If I were not personally witnessing the transformations taking place in my body, I would have doubts about it.
Having lost 16 pounds in two months, I can confirm that the weight loss has been confirmed as inflammation through DEXA scans. However, the most remarkable aspect of my health journey is yet to come.
Symptoms left undiagnosed over a long period of time
I will attempt to express the profound pain I have endured in the past decade, both physical and emotional, as well as the unbelievable miracle that I am experiencing today.
Explaining my journey is something I find challenging. To be honest, I feel uneasy about sharing personal experiences, especially given my profession as a nutritionist and health coach.
However, I acknowledge that individuals coping with chronic illnesses and conditions require encouragement about lasting hope and achieving success in regaining their health.
It's important for you to understand that you are not alone, and things can improve.
One of the most surprising aspects for me is the duration I lived like this. Living without answers and minimal assistance for 10 years is excessively long.
Like many of you, I have experienced a situation where my symptoms did not completely disappear but instead accumulated.
Regardless of the doctor I consulted or the treatment plan I tried, I found myself dealing with one mystery symptom or illness after another. Just as I would start to adapt to one issue, another would arise.
Having received three official diagnoses of autoimmune disorders, it was simply assumed that any new symptoms were related to those conditions or other autoimmune disorders. It is quite common to have multiple autoimmune disorders, and many conditions remain unnamed.
Unfortunately, there is a silent assumption that individuals with autoimmune conditions are damaged or beyond repair. Treatment options are limited, and there are only a handful of doctors who provide them.
I must admit that I lost hope in various ways. I began to think that I would forever be plagued by open wounds and sores. I even joked about having them covered at my funeral.
Chronic pain became my everyday reality. I couldn’t recall a time when I didn't feel pain deep within my bones.
Compilation of Symptoms & Conditions I Was Experiencing
Multiple autoimmune disorders including celiac disease (presenting in both gut responses and nervous system), hypoglycemia, and pernicious anemia
Lab evaluated and diagnosed hormone imbalances
Thyroid imbalance
Insomnia
Depression
Anxiety
Confusion and brain fog
Inappropriate parasympathetic responses and reactions that sent me to the ER by ambulance, masked as a stroke or heart attack
Chronic fatigue 24/7
Significant skin conditions including boils, cystic acne, rashes, and discoloration.
Premature aging
All over and unexplained joint pain
Severe Hormonal Imbalances
Significant memory loss both short term and long
Hair loss and breakage
Multiple food allergies and sensitivities
Both hips loss of soft tissue and pain on impact
Severe gut health issues including nervous system disfunction
These were my experiences, along with several other uncomfortable conditions that appeared to be part of Kristina's human journey.
Taking a negative turn
About two years ago, my body took a turn for the worse. About a year into that shift, I started recognizing my nervous system was no longer functioning properly with digesting food.
While investigating on the internet what the root of these alarming symptoms could be, I encountered potential diagnoses such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
But, deep down, I was convinced that neither of these would be the correct diagnosis, although they seemed highly probable. This served as a significant wake-up call for me, prompting me to get help through functional medicine.
Experiencing a significant deterioration in my health, despite adhering to the recommendations of both conventional and naturopathic physicians, left me feeling frustrated and fearful.
I felt that I needed the best of both of these fields. I needed them to work together to heal me. After doing some research, I found functional medicine.
Functional Medicine
James Reynolds, a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in functional medicine, took a comprehensive history of not only medical, but also inquired much about my lifestyle habits.
His was a holistic approach that considered my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
He then collaborated with a laboratory that focuses on advanced testing typically not offered by conventional medical practices and insurance providers.
Through these advanced tests, a root cause diagnosis was reached, leading to the use of food and natural remedies as treatment. No additional pharmaceuticals were suggested. In fact, I was taken off of some medications at that time and am now off even more.
After reviewing the detailed results of my lab tests, he devised a customized treatment strategy that significantly improved my quality of life. This plan predominantly emphasized the use of anti-inflammatory supplements and lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing inflammation.
The supplements and their dosages were personalized to target my specific requirements based on deficiencies or health issues highlighted in the advanced laboratory findings.
The Root Cause of Disease and Symptoms
I had been suffering from malabsorption of nutrition (different from malnutrition), which had gone undiagnosed through traditional lab work. Even though I was eating a very healthy diet, my body was not properly absorbing and utilizing these essential vitamins and minerals.
