Still around and going ...just slower and a bit grumpy and bitter but..

Well .... it has not been a happy time, but I get through the days and sleep at night and get up every day so I guess all in all it is going <<<<<<<.

Still battling the Medical Professionals and "symptoms" and "signs" but the only good thing about the entire process I can say is that I am now absolutely sure I will go onto to get my degree in Nutrition and try to get into Nursing school so that I am in a position to make sure no one else has to go through this mess like I have had to go 20 years with misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis, under cared for and denied alternatives "because it would talk too long and I needed to get something to relieve the symptoms and make me sleep"  (Uh that should have been my decision!) and LIED TO and DISCOUNTED more than being sold for 1/2 price at the Dollar store.  Well, denying and rejecting the truth does not make it anything else but denied and rejected and well I am no stranger to those and I KNOW what I KNOW and I THINK is wrong or needed to correct things too.  I am not going to go to appointments to hear more talk and receive more bad treatments that I HAVE TO PAY for even though I have good insurance benefits. WHY???  because the doctors offices' billing centers and coders submit codes to get them the better reimbursement not what is "TRUE" according to proper coding and CPC standards.  Or the doctors participate but the OFFICE (Facility) is out of network or does not participate and it is not posted.  Just because they "accept and file your insurance" does not mean the insurance payment and adjustment will be accepted.  North Carolina has been so expensive due to the crazy practices and lack of regionalized services.

I have found several confirmations of my "opinion" and am working to get a couple of new books.  But a few books that I found very helpful and encouraging through this "flare up" are:

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia.  The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse the Disease by R.Paul St. Armand, M.D., and Claudia Craig Marek.  http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/    This book was very easy to read and still "meaty" enough for me with "some" knowledge and Medical experience.  Lots of treatment information, a good diet and a treatment plan that holds alot of promise and that I am seriously looking at, once I receive my academy award for the "good patient" and wife letting the Wiser and all knowing Doctors "wait and see how things go".  Our follow up appointment from the "Great Disappointment and Major snuffing" isn't for a few more weeks.....

Psychotherapy in Christian Perspective.  Edited by David G. Benner.  Baker Book House Publishers.
Very informative and helpful in interjecting Biblical principals into the Cognitive, Behavioral and Psychological Treatment areas of counseling and treatment.

Change your Brain Change Your Body by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. (Founder of Amen Clinics, http://www.amenclinics.com/     Very Very interesting and lots of interesting things to look at and Change to improve your overall health.  Really proving the Mind/Body connection.

If you read Health & Wellness Books and have some to share please comment on them, please give the complete title, and author information and a website if available.

There are answers in the blood!!!! Praise on the medical front!

Thank God for an awesome and no nonsense Neurologist that investigated, tested and worked to help me return to a "normal", energized and clear mind state of being. She never really like some of my diagnosis, which irritated me because it seemed she was questioning my honesty about how I was feeling and it took long enough to finally get that answer I was not wanting to start over. But, while she was testing things I did some research and kept digging in my medical records to help document things. Then we started making some progress, unfortunately some medication was necessary, but we are also working with a counselor to modify behaviors and hopefully we can replace the medications with more natural remedies but one medication will stay.

Today was the glorious breakthrough that makes all the struggles, hurt feelings and frustration all worth the work. After many years of misdiagnosis and struggling with no answers for the "weakness" (fatigue), sore muscles, instability and falling and decreased attention, concentration and memory. DNA labwork really scared me, but I "trusted her decision" and the results showed that I have 1 of the genes for NARCOLEPSY!. WOW.... that explains everything and best of all that is what the doctor had determined was going on and we started the medication and it has changed my life! I feel better than I have EVER felt.. I have gotten more done in the last month than I have done in years.. coupled with finally treating the anxiety, I am a new women.

