A Personal Note from Jen

I have a confession to make. I’ve had a number of health issues in the last couple of years, and I’ve been keeping quiet about them. But all that’s changing.

Now before you start worrying about me, let me just come right out and tell you that my health concerns are not life-threatening. I don’t have cancer, I don’t need an organ transplant, and I’m not in the hospital! Nonetheless, I’ve been miserable. And I have a hunch that many of you will be able to relate.

And before you read too far, I just want to warn you that this note is me unbridled. I’m holding nothing back. You may encounter a swear word or two, and I hope that doesn’t offend you.

So here's the deal: I’ve felt awful for the last 3 years. I’ve been overly fatigued, gained weight that I couldn’t lose, and suffered with hormonal mood swings. And every so often, a new symptom would pop up and add itself to the mix, despite my best efforts to stay healthy. Things just got worse and worse.

Then, about a year ago, we unexpectedly lost our beloved dog Punky to cancer. Now I know that many people think that dogs are just pets, but my Punky meant the world to me. When she died, I felt like my internal motor burned out and grinded to a halt. And my health only got worse from there. There is no other way to describe to you how I’ve felt in the last year other than to say that I’ve felt like shit!  

I’ve been to countless doctors and health professionals in the last 3 years, including a number of internal medicine doctors, gynecologists, psychiatrists, an endocrinologist, a dermatologist, a psychotherapist, and a dietitian. (And I’m sure there are a few I’m forgetting.)

To each doctor, I explained my symptoms, and recounted my efforts to address them. Good nutrition, lots of rest (even though I have a lot of trouble sleeping), and plenty of exercise. I would stress that despite my best efforts, I just haven’t felt like myself in years.

Now, I saw a few well-meaning doctors, and I saw a few idiots (and I mean idiots!) My favorite was the endocrinologist who reviewed my daily food intake, decided that I was lying to him and that I must be eating more than I said, and insisted that an appetite suppressant was the key to all my problems. I still want to scream when I think about that jerk!

And even the doctors I liked weren’t very helpful. Each one disagreed with the others, and each doctor thought that treating my symptoms was the answer. No one listened—or rather, no one understood—when I told them that I wanted to find the cause of all these symptoms!

I’ve since learned that most doctors today aren’t trained to treat the whole person, they’re trained to treat symptoms. It’s a band-aid approach.

I was tired of the band-aids. I wanted to get to the root of my problems so that I could feel like myself again and get on with my life!

Now before things get too gloomy, there is some good news in this story. First, I may have finally found the cause of my health concerns! I was just about to give up on doctors completely when I found one who was able to look at the big picture and locate the source of my problems. It’s a little premature to say that I’ve been cured, but I’ve embarked on a new course and it seems to be making a big difference. When the time is right, I promise that I will share all the details.

Second, I’ve learned that I just can’t be so reliant on doctors and other professionals when it comes to my health. If I didn’t listen to my instincts and take action on my own, I’d probably be more miserable now than ever before. I know now that while having a good doctor on my side is important, I’m the one who really holds the power. I know I have a long road to healing ahead of me, but I’m ready for it! And I’ll be talking a lot more about this stuff on my blog in the coming months.

Third, and maybe most importantly, I’ve been inspired by my own health crisis to reach out to people who are facing the same challenge.

You know that I coach adults with ADD. But what you probably don’t know is that about 95% of those clients are dealing with health concerns over and above ADD. Obesity and inability to lose weight, fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue, migraines, insomnia, infertility, depression, and debilitating anxiety are just a few of the conditions that readily come to mind. So I know for a fact that I’m not the only one who’s been going through life—working, raising a family, trying to be happy—all the while feeling like shit!

It’s all of this—my own health concerns, my clients’ struggles, and my new knowledge—that led me to put together the Holistic Health Virtual Conference.

In the last year, I’ve become just as passionate about holistic health and wellness as I am about ADD. I’ve seen too many people suffering with not just their ADD, but a cascade of other health problems. I also have a sneaking suspicion that it’s all related, and the connections between general health and ADD are ones that I will definitely be exploring in the coming months.

For now, I’ve gone out of my way (and perhaps worked a little harder than I should have in my current state) to put together a stellar online event that introduces holistic health to people who are struggling to figure out the causes of their illnesses and move on with their lives.

