As I became increasingly discouraged with the healthcare system and my work, my own health started to decline.
At one point, I couldn’t remember words to finish sentences. I was so exhausted that getting ready for bed was a monumental task so I just slept in my clothes. My acid reflux was getting worse and a host of other symptoms were popping up. I ended up on multiple prescriptions a day, one for each new symptom. Most of the conventional testing was not giving the clues needed to get a firm diagnosis.
Then, I had a colleague recommend that I consider disability. That, was my turning point. In that moment, I decided I was going to make a dramatic shift and take my health into my own hands.
As I started reviewing the current research, I stumbled across Functional Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine. They didn’t abandon everything I had learned in conventional medicine, but instead enhanced it with the latest research. Functional Medicine weaves together the latest research, not only in biochemistry, but in psychology, sociology and other fields of science to help the entire person heal.
I had just discovered Functional Medicine and started to implement its’ principles when my sister was diagnosed with lesions in her brain and spine consistent with Multiple Sclerosis.
I have implemented the principles of Functional Medicine. I no longer take any prescriptions. My improvement has been dramatic. My mom is improving after years of getting worse, which is not normal after having neurodegenerative disease for almost 40 years. My sister’s symptoms of MS have significantly improved and are controlled to the point that she is teaching English in Thailand where it is extremely hot (think over 100 degrees many days). It’s environment that puts most MS patients on bedrest or in a wheelchair and she doing it without prescriptions.
We stand as a testament, there is hope and healing available.