View Full Version : Living with a curious body/system.......a little whine......
My system has never been normal. I have strange feelings all the time. I have since I was little.
I got a horrible influenza in l995, followed by pneumonia, ear infections, 2 sinus surgeries, peripheral neuropathy and then entered perimenopause, which was a trip to hell, and then developed Fibromyalgia.
Things improved after I got into menopause, but learned I have sleep apnea and sleep with a cpap machine. I also have TMJ and wear a special mouth guard for that. I have GERD, IBS. I have constant irregular heartbeats. I have pains in lots of places.
My feet have always been bad and I had surgery once for them and have been wearing orthotics since I was 17. My feet/knees/hands have alot of arthritis.
I constantly have funky/strange symptoms. For years I went to tons of doctors who ordered tons of tests. I've had far too much radiation, especially to my head. I don't want any more.
In the past several years, I've learned that just because I have symptoms that make me feel like I'm going to die, or I have a tumor or cancer, doesn't mean anything is wrong with me. So I rarely go to the doctors now. I might have a really bad symptom for several months.........then it disappears.
I always get alot worse every Fall, then improve around January. I've tried a bright light, but it didn't help. I do take Vitamin D supplements.
I know to some, it might appear as though I'm a hypochondriac, but I don't think I am. I have lots of things in my life that give me pleasure. I get absolutely nothing out of feeling poorly, and would love to feel better, so I could do more things.
Sometimes I wonder how I lived this long...........and think maybe I don't have that much longer to live, considering how much my body is breaking down.
I think my neuro system is just tweaked way too high. I think I feel things that lots of people don't even sense. I see things (in my vision inside my eyes), that most people don't see. I hear things people don't hear. I'm like one big overgrown nerve! I'm on a beta blocker which has helped alot, to calm down my sympathetic system.
I've always been hungry....but I do try to eat healthily. If I eat poorly too long, my GI tract shuts down.
Many times I feel like an alien.............life is just so hard for me. Don't get me wrong..........In many ways I have a much easier life than many others.......but my body is such a challenge.
Even during my worse times, we run lab tests and they are all normal.
Whewwww.........I could go on and on, but I'll spare you! I just needed to vent. Its just really hard feeling all these things all the time, and having them not make any sense.
And I've developed a doctor phobia, which makes it all even more difficult. I know I must sound crazy......but I'm really not.......!Splat! :laff:
I believe you. Some of us humans are just more sensitive to everything. I can smell, hear and taste things that the person next to me doesn't even notice. That being said, I can also drive myself nuts thinking about it. Every once in a while, I will get some strange affliction and start to wonder if I should investigate further. Recently, I've decided to think of my body as my ally rather than my enemy. We're in this thing together and what it does for me everyday is amazing. Adopting that attitude has been a great help in not succumbing to worry. I also notice that when I am totally wrapped up in some other thing - crisis at work, gardening, volunteering - I don't even notice my body or what it is up to. Make sense?
I think you're right about that Pinkytoe..........I'm a very solitary/hermit kind of person. I do have a DH and grown children. But I'm very isolated (my preference). And I think that gives me alot more quiet time to think about all these "afflictions". then again.....sometimes I don't even do some less-solitary things because of them.
I, too, am trying to think of my various parts that are failing as allies. It does help, for sure!.
Thanks pinkytoe!
Recently, I've decided to think of my body as my ally rather than my enemy.
Excellent point! But we're not told that by the Western medical tradition. Instead, we constantly get the message that we must be on guard against the next debilitating or life-threatening disease that's likely to strike. So we must schedule test after test after test to be performed at certain age markers and then routinely done again and again so we can "catch" it before it "gets" us. As a result we're living with this low level constant stress and fear that some disease is just around the corner. Guess what? It is. We are going to eventually get some dis-ease and die from it, even it that dis-ease is age. So I say "don't worry about it." There are a BUNCH of age related tests I have no intention of getting in the near future--maybe one day I'll get some of them but maybe not. I just try and live as healthy a life as I possibly can, be aware of my family history and schedule tests according to that and then hope for the best. As an example, I have no intention of crushing my boobs in a boob-crushing machine just so I can rest easy THIS YEAR that I don't have breast cancer--so I can do it all over again NEXT YEAR.
