Changes & Additions

Yesterday I added a ton of new links on MVP Internet information sources. I also added a few MVP clinics and valve repair hospitals. In addition, I added a new section called "Research Corner" for providing the latest research I've found on the Internet. If anyone else has research information to share, please do so! I know it's hard to come by since not much research is done on our condition.

Never thirsty

I know one of the common symptoms of MVP/S is never feeling thirsty, but sometimes I think I have that symptom completely down-pat. I can easily go an entire day and never feel like I need to drink anything. An entire day!

I tried to do some research this morning on this strange symptom and found virtually nothing. Granted, I only "searched" for all of five minutes, but still.

Here's something extraordinary I did find (read with great sarcasm)... If you've ever wondered how to interpret highly complex algorithms for determining your thirst level, here they are:

1. "I am never thirsty" - Never being thirsty
2. "Rarely thirsty" - Being infrequently thirsty
3. "Average/sometimes thirsty/don't know" - Normal thirst level
4. "Frequently thirsty" - Frequent thirst
5. "Always thirsty" - Constant thirst

Now, don't you feel enlightened? I know I do. I found that at DiagnoseMe. What a helpful site it is, too (now dripping with sarcasm).

I know I need to drink, regardless if I feel thirsty or not, but unless you've got yourself an alarm clock or something by your side at all times, it's hard to remember. So far the biggest help I've had is to bring my daily supply of water with me at all times and have it sitting in front of me. Every time I look up, I see it, and remember to drink it. (Doesn't mean I do it, but it means I remember it. HA!)

Adequate hydration improves your skin, helps with digestion and helps to flush out toxins and other impurities in your body.

That great quote came from Liz, at http://www.fitnessbyliz.com/

Ok, I know I need to drink more -- so I will make a more concerted effort now. Time to go fill up my cup...

For those of you who think you may have MVP/S, check out my web site at MVPSupport.com.

Happy Monday!

We spent the weekend at the lake, and I had way too many lovely caffeinated drinks -- and now I'm paying for it. Why do I do this to myself? Mountain Dew just tastes so good...

I find it's tougher to "be good" when you're not at home, in control, in your element. I would never dream of drinking a Mountain Dew when I'm at home, and yet I have no problem doing so when I'm out in the middle of a lake. Make sense? I think not.

Whew!

Well, I'm up way past my bedtime, but the project is completed so I feel happy. What an immense amount of work! My eyes are being held open with toothpicks, so I suppose I should hit the hay. I hope everyone enjoys the new site... I had a lot of fun working on it. Let me know if you have any suggestions for it, I'll be happy to oblige if I can!

It's done!

The website's redesign is all done and will be going live in the next couple of days. I hope everyone finds the information helpful. If you have any comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Luckiest day

They say today is the "luckiest day" and I think they are right, because I actually found some chocolate that's ok (sort of) to eat.

It's "Tastykake Sensables" Sugar-free Chocolate Chocolate Chip finger cakes.

Oh my! They are quite "tasty" indeed.

Of course you have to weigh (pun intended) the pros and cons of what's more important to you: sugar reduction or fat reduction -- because in diet foods there doesn't seem to be a good marriage of the two. For me being addicted to sweets, sugar reduction is slightly more important than fat reduction, so the 8g (!) of fat in these tiny little cakes are [just barely] acceptable.

For such tiny cakes they do have lots of fiber (4g) and good protein (3g) and only 100 calories.

I have to have something, so this will have to be it.

Chocolate

I know I need to give it up, but it's like being told I have to give up breathing. I don't know about the rest of you, but chocolate is an addiction for me. When I try to do without it, I have to suffer through the most excruciating withdrawal -- usually lasting three or four days. The migraine is continuous for those entire four days, and it makes it so you cannot function at all.

The other night (after a full two days) I just couldn't take the pain anymore. I ate a brownie. Then another. Then one more.

Within an hour the migraine was gone. Just like that. Gone.

What can I do? Chocolate is a drug I just don't know how to live without.

Jump & Jive

You know the saying about what to do if you catch on fire? "Stop, drop and roll"? That's what it seems like my heart has been doing lately.

For the past two days I've been trying to get back to "clean" eating (cutting out all chocolate and caffeine and sugar) and it's stressing my body out. I've had a migraine for two days, and my heart keeps rockin' & rollin'.

I've got 17 lbs to lose so I've got to stick with the clean eating, but my body is fighting it with every ounce of its being! The pain is outrageous, and the palpitations and "rolling" sensation are all driving me crazy.

Is it tomorrow yet?!?!?!? Maybe detox will be over (hopefully) by then. For now it feels like my heart is making its own fireworks.

New Design

Here is the new design for the 10th anniversary make-over of the website! It will take a few weeks to get it all working so don't look for the unveiling anytime in the near future... Just thought you'd like to see it!