My symptoms began almost 3 years ago. I was always very tired, and started experiencing achiness mainly in my back and upper thighs. I was also having IBS type issues and what I thought were seasonal allergies because I had constant nasal congestion (for at least the past 20 years) and was always blowing my nose and trying to clear my throat, especially after I ate. When it got to the point that I couldn’t handle the pain any longer, I went to my primary care physician, who put me on meds to manage the pain. When the meds didn’t work, I was referred to a rheumatologist, who found nothing wrong with me. Over the past few years, I have visited a chiropractor, a neurologist (who did a nerve/muscle test), a gastroenterologist, and a pain management doctor, all who were unable to help me.
By this time, I was pretty much a hermit, not leaving the house because of the pain, except to go to work. I was also afraid to go anywhere in case I had to go to the bathroom, because my IBS symptoms were getting worse. I could barely do the weekly grocery shopping because just being out for an hour walking around a store would exhaust me for the rest of the day and make the pain much worse. Luckily, I have a very supportive husband and my 3 daughters are old enough to pretty much take care of themselves, but I still would get depressed, feeling like I was disappointing them because I didn’t feel well enough to make dinner or go to one of the girl’s activities. So in addition to physically feeling terrible every day, my health was also affecting me mentally.
I finally decided to change primary care physician, mainly because my old doctor wanted to keep trying new meds and he still hadn’t even diagnosed me. My new doctor referred me to a PM&R doctor, who put me on 3 different meds to treat my symptoms. Around this time, I started reading up on inflammation and how that could be causing most of my problems. When I questioned my doctor about changing my diet, the only thing he suggested is that I drink ginger tea. I explained to him that I did not want to be on meds long term, and I really wanted to figure out what was causing my issues and correct that, not just treat my symptoms. He then diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue and sent me to a lab to get my hormone levels checked. At the consult with the lab, the pharmacist said that all of my levels were good, even optimal, and suggested I meet with a nutritionist, because she felt that my issues could be resolved with diet changes. For the first time, I felt like I was heading in the right direction.
When I finally met with Kylene last December, my PM&R doctor had just diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Per Kylene’s instructions and guidance, I changed my diet and I almost immediately felt better. Within a WEEK, I was able to do some light shopping and actually make dinner for my family!!! My pain went from an 8-9 to a manageable 2-3 most days, some days even no pain. My IBS symptoms completely subsided, as did my constant nose blowing and throat clearing (that I had dealt with for 20 years!) I am still on meds for my hypo-thyrodism and also low dose naltrexone for the fibro, but I am hoping that I will be able to stop these meds eventually since I plan to continue following Kylene’s diet changes for me. I am so glad that I decided to meet with a nutritionist – I just wish I would have done it sooner.