Shortly after I got married in 2006 I joined a local (South African) fertility message board. I learned so much there, but more importantly, I “met” so many interesting people. One such person was T, who like me was holistically minded. Although we live in the same city, we never met, but had several long and interesting phone conversations. After trying for a number of years, T eventually got pregnant and had a baby boy. We sort of lost contact.
Then, early in December I got a text message from T, announcing that Baby #2 was on its way. I congratulated her by return text and she replied that she had to speak to me. What she told me on the phone has changed my life.
Last year her sister, who had had recurrent miscarriages, was referred to a holistically minded biochemist, who diagnosed her problem and treated her with enzymes and sound nutrition. She conceived within two months and must now be close to term.
T herself had been worried that she might take years to conceive her second baby too. She had also been struggling to lose her baby weight from the first pregnancy. Off she went to see this woman. As she suspected there were some serious hormonal and other problems that had not only been affecting her ability to lose weight, but would have hindered conception. In her second month on the enzyme therapy she conceived.
This biochemist works closely with a lot of doctors (general and specialist), who refer their patients to her for diagnosis and therapy. When a health problem needs medical attention, she’d send a client to a doctor or specialist. T’s husband, for instance wasn’t reacting well to his statin drug, and she picked it up and sent him back to his doctor.
T had referred a number of friends, with a wide range of health issues, some severe, to this lady and they had all made huge progress with their healing. So, here she was telling me all that.
Of course I was intrigued. I made an appointment.
Before we got to the diagnostic part, we chatted about my health history, what medication, potions, lotions, supplements, etc. I was taking and what my diet and lifestyle was like. She said that she strongly suspects that I have problems with my pituitary gland, given the way I carry my weight. I wondered what that meant…
She also scolded me about neglecting to go to the dermatologist for regular mole checks, given my history. I had to let her know when I’d made an appointment.
The test itself was conducted with a BEST machine, although she also refers people for lab tests if needed. I want to say here that anyone out there can buy a BEST machine. That doesn’t mean that they know what they’re doing. I’ve since heard stories of laughable therapies and practices by some practitioners. This woman’s best tool is her years of experience in biochemistry, especially in the field of fertility, and her knowledge of both allopathic and natural medicine, nutrition and lifestyle factors. In other words, she’s a professional, who knows how to interpret, and prioritize in terms of treatment, the results from the machine.
So, after all these years, I found out what was wrong with me. The list was alarmingly long:
- Very poor pituitary function
- Poor liver function
- Massive parasite infestation, predominantly giardia, but also others
- Low progesterone
- Rather flaccid arteries
- Water retention
- Chronic bacterial infection, probably from my botched appendix operation in 2004
- A rheumatoid infection
- Insulin resistance
- Severe dairy intolerance
- Slight fish intolerance
- Poor absorption of nutrients
- Poor functioning of the hypothalamus
- Sluggish lymphatic system
- Poor quality sleep (not deep enough)
I also happen to carry all the markers for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. That explains a lot!
I was amazed about the things the machine could pick up. For instance, she could tell that I’d had measles in the last decade (it was in 2003).
The good news was that my Follicle Stimulating Hormone levels indicate that I still have plenty of eggs available. In fact, with weight loss and improved progesterone levels, I should be able to conceive in the not-too-distant future. Of course I’m going to send my hubby to her, along with an updated sperm analysis.
In tomorrow’s post I will go into detail about what all of the above means, what the implications are for my health, weight and fertility and what we are doing to get me better.
As you can imagine, the emotional impact of finally knowing what is going on in my body is huge. I came away from this appointment with a sense of total relief. And a lot of …
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I want to say that is fantastic news – but don’t feel that is quite the right wording seeing as you are finding out stuff that is wrong. But I am sure that you know what I mean.
Good luck and now that you know, you know what to do and that is fantastic. All the best and I will be watching this space.
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Whoa, long list, but it must feel so amazing to have things to target for improvement. I’m very curious now about BEST. I’m going to have to nose around and see if I can find a good specialist here.
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Woah what a relief! I think I better find myself one of those type of specialists too! I look forward to reading about your journey and hopefully an upcoming pregnancy in the future!
