I'm a Proud New Mommy!

 

I woke up this morning with a really tight stomach, it was absurdly uncomfortable.  I wanted to go back to sleep, but the more I rolled around in bed the more sore my tummy got.  So I finally decided it was time to get up and poop.  This has been happening somewhat frequently lately, and I've learned this pain means I have a big ol' pooh baby waiting to be birthed. Sometimes the little ones are reluctant to come out, and I find that walking around the apartment while massaging my gut helps to sooth the labor pains and I'm able to pop the buns out of the oven with greater ease.  

I'm pleased to report I've been hitting 4's on the Bristol Stool Chart with more consistency, and hope the trend will continue.  I did decrease to 10mg Prednisone this week, but I also increased to 175mg of Imuran.  I see my doctor tomorrow afternoon, I have to remember to make a list of stuff to report/ask.  I always bring a tiny notebook with me with a little list of talking points prepared. It's also helpful for jotting down notes from the doctor so I don't forget anything important.  

I was really, really tired all week, and kind of touchy, but I'm feeling a little more awake and chipper today.  Of course it's really sunny out and kind of warm, so that could be helping out also.  I'd like to note that I only ever have flare-ups during the winter months.  I wonder if seasonal depression might play a role in this? 

Oh, and I realized I haven't kept up with the cheek watches at all.  I basically leveled off, and think I'm starting to see a decrease in the puffiness.  Acne and facial hair are still the same- did I ever mention my little mustache? Yeah, I have a mustache now.  And my hair is coming out, but it's thick so I'm not worried about it getting to a point of being noticeable.  My appetite isn't as crazy as it's been, and I'm sleeping through the night regularly which is a huge relief.  I am, however, going to bed really early by my standards, and sleeping for about 10 hours at a stretch (and still waking up tired).

And that's that....

CHEEK WATCH 5

This week I tapered down to 35mg of Prednisone, and in the lipstick pictures above I think I see my face coming down a bit- but I think it has to do with the fact that I took those pictures later in the day.  The last picture on the end was taken just now, at 7:30a.m. and I'm looking pretty puffy.  The other night I caved and ordered Chinese food (I had my period this week, which saps my patience and my will power) and when I woke up my mug was really swollen. Oh, and if you hadn't guessed this cheek watch thing is in no way a controlled study.  I should really be taking care to make sure all the variables and camera settings are consistent each time, but I'm quick and dirty so that's what you get.

I've been having roid rage this week, also exacerbated by being on the rag, I'm sure.  I'm drafting another entry on that topic, though, so I'll wait to elaborate.  I went swimming for a few minutes on my lunch break the other day, just to do a few laps with the kick board to stretch my legs.  My legs have actually been getting a lot better, knock on wood.  I've been able to stand for longer periods of time, and walk at a faster pace.  I have tried to run for the bus a couple of times, and while I haven't screwed myself yet I can tell I'm pushing my luck.  Lifting my thighs is still a bit of a challenge.  I've really enjoyed working on a 10-6 schedule, I've been waking up around 7:30 every day, which gives me time to ease into my pill routine and have a little breakfast. I've always hated eating breakfast, and I still don't care to eat right after waking up, but now I'm starting to like having a smoothie or a slice of toast before heading out the door.  I think my aversion to breakfast has also stemmed from not wanting to eat before getting on the train for fear of making myself have to poop. 

Tomorrow I scale back to 30mg of Prednisone, and am meant to check in with the gastro on Monday.  The following week I'll go in for a face-to-face, and I should have some blood test results coming my way soon.  I'm still working on retraining my palate in preparation for considering an elimination or specific carbohydrate diet.  The one thing I haven't been able to sacrifice is soy.  Tofu is too much of a crutch for me when not eating red meat, dairy, or sugar.  I honestly don't think soy is a "trigger food" for me anyway, as it usually makes me feel pretty good, but if I have to give it up down the line to avoid Remicade I'll do it.  But for now it's staying in rotation.  This is making me hungry so I'm going to go make breakfast now.

CHEEK WATCH 3 (and some other updates)

Ah, what a fine new chin I have growing in behind the first one!  Honestly, if this is the worst of the side-effects, I'll be quite happy.  I've noticed my legs hurt less now, I think going in to work and having to walk more has actually been good for me.  I've had to really work on my mental state when coming and going, reminding myself not to rush and that there will always be another train and that if the subway stops between stations it's not cause to panic.  Usually when I get stuck somewhere I think "Oh great, what if I have to poop?" and that is immediately followed by "I do have to poop- right now! ohnoohnoohnoohno..." and then the panic makes my stomach cramp so I really do start to have to poop and I can really only blame myself.  That hasn't happened yet this flare-up, and hopefully it won't. SERENITY NOW!

Last night J and I went out for dinner for the first time since this all started and it was really nice to be out.  I was nervous about eating a restaurant meal and needing to run to the restaurant bathroom, but everything went over okay.  We went to a southwestern place, which had me a little nervous- it wouldn't have been my first choice for my first meal out, but they were offering free movie tickets to "Legion" for next week and well, we couldn't pass that up.  Luckily I was able to order my meal (crab quesadilla) with no chiles so it was nice and mild.  I ate too many salty corn chips (I really need to curb the salt while I'm on the 'sone) and we split a little cheesecake.  I was worried all the cheese would mess up my tummy, but I've been pooping the same as I have been for the past few weeks (still little like popcorn chicken, but solid and brown at least).  I did wake up at five this morning with really bad heartburn, so I took my Prilosec early and was wired until eight when I finally dozed back off.

Hoping to utilize some new kitchenware today by cooking dinner for friends.  I'm starting to research and collect more gluten-free recipes to incorporate into my diet, just to try, you'll see a new link in the blog roll for a blog that seems pretty resourceful. If you have any suggestions, let me know!

CHEEK WATCH

So J and a few of my friends that have come by to visit since I've been home sick say they don't see a difference in my cheeks, so maybe I'm being my own worst critic, but I swear I see them swelling more each day.  I guess the 20 pounds of weight loss on the rest of my body is more noticeable (and alarming).  I don't think it will be long before I put some heft back on though, I'm eating like a pig and really have to discipline myself to keep from eating too much crap too late at night.  I also have to keep my cholesterol in mind, because I'm craving some real fatty foods, like corned beef hash and donuts.

I was up all night on Wednesday with Prednisone insomnia and it's caught up with me today.  I slept okay last night, but was up a lot between 5am and 7am.  I tried not to fall back to sleep in preparation for trying to get back to work next week, but I couldn't help it.  After J left for work around 8 I passed out until 10.  Now I'm trying to motivate myself to go out to the store (yesterday I made it all the way to the bank!! That's almost ten blocks and back again!) and even drop off my laundry.  Wish me luck!

CHEEK WATCH

Well the moon face is filling in fast and full! These are a few snapshots of the progression of my Prednisone cheeks over the past few days. I don't know if you can notice it as much as I can, but I can see a significant puff. I woke up in the middle of the night to poop and when I saw myself in the mirror I saw the difference immediately. I'm honestly more concerned about acne, which is also starting to develop and can hopefully be staved off.