Hospital Stay and Some Results

When we arrived Tuesday, Childrens had no record of arrival or room reserved for us. We had to get the reservation form from Dr. Tarr's office because the pediatrician was on vacation. When they finally got everything straightened out and sent us to our room, the resident informed me she didn't have Paul's medical records and no authorization from the Dr. on the floor about what they were supposed to be doing. Fortunately, I had just gone to three places the day before collecting all of his records from three Dr.s. I gave them to her to review, and it was in the pediatrician's notes what they needed to get done. She was able to get the tests coordinated except for the MRI because they were already booked for the next two days. They don't schedule them until the patient is physically in the room. Paul got a late start on the urine collection, but it worked out. We will get results in a week or so. We are scheduled for the MRI on March 31st as an outpatient. Some of the blood work already came back on Paul's cortisol levels. The Dr. said he passed with flying colors, and that the records he reviewed from the other Dr. were in comparison to an adult. He said there is not sufficient research out there on children. They don't suspect any of the other blood work to come back with problem. Paul is quite a mystery at this point. The Dr. said if the urine shows copper toxicity, this can cause a lot of problems for the liver but didn't indicate this to be a cause of severe abdominal pain or nausea. They haven't done a colonoscopy because the endoscopy and upper GI give no indication of Crohns or colitis. The therapist was helpful in acknowledging the difficulties associated with adjusting to this new way of life. The Dr.s are not familiar with fructose intolerance and don't have any explanation as to why he cannot process sugar in its simplest form, but we are to stick to his fructose free diet at least for now.

God Said No

I just received a good email about God saying no. I will share a little of it. I asked God to grant me patience, God said no. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned. I asked God to spare me pain, God said no. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, God said no. His spirit is whole, his body is temporary. I asked God to help me love others the way he loves me, God said Ahh, now you are getting the idea. We really need to focus on what God wants, not what we want.

Helpful Information

A dear friend that has been reading the blog who has been diagnosed with Addisons has given me so much helpful information. She asked me to have them test Paul for the antiadrenal antibody for his am fasting bloodwork. She said it checks to see the if Paul's adrenals are under attack from a genetic autoimmune antibody typically passed through the mother to the child. Since I have autoimmune issues (Fibromyalgia), it should be tested. This is where his adrenals could be under attack internally and not related to diet or toxins. Most Dr.s typically don't look for it but it can be life threatening if not found. She told me to ask for Dr. Norman Fishman and Don Skor who specialize in endocrinology. She also mentioned the MRI they will be doing on his pituitary is particularly loud and lengthy and sounds like a drill in your head for 30 minutes. Please pray he can handle the noise.

Research on Adrenals

When the adrenals are weak, a person may suffer from low blood sugar, low blood pressure, low body temperature and a feeling of exhaustion. They easily succumb to allergies and infections. Interesting fact: most asthma sprays contain adrenal-like hormones that mimic cortisol in the body. Nutritional deficiencies like B and C along with the accumulation of toxic metals and chemicals in the body can lead to adrenal fatigue. Antibiotics can accumulate in the liver and other organs, and toxins can be generated within the body due to impaired digestion. Additional stressors that tax the adrenals include: physical trauma, excessive exercise, infections, prescriptions, chemical toxins, emotional trauma, poor diet and lack of sleep. Long term over-activation of these hormones can deplete kidneys and adrenals which severely impairs the ability of the immune system to function. The adrenals are fed by nerves that connect to the spine. Those who are susceptible to infections or allergies are often told they have weak kidney energy. Acupuncture can be beneficial for those suffering adrenal exhaustion. Also, a diet high in potassium such as sunflower seeds, wheat germ, almonds, peanuts and pecans can help. For kidney energy eat millet, black beans, kidney beans, barley, wheat germ, potatoes, eggs and blueberries. Vitamins such as pantothenic acid (100 mg per day), C/with bioflavonoids for stress, B6, Zinc, Magnesium, E for oxygen to the cells, extra calcium, magnesium, chromium, iron, and selenium are all beneficial. Flax oil, omega 3's (salmon), Co Enzyme Q-10, Lechithin for nerves, grape seed extract to reduce stress, and wild yam can all help. Rebounding on a trampoline stimulates lymph flow better than any other exercise. Paul suffers from asthma and obviously now food allergies (fructose intolerance) along with exhaustion. He has been on so many antibiotics for strep throat, and has had symptoms of low blood sugar, and low blood pressure. I ordered copies of his medical records and will be picking them up Monday. I think he had six rounds of strep throat pretty close together at the end of school last year and was on the heaviest meds without probotics which could have easily affected all of the trouble in his body. I guess we will find out Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully, this info will be helpful to any of you who are also fatigued and suffering.