How do your genes fit?

I'm a mutant!  Run for your life!  I have genetic mutations, that is. 

I've found a complete game changer in my healing: genetics!  Genetics is very complicated and complex and your genetic information is PURE GOLD when it comes to healing.  You ever wonder why so many people can handle their Lyme Disease (and don't even know they have it!), or why every single treatment plan is different, why some people respond to certain medications and some don't....it's all in the genes, man.  Knowing your genetic make up is an absolute game-changer when healing. 

At the behest of my favorite LLND, I did a gene test through a company called 23andme.  Initially, I was interested in finding out if I have a couple broken genes (specifically ones for detoxifying and mold accumulating).  It took me awhile to do the saliva sample and send it off, I guess because knowledge about your genes isn't knowledge you can UN-KNOW.  And, your genes are something you can't change, either.  But I finally decided, ok, I'd get this done and focus on the few genes that can really complicate healing from Lyme and toxic black mold.

When the results did come back, a whopping 6 weeks later, I was more lost than I was before.  Because of the type of lab that 23andme is, they do not interpret your data for you and you receive 40 pages of what looks like serial numbers  (but hey - that's because it only cost $99 instead of $800!).  MTRR A66G, CBS A360A, and COMT V158M are examples.  So you can imagine, I was left scratching my head.  I did some sleuthing and found a site that you can run your results through and it kind-of turns it into useful information.  The key with this is to have your data interpreted by a nurse or doctor or someone who's familiar with reading raw genetic data.  

Anyway, the genes that affect my immunity and healing and were found to be mutated and causing problems are VDS, CBS, and MTRR.  

So basically, my body lacks the ability to make a crucial enzyme that's needed to process stuff through the body.  And, the previous step to the broken enzyme-maker is also busted.  And the one that has something to do with vitamin D absorption, and I think maybe there was another mutation.  Great news is that we can work on all of it with specific supplementation in a specific order and time frame to get back on track.

Without knowing this, we would have been shooting arrows in the dark.  In my experience, knowing my genetic make up has been positively instrumental in getting this healing done.  

Note: I just cannot figure out why I'm unable to reply to comments here on the blog.  Oh, computers.  I'm stumped and don't like leaving people hanging.  So if you do have a comment or question, please get a hold of me on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/waterwithlyme.  

Like sand through an hourglass

No, I've never been a Days of Our Lives watcher (if that's even the right soap opera that phrase comes from).

Yes, I have been getting better - most of the time, overall I think.  I'm still dead tired, having temperature regulations problems, tinnitis, dizziness, headaches, neck pain, and my right knee really hurts, but none of that is nearly as bad as it was a year ago.  A. year. a. go.

We're working on refinancing our mortgage and the woman at the bank was asking me about my work history - ha.  Since I've been too sick to work (except for these great couple of months before I got too worn out again in the fall), we have to do some extra leg work to do this refinancing business.  So naturally, this dear woman was very curious why a perfectly normal-looking person is sitting in front of her telling her she's too sick to work.  She vaguely recalled something about Lyme Disease and inquired...is this STILL Lyme Disease?  And the answer was, Yup.  Since August 2011.  That's when I got all weird in my head.  It's 2013.  

I've been sick for approximately 1 year and 7 months.  1 year and 7 months of feeling lousy isn't that bad, but 1 year and 7 months of wasted productivity is.  And don't get me wrong, I count myself lucky - there are plenty of people who are far sicker than I am, have no access to healthcare (thanks a lot, for-profit healthcare system), and have been sick for 15+ years.  I count my blessings.  

I just wish I could work on all these projects I used to work on.  Or could have the energy to make my husband dinner every night.  

This is when I have to remember the key to all of this - thankfulness!  No, I couldn't spend 5 hours today working on my projects, but yes, I was able to eek out one blog post!  No, I didn't have the energy to stand for 45 minutes to wash dishes, but yes, I was able to bring all of them to the kitchen.  Don't spend your energy or your time focusing on all the can't's in your life.  That won't be worth your time.  But feeling better about what you can do is well worth your time.