I have made light years progress in addressing my "issues" with the counselor and turns out things are not as they seem!. This has been the most fasinating and encouraging component of the solution. With my career path heading to being a Counselor myself, working with a counselor to assess my thinking processes and perceptions is a required thing but as I worked on my health and studied this semester I noticed a few things that needed to be worked on with someone and it has been so worth the effort. I have found myself and can finally stand on my principles and accept the rejection or conflict that expressing myself may cause. It is not selfish to say, No! or I do not WANT TO DO ThAT.. (neither of these statements were part of my vocabulary) but are now, we are not all called to the same things and Wants are important, they are the passion that help us reach goals. And, it is so funny as I do my bible study and memory verses so many verses COMMAND us to not fear, to stay in the light and to speak the TRUTH and they hold so much more encouragement and promise now.

I encourage anyone that feels that something is "not right with your physical, mental or emotional health" to go ahead to talk with someone. Go see the doctor when things are not right, ask them to run some bloodwork it can show when your cells are not working quite right. Vitamins are so important to proper functioning, if you are lacking in vitamins it will show up in your blood work. Also if you do not sleep, or if your sleep is not adequate and you do not feel rested no matter how much you sleep, GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! this is a huge sign. Sleep is so necessary and when you work to regain proper functioning everything is better; feeling, physical,mental and emotional functioning, moods improve. I also encourage you to pray first before you admonish someone who is "struggling in productivity, judgement and attitude". Don't be so quick to diagnosis what their problem is and be empathetic and cautious about suggesting spirtual causes of their struggles. A large part of the emotional discomfort came from how others perceived me and my behaviors and efforts. Many times "attitude problems, anger, depressive expressions, laziness, disorganization and forgetfulness are symptoms of functional issues and not character flaws. Encouragement and empathy are helpful, sympathy and overpowering are discouraging and actually prevent addressing the problem and delay getting help.

Researching and improving your health can actually save you money and improve your life. Pray for wisdom and discernment and you will be lead to the right doors, the correct interventions and you will be all that you were designed to be.. Speaking the Truth is sometimes very humbling but we are called into the light where things can be examined and corrected. The Truth will set you free! It changed my life and has made my families life so much more enjoyable and productive.

I am "just" sleepy and anxious....soon I will be "normal" (ha ha!)

Well.... we are finally coming to the end of all the doctor's visits and testing and all is well (mostly). They have determined that the most significant yet easiest to treat problem is the Anxiety which is moderate with social phobias, http://www.socialphobia.org/whatis.html the Fibromyalgia is causing alot of the pain and sleep disruption, and I have daytime sleepiness (borderline narcolepsy). I should see alot of improvement with most of the issues I have been having now that we are treating the Anxiety. There are some minor health issues but nothing major.

I am kind of relieved to know that many did not know I was having so much trouble. I worked very hard to keep it under raps and laugh it off, but it became increasingly hard to cover and was just taking too much energy and became too isolating. A few dear friends and family members had to put up the the waterworks and constant nervousness and over emotional episodes so they new something was up but, most did not suspect the anxiety, especially not the social anxiety because I am so "talkative" and I was good at hiding it.

Hopefully, in a week or two my mind will regain focus and alertness, I will have energy and some strength and I will be calm (first time in a long time), and rested. Until then the nervousness, over emotionalness, always rechecking myself and asking for reminders will probably remain to keep me on task, but should be less annoying.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Thanks for all the Support, Encouragement and Prayers :)

Whoa hoo!!! the dreaded wait for results and answers is over

Today I received the results of the psychological and cognitive testing. Again, these issues are chronic and have progressively become more disruptive to life and now my schoolwork. I have "thought" I have had issues for years but took the "Mind over matter approach" and just tried to deal with only the things that I had too. I have presented with descriptions of symptoms of Anxiety and have been treating it as needed, but the results showed that Anxiety is present and considered "significant to severe" since I have some biological involvement (Adrenal). I have done stress management techniques and other things to control it but, it is requiring regular medication. The anxiety is making attention and focusing difficult and once it is handled things will be easier with my studies.

The other results were kind of expected and slightly humorous:

I showed significant deficiency in organization --"Surprise, surprise"
Above average verbal skills, higher than average vocabulary skills
Spatial deficiencies
Working Memory deficiencies {not the kind that shows you are loosing skills, this is developmental and can be improved :) }

The thing that surprised me, was nonverbal skills were not only low but significantly lower. I am very aware of body language, facial expressions, spacial arrangements (although a little oversensitive sometimes) I expected this would have been higher. But this explains why the anxiety is so significant.

