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After 20 years of suffering strange illnesses and all sorts of debilitating symptoms and multiple autoimmune diseases happening to my body I've been diagnosed with Bertolotti Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Graves Disease, Adrenal Insufficiency, Polycystic ovaries, totally atopic allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic food allergy along with chronic depression and anxiety.
I've researched and studied all of the above and many more such as Bertolotti, Sciatica, Frozen Shoulder, IBS, MS, Back pain, Bells palsy, Migraine, Muscle pain, Anxiety, Panic attack, Bipolar, Depression, PTSD, Adrenal Fatigue and more recently Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD for short) This is a rare disease that not many have heard of.
Below is some practical information about Bertolotti, MCTD and some of the treatments - both medical and complimentary - that can be used to help relieve and control the illness and help you live a healthy happy life.
What is Bertolotti Syndrome?
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (Bertolotti's syndrome) refers to a total or partial unilateral or bilateral fusion of the transverse process of the lowest lumbar vertebra to the sacrum. Bertolotti's syndrome (BS) is an important cause of chronic low and upper back and neck pain in patients.
For more on Bertolotti and back pain see our other blog or ask to join our Facebook support group.
What is M C T D?
Mixed connective tissue disease has signs and symptoms of a combination of disorders primarily lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis.
MCTD is sometimes referred to as an overlap disease.
In mixed connective tissue disease, the symptoms of the separate diseases usually don’t appear all at once. Instead if not treated correctly they tend to occur in sequence over several years which can make diagnosis very complicated.
The precise cause of MCTD isn’t yet known but it's labelled an autoimmune disorder. Like other autoimmune disorders your immune system isresponsible for fighting off disease and sometimes it attacks healthy cells by mistake. In connective tissue disease the immune system attacks the fibers that provide the framework that support for your body.
Some of the symptoms of MCTD are but are not limited to the following
General feeling of being unwell accompanied by increased fatigue and a mild fever.
Cold and numb fingers or toes or Raynaud’s syndrome. In response to cold or stress your fingers or toes might turn white and then purplish blue. After warming them up the fingers or toes may turn red.
Swollen fingers or hands. Some people experience painfull swelling to the point where the fingers resemble sausages.
Muscle and joint pain. Joints may become out of shape or deformed just like what occurs with rheumatoid arthritis.
Vacuities (Urticarial) or the Malar rash across the nose and cheeks, malasma across the face and neck area depending on what combination of diseases you have.
Diagnosis: Tests and examinations can be used to help with the diagnosis:
Physical exams can check for swollen hands and painful, swollen joints
Blood tests can sometimes determine a certain antibody in your blood that is associated with mixed connective tissue disease
Xray Imaging to check for damage to the joints or inflammation of muscles
Biopsy’s of the skin or organs if required.
Treatment:
Unfortunately western medicine states "There’s no cure for mixed connective tissue disease however medications such as immunosuppressants are available and can help manage the signs and symptoms".
In holistic therapy we believe various other lifestyle changes and therapy’s can help you alleviate the symptoms.
I previously tried every western medication to control the illnesses and symptoms unfortunately to no avail.
However I after studying illness recovery and prevention for over 12 years I use many of the below things for a more natural approach to help relieve the symptoms.
D20TOX© My first breakthrough and ease of my own symptoms came when guided by holistic ancient medicine and modern biology science I wrote this healthy lifestyle plan in 2012. This amazing lifestyle plan
has changed my life and that of many others. It's now my first line of defence whenever my symptoms flare up.
Physical therapy If you have muscle pain and weakness physical therapy / PT movement classes and Meditation can help improve your movements. As an intune energy therapist I can tune in and find out exactly what needs treating.
Massage is very understated. Gentle massage can be as effective as 8 hours sleep! It can really help to relieve muscle spasms and pain.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage can really help to drain away toxins, swelling or oedema and relieve muscle pain.
Faith & Energy Healing has really helped me so much to accept my illness and work to heal my body as a whole body spirit experience. I perform daily Prayers and Reiki Seichem healing treatments.
Yoga, Pilates, Meditation and Mindfulness has been key to my symptoms. I still my mind and body which helps my spirit come through which leads and helps in reducing stress and anxiety related to having a chronic illnesses and that encourages my self healing.
I use cooling products which can assist with the burning sensations sometimes experienced with peripheral neuropathy. I use aromatherapy specially blended by me as a certified Aromatherapy Blending Practitioner cooling compresses to help relieve the burning, itchy sensations that can be experienced. Hot aromatherapy blends for the swelling, Muscle pain and spasms.
The D20TOX© taught me all I needed to know about finding out my food and drink intollerances and eating a healthy and balanced diet. Nutrition and diet can have a huge impact on illnesses especially autoimmune disease.
I myself have embarked on a gluten free and dairy free based eating plan which has helped me enormously now I don't eat what was making me so sick.
Stress reduction can have an immediate effect on reducing flares that are often triggered by stress. Learning Relaxation techniques, Meditation, Cranial Balancing & Stress Reduction© taught me Neck and Spine release s that have an amazing immediate effect on health along with Emotional Freedom Therapy The which helped me release all the old trapped emotional baggage I'd been carrying for years. I also love getting out in nature which really helps along with, blogging, reading and gentle exercise like my restorative yoga I barely even move but it feels amazing afterwards.
Here's some of the ways that I reduce my stress:
Socialising with friends and family socially distanced and by Zoom or WhatsApp. When it's the last thing I feel like doing I do it!
It's so important to stay connected especially at this uncertain difficult time.
Aromatherapy, Pure & Blended Essential Oils have really helped me relieve and manage my s. They can help you with your pain, stress, emotions, purify your home and help reduce toxic load in the following ways:
Relieve Nausea
Relieve Anxiety
Promotes Deep Sleep
Relieves muscle and Joint pain
Treat cuts, grazes or infections from neuropathy on hands and feet to body and muscle aches.
Purifies the air in your environment using a diffuser or inhaler.
Alleviate stress, tension, or anxiety using roller bottles or face or body oils, scrubs & bath salts.
Helps you eliminate toxins with body scrubs and bath salts.
Reducing toxic load in your body and house hold.
I use all of the above to compliment my previous medical procedures and treatments in my journey with autoimmune illness. I would never recommend or say any of my treatments work alone as its the combination of all the parts working with me and really good health professionals that enable me to live a happy, enriched and healthy life to the fullest.
Carmen Elizabeth Maynes is the founder of The Healing Cabin Ringleas Cotgrave Nottingham NG12 3PS Pain, illness Management Beauty & Holistic Centre. She has over 26 years experience in the caring industry and holds numerous qualifications and diploma's in Specialist Massage Beauty, Fitness and Cranial Balancing Stress Reduction©. See all we offer here:
Or message to book here: 07392 378 826
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