Remember those days when a simple walk felt like an Olympic hurdle race? My muscles felt like they were having a fiery fiesta, and any movement sent shooting pains through me. Getting up from a chair? Forget it. My body was stiff as a board, and even a gentle touch felt like sandpaper. To top it all off, headaches, tingling, fatigue, blurry vision, and depression joined the party. Plus, sleep became a distant dream.
A close friend suggested it might be fibromyalgia. Back then (around 2002!), information was scarce. Luckily, I stumbled upon Prohealth.com, a website that became my lifeline. It was packed with info and natural remedies that helped me manage the symptoms. Finally, a few years later, a doctor confirmed my suspicions with the standard test. Here’s the deal with getting properly diagnosed: widespread pain for at least 3 months in all four body quadrants, PLUS tenderness in at least 11 out of 18 specific spots when pressed with a decent amount of pressure (check the image below for those tender points).
Hitting a Wall at Work:
Back then, my job was a creativity graveyard. My boss kept shutting down my ideas and stuck me with boring, repetitive tasks. It zapped my natural spark. At first, I tried meditation, stretching, and medication to fight the pain. My doctor even prescribed a sleep aid disguised as an antidepressant. It helped, but I’m not a prescription pill person. After a few months, I craved a more natural solution.
Back Relief with a Side of Chiropractic:
My friend recommended her chiropractor who worked wonders on her aches and pains. Stress made my back act up too, sometimes locking me in place for days with brutal spasms. I couldn’t even crawl! It was scary. The first time it happened, my doctor prescribed meds, and it took over a week to walk again. Chiropractic treatments, on the other hand, had me upright in just a few days.
Chiro Success, But Still Stuck:
For years, I saw the chiropractor regularly, but eventually, my progress stalled. To top it off, I quit the stressful job, creating a new kind of stress – no steady income. Luckily, my amazing husband said, “We’ll figure it out. Your health is more important.”
Enter Dr. P and the Pain Relief Revolution:
My body still ached, and symptoms were getting worse. Then I met Dr. James Padilla, a holistic functional medicine specialist (or Dr. P for short). His chiropractic adjustments were a lifesaver, finally allowing me to get back into a regular exercise routine. But there was still a gremlin in the works – hello, heartburn and acid reflux!
Heartburn From Heck (and Not the Spicy Kind):
For the first time, I was battling heartburn and what felt like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), where stomach acid backs up into your throat. Think of constant burping, swallowing struggles, and a permanent lump in your throat. Severe episodes came with a burning sensation from my chest to my belly, plus a stuffy nose.
It felt like a heart attack sometimes, except it came and went, and I wasn’t exhausted or breathless. Plus, my blood pressure and resting heart rate were perfect, and my cholesterol levels were normal. Traditional doctors were stumped. An ear, nose, and throat specialist shoved a tube down my nose (not fun!), but everything looked clear. I tried inhalers for possible asthma, but breathing tests showed my lungs were functioning perfectly. A treadmill test was out of the question – my knees hate running.
My Gut Feeling Was Right (Literally):
Deep down, I knew my heart wasn’t the culprit. And guess what? My gut was right (literally!). As I learned later, stress, weather changes, certain foods, and dehydration can worsen fibromyalgia. Supplements from my fibromyalgia source (thanks, ProHealth.com!) helped manage the pain, but the new heartburn made taking them impossible. They felt stuck, and swallowing anything, even water, was a battle. So, vitamin-free for over a month, I turned back to Dr. P for help.
Finding the Root Cause, Not Just Soothing Symptoms:
Needless to say, I craved a permanent solution, not just bandaid treatments. I’m wired to see the bigger picture, to find the root cause. This approach made me realize there was more to my woes than just symptom relief.