The Holistic Health Virtual Conference speakers are experts on their topics who aren’t afraid to buck the establishment. They understand that health is about more than band-aids. They understand that health and wellness means paying attention to the whole person, and not just the person’s symptoms.

And even more importantly, each and every one of the Holistic Health Virtual Conference speakers is “in the trenches,” working to educate the public and make a positive difference in the lives of their patients and clients.
Just take a look at the Holistic Health Virtual Conference presenters, and you’ll see what I mean:

• Dr. Charles Parker (one of my favorite presenters from the Virtual AD/HD Conference) will talk to us about causes of and treatments for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and ADD in the context of your overall health

• Shane Ellison will share his experience as a former big pharma chemist, and offer natural alternatives for curing and preventing cancer

• Dr. Steven Hotze will share some comprehensive and really powerful information on hormonal imbalances in men and women—from thyroid disorders to estrogen dominance 

• Ann Louise Gittleman will be teaching us detox strategies for weight loss and improved health

• Dr. Rodger Murphree will be educating us about the medical myths of heart disease

• Nancy Desjardins will be telling us how to live better by beating sugar and food cravings

• Dr. Michael Holick is one of the world’s leading authorities on Vitamin D, and he’ll be sharing some surprising benefits of Vitamin D when it comes to treating autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses

• Kelley Herring will educate us on the hidden dangers in our food that can lead to infertility, birth defects, and cancer

• Dr. Daniel Amen (a favorite in the ADD community) is our Keynote Speaker and he’ll discuss the connection between our brains and bodies when it comes to losing weight

• And I’ll be addressing the topic of stress management, which I think is one of the most important wellness factors no matter who you are or what health concerns you’re dealing with

These are the people and the information that I wish someone put in front of me 3 years ago! But if you know me, then you know I’m not a complainer. I’d rather make a difference and help others in the way I wish someone could have helped me.

If you can relate to my story and you can’t seem to get your own health on track, then you’re one of the people who I had in mind when I put this event together.

Please take a look at http://www.HolisticHealthConference.com to find out more and register to join us.

Remember, this is an online event, so you don’t need to travel, and you don’t even need to attend the live sessions because downloads will be available to everyone who registers. And, of course, there will be ample opportunity to connect with others who are also struggling with health concerns and learning how to take charge of their own health.

I’ve made the whole process as easy as possible to ensure that the people who need this information are able to take advantage of it. If this sounds like you, then please do join us next week!

http://www.HolisticHealthConference.com

 Here's to health--yours and mine!

P.S. I’d love your feedback on all this. Please share your thoughts in the comments field.

Comments

[Dr Charles Parker]

Jen,
You deserve a big hug, a high five, and a heartfelt way-to-go-girl for taking the time [and the risk] to lay your personal evolution right out there for your readers.

This is an excellently written piece, it says a great deal about your personal commitment to spreading the *new health* word effectively, - and I'm really looking forward to sharing my own story with your Holistic Health Virtual Conference attendees as well.

Neuroscience evidence really does change thinking!

See you very soon - those of you who haven't signed up need to check in right away!
Be well... see ya there!
Chuck

[LeeAnn Wanucha-Thomas]

Hi Jen,

Glad to read about your newest passion - health and healing. One of my favorite approaches to alternative medecine is Ayurveda, a science of healing from India that originated 5000 years ago. Check into it!
LeeAnn

[Bettina French]

I agree with you wholeheartedly about most physicians seeing symptoms narrowly in terms of their own specialty instead of seeing the whole patient. Unfortunately,that's how they are trained in medical school. I'm in the health care field myself and I do better by breaking all the rules, self-diagnosing and self-medicating (not that I advise that for others).
A perfect example is alcohol abuse. Go to http://www.mywayout.org/community/f20/consolidated-baclofen-information-thread-38718.html and read about a wonderful new treatment for alcohol abuse that doctors don't even know about.
My "treatment" for ADD consisted of a written questionnaire, a prescription for Adderal, and a 10 minute appointment every month to get the prescription renewed.Now
I'm off the meds and find your tips much more helpful.
Good luck with your own health -- a very moving story.
Bettina

[John]

Hi Jen,

I am so happy to hear about your discoveries. I am positive you are listening to your voice and following it. I will put you on my prayer list.

