And away we go.....

Let's start at the beginning. I feel like crap. I have for about 18 months. General fatigue, joint pain, stomach problems, hot flashes, heart palpitations, dizziness, low energy, insomnia, the whole shooting match. I have been to see my G.P. at least 6 times during the past two years for a variety of symptoms. Each time, they would review what was currently bothering me, write me a script for some drug, and send me on my way. I have prescriptions for muscle relaxers, beta blockers, birth control pills (hello, no longer necessary thanks), and SSRI's. But, it occurred to me that my Managed Care Facility was treating my symptoms in a vacuum and they definitely were not connecting the dots.
That's when I heard about Women to Women Healthcare in Yarmouth....W2W was founded by Dr. Christiane Northrup of "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom" fame. I read alot about how W2W takes a Wholistic approach to healthcare and I was intrigued. I made an appointment and waited with eager anticipation. During my first appointment, I spent almost 90 minutes there talking with staff about every aspect of my health. When was the last time you spent 90 minutes talking to a doctor......I am used to getting about 12 minutes, if I am lucky.
Anyway, they did a bunch of blood work and ordered a bunch of other tests, determined to get to the bottom of my general malaise (great word huh?)
Now, the tests weren't easy. The three day stool sample was downright horrifying (TMI?). Glucose testing took a ton of time and all these tests were making me feel a bit like a pincushion, but I was hopeful that this would reap some good information.
Fast forward to this past Friday. I went back to get the results and the action plan. Driving there that morning, I had sense that things were not gonna be good. Don't know why...sixth sense I guess. Sure enough.....mild type II diabetes and Candida Albicans, which is an overgrowth of yeast throughout the digestive tract.
BTW, I have decided from now on, I am going to prounounce Diabetes just like Wilford Brimley on those Liberty Medical commercials "Dy a Beet Us"
So, I got a new prescription. But this one doesn't get filled at the Pharmacy. I have to give up Sugar and Yeast for three months. Gotta get things back on track... because the alternative is just counting the days until I get full on Type II diabetes and become insulin dependent.....Nice.

So, I am trying to learn what the heck I actually can eat. Cuz guess what........Yeast is in freaking EVERYTHING!!! Here are just a few fun things that I am not allowed to eat......Bread, vinegar, Ketchup, Mayonaise, Cheese....aw hell, just about everything. I can eat meat and green vegetables. That's pretty much it.
Oh, and wait for the kicker......No booze......nada zip... no wine, no beer, no vodka, nothing fermented....which is....everything alcoholic. Those of you who know me well, know that I enjoy my wine. It's true, I do....but I wanna feel better more than I want to drink, so I am resolving to stay on this regimen for the full three months. Through the holidays....I gotta be nuts. Or completely sane, depending on how you look at it.

Of course you know, I hate to do these things alone... so I am bringing all my faithful friends along for the ride. If you wanna come, just check out my blog occasionally. I will keep you posted on my progress and hopefully give you a chuckle or two.

Yours in "Dy a beet us"
Jilly