This is a difficult post for me to make. A couple of months back I told everyone how I was having a gluten problem and must make a big life change to embrace a new eating plan. Well, unfortunately ALOT has happened since then. I have been off the gluten for over two months, and it was by far, the best thing I have done for myself(second to dreads!). Anyway, I went through a colonoscopy, endoscopy and stomach biopsy...which all determined that I was cancer free and my internal organs looked healthy, although inflamed from the past gluten. Next, I had a new series of bloodwork and several hormone studies, all performed by an Endocrinologist. What was found was twofold...First, I have something called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Which is to say that I have a very enlarged thyroid, that for some unknown reason is turning on itself and destroying itself! I had an ultra sound to confirm that my thyroid was covered with scar tissue and was very damaged. Second, they found that I may also have something called Addison's disease...which goes with Hasimoto's quite often. The results of Addison's is a low cortisol level from adrenal failure. Your adrenals help to process stress. So, high levels of stress upset the adrenals and then the less cortisol you produce, the less able you are to handle the stress...a vicious circle really. Anyway, in plain English...my stress is literally killing me. I am now on thyroid meds (for life!), and my neck has shrunk over two inches in a month! I have another specialist appt. in a week or so and will find out if I must go on steroids (for life!) to deal with the Addison's. I do have a pituatary tumor in my brain that was found long ago and is benign, but may be causing or adding to these problems. Anyhow, many of you know that I have two special needs children. My youngest daughter is mentally ill and highly violent. She was in a facility for two years and came home in April. Because of budget cuts, I will lose vital services in June to help me care for her. I have VERY few options and at this point...I am too sick to fight for more services. All of you here are my family and I love you more than you will ever know. I truly feel blessed and at a place in my life where I am happy with who I am. I have found so much love and guidance from all of you. You have never let me down...evenwhen my own family did. I believe that my dreads hve lead me to explore my world differently and to get answers that I was too afraid to contemplate in the past. What I need from you all now is this...I MUST get my stress under control, or I will not be here in the future. My doctor has been very clear. I just don't know how to find peace in a situation that I can not change (my daughter). I don't know what to do for myself to get to a calm place. Please, will anyone help me?
updated by @panterra-caraway: 02/14/15 05:41:14AM