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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Three Years into Recovery With Dr. Upcott

By HERWriter
 
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Labor & Delivery related image Photo Courtesy of Dr. Kelly Upcott

Three years ago I was barely functional. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome had fractured my brain and ravaged my body. I had tendinitis in my shoulders, elbows and wrists. My hands were so crippled they were almost useless.

Standing for a few minutes made me pant for air and stagger from vertigo. My feet felt bruised and I limped from a swollen knee. Walking from my bedroom to the living room left me breathless and collapsing onto a recliner, eyes closed, spent from exertion.

I was in bed 16 hours a day. Naptime was 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. At 5 p.m. I'd drag out to be with my family for a few hours. Then I'd be back in bed reading till 11 p.m. Exhausted at that point, I'd sleep all night.

I'd cancelled once on my new naturopath, Dr. Kelly Upcott. A case of the flu had intensified my CFS symptoms, leaving me a vegetable. Eventually I made another appointment. My husband Alan drove me to her office and led me in by the hand.

Afterwards, I had a list of instructions Dr. Upcott wrote down since I wouldn't remember anything from the visit. Alan brought me home and I went to bed for two days, depleted.

Now here we are, three years later.

I no longer need to be chauffeured to appointments. I still have some pain in my arms and hands but it doesn't hold me captive. I no longer limp. And I'm no longer bedridden 16 hours a day. I lay down for a few hours most afternoons but the rest of my day is very different now.

My brain works better. I can put more than two thoughts together. In fact, I can put enough thoughts together to write articles, run a website, play administrator on a CFS forums, email friends, and fool around on Facebook. I still read during my quiet time, but instead of seven books a week, I'll only get through one. I'm just too busy doing the things I love.

Dr. Upcott's treatments have brought considerable healing to my broken-down body. Her confidence that I could heal encouraged me to expect something better.

I still visit her every month. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is devastating and the damage ran deep. But healing is ongoing, and its evidence is everywhere I look. And what I'm seeing is far more than I'd hoped for three years ago.

I spent 15 years losing the battle against CFS. Three years ago, I found treatment that worked for me, and now I am making a comeback.

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Add a Comment8 Comments

When you were in severe state, did you get the chest pain or back pain or thigh pain from the low blood volume we have? Especially on talking or trying to walk, etc?

April 20, 2018 - 4:13pm
HERWriter (reply to Sherryjsb3)

I lived with a lot of pain at my most severe state. Some other symptoms that later I realized were likely related to low blood volume like being unable to stand for very long.

I felt like I was vibrating, was light-headed, face would go numb for instance. Standing for long would also leave me panting for air. All of this was also related I believe, to very low energy stores.

I'd run out of steam really quickly and it would take time to restore. Lots of time in bed resting and sleeping.

April 28, 2018 - 7:36am
HERWriter

There has been so much! Here are some of the things we've done.

She gave me tinctures with antivirals, antibacterials, antifungals, to cut down my toxic load, and adaptogens for depleted adrenal glands.

She got me to take Omega-3 oil, Vitamins B12, D3, C, E, and other vitamins. I took calcium and magnesium, selenium, and a number of other supplements.

I had already been eating low carb and avoiding gluten, grains, potatoes, corn, milk and eggs, which all make me ill.

She started me on denatured whey protein isolate to increase glutathione, and liquid chlorophyll to clean toxins out of my blood and strengthen my immune system. I juiced vegetables to get more nutrients absorbed into my system.

I have taken milk thistle and eaten beets for my liver, and taken an assortment of homeopathic remedies. I drank ginger tea, licorice tea, and green tea.

I started drinking filtered water with a slice of lemon in it every day. This is good for digestion, for my liver, and for proper pH balance.

She has used acupuncture on me monthly. I used ear seeds which do a form of acupressure, and lymphogen ointment to help move the lymph and and move out toxins. I've done nasal irrigation and dry skin brushing with a loofah.

All these things made a difference. All of them took time. Some of them made me feel worse before they made me feel better.

The other main ingredients to my ongoing recovery I think, have been getting more rest than I felt like I needed, cutting back what I'm doing so that energy can also go into healing my body.

And determined hope for a better future has turned loose healing chemicals in my body, replacing the breaking-down chemicals that had been running rampant due to ongoing despair.

Dr. Upcott has made a big difference in the Hope over Despair department as well.

February 10, 2010 - 7:50pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Jody Can you give us a sum up of your doctors protocol. I'm really interested about anything that is helping someone.

February 10, 2010 - 11:36am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Jody, I loved hearing what the dr gave you. Now I'm familiar with all of those and I think you had the best supplements. You sure have a poignant way of telling your story.

February 9, 2017 - 9:18pm
HERWriter (reply to Anonymous)

Thank you.

It has now been 10 years since I started seeing Dr. Upcott (now Dr. Upcott-Siebert). Seven years have passed since I wrote this article. I am still maintaining a good level of health, and continuing to improve.

February 14, 2017 - 7:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Jody Smith)

Glad you are doing better. I have been recently diagnosed Oct 2016. I am starting the ketogenic diet. Just wondering have you tried near infrared sauna(not far specially near)? My mom is helping me build my own. Just want to her any testimonies if you have any.

June 20, 2017 - 4:53pm
HERWriter (reply to Anonymous)

I'm sorry to hear you are sick. I have heard good things about the ketogenic diet, and have had some success using something similar. Good luck with it:)

I have no experience with infrared sauna, I'm afraid. I hope you find what you need.

Jody

June 23, 2017 - 4:17pm
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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