March Q+A
You asked, I answered 🥰
When I put up a question box in my stories, it is impossible to get to all of them in 24 hours, so I decided to start answering the rest of them monthly on Substack! This way, I can also share longer form answers and anyone who is new to my page can look back at them as well! ❤️
What were some of your symptoms that prompted further testing?
I had severe GI issues for 7 years that led me to Mayo Clinic for further testing. I had other symptoms too like brain fog, joint pain, horrible fatigue… but I kind of always brushed those off and thought they were normal because that’s what I had been told. By the time I was properly diagnosed, I had full blown food allergies, gut issues, sensitivities, hives, rashes, headaches, vertigo, dizziness, neurological symptoms and more! I basically was textbook for EDS, POTS and MCAS, but no one ever caught it.
Do you have recommendations for POTS and MCAS nutritionists?
Yes! I have worked with Gabbi from Clinical Paradigms and Lily from The Long Covid Dietitian and I highly recommend them both! I also have heard good things about Michelle Shapiro and I love her social media content!
Do you plan to have children?
I would love to have children. Part of me feels like it would be selfish to pass my conditions down to someone else because it has been so horrible for me. The other part of me knows that if I had a child with these conditions I would know how to handle it. My goal is to get my health to 99-100% before thinking about having kids. I also know that if my conditions are in remission, my toxic burden is low, my gut health is in a fantastic place and my nervous system is regulated, that sets my child up for better success because all of those things are passed down to our children.
What is that bathtub filter?
I get asked about my bathtub filter constantly. It’s from Canopy! I think it’s so cute!
Did you ever do a full AIP diet? Did it give you answers?
I never did a full AIP diet, but I did do an elimination diet of my own. I did low histamine, no sugar, no grains, no packaged food and no nightshades. It was honestly the best I’ve ever felt. I think the answer it gave me is that histamine is/was an issue for me, opened my eyes to my blood sugar issues and it allowed my gut to calm down enough that I was able to heal it for the first time. Since then, I have experienced a resurgence of gut issues due to Covid, but it gave me a lot of information.
Have you ever been symptom-free?
As a child I was symptom-free. I would say I haven’t been symptom-free since middle school, but 2021-2024 was the closest I’ve ever been to completely symptom-free and I am working hard to get my health back to where it was. I like to measure things in terms of percentages and I would say during that time I was at 75-80% health and now I am around 70-75%, so I have room for growth. I am focusing in on gut healing, nervous system work, avoiding mold and really supporting my body. It’s never a linear journey!
What differences have you noticed going sugar-free?
Going sugar-free always makes me feel 100x better. I think that’s because I definitely am dealing with blood sugar issues right now. I feel less inflamed, less bloated and overall just much better. The goal is to be able to have sugar in moderation, but my body needs to be able to handle it and regulate properly after eating it. I am not currently sugar-free, but I do limit it and focus on natural sugar!
Anything to help nausea?
I used to get horrible nausea in the mornings and it made me not want to eat. Once I started making sure that I was eating during the first hour of the day and changed my diet, those symptoms disappeared. If I randomly have nausea I will drink ginger or peppermint tea, but that isn’t often. This is a symptom that is helpful to explore with a RD or GI as well.
Have you ever been tested for Lyme?
Yes, I also have Lyme disease (diagnosed in 2020) and CIRS. I do need to redo some testing to see where I am at now!
Is there a way to get all of the supplements and things without breaking the bank?
I now have a Fullscript affiliate link and have provided you guys with the highest discount possible which is 25% off all orders! Supplements have been so instrumental throughout my health journey! I am not able to recommend any supplements, but you can use my link to shop any supplements recommended to you at a deeper discount than typically offered! ❤️
Join the chat and feel free to ask any questions in there for the April Q+A!
Stay tuned for Friday’s meal plan… I have so many delicious recipes I know you guys are gonna love! 🫢