Emphasizing the significance to employ comprehensive laboratory analyses in healthcare to enhance treatment strategies. Access to a wider range of testing needs to be made more affordable. Functional Medicine labs have bridged that gap and offer steep cash pay discounts.
My current treatment plan is tailored to target the underlying cause of my illness through weekly vitamin injections, helping to restore my body and alleviate symptoms related to malabsorption problems. For example, instead of relying solely on Vitamin B shots as recommended by conventional medicine, I now receive weekly B Complex injections from compound pharmacies.
It's thrilling to announce that my health is showing significant improvement after just three months of taking natural supplements and addressing the underlying cause of my illness.
Significant Improvements
Use to be 3 - 4 hours of nightly sleep with sleep aids, and now sleeping 8 - 10 hours a night without sleep aid
My depression is gone, anxiety has greatly improved
Confusion and brain fog are gone
Memory is improving, with dramatic improvement in short term memory function
Skin conditions are resolved and now able to start rehabilitation protocols
Joint pain has dramatically improved, even in the hips
Hair loss and breakage has stopped
Nervous system is easing
Digestive system is dramatically improved
All over body swelling is gone
Lower dosages in bio identical hormones
Energy up
Mood - HAPPY! My stress management protocols have a fighting chance
Out of all the exciting changes in my health, three are particularly significant to me.
1. In the first time in 10 years, I do not have any open sores on my body.2. The functioning of my digestive system and Vagus nerve is improving. I am experiencing regular nervous system responses and my gut health has gotten better. 3. I have shed 16 pounds of inflammation. DEXA scans reveal an increase in muscle mass, protein levels, and water mass, while bone mass has remained stable. Surprisingly, my body fat has decreased by only 0.3%. This indicates that the entire 16 pounds consisted of chronic inflammation that was causing significant harm to my body.
My Conclusion
Having shared a significant amount of crucial information, I would like to outline the key points that I hope you remember;
It is important to address chronic inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders, food allergies, or sensitivities through holistic protocols. Consulting a functional medical provider can assist in determining the appropriate supplements and dosages tailored for your specific needs, helping to reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
It is important for individuals with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer to consider holistic protocols to reduce inflammation. Consulting with a functional medical provider can help determine the appropriate supplements and dosages needed to manage and alleviate inflammation associated with these conditions for better overall health outcomes.
Science is now showing that chronic inflammation is the pathway to most chronic illness and disease, including gut disorders, nervous system disfunction, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, lung disease, cancer, and so on and so forth.
Taking proactive steps to manage inflammation can greatly impact overall health and well-being. By focusing on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods, practicing stress-reducing activities, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, individuals can help reduce inflammation and potentially prevent chronic diseases. Prioritizing this aspect of health can lead to long-term benefits and a higher quality of life.
Visiting a functional medicine practitioner can offer personal health solutions for you. It is a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing your health concerns. By considering various aspects such as nutrition, exercise, genetics, and stress, they can help identify underlying issues and develop a personalized plan for healing. This holistic perspective may provide valuable insights into improving your overall well-being and managing any chronic health conditions.
It is important to be mindful of the potential presence of chronic inflammation in the body and seek appropriate medical guidance if needed. While specific medical claims or cures are not being made, addressing inflammation can have positive impacts on overall health and well-being, making it crucial to approach this topic with attention and care under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Before I finish, I must express my gratitude to James. Throughout the years, my medical conditions caused me to feel bitter and even angry. I could elaborate extensively on the efforts I put into regaining my health, as well as the sense of hopelessness that was beginning to consume me. James showed compassion and more importantly, he had the expertise to help me.
As well meaning as many of the physicians were, there were gaps in my healthcare that only functional medicine could assist me in identifying and resolving. It was necessary for someone to investigate beyond the traditional protocols to find the root cause of what seemed like a laundry list of symptoms. I will always be grateful to him for taking the time to listen to me, trust me, and then make the effort to support me.
Many healthcare providers are still deeply committed to the health and success of their patients. Their dedication to each person's health journey can greatly influence the quality of care and patient outcomes. It is crucial to acknowledge and value those medical professionals who exceed expectations in improving their patients' health and well-being. They are ready to help you with your own personal healing journey through functional medicine.
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