Zinc and Copper Autoimmune Issues

 The issues that I had with Thym-Adren last week were NOT related to an adrenal imbalance.  It was a Zinc/Copper problem that is probably an autoimmune issue.  ARGH!  The adrenals spiked after the latest Candida dump but that lasted less than 1 day.  Instead of going back to my usual dosage, I became intolerant to Thym-Adren the next day and improved only after it began to clear my system.  I tried taking a modulator and even an adrenal stimulant.  None of them were tolerated. 

In yesterday's morning session, I set a good pace for 1/3 mile.  My legs had decent pop, but I was extremely winded and knew that I could not hold it.  Sure enough, it quickly became apparent that I still needed the Thym-Adren.  One big problem:  I still could not tolerate it!   Without the adrenal support, I am screwed.  It wasn’t an instant reaction like I am used to but within an hour or so, I became extremely stiff, sore and depressed. 

The afternoon session was the hated interval test.  I opened with a 1:29 half lap (8:54 pace) and no I could not have held it for a Mile.  I popped a Tylenol and improved to a 1:23 (8:18 pace).  MINUS 36 while feeling slightly better.  I’ll consider that enough to be significant but not enough to be a game changer.  The fact that I did improve after taking the Tylenol is strong evidence that it was indeed an inflammatory autoimmune reaction. 

Perhaps if I took prescription strength Ibuprofen, this could become a manageable condition.  I’d probably only need it on the days that I had a severe flare up.  I did not try additional Tylenol pills, but I am betting that I would have seen further improvements if I had done so.  Still, I don’t like that as a solution.  It only treats the symptoms while ignoring the root cause, and it could lead to other problems.  Instead of that I tried several other pills that I thought might make a difference including Cytokine suppressants, B-12 and Molybdenum.  In each case, my time for the half lap was between 1:21-1:23.  At best, I was only 12 seconds faster per mile and felt no discernable difference.  NOT enough to be considered significant. 

Finally, my last interval came after taking Zinc.  This one WAS A GAME CHANGER!  My time improved to 1:05 (6:30 pace) and I was only going at about 80-85% effort.  That’s MINUS 1:36!  BECAUSE OF ONE EFFING PILL!!!   It was only 2-3 weeks ago that I had problems because I took too much Zinc!  If I take more than one Zinc pill every day then as sure as I’m alive, I will flip to the other side of the spectrum before too long!  What I need is a PRECISE ratio of Zinc/Copper in my pills.  Thym/Adren has a 20:1 ratio, which is clearly not high enough.  The modulator only has a 10:1 ratio so that explains why it did not work. 

If I took 1 Zinc (22 mg) and 2 Thym-Adren, the ratio becomes 64:1, which is too high.  I would need several more tests to determine the optimal ratio but I’m betting that it’s around 40:1 with a tolerable range of 30-50.  Any deviation from that range for more than just a couple of days will trigger a reaction.  4 Thym-Adren plus 1 Zinc would get the ratio down to 42:1. However, that may be too much adrenal suppression. Perhaps, I can find Zinc in a lower dosage, or I switch to the modulator, which may not be strong enough.  No win situation.  In addition to having to take a precise cocktail of pills, I will probably have to watch my diet and stay away from protein bars that contain copper. 

Is there a way out?  Maybe.  I had similar issues before with Cal/Mag and with methylation.  Taurine shut down the former case and the detox spray solved the latter.  Taurine is likely my best bet because it aids in mineral transport into the cells.  However, it is not without its downsides.  Taurine is not good for Candida overgrowth, and it can cause a sulfur overload.  It’s been one thing after another.  I keep thinking that once a clear this hurdle, it will be smooth sailing afterwards.  IT NEVER HAPPENS!   

Training 3/25-3/31

 3/25- First day without any adrenal support at all was no sudden miracle.  Did 1 mile at Montreat in 10:16 (5:06-5:10).  If I ran another mile, I would have faded but not collapsed.  Need to see improvement tomorrow.  I predict that I will get better for a few days then the need will kick back in with a vengeance.  

