My Story

How it all started

In February 2016 I noticed that my right knee was clicking on the school run. I initially thought nothing of it, I’d been on a bit of a health kick in January and rationalised that it was just from overdoing it at the gym. I ignored it, however, it didn’t go away. Shortly after my hands and wrists started to swell, I developed cankles for the first time in my life. I was in pain and exhausted, waking 7 or 8 times a night having never felt so uncomfortable in my entire life. I went to my G.P who referred me to the Hospital Rheumatology Department. After 3 weeks of waiting in a sleepless fog of agony, I finally received my diagnosis – Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Somehow, I wasn’t surprised that this was happening to me. Upon reflection I recalled my grandmother complaining of pain in her knees, as she called it her ‘rheumatism’ – so I thought that this was my genetic destiny.

I was in shock. Having trained at the highest level as a Ballet Dancer at the Royal Ballet School in London in my youth, my physicality was a huge part of my identity. To be told that I had a Chronic Disease which would limit my ability to move was devastating. I was alarmed by the Consultant’s insistence that I would not only have to take a powerful cocktail of pharmaceuticals to suppress my immune system, but I would have to do that for the rest of my life!

Drugs, Pain and Fatigue

At that moment there didn’t seem to be any alternative, so I dutifully took the drugs, which took away some of the swelling and pain but left me with some disabling side effects. Just dragging myself out of bed every day to get the kids to school on time was a real challenge. Fatigue kept me on the sofa for the rest of the day until it was time to collect them.

My kids were amazing, they helped me with the simplest of tasks like undoing buttons, helping me to pull off my jeans, cutting up food – all the things I had done for them when they were younger! I could not even hold a fork in in my left hand to feed myself! The realisation that I would have to depend on others for the rest of my life was slowly dawning on me.

There must be a better way?

I thought, there must be a better way! I started to research alternatives and decided to talk to a Nutritionist. She advised me to remove gluten, dairy and sugar from my diet which I did and within 2 weeks I was feeling noticeably better. My energy levels improved and the stiffness in my hands was reduced. I have not looked back, feeling more improvements each and every day.

The next step in my journey was the discovery of Functional Medicine and I continued to improve after my appointments with a Functional Medicine Practitioner who helped me to get to a point where I came off all the medication.

I am currently in remission and am back enjoying my weekly Pilates/Yoga classes and walk and swim regularly.

Others can benefit from my journey

Learning that through simple and organised steps I could gradually take control of my own health was an inspiration! I wanted to find a way to shout from the roof tops to anyone who would listen how amazing my recovery was and that it was all down to what I was putting into my body. Something so simple but so often overlooked with conventional medicine. I currently eat a clean paleo gluten and sugar free diet and am proud of the way I have healed my body. I would love to help others heal themselves too.

Book a FREE 15-minute discovery session and I’ll be happy to discuss any questions you might have. Contact me today at: hello@rosfielden.co.uk