Author Archives: brianzajac

Day 22 to 6 Months – Week 17

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What I Learned in Week 17 – Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

View From Vacation Rental in Costa Rica

View From Vacation Rental in Costa Rica

  • My Definition of Pura Vida – Defined as “Pure Life” (a sort of mantra they live by), I got to experience an environment that is alive and unspoiled.  I was blessed with seeing this amazing view along with wild spider monkeys, iguanas, and the colorful sights and sounds of it’s birds.  The people are quite friendly and every business owner seems to know each other.  Don’t expect perfectly paved roads, rules, or strict schedules – life is more laid back in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.  The fish is fresh and the restaurant food makes a great balance of protein and vegetable.  Fruit drinks were amazing and fresh (no concentrate – yes!).
  • Layers of Health / Mental Blocks – Prior to Costa Rica, I learned that healing doesn’t just come from food.  You must heal with physical exercise, spiritually (connecting with God), and mentally.  However, I saw a healer in Costa Rica and learned much more about how my body is communicating mental blocks in my life.  She even got down to the date of June 2004 (dealing with fear and hopelessness) and connected it with what has been happening recently.  And if not dealt with, those blocks can deter my healing.  Needless to say, this weekend, those feelings were worked on and I will continue to work on her other suggestions.
  • Personal Health Challenges
    – Pain in the Butt:  Since all the restaurants are open, the chairs are all hard and I was constantly adjusting and getting up to stay comfortable. To top it off, the TP in the bathrooms are like sandpaper as their water doesn’t flush as well as it does in the U.S.  Combine that with 1 1/2 hour drive to Fort Lauderdale airport, 3 hour flight, and another 2 1/2 hour drive to Manuel Antonio and you’ve got the makings of a sore butt, neck & back!
    – Endurance:  Florida is mostly flat land, but in Costa Rica it’s mountainous.  This was my first experience since the diet where I had to climb and with a 3km walking nature trail & the zip line, I worked out more than I had in months.  The great news is all that hard work is paying off and my attitude is more focused on getting the job done – pain can take a back seat.

    Mahi Mahi Chayote Mango Salad

    Mahi Mahi Chayote Mango Salad

    –  Food:  I’m happy to report that the ‘fringe foods’ I ate did not affect my health.  It helped solidify my thoughts that eating a healthy, whole foods diet can put my health back on track.  Some fringe foods include flan, fried plantains (although I didn’t eat much of those), light amounts of cheeses, and many different types of sauces.  The foods I liked best were their fresh fish, real fruit juices, coconut water, and the way they prepared the mixed vegetables.

My Health in Week 17

  • Overall:  As mentioned above, I did well in Costa Rica and gained strength.  I still slept on average around 10 hours of sleep per day, exercised in the pool each day, did my chiropractic exercises, and explored the area.  Getting back to Naples, it’s been a challenge with sleep since I used an air mattress in Costa Rica & now I’m using a firmer sleep number bed.  Sleeping is around 6-8 hours per day along with a 1 1/2 – 2 hour nap.
  • Current Areas of Concern:  Right side of neck (improving after chiropractor), left hip, lower spinal area and shoulder blade area (however improved much more before I left for Costa Rica), less sleep, and swollen ankles.  The weekend I felt quite tired and beat up due to the travel back from Costa Rica.
  • Areas of Improvement:  I can get up out of bed without my rope, but it seems to get tougher to do each time I do it.  I have more mobility and strength due to my trip in Costa Rica.
  • Supplements:  My supplements now only consist of Pylicorin, Probiotics, Vitamin D3, Magnesium (Gluconate), HCL (few times per week), digestive enzymes, and Maine Omega-3 fish oil.
  • Enbrel:  It has been 12 1/2 weeks since my last shot.
  • My lowest weight was 134 lbs. and a BMI of 18.72.

I Am Superman…For 1 Minute

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I’m no Superman…wait, YES I AM!

superman start

superman start

superman line

superman line

Week 16: Costa Rica Overview

During week 16 of the Auto Immune Diet, I traveled to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica for vacation.  Throughout all the difficulties during these past 4 months, I dreamed of going to  Costa Rica.  A unique opportunity from a special friend allowed me and my parents (it was our Christmas present to each other) to stay at a beautiful home along with cleaning, concierge and anything to make our stay stress-free.

Zip-Line

If you don’t know what a zip line is, check out this video:

Without a doubt, my number one focus was to conquer the zip line.  During my highest levels of inflammation, pain, mental stress, and suffering, I mentally conquered the Costa Rica zip line.  I prayed for healing, I worked my butt off, I ate what seemed like a 1000 salads, and I knew in my mind this was going to conquer it.

On Monday, 5/7, the big day arrived.  For “insurance” I took a Naproxen the night before and 3 Ibuprofen during breakfast.  The journey to the zip lines were bumpy dirt roads, a small hike uphill.  The zip line company, MidWorld, knew about my special condition and applied a waist harness for extra support.  I was ready:

Zipline Start

Zip Line Start

Three straps later, I was hooked in & shot off.  The experience was exhilarating and not, I repeat, not painful (just remember to tell them not to make the straps too tight).  What was painful, was at the end of the zip line:

Block Brake - End of Line

Block Brake – End of Line, Man

If you look at the photo above, you’ll see a wood block.  This is the brake so you don’t slam into the tree.  Problem is that it jarred my neck the 1st time.  So you need to be aware of it or suffer a shooting pain or sore neck.  The great news is this was the ONLY time I felt pain throughout the entire zip line experience.  When you get used to the experience, each zip line is so much fun.  Just take a look at this face:

Having Fun - Scream Like a Monkey!

