The Daily Battles

Uncategorized 2 Minutes

I have been taking Plaquenil and Prednisone since my diagnosis in mid-April. I also take Fosamax and Protonix to offset the side effects of the prednisone. While prednisone can help with this type of condition, it is also what I call an evil drug due to it’s many side effects: hair loss, blurry vision, weight gain (particularly in abdomen), moon face, watery eyes, bone loss, the list goes on and on.

While these meds seemed to help at first, they are not helping long term. My condition appears to be worsening which is expected with this progressive disease. While the muscle weakness and pain are difficult, one of the worse parts about it is the breathing difficulties. When you can’t breathe, you generally don’t feel well. It’s difficult to feel like doing anything. I still force myself to exercise or else my muscles will continue to deteriorate. I am watching my diet and trying to focus on more plant-based foods. This is not 100%, however, as the steroids make me crave salty and sweet foods. The meds also take away my taste buds, so I naturally want to eat whatever tastes good. I’m also just too fatigued some days to make any meals which means I grab what’s most convenient and not always the healthiest.

Since stress is a big factor in my flare ups, I started practicing meditation on a regular basis. I utilize Headspace and work through a couple of sessions each night before bed. My goal is to start doing this during the day as well. I also had to eliminate certain activities/duties from my life to cut down on my stress. I’m doing everything I know to do to ease the symptoms. My rheumatologist plans to start me on a new medication in late September after I travel out of the country. The new med will make me more susceptible to infections, but will, hopefully, allow me to taper off the prednisone eventually.

It’s definitely a long road ahead. My plan is to continue my care with my rheum doc in Evansville, but I won’t hesitate to travel out of town as necessary to get the best care.

Heat and Sun facial flare-ups

Heliotrope Rash

Muscle Atrophy in Thigh

Knee Rashes

Inflammed Cuticles

Unknown's avatar

Published by alutzel

I developed a passion for wellness after I experienced many years of health issues. Taking care of myself through exercise, healthy eating, and reducing stress, is what led me to a career in wellness. I decided I wanted to help others learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I have been the Wellness Director at Ivy Tech since 2013. I previously worked as a Health Advocate and Personal Trainer at St. Vincent Healthy Lives and prior to that was a Fitness Tech for Ivy Tech and personal trainer and group exercise instructor at the Dunigan YMCA. I also taught classes in senior living centers and conducted private personal training sessions for people of all ages. I have two Bachelor’s degrees from USI in Communications and German. I am a certified Health & Wellness Coach through Wellcoaches and received my personal training certification through the American College of Sports Medicine. I am also Reiki Level II certified and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine® and the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion. I also have a background in mental health and certified in Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid and completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and I'm a QPR Suicide Prevention Instructor. In December 2024, I graduated with a Master of Education in Student Learning and Wellbeing at the University of Missouri. When I'm not exercising, I'm busy volunteering for several organizations including St. Vincent’s No One Dies Alone program. In 2011, I ran in the Marathon for the Cure in Washington, D.C. and raised over $6,200 towards breast cancer research. My mother, who passed away from breast cancer, was my inspiration for doing this. I also competed in several triathlons and love to travel and spend time with my 16-year old daughter, my friends, and my dog and three cats. I love animals and started a pet therapy program at Ivy Tech called Paws ’N Relax to help students manage stress and anxiety during final exams. At Ivy Tech, we are more than just a Fitness Center. We believe in treating the body as a whole and working on body, mind, and spirit. We have programs that focus on the nine area of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, creative, environmental, and occupational. We offer a Relaxation Lounge and emWavePro Biofeedback program to help manage anxiety. Stress is a contributor to many health issues and we want to make sure you have tools to manage it better. We want to help you live a long, happy, and healthy life. Update: In the Spring of 2023, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis which is a rare auto-immune disorder that causes rashes and attacks the muscles. I have developed severe muscle atrophy, pain, and weakness. I am still exercising, eating healthy, and managing stress now more than ever. There is no known cause for this condition but it is treated with medication and a healthy lifestyle. I am just taking it one day at a time and continuing to help others learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Published

Leave a comment