Tricia´s last blog ..More sprouted and dehydrated almonds
Wow Hanlie. I know EXACTLY how you feel…yes we are on the same journey (except that I don’t want to get pregnant). I will be following your progress closely…
KCLAnderson (Karen)´s last blog ..What Am I Really Afraid Of?
I hope you can get all those things sorted.
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I am on the verge of tears, I am so happy for you. I pray it happens for you as you want it.
My ND told me that there is nothing else he can do for me, so I am back on my own again. It is frustrating. I started with suspecting to have a petuitary melonoma, then that ruled out. I was able to get progesterone up through sublingual progesterone intake, but still cannot figure out what causes high prolactin levels… Sorry, too much info, but I can relate to not knowing what is causing problems. I am at a loss and keep doing my research. If you get pregnant soon, which I hope for you, I might just have to fly out to SA and see the lady too
I like the sound of this, “finally knowing what is going on in my body” so much more than this, “after all these years, I found out what was wrong with me.”
Don’t cha think?
Happy you have a roadmap to follow now. Even happier that you are feeling HOPEFUL.
xo!
Earth Mother – In The Raw´s last blog ..How To Enjoy A Purely Delicious Blizzard
This is excellent that you’re able to FIGURE IT OUT. I’m happy for you that you’re getting to the bottom of the problem!
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So I just went to that link and I realized that I had that done once too! Only it sounds like the person who did yours was a bit smarter than the lady doing mine. But that was several years ago. All I remember was her telling me that in my body was a cat virus and when I asked her how that could have gotten there she said that it was most likely from a flu vaccine. She said they put all sorts of weird stuff in them. So that made me want to swear off flu vaccines forever! Of course now I am against pretty much all vaccines…
Tricia´s last blog ..More sprouted and dehydrated almonds
This is so encouraging, not that you have the problems, but that you know what they are, and presumably what to do about them.
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Wednesday’s Word of the Day – Consistent
Oh my God Hanlie, this is incredible news! I know given the list it may seem bad, but it isn’t – it is all about knowing and yes, fostering that hope that all is still possible! (It always is!)
Anyway, this is sort an interesting coincidence as I heard from a friend whose aunt specializes in fertility treatment using this machine. Except I didn’t know what it was called (she didn’t either). Anyway, her aunt treats all sorts of people, doesn’t have to be fertility, so she went and what she uncovered was amazing! (and like you life changing)
I have been meaning to go since the fall – I am fascinated by things like this, and I always say, the more we know about our bodies, the better we can interact with them. So I will definitely do a write up whenever I get around to going.
Anyway, I am so happy you are more aware of where things stand, and will no doubt be continuing an amazing journey of healing!
That is fantastic Hanlie! Gives me hope too!
Mmm, can you send me her details through my e-mail? I would love to go see her.
I could remember 2 big things (that I have hear you mention):
The poisoning you had as a child –
And your cancer –
Do either of these fall into any of the categories she told you about – or are they different issues.
This is very interesting. Will be curious to read more.
Is she selling you a pile of different vitatmins and things to injest – or having you fix through the food you eat (or now don’t eat, like dairy).
Besides the mole check – is there anything that she is sending you back to your doctor to treat?
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Wow, that is a long list. It must be daunting to see those things at first – but it gave you a great starting point. Imagine being able to tick things off that list after you conquer them
I am in the same department about conceiving. It can be depressing at times, but I keep a positive attitude and positive mental outlook for the future. Good luck to you!
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Hanlie, thank you for sharing this news. I am hopeful for you too. You are going to be an amazing mom. Thank you for sharing the device info. You know it makes me want to go get a reading. I hope you will share how you are treating the issues. Sending you love and blessings.
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Oh Hanlie this is exciting news…HOPE YAY!!! I am so happy to stop by and see this it made my day!!!!
XOXO
Hi Hanlie,
I’m so happy that you are getting to the root of your health problems. All the best for the journey ahead. Would you mind giving me the name/number of your BEST therapist? I’ve been looking for someone good in Cape Town, since the lady I used to see immigrated. Thanks!