Having Fun – Scream Like a Monkey!

During the end of the journey, you’ll need to repel a few times.  If you don’t think about it, it’s quite fun and, again, no pain.

Repel Line

Repel Line

Once your done on the dozen or so zip lines, you’re ready for the Superman.  Here’s what happens:

This is the closest I’ve ever felt to flying.  They strap you up in what looks like Costa Rican straight jackets:

No My Parents Are Not in Straight Jackets

No My Parents Are Not in Straight Jackets

Actually, these are the suits you wear for the Superman Line.  Walking like a duck, you get up on a declining table if you can.  For me, they picked me up, threw me on top like a sack of potatoes and shot me off. As some of you know, I don’t do well lying down on hard surfaces and my right hip was shooting pains for the 1st time + pain throughout most of the ride.

This is where all my praying and focus paid off.  Instead of “feeling” the pain, I recognized it for a second, thanked God for all I received today, and focused on the spectacular view.  Words cannot describe how cool it feels to fly at 40-60mph.

Without further ado, I am Superman…for a minute:

Superman Declining Table

Superman Declining Table

Starting the Superman

Starting the Superman

 Conclusion

All of the buildup and hard work paid off.  This was my “mountain” and it was conquered.  After everything was over, I actually felt better at the end of the zip line than I did at the beginning – it could have been the adrenaline, it could have been more.  As for the superman, it’s worth it.  As I’m writing this post, it’s the next day and I’ve slept for 12 1/2 hours and my body hurts in more areas…but still workable. Just remember to give yourself at least a day to rest afterwards.

Next week I will continue to report on my health, health tips, and tests for the Ankylosing Spondylitis / Auto Immune Diet.  Until then, Pura Vida!

Day 22 to 6 Months – Week 15

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What I Learned in Week 15

  • New Pillow:  I’ve been using the mid-core pillow a little less than a week – it’s supposed to correct your neck posture as you sleep.  Since there’s the indentation / hole in the middle, your neck goes back instead of forward throughout the night.  For me, the 1st week has been uncomfortable, but I did manage to sleep.  For those who sleep on their back, I was only able to sleep when I tilted my head slightly.  Otherwise I couldn’t breathe right and I snored.  Another trick to “lock” you into place is to take two rolled-up hand towels and place them on the opposite side of where you tilt your head to sleep.
  • Proper Sleeping Positions

My Health in Week 15

  • Overall:  Seeing big improvements, but major fluctuations every day.  I am now doing pool exercises at least 4 times a week, chiropractor 3 times this week, I sleep (with the daily nap) on average of 10 1/2 hours per day.  And, as usual, I follow a strict dietary plan until I get my medical tests back in a few weeks.
  • Current Areas of Concern:  Less trigger points below my right & left shoulder blade, mid-lower back of stiffness, right side rib area & below locks up / stiffness, and ankles swollen (less than last week).  The big issues are the hips this week.  I’ve been having issues sleeping on my back and keeping my ankles from opening out too much – it seems to lock one of my hips, I wake up and my day turns quite ugly.  I have to take a Naproxen so that the inflammation stops fighting with the locking.
  • Sleeping Positions 

There are debates to whether side sleeping is better than back sleeping, I currently sleep on my back similar to the bottom drawing – only I elevate my feet due to the swollen ankles.  I’m finding that it works sometimes (naps are good), but other times  (especially longer sleeps) I lock up.  If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comment box below.

  • Last Major Test I took the Vitamin Deficient test from Spectracell Labs on 4/30.  The test should be coming back in at the end of May.
  • Results from Dr. Alessi:
    Comp Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel, CBC with Diff w/ Pit, Amylase, Antinuclear Antibodies, CRP, Sed Rate, TSH (3rd Generation), Uric Acid, Urinalysis, Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy), and Testosterone Free Lipose.  I will also be taking a chest X-Ray as it can be difficult to breathe while inflamed. All tests turned out well (some low and high areas but all very near the acceptable range) except my Sed Rate / C-Reactive Protein.  Both are very high (SED rate now at 101, normal 0-15 range).  Also, my blood pressure was lower than expected.  Last visit a week ago was 118/70, now it was 94/60 – this did not concern the doctor, but I do need to watch.
    – Future suggestions for specialists in immunology / Ankylosing Spondylitis include the Shands Rheumatology (Gainseville) & the Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville).
  • Supplements:  My supplements now only consist of Pylicorin, Probiotics, Vitamin D3, Magnesium (Gluconate), HCL (few times per week), digestive enzymes, and Maine Omega-3 fish oil.
  • Enbrel:  It has been 10 1/2 weeks since my last shot.
  • My lowest weight was 133 lbs. and a BMI of 18.61 (5/2).  I am now underweight.