Me. Yep. For a long time. We take our health for granted.
2024 a year of trying to figure all this out.
Regurgitation, Nausea, Wooziness began. Now, when I say “woozy” I don’t mean your general fatigue or tiredness. No, this is if someone took a sedation gun and shot me between the eyes. I’m not able to even think or keep my eyes open…it’s almost a “dizziness” that doesn’t subside with even lying down.
Before this, it was YEARS of gut issues from dysbiosis (IBS), SIBO, colitis, gastritis, and GERD. Only to go completely DOWNHILL in the year 2024.
Tatum left PVCP to be homeschooled; Doug sacrificed “US” as a couple; Our family cancelled many plans last minute; No vacations, eating out, quick trips; over $50K in bills from supplements to tests to Dr. appts to promises of better health. What a year. But was it? I DID get closer to JESUS. I DID minimize my activities. I DID find joy in the small things like staring out the window and watching birds.
When you’re sick, you’ll buy or fall for anything because all you want is ONE THING: GET BACK TO HEALTH..whatever that means. For me, it meant functioning through the day without feeling like I had to go to bed. (and it wasn’t from depression) I just truly couldn’t walk or eat.
Here are all the tests I had done:
- Feb 2024: Bravo Ph and endoscopy (Demister score: 15) Reflux diagnosed
- Feb 2024: Esophogram: small hiatal hernia with questionable findings for low-grade reflux esophagitis.
- March Blood test showed HIGH MCV (anemia, high cortisol, Low fasting glucose)
- March: HIDA SCAN: Gall Bladder showed normal
- April: Precision Point food test: RED: Egg Albumin, almond, Orange Peach, English Walnut, Kidney Bean, Mustard, Navy Bean, Plum , Soybean, String Bean, Tomato, Tuna
- May: Anemic (Ferritin and Vitamin C low)
- August: Blood test showed Eosinophils (ALLERGY): 1.7 (now I see what the rising level meant)
- Sept: Blood test showed Elevated WBC, MCV, Eosinophils. .9 (went down to .8 in late Sept)
- September: CT Scan showed constipation abdomen with contrast
- September: 3 day parasite gut test: dysbiosis but mostly normal
- October: Gastric Emptying: NORMAL (2 hours 100%)
- November: Esophogram: NORMAL
- November: CT Scan with contrast of chest…NORMAL
- November: Manometry: Both sphincters are NORMAL
- November: Bravo PH 96 hour: Demister score: 10…NO REFLUX!!!!
- November: Endoscopy: 3 biopsies of the esophagus.: I had 15 on the left side of esophagus.
A biopsy showing 10 eosinophils per high power field (HPF) is generally considered normal and would not be diagnostic for esophagitis, particularly eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which requires a significantly higher count (typically 15 or more eosinophils per HPF) to confirm a diagnosis; therefore, a count of 10 eosinophils would not support a diagnosis of esophagitis.
DIAGNOSIS: EOE: Eosinophil Esophagitis
Dr. Shaheen has prescribed budesonide oral for 12 weeks. (an oral steroid)
My main symptoms: Nausea and regurgitation AND a feeling of being drunk/hungover. I mean REALLY sedated/hungover, and I have cut out most everything. It is so frustrating to not know what is causing this. The joy of eating has gone out the window because I feel awful after I eat, and again, I don’t know what is “good” and “bad” for me.
Could it be a histamine release? I have so many more questions, and I feel AWFUL that I have become so self-absorbed. I truly take one minute at a time, and I try to find the joy in my day. If it wasn’t for my family, I probably would just be in bed, but I need to be a strong girl and show overcoming.
Jesus, I know you are WITH ME ALWAYS. I know you see all of this, and that you have a plan for me and my family. Maybe you could give me a break in 2025, and get me on the path to better health. I have a long list of what I miss, and the first thing is being “out” with my husband and CHURCH. I also miss family outings / experiences. Sorry for focusing on these things.
In the meantime, I have found solace in worship music videos. The comments on these videos are life-giving. Thank you for what you are doing in people’s lives. Please give us more insight into this as the year ends.
I love you, Father. I truly love you.