The Chiro Advantage – A Body in Harmony:
Traditional doctors offered no clear answers, so I turned to Dr. P to see what he had to say. What I love about chiropractors is their whole-body approach to treating patients. Imagine your body as an orchestra. All the parts (muscles, bones, organs) need to play together in tune for a beautiful melody. If one section is out of whack, the whole thing sounds off. Chiropractors believe in this kind of body symphony. They look for imbalances, especially in the spine, that might be causing problems elsewhere. In my case, the culprit wasn’t my spine, but my gut – so we needed a different approach. Chiropractic adjustments alone wouldn’t solve this particular concerto.
Lifting the Lid on My Gut Health:
The first step on my wellness journey was like peeking under the hood of my body. Simple tests, like a stool and saliva analysis, revealed the inner workings. Turns out, I had a gluten intolerance, particularly to wheat. On top of that, there was a party going on in my intestines, but it wasn’t the fun kind. Bad bacteria were multiplying, slowing down digestion and elimination – no wonder I felt crummy! This also explained the heartburn monster that reappeared whenever I slacked off on my diet.
The Gut Reboot Plan:
For the next few months, it was a three-pronged attack: vitamin power-ups, herbal helpers, and a brand-new diet. We worked together to kick out the bad bacteria and welcome back the good guys (the kind that keep our guts happy and healthy). Our bodies need these good bacteria to fight off the not-so-good ones we pick up from food and medications (like antibiotics). Antibiotics are notorious for wiping out both the good and bad bacteria, so probiotics are essential to bring back the good guys. Think of them as little warriors for your gut! Eating yogurt with live and active cultures is a great way to get a dose of these helpful bacteria.
Diet Rescue Mission:
The good news: I unintentionally shed 10-12 pounds by avoiding those foods. The bad news: my diet comprised mostly raw veggies, no fun stuff like white flour products (think croissants, pastas, or bread of any kind), processed foods, caffeine, sugar, chocolate, alcohol, red meat, or dairy. Heck, I was wondering what I could eat!
Even decaf coffee required an empty stomach and a waiting period before eating. Same with wine (red affects me more). Now, it’s the occasional white wine, always before a meal, or I face the consequences – sometimes mild burping, other times heartburn and intestinal cramps. Most wines have added sulfites, so I found organic options that are easier on me, and European wines tend to have fewer sulfites and are often cheaper!
The Body Connection Surprise:
As the heartburn faded, guess what else started to say goodbye? The muscle aches and pains! This doesn’t necessarily mean one caused the other, but it definitely showed me how interconnected everything is in our bodies.
Food Freedom – Finding My Tribe:
I became a food sleuth, figuring out which foods were my allies and which ones were better left on the shelf. Gluten, sugar, barley, rye, and corn (especially if you have an intolerance) are the main foes on a gluten-free diet. Luckily, corn wasn’t a problem for me, so I could reintroduce it in moderation – my body isn’t a huge fan of it every day.
Adding these restrictions to the fibromyalgia no-go list meant my “safe” food options were shrinking. Sharing meals with loved ones is a big way I connect with people. It’s a way of showing we care. With fewer options on my plate, I worried about eating out. How could I explain my limitations to friends who cooked for me, or navigate restaurant menus?
Honesty and Grace with a Side of Gluten-Free:
I learned to be upfront with friends about my condition, but without making it a downer. Many people have no idea what gluten is or where it hides in seemingly harmless foods. Even restaurant staff might not realize how much wheat, flour, or hidden gluten sneaks into dishes. I became a pro at making informed food choices and explaining them politely.
In the process, my husband surprisingly became a gluten-free convert (by choice!), and my closest friends are super understanding about my dietary restrictions. I always offer to bring a gluten-free dish I know I can enjoy. Luckily, salads and veggies are usually on the menu, but I still have to ask about dressings, marinades, and spices – you never know!
This journey wasn’t always easy, but it completely transformed my health and my relationship with food. There’s still a lot to learn, but I’m no longer a prisoner in my own body. In the next part, I’ll share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way to help you navigate your own path to wellness!
