today, I'm gonna pull up my big girl panties and get better! God is stronger than this and He's got me. I'm frustrated, I'm discouraged, I'm annoyed - But with God, I WILL overcome!!!

The day I thanked God for dirty feet...

Eight months after a nasty MS relapse, I walked around the neighborhood with my family tonight for the thirty minutes of exercise required by the protocol I'm on. Good, fast walking. And you know what happened? My flip-flopped feet felt dirty at the end of the day once again!!!! And you know what I did?? I thanked God for dirty feet!!! :) Ha ha

If we were to go back 8-9 months, you'd see me cautiously moving, trying to avoid right side of body spasms. They were exhausting, uncomfortable, scary, and causing a lot of anxiety. I walked hunched over, not so fast, and normally had someone with me when I did walk. My husband helped handle the household responsibilities, he helped wash my hair, and I often woke him up at night to come to the bathroom with me.

After steroids and baclofen (and LOTS of prayers) the spasms eventually stopped. I weaned off baclofen and started physical therapy. Then in September, I started Dr. Coimbra's Protocol for MS. I started on doses really too low to call Coimbra's Protocol. We started on only 20,000 IU a day, this was partially due to some blood test results. I did follow up labs in December and we increased my dose to 50,000 IU of D3 a day. In February, I did labs again and increased my dose again, this time to 100,000 IU of D3 a day!! I really began to feel something that I felt could be connected to the protocol.

The initial noticeable MS relapse was in June. It started with a dull dizzy feeling, extreme exhaustion, and a shaky, low blood sugar type feeling. Then my right arm started feeling sorta limp, although I still had strength in it. So when I went to urgent care I looked a little like a crazy lady. I went to a chiropractor the next day who suggested anxiety and/or blood sugar issues. We got into my PCP and by that point, my handwriting started to get sloppy. He got me a neuro referral. By the time I got to the neuro I had already had a similar limp/weakness feeling in my right leg come and go and tingles in my face come and go. My coordination was beginning to suffer though. When he wanted me to walk a straight/tightrope line, I looked a little like a drunk lady. Of course, my sister and I were laughing about this, which then caused my neuro to list "giddiness" as a symptom. Ha ha!

After an MRI revealing 20+ lesions, with lesions on my brain, c-spine, and t-spine, my neuro felt it was MS, but I also had positive Lyme tests. He wanted me to get a second opinion at a reputable facility. While he thought the Lyme was a false positive, he wanted me to see several specialists to look into some things - one to rule out a brain tumor. Specialists are not quick to get into, so we waited. But I worsened and eventually wound up in the hospital. At the hospital, Infectious Disease Doctors and Neurologists showed up and ruled out a brain tumor and Lyme disease and confirmed MS. From there we went forward with steroids.

Anyways, after all that was behind me, we started Dr. Coimbra's Protocol which requires 30 minutes of brisk walking a day to prevent bone loss on the protocol. Physical therapy helped a lot, but I still wasn't ready for brisk walking. I found it difficult to do a lot of moving around still. Fatigue, dizziness, processing issues, etc. It was taxing for my brain. I discovered I had a lesion on an area in my brain that relates to processing spatial information. I normally wouldn't feel dizzy if I was just sitting still, but would be careful about walking a lot/doing a lot. I was careful about moving my head, etc. Processing a lot around me can be hard on me. So we started with a recumbent stationary bike. No movement (besides my legs of course ;)). It was low to the ground and safe if I had a spasm again. I started doing 30 minutes of this a day. I then started subbing out partial time with marching in place behind the recumbent bike while holding on to the back of the seat. Then one day, I discovered I could march in place for the full 30 minutes!!! I still wasn't ready to walk around for the 30 minutes, but I could march in place!!! Then I would march in place while using weights and part of the time I would do "stair stepping" on a step stool. :) Then I decided to try the walking. I walked with focus, head down/still, so as to avoid processing everything going on around me and to try to avoid motion sickness from my head moving around too much. The next night we tried again and it was easier. I was able to look around a bit more. The third night was even better. The fourth night, I was exhausted and we slowed down a bit, but I was still doing better with processing/not having to keep my head down!!

It feels strange having that dirty feet feeling at the end of the day again. I always wear flip flops so it was a very common feeling before, just from actively doing life, but it hasn't been such a common feeling lately...So today I am grateful. Grateful for dirty feet!!! :)