Killing the Zombie?

 A zombie? Really? Where?

Do you ever feel that way?  You know, totally out of it, without being down-and-out sick.  Tired;
deeply tired.  Brain-fog.  No energy, or completely depleting all of your energy reserves in an hour
or two.  Taking a nap, sometimes two in the middle of the day -- just because normal tasks need to
be broken into segments in order to complete them.  Blood pressure? Well, that becomes a roller
coaster; rolling from really, really UP there, to DOWN to an elevated normal and then back again.

I just couldn't figure it out.   I felt like a zombie. All the time.

I remember experiencing shortness of breath for no reason.  I had difficulty sleeping.  There would
be at least one night a week when I wasn't able to sleep at all.  I remember feeling unexplained
aches and pains, that would move like phantoms from one part of my body to another.

Then there were the headaches. Usually starting on the left side of my head, with pangs at my temple. Tension would extend from my neck, into my shoulders and back; lasting anywhere from
12-24 hours.  Many times, I would put an ice pack on my neck or head, drink a couple of caffeinated
beverages, gobble down a few Excedrin Migraine, and try to keep going. Now, eight years later,
I wonder.  Since it was the left side of my body which eventually froze in the middle of the night, I
wonder why I didn't stop in my daily busy-ness to think about how I was feeling physically.  Or even,
how the symptoms were lining up to indicate something serious.

I just kept working. I kept pushing myself.  Looking back, I can see many indicators that I missed;
indicators that could have helped me to recognize what was happening inside my body.

At one point, I was experiencing such hoarseness that I sought out a specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat. The doctor found no nodules on my vocal chords. However he did find another symptom. I
was unknowingly experiencing acid re-gurge while I was asleep. He also tested for allergies, and
subsequently began a regiment of shots for several years. Now, I have learned to consider I might have considered something else. A hoarse, raspy throat can be an indication of thyroid issues.

Who knew?

At the time, I thought everything could be relegated to just getting older. You know, menopause.  In fact, it became a family joke.  "Mom can't find her phone, again."  "Mom can't find her keys again."
"Oh, it was so funny! Mom asked me to help her find her glasses, and they were on top of her head!"

I laughed too. It made me feel better, at first. But then, after a while, it wasn't so funny anymore.

I forgot meetings. I double-scheduled myself. A lot.  Most of my clients were understanding. But the problem created more stress in my own heart. And that added to the cycle I was in. I began to think I was going a little nuts.  Suddenly, I wasn't managing my life as well as I had been.

Oh, and then there was the blood sugar aspect of things. Back before I was diagnosed, I would wake up feeling exhausted and extremely thirsty.  As the day wore on, I would always feel drained in the late morning and mid-afternoon.  Back then, I believed the problem was that my blood sugar was too low.  To fix it, I would eat something for quick energy, or drink something filled with caffeine.  

The immediate results I experienced from those bad practices did produce a desired result.  I had energy and focus. But then, within twelve hours, I would crash.  Always physically; sometimes emotionally.  It was a definite pattern.  At first, I was oblivious.  I wrote it off to imbalanced hormones.... or menopause.... or just to "getting older."

But the issue turned out to be much deeper.

It was more than two years before I discovered the patter to what was happening inside myself.  In fact, I didn't see it until after my diagnosis. 

A lot changed that day.

Statistics gathered in 2012 tell us that almost 10% of the American population are affected by diabetes.  That's 29 million people.  The stats also indicate that 25% of those 29 million are in a similar state to my own in the past; unaware of the unseen "land mines" being laid in place, triggered to explode in one unforeseen, unexpected moment -- like mine did.

There are days when a person battling Metabolic Syndrome, (or syndrome X, as it is called by some), will struggle with many symptoms, all at once.  For me, just the fatigue would stop me in my tracks; literally.  I hate to admit it, but there was a season when I concluded that what was actually occurring had to indicate a form of laziness in me, and required a "little more personal discipline."

In 2011, studies were released indicating that Diabetes Miletus, or Type 2, as well as Metabolic Syndrome should be reclassified as an autoimmune disease, originating from inflammation in the body.  Based on those findings, new treatments for diabetes are emerging; treatments which focus on the body's immune system, rather than just seeking to lower blood sugars.

When I began learning some of these things, I eventually began looking into natural methods to trigger healthy metabolism.  And I have to say here that my motive wasn't to lose weight.  I was just tired of not feeling good; of feeling exhausted; of making myself walk through my days. One of the first helpful things I discovered was a connection between citrus fruits and metabolism.

Did you know that a person's resting metabolic rate can be raised by eating citrus?  Also, the natural acidity in many of the citrus family fruits, such as lemon and grapefruit, actually help bring a balance to the body's Ph levels.  These fruits trigger alkalinity, which is also an important element for health and healing.

It turns out that the zest and the fruit of each of the citrus fruits are good catalysts for our physical metabolism.  And, even with diabetes to consider, I made a change.  Once a week, I now make what I call a "chunky smoothie."  It just requires blending a little longer, and the addition of a little plant-based sweetener.

Oh, and its really good, and energizing too!  Here is the recipe:

DEB'S CITRUS SMOOTHIE

Peel the following fruits, leaving as much zest attached to the fruit as possible. Then, cut the fruits into chunks and drop into a blender.
1 peeled grapefruit
1 peeled lemon
1 peeled lime
1 peeled navel orange
1 tablespoon xylitol or stevia (optional)
1 cup of ice (more or less as desired)

Pulse until liquefied, then blend on high speed for three minutes.  This recipe makes about thirty ounces.  I  usually drink it throughout the morning on Mondays.  Note:  This recipe needs all the ingredients in order to synergize well.  It doesn't freeze well either.  If you try it, I'd love to know if it helps.  I know it's helping me.

Next up:  Can I wear out my adrenal glands?  If so, what can I do about it?


 (c)2016 Debbye Graafsma/Awakened to Grow.  No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. 

Disclaimer:  Although I am a counselor, and life coach, and hold my doctorate, I am not a medical doctor.  So, the views and suggestions which have helped me in my own healing journey may or may not work for you.  While I hope that my stories and suggestions will help and encourage you, nothing I post here should be taken as a diagnosis or medical opinion.  If you are concerned about your health, please seek the advice of a professional.