As mentioned in an early post, I have recently consulted with a new doctor, whose expertise involves both traditional and functional medicine.  After years of trudging off to one specialist after another only to be told in the end that there is primarily nothing that can be done for me other than bed rest and avoidance of exertion, I had begun to lose hope.  I have what has been called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia syndrome, Myalgic Encephalitis, or SEID.

“Take everything he says with a grain of salt,”  my family doctor advised when referring me to the new guy.  She herself, has battled the same disease and has no doubt examined all the options, although she had not heard of this practitioner.

Two years confined to home with very limited activity has made me one impatient patient!  Needless to say, I approached this new opportunity with more than a grain of salt – more like a pound of neediness.

I am not new to the world of complementary therapies, having taught and practiced Therapeutic Touch and Reiki for twenty years, so much of what was presented to me at the first visit was not foreign.  Since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, I have been seeing a practitioner of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, which has been an absolute godsend for keeping my pain managed.

On the first visit, the doctor tested for food sensitivities (I reacted to all); revealed that my body reacts negatively to treatment, what he calls Switched Regulation  (not a surprise – medication affects me adversely); identified Low Mitochondrial Function, Low Adrenals, Hormone Dysfunction (also noted by my family doctor); and suggest Leaky Gut Syndrome, and GI Dysbiosis; as well as presence of Borreliosis (Lyme) ad Autonomic Dysfunction, and wrote down on the notes he sent me home with:  Dentist?  He then ordered a series of blood tests to verify his suspicions.

On the second visit, he reviewed the blood test findings with me, and narrowed down the diagnosis to prioritize treatment.  He said he wondered about a possible problem with a root canal.  Stunned, I revealed that I do have a tooth that is currently infected and requires extraction, but had wanted to consult with him before having it out, in case it interfered with his treatments (my condition has been very fragile).  Having established which tooth is the offender, he printed off a chart for me indicating that the meridian point affected by that tooth is the large intestine, and basically all the functions of my GI that are not working right now.  We decided having the tooth removed is number one.

So now I have a plan of action.  Before starting any treatment, we had to address my body’s unwillingness to accept help (my words) and so I spent a month tapping (EFT).  Then to prepare my body for intravenous therapy, I have started a liver/kidney/lymphatic detox kit.  Although the package promises this is a gentle cleanse, I did have discomfort for the first few days, but this has eased.

Today I received my first Ultra-violet Blood Irradiation Therapy/Ozonotherapy with Glutathione Push – an IV administered treatment.

It is all very non-conventional, but for the first time in two years, I am feeling more than hopeful.  I tried to explain to my husband that most days I feel as if my body is teetering on the edge of total collapse, and that today I actually had a glimpse of what it means to feel solid again.

It could be that I came home from the treatment and slept soundly (a rare occurrence for me) for two solid hours, but the shift is undeniable.  I even made a meal tonight, without have to break for frequent rests.

Now let’s pray it lasts.