Distance-1.0

3/26- AM- Braved the rain for a half mile.  REALLY wanted to see improvement and I got it.  Time was 4:23 (8:46 pace) and believed that I had a sub-9.  Plan to be back out this evening.

PM- Lakeshore 2.5 in 22:59 (9:12 pace).  I'll take it.  Improving steadily.  Faded a bit on the back half (11:23-11:36) but I'm sure that I had enough juice for a sub-30 5K.  Don't think I would have made my best of the year (28:48).  Still off the adrenals.

Distance-3.0

3/27- AM- Only planned to run 1 lap at Montreat and clocked a solid 2:29 (7:27 pace) but it was unsustainable.  I was as winded as if I ran an all out 400.  If I had run 1 mile, I would have seen a massive fade on the back half.  Must go back to the Thym Adren.  

PM- Can't tolerate the Thym Adren.  I'll explain it in a separate post.  Did a series of intervals.  Tylenol helped but it wasn't a game changer.  Nothing else was even a factor except for Zinc.  The Zinc was a game changer but I am too sensitive to it.  I must try Taurine.

Distance-1.5

3/28- AM- Planned 2 miles but had to settle for 1 in a time of 9:50.  Started off pretty well but faded after the first quarter mile and it got worse from there.  Splits were 4:34-5:16.  I thought it was an adrenal spike but it was an insatiable need for Taurine.  That won't last long.

PM- Correct about the Taurine.  Half lap intervals in which I popped a Taurine pill after each.  Splits were 99-90-80.  Pace improved from 9:54 to 8-flat.  This is nothing new.

Distance-1.5

3/29-AM- REAL adrenal spike!  Again, I could not go more than 1 mile.  Did the first half in 5:48 then popped 2 Taurine pills and was only marginally better with 5:45.  Definitely NOT significant.  Overall time was 11:33.  The same pill that worked so well yesterday is suddenly ineffective.  A few hours later, it became even more obvious that it was an adrenal spike.  It will calm down by tomorrow.  Then, something else will pop up.

PM- Adrenal spike is starting to go down already.  2 miles at Veteran's Park for a change.  3 laps around the lake.  It's a gravel trail so I can expect to be a little slower than at Lakeshore.  Finished in 20:32 (10:16 pace).  Even pace and never really struggled but could not pick up much speed.  Big improvement over the morning.  In THEORY, I've got everything squared away but it never happens in reality.

Distance=3.0

3/30- Junk run.  Just 1 mile.  Adrenal spike was still there in the morning but it was over by evening.  

Distance-1.0

3/31-AM.  Confirmed that the adrenal spike is over.  1 mile in 11:02.  First half in 5:20 then slipped to 5:42 after taking the pills.  I expect to stabilize at the normal dose in a couple days.  This is exactly what I wanted to see.  Significantly worse but didn't collapse.  

PM- Repeated the 2 miles at Veterans Park.  Improved to 19:10 (9:35 pace) but faded badly on the last lap.  Splits were 6:13-6:13-6:44.  Coaxed another mile as a cool down but it was at 12 minute pace.

Distance-4.0

15 miles on the week.  Highest total of the year.

Training 3/18-3/24

 3/18- Took no Zinc or Vitamin C today and I was a lot better.  Opened with a 200 at Vestavia at Mile effort in 72 seconds (9:36 pace).  Popped just ONE CBS/NOS pill and I was down to 61 (8:08 pace) on the same effort.  I figured that pace was sustainable for a Mile and I was correct. I actually did better.

Finished in 7:52 (1:54-2:01-2:01-1:56).  Best time of the year and I'm now within 12 of my reset PR.  I am pleased with the improvement but I HATE BEING SO DEPENDENT ON JUST ONE PILL!  I predict that I will need it again this afternoon.  May be back out in the evening.

