Struggles-Diagnosis-Money-Prognosis: IBS and More

Hello My name is Laura, I have been struggling with my health for a very long time, but back in July of 2017 my symptoms were extremely low. During that month, I passed out 3 times. At the time I was living in Chile, so as an expat it was difficult to go to the doctor. After another month of suffering and extensive research I started an extreme diet (initially I thought Candida was the underlying issue) I removed all sugar (natural sugars too), dairy, gluten, and most carbohydrates. *Fast-forward: I have sense realized that I have an extremely low tolerance to sugar even natural sugar. When I eat too much sugar (eg. a muffin) it can cause me severe dizziness, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea.

*Rewind: After starting the extremely low carbohydrate diet, I immediately started feeling better, but I started losing weight fast. To compensate for lost calories I started eating a higher fat diet including over easy eggs (the yolk contains omega 3 and good cholesterol) and low sugar fruit like avocado. The addition of fat helped immensely. Healthy fat is extremely important for optimal brain function and usually helps stabilize weight. Side note: I am vegetarian, does meat upset anyone elses stomach??

The issue with the diet mentioned above is that it requires insane diligence and it was unsustainable whilst traveling. Needless to say during my international move back to the US I became incredibly ill again my IBS symptoms returned severe bloating and inflammation (in my gut and my other joints), pain, irritability, and extreme fatigue.

After those months of chaos, I finally began seeing doctors and I started the diet again with added supplements (L-Glutamine, Vitamin D, Candicin, Clinical Probiotic). I went to several doctors and paid a lot of money… As a last effort I went to Mayo Clinic. There I was diagnosed with IBS (with genetic possibility for IBD), Fibromyalgia (another catch all syndrome), and probable AS (an autoimmune/inflammatory disease that attacks the junction of tendons and joints particularly in the spinal column… This is all to say I paid thousands of dollars for an open ended diagnosis that western medicine would use immunosurpressants to deal with.

The good part of this story is that my holistic nutritionist, acupuncture, and my shear diligence, have recovered an energy and mental health that I cannot remember in my adult life. I am still struggling with weakness, but healing my gut has saved my quality of life. I notice that when my gut is feeling well my arthritis symptoms are extremely manageable (at times seemingly invisible). In fact, I am going to a month long yoga teacher training this week and I cannot wait.

I hope this was helpful and meaningful to someone. If anyone is interested in the protocol I used or curious about my reccomendations for seeking medical care, please reach out!
Best,
Laura