A Consumer Test

If you read my blog, you know that I've been suffering from something I call "chronic fatigue." I don't know if that's what a doctor would officially call it or not. I just know that that phrase is a concise way for me to describe the problem.

I read an article in the 2/16/09 issue of First magazine that described my symptoms perfectly: extreme tiredness; rapid weight gain; intestinal, um, irregularities. The article suggests that I might suffer from intestinal parasites. Ewww, you might think. I'm trying not to go there.

Why parasites? Well, I have dogs, cats, and fish. I don't suspect the furry critters as much as the finny (!) critters. I know that aquariums can have lots of little creepy things that can make people sick, and I'm not real careful about keeping the aquarium clean or how I clean it. I syphon the dirty water out and have occasionally had a bit in my mouth! I also stick my hands in the aquarium a lot, and don't always run over and wash up right away. So I don't think that parasites is much of a leap.

The magazine goes on to give a "treatment" for those who have "mild symptoms," one for "fast results," and one for "stubborn infestations." I won't go into a lot of detail, but I went out today and bought cranberry juice and pumpkin seeds (fast results). I also bought some Activia yogurt. Thought I'd give that a try, too, although the article didn't really mention yogurt. I just figure it can't hurt.

I've also ordered part one of a two-part treatment for "stubborn infestations." It's something called Verma-Plus. You take it until the bottle is finished, then you take Para-Key. (If you're curious, you can find them both here.) They're both herbal supplements that cost more than what I'd normally be willing to spend, but my quality of life is in the toilet.

I was thinking about that - quality of life - after watching something on TV. I'd say on a scale of one to ten, mine is about a two. Maybe a three. I do nothing I don't have to do. I'm too tired. Energy drinks used to help. They don't anymore. Even the five-hour energy shots don't help anymore. I could drink either one and take a nap. Honestly. Coffee with an espresso shot helps me have a little more energy when I'm at work. And that's why I'm now willing to spend nearly $100 to buy herbal treatments named in the magazine.

And that brings us to the title of this post: A Consumer Test. I plan to report on my progress as I try these different things. I'll let you know what I consume and if I'm feeling any better.

Tonight I will consume 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds. I've never had them before and I'm hoping I like them, of course! Or just that they don't totally suck! I will also drink some cranberry juice and eat one Activia yogurt. I'm also going to eat a steak, but that has nothing to do with this!

I'll keep you posted.