Welcome, I am Amber and this is my journey with chronic illness.

I was an active, happy, healthy woman in my thirty's working in a job I loved when my health slowly started to decline. Over a period of 3 years, my health deteriorated to the point I was unable to work, go for a walk or catch up with friends. I had skin issues and infections that no specialist or any amount of antibiotics or steroid cream could fix. I was barely able to eat as my stomach couldn't tolerate food. This caused severe anxiety around food because I never knew what mouthful would put me in bed for 3 days. My whole body was puffy and inflamed. I was intolerant to cold and heat. My brain wasn't functioning, I had severe brain fog and couldn't think, remember, or process any information. Reading and watching TV was out of the question. My mood swings had got so bad that I wasn't sure when I was going to have a meltdown next, so I avoided everyone. Even booking an appointment would have me yelling at the receptionist then calling back 10 mins later in tears apologizing. I was exhausted and no amount of sleep (I was sleeping 14hrs a day) would refresh me. A 10-minute walk was all I was able to manage. 

My GP was at a loss after numerous appointments and all my tests came back negative. She told me that I was a hypochondriac, it was all in my head, and I should go see a psychiatrist. As for the chronic fatigue - I just had to learn to live with it. My mental health deteriorated, I was in the depths of depression. I felt the strange combination of being completely numb while feeling emotions so strongly that the smallest thing had the waterworks flowing. 

I sat on a couch for days staring at the wall. I had no will or desire which was a very scary place to be. Luckily I got the wakeup call that pushed me to decide to help myself. I realized I had to make a drastic change. I packed up my life and moved home with my parents. I found a Functional Medicine Dr who diagnosed me with toxic mould illness, MCAS and chronic fatigue, and supported me throughout my recovery. I spent the next 18 months 100% focused on my health and getting well with the support of my family.  I said yes to anything that could help. It was a challenging time with many ups and downs. I made a complete recovery; I have my life back and I can do anything I want every day. It's an incredible feeling. I am very thankful to be well and for all that I have learnt along the way.

Once I recovered I became fascinated with why different methods helped with my recovery. My research lead me to dive deep into the brains role in chronic illness and understand its link to the nervous system as being the key to changing our patterns. I completed a Wim Hof course and have attended various meditation, breathwork and cold exposure courses to learn more about the practical tools which were key to my recovery.

This journey has changed me, and I am inspired to help support people with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety and other chronic illness on their recovery. We all deserve to be well, and I believe it is possible for everyone.