Also, as far as symptoms are concerned. My BIL is a physician and I've discussed this with him and other physicians. My BIL told me the old doctor's joke "eventually, the bleeding always stops." And this is so true! Additionally, I've learned from him that most of what doctors treat are symptoms. If you don't go to the doctor for whatever is ailing you today, it will probably go away on its own tomorrow--or maybe next week. Your body is working for you, not against you.
CathyA--I would just suggest you incorporate regular exercise into your life if you don't already do so. I get 90 minutes of exercise every single day. Not because I'm trying to be a purist or holier-than-thou or even because it makes me feel better physically but because the immediate result is that I feel less stressed even while I'm exercising. I feel at peace instantly. Of course there are other long-term benefits to doing it as well.
I also always seem to have some weird body thing going on... and would classify myself as highly sensitive in general.
Have you ever read Dr. John Sarno's book on the Mind/Body Connection? He has a very interesting theory that seems to apply to people like this. I have tried putting his recommendations into practice but have not worked my way completely through them yet. I learned about his theory from Dr. Weil's writings.
sweetana3
8-24-12, 10:32am
One of the best things you can do is become your own advocate and expert. Start keeping detailed journals of eating, exercise, stress and anything like how you are feeling. It can take a year or more to identify specific triggers and when you feel best or worst and perhaps why. It is really only worth it to you and the time is minimal.
I would say the same thing if a child was having problems. Be a detective and keep records.
I guess I'm the opposite ... for some reason I'm able to compartmentalize pain and discomfort -- I seem to put it in a box somewhere and forget about it. Then maybe I'll sort of remember, open the box, and yeah, it's still there, or oh, it's gone away. People hate me because I never get sick, never suffer, so to speak. Or, more importantly, if and when I do, I don't complain about it, so no one knows. It just seems that if I ignore it, it goes away. That can be a bad thing, I guess, because maybe I don't attend to things as soon as I should. I am getting "older" now, so I do get my regularly-scheduled tests and flu shots and such, but I never used to. I figure one of these days a bug will come along that I'm not immune to and it'll kill me instantly. A mixed blessing, I guess.
Having said all that, I'm not one of those high energy, super-healthy people, either. I just kind of plod along, at an even keel, all the time.
The one thing that really gets me is when someone says they have never had a headache or can only remember having maybe two in their life. I just can't believe it. My husband is one of 'those' people. He's only had 2 headaches in the 22 years I've been married to him (and I had to really baby him through those headaches). Meanwhile....I have a headache of some sort or other pretty much daily. Mostly mild, but I also get migraines and I get ocular migraines as well (no pain/just visual).
We rarely have anything bad enough for a Dr visit - yet DH complains daily about his back or digestion and I know my BP is running a little high but I feel better off medicine than on any of the 20 or so meds I've tried.
An example of worry gone awry in my mind is the current news about West Nile virus. Municipalities are aerial spraying pesticides because 1% of the infected people will come down with serious complications. There is a constant bombardment of fear from the media and drug ads that we are all at great risk for whatever the current fear is. One more reason to tamp down the media exposure. It's EVIL...
Float On........my MIL never had a headache either. Its hard to comprehend. DH's mom was incredibly healthy her whole life, but then she got non-hodgkins lymphoma. In some of her last few months, she told me that she felt so bad for all the times she was impatient with people who were sick and had various problems. She never realized what it felt like to be sick.
One reason I don't go to doctors much is they don't seem to have any abilities to remember other people with similar problems and how they handled it. They just immediately start ordering all sorts of excessive tests.
Then, if you don't want to have a ton of excessive tests, they think you're non-compliant.