PM- 1.5 miles in 13:41 (9:07 pace).  Looks like a run of the mill workout but if you dig deeper, it's an interesting outcome.  Splits were 7:32-6:09.  It was a steady 10 minute pace until the turnaround then I popped the pill.  No additional effort but my pace improved to 8:12 on the back half.  Figure that if I was going all out, I could have matched the 7:52 give or take a few ticks.  

As expected, I DID need the pill again.  Strangely, if I take multiple pills, I won't see a significant improvement versus just 1 pill.  It must be taken in divided doses.  I predict that this extreme need will eventually fade and it will happen suddenly.

Distance=3.0

3/19- Nothing should surprise me anymore.  Today, I got out surprisingly well without the pill then got MUCH WORSE after taking it early in the run.  I planned on 2 miles but had to settle for 1 in a time of 9:58.  Splits were 4:25-5:33.  That's right.  Yesterday's medicine was today's poison.  This is nothing new but this collapse hit me especially hard.  It's becoming increasingly clear that I need to see the Rheumatologist.

Distance-1.0

3/20- Worse than horrible in the morning but better in the afternoon.  I laid off the CBS NOS but it will take time to clear.  Did 2 laps at Montreat in 6:39 (9:59 pace).  First lap was 3:20 then was fractionally better on the NAC.  Non-factor.  Just what I wanted to see.  No improvement but it didn't hurt me.  Hopefully I don't need it again and will continue to improve by staying off the CBS NOS.  I may have a little caffeine withdrawal this weekend.

Distance-1.0

3/21- One thing after another.  2 miles in 18:18 (9:09 pace).  Looks like one of my better efforts this year but there is trouble on the horizon.  Splits were 8:48-9:30.  Feels like an adrenal spike and another bad weekend ahead.

PM- As expected, the adrenal spike hit HARD shortly after the work day started.  I was forced on mega Thym-Adren to function.  Then, surprisingly, it was over before the end of the day, which left me sluggish due to the excess.

Distance-2.0

3/22- AM-Back to the normal dose of Thym-Adren but it was still too much.  1 mile in 11:52.  I don't recall the exact splits but the pace was pretty even, maybe a hair faster on the back half.  I expected to struggle but I didn't expect it to be THIS bad.  Good news is that I took a CBS/NOS pill afterwards and felt nothing.  It was medicine early in the week then poison later.  Now, it seems to be a non-factor.  That is VERY good news.  

PM- The CBS/NOS definitely didn't hurt me.  I don't think it helped though.  I was better because the adrenals are getting back to equilibrium after yesterday's mega dose.  Repeated the 1 Mile distance this time at Montreat and my time is down to 10:04.  Popped a Zinc at the halfway point and was slightly better but not enough to be significant.  Splits were 5:06-4:58.  Caffeine withdrawal may be rough this weekend but I had to use it to get through a tough week at work.  

Distance=2.0

3/23- Woke up sluggish despite not taking Thym-Adren for 24 hours.  Decided to try it without pills.  Clocked a 3:11 lap (9:33 pace), barely enough to be significant and was expecting better.  Did a 3:13 on CBS/NOS, which is definitely NOT significant.  That pill is officially a non-factor, which is very good news   Bad news is that I still can't take the Thym Adren.  I slipped to 3:38 (10:54 pace) on that stuff.  Modulator seemed to help.

Distance -1.0

3/24- Went with the modulator and started off pretty well.  Power cut off just after the half mile mark.  Determined to finish 2 miles no matter how ugly.  Finished in 20:46 (10:23 pace) with splits of 9:32-11:14.  Modulator is not the answer.  Stimulant only made it worse.  I can't tolerate any type of adrenal support!   What to do now?  I have no problem with any other pill.  All I can do is lay off and I expect the need to kick back in.

Distance-2.0

-12 miles

Nor-Cal Road Trip Plan

 The 2024 road trip picture is starting to come into focus.  I strongly considered Arizona in April, but it doesn’t fit my schedule.  The Diamondbacks are on the road almost every weekend and work will be busy at the end of this month.  Wait until next year on that one.  April is definitely the best month to go to Arizona.  The only definite is Turks and Caicos in mid-June.  My parents are celebrating their 50^th anniversary this year and I will certainly not say no to that even though it wasn’t on my bucket list. 

