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MY STORY
I began experiencing back pain issues while in college as a 20 year old. I would repeatedly go to the doctor with terrible lower back pain. My lower back pain was absolutely horrendous while pregnant with my daughter at the age of 33 (1989). When I was 37, I went to the doctor to find out what in the world was wrong. He said I just had pain and to take aspirin. I told him that I wanted to find out exactly what was going on, so just to humor me, he had me get some x-rays and that his office would call me in 2 weeks. Like many of you know, they say they will call, but often times do not. This is what happened to me, so after 3 weeks, I called the doctor. I told them that I wanted an appointment to go over the results. As I sat in the exam room, the doctor came in shaking his head saying he didn't believe it. Of course I asked what was going on. He told me I had osteoarthritis in my lower back.
My life of pain only got worse and worse. Over the years, I have undergone pharmaceutical therapies, physical therapies, cold and heat treatments, stretching and exercise, bed rest, massage, chiropractic care, and 6 steroid injections. I have, on a couple of occasions, used the wheelchair from the nurse's office at school because I could barely walk due to pain (I was a teacher - I can say that the kids loved to push me around in the wheelchair), used the stair lift in our home (installed for my 84 year old mom), and prior to having the stair lift, had to crawl upstairs and sit on the steps to go downstairs. X-rays and MRIs now showed evidence of osteophytes and lab results a couple of years ago showed that I had a lot of inflammation in my body. Meds were prescribed for my pain, as well as OTC vitamin D3. By the time I was 60 (February 2016), I was taking a multitude of OTC vitamins, minerals, and supplements (15 in all) plus 6-8 naproxen sodium daily. I have had my fair share of pain.
I also, for a number of years, was taking medication for high blood pressure, 2 different medications for acid reflux (I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus), and 3 different medications for migraine headaches. I basically was a mess and in never-ending pain. There is so much more to my story, what I had to do to attempt to find pain relief, finding relief from excruciating migraines, and having to learn to live with my acid reflux issues.
In March 2016, I was introduced into a new way of life (natural, organic, non-gmo) - one that has led to being virtually pain-free, migraine-free, and medication-free. I recently cleaned out my medication cabinet and was in awe as to how empty it is. I now live life without worry about pain, headaches, high blood pressure, GERD, or anything! I know that if I stop doing what I do, then my medical problems will return. Now, my pain level is between a 0 & 1 everyday instead of 5 to excruciating!! My life is no longer hindered by pain! All I know is that when I made a simple change my life got better.
