Renata Carmen Writes

I have been deep in the grip of a flare-up in inflammation, which has put my Health Tips for the Holidays Series on hold. I will be getting back into that shortly. In the meantime, I wanted to post something to keep this blog alive and kicking, but I'm in a ton of pain and have the worst brain fog and fatigue so it makes writing very difficult. Thus, this will be short, and probably full of silly technical errors. Please forgive any that do appear. In the going on 3 years now that I have been chronically ill, I have done a ton of research related to the matter. Some of my favorite sources are forums, where one can read the experiences of other patients. Not only do these stories provide unique and invaluable medical insights, and help me maneuver the complex health system more efficiently, they also validate my feelings. To know one is not alone when you feel desperately so is like giving water to someone wasting away in the desert. It could save a life. That is probably the most ...

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving yesterday filled with love, laughter, and wonderful foods! As we enter the joyful chaos of this Holiday Season, we find ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of social events: eating, shopping, eating, gifting, eating, and traveling (and did I mention eating??). This 45 day crunch of consumerism and partying can wreak havoc on the body’s defenses, making us more prone to catching the season’s flus, colds, and other bugs that threaten to dampen our merrymaking. There is nothing worse than being too sick to enjoy festivities that you have been looking forward to all year! So how does one survive this onslaught with enough vitality left-over to enjoy the ride all the way through midnight on December 31 st , and beyond into the New Year? Especially when you are at a slight disadvantage from having a chronic illness or compromised immune system? Most health sources quote the same usual remedies: Vitamin C, Echinacea, Elderberry, Garlic, Homemade Chick...

*Note: I am an independent, third party patient, reviewing new products that come into the dispensary I have designated as my Primary Care Center. They highly value constructive feedback from a patient who has a genuine debilitating condition, as well as previous experience in the industry. I hope my unique and candid insights help the Medical Cannabis Industry continue to evolve in ways that always keep patient needs first.* Please, if you find any value from this blog, please consider making a donation to the PayPal link at the top right of the page. I don't create these posts expecting anything but to help/entertain others, but I am a disabled mechanic/artist who is not currently receiving SSI/SSDI and when I'm flared up it's hard if not impossible for me to get my hustle on. I'm also working on adding Bitcoin here! :)  Management of chronic pain can be a great challenge. Most effective pain relievers are dangerous or potentially addictive, and every body has uniqu...

This last week has been pretty rough on me physically. I have had severe reactions to the 3 foods I re-introduced to my Elimination Diet during that time, and one of the reactions is still clinging to me very strong. Foods can effect us in all different ways, ways you wouldn't normally expect. Over the last week I've dealt with re-triggerings of some of my more troubling symptoms, including severe inflammation, cognitive dysfunction (memory problems, issues communicating), and sleep disorders. Something I ate yesterday caused a severe hyperactive state, and thus, I haven't yet slept. Its 8:22AM and I may be finally winding down and getting ready to crawl into bed. When I'm in the state I've been in for the last week, its almost impossible for me to write or be productive. My brain and body are so fried that just getting through the basics of the day are a great feat of will. Throw in the fact that I'm a perfectionist and a procrastinator and well, you have one h...