Leaning towards Toronto/Newfoundland, which will be done either Memorial Day or Independence Day.  It’s a little close to the T&C trip either way but it’s probably the best fit.  I cannot do this and Alaska in the same year but really want at least one of those.  I’m just one state away from 50 times 2 and one province away from all 10 in Canada.  I’ll likely use the other free weekend to go to the North Carolina coast.  I wanted to go there last Fall but the weather turned cold, and I opted for Florida. 

I have several options for Labor Day weekend, but I am leaning towards Nor-Cal.  Here’s the plan:

Day 1- The best airport is probably Reno, Nevada with a connection in either Dallas or Denver.  I’ll arrive in mid-afternoon.  I should have some time to explore Lake Tahoe on the California side and I’ll spend the night in South Tahoe. 

Day 2- I will spend a couple more hours at Lake Tahoe then head west to Oakland (3 hours).  Sacramento could be a good lunch stop.  Hopefully, I arrive after check-in so I can put my bag in the hotel room.  I worry about car break-ins, but I should be okay if I stay in a decent area.  I will NOT take my car to San Francisco.  My hotel must be within walking distance of a BART station.  I’ll spend a few hours in SF then go back to Oakland for the night.  Hopefully, the Giants play in the evening.  

Day 3-Full day in San Francisco.  On my list are a Giants game, Coit Tower, Lombard Street, Union Square plus the Golden Gate bridge up close and possibly Sausalito.  A sunset cruise could be really nice.  At any rate, I’ll be back to my hotel in Oakland for another night.

Day 4- Leave Oakland and head back east to Yosemite NP.  I will either spend the night there or in Mammoth Lake. 

Day 5- Finish touring Yosemite then head back to Tahoe via Tioga Pass.  This road is only open from May-October because the elevation and snowfall.  Drive up the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe then back to Reno for the night. 

Day 6- Fly home.  Reno is in the Pacific time zone so that means I lose 2 hours going home.  I’ll shoot for an early departure so I get back to B’ham at a decent hour.     

Training 3/11-3/17

 3/11- Adrenal spike hit hard yesterday afternoon.  All I could do was junk intervals.  Best showing was 1 lap at Montreat in 3:27 (10:21 pace).  Curious finding.  I was slightly better on both the NAC and the Moly.  Not sure what to do about that going forward.  NAC alone won't work.  Not sure about Moly alone.  Maybe neither.  I didn't see a significant improvement until I took mega Thym Adren.

Distance-1.0

3/12-AM.  Adrenal spike appears to be over.  1 mile in 11:40 but I was slightly worse after the extra Thym-Adren today.  Splits were 5:43-5:57.

PM- 2 miles on Lakeshore in 20:36 (10:18 pace) with splits of 10:22-10:14.  It was UGLY but I am encouraged by the improvement over the morning.  I doubled the distance and increased the pace by 1:22 per mile while laying off the Thym-Adren.  I expect continued improvement tomorrow.

Distance=3.0

3/13- Junk intervals.  Insatiable need for Moly has kicked in just as I feared.  I improved from 1:46 to 1:10 at Montreat but just a few hours later, I needed more pills.  This probably won't last long.  

Distance-1.0

3/14- AM.  1 mile at Montreat in 9:42.  Nothing special.  Slight negative split.  Need for Moly appears to be fading already.

PM- 2 miles in 19:08 (9:34 pace).  Splits were 9:40-9:28.  Improvement over the morning.  I'll take it.  The need for Moly is fading but it's still there.  Hopefully it will be gone by tomorrow.  I hope to squeeze in a morning session but it may be rained out 

Distance-3.0

3/15- Rain did hold off but I didn't press my luck on Lakeshore.  Vestavia Mile in 8:12 (4:10-4:02) with a 1:57 last go round.  Best time of the year by 14 seconds.  Can I fairly compare a track run to the Montreat loop?  I think so.  I'm nearly certain that Montreat is 20-30 yards short of 1 Mile but that's offset by the hills so I call it even.  I'm still 32 seconds short of my reset PR.  That's it for today.  It will get nasty this afternoon.

