by DeAnn Upton
In early 1994 I underwent surgery which removed my right ovary and appendix. For a year after the surgery I had continuing pain at the appendectomy site. I saw many doctors about this and had many exploratory procedures. Nothing was found and the pain eventually subsided. This was to be the first of many stressors that would add to my ensuing illness.
In the months after the surgery I developed some other strange problems. I started having severe anxiety attacks, severe fatigue, hot flashes, intolerance to heat, and my hair was falling out. I realized these problems were happening during a certain week in my menstrual cycle. My remaining ovary wasn’t functioning properly. I had many hormone tests and they all came back normal. I tried using birth control pills, the patch, and natural progesterone. None of these things helped, in fact, I would feel much worse. My Gynecologist was at a loss. He had given me every known medicine he could think of.
My fatigue became unbearable. Traditional medicine wasn’t helping me so I tried an alternative path. I went to a Homeopath. I had such a severe reaction to the homeopathic remedy that my traditional doctor thought I had a stroke. I could not move my head or arms for two weeks. Now, this is not supposed to happen in homeopathy. The homeopathic practitioner was unprepared for such a reaction. He said the remedies are so diluted that it was impossible to have such a reaction. Well, there I was, a medical anomaly once again. No one seemed able to help.
The symptoms continued to worsen. The anxiety attacks turned into full blown nervous breakdowns with accompanying fatigue that was so bad I couldn’t get out of bed. I became allergic to most foods and medicines. The search for a doctor who could help was frustrating. Pretty soon they were saying it was all in my mind and tried to prescribe antidepressants. I had severe reactions to all medicines by this time and would go into shock each time I tried something new. This also happened when I tried to take any vitamins recommended for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
By late 1994 I was ready to end my life. I couldn't even function at a job much less care for my family. I couldn't cook, clean, or even take my five year old daughter one block to school. I was constantly asking friends for help. My husband had to do all the work at home and work a full time job. There were many times I would call him home from work because I was having a reaction to a medicine or a food. I gave him the keys to the pistol I kept in the house. Finally I called a psychologist and asked to be hospitalized on suicide watch.
My mind was probed and prodded and analyzed. Thank goodness for my wonderful new therapist. He helped me to realize my mind was fine. It was my body that was a mess. He did everything within his power just to be there for me. It was his never ending support that helped me make it through the even worse times to come.
My body was dying. The monthly nervous breakdowns were taking their toll on my immune system. My liver wasn’t functioning properly. I couldn't get out of bed, I couldn't eat. Severe muscle spasms would keep me awake at night. I couldn't get a diagnosis, much less find an M.D. that would look beyond the typical blood tests. I prayed continually for help, and one day I got it.
My most favorite thing in the world to do is shop for fabric. At times I would have maybe an hour when I could stand up and do something. During one of these times, when I could walk, I managed to go to Wal Mart to look for fabric. I ran into a friend I hadn't seen for a long time. She was shocked at my emaciated appearance. As I was describing my illness to her, another woman listened to our conversation. She seemed to want to talk to me but she held back. Eventually she said I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and your story sounds so much like mine. She told me of a wonderful doctor in Los Angeles who had helped her, and that now she felt great.
I immediately went to this doctor, who was an allergist and immunologist. He realized there was nothing he could do with medicines or vitamins but he put me on a strict meat-and-vegetable-only diet to get rid of the systemic yeast problem that is so prevalent in Chronic Fatigue patients. He also diagnosed me with Epstein-Barr Virus and Fibromyalgia, the first diagnosis in a year's worth of M.D.'s.
The yeast overgrowth is a systemic one that can occur when your immune system is over taxed. Most M.D.'s completely poo-pooed this. But, I am here to tell you it is a very viable problem that can be extremely toxic. The diet started to relieve the fatigue little by little.
My original hormonal problem still remained. My new L.A. doctor recommended I try Reiki. I said "What is that?" He told me that Reiki was an energy, Chi, healing method and that I did not necessarily have to understand or believe in it for it to help me. At this point, I was desperate and would have tried anything. There is a point when you are so ill that it doesn’t matter what you will do to get well. As long as it was not invasive and I didn't have to take any medication by mouth, I was willing to try it. Modern western medicine had failed me and I was obviously led to this doctor for help. So I tried Reiki.
My Reiki practitioner was Diane. I had someone drive me to L.A. every two weeks for a one hour session. The sessions were so simple. Diane simply laid her hands on my body while I was fully clothed, and that was it! Her hands would get very hot. Within two months my improvement was very noticeable.
Diane told me that I could learn Reiki for myself and Reiki would not deplete my energy. This was so important because I had none to give. I took the first class and practiced it every day without fail. Two months later I took the 2nd Degree class. Within six months my fatigue and hormonal problems had simply and gently faded away.
Today I feel fantastic. Probably better than I have in my entire life. Not only have I healed the problems I have told you about, I have also healed lifelong problems with eczema, hypoglycemia and back pain. I have taken all of the Reiki classes and can now teach it to others. I still do Reiki on myself every single day.
To all of you who have illnesses deemed non-curable by traditional standards, I say "Do not give up, never give up!" There is a way for you to be well. Our loving God wants all of us to live in love and wellness. I pray for all of you to be led down your path of health as I was. Perhaps Reiki will be your way too.