And the sweet part of the whole experience was.. the finding that I do have learning challenges that can be overcome but that explain all the problems I have been having. Finally some answers and some guidance to get things going in a productive direction. The psychologist was a great encourager. She pointed out all the positive skills I have developed that have gotten me this far without much detection of the problems and that things are "more evident" now because of the type of work involved with school. We discussed lots of resources and options and the fact that I am determined to get things accomplished will take me far.

The saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way" is documented well throughout the last few years. And now I understand why some activities and things are so challenging and it is not a reflection of my intellegence. Although it appears I am the only one that needed confirmation of it, but it is nice to finally know for sure.

If you have an issue, health or other persevere! Research, Ask Questions, engage with the professionals and work out a plan to improve your situation. This has been a long journey and most of the insight came through getting Charles assessed, evaluated and helped as we diagnoised him with things, they were hereditary and I struggled in school and we kept trying the exercises and tutoring that worked for him and researching things and finally we have a solution that is going to make things alot easier and allow me to achieve the things I have been working so hard to accomplish. :)

Thanks for asking.. A consice explaination of the medical saga

Thank you to all those that read through the medical posts and got to the end wondering what in the heck?? Sorry for the confusion. I did not realize many did not know this stuff, I feel like I whine and complain all the time and felt like people had shared and everyone kind of knew. But, a good friend asked me what was going on and why I had not said something.

I write this blog to fullfill my selfish-fleshy need to process some thoughts and try to renew my mind and figure out the next step and rest in the reality. I know that God has a plan for even my medical whoas but, well as I write in the blogs I am just not submitting and trusting Him with my health and this is my struggle and often times my sin- I am pretty honest until it comes to "HOW ARE YOU". Ummmmm.. IIIII mmmm ookay????? this is probably my most prayful time.. Dear God, let them believe it and lets move on.. and for the most part it works.


"I just cannot work harder and do all I want to do. I do have limits." I know that sounds really weird and slightly funny but it has taken me 11 years to finally realize this and well I am not the most submissive and logical person, just ask my husband. {LOL}!!!

Anyway, for those that do not know my medical issues, here it is.

Most pressing and the source of most of my "discomfort" is left sided pain and numbness (at the same time, URGG) from the top of my head, ear and all the way down to the bottom of my foot.

Left leg/hip pain, weakness, and unpredictible numbess, leg "folding in" cause me to stumble and fall alot. I will be going down stairs and then all the sudden my left leg is not present and down I go, usually with a big thud!. Very scary, quite annoying and majorly embarassing. I had a bulging disc diagnosed in 2001 but it is considered insignificant and was not thought to explain the problem. I was heavy at the time and not physically fit so they felt that was more the cause of my issues so I was sent to loose weight and get fit. (should have just told me to become an astranaut, at the time that was more likely)

I struggle cognitively (Mental processing and functioning) with simply organization, short term memory things like shopping lists, and peoples names (I know phone numbers but can't remember whose number is whose), verbal commands, reading and apply the knowledge without taking notes, speech and saying the right words or saying things at all sometimes. Confusion, forgeting normal things like appointments and days of the week, (showing up on the wrong days, thinking it is tuesday on friday, losing track of due dates on bills). Some of this was feared side effects of medication, but all medicine had been stopped for over a year and symptoms were getting worse.

Of course, the doctors had there thoughts (Depression and STRESS) that is not a good enough answer and if so, there are other treatments besides medication. "Yes, but most people do not want to go that route!, they just want to take a pill and be done". Well, I am Dot and I want the other option, well we have to do some tests and assess you cognitively and deal with the individual issues. Okay lets go!. If therapy is needed, we will deal with it but, I don't think so.. And mark your calendars, I WAS RIGHT!!! okay I will finally conceed there is some depression but I have finally got them to realize we are NOT Dwelling on it, and if we fix the other stuff I will be "Little Miss Sunshine". Sleep is like a miracle drug, it improves personality, health even helps with appetite and who needs caffeine when you have 6 hours of sleep. Whoa hoo! I am like a new woman.

