I felt the call to begin this blog after I went through an amazing experience with my health this summer.  I have had a headache everyday since Nov 10, 2008, the day my beautiful daughter was born. The past seven years have been a journey of faith, discovery, doctors, and courage.  In this blog I hope to share my story so others can learn from our experiences.

 

I have a genetic condition, Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome.  It creates too much collegian in my body, making all the connectivity tissue too stretchy.  For me, this disorder has caused sagging of my brain, continual dislocated shoulders and hips, and pain in my feet.  It also caused a condition, Post-Orthostatic Tachycardia; the nerve which regulates my pulse is not working causing high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and falling.

But wait, there’s more! I have Hemicrania Continua, a very rare, severe headache on one side of the face that mimics Migraines and Stroke.  It took us until this summer to get this diagnosis.  Treatment has given me some relief from the chronic stabbing pain.

I have PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which caused infertility problems along with imbalanced hormones. This is a trigger for Migraines as well weather changes.

All of this has caused Depression, Anxiety, and the One condition I am not suppose to talk about: Dependency on Pain Pills.

Seven years of debilitating pain lead to many doctors, many procedures, and a great deal of medication.  Of course one of the medication was Hydrocodone (Vicodine). I followed the doctors orders exactly, never taking more than given per day. I never lost a prescription, need more early, or took pain medication from other people.  I was being the good patient I was suppose to be.  But it happened anyway. After seven years of use, my body was addicted to the Vicodine.  My brain was altered by the medication.

Did you know it can take up to two years for the side effects of withdrawal to go away? TWO Years!! The most dangerous long term effect is Severe Depression, not just having the blues, but being Suicidal.  Your brain stops producing endorphins when you take the narcotic; it takes years for your brain to start producing the neurotransmitters needed.

This journey has been a difficult one, and I am not finished by any means.  I want to share my story to give hope to others going through the hell of chronic pain. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.