Protandim: Week Two

     I am continuing to see slight improvements after starting Protandim. Thursday and Friday were a little rougher, but everyone has rough days. I think it may have been from coming down off the increased anxiety of taking two tests two days in a row. Then, of course, all the studying. After the weekend, I've been good and recharged. Not only do I have more energy and clarity of mind at work with the kids, my personality is coming out with them too. I like to be silly and random and joke around with my friends. I find myself being silly and kidding around and making them laugh on top of playing with them. Example: Today we were outside playing hide-and-seek. I was hiding and had a jacket in my hand. When the kids found me, I put the jacket over my head and said, "Shhh! I'm hiding! You can't see me." I kept doing it, and they took the jacket away from me haha. But it made them squeal with laughter. 
     Also, my anger episodes are still going down. It's amazing! I realized yesterday that I haven't thrown anything out of anger lately. That benefits not only me but also my walls haha. Granted, I did hit the wall last night, but I'm not that strong. So, not really damaging. Overall, getting better. And like I said, that's better than any prescription medication I've ever been on; and I've only been on this for two weeks. Awesome!
     However, like I said in my last post about Protandim, I have to be careful. I have a feeling I'm in a slight upward trend. I don't think all of it has to do with the Protandim. I'm noticing certain signs that I might be getting slightly above normal. Examples: Even with my nightly medications that usually put me to sleep, I find it hard to go to sleep. I'm getting less sleep, but haven't noticed the difference during the day. I have a desire to spend money on things I want; money that I'm not sure should be spent. Of course, I've mentioned I have increased energy. That might be from the Protandim, or it may not be. Don't know. 
     In any case, it could be a Bipolar II hypomanic episode. Not that troubling, to me anyway. Hypomania isn't nearly as bad as mania seen in Bipolar I. While mania can cause impairments in functioning, hypomania doesn't. People are usually able to function normally and just have this elevated mood; somewhere between normal happiness/excitement and full mania. Point is for me, we'll just wait and see.

"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~

Darn Wheat and Dairy

     Ok, so I should have written this post a while ago. I just never found the time. Most of my life, I have experienced a variety of symptoms and developed new ones that seemed unrelated. Examples: gastrointestinal problems, migraines, cluster headaches, chronic sinusitis, restless leg syndrome, irritability, and muscle aches. After doing extensive research, (because I do that kind of stuff LOL) I found something called Allergic Tension-Fatigue syndrome. It's when a food allergy doesn't cause a serious reaction but can cause symptoms like the ones I experience. 
     Since food allergy tests are really expensive, I decided to do an elimination diet. From observations, I had a feeling wheat might be the culprit. So I completely eliminated it from my diet. It was extremely hard. I had no idea how many foods had wheat in them. However, after a few weeks, I noticed the changes. I had more energy. The main thing was relief from my gastrointestinal problems. It was amazing! 
     Since completely eliminating wheat is really hard and expensive, I have decided to only eliminate the items that are mainly wheat (breads, pastas, crackers, cookies, cereals, etc.) It still helps, and I find a lot of good wheat- or gluten-free foods in stores. 
     I also discovered I have a mild lactose intolerance. However, it seems to seems to affect me when I drink regular milk or eat a lot of ice cream or yogurt. Because of this, I drink Silk milk. I've tried yogurts made with almond or soy milk, and I can't stand the texture. So I just stick to regular yogurt and try not to eat too much. It's the same with ice cream. I just watch how much I eat. 
     All these changes required some sacrifice, but it was all worth it so that I could feel better. I'm having to give up some of my favorite foods, but it's ok. I found out they were some of the ones making me feel bad. 

