This blog serves as a safe space to vent, learn, and document my journey as I work to uncover the root of my chronic illness.

After foot surgery last year, I aggravated a long-standing back injury I’ve had since 2017. I was diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy caused by a herniated disc at L5-S1. My foot required a second surgery, and I began physical therapy for my back to prevent further aggravation. Unfortunately, physical therapy worsened my back—and so did my foot. I went ahead with the second foot surgery, which intensified the radiculopathy down my left leg. I’ve also been diagnosed with SI joint dysfunction and have pelvic instability.

Since then, I’ve developed symptoms consistent with Autonomic Dysfunction, including:

– Increased resting heart rate  

– Lightheadedness and weakness  

– Shakiness and internal electrical-like vibrations in my limbs  

– Heart palpitations and fluctuating blood pressure  

– Extreme fatigue, headaches, facial pressure, nose pain, and brain fog  

– Ongoing back and foot pain

Only my first orthostatic test (at my primary care physician’s office) showed signs of POTS. Subsequent tests at the ER and cardiologist did not.

An ear MRI—ordered to investigate tinnitus in my left ear—revealed chronic cerebral ischemia. 

I also struggle with severe reflux and was recently diagnosed with functional iron deficiency, Barrett’s esophagus, gastritis, esophagitis, and a hiatal hernia—discovered via endoscopy. 

I’m scheduled for a stomach ultrasound at the end of the month and have an appointment with a POTS specialist next week. I’m miserable—not just from the pain, but from the lack of clarity around these compounding symptoms. No medication has helped. Most only add stress through side effects.

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### Providers I’ve Seen

**For back and foot conditions:**  

Multiple chiropractors, orthopedic spine surgeon, orthopedic spine physiatrist, neurosurgeon, neurologist, physical therapists, PCP, PAs, PA-Cs, and NPs.

**For additional conditions:**  

Cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, PCP, PAs, PA-Cs, and NPs.

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### Treatments I’ve Tried

Epidurals, decompression therapy, e-stim therapy, laser therapy, physical therapy exercises, chiropractic manipulations, medication.

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Since a new back injury in September 2023, I’ve been searching for relief. In the past two years, I’ve attended over 200 appointments. What has this left me with? More pain. More symptoms. Less function. I spend most days sitting in pain, unable to do much of anything. The drive to multiple appointments each week, physical therapy, and other treatments often leave me worse off than before.

I’m at a loss. The more I seek help, the worse I seem to get.

I’m sharing this as both a plea for help and a way to be heard. I need an outlet. I need answers.

If my story feels overwhelming, imagine living it.

I want to return to my life—to work, to movement, to the outdoors. Before early 2024, I lived an active lifestyle. My foot injury changed that. I believe healing is possible and hope that this pattern of decline will soon shift toward improvement.

If you’ve ever felt unheard or misdiagnosed in your own health journey, what was the turning point? How long did it take for your big breakthrough? I would love to hear your stories, feedback, or insights.

Thank you for reading.

In order to think outside of the parentheses, each post, I leave a scripture, meme, and/or music clip or video that inspired the title and blog content because, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” -John 1:5