“Several of you asked me to please post updates on my health journey and I will continue to do so, but with this caveat: while I love to hear that my posts have been an inspiration or a support to my readers, I don’t want you to think that there is a one-size-fits-all answer to these chronic health issues.  I don’t want you to look at what has worked for me and count on that to work for you. I made that mistake all too often myself. Every one of us is a unique creation with a unique set of issues and a unique physiology.  Even if you have the same diagnoses as someone else, your body is different, your stage of the disease may be different and your other health issues may play a role in what will be an effective treatment for you.

“But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:” -1 Corinthians 12:20-22

So much of chronic illness is specific to the individual. It makes finding a solution or even relief from some of the symptoms very tricky.  You need to find a dr who will treat you as an individual and treat the underlying causes rather than spitting out a general treatment plan for the masses.  I’ve found that dr.  He is an MD, but he also believes in alternative medicine and doing things naturally.  He is old school and works with his patients to create a treatment plan just for them using all he has learned in his many, many years in medicine.  So many of you were not yet blessed to find a dr who will (or can do) that for them.  This is my story.  Your mileage may vary.  May it be an inspiration that tells you that it is possible to find some answers and feel better–even after waiting over 35 years.

It’s been about six months now since I began seeing my new dr and I’m happy to report he has made a TREMENDOUS difference in the quality of my life!  I have much more energy, I get fatigued much less, I recover from fatigue much more quickly, my hot flashes are almost gone, my hair is growing back healthier, my eyebrows are growing back, (the bad news is the hair on my legs is growing again so I have to shave more often, but hey…).  My nausea is gone (was due to taking so much ibuprofen), my severe burning muscle aches are less, I’m sleeping more (still wake up several times, but I sleep better), and he should be able to wean me off of all the various 12 or 13 meds/supplements he has me on.  (My wallet will like this!)

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” -Psalm 139:14

The bad news is that a few things did get worse the past two months, but my dr says at the beginning of every appointment, “I can fix that!”  He says he has to tweak things in response to how my body is reacting. It’s a process, but we are getting closer.

For those of you of the female persuasion and significantly over the age of consent, you may relate to The Peri-Menopause Hormone Hustle.  You know…that’s where you get no periods for a month or two or four and then get one lasting practically all month long! In my most recent battle, my hormones have provided me with no less than four visits from Aunt Flo in the last 45 days that lasted over the obligatory five days.  My dr has decreased the hormone levels in my bio identical cream in the hopes that I will still be Hot Flash Free but also send Flo packin’.

A few other old issues came back the last few weeks including my heart rhythm issues: fluttering, flip flopping and feeling like they skip a beat every once in a while–usually when I wake up.  AND the restless leg syndrome where your arms and legs jump up and down just as you’re trying to get to sleep.  He says these are also hormone related so I should notice them stopping again once my new cream kicks in.  He’s pretty confident that is the cause, but if I don’t feel these symptoms go away by my next appointment, he’ll order an EKG.

He also said I’m not getting enough oxygen and I need to reduce stress.  He says that, due to my pain and fatigue (and maybe my age), I’ve been slouching which is making it difficult for my lungs to get enough oxygen.  He suggested Yoga, but I have something at home that says it improves posture so I’ll use that.  As for reducing stress…well, I’ve been working on that all year!  If I’ve been able to unsubscribe from the Catastrophe a Month Club I inadvertently joined in 2014, I think I’ll be well on my way this year.

My left hand is very painful these days apparently the car accident made the arthritis worse such that I now have these attractive red bumps on my joints that just love to make themselves known throughout the day.  The dr says that, once the supplements for inflammation-which have been backordered for over a month-come in, it should help.  Anyone want to place your bets? And that brings me to another bit of bad news.  Several of my supplements are currently on back order.  It seems at least one or two of them usually are.  Hey, lab guy!  I’m trying to feel better over here!

The biggest issue I have right now is Acute Sinusitis, which was bad enough on its own.  I have had really bad headaches that seem to start at the base of my skull and go into my sinuses and down my back.  The dr prescribed an antibiotic which is the poster child for the phrase “the cure is worse than the disease.”   This thing came with a (and I am not exaggerating in ANY way) TEN PAGE booklet of instructions and warnings!  That should have been my first clue.  But, after calling the pharmacist and my dr’s office (twice), I was given instructions for how to take them.  After just one dose, I was so dizzy I couldn’t even sit up.  I got nauseous and my stomach no longer wanted to be part of my anatomy.  I couldn’t eat much of anything or even stand much for several days.  His office did advise me not to take the antibiotic anymore, but I still have the sinus infection.  He did ask me if I was allergic to any medication and this isn’t one of them so I doubt the dr could have known.  This reaction to the medication along with having my period for the fourth time in 45 days caused a flare up of my chronic health issues that fortunately is already beginning to subside.  I think mostly due to the treatment I’ve been getting from my new dr.  My advice to you though is, if it comes with a ten page instruction and warning manual, THINK TWICE!  lol

At the end of every visit, my dr gives me a hug and tells me it will get better.  He’s very caring and thorough.  I just wish his office staff was.  It’s been five days and despite two calls, I have yet to receive a call back with further instructions.  Ah, well.  You can’t have everything…and I am feeling better.  It’s a process.

I pray that this will give you hope that your day will come when you will be feeling better too.  Don’t give up!  Keep looking for that health professional or dr who will make a difference for you.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” -Romans 15:13