"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~

Protandim: Week One

     I've been taking Protandim for a week now. Obviously, it's not long enough to see any major differences, but I am seeing and feeling some little differences. I seem to have more energy. I find it easier to play with kids at work at the preschool. I've been playing ball and chase. I'm able to engage more with the children and not feel so distant; like I'm behind glass. A few days, I felt I could run a mile...even though I'm out of shape lol. I have to be careful, though. Increased energy can be a sign of hypomania (between normal and mania) in Bipolar Disorder II. In case you didn't know, that's my diagnosis. Bipolar Disorder I is what people think of when you say "bipolar". Bipolar Disorder II is less severe, and people recognize it less often.
     Anyway, back to Protandim. I been able to concentrate a little better. I've taken two tests the week I've been on Protandim. Before Protandim, even though I would take my tests alone, I would have to take breaks or lay my head down. This week, I finished my tests without taking breaks. I'm also able to actively pay attention and participate in class and discussions. I'm even able to sit through my entire 3 hour evening class that lasts until 9:00.
     I'm also seeing a slight drop in anger episodes. Some of the little things that would've normally set me off I've been able to ignore. No prescription medication has been able to do that yet...not even my mood stabilizer! I can't wait to see what happens in the next few weeks with Protandim.

"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I'm a human being with feelings, like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~

Protandim

     So I've started taking this pretty cool new supplement called Protandim. What makes this supplement different from the others, you say? 3 things: glutathione, oxidative stress, and free radicals. I realize you probably have no idea what those are, but I'll explain. 
    As we age and become exposed to toxins, stress, radiation, pollution, and other harmful things, our cells are damaged. This is known as oxidative stress. Free radicals are the little tiny molecules that cause the damage. Studies have found that this damage is the cause of many chronic diseases and cancers as well as aging.  Protandim helps to reduce oxidative stress by reducing the number of free radicals in your body. It's showing promising results in slowing aging and improving chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, and many others. 
     So what about this other thing I mentioned: glutathione? Glad you asked. Glutathione is an essential enzyme that supports almost every system in the human body, especially the immune system, nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and lungs. Research has shown that people on the autism spectrum have lower levels of this essential enzyme. People with bipolar disorder have also shown to have lower levels of glutathione. Having both autism and bipolar disorder, it is very possible I have lower levels of this enzyme. Research also shows that people with lower levels of glutathione might have a defect in a specific gene. They can't make enough glutathione. It's been said up to half of us have some kind of defect in this gene, and it causes all kinds of chronic diseases and cancers. Protandim helps increase antioxidants needed to produce glutathione. 
     I have high hopes that Protandim will work for me and will improve my autism and bipolar symptoms. I would encourage everyone to try this supplement, even if you don't suffer from a chronic condition. Even healthy people have some level of oxidative stress; it's just not as high as those of us with chronic conditions.

"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~ 

My New Tattoo: Embrace Autism

     So two weeks ago, I got a new tattoo. It's a butterfly with 3 visible wings. One is blue, one is red, and the other is yellow. The body of the butterfly is green. They are the colors usually associated with Autism Awareness. Below the butterfly, it says "Embrace Autism." I've wanted the tattoo for a while but just wasn't brave enough to get it. I also didn't have the money. My cousin was going to do it for me for free. However, he recently lost his job and couldn't afford the ink. 

    Then my brother ended up getting a tattoo (without telling my parents lol). He gave me the card of the guy who did it, saying he was really good. Also, my parents didn't kill him when they found out about his tattoo. I decided to at least go down to the shop and get an estimate. When I got there, we talked about it and the artist told me he could do it that night. I said, "Why not?" 

     Some of my friends couldn't believe I had actually gotten a tattoo. However, everyone seems to like it. It's also a great conversation starter with people I don't even know. They come up and ask me about autism and the purpose behind my tattoo. That's exactly why I got it. I want people to start conversations with me about autism. I want to raise awareness about autism and to show people that autism may not present the ways they think it will. Some people see my tattoo and ask if I have autism. I want them to ask. A lot of people are surprised when they find out I have autism. I want them to know autism looks different in each person. And just like my tattoo says, I want people not only to be aware of autism but to embrace it as well.

"I live in the same world you do; I just experience it differently. I have am a human being with feelings, just like you; I just express them in my own way." ~Me~