Monday, December 8, 2008

Grant me immunity

I'm not sure what to do anymore. I consider myself a person who follows a fairly healthy lifestyle. I don't smoke, I drink only once in a while, I eat well, I get some exercise and sleep (both areas I'm trying to improve), I take my vitamins and I'm in a healthy, loving relationship (with Pete AND my pets). I eat lots of fresh foods, salads, organics, I go easy on dressings and other things (butter, creams, spreads, etc.) and I try to stay away from red meat and other problematic foods.



But as you may have noticed, my immune system seems to have given up, and I'm constantly getting colds or feeling under the weather (like now). My skin is horribly broken out (has been since our honeymoon) and I'm constantly suffering from weird aches and pains. My stomach is always a mess and I am forever having trouble coexisting with certain foods. I'm always dead tired and hurting, and as a result, I'm crabby, moody, and sullen. I don't want to do anything that requires great physical effort because I just can't muster up the energy. So what gives?



Yes, my Hooveritis* has much to do with it, I suppose. I've noticed a general demise in my overall health since it began almost two years ago. It tends to act up during the colder months, too. But I get regular massages and have been working out to help keep flexible and loose. And yes, I've always been plagued by headaches and migraines, especially during the last several years, but I've been careful to avoid triggers like red wine and try to get plenty of sleep (I try). Of course I have a very stressful job, and times are tough, but that's been the case in past years and have never been so sickly like this. I wake up every day feeling like I'm 85, not 35. What am I doing wrong?



Have you been having trouble with your health? What kinds of problems do you have? What do you do to feel better? Do you work out, eat right, sleep well, take vitamins, etc., or do you have another regimen you follow? I'm curious to know, because although I am taking steps to get healthier, not much seems to be changing. It's almost scary. No, it IS scary!

One POSITIVE change though: Claire has so helpfully suggested that I take Lysine for my canker sores. Since I started taking it several weeks ago, I have not had a single recurrence, which is utterly remarkable to me. So thank you, Claire! Every little bit helps.



Anyhow, I hope you are feeling great, healthy, happy, energetic, and well rested wherever you are and whatever you're doing, and I hope you are dodging those winter bugs so far too!


*Undiagnosed nerve disorder/injury that causes pain, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion

8 comments:

please sir said...

Honestly...I think it's a woman thing! All my girlfriends (and me too) are always feeling sick and tired. I'm not sure what it is. For me I think it is my dislike for my current job. Then overall stress. I want to feel good too - let me know if you find out anything!

kat said...

Sorry to hear you not feeling good. You seem to be doing all the right things. It might just be a stage that your body needs to break from.. sleep sleep sleep can be a time for healing. Take care.

georgia b. said...

i agree with kat. you do seem to be doing everything right. i've had some friends who were experiencing similar things, and went to see an endocrinologist to find out their hormone levels were slightly off. that is one thing i would suggest.

you know my story, so take hope and encouragement that as long as my similar bouts lasted, i came out of them feeling like my old self again. hopefully this is just a stage and part of a cycle that your body is going through.

i won't even mention the BTD, 'cause i've bothered you about that enough. but you still have the book, so you must be somewhat interested in it.
:)

Unknown said...

i am so glad that it is helping Chris!

as for the rest, i am praying for you. i really do belive that God can heal.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are feeling under the weather my friend. I know the one thing that helps me is drinking a cup of chamomile tea every night before bed. I'm hoping you feel better soon. You're too great of a person, to be going through this!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling up to snuff, Chris! I hear what Diana is saying about it being a girl thing---I'm so often exhausted, feeling totally unmotivated, and just generally crabby. I suspect for me---and perhaps for you---a lot of it might be seasonal. I notice it's always MUCH WORSE in the winter months. I have lots of get up and go once spring and summer hit, but you couldn't PAY me to get out of bed some days in the winter. And it makes sense that it would effect women more than men, because our bodies/hormonal cycles are so intricately tied to the earth, the seasons, the moon, etc.

Have you considered one of those light boxes that mimics the effects of sunlight? my mom swears by hers...

Chris said...

Thank you all for the well wishes and great advice. I'm made of hearty Polish stock (or so I thought) so this chronic sickness stuff is throwing me for a loop. But I feel better with friends like you out there. What would I do without blogging!?

carolina bleu said...

once i started doing yoga daily, my migraines just went away. aloe vera juice for your stomach, zinc for your immune system, and emergencees or green tea for your energy levels is what i recommend. hope your feeling better soon chris.