I have meniere's disease (a inner ear problem that is impacted by hormonal changes)

I have suffered with motion illness and dizziness, vertigo (spinning) and syncope (passing out) 2 years ago it was found that I have too much adreniline (explaining alot-anxiety, syncope, thirsty all the time,).

I also suffer from Fibromyalgia http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fibromyalgia(a muscular pain syndrome) and some other muscular issues (low muscle tone in some areas, too much in others). My symptoms have always been "mild" and non-dibilitating since I was able to do most of what I needed, maintained most of my range of motion and could work full-time. I have had alot of physical therapy with little change, and more questions raised. Because of being so emotional and sleep deprived it was decided that depression was present (whoa! Einsteins and compassionate doctors just started treating that, at least they had medication for that{Sarcasim intended!})

I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (??? hard to define, because few practioners agree and again my symptoms are considered mild). http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395

I have progressively struggled with the pain, lack of sleep, maintaining physical exercise because of the left leg/hip and lower back pain (that cannot be explained) which keeps fullfilling the definition of depression, which I have worked on and had medicated (much to my demise, reactions and side effects galore) I have finally made some headway with the doctors realizing something is going on. They finally picked up on my ANXIETY http://www.medicinenet.com/anxiety/article.htm which was not being treated or considered and now ANXIETY/Depression is treated different since it is different than depression.

I opted for a holistic approach that works with my spiritual beliefs and the minimal medications as possible and am now having to realize that I just have to realize mind over matter is not a realistic approach and sometimes you do have to take medication and it is okay. It is hard for people that have not had conditions like these to understand. Sometime people say the darnedest things, probably not meaning to sound as condemning and critical as they come across but it is not a weakness of anything and it is personal decision to seek treatment and reclaim the abundant life or to just wait and see.

I am so thankful for Lots of great friends and supportive family members, and my blogging buddies that have prayed, cried and encouraged me through this troubling journey. God started a work in me through my medical issues and He will finish it. So I am trying to learn to rest and Know He is God, and have the discernment to move and do as He guides me. So there is a spiritual value to my struggle and sharing it has opened some doors and brought me some new relationships.

Details, Anger, Emotions and Sensitivity- The Devil's playground

I have been pondering some stuff lately. School is about to drive me completely batty. The tears reading some of my counseling and psychology have about ruined my book, (oh well they don't hardly give you anything for the pages of deceit anyway). The worlds version of things and God's version are so vastly different. The world is all about the reason why you were "forced" to make a decision or the "conditioning" of a behavior and how you are tricked into believing that this is the only way or that this is actually okay because the forces of the environment are against you and your are just not strong enough to battle them. They actually teach people that others HAVE TO, (MUST) understand your feelings and your ways and accept them. And you have to rise up and make your feelings known and make the person change. (OH.. this is such damaging theology and is so against the bible.. Meek and Mild..). that will have to be another post, moving on...

Feelings, Emotions, Sensitivities and Fears are all subject to suggestion, chemical reactions in our bodies, misunderstandings, alterior motives, selfish ambition, FLESH!!!!! the H is silent, S-E-L-F! these can lead us to make poor perceptions, which cloud judgment and decision making abilities which lead to bad choices and behaviors. These are the makings of big messes and SIN FEASTS that you cannot believe. Many of our more complicated psychological problems stem from the inappropriate and unhealthy power and priority we give to feelings, emotions, sensitivies, fears and anxieties. The Devil uses these to limit us and to keep us bound up. Christ sets us free. I love to listen the song shackles when I am reading or writing about these aspects of life and personality. Controlling these helps control depression, anxiety, and mood disorders (Anger Management, and can help in other conditions too).

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... Someone has to stop the "insanity" and the lies!. Anything that is not true is not to be thought about (Phillippians 4:8) Finally, Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

What do you do with the "other stuff" the problems, fears, worries, injustices, injuries, ect... (Phillipians 4:6) Be anxious for NOTHING, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (unfortunately, things work in God's perfect timing, He knows things we do not, He works all things for the good and sometimes that debunks our wants and our way, but it the best thing for us and can be life changing!)