Its amazing how many docs out there AREN'T competent.
When I was in perimenopause and having disabling migraines every day, my OB-GYN sent me to a "reproductive endocrinologist". She acted like she'd never heard of headaches during perimenopause. I never went back.
But I don't want this to turn into a doctor bashing........ My problem is that I have so many bizarre problems and I do get disheartened with them. I have funky things happen that my various docs have never heard of. It makes me feel a little crazy..............and I'm sure I might seem a little crazy to them, since they've never heard of some of these things.
I'm always sooooooo happy when a doc says "Yes, I know what you mean........." even if he can't do anything about it.
Its just really hard for me to know what's serious and what's not........
Meanwhile....I have a headache of some sort or other pretty much daily.
Float On--do you take any ibuprofen or aspirin for these headaches? If so, you may be suffering from rebound headache.
ApatheticNoMore
8-24-12, 2:11pm
One of the best things you can do is become your own advocate and expert. Start keeping detailed journals of eating, exercise, stress and anything like how you are feeling. It can take a year or more to identify specific triggers and when you feel best or worst and perhaps why. It is really only worth it to you and the time is minimal.
great advice.
To the OP: I think you should look into alternative medical approaches. Try dietary experimentation, try eliminating common foods that people have allergies too: wheat it *THE* biggie, but other grains maybe also. Some are sensitive to dairy, eggs, nightshades, etc. - but I think things like dairy sensitivities are really obvious, very obvious cause and effect, and things like wheat may in fact be worse but not be so obvious. Consider things like Chinese medicine, accupuncture, relaxation etc.. I don't think you *have to* become obsessed with your health, so that it becomes a monomanical obsession, but I'm saying research and experiment toward the answer, if one exists - just because doctors are very bad at this stuff. Also make sure that your symptoms aren't side effects of the medicines you are taking (if any).
OK, I don't have headaches. Sorry! :~) Right now, if I stop and think about it ... I think I might have what might be a sinus headache? Behind my eyes? So I'm putting it back in it's box. Done! I also have neck "discomfort" if I move a certain way, so I don't move that certain way. Solved that one pretty quick! It'll go away. Or maybe it won't, but I can deal with it. Can't find anything else ...
great advice.
To the OP: I think you should look into alternative medical approaches. Try dietary experimentation, try eliminating common foods that people have allergies too: wheat it *THE* biggie, but other grains maybe also. Some are sensitive to dairy, eggs, nightshades, etc. - but I think things like dairy sensitivities are really obvious, very obvious cause and effect, and things like wheat may in fact be worse but not be so obvious. Consider things like Chinese medicine, accupuncture, relaxation etc.. I don't think you *have to* become obsessed with your health, so that it becomes a monomanical obsession, but I'm saying research and experiment toward the answer, if one exists - just because doctors are very bad at this stuff. Also make sure that your symptoms aren't side effects of the medicines you are taking (if any).
I agree, CathyA. It sort of becomes a snowball effect. Your body's immune system can be so tied up in healing itself from the toxicity of certain pharmaceuticals that it gives some other baddie a chance to slip into your system, which needs medication, and the whole thing goes on and on.
I was chronically sick with one affliction or another until my 30's, when I started systematically eliminating one toxic thing after another from my life, seeing a doctor who practiced more holistic medicine, and getting help talking through my stresses with a counselor. (There was, as it turns out, a reward I was getting for being so sick -- I got attention from the people in my life who would only give me tenderness if I were on death's doorstep.) Once I removed those things, I became normal again....now the worst thing I get is somebody else's flu once or twice a year. And there was great rejoicing in the kingdom. :)
Anyway, think about those kinds of things. You deserve a life free of these things.