I have taken your Time Management course and used several of your suggested techniques to help stay focused. I am 28+ yrs in drug and alcohol recovery and am in my 5th year since discovering my lifelong ADD condition. I am 62.

Keep up the great work!!!

John H. ACC

[Karen Winchester]

Hi Jen,
I think the conference will be very helpful to participants. Right now due to both my and my husband's unemployment I can't sign up for the conference but i am interested in future presentations and whatever free information is available of course. I found reading your personal sharing about your health struggles to be very inspiring and encouraging. Thank you for following your instincts and heart.

[Michael]

Jen:

Sorry abouth your loss of your beloved Punky. I've been there and have felt crushed also. My two teacup yorkies are rescues. However they rescued me, Since the discovery of my ADD, and all the support I received, I'm doing better, and it's a long road. My two girls(yorkies) make me so happy, I thank god every day for them, and I've been really happy the past 2 1/2 years. Good Luck

Michael

[Elizabeth Moes]

Hi Jen,

I went through a similar period of ill health (1987-1992). One doctor suspected Multiple Sclerosis, but wasn't sure. he said: Call me when you need a wheelchair(!) --and then took a phone call, speaking in a foreign language like I was invisible!

In the end I figured out the cure for incipient MS, but of course neither the MS Foundation nor the doctors believed me. (You'll see why below).

I found a book that claimed silver-mercury amalgam fillings in teeth caused mercury poisoning when the subject had a combination of allergies (ie, hyperactive immune system), drank alcohol and consumed sugars. The correction is to remove all the silver-mercury amalgam fillings and replace them with the white plastic stuff (I forget the proper word). Of course this means that the dental association would be liable if this ever came out. The Swedish dental society accepted this discovery and discontinued using silver amalgam, but when the scientist who discovered it tried to bring the news to North America, the Canadian and American Dental Association would not let him lecutre!!! Money doesn't talk, it swears....

The symptoms of tingling hands, arms, feet, legs and the paralysis which kept coming and going were 50% improved when I had all my silver fillings changed to white fillings (I couldn't afford to get all my teeth done at once). I only had neuralgia in my hands and feet, not my legs or arms, and the tingles were much reduced.

Then, six months later, I got the rest of my fillings replaced, and within a week all my symptoms disappeared. No more tingles, after 3 years of suffering and fear!

As a final proof, about a year later, one of the fillings broke, and suddenly the symptoms returned. There was still a silver layer underneath the broken filling because it was such a large cavity. I had to wait 2 weeks (over Christmas) before getting it fixed and during that time I consumed lots of sugar, chocolate & alcohol. As soon as I got it fixed - again, no more symptoms.

When I told this to a holistic doctor she said "You must be very proud that you solved this mystery!" I felt patronized and betrayed. Why should an ordinary citizen who does not specialize in medicine or health therapies have to come up with the answers?

I said, "No, I'm furious. Its not my job to solve this mystery, and the medical and dental establishments made me feel like a whacky hypochondriac!"

Anyway, that was 18 years ago, and I have never had tingles or paralysis since.

So, keep trying all avenues until you get better. You will!

Blessed be,
Elizabeth

[Carleen Layne]

Hey, Jen, Thanx for your sharing. It seems to be one of the great journeys in our time to answer the question . . . what is wrong and why do I feel/think/act like this? The answer may not just be one thing--in my case it has been a complex myriad of conditions, but a couple things have remained consistent through all of it . . . I must be responsible and take action--nobody else can fix it and there is no silver bullet. I was tickled to listen to your recent interview with Charlie Parker about psychological diagnoses actually having a physiological medical component--years ago Sydney Walker III re-inforced what my experience was showing me already--simple things like when I eat crap I feel like crap, when my blood sugar drops, I am homicidal and when I exercise and get enough sleep, I feel tons better. Mary Ann Block, an osteopath out of Dallas, has many of the same medical assessments for "mental illness." It's fascinating for me, because, per above, I have lots of personal experience that coincides with that assessment, e.g. I haven't had a serious depression, since I got off caffeine and sugar in 1986. But who wants to go to those extremes--most of us want a magic wand and a quick, permanent fix with no/very little effort. My latest thing has been working with an acupuncturist using NAET to treat allergies--I have lots of indications that I'm affected that way too. So it continues to be a journey . . . sometimes grueling, sometimes frustrating, but rewarding over time and with consistent, persistent actions. Thanx for the opportunity to vent. Best to you. xocarleen