Let us look at the "REALITY" of personal responsibility and power. We as Americans are very knowledgable and powerful people. Some are so smart the scramble letter and stick them behind their names to set the apart from the "Lay" people. We are quick to tell you all the things we know and think, but man you want to see some "back peddling" let a decision or a behavior come under judgment and oh man, it is better than anything Hollywood is writing lately. All the sudden there are excuses and "yeah, but.... you do not understand, they did this and I was forced to do this,". My favorite is yeah, I know it was wrong but I just didn't care anymore" HMMMM. Now that is many many posts on its own.

I said this recently and the person has yet to speak to me, I felt bad at first and then I thought about it and I decided to walk on the wild side, and am now claiming the "Yeah, I know it was mean and insensitive but I don't care anymore". Not that I do not care about damaging someones feelings and hurting our relationship but I am tired of having to adjust my beliefs to fit in, to be deemed a good person, good friend, whatever. I have been approved, deemed good and worthy, valued and accepted just the way I am, with all the stupidity that fits into this body of mine, all the fears, all the sensitivities, all the strange beliefs and misunderstood things, all the attiude (OH man! that may explain the sudden weight surges, ha ha) and all the other unsightly stuff.

There is One Way to think, love, behave, believe, LIVE!
Like Jesus~ He loves me, He accepts me, He tells me when I am wrong, He still loves me through it, He cleans and purifies my filthy (YES! SIn is ugly and damaging it is not just dust bunnies and little spot, sometimes the decay goes DEEP and leave gapping hole and scars, Christ can heal them but sometimes our scars are there to remind us that Sin is serious. It is also our flag or banner for our ministry, many times the deepest, darkest, most painful experience is our "scar" that remains to glorify God and show our transformation into the new creature, it encourages others and helps us relate to those searching and struggling).

The best counseling and pyschological information is in scripture: Truth and a Healthy (reality aware) mind are essential in being healthy everywhere else. To be healthy we need to be secure, loved and accepted (We ARE!!!) we must claim it and reclaim it, everytime a wordly experience tears us down, makes us scared, hurts us, makes us made we should grab our sword (THE BIBLE) and reclaim our LOVE, SECURITY, and ACCEPTANCE! God is for us, who in this world can be against us (that matters???) dddd. DDDD.. DDDD. NO ONE!

The world likes degrees and lines in the sand to make things complicated. My life is simple, the fanciest bibles are BLACK AND WHITE. Christ gives colors in the Bible but Black and White is what everything comes back to. The clouds I ride up on to meet My Lord, My protector, My "Daddy" are white, the light that shines around him is WHITE. My heart is white after he cleans it. The world can muddy the waters but when you put the "LIVING Water into the sesspool, it turns WHITE!!!)

Finally some good news and promises of some relief!!

Well tonight was the much dreaded nerve conduction testing (EMG). It went well and then a bonus, I got to see the Doctor tonight!! review the MRI results it cost me a few extra pokes with the needles but, it was worth it.

The EEG (brain wave testing) was "NORMAL" {LOL}

MRI Results:
Mostly Normal (Hah!! I have in writing I am "NORMAL"- ROFL)

L4-L5- disc desiccation (drying). Mild disc Bulge. Disc buldge slightly eccentric (are they saying I am old??) to the left. (Hah.. my temporary political confusion was not my fault!! LOL)

Impression: (the official determination) L4-l5 disc desiccation(drying) with mild diffuse disc bulge, slightly eccectric (odd or parculiar) to the left. Remaining disc levels are relatively unremarkable.

Other "insignificant findings" (insignificant to whom???) right renal cyst and a right ovarian cyst. (Hmmmm this is funny because I am dyslexic and my pain/numbness is on the left, {LOL}) These could have some responsibility for the pain and numbness we will have to investigate these further.

Well to say I am relieved that the nerves are not damaged, the brain is "working" and seems to be sending signals, and the discs are not needing surgery. I will have to take some medication for awhile, but it is supposed to help me sleep!! ah..glorious sleep, who knows maybe I will start feeling normal soon.

Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers!

Ever wondered what the sky looks like at 5 AM!