My sister once said there are two types of people in the world: Ones that have headaches and ones that give headaches. LOL
CathyA I have so many of the same symptoms as you, with a few thrown in for good measure. Mine started in childhood, looking back I believe Ihad migraines when I was 6-7yo. I was always a tired child. My Mom would be so frustrated with me at church in the evening when I was in grade school, because I would fall asleep during the service, while all of the kids were wide awake. I wish I didn't need so much sleep too,MOm. It is socially akward to not be able to stay awake when all of your peers are uprunning around. I went to church camp once, It took me monthes to recover. I couldn't get by on so little sleep. I still need 9-10 hours to be at all rested.
I worked for allergist most of my adult life. Have been skin tested, done elimination diets, etc all to no avail. When I was in my early 20's I got some kind of virus and have had fibro ever since. I have been made to feel like I am a whining hyprocondriac. That others just ignore those little aches and pains. I continued to exercise, hiking long distances etc until my early 40's. I had a hysterectomy in my late 30's. it was supposed to be a 45 min procedure and ended up being 4.5 hours as they tried to clean up all the endrometriosis. My surgeon was totally blown away with how bad it was. I knew him professionally and he kept saying I know you said you had menstral cramps, but I am amazed you could even get out of bed. You were the worse case I ever saw.
early on I opted not to have children. I knew I didn't have the energy to care for them. I never could have handled the nighttime awakenings. There are a lot of things I missed out of in life, because my body wouldn't let me do it. Long distance travel with time changes is really out of the question.
In some ways all of those things contributed to the demise of my marriage. I know I wasn't much of a partner in some ways, I didn't have the energy. In other ways the marriage probably lasted longer than it would have if I had been ok. I just went along with everything because I didn't have the energy to fight it
I worked double shifts a whole weekend with a dry socket on a extracted wisdom tooth. When I finally went in that dentist was like how could you work? Why didn't you go to the emergency dental office??? Ah, because it wasn't much worse than any day in my life.....
In my early 40's I had two herniated discs. Then I developed plantar fasciitis. When that finally started getting better, I tripped on a curb and got platular tendonitis. I have had a lot of trouble with tendonitis and it always takes it a long time to heal.
Now in my late 50's I have trouble with arthritis. My hip and hands are the worse. When they are really bothering me my fibro and chronic fatigue flare. When I don't get enough sleep, then I start having more trouble with migraines.....
I don't think I am all that depressed either. I still have lots of things I enjoy. I still make plans, altho sometimes I end up not being able to do them. I am more of an introvert than I think I would be if I was well, but who knows.
I think all those things are interrelated. I have tried all sorts of things meds, massage, acuptnture etc. Nothing has helped much at all. Now I just decided to accept it for what it is. I no longer work and if I can't do something one day, so be it. If the best I can do it stay in my jammies all day, that's what I do.
I think I came to simple living mostly because I haven't the energy to do anything else. It isn't the life I would have choosen but it is the one I have.
No answers, but I do understand.
awakenedsoul
8-24-12, 4:38pm
I'm sorry to hear of your health struggles. I am amazed at what seems to heal my minor to medium aches and pains. For example, I fixed the toilet and ordered parts for the refrigerator. I also cleaned out the fridge. My back and hip pain vanished. Overnight. Literally. Makes me wonder about our home environment and the people around us. I am also very sensitive and am an introvert. As I'm approaching 50, I don't push myself as hard. I get more rest, go to bed at 9:00 p.m., and exercise less vigorously. It really helps me to keep the house clean and have everything put away. Mess and disorganization really make me feel agitated. I think the emotions, family situation, and financial conditions really affect our physical health. My main focus now is to not give away life force energy to people or situations I find stressful, controlling, or irritating.
OK, I don't have headaches. Sorry! :~) Right now, if I stop and think about it ... I think I might have what might be a sinus headache? Behind my eyes? So I'm putting it back in it's box. Done! I also have neck "discomfort" if I move a certain way, so I don't move that certain way. Solved that one pretty quick! It'll go away. Or maybe it won't, but I can deal with it. Can't find anything else ...
I'm like you as described in both of your posts. I am not a sensitive person, meaning I don't have regular aches and pains. While I'm not sensitive socially and emotionally either, that's a whole other topic.
