Climbing out of the Canyon

Last year, I feel like I fell into this deep canyon. Many people who had the same thing that I have called it “chronic” with “no cure” adding to feelings of hopelessness. I was experiencing depression so bad my chest ached, pain in all of my joints (Chronic Pain,) nerve pain up my back (Fibromyalgia,) emotional and social pain, severe menstrual pain that made me want to throw up (Adenomyosis,) severe migraines, loss of energy (Chronic Fatigue,) fogginess, insomnia, becoming sick on most foods (Mast Cell), and dizziness to the point of passing out (POTS.) I feared for not only my quality of life, but my children’s. I would not be able to homeschool them, I would miss out on their lives, I would need a caregiver, and they would end up in the same predicament as me in the long run. If I had listened to the voices of hopelessness, I would not be where I am today and it would have affected everyone around me.

But I prayed. I did not moan with the question, “Why me?” I wanted to know what He wanted me to learn. I sought answers. I did not give up. I listened as one man who had experienced severe allergies to everything (Mast Cell) inspired others on a support group with being able to run after one year of hard work. I have fought my way up this canyon wall learning to use many tools along the way with God, the Master Physician, leading me. It’s still tough. Sometimes, I forget to use the tools and want to quit. But I’m still fighting. Today, I am stable with very little medication (the need for it going down monthly), supplements and nutrition, herbs and essential oils, exercise, emotional healing, and I am not afraid to learn more. I am back to cleaning my house, being creative, feeling clear, excited about life, still homeschooling and teaching my kids what I have learned so they never have to experience what I went through, and rarely ever getting dizzy. (When I do, I have my emergency bag with me.) I feel I am halfway back to feeling healthy and still climbing up on this journey.

Can I cure EDS? No. But I can live out a normal life bringing out the best in my genes and teach my kids to do the same. I am no longer lying down unable to move, no longer afraid, and definitely not hopeless. I want to bring hope to others with the things that I have learned… and last but not least, be there for my own family. NEVER Give up!!! There ARE answers. There IS Hope. You are NOT alone! May God Bless You on your journey as you Seek Him for the Answers He can lead you to.

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Hip Strengthening Exercises

Since my hips have been subluxing lately, I thought hip strengthening should be the first exercises that I’ll post. I’ve been through physical therapy a few times and learned a few things. I haven’t always stuck with them, but they have gotten me stronger when I do so. My first EDS doctor was a Sports Medicine doctor who kept reminding me to keep up the squats. At the time, I had injured my knee, then had a baby, and had lost muscle in the hip area. He kindly let me know that the lack of muscles in my buttocks area was causing my knees and ankles to turn causing more problems. So, my first thought has been always back to squats. It’s not always easy to do squats. You may not want to cause further injury if you’re not strong especially being EDS. So, as always with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome:

1) Start slow and Don’t overdo

2) Don’t hyper-extend and Keep good form

3) Keep up the repetitions and add more when ready.

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These two exercise are very helpful. When you gain strength, just add weights. I like to start with 2 repetitions of 10 each. Then I flip to the other side and do that, as well. As I gain strength, I go up to 3 repetitions of 10 each. Then I add weights and start back down at 2 repetitions again.

You can also do the side leg exercise standing up.

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This exercise has always been one of my favorite, as I learned it with Callenetics when I was a teenager. Callen Pinckney teaches much better form, but these are to gain strength up to do regular exercises. The second picture is for more advanced when you feel ready.

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These are simple hip exercises. The goal is to get stronger and do squats without help. That is how you know you’re ready for other work-outs.

Stay Zebra Strong!!!!

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More articles like this one:

Treatments for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome