Hi Feelbad: Thanks for writing back to me. I was thrown from a horse when I was 16 and never told anyone so was never checked for injury when I was a kid. 25 years later I found myself suffering from extreme back pain - 3 herniated discs and one torn disc in my lumbar spine. It took years to find a doctor who could help me and in the interim I grew worse and had little or no pain relief. The chiropractor who saved me has straightened my spine again and the three herniated discs rarely bother me anymore. But the torn disc is a constant source of pain that can affect my mind, health and overall ability to function. I am managing this issue better now - lost 50 lbs and am more mobile but this past year was hit with adrenal fatigue. The non stop pain - the fight or flight response in my body for so many years exhausted my adrenals and topped off with a major stress attack last fall I completely deteriorated.
In the spring I found a doctor (MD and naturopath combined) who is treating the hormonal imbalance and exhaustion caused by the adrenal fatigue. But I am feeling very discouraged by my slow progress. I am following all of his protocols concerning sleep, diet, naturopathic medicines and supplements but see very little headway. I just had an H1N1 shot three weeks ago and my immune system went haywire - I think because of my compromised health with the adrenals. I had flu symptoms, and eye infection, severe pain, and on and on - the worst is over now, but I am sad and tired and feeling sorry for myself. The last year has been so trying - not to mention the back pain for 12 years. That's why I went on the board last night - I feel very alone in all of this. My husband and teenage daughters love me and try to understand but I know from experience that only pain sufferers and people in the same condition really get it. So thanks again for writing back to me.
