Prompt: Health Activist Choice Day 2! Write about whatever you like.

Have you had a doctor tell you, “I don’t know”? It’s refreshing to hear that, especially when he says that he’s going to continue to find an answer, a diagnosis and a treatment. I’d much rather hear that than be given some farfetched diagnosis that I and my doctor both know is ridiculous.

This happened to me recently and it’s happening more frequently. I understand that you need to fill in the blank on insurance paperwork for a diagnosis, but don’t give me some baloney story. It makes me feel like I’m too stupid to realize that you just don’t know.

My health issues are so complex and I’m always coming up with WBS – Weird Body Symptoms – that I wouldn’t blame any doctor who was bewildered with a pain that I’m complaining about, or nausea. With me and probably with others who have multiple chronic illnesses, it’s going to take time to separate one condition from another first. Then making the decision through tests, blood work, etc. will be needed to determine if it’s something entirely new.

Doctors, it’s OK to admit that you don’t have an answer. Be reassuring that you’re not giving up. Work with me and let’s get to work on getting a real diagnosis.

Prompt: The Things We Forget. Visit http://thingsweforget.blogspot.com/ and make your own version of a short memo reminder. Where would you post it?

Health Notes to Remember to Share with the Public:

I’d post this on my car when I park in a handicap spot.

This needs to be in doctors’ offices and hospitals.

I wrote this quote years ago. I’d post it everywhere.

Health Notes to Remember for Myself: These can work as affirmations. I’d stick them on my bathroom mirror.

Share your notes with me so we can encourage each other.

Prompt: Pinboard. Create a pinterest board for your health focus. Pin 3 things. What did you pin? Share the images in a post and explain why you chose them.

My Health Advocate Pinboard – hope you’ll follow it and my other boards!

Sleep is good for you (because I have to sleep a lot, sometimes too much):

Image Source - http://simplegreenorganichappy.com/2012/04/value-of-sleep-technogel-pillow-review/

Myasthenia Gravis Warrior (because this image shows how much symptoms can vary among people with MG and how strong we are):

Image Source: http://www.cafepress.com/donlynsdesigns

Overcoming Suffering (because this inspires me to keep going and to keep advocating for others):

Image Source - http://www.hffcf.org/hope-membership/

Image Sources: 1. http://simplegreenorganichappy.com/2012/04/value-of-sleep-technogel-pillow-review/

2. http://www.cafepress.com/donlynsdesigns

3. http://www.hffcf.org/hope-membership/

Health haiku. Write a haiku about your health focus. 5 syllables/7 syllables/5 syllables. Write as many as you like.

This prompt scares me. I used to write poetry, but never followed rules. Cut me some slack as I try my best…

The age of forty
I believe in beginnings
I am faced with fear

Nighttime – the enemy
I long for sleep and rest
Alarm clock rings – No!

It often takes a long time to diagnose a chronic illness because symptoms may overlap into many disease categories, because symptoms may be vague (such as fatigue, brain fog, stomach upset) and because there may not be any definitive medical tests outcomes. This is where Organic Acid Testing comes in. Organic acids are compounds produced within the body in the course of metabolism. Metabolism determines state of health and is the result of a combination of: genes, nutrition, lifestyle, attitude and other environmental factors.

The urine is tested overnight to determine what metabolic problems are present and what can be done to improve the condition. The specifics that organic acids testing look for are:

• Vitamin and mineral insufficiencies
• Amino acid insufficiencies like carnitine and NAC
• Oxidative damage and anti-oxidant sufficiency markers
• Indicators to assess detoxification sufficiency
• The best functional markers of B-complex deficiency
• Neurotransmitter metabolites to assess CNS function
• Mitochondrial energy production assessment via citric acid cycle components
• Methylation sufficiency status
• Lipoic acid and CoQ10 sufficiency markers
• Specific dysbiosis markers for bacterial and yeast overgrowth

These cannot be found in blood tests; therefore, organic acids testing is done at home and read by clinical consultants who can also recommend nutrients, vitamins and dietary changes. Although this type of testing does not provide a diagnosis, it enables you to reduce harmful chemicals that may be causing your symptoms, increase specific vitamins and minerals based on your unique metabolic profile.

I have a lot of chronic illnesses, too many to even mention here without boring you to tears. But, suffice it to say that I am not able to work outside the home, I have seven specialists that I see regularly and I take over 10 prescription medications.

Being unable to work caused me to be very depressed. I was used to working hard. But finding something that I was able to do that didn’t make me feel sicker was very difficult. Paid blogging has been the answer for me though. I can work when I am able. If I am too sick, I just don’t work. I can set my own hours. I can write about what I enjoy. And I can earn money!

It’s not enough money to buy diamond rings but it’s enough to add to my family’s income and help out with bills. Please see Earn $ Blogging to learn more.