As I age I have occasional joint ache but I can't tie it to any one activity. I might take an aspirin once every few weeks. I might put a hot cloth on my bunion once every 3 months. I might dream about paying for a massage for my feet only, and rather often!
I've had small headaches off and on over my life, but never anything like a migraine headache. The last time I had a headache I was puzzled about it, and then remembered that I had had no coffee that morning.
From 12 on, I was always under-energized and it was entirely due to being anemic which causes a whole slew of symptoms. I tried every iron pill, ate liver, had transfusions - nothing helped. Now menopausal and not enduring chronic blood loss every month, I have more energy than I know what to do with. I used to beat myself up for not being more active but I just didn't have the energy back then.
On the other hand, I think I have probably had about six headaches in my entire life...
For the truly desperate, and under the "nothing ventured, nothing gained" idea, consider a past life regression.
Some people who have had it done swear that their current ailments were stopped or moderated after learning that, for example, in a past life they had fallen from a horse and twisted their back. After their regression, the back pain in the current life then stopped.
Haven't done this myself, but have read of people who have done regressions and found them useful.
Cathy, my guess is that your senses are extra good at detecting various sensations. I have relatives that can detect smoke or noxious fumes before smoke detectors. In some cases this is useful as where one relative worked they would empty the plant when he smelled something, which saved everyone else from suffering from the effects of the chemical/smoke fumes until whatever was causing the problem could be fixed. As a bonus no one winds up burning food when he is at their house and he can smell it when it is getting close.
Know people with extra good hearing too. So they benfit from extra quiet surroundings.
The things I can think of that are most likely to improve many of your symptoms would be to eat an Eat To Live diet for a couple months along with a gluten free diet. See which of your symptoms subside. Then go on the forums at the Eat to Live website and let them know which ones are left and a summary of what you have eaten in the previous two weeks. There are many people on there not only committed to dealing with the common problems resulting from the typical western diet, but also getting rid of the less common health problems. Someone on there may be able to spot a pattern or have resolved a similar one themselves.
Sometimes an uncommon food allergy can mimic the symptoms of another illness. Of course when they test for that other illness, nothing shows up.
At the other extreme you could try an extremely ellimination where you eat very few foods and then add others back in slowly.
For testing, it's probably not worth it unless the Eat to Live people can spot a pattern and test that one unusual thingg or unless you go for extenisve testing. If it were something easy and basic, they would have already spotted it. So unless you do extensive, wide ranging testing, it's not likely to turn up the very unusual thing.
The other possibilty would be once you have eliminated everything you can on the Eat to Live Diet would be to see if you can get access to a doctor with access to a super duper medical sleuth computer program. In this they type in all the symptoms and the program looks for the very rare problems or the problems that may be common elsewhere, but are so rare in your locale that the doctors have never heard of them. Many of them aren't that hard to fix, once the problem is understood.
Gardenarian
8-26-12, 6:34pm
Hi Cathy -
This is kind of a tough one for me to talk about without getting all defensive, as so many times the very real symptoms/diseases I have experienced were written off as stress or as my being overly-sensitive, hypochondriacal, and anxiety ridden (none of which I think describe me.) I know what it is like to learn to smile through level 7 pain every day. You have all my sympathy.
I've had all the tests and been through all the elimination diets, I exercise and eat lots of organic fruits/veg, I try to smile all the time, I meditate and pray and practice yoga and do affirmations - and yet, I still feel like crap.
:devil:
(I write this lying on the floor, with a face full of stitches - having thrown my back out 2 hours before surgery last week.)
Oh no Gardenarian! What a bummer!! And I'm sure laying down for all those hours during surgery didn't help your back either.
Hopefully you're getting all your pain over for the next year! Is your back slowly getting better?
I missed your other post about the surgery........I'm so happy for you that they got the cancer and you're on the mend.
Now take it easy and don't hurt yourself anymore!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.