Shoulder Impingement

 I've always felt something was wrong with my left shoulder, it kinda hurt when I raised my arms and did the stretch against the wall.  Like there was a ball of hard muscle in the way.  And maybe about a year ago I saw that the left shoulder pops up when doing a pushup.  Asked Dr. Schelly about it and he seemed to not think much of it, except that I should concentrate more on my form when doing pushups.   A few days ago I started having a mild dull pain in my left shoulder which got more intense as the days went on.  Luckily I had a chiropractor appointment on Tuesday so I asked about it.  He says I have a lot of tightness in the back shoulder blade area, unusual for it to be on the non-dominant side and on the back.  He says it could be an old injury that never healed or got aggravated.  Don't recall ever hurting my left shoulder.  Some sort of shoulder impingement though he kinda suggested maybe not.  But not bursitis.   He massaged around the knot and shoulder, said I should be sore today but with more range of mobility.   Definitely hurts more today and feels like it hurts more with less movement.   Hopefully things will be better today, took a tylenol before work which seem to take the edge off.  Put on oba-chan's patch, we'll see if that helps with the pain a little.  If it is shoulder impingement, it took take 3-6 months, even up to a year for it to heal.  As long as the pain subsides and I can reach back to put my bra on and put on a shirt, I can wait a year.  So if it doesn't get better in a week or two, guess I'll go see a doctor and see if I need to get a MRI or xray.

Finally a good BP day (fluke?)

It's been a month and three weeks since starting the lemon juice/celery water, 3 weeks of a 24-hr fast one day per week, off and on handgrip exercises, not drinking everyday (more like just once or twice a week? when things weren't really improving and I was thinking about not being strict about it all and only doing every few days or so.  But today, my BP was somewhat consistently low.   First reading was around 1pm, we had gone down to Banning to have breakfast at Grandma's Country Kitchen since tomorrow is our 24th wedding anniversary but we both work.  Had a veggie benedict, side of bacon, and OJ.  Drank lemon water but not the celery juice.  Couldn't remember if I took my meds, I kinda think I didn't.  My first reading was 114/88.  Then as the day went on, it was 120/85, 124/90, 123/94, 138/87, 121/88, 115/85, and 124/93 at 850p.  My top number was almost normal, crazy!  Bottom number still high but not triple digits.   The foods I ate rest of day was: menudo, plain yogurt with lemon curd, mugi-cha, salad, mojito (with one shot light rum) bbq pork and rice.  I didn't even have fruit today.   So I wonder if today was just a fluke or things are finally starting to work.  Most days I only take the Metoprolol since the diuretic supposedly flushes out my potassium which I need!  But I had also read that Metoprolol could actually increase potassium levels and maybe the combination of the two is supposed to balance each other out? I'm not sure.   We'll see what tomorrow does. 

24-hr Fast #3

Its been 9 days since the last 24hr fast.  The plan was to try to do it every week.  This time was a bit tougher.  Went 7p to 7p. The hunger didn't go away as quickly after drinking tea/miso soup/broth/ume-ginger. I wasn't 'starving' and there was no hunger pains, just hungry and it stuck around.  Also felt low-energy in the afternoon.  Had to take a 30 min nap around 3:30p.  Felt a little 'hangry' that last few hours.  This time was also first time doing on a non-work day.  I tried to stay busy, did errands, thrift store, and free food, was out for about 3hrs.  I dunno if seeing all the free food kept my mind on food.  BP remained somewhat high.  130/99 last night, 145/112 at 10am, 134/98 at 3p, and 148/92 at 9p after fast was over.  Just took metroprolol today, in case BP dropped.   Definitely was ready to eat at 7p, the last I wasn't even hungry after the 24hrs.  

24-hr Fast #2

 A week after the first 24-hr fast, I did another one today.  BP had seemed to drop a little since doing the first 24-hr fast.  My BP averages somewhere around 135/95.  Of course, some days are higher, some days are lower.  I stopped taking HCTZ 5 days ago, only Metroprolol for now.  HCTZ flushes out good nutrients too so I thought this might be a good time to wean off that one.  Also cuz that one doesn't have major side effects if I stop it suddenly.   Surprised to see my BP hasn't spiked despite cutting it out.   Been eating better this past week cuz David's not been eating cuz of his tooth pain so I've been able to cook what I want for dinner. So ate more fish and vegetables.  I think I felt cleaner going into this second fast.  Still been having bloating issue tho. 

This time was a lot easier than last time.  Didn't think about it much, and although my tummy growled a few times, I didn't feel super hungry.  Had my two cups of ginger/ume tea and light miso soup once.  The saltiness of these drinks seem to really help.   Hit the 24-hr mark at 615p, was working till 830p today.  I wasn't really hungry and felt I could go at least a couple more hours without eating.  But since I knew I was cleaning after work and not getting home till about 930p I decided to eat.  Took a can of italian wedding soup since it was only 200 calories and thought it would be easier on my digestion, but also the meatballs might satisfy my hunger.  The soup didn't taste as good as I thought it would.  Had a small piece of dark chocolate after which tasted good.   Had started to fart mid-afternoon.

Got home around 930p, had a cup of orange juice, a flan I made yesterday, some strawberries, and a bamboo shoot steamed bun, and two olives (gotta get my MUFAs in!)  Wasn't really hungry but I had this desire to eat.  Tummy starts bloating a little, so I stop eating.  

