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…