Well, being that I was awake and the dog was dancing around I got up, to let her out and checked to see how much longer I had to "get to sleep" before the morning would be shining through the window to end another sleepless night. To my surprise, the MOON! was still out at 5 A.M. and it was worth grabbing the camera for....

It's the little things that make the biggest impressions! God said that he would make two lights to rule over the sky by day and by night and man.. He meant it, you can still see the moon sometimes in the sky when the sun first comes up. He says we are never alone, and we aren't.

He says He works all things to the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and he does, unfortunately some people (hmm...) take a little longer in accepting that His ways are the straighter paths and that He will finish what He started and He WILL complete it without faultering.

I have spent some time in 1 Corinthians and like these verses for my medical/health worries.

I like these verses because I think they answer the questions about medical and health problems being inflicted on a person as a punishment or to flush out sin. Everyone has different takes and interpretations on things but, My God does not punish like that, and if He is using a bad situation to "purify" or "teach" you something He is guiding you and talking you through it. I read these scriptures right off the page. I have had these in my notes several times and just recently someone gave them to me again. (CONFIRMATION!!! Love it :)

I Corinthians 4:4-5 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. (5) therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to LIGHT the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

Pray and God will answer you, but be still and quiet, He does not yell and He will not fight you on your decisions. Wisdom is not for the faint of heart, nor is it a quick and easy bulletin, but if you seek it, God will provide it.

The Medical Update...................................................................................................................

Well, today is the big day today I am having the EEG and next week the memory testing. (WHOA HOO!!!!) then they will determine if it is another issue more age appropriate (oh, my this is when the prayers came in handy!! AGE APPROPRIATE!! I AM NOT EVEN 40! YET!!!!!)or if my problems are Adult ADD (that is a real diagnosis!!!! {LOL} because I am being diagnosed as an adult).

Well, whatever comes will come...(I am actually not stressing about it, have not said a whole lot and tried not to think about it, tried to renew and declutter the brain but it is not as easy as decluttering a room)

I just wish we could get on with things and I might be able to stay on task and complete a thought without pulling muscles doing so. I have struggled and finally came out of the denial (pitty party) about 6 months ago. It wasn't until my forgetting things and obcessively worrying about forgetting things and writing everything down was stressing others out, OOPS!!, and then it just became a joke, "Well at least I am good at worrying, I have alot of practice" :).

Will update when the information comes in probably not for 2 weeks.. Oh, the patience thing again! ha ha.

PRAISE!!!! I was heard, mark your calendar I was right!

Thank you for the prayers and well wishes,

Whoa Hoo!!! Finally answers, some respect and progress!!!

The visit today went well. The process of elimination and the length this has been going on went well to push her to listen and look at the records. Even though MOST of the time things are not significant enough to cause a problem there are the SOME!! times that they do. This journey has been long and painful but, it is paying off we have eliminated many things, address and fixed a couple and now the choices are very clear and things do have to be tested because it has been going on so long and is causing so much problems now.

The best part is the "Buzz" words and pitfalls did not even come up AND she agreed that two of her diagnosis were wrong! WHOA HOO!!! Respected and agreed with all in the same day.

The best news is the issues are evident and easily treated, unfortunately medication is going to be needed. The best part is my research and homeopathic remedies are paying off and things should be getting better soon. I will write a better post later but for now we just have to setup some tests and then make plans once we know which direction we are moving. My fears have been relieved and I will start acting alittle more with it soon :). Comfort and strength in my left side will be possible and for that I am so thankful.

Personal Prayer Request

This picture is a good indication of my mood and tone right now, hence no personal emails or phone calls. Right now it is really best to just pray and wait... I don't have the all important answers: "What's wrong", "what can they do", "who do you see for that??". Feel free to email me or comment below.

Prayer Request: My health-neurological issues are becoming an issue AGAIN and I have an appointment with my neurologist Thursday (Feb. 12). I have not been to her since 2006 so I am a new patient, hopefully she has memory loss and we can start a fresh. Our last visit was not the best and she was mad then that I had stopped so of my medication, she is probably going to be really mad that I have stopped all medication AND WILL NOT take any that I do not agree are effective, worth the side effects and is a must! If it can be done naturally it must be done!.

