I had to giggle about the "feeling better". No matter what you're trying, vitamin whatever, cutting gluten/alcohol/sugar/fat/carbs/dairy/food/joy, everyone (else, not just yourself) seems to assume that it must always translate to feeling better. I'm a wee bit overweight (ahem...thank you MS for fatigue, pain, and reduced mobility overall, post-menopause, and a touch of bad habits) but I've recently been trying to lose weight lest I end up with another condition like diabetes. I've managed 14 lbs so far, which is amazing from nothing but dietary changes. And people always ask very chirpily, "And you feel better, right??" And I'm like, well, no. The fatigue doesn't lift particularly, my right hip, carrying less weight now, still hurts like it did 14 lbs ago, maybe a bit worse, and I'm generally the same, just lighter. I'm sure certain medical test numbers could indicate I'm objectively "better", but my subjective experience says, meh.
VERY delayed reply here, sorry about that. Great comment though, deserved a response long ago. Yes, people are maddeningly likely to assume that anything that strikes them as a "virtuous" improvement must lead to feeling better. They underestimate pathology, I’m afraid. Many a problem will march on perfectly undisturbed by anything we do.
I really liked it to understand what they mean when going through liver disease.
I think your dr. is right at least as far as the liver stuff goes assuming NAFLD has been ruled out. That seems more likely and may even explain the hypercholesteremia? Have they done an ultrasound/fibroscan?
An extremely delayed reaction here, not even quite sure how I noticed this a year later. 🙂 But thank you! Yes, I’ve been wondering about the possibility that the fatty liver might actually be the main thing here. Will investigate.
If you were drinking since you stopped benzos you didn’t sort the Benzo WD issues. So, now your nervous system can start to heal from the Benzos. I’d give it 3-5 years.
No doubt your body needs a rest from it so keep going.
Next to add to your bucket list could be trying carnivore diet for a month or two. Lots of anecdotal evidence and testimony about autoimmune issues disappearing after just a few weeks. Obviously alcohol would still be abstained during it. Another thing to rule out.
However, you might be missing something more fundamental. Do you have a healthy relationship with sunlight? Check out this Rick Rubin Podcast with Neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruse who is schooling Andrew Huberman on health. I found it fascinating.
Yes, lots of claims made for the anti-inflammatory effects of a high protein diet. I am considering it … mostly just because it’s relatively easy and harmless to try.
As for sunlight, I’m Canadian, so... no? 🙂 It’s hard to have a healthy relationship at this latitude. But I try to do my best with what we have.
Not that I know of. 🙂 I would be quite surprised if he did — he's an older gentleman, seems very old school. Not that it’s impossible, just seems unlikely.
After 49 years, 50 next April 1, 2024, I still feel and believe it is the best health decision I ever made. Your candour and descriptive narrative are so authentic. It will only get better. Thanks IL
I had to giggle about the "feeling better". No matter what you're trying, vitamin whatever, cutting gluten/alcohol/sugar/fat/carbs/dairy/food/joy, everyone (else, not just yourself) seems to assume that it must always translate to feeling better. I'm a wee bit overweight (ahem...thank you MS for fatigue, pain, and reduced mobility overall, post-menopause, and a touch of bad habits) but I've recently been trying to lose weight lest I end up with another condition like diabetes. I've managed 14 lbs so far, which is amazing from nothing but dietary changes. And people always ask very chirpily, "And you feel better, right??" And I'm like, well, no. The fatigue doesn't lift particularly, my right hip, carrying less weight now, still hurts like it did 14 lbs ago, maybe a bit worse, and I'm generally the same, just lighter. I'm sure certain medical test numbers could indicate I'm objectively "better", but my subjective experience says, meh.
VERY delayed reply here, sorry about that. Great comment though, deserved a response long ago. Yes, people are maddeningly likely to assume that anything that strikes them as a "virtuous" improvement must lead to feeling better. They underestimate pathology, I’m afraid. Many a problem will march on perfectly undisturbed by anything we do.
Here's a really good video on interpreting and understanding LFTs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Q9fI4Mze4
I really liked it to understand what they mean when going through liver disease.
I think your dr. is right at least as far as the liver stuff goes assuming NAFLD has been ruled out. That seems more likely and may even explain the hypercholesteremia? Have they done an ultrasound/fibroscan?
An extremely delayed reaction here, not even quite sure how I noticed this a year later. 🙂 But thank you! Yes, I’ve been wondering about the possibility that the fatty liver might actually be the main thing here. Will investigate.
If you were drinking since you stopped benzos you didn’t sort the Benzo WD issues. So, now your nervous system can start to heal from the Benzos. I’d give it 3-5 years.
No doubt your body needs a rest from it so keep going.
Next to add to your bucket list could be trying carnivore diet for a month or two. Lots of anecdotal evidence and testimony about autoimmune issues disappearing after just a few weeks. Obviously alcohol would still be abstained during it. Another thing to rule out.
However, you might be missing something more fundamental. Do you have a healthy relationship with sunlight? Check out this Rick Rubin Podcast with Neurosurgeon Dr. Jack Kruse who is schooling Andrew Huberman on health. I found it fascinating.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fjDRjOR7kaMSYEeO1ebU7?si=z2cGNU3cTU6j1YsISeByjw
Yes, lots of claims made for the anti-inflammatory effects of a high protein diet. I am considering it … mostly just because it’s relatively easy and harmless to try.
As for sunlight, I’m Canadian, so... no? 🙂 It’s hard to have a healthy relationship at this latitude. But I try to do my best with what we have.
I like the sound of this doctor- does he blog? (sounds a bit of a Scottish/Canadian Oliver Sacks)
Not that I know of. 🙂 I would be quite surprised if he did — he's an older gentleman, seems very old school. Not that it’s impossible, just seems unlikely.
After 49 years, 50 next April 1, 2024, I still feel and believe it is the best health decision I ever made. Your candour and descriptive narrative are so authentic. It will only get better. Thanks IL
About a month. Maybe the main benefit is in the hours that I am not drinking. I prefer the feeling of being clear headed. And I sleep better.
Bummed to hear this didn't help. Yet another "thing to try" that worked for me but not you. Sorry man!
It's a bit of a long shot, but it could still work out. 🙂 How long did it take for you to see an improvement in how you felt?