Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches
June Russell's Health Facts
My Health Journey
In the 1960’s my husband was employed by the State Department and was assigned to go to Korea, and since we had a U.S. military post there, this would include the family (we had three children, ages 3, 5 and 10). As part of the preparation to go on the assignment we all had medical workups and were told our health was excellent. We were required to have many Vaccinations (boosters of the basic shots and additional series of many others such as cholera, typhus, typhoid, etc.) It was in the weeks after these shots that I began to feel that I was ‘not well.’
When I experienced extreme reactions to some of the vaccinations, I was told that I was ‘emotional’ and ‘too sensitive’ by the State Department medical personnel. I accepted their verdict, and blamed the symptoms of weakness, lessened energy and stomach upsets as part of the emotional stress of leaving home and going to a foreign country. We left a month later for Korea where regular follow-up vaccinations were required.
The next three years while in Korea were a nightmare of progressive degeneration of my physical, emotional and mental health. The first few weeks of constant diarrhea was thought to be that of just adjusting to being in a foreign country - culture shock. The advice for all newcomers was to just drink a lot of Pepto-Bismol and this problem would pass. However, the diarrhea did not stop, and I was nauseated most of the time. I ate very little and I was losing weight rapidly.
As the weeks and months passed, I was also experiencing extreme fatigue, mood swings and constant anxiety. Sleep became difficult and the nights were often filled with apprehension, and I began to think I must be going crazy. Army doctors were my only choice of medical care and, after one or two tests which they said were negative, it was decided that I was having ‘emotional problems,’ and their suggestion was to forget about myself and get involved in activities. I would have liked nothing more than to get on with my life but it was an effort for me to do even simple tasks, such as shopping for food at the near-by commissary or taking a short walk with my children. The doctors prescribed tranquilizers and stimulants and suggested that I needed to see a psychiatrist.
One psychiatrist came to the clinic once every six to eight weeks, so over the next five months I saw him just a few times. Most of the appointment time was used for venting his anger and unhappiness with his job, so I was somewhat relieved when he left the country for another assignment - they sent no one else to fill his place.
With my illnesses and my husband’s adjustment to his new career, as well as his constant traveling, our previously happy marriage was showing signs of trouble. Neither of us was able to adequately deal with the pressures that seemed to have no solution. My husband, as well as others, believed the doctors’ diagnosis - that I was doing this to get attention and manipulate others. I then had to adjust to the stigma of being a person who has mental and emotional problems. I was devastated by, not only the lack of support from anyone, but my own inability to ‘snap out of it.’
Because labor was inexpensive we were able to have someone to do the housework and some of the cooking, so I could use the little energy I had for my enjoyment of and involvement with the children.
As more time passed I began to experience dizzy spells, thinning hair, constant sore throats and flu-like symptoms. My memory and concentration became a problem because of a constant ‘brain fog.’ I often felt lethargic and I was constantly overwhelmed and exhausted. When I tried to do small tasks or take on minor responsibilities, I would have an exaggerated response of panic and runaway anxiety which would leave me feeling shaky and disoriented. My social activities were extremely limited and the effort to appear as ‘normal’ as possible around others was an enormous stress. Eventually, the only way I could function was to occasionally use a tranquilizer to knock the edge off of some of the turmoil, but each time I did I felt ashamed that I was unable to do anything to ‘cure’ myself. I was living for the day when I could go back to America where I felt there was a chance I could get better.
After being in Korea for 3 years, I was allowed to go back to the United States for more extensive medical care. I spent the next few years getting the “best” conventional medical care Washington, D.C., had to offer, but I soon learned about its many limitations. In the following years I sought help from many dozens of allopathic physicians, which resulted in many misdiagnoses, a variety of drugs and psychiatric care. Drugs sometimes alleviated the symptoms but they often had serious side effects, and none made me feel any healthier. When the doctors were unable to help, they could only suggest more psychotherapy.
For many years I analyzed every action, feeling and emotion. Why did I feel better or worse today? What wasn't I dealing with, or what emotion was I repressing? Was I using illness to get attention?
Even while I was in this intense psychotherapy there were additional symptoms. I began to have severe migraine headaches, inflamed joints, and severe allergic reactions to foods and chemicals. There were more doctors, added frustration, and prescription drugs as the only solution. I felt such hopelessness, my depression deepened and, because I felt I could struggle no more, I was often haunted by an overwhelming wish to die. I had used up all my options, there was nothing else left to try. My focus now was making it through each day, and I continued to cling to the thought that I must keep trying because my children needed me.
One of my many diagnoses (which turned out to be a misdiagnosis) was that I had malabsorption, and though I was told that I was not absorbing the vitamins from the food I ate, I was also told that there was no need to take any vitamin supplements. On my own I decided that maybe taking vitamins could help, and I visited a near-by health food store. It was there that I not only found literature and information about alternative therapies, but was told that there was a nutritional physician in the area, and I immediately made an appointment with him. This doctor was more concerned with the causes of my health problems than the symptoms, and encouraged the use of other complementary therapies as well. I was pleased with this approach and gradually, over the years I overcame, or minimized, many of my health problems. This was a slow process and it wasn't easy, for I had much to learn, lifestyle changes to make, and a lot of healing to do.
This experience of being so ill for such a long time has intensified my appreciation for life. I am, however, sometimes impatient with those who do not take care of themselves, those who have an unhealthy life style, and those who resort to the use of drugs because they have not explored their options in health care. Today, with a minimum amount of effort, one can find information in books, magazines, or on TV, about the many alternative therapies that are available and what they have to offer. From these complementary therapies I learned that our bodies often need only a gentle nudge or balancing of energy - not a powerful drug - to start the healing process. Best of all I learned many ways I could help myself in that healing process and prevent illnesses in the future.
I will mention a few of the alternative therapies that have been helpful for me, some I use regularly and others occasionally when needed. I have found these therapies to be safe, effective and less expensive than conventional treatment; acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, nutrition, massage, Ayurvedic (which includes Transcendental Meditation), self-hypnosis, and Tai Chi. Although my insurance doesn't often pay for these therapies, I enjoy better health when using them.
Tests in recent years showed I had coronary artery disease, so after educating myself to all the options, I chose an alternative to drugs and surgery - chelation therapy. I feel this disease was a result of the many years of extreme physical and emotional stress, and constant exposure to passive smoke and other potent chemicals.
In the past few years, even though I am now a senior, I have been able to enjoy life again with the enthusiasm and energy I had before the vaccinations and Korea. I will never again take my health for granted, and I have a special appreciation for the everyday happenings that I previously ignored. I give special attention to proper diet, regular exercise, meditation and emotional health, which includes working on my relationships with others. I enjoy teaching line dancing, researching and writing health articles, volunteering for drug awareness groups, being part of several musical and health groups, and being involved in politics.
There are things I have learned from this experience that may be helpful to others. If you are seeking better health, you must look in the right places. Realize that this can be a very valuable time of learning for you - not only a chance to learn about the choices of health care that are available - but a chance to learn about your body, and even make it your friend.
When you are exploring your options in health care, learn about them by reading health magazines and books, attend health lectures by alternative/complementary care givers, join health groups, browse in health food stores, and use others as information sources. There is power in knowledge and it gives a feeling of strength and control. Give your body a chance to resonate with one (or more) of the complementary therapies. Call on your doctor within, and spend time in meditation and quietness so you can get a feeling of direction, maybe even writing your thoughts in a ‘journal.’ When you tell yourself in a gentle and loving way that you want some clarity in what you need to do, there is often a definite response. Look for the many ways this response may show itself - it can be in a dream, in a series of events, or a feeling you get when sharing with friends. This has often worked for others as well as myself, but we needed to be open to it.
With each alternative therapy I allowed enough time to give the therapy a chance to work. Some of them worked instantaneously, others took many weeks or months. I think each alternative “energy medicine” treatment adds to the level of one’s health. Even though a therapy might be tried and thought not to help much, it is often working on a deeper level, and may allow your body to then be more receptive to other therapies. Conventional drug therapy does not provide this safety and it can lessen or inhibit the ability to heal.
Spend the time and effort to educate yourself about the many approaches to healing. Good health is priceless - ask anyone who doesn't have it. Though it may require a great deal of time and effort, working through the many levels of your healing can teach you some valuable lessons. Most of those who have made that journey feel it is well worth it.