[CJ]

Hello Jennifer,

First, let me express my deepest sympathy to you regarding the loss of your family member, Punky. Pets are so much more than just pets, or just animals. They bring an incredibly important dimension to our lives, as I can tell you know. I am in the field of occupational therapy, so I was very excited to read of your convention. As you may know, occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to health. It is the very reason I chose OT for my work. It is the way I think, and I can't understand why the medical field is still so far behind in this. I realize not every doctor can use this philosophy--there are specialties in medicine for a reason. Not everyone has the ability to be a brain surgeon, or oncologist. I just recently found your website, after having had my son "diagnosed" with ADD years ago. I started to think about myself. I always felt there was something wrong with me--I could get high test scores in school when I was younger but wasn't a straight-A student. As I got older, my working life became affected by what I think is ADD. My home life was chaotic, to say the least. I always felt like I was less of a person than pretty much everyone else. How did people keep great jobs, and get better jobs, and I just kept jumping around from one thing to the next? OT has made me think more about this, and I have become a HUGE believer in holistic living. I try to share this with anyone I come into contact with. I hope that there are many OT people out there who will be able to participate in your conference. It would just be a natural thing for them. I am sorry you have felt so lousy for so long, and hope that the fix you have discovered is a permanent one. Thanks so much for your fabulous website--I just got started, and because I am not currently working, can only use the free advice for now. Hope to do more later. Thanks for putting yourself out there for those of us who feel alone with these problems. ADD/ADHD is hard enough to deal with, and I absolutely agree with you that there are so many interlinked symptoms and health issues that are related to it. Best wishes to you! CJ

[Jen Koretsky]

WOW! The outpouring of support and personal stories in response to my note has been amazing!!

Thank you all so much for reaching out through your comments. The more resources and personal experiences that we all share, the more we help those around us who are in need!

[Linda Briel]

First off - sending you sympathy from the heart on the loss of your beloved Punky. I just rips the heart out to lose someone as important as our furbearing family members.

I am SO sorry This post is late, Jennifer - hadn't seen the earlier message so I missed this whole thing!

Can certainly relate to your misery - and I totally agree with your thought that there is a link - somewhere - between ADD and some of the myriad other ills that plague us. I have fibromyalgia, asthma, now diabetes, and ADD. Since diagnosis with diabetes I have virtually dropped eating the things that spike my sugar - and guess what? I feel better in every way, and my ADD symptoms are less, too!!!! Of course I'm not perfect, so I say VIRTUALLY no - white potatos, white flour, white bread, white sugar, white rice, pasta, cereal (not even oatmeal), nothing containing high fructose corn syrup.

I also discovered Doctors don't have all the answers - and if they can't push a pill to 'fix it' don't seem to be interested in figuring out the problem.

With the help of a smart 'diet coach' (NOT a dietician or nutritionist - who didn't know the right answers for me, either) I have dropped 50 pounds and got my a1c down to 5.9.

WISH I had gotten here in time to attend this conference. Will the written materials ever be available for purchase?

[Kelly Cichocki]

Oh, and Jen,

I recommended your book, Odd One Out, to Peggy Ramundo, author of You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy? She was psyched to hear about your book!!

Kelly

[Eileen]

Hi Jen,
I am so happy to finally be able to access this site. I am sorry to hear about Punky, and would like to extend my condolences to you and your family. I appreciate everything you've done for the ADHD community. I thoroughly enjoyed the Virtual Conference and downloaded all the presentations. I haven't listened to the Holistic Health presentations yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to exploring the different posts and comments on this site. There's nothing like communicating with people who know what you're going through, whether it is ADHD or something else.

I appreciate your honesty in sharing your personal experiences. Good for you for being an advocate for your health care. There are amazing facilities and professionals available, but in the end it comes down to the individual. Best of luck on your journey.

Eileen