My journey to better health began in my mid 30’s and started as a result of hitting rock bottom.
From the outside, everything looked great. Happily married, one son, pregnant with my second son, a well paid career, beautiful house.
In reality, I was struggling through every day: exhausted, bad headaches, back pain, aching muscles, repeated ear, nose and throat infections, forgetful, tearful, difficulty concentrating, culminating in a severe chicken pox infection, after which all other symptoms became more pronounced. Ultimately, and even worse, I became unable to cry. I was joyless.
This did not happen overnight. It crept up on me slowly, day by day.
Looking back, I can now see that these symptoms not only typified my adult life, but were also present for much of my childhood.
Clearly, something was very wrong. At the time I thought that it was just another episode of depression which I had first been diagnosed with 3 years previously following the birth of my first son.
I went into hospital to give birth feeling unwell and convinced that my depression would get worse rather than better.
Fortunately, my lowest ebb proved to be the turn of the tide. Instead of my depression getting worse, it improved considerably immediately after giving birth.
I was still chronically tired but relieved and happy.
So here I was, at home with a new born baby and a desire to enjoy things again but with no energy to do them.
This was when I made two important discoveries.
Firstly, my sister Fiona had started taking a whole food fruit and vegetable nutritional supplement ; 17 raw fruits vegetables and grains in a capsule. Too good to be true I thought. However, having observed an improvement in her energy levels I decided to give it a try.
This was my first proactive step in creating health and led me to become interested in the connection between health and nutrition.
I also experienced a surge in my energy levels that became so apparent to my husband that he too started taking this supplement, along with our two sons.
Secondly, whilst watching a day time television programme about how women become ill as a result of not being at the top of their priority list, an alarm bell went off in my head.
“Top of my priority list? “ I asked myself. I wasn’t even on the list! I had become my son’s mother, my company’s Human Resources Manger and occasionally my husband’s wife. I had disappeared along with any sort of balance in my life.
This led to an interest in stress management and so began a new career in reflexology and personal coaching.
My health continued to improve over the next few years, marred only by occasional bouts of less severe depression under times of added stress.
Having researched depression extensively, combined with my new found interest in nutrition, I knew that alongside Juice Plus I needed an equally effective essential fatty acid supplement.
Once again, Fiona came up with this solution. In January 2006, after a long period of severe ill health, she was finally diagnosed with ME/CFS by Professor Puri, Professor and Consultant at the MRI Unit, Imaging Sciences Department, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, London. This led us to discover VegEPA, the essential fatty acid supplement we had been searching for.
Professor Puri also introduced us to Dr Ray Perrin, a world leading osteopath specialising in the treatment of ME/CFS.
In July 2006, I met Dr Perrin and for the first time I was diagnosed correctly with ME/CFS.
Whilst this illness has brought some very challenging times, it has also been a great teacher.
I have learned a great deal about health, nutrition, how to balance my life, endurance, patience and the importance of taking time to smell the daisies before you are pushing them up!
It has also given me a passion to share my experiences with others so that they can find their own paths to better health.
It is my sincere wish that Healthy Me and this website will help you with your journey.
