Well I did it - to see if nutrient issues were at the root of my pain I ate a protein and fat heavy breakfast yesterday (three eggs and six pieces of bacon) but to no avail, I didn't see any improvement. Thus, I continued on the rest of the day plan.

This morning, to my surprise, I was 195.8, which is 1.2 pounds down from yesterday, despite the breakfast experiment. This is my third day in a row with no injection, as I am on my period and am supposed to cease hCG for the three heaviest flow days. I'll be back on the normal injection schedule tomorrow.

Now, as for my mystery, miserable, malady. It appears I have shingles without a rash (herpes sine zoster). The muscle relaxants and ibuprofen aren't touching it, it is definitely nerve pain in an isolated area, and it looked like I had the barest splotchy rash pattern where the pain was. Except for the rash, every symptom fit perfectly, so I am waiting to hear back from my doctor about prescribing me some heavier duty pain killers that can affect nerve pain, and some acyclovir or other herpes-type mediation to address the chickenpox aspect of it. I am praying this is my road to recovery, as this has been brutally painful to the point that I oftentimes can't lay in bed to sleep and talking/walking/rustling clothing hurts.

I should be getting my other test results back from them today, as well. Hopefully those will be normal.

On the diet front, other than this unrelated pain I am doing fine. I made it through Christmas without a cheat and am moving forward with what has proven to work for me. I'm in a miserable spot where my husband has to help prep my meals, because I can't move my right arm and ribs without pain, but he's been very accommodating.

If I'm remembering correctly, I am down about 12.2 pounds from my first injection day to now. Not too bad, eh?