Brittany's Health Story (since 2005)

"I'm losing it."

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.-Thomas Edison

Background of me:

Brittany Jones.26.Northwest Arkansas.Married.Sinner saved by the Grace of Jesus.Lover of People and Coexisting in this crazy world with all of you. Extroverted. Animal Obsessed.Big Hearted.Family and Friend Centered.Corporate Walmartian.

In order to follow what I plan to post about I think you should have a background of my health issues and what I am trying to overcome.  I want to post blogs about dieting.My day to day life. Rants. Raves. and pretty much anything I want.  But...first read the below if you want to understand all my health junk!

Background of Health issues that is spawing this blog and change of life:

I started to gain some weight in 2005 after graduating High School and while attending my first year at the U of A.  I paid little to no attention to this weight gain and really shrugged it off due to the stress of work and school.  In the year of 2006 and after I had gained over 50 lbs my family really started to question me and worry, which in turn caused a stir inside of me that said..maybe something more is wrong.  I scheduled an appointment with a dr. to do some testing .  Since that day I have been poked, prodded, biopsied, sent to Mayo Clinic, put on this diet, put on that diet, shot in the butt, tested for this and paid out more dr. bills than what should be allowed...and now here we are 2013 6 years later. 

Here is a listing and description of everything that I have going on. ( conditions in bullets)

• Hashimotos Thyroiditis:  A chronic thyroiditis  is swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland that often results in reduced thyroid function or complete loss of thyroid function. ( hypothyroidism)

I like to explain the above experience and condition in morbid terms.  Like: Hashimoto the monster that jumped in my body and attacked my thyroid that caused me to have bear claw scratch stretch marks on my stomach and since he jumped in my body that's why I gained all the weight...see seems more logical. Also since Hashimoto jumped in my body and attacked my thyroid they had to remove it in 2007.  Yep, complete thyroidectomy which I have come to know is very rare.  This surgery took a about 2 hours longer than what was expected because there was a significant goiter on my thyroid that was wrapping around my esophagus and they said "they had to chisel it out like concrete".  I just love the sound of that. 

• Sinus Tacchychardia that causes episodes of Supraventricul Tacchycardia

This is a heart condition that originates from faulty electrical connections in the heart .  I come from a family with heart disease running on both sides so this was really no suprise that something heart related would show up in one of the grandkids.  How lucky am I?!  I take medications two times a day to keep my heart in rhythm.   I have definitely had some super scary chest pains, heart palpitations, and episodes where my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.  But, other than this issue I have a healthy heart muscle and my dr's have said it poses little to no risk for me.   This does not mean that I am out of the dark or that my anxiety over a heart problem subsides.  It is on my mind every minute of everyday and I know very quickly when something isn't right with my heart because I pay such close attention to it.

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS ) mixed with something called Metabolic Syndrome

PCOS is a super scary and unfortunate hormonal disorder that is very common with a lot of women . 

"PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder in women that with interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries, or ovulation. It is the most common cause of infertility among women. PCOS occurs when a woman's body overproduces sex hormones, called androgens. The hormone imbalance prevents fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries from breaking open and releasing mature eggs. The fluid-filled sacs bunch together, causing many tiny cysts. Symptoms of PCOS include missed periods, abnormal facial and body hair growth, acne, and weight gain. PCOS may run in families. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about PCOS, what the symptoms are, how to treat it, and much more." ( http://women.webmd.com/pcos-directory)

Yeah it sucks and I have not had a normal monthly cycle since 2005...so if you think trying to start a family or be healthy without this monthly friend.  Think again.  It is truly a blessing and a curse at the same time.

• Anxiety and Panic Disorder

I know that this may seem like a joke because my life is beautifully blessed and I should have nothing to be anxious over.  However, I struggle almost daily with what feels like the weight of the world on my chest that makes me think something bad could/ might/ would happen at any moment in time.  I live in a state of the strangest fears.  I pray each day for courage and triumph over these issues and I take medications to help with daily symptoms and have meds to cope with panic attacks when they occur. I know my triggers and I try to navigate around them the best I can.

Of all the items I struggle with if I could remove one from my life right now this one would be it.  I want anxiety, panic, and fear removed!! 

• Stomach Issues ( GERD , Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroparesis)

I have had more colonoscopys than most elderly people and I can tell you every flavor of that nasty MoviPrep out there.  If you love Gatorade and Salt this drink is for you.  I also have had the pleasure of wearing those sexy paper shorts with the butt flap that opens up so many times that I often wish I owned the patent on it.   Anywho, I take prilosec like it's candy because if it I don't my esophagus and chest will feel like someone is slowly pouring lava down it (GERD and Hiatal Hernia).  I have a weird thing that is currently wrong with my stomach( Gastroparesis) and that is that anything with high naturally occuring fiber or is just extremely dense in form  ( veggies, fruit, nuts) WILL make me throw up.  Yep.  You read that right.  My stomach does not contract correctly so it will push those items right back up.  Sometimes this all feels like a BAD PRACTICAL JOKE!!! 

• Elevated Liver Enzymes and Hyperlipidemia

Because of the weight I have gained ( 90+lbs)  I have elevated liver enzymes and high cholesterol and triglycerides. Due to these elevated liver enzymes I have had the absolute pleasure <--extreme sarcasm of having TWO liver biopsies where they literally penetrated into my liver with a long rod and took 2 bites of it to test it for random things.  I wasn't out for this procedure, I was supposed to be comfortable..well there is no comfort being awake when something penetrates your skin-muscle-and stabs an organ and then bites it.  sheesh, I can hardly sit here and think about it. 


Whew,  I am super tired of writing this and I am certain you can only imagine you are too.  Now, I need your prayers and I need and want a change so much for my mind, body, and spirit. 

Do you know what all the dr.'s say will change these issues ?  WEIGHT LOSS.  I am not going to go under the knife and get a procedure ( not to say I haven't thought of it) but I am going to make a dramatic lifestyle change and stick to it this time.  This blog is going to walk you through that and I hope you will join in by encouraging me and being my friend and providing guidance.  I will probably post some pictures that will be very humbling for me.  But, I want to share my story and help others and succeed more than anything. 

Thanks for reading my "health" story.  I say it that way because I am not letting it define me and in no way shape or form am I not super blessed and happy to be me or alive and dealing with each and everything I have going on.  This is not terminal and I am going to overcome!! 


XOXO


Brittany