Symptoms can be the double-edged sword in a healing journey. On one hand, symptoms can give you signs that something is not right or signs of what your body needs to heal, but on the other hand, they can also be confusing as to how a symptom ties into the whole picture and what it actually means. Ultimately, though, our body’s internal systems are incredibly interconnected, so nothing just happens without a catalyst.
In fact, my favorite moment in a client’s journey is when they realize and experience how two things, like a symptom and something they previously thought was totally separate, are actually connected. Like when they realize a food they’ve been eating daily is linked to their constant migraines or when they realize a supplement that was meant to address their gut issues also cleared up their hormonal acne. Connecting a symptom to its cause is powerful knowledge that can ultimately help you take the reins of your own healing journey.
A Bit About Me
Throughout my healing journey, I continued to learn more and more as time passed. I felt like everyday I was connecting another piece to the giant puzzle that was my body’s disfunction. Once I started to tie one symptom to another, I realized that everything was connected, and something just clicked in me.
As background on how I got to where I am today and why I am devoting my life and career to helping others heal, here is a quick recap of my healing journey:
After enjoying great health and vitality throughout my childhood and into early adulthood, I began experiencing unexplained symptoms like loss of feeling in my arms and legs, loss of coordination, vertigo, panic attacks, memory loss and heart palpitations to name a few. I searched and searched to find answers as to why my body was suddenly failing me and totally unpredictable. I was slapped with a diagnosis of Lyme disease, and instead of being given answers and a clear path back to health, was sent off to figure out the rest on my own.
I spent a year undergoing extreme treatments and was bedridden for months on end. After doctors and medications failed me time and time again, I discovered the power of alternative medicine and nutrition in healing the body.
As I began regaining control of my mind and body, I made the decision to fully devote my time and energy to helping other people going through similar struggles, so they would not have to feel the helpless feeling I once felt. But, somewhat discouragingly within this time, my Lyme symptoms were still constantly flaring on and off. Something was obviously still triggering my immune system and causing these flares. With continued digging and investigation, I realized my indoor environment was keeping me sick, so I tested my body and home for mold.
It’s Not Just Lyme, It’s Mold
Once I opened the Pandora’s box that is mold, I realized it was a HUGE missing link in the grand scheme of my health journey. Everything really started to make sense, and I finally felt validated for some of the crazy symptoms I was experiencing. Unfortunately, at some point in my journey, I dealt with almost all of these mold symptoms:
Seems like a quite excessive and broad list, right? The scary part is I’m probably missing a ton! Some of these symptoms you would never even think would be linked to something like mold exposure, but they are!
Symptoms I Experienced
Some of the scarier symptoms I experienced were the neurological issues. There was a point where I would be walking home on the streets of New York and completely forget where I was going or how to get home. Another time I was at a restaurant with my husband and completely forgot how to form sentences or get words out. There would be times I would forget my name or my husband’s name mid conversation.
Another really difficult symptom I dealt with, and many of my clients also face, is resistant weight loss and puffiness. If you look at a photo of me while dealing with mold toxicity versus now, I look like a different person! I was eating extremely clean, working out 2 times daily, but I was swollen, bloated, and couldn’t lose the extra weight my body was holding on to. Often times this weight is simply inflammation as your body is trying to protect itself and your major organs from the mold that has colonized inside it. Once I started detoxing the mold, I shed the weight without any diet or exercise change!
When it came to food, I had very strong sugar cravings throughout the day. Along with the cravings, I never felt fully satiated after my meals, which would lead to overeating and feeling extremely uncomfortable. This is because mold dims your leptin receptors, which are responsible for your satiation cues. Crazy, right? But it all makes sense!
I also found myself extremely anxious at all times. Leaving my house just to interact with someone passing me on the street was difficult. I had extreme social anxiety that came out of nowhere; I was constantly in my head about everything. I find this symptom is often missed with mold because people don’t link their mental health to their physical health. If you feel this, you are not alone, and you are NOT your anxiety.
I had extreme light and noise sensitivities, the world felt so LOUD. Just hearing a car horn lit up my entire body, or being in a room with super fluorescent lights felt like I was looking into the sun. These are very common symptoms, and a huge sign mold is in the picture disrupting your body.
You are NOT Your Symptoms
In sum, you are NOT your symptoms. These are just things your body is experiencing. Your body is using them to show you signs that it needs help! Once you can associate how you feel with what’s going on in your body and environment, you will be able to separate yourself from your symptoms and ultimately work towards healing.
If you feel like you can relate to any of these symptoms above and need more guidance on your healing journey, I have been there, and I can help. Feel free to book a 15 minute free discovery call with me to chat with me. I am a certified wellness consultant and specialize in food sensitivities and women’s health. By focusing on nutrition, movement, self-love, and mindset I also help clients gain a healthy and loving relationship with their food and their bodies without quick fixes, fad diets, starvation, or yo-yoing. Real, sustainable, and healthy FUELED living are possible. If I can heal, so can you.
Questions and comments are welcome! We love hearing from you. Please write to us below or email newsletter@sinusitiswellness.com.
Manoli and Nicole are the co-founders of The Living Fuel, a wellness consultancy that aims to help people transform their health through a holistic lens. They have coached over 9,300 people and work with both individuals and businesses. Whether a client wants to lose weight and lower stress or tackle more serious chronic health issues, Manoli and Nicole are here to help. Check them out on www.thelivingfuel.com or @thelivingfuel on Instagram. You can schedule a 15-minute free discovery call to see if it could be a good fit for you.
Jane Schlegel O’Brien
April 14, 2024 at 7:30 pm - Reply
II was a patient of Dr Dennis for many years. He was the docotir to (finally) diagnon my mold inflammation issues. I am trying to understand a very different rash I have developed starting in January. It is on the back of my upper thighs and buttocks, and is sometimes red and irritated, sometimes calmer but deep purple. . I have been to two dermatologists and they are just not sure what it is. Can it be from sitting on furniture that has some mold component?
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II was a patient of Dr Dennis for many years. He was the docotir to (finally) diagnon my mold inflammation issues. I am trying to understand a very different rash I have developed starting in January. It is on the back of my upper thighs and buttocks, and is sometimes red and irritated, sometimes calmer but deep purple. . I have been to two dermatologists and they are just not sure what it is. Can it be from sitting on furniture that has some mold component?
It could be. You can use the mold screening test plates to TAP test your furniture to find out.