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.