Pray for wisdom and discernment, a good attitude (mine is still not great) and well it is a new year so hopefully hers will be fine (progress!! positive thinking until proof of doom is delivered). Finances are a HUGE concern and frustration we have good health insurance but everytime I use it here in Carolina it is a fight to get them to file it correctly and coding is ALWAYS an issue. I am tired of having to fight for things to be done right and fairly (ah..that attitude again!)

Down here Wake Med is the force to be reckoned, it is a big group and is not always easy to find out the doctors are with them and that is another thing I am so wanting to avoid, but options are limited so... I guess the spirit issues need to be lifted up too; trusting God is going to "solve and cure" this finally AND in a way I am content with is my biggest prayer.

I am in a really selfish and unsubmissive mood on this and am really tired of dealing with these issues, the doctors and the pain/numbness, worrying about what it is and what will need to be done and there are just somethings I am not willing to say "Have you way, Lord", "It is well with my soul, if you choose...." Well Sad but True",(Metallica Song) it is not!!! I want either to be cured or correctly diagnosed and CONSERVATIVELY treated and for it not to cause anymore pain or discomfort. And I do know that whatever door God leads me through Thursday He will guide and comfort me through the entire process, but.... like Noah negoatiated with God, I want a little mercy and would prefer to have the easier and less scaring road for a change. I want a full nights sleep, to wake up and feel rested. I want to be able to complete a thought and what comes out of my mouth is what I thought I said. (very comical but quite annoying and dangerous in some situations), I want to be spasm/pain free, and to have feeling in the left side of my body ALL the time, Waaaaa. Waaaaa .Waaaaa.

Oh, well the truth is not always pretty, appropriate or logical but it does set us free.

Your Health is Your LIFE!!!! Take Control

Wow, I was sitting here doing school work and the Oprah show came on and it was a really good show on Women's Health--Menopause with Robin McGraw. HOLD ON!! It is not what you think!! Just because you are not of "THAT" age or you have gone to the doctor and they told you "your within normal limits" it does not mean you do not have a hormone issue. There are other hormonal issues besides estrogen and progesterone; there is adreniline, cortisol, DHEA and when these are out of sync it is not fun nor are you "Healthy". This is a subject near and dear to my heart {LOL} and always on my brain. I started having issues when I was in my 20's!!! and then the bottom fell out when I had my first (and only) child.

The link to the Oprah shows website, click on todays show to see the discussion:
http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow_20090114_bioidentical

Menopausal description and symptoms (this site does sell stuff, but the information is good) http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/

Hormonal Information and another option for treatment from a Medical Doctor:
http://www.onlineallergycenter.com/treatments/hormone_imbalance.htm


Hormones has caused alot of health issues for me and I was misdiagnosed for years, most of the time my hormone levels were "within normal limits" but the relationship between the two where vast and the symptoms of an imbalance we present but, it was not "thought to be significant enough to cause the problems it probably did not help them and exacerabeted them" so the doctors did not tell me about it, they just put me on antidepressants since that is one of the prescriptions that they give women who are going through menopause. I felt like they were saying it was all in my head and just shut up and took my medication like a good little (blind and ignorant) patient. Within a few months I was much worse and feeling very sick, loosing memory, having alot of other issues, passing out, having panic attacks and no reason why. Still doctors did not tell me anything and hormonal imbalance and kept blaming my weight, axiety/depression and insomnia for my complaints. I decided if I was going crazy I wanted some of those fancy medical terms and to join the support groups. I started asking questions and doing some research and finally started finding some answers.

The doctors' never really explained anything, never mentioned any findings for how I was feeling. They treated me for hormonal conditions and with hormone and I did not even know it. My uncontrollable migraines where related to hormonal issues and were treated with DHEA for awhile and I was cured! (14 years later, but whose counting)
All this to say, research you health concerns on a reputatible site, go to the library, talk with your physician, they do work for you.

Your healthcare should be a partnership between you and the providers. Know what medications you are taking, what they do, why you are taking it, things that can interact with that medication. Some foods are also contradictory with some medications. This is your life, and how well you are able to live it, be a part of the decision making process. Be informed. Be Knowledgible and Be active it improving your health.