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Date: Sun, 12 Jan 1997 18:17:46 -0600
From: Dee Fortuny
Subject: Re: Regaining Health
In 1993, I caught a "virus." That's all the doctor said, but it lingered
and lingered for months. I had no energy. I quit my part-time job and
did the minimum around the house. I suspected Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
From literature from the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, I
learned that you can get better and that exercise is good, as long as
you don't do too much and get too tired. I started walking the 200 feet
to the mailbox and back. The next day I added 20 feet. The following day
another 20 feet more, and so on. It took almost a year to work up to one
mile. I was also taking a couple of products from Nature's Sunshine,
Bifidophilus - Flora Force and VS-C and drinking Pau de Arco tea. In
1995, I was diagnosed by my new doctor to have candidiasis -
system-wide. He prescibed caprylic acid and I started following the diet
recommendations in the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by
James and Phyllis Balch. They made a difference. I started having more
energy and a clearer mind, but after six months candida albicans fights
back. I started colonic treatments. After almost a year, candida is
fighting back again. Most recently, I've started taking a product by
Body Electric and I'm winning the battle again. I'm close enough to
perfect health now, that I won't give up. You're at your lowest when you
the sickest. That's when you have to take small steps, even 20 steps
more each day. My Best Wishes of Health & Prosperity to All!
Dee Fortuny
Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 14:05:40 -0500
Subject: recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In 1995, I began to feel increasingly unwell. I had decreasing energy,
worsening of PMS symptoms, including migraine headaches, muscle aches,
feelings of spaciness and dizziness, heart irregularities, cold hands
and feet, and a strange empty feeling in my upper chest (where I later
learned that my thymus is located). At the same time that I felt low
energy and exhausted, I also had insomnia, which was unusual for me.
I went to a holistic practitioner, at first suspecting low thyroid
function, but the tests came back normal. I also was tested for
parasites, as I had recently returned from a trip to Mexico. These
tests also were normal. The practitioner diagnosed me with adrenal
exhaustion, and recommended B vitamins and rest. However, I continued to
feel worse, sometimes unable to drive home after going somewhere.
Through lots of reading and research, I began to suspect Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. I finally found a good hosistic M.D. who put me on an anti-
candida diet (no sugars, fruit juice, dried fruits, fermented foods, or
yeasts) and tested me for the viruses associated with CFS. I tested
highly positive. She also tested my immune functioning, and as is often
the case with people affected by CFS, my natural killer cells were low
in both number and level of functioning. She recommended castor oil
compresses as well as rebounding to stimulate my immune functioning.
She also recommended a varity of supplements, including olive leaf
extract, which she explained was a natural anti-viral product. After 5
days on this new program, I felt about 90% better! I was incredibly ill
for 18 months, and wondered if I would ever feel well again. I've been
on this program for about a year now, and I am so incredibly grateful to
have my energy and my life back. Deborah @fcircle@scan.missouri.org
Iris Chiappolini
Earth Essences
Email: iris@earthessences.com
Web Page: http://www.earthessences.com/
Subject: For the Case Study on CFS
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 21:50:29 -0600
In 1987, almost mid-year in my teaching term, my life had become very
stressful. I was working with children with special needs and was giving
much, feeling very tired and drained. At about this same time I had decided
it best to end a romantic relationship that I had been in for over a year.
Shortly after I became ill, running a low fever for about a week. I had no
energy and became extremely tired. This was accompanied with flushed cheeks
that were bright red all the time. I visited my doctor who ran lots of blood
work and was soon diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus (Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome). I was told that there was not much I could do but rest and really
that there was no cure. This led to me to turn to alternative medicine in
the hopes of finding a way to feel better again. I read everything I could
possibly get my hands on. I found a naturopathic doctor who had much
success with CFS and put me on a regimen of vitamins. I was also referred
to a chiropractor who immediately checked for for candida and tested positive
for this. He put me on a diet free of yeast, and within weeks I was feeling
substantially better. At the same time, I also began working with a therapist
to deal with early childhood emotional issues that were still having an effect
on my life. As past memories would come up, I would use the Bach Flower
Essences to help me to to cope with emotions that at times were very
overwhelming. I also began excercising, doing gentle aerobics and yoga,
and gradually increased to a more vigorous aerobic level. The combination
of these therapies was very effective. In about 4 weeks, I was back at work,
probably 75% better than when I had begun. This experience was very moving
for me, as I went on to study in the field of alternative medicine. I
am now married with two children, and have my own business in Therapeutic
Aromatherapy and Flower Essences. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is something,
I have been told that remains in the body and never completely goes away.
Although this may the case, having it in our bodies doesn't necessarily =
mean we have the symptoms. This is the case with CFS in my life. It may be
there, but it is not active.At times, when life becomes stressful dealing
with the many pressures life can bring, I can become tired, but I have never
relapsed into that place I was when I was initially diagnosed. When I began
feeling a tired, I immediately eliminate sugar, wheat and gluten and find I
feel better within days.
Iris Chiappolini
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