March 13, 2008

Mona.Vie ? Mona.Me

The Acai Berry
My sister is in the business to promote and distribute a product called Mona.Vie. I am not promoting it, distributing it OR knocking it. I will be a thousand percent honest about my progress with the product because I'm merely posting about it and nothing more. Please bear in mind the following:

*I am a cynical son-of-a-gun.
*I am generally skeptical about new-fangled, fad-style, kitchy koo stuff ... and particularly if it calls for opening my wallet.
*The sister who introduced me to the product is one I've had some major issues with in the past. I still feel that we're a bit cautious around each other, but the lines of communication are open again after years of breakdown. (I bring this up to demonstrate that I'm not just cranking my sister's business)

I've been quite ill for some time now. I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which some of you will recognize as the disease they've named in order to validate people in real pain whose tests produce no workable diagnosis. Another issue that came to light recently is my now defunct thyroid. It is n'more. It has ceased to be and has expired. IT is an ex-thyroid.

When a thyroid ceases to be, your body pretty much goes on strike. It feels as though your skin wants to just crawl right away from you; like your very bones are turning to sand - not to be relied upon for very much of anything. Your short-term memory has gone to the birds and your weight skyrockets out of control. I have no energy to speak of. Showering and brushing or blow-drying my hair knocks me for a loop. No, I mean, I could actually sleep after such a rigorous (sarcastic) activity.

These same symptoms can be caused by several other illnesses, so lots of blood has been drawn and tested over a long period of time. One of the other things that can cause similar symptoms is severe vitamin D deficiency; which ~ oh by the way ~ I've also been diagnosed with.

I have felt this way for months and months and it has been costing my husband and I exorbitant amounts of money just to try and get answers and adequately medicate me.

Some things are easier than others to make right again or at least, to make bearable. The vitamin deficiency will be an easy fix (hopefully) as I've been on mega-doses of vitamin D for nearly five weeks now. Another couple of weeks should tell how I stand with that. Normal range of vitamin D for someone like me would be between twenty and one hundred - twenty being the lowest acceptable number. Mine was nine at the time of testing.





The thyroid function was another disaster; normal range would have been something like .43-4.5 (or thereabouts) ... 4.5 showing dangerously low function. Mine was some asinine number like 23.64.




So yeah - no blogging for me for a long, long while. I just couldn't find the slightest bit of energy ... and on many occasions, had trouble focusing on any one thing for more than fifteen minutes at a clip.




Enter the Mona.Vie.



In case you haven't heard of it yet, have no fear, you will. Trust me on this.




Mona.Vie is a berry juice, fortified with Omega 3 fatty acids and containing loads of anti-oxidants. Those are the things that help us fight bad bad evils wanting to invade our bodies. No, seriously, they are. It's all good stuff. It's supposed to help with everything from dry skin to joint pain, from muscle ache to cholesterol. Having spoken to my sister for some time about the product now, and having read up a bit about it on the Net, I am being serious when I say that if you name a symptom, the elixir* will fix it.




I don't want to waste too much sarcasm until I know that the stuff doesn't help me. I'm just being honest here. Oh ... trust me when I say that I've had so much pain in the past six to eight months that I desperately WANT it to help me. I'm trying it - have had it for one week, twice per day, and just bought two more bottles (another two week supply) for the sake of giving it a fair shot. I do WANT it to work. I just have a lot of trouble believing that it might get me mobile and well ... human again. We'll see.

I will be reporting on this from time to time. For now I will say this. You can read here and know that everything I write will be gospel on this topic. I will not exaggerate and I will not hold back. If it helps, I'll say so. If it does nothing... you'll read that too.

So far, I can tell you the following positives about Mona.Vie. It's delicious... in my opinion. Then ... I like pomegranates, and that is the primary taste; a bit tart, highly berry-ish, and also sweet ... though sweet might not be the first thing that registers. I do believe it is an acquired taste, even if you're not totally keen on it immediately.




I sleep better... but still have the menopausal sweats (how charming). Now, instead of waking up four times every night and tossing and turning to get back to sleep, I wake up once or twice and just long enough to look at the clock. This is a comfort to me, so far.



I do feel a bit more rested up in the morning now. Is it psychological? If so, I can't care.



On sunny and warmer days, I feel a bit more sturdy on my weakened legs, and my joints give me less distress. I realize this would be the case anyway - but it WASN'T the case for me. Not lately.



Not to be graphic, but my bathroom activities have been less stressful as well. There. I found a way to be tactful [pats self on back].



Lastly, I've been aggravated lately by acid reflux. I refused to even mention this to my doctor since it seemed the least of all my evils ... and another pill I do NOT want. It seems slightly less bothersome.



