update...

Next month it'll be a year that I've had ciguatera. Luckily the intensity of my symptoms has subsided, but the toxin is still quite present and active.

I have nerve pain all over my body every day. It comes in sharp pricks for a second or two in random spots; also spasms, tingling, itchiness, etc. Frustrating. I tried to phase back in some of the foods to avoid without success. I don't know what I accidently had last week but I'm having a rough flare-up with the nerve pain. It's getting colder, so I hope the cold is not what exacerbating it because if so it's going to be a long winter.

Fingers crossed, my gastrointestinal pain/discomfort has been a LOT better after on/off problems until October. I truly hope this holds because that's been the hardest symptom to manage.

I finally got a colonoscopy/endoscopy which came back normal- a relief after so many months of scary GI pain and feelings. But NOT a fun process at all.

Aerobic exercise seems to help a lot. Thank heavens, because the research says it makes it worse for some people. I've taken up salsa dancing a few nights a week and when I go for an hour or two dancing hard- sweaty head to toe- I feel no pain at all and often the next day is smoother than usual.

I am concerned about getting H1N1, because we have no idea if/how it might react with ciguatera. I'd like to get the vaccine as soon as I can. I got the seasonal and pneumonia vaccines already. I got a bad cold and it hit hard; I lost weight and it lasted for 2 1/2 weeks. I think it's possible that my immune system is affected by this, but who knows.

I'd love to hear from others- similar experiences? what's different?