Distance-1.0

3/16- COLLAPSE.  Hoped to run at least 4 miles but had to settle for 1 in a pitiful 10:40.  Felt decent early but it got worse and worse as it progressed.  Splits were 4:50-5:50.  Culprit was too much CBS/NOS (same effect as moly).   Where to go from here?  I don't know.  I did re-order the Moly but I hope that I can stabilize on just 1 CBS/NOS pill. Either that or I quit the CBS/NOS and just rely on the Moly.  

Distance=1.0

3/17- Found out yesterday that Zinc is BAD.  I cannot take it with CBS/NOS, probably because of the copper depletion.  Today, I started on CBS/NOS and got noticeably better on 1 pill.  Opened with a 3:38 lap at Montreat (10:54 pace).  Popped another and improved to 3:33 (10:39 pace).  At these pace, I don't consider this to be a significant improvement.  At least it didn't hurt me.  The only thing that helped was extra Thym-Adren.  I don't think it's an adrenal spike.  It's probably a Zn.Cu imbalance.  I felt better because it contains more Cu relative to Zn.  Improved to 3:02 (9:06 pace), which is most definitely a significant improvement.  

Going forward:

CBS/NOS plus Zinc is a DEFINITE NO.  Zinc alone as well as Moly+ Zinc is probably a NO.    

It will either be Moly alone, CBS/NOS alone or both.  Zinc may be added back at a later date but at a lower dose or on an occasional basis.

Distance=2.0

-12 miles on the week.

Training 3/4-3/10

 3/4- 2 miles on Lakeshore in 20:56 (10:28 pace) with splits of 10:14-10:42.  UGLY!  It took a push at the end to shore up the sub-21.  Still a significant improvement over yesterday.  Vitamin E likely triggered an adrenal reaction not an autoimmune issue.  That makes me feel a little better.  If I'm not better by the end of the month, I must go back to the doctor.

Distance-2.0

3/5- 3 miles on South Lakeshore in 28:18 (9:26 pace).  Excellent pacing (14:08-14:10) with no real effort to kick at the end.  Solid improvement over yesterday.  Just 11 seconds per mile slower than my recent 5k.  For the millionth time, if I can do this regularly, the times will continue to improve.

Distance-3.0

3/6- Woke up at 1AM with severe abdominal cramps.  Unable to get back to sleep.  Didn't even make it to work today.  Napped off and on through the day.  Extremely weak but no fever.  Probably candida related but I have NOT abstained from sugar in recent days.

3/7-Opened with a pitiful 4:22 lap at Montreat.  Improved to 3:49 on Thym Adren but only did a 3:47 on autoimmune support.  Not a significant improvement.  I may be back in the evening.

PM- 1 mile in 13:22.  No comment.

Distance-2.0

3/8- Montreat Mile in 10:54.  Improvement over yesterday.  I credit the NAC.  It was the very thing that I couldn't tolerate just last month.  This will pass but it will be followed by an adrenal spike.

Distance-1.0

3/9- Step backwards.  1.5 miles in 17:40 (11:47 pace) with splits of 8:06-9:34.  I tried taking Moly but it reduces the effects of NAC.  When this passes, I must stop the NAC and hope I don't develop an insatiable need for Moly.

PM- Half mile junk run at Montreat.  Naked

Distance-2.0

3/10- UGLY 3 miles but at least I finished.  Time was 31:51 (10:37 pace).  Splits were 15:25-16:26.  Ouch!  I predict that the need for NAC will pass by the end of next week.  Adrenal spike is next.

Distance-3.0

13 miles on the week.  Pathetic but I believe that is my highest total of the year.