We'll see how my BP is this week and if there are any other changes.  BP at 936p: 137/94 (77),  last several days my heart rate has been in the 70s, low 80s even when the BP is high.  Typically it averages mid-80s ~ mid-90s.   Still continuing with the morning lemon water and celery juice (started Apr 24 so its been a little over a month now).  Live tonic pill just once a day now (started May 5, 3x/day for two weeks, then 1x/day).  Also started drinking a spoonful of olive oil on May 28.  (except fast days)

Found myself not tired at night, stayed up till 1230a.  Usually by 11p or so my eyes start getting tired.  Next morning, naturally woke up at 630a, felt refreshed, but had an allergy attack.  Start sneezing and got cold, and fell asleep.  Woke again a little before 8a (when my alarm was set.)  Mildly tired (probably from the body fighting the allergy) but felt rested.  Morning BP before getting up, still lying in bed was 149/100 (71).

24-hr fast

BP still kind high despite taking meds everyday, drinking lemon water and celery juice, only drinking alcohol once or twice a week, for over 3 weeks now.   So thought I'd try fasting for 24hrs.  Started my fast yesterday at 6:45p, after having lasagna for dinner, and a piece of chocolate and two japanese gummies.  Didn't crave anything that night, must of been in a fasting, mental mode. Drank lemon ginger tea in the evening, read that staying hydrated helps with the hunger.  Read Jo Koy's book till about 11p before going to bed. Woke up before my alarm clock, felt rested.  Dunno if not being on my phone that night had anything to do with it. Or not eating about 4 hrs before bed.  Had lemon water first thing in the morning, and drank another 16oz water while cleaning.  No celery juice today, has too many calories.  Had a couple cups of ginger/ume tea before work.  Strained the ginger and only used the ume juice to avoid any calories.  The salt helped keep me satisfied although I felt hungry.  Kept myself busy, did a longer walk with Roscoe, went to the thrift store, though I kept thinking about my fast and what I would eat to break the fast later.  Started work at 1p today, still having short moments of hunger but nothing real bad.  Once I got to work, pretty much didn't think about it.  Drank a half-strength miso soup (12oz) and genmai-cha (16 oz) which kept me going till I was off work.  Had also taken 12oz of water but didn't touch it.  Stomach rumbled a few times, but nothing bothersome.  Got home around 6:30pm, was ready to eat but wasn't starving.  Ate a steamed artichoke, avocado, little rice with gomashio, hot tofu, an egg, 4 prunes, and 3 almond crackers.  I think it was about 500 calories, or even less.  My mouth wanted to eat more but decided to stop, and switch to tea for the night.  Overall, it was easier than I thought, I think I can do this once a week.  Chocolate sounds good, but I'll be good and hold off till tomorrow. 

Stats:  BP at 11pm: 164/109.  Had been chillin, reading in bed.  10am: 137/98. 12pm: 130/100. 6:40p: 142/99.  So no real drop in BP. Yes, it's only been one day.  We'll see tomorrow, and the next week after my second 24-hr fast.  

Didn't think about my hand joints this morning.  9p now, left hand has some joint pain in pinky and ring finger, other three fingers feel fine.  Stomach feels heavy.  It's growling.  Prolly digesting all the food.  Mild headache.  Starting to unwind, feeling little tired. 

Around 12:30pm (18hrs in), head felt a little fuzzy.  Laid down for 5min and was fine after that.  Didn't feel tired at all today, but no bursts of energy either.  Pretty level, consistent energy level all day.  Head clear. And I guess I felt light.

Next morning: Slept well, woke up 30min before alarm clock.  Still joint pain in hands. BP after coming home from cleaning and walking Roscoe: 110/95 (left), 127/94 (right).  Weight: 116lbs (119 lbs right before fasting, could be water weight)

Lemon Water & Celery Juice

Been having issues with bloating so read the book "Medical Medium" which pointed out a sluggish liver can cause a lot of health problems, one of which is Mystery High Blood Pressure, (hypertension without a known cause) and bloating. So I thought I'd give some of his points a try.  So lemon water first thing in the morning,  wait at least 15-30 min, then celery juice, again wait 15-30 min before eating.  And avoid eating radical fats till lunch.  Radical fats are animal products, eggs, dairy, nuts, avocados, and cooking oils.  And avoid caffeine and alcohol. He says the liver detoxes during the night and up to noon, so it's important not to disrupt the process.  I followed it all for the most part, had 3 drinks, no coffee but green tea a couple times, no eggs.   Been doing this for 15 days now, it said it takes minimum 2 weeks before seeing changes.  One thing I noticed is that I feel less thirsty.  Most noticeably right before bed and thru the night and in the morning, and during work.  So I guess I am more hydrated.   Still waiting for inflammation to go down, I figure if the right hand started looking like the left hand that something is working.  Also keeping an eye out for morning hand pain.  Also started taking digestive/system enzymes a few days ago before bed, and a Liver Tonic pill 3 times a day for 2 weeks and then once a day, it's been about 4 days on that.  Still having bloating issues and burping and farting but the bloating hasn't been as extreme as it was a month ago. 

4.24.21 Day 1 of Lemon Water/ Celery Juice

5.12.21 My hands not so dry, still patches of white in corners but looks more hydrated.

5.12.21 Made chicken tatsuta for dinner.  Been awhile since I deep fried.   Notice joints in left hand kinda stiffy/achy. Dunno if it's related.  Also had salad and a sip of David;s beer. And a tangerine.  

COVID-19 Vaccine Shot #2

2nd shot today at 4:15pm.  The jab hurt more this time, the lady thinks the needle was bigger this time.  830p...mild soreness in arm, otherwise feel fine.  No tiredness, stiffness.  David has some fatigue, but dunno if its related to vaccine.  He also took one tylenol after shot. 

Next day AM:  Arm sore but not as much as after first shot.  Mild headache, mild tightness upper back and neck.  David still having fatigue issues.

Next day Afternoon:  Started to feel tired, took an hour nap around 3pm.  Headache back, it had went away by middday.  David sleeping most of day.  He also has a headache and chills.