Wednesday, January 30, 2008

My Gastronomic (Mis) Adventures

Summary of this post
I talk about the many diets that I tried on my path to wellness, particularly after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 1999, Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP). Falling sick changed a lot of what I eat. I believed food could be my medicine and it was possible certain foods also contributed to my illness. Over fourteen years I have tried these diets/therapies: elimination diet, food combining, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, Gerson Cancer Therapy, raw meat, Atkins. What worked and what didn't? Read on.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Me and my steroids

Summary of this post
I write about why I was prescribed steroids and side effects of these steroids that I have experienced. Yet, these drugs have only suppressed the symptoms and I still relapse from my autoimmune illness Henoch Schonlein Purpura that afflicts me. I describe what to look out for in a relapse and common triggers. I write about my worst relapse but end on a positive note. (Update 25 July 2012: Read my success story HERE)


Me and my steroids
Believe me, when I say 'my steroids', I do not refer to an acquaintance of which I am fond. I do not like taking these pills into my body. I do not think "Ah, this is going to make me all better".


Steroids are not the cure.

Oh how I hate having to take these little white pills


I have been on steroids for nine years. Prednisone was first prescribed to me in 1999 to 'cure' me of

Thursday, January 24, 2008

My disease defines me?

Summary of this post
My personal experience as a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura sufferer, with multiple relapses that involve kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal tract and joints. Developing Multiple Chemical sensitivities and the 9 year on-going (getting there) struggle to wean off steroids. An upbeat, positive overview.


About me! me! me!
I am, by occupation, an entomologist (see what I do for a living at antomologist.blogspot.com). However, my primary duty is not to cure insects as a medical doctor would. Rather, my job is to protect trees from insects that like to eat those trees. Thus sometimes insects die in the line of duty (my line of duty, that is).


I am also a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) 'sufferer', and have been so for the past nine years. I was told