Again, all this could be psychological, though if that were the case, you'd think I'd have been capable of attaching my cures to something less expensive. This stuff costs a LOT of money. So there it is. The huge negative. Sorry sis. It is VERY expensive for enhanced fruit juice.



One of the plugs for the juice is that if it can help you eliminate buying a blood pressure or cholesterol Rx, for example, you'll be batting a thousand. BUT ... my blood pressure med and my cholesterol med are both a mere $10 per month each. Sure I would love to eliminate them both, or one, but that still wouldn't pay for the juice.



So the good things so far are: seemingly better sleep pattern, tad more energy, overall improved bathroom activity. I also happen to like the taste, and the jury is still out on the reduction of my triglycerides or cholesterol. I will keep you updated on that.



The bad things are: cost, and for some, possibly a bit tart to the taste. Cost is a bit much though. Roughly $25 per bottle and that's because I'm getting it through a distributor. If I wasn't, I believe it would cost around $37.00 per bottle! Which would mean, I can't jump on the bandwagon.


I know this is not my usual writing style. It's been gone for so long that I need to find it again. Have you seen it anywhere? If so, please send it home to me a.s.a.p. ... thanks!


Hope you are all well and happy and enjoying the subtle hints of spring in the air. As always, thanks for visiting and reading. I have truly missed my readers!

* I have affectionately named the juice "the roadside elixir" ... some may think I'm being mean - but it's all in good fun, and if it DOES make good and happy changes happen in my body, then I will promptly be reporting it!

20 Comments:

Blogger Tai said...

Well my dear, in my opinion, if it makes you feel better, than the cost is worth it.

Fibromyalgia. The disease that no one quite understands.

As for your thyroid? "It is n'more. It has ceased to be and has expired. IT is an ex-thyroid." John Cleese, you couldn't have said it better!

But seriously, this is important, and I hope you find some relief. Even if it comes in $37 bottle cures. Anything to help.

11:37 PM  
Blogger kenju said...

It is wonderful to see a new post from you, even if (as you say) your original writing style has flown the coop. I think it is only in cold storage and you can bring it out at any time you so desire.

I am sorry about the illness. Our neighbor's son has fibromyalgia and I can attest to its ability to lay you low, so to speak.

I had not heard of Mona.Vie. There is something similar that my daughter has tried to get my husband to drink; I can't remember the name of it. I will be extremely interested to hear your experience with it.

I was told I have low Vit. D, and although I've been taking 1000 mg. per day for about 9 mos., It was still too low. I took prescription strength for a month and my nails grew like never before. My levels are normal now, but that may change. I was told to sit in the sun for 30 mins. per day - without sunscreen.

I hope to see something new here again soon. Take care.

11:39 PM  
Blogger Tabor said...

You have really been kicked in the rear end here. I am sorry that you were too tired to blog, because I think it gives you some joy. I hope all or some of the medications bring relief soon and I hate that not only do you have medical challenges, we can add the challenge of cost to treat this! Sheeesh. Do some meditation with all of this...after all you ARE just sitting around.

10:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just happened in my blogger-lurking to come upon your blog. I usually just visit but I am bookmarking you.
I have been living with fibromyalgia since 1999. It has change my life, goals and relationships forever. I have treid everything that those of little imagination can give me and have spent a great deal of time relying on my faith, family and hope. When others try to give me the " oh my, poor you or my cousin blah blah" I find that I simply say that I spen my first 40 years as a rabbit and the last ten and the future unless something changes as a turtle.
I guess I am grateful for the small things now and live with less expectations of my day and more expectations of my family to pull on their oars rather than super mom doing it all.
So I am interested in watching or sharing your journey with your sisters product. Your blog has also convinced me to go and get the blood work done that my docoer gave me a requesition for 5 months ago. I want to know where some of my levels are.
Just know that you are not alone and " what does not kill me will only serve to make me stronger" and Fibro is not fatal.
Yours in the battle
Janet

2:33 PM  
Blogger Weary Hag said...

Janet ... I'm so sorry you too have this ambiguous disease. The Rheumatoid doctor I went to told me that fibromyalgia is truly a word that translates to "okay, we don't have a clue but we BELIEVE you ... you can now go home validated ... we know you're in pain."
Do you take medication for your pain or do you work it through by other means? Just curious.
Thanks so much for reading and for commenting! I'll answer you in here because I have no link to go to for you.

2:41 PM  
Blogger Wicked H said...

Hagglette, I wish I had some sort of magic wand. If I did, believe me when I tell you that I would wave it furiously in your direction.

Sending nothing but much love, good karma and healing thoughts your way.

Hugs to you my friend!

8:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's good to get caught up, but sorry you've been struggling so. Fibromyalgia is similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which I've been managing for 30 years. I could fill a notebook with all the stuff I've tried to get back to where I was before it struck. Everything helped (especially at first) nothing cured. I function but have to spread my activities out and rest in between each. I HAVE to eat well, balanced with complete protein at every meal and very light on the carbs. They say the entry into these kinds of illnesses are viral, environmental toxic exposure, or physical injury. Do you know which caused yours? And it happens to people already compromised, it seems. My thyroid has been up and down too and all around...hashimotos, anxiety, the whole spiel.

10:26 PM  
Blogger ready to pretend said...

Hi Janet again.
I do have a blog here called Ready To Pretend but I guess I have mind fog or fibrofog because I forget things. My blog is Ready To Pretend.
Yes I do take a couple of meds that are really helpful.
I would like to be o'natural about everything but I need to be ebiut more than me for my family. You can bet that after 9 years they are tired of hearing" it;s a bad pain day today and so I keep trying and hope fore more good days.
I took for many years gabapentin to stop the spasms that cause pain. It was a way to settle the soft tissues down but it had ceased to be effective and then commercilas for Lyrica from Phyzer started showing up. I have found it to be a much better medication to use. I feels more comfortable and seems to be much more specific. So it took about a monthe to wean myself off the gabepentin and get myself up to an adequet dose of the Lyrica.
Sleep is the most imprtant thing !!! Do not argue if your docter wants you to take something to sleep. I take one anitriptaline and I get enough rem to cope but naps are great as well. Today I was up at 7:30 and out for the morning at another artists home. I did banking and was home by one. By 2 I was on the couch takeing a break and I awoke a 6:30. I am ready for bed again.
There are very few people who know how this all feels. There are few that know how much it takes to do what we can do and many times we get left behind and learn that we better learn to like our own company. I have many real friends that have become exasperated. I cannot change so I try to educate them.
All I can do is try so I do take effexor because deppression happens and for pain the docter has given me a very low dose oxycotin 3 times a day and we have both agreed that we will go no higher, for really bad days or breakthough pain I can used Tylenol 3s and asprin,alone or together.
I have tried diet changes, vitamins and some herbal things. Let us just remember that it has been 9 years and experiments can be very pricey. I am lucky that we have a drug paln and an understanding docter that is just helping me watch my levels. There are appoinments that are all business and ones that I just sit and cry.
PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE although I know you feel it.
YOURS Janet

12:54 AM  
Blogger CarpeDM said...

That is completely sucky and I'm sorry to hear it. I hope this works for you or that something miraculous comes along that doesn't cost anything. I'll be thinking of you.

12:18 AM  
Blogger Joe Tornatore said...

my brother in law used to sell Monavie. He could not get too many people to buy into it because of the cost. i took two bottles, loved the taste and felt good on it. not sure if it was mind over matter. i just could not afford to keep taking it.

9:31 AM  
Blogger Lisa said...

I am sorry to read of your health problems. Monavie or not, I wish you all the very best. As some of your other readers have mentioned, if it works for you, psychologically or otherwise, what does it matter?? Do what makes you feel good sweet lady.

*hugs*

1:15 AM  
Blogger Dave Morris said...

Hag, in my fridge you'll find a half-bottle of Mona Vie. I take it when I remember to, but then forget I've taken it... consequently forget to notice if it does anything for me.

It makes my friend Mike fart. Another buddy of mine swears by it.

Keep a skeptical attitude but enjoy the "bennies."

11:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

8:00 PM  
Blogger Walker said...

I am sorry to hear about your health problems.
I don't know about thoise berries but if they help people in any way then i hope they taste good because every other fucken medication they come out with tastes like something you take when you;re sick.

Take care and keep us posted

11:20 PM  
Blogger PBS said...

Oh dear, hope those berries (or something!) works for you soon. I have a low Thyroid and right now my hair is all falling out. As you said, it's charming, very charming.

6:48 PM  
Blogger Frustrated Writer said...

I like that honest endorsement of a non-endorsement... or vice versa.

4:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

2:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I"m going to come back to read this more closely but for now let me say that I had a variety of symptoms ...reflux being the main one that sent me to the doctor because I thought I might be having a heart attack. I was prescribed about 4 drugs in a week (a statin was one) and didn't take any of them. Just an upgrade of thyroid. It wasn't even in the below normal range but was dropping for me. Seems when your metabolism slows down so does digestion. When food sits in the stomach too long it makes a gas that can come back up. Try some aloe vera juice (cheap enough) and some kind of acidophilis. That's what helped me...no nexium.

7:48 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I just stumbled upon your article while researching Thyroid and MonaVie. I am a distributor...let me help you.

go to www.thegreatproduct.com/elizabethhoffman.

MonaVie WILL help you.

10:05 PM  

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