My fibromyalgia journey
Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
After a long 25 years, today, I can finally sit here sipping on my vitamin-packed green smoothie (cliche, I know) and honestly tell you that I am using the power of natural medicine to slowly but surely find true health: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.
We all have a story to tell and as the saying goes, “You cannot change the cards you are dealt, only play the hand”. As painful (literally and figuratively) as my fibromyalgia journey has been since the tender age of about ten, I would not change it, because I would not be the woman, nutritionist or mama I am today without this experience:
I wouldn’t believe that you are what you eat, digest and absorb: you are either slowly feeding or preventing disease.
I wouldn’t believe that what goes on, in and around your body has a direct impact on your health.
I wouldn’t understand how intricately stress impacts your health.
I wouldn’t understand how our genetics can impact our health.
I wouldn’t know that it’s possible to find and address the root causes of health concerns, naturally.
I wouldn’t believe the body is “whole” (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual) and has an ability to improve given the time and the right conditions.
I wouldn’t have opened my eyes to natural medicine.
I wouldn't feel as empowered as I do now to take control of my own health, and raise my child holistically with a disease prevention mindset.
I wouldn’t believe that nature is healing.
I wouldn’t be working as a nutritionist; using my knowledge, education and experience to hold space, listen with empathy, and support women through their unique health journeys towards a feeling of empowerment over their own health.
As a child, prior to my fibromyalgia diagnosis, my most prominent symptoms were chronic fatigue, chronic all over body pain, back and neck pain, stiffness, muscles painful to touch, insomnia, headaches and stomachaches. I remember running errands with my mom and leaning on something for support due to my fatigue, stiffness and pain. I would lie in bed awake at night until early morning and fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion. For two straight years I barely slept, and woke up feeling like I had been hit by a truck (pain, fatigue, stiff, achy). It was difficult to get moving in the morning and took quite some time for my body to get going for the day. I craved bread and sugar, a lot of it. It was hard to sit in class, concentrate and write tests, yet somehow, I pushed through and was a straight-A student.
For two long years, I bounced from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, endured test after test, poked and prodded, until finally at the age of thirteen, a rheumatologist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. He was baffled because this condition usually appeared in women in their 30’s and 40’s, not in their teens. The doctor prescribed me with a muscle relaxant to help with sleep and NSAIDs for the pain. He suggested gentle exercise like swimming, and I was given a note for school in case I needed to bow out of certain activities due to my symptoms. That was about it, I was going to live with this chronic condition for the rest of my life, and there really wasn't much I could do about it.
Although I was happy I could FINALLY put a name to the symptoms I had been feeling for so long, it felt like a doom and gloom situation to be in at such a young age. This wasn't the end for me though, little did I know, it was just the beginning.
I was not going to accept that this condition was going to define who I was and who I would become. As a type A personality I had big plans for my life, and fibro was not going to get in the way of living the enriched life I had envisioned for myself.
I am a researcher; I read, I investigate, I pour myself into a topic for hours on end until I find an answer. From a young age, I wanted to understand WHY I was experiencing these symptoms and HOW I could potentially alleviate or reverse them and feel better, and I didn’t want a band-aid solution. For years I dove into books, articles, websites, and spoke to doctors. I did trial and error with various treatments and remedies, both allopathic and natural medicine. I spent the vast majority of my time trying to feel better, to feel “normal”, both mentally and physically.
Despite the chronic pain and fatigue, I graduated from university with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, played varsity soccer (shocking to look back now and see how much I constantly pushed myself), and began a career in HR. I hit a brick wall in my 20s when everything I was trying wasn’t helping, and I decided to take a different path.
While reading my umpteenth health book and really resonating with the medical doctor/author and her holistic mindset, I implemented the recommended changes, and began to feel a reduction in my fibromyalgia symptoms. It was at this point that I discovered the magic of nutrition and holistic health.
I ran as fast as I could to nutrition school, excelled at the top of my class, and began my second career as a passionate Holistic Nutritionist, my true calling (outside of being a mama). I continued down my healing journey over the next few years, which is where I am today (but our healing journey never truly ends!)
It sounds odd, but I am so grateful for the rollercoaster ride that I’ve been on with my health over the last 25+ years. As a result of my experience, I can now teach others how to reduce their fibro symptoms naturally, and raise Emma through a natural medicine mindset, knowing firsthand that it works. I would not want her feeling an ounce of the pain I’ve felt, even for a second, and I don’t want that for any of my clients either.
Although every day is different with this condition, and I still have to “watch my spoons”, overall I feel better, I feel healthier, I feel happier.
I have less fatigue
I have less pain
I have less stiffness
I am sleeping better
My digestion has improved
I am a healthy weight (for me)
Most important I am happy, I have my whole life to look forward to.
Am I feeling as healthy as I wish I could be? Not yet, but I’m hopeful I’ll get there eventually. Do I experience flare ups? Yes, sometimes during stress, lack of sleep or in the cold winter months. Am I on a path to better health? Absolutely. How did I get here? A lot of patience, time, hard work, determination, the right resources, eating whole foods and making many natural lifestyle changes.
I am so happy to say that today, I am more of the woman, mama, and nutritionist I was meant to be, especially for Emma. If you’re struggling with your own healing journey, just remember, slow and steady wins the race and I’m always here for support!
Cheers to living your best life with fibro!
xo,
The Nutritionist Mama
*Disclaimer - this is my own personal experience and not medical advice.