Living With Lyme, Type 1 Diabetes, Mono, and Hashimotos
I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease at age 8, Type 1 Diabetes at age 12, Mono at age 18, and Hashimotos at age 26.
Living with autoimmune diseases, has been tough, but I’ve never let any of these diagnosis define me or who I am. In retrospect, I believe I’ve come out stronger!
Although, the most gut-wrenching diagnosis was getting Type 1 Diabetes in the 8th grade.
My symptoms were insane… Uncontrollable thirst, hunger, and weight loss. My vision was blurry, I couldn’t sit in class for more than 30 minutes without asking to go to the water fountain. I was very pale. I remember eating a lot of potato chips. On Christmas Day in 2004, I almost fainted in the shower and that’s when my family started to take notice.
I was brought into the hospital on January 14, 2005 with an a1c of 12 or 13 (I can’t remember) and blood sugar of over 300 and immediately treated for Type 1 Diabetes.
It was hard, and can still be hard today. Living with a illness is no fun, but I like to think I would never have been as healthy as I am today without it! All my diagnosis have caused me to really look at myself and see what’s wrong and how I can holistically treat myself today! I’m grateful!
3 steps I take every day to better my health
Step 1: Remove Immune-Reacting Foods
Go Gluten & Dairy Free
Limit Your Grain Foods
Cut Out Added Sugar
I can’t say I’m 100% anything, because I do believe in the power of balance, but I try to live a gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and added sugar-free life 85% of the time! I leave the other 15% for life and random chance. Plus, I really enjoy cottage cheese.
Step 2: Add More Whole Foods and Protein
Eat The Rainbow in fruits and vegetables every day!
Prioritize protein and healthy fat (beef, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs!!!)
Buy grass-fed, pasture-raised, and organic protein! Quality is key!
Step 3: Exercise!
Go for a walk
Lift weights at the gym
Do anything that makes your body move in a healthy way that feels good to you!