April Update

I'm still on the full GAPS diet.  Although, I did "cheat" a little over Easter.  Those darned gummy bears and jelly beans get me every time.  Fortunately (or not) they were "all natural" and organic. 

All my cravings for grains are gone.  Amazing. 

I've cut dairy out, though.  We were consuming raw dairy, but it seems to be too much for my children.  They had belly rashes and were having snoring issues.  We've been dairy-free, except for an occasional splash of left-over homemade raw yogurt in a smoothie or soup.  The rashes are going away and the snoring is dissipating. 

I'm still not eating pork either.  I've a 1/3 of a hog coming into my freezer this week and I can't eat it.  (insert sad face here)

The psoriasis is cleared up immensely.  There is a tiny patch on my right knee.  It's gone from my elbows and chest.  My hands and feet are still a little peely, but it's not too noticeable. 

One thing that is noticeable, to me anyway, are my fingernails.  The undersides of them are thick.  There is another layer of skin or nail underneath that is double the thickness of my fingernails.  It keeps my nails from breaking, which is nice, but it's just ugly. 

My journey is definitely not over, but I will probably post once a month now, unless I find a miracle cure of have some reaction to something. 

Be well, friends.

Day 35, Stage 6 (day 3)

Photo update...

It's been 35 days.  My psoriasis has improved amazingly.  Still, I don't know if it's been time that has had a hand in the healing or the GAPS diet.  The only way to really tell is to keep on keepin' on with the diet.  If it doesn't return, I'll be able to give GAPS credit.  If it does return, well, I'll cross that bridge if I ever reach it.



knee




Foot today



Foot four weeks into psoriasis - 4 1/2 weeks ago




left hand





I have nails...and I paint them (non toxic, eco-friendly polish, of course)



Day 16 - Psoriasis Update

It's been 16 days since I began the GAPS diet.  It's been one month since psoriasis came into my life.  Here is what my psoriasis looks like now:

The only other thing I did besides GAPS is lather my hands and feet in coconut oil and wear vinyl gloves on my hands and wrap my feet in plastic bags with socks over them.  I wore them like this pretty much all day.  My heels are still a little cracked, but not nearly as bad as they were a week ago.  With each step my feet hurt. 

Psoriasis

swollen and red hands, week 1

 Two weeks ago I developed swollen red hands and feet.  After a week, they started peeling.  Then I noticed other patches on my knees, elbows, underarms and a strip under my breasts. 


under breasts



elbow



knee



foot

They were a bit tender.  My hands were the worst.  My feet hurt to stand too long on them.  My hands were heat sensitive.  At the end of one week, my fingertips began to peel. 




one week and 4 days



knee, one week 4 days

I visited the doctor two days into the initial symptoms.  She had no idea and had to search the CDC website.  She guessed it was Parvovirus and sent me on my merry way.  One week later, I went to see a nurse practitioner and he said he had no idea, as did the doctor that was consulting.  They ran a blood test for liver dysfunction, Parvovirus and Lyme.  All came back negative.  They wouldn't see me again to run more tests.  They suggested I call a dermatologist.  I called them and they offered me the convenient and helpful appointment on the 24th of this month.  After some words, I have an appointment tomorrow.  Here's what it looks like today:

I bite my nails instead of smoking cigarettes.  I'm one of those with an oral fixation.  My fingernails are small to begin with.  However, after this whole skin peeling, swollen hands thing started, my nails have been weird.  My pinkie nail is just about gone. 
I Googled some info and found that this could all be psoriasis.  The thing that boggles my mind is, if it is, how it just comes out of nowhere and is just here...forever. 
My fingers and hands are tight.  It's uncomfortable to clench my hands and extend them.  They have cracked and bled. 
I'm hoping I can get a diagnosis and start my way onto being well again.  This all kinda stinks. 
Thanks for listening and sorry for grossing you out with photos.