How Could I Have Three Autoimmune Diseases?
My path to health has been a long, arduous one which began when I was in my mid-thirties.
More than one doctor told me that my fatigue was just part of being a “middle-aged” woman. In 1996, I was at my gall bladder surgeon for a pre-op appointment. As I was leaving his office, I just happened to ask him about the lesions on my skin. I asked him if a bad gall bladder could cause them. He said, “No, you have Sarcoidosis.”
I had never heard of Sarcoidosis, but it was causing my severe fatigue and lesions on my lungs, lymph nodes and skin. Catching a breath was so difficult that I couldn’t even breathe when I was lying in bed. I was treated for two and a half years with steroids, which helped the Sarcoidosis, but weakened my bones and caused my weight to exceed 200 pounds.
In 2001, I experienced tingling and numbness in my hands and feet. The pulmonary doctor who treated my Sarcoidosis sent me to a neurologist, who sent me to Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic diagnosed me with a second autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Direct words from the Cleveland Clinic doctor: “You’re a difficult case. I cannot decide if you have just Sarcoidosis or both MS and Sarcoidosis. Since you have MS symptoms, I’m going to prescribe interferons.”
I debated going on the interferon medication that they recommended. However, deep in my heart, I felt I did not have a second autoimmune disease and that the Sarcoidosis had caused the lesions in my brain, which caused the tingling and numbness.
I started on a path of healthy eating which stopped the numbness and tingling from getting worse. I reduced a few pounds, but was still far from a healthy weight. I continued to get brain MRIs for three years. My disease was not getting worse as the doctors predicted, so I stopped getting radiated for no reason.
In 2009 I started experiencing unbearable dryness of my mouth and eyes and severely swollen lymph nodes in my neck and jaw. I went back to the pulmonary doctor, as I was sure it was the Sarcoidosis flaring up again. He sent me through a battery of tests and determined that I had Sjogren’s Syndrome – yet another autoimmune disease.
The pulmonary doctor sent me to an ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor. He said he couldn’t do anything for me. He sent me to my primary care doctor, who sent me to a rheumatologist, who sent me back to the ENT. OK – I had HAD it! The medical community could not help me, except for a pill that helped somewhat with the dry mouth. But no one was offering a cure for the swollen lymph nodes which made me look like a chipmunk.
So I called my trusted friend Cindy Ponchot. She got me started on the following AIM products:
– Fiberblend
– BarleyLife
– AIMega
– Herbal Release
– ReAssure SP
I’m only about one month into the AIM routine, but the swelling in my lymph nodes is already significantly reduced. In addition, my dry mouth and dry eyes have improved. My energy level has soared. I have actually had electrical pulses in my “numb” foot, which I attribute to the nerves being healed. And the best benefit is that I am steadily losing weight. For the first time in years, I have hope that I can get to and maintain a healthy weight.
A week ago, I started on ReAssure SP, which I hope will help with the frequent urination problem I have struggled with for years. I don’t want to go on the medication for frequent urination, because one of the side effects is dry mouth, and I don’t want that again!
Before I close, I need to thank my husband, who has patiently been on my health journey with me. He is helping me tremendously by juicing carrots, beets, dark leafy greens, apples and other fruits and vegetables. This, combined with the AIM products, has put me on a healthy path. I look forward to the next decades of my life being the healthiest ever!!!!
Trusting God daily for wisdom and health.
Gayle Mills – OH – 09-15-2009