Anita,

Thanks for responding. I am more than willing to share my chronic health issues. I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at 13. It is somewhat better due to years of extensive physical therapy, but the years plus several rear-end and t-bone car accidents have taken their toll. I now have multiple bulging discs and arthritis in my spine. I have had ulcerative colitis since I was 19. I suffer from frequent migraines. Last year I had two ischemic strokes. For the most part, I was lucky. There were no severe deficits, but after extensive tests that ruled out everything except for the fact I’ve been on HRT for 14 years. After entering menopause, I suffered such frequent and severe hot flashes (day and night) that I could only get about 1.5 – 2 hours of sleep per night, collectively. I began blackout driving. I had tried natural supplements and remedies for 6 months without one bit of relief. I was lucky I didn’t kill someone or myself. That’s when they put me on low dose hormones. I tried for years to ween myself off, but the hot flashes returned with a vengeance.

After being discharged from the hospital for the stokes, I was taken off hormones cold turkey. Since then the hot flashes have returned and are still severe, but I’m getting more sleep. Along with the cessation of hormones, my joints and muscles are continually achy. I take fish oil and other supplements for joint health. I get some relief, but not enough that I ever feel comfortable or not in pain.

Less severe issues only serve to compound those above, but I have bunions, plantar fasciitis, a bum knee following a car accident which is beginning to lock up more and more since the last surgery. I also have tendonitis in both wrists and arms as well as progressing arthritis. I know at my age, health issues generally get worse or new ones crop up. I try to be pragmatic about it. Keeping active has always been my best pain reliever, but as I said I don’t have natural motivation anymore. I force myself to do things like my work, hobbies, exercise and housekeeping, but find no mental or physical relief as I once did. I also keep up with a supplement and diet regimen to maintain my health.

Outside of all these issues, my blood work always shows up great. I’ve had several tests for things like gluten intolerance and allergies which keep coming up negative. My bad cholesterol is low and the good is high. My doctor says I have the cholesterol of someone in their 20’s. I have low blood pressure and am not diabetic. My BMI is on the lower end of normal at 20.4. It’s just so discouraging that doing the “right” things isn’t making me feel any better. Thanks so much for asking.