Sick of Being Sick

Two years ago, I was in an amazing place related to my overall physical health. Then I began getting sick and my energy would decrease at times to the point where just going to work was too much.  I would come home at 5:30 and head straight to bed. 

I turned to doctors for answers but we came up empty handed time after time and test after test.  At times I felt crazy. Truly, like I must be making this up, but I kept coming back to the realization that this wasn’t my lifestyle or the norm for me.  There had to be something wrong!

These feelings of sick and exhaustion would wax and wane throughout the month and leave me exhausted most of the time.  Instead of hitting the gym 5-6 times a week I was tired and often had terrible brain fog.  

My primary care was at a loss and referred me to a GI specialist (4-5 month wait to see them) and put me on medicine for the acid reflux. 

I returned to a NP I had seen previously at my regular doctor and pleaded for him to do any bloodwork he could possibly think to do.  I figured that was the cheapest possible way to try to find the culprit.  He did tests for food allergies, autoimmune diseases and regular blood work panels.  

Finally, after 16 months of struggling, I was diagnosed with Alpha Gal, a tick-borne illness.  Alpha Gal is often described as the Red Meat Allergy, but let me just say that it is SOOOO much more. 

I have to avoid mammal meat, mammal byproducts (which are in EVERYTHING), gelatin, carrageenan and mammal is often in natural flavorings.  Eating, at times, becomes a total nightmare.  I had to change my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, medicines and the list goes on…

I have been able to find suitable alternatives for almost everything, except cheese.  Eating out is still a bit of a nightmare, but I have a few safe places now.  I still can’t just grab something on the fly, as it takes research, planning and time to be sure I don’t risk suffering later. 

I am still nowhere close to where I was two years ago, but I am a lot better than 8 months ago.  My symptoms are mostly GI related and the intensity of my fatigue and sensitivity to reactions waxes/wanes throughout the month.  I still suffer from extended periods of exhaustion. 

Additionally, I am certain there is a mental component to this, as I went from a very active person to finding some days almost impossible to get through.  I have learned to live with a fairly large amount of discomfort, as I can’t afford for it to stop my daily life. 

But there is hope on the horizon.  This week I have an appointment with an alternative medicine doctor in Charlottesville to get a procedure called SAAT.  I have read a lot of testimonials, and people with Alpha Gal have seen a drastic changes in their health after treatment.  I am holding a lot of hope for this procedure to put my Alpha Gal into remission. 

Stay tuned…

 

 

Coming Together and Taking Care of Ourselves

The world is hurting right now and it is calling for us to come together for the greater good.  There is a lot of suffering, but massive amounts of powerful energy out there fighting. Whether it is a community coming together to provide for each other, workers risking their own safety to serve others, an online meditation group created to help people find silence and peace, friends checking on each other or groups finding new ways to connect virtually.  It is a beautiful display of coming together to support one another.  . 

In situations like this many of us will ebb/flow through the emotions of our daily circumstances. At times it will be necessary to draw into ourselves and pull away from the larger picture.  This does not make us selfish or uncaring, but instead this is more an exercise in self preservation. Practicing self care is just as important as it is to care for each other.  Truthfully it is much harder for us to take care of others in our lives if we neglect time and attention spent on ourselves. 

In a world full of so much uncertainty we know one thing for certain; we will come out the other side forever changed.  There will be a lot of healing needed and the lessons of these days, weeks and months will be necessary in moving forward.  Take this time to do things like practicing self care, being patient and empathetic with those around you, you never know what battles they are fighting, and find the positive out there, I promise there is A LOT.

The true beauty in life isn't found among the times we cruise along without bumps.  No, it is the challenges that cause us to grow, think beyond ourselves and reach out for that which is greater than ourselves.  Look for the opportunities to come together, grow and energize the world.  We will make it through this, but we need each other to get there. 

Let's join hands, figuratively of course, and walk through this. We will need to pick up those that may stumble or fall, some of us will be stronger some days and other days we will need others to help us take that next step. Together we will make it. 

Sending much love to the world as we all we face this together!