Healing from an Autoimmune Disease: Year Three
Two years ago, I continued my longstanding tradition of Oversharing on the Internet by writing an essay here about my diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory autoimmune condition. (See previous examples of my oversharing, like my coming out as bisexual in an essay for the LA Times.)
Since then, I’ve overhauled my entire diet, lifestyle, and work habits — for the better! — in a way that would have never happened without my diagnosis. I gave up alcohol, coffee, went vegan, and now have daily habits of working out, meditating, and journaling. I’ve streamlined my workflow, removed stress, improved creativity, lost weight, gained muscle, and sleep soundly for nine hours a night.
…and all of that? It’s amazing progress. Progress I could have only dreamed of when I was out of breath climbing stairs two years ago because of all of the nutrient deficiencies I had accumulated thanks to all of my inflammation.
However, despite my bloodwork showing no sign of RA or inflammation, I’ve still got some detective work and trial-and-error left to find complete healing and get rid of the last of my symptoms.
Even if you don’t have an autoimmune condition, I hope my sharing all this with you will help in some way. Let’s get to it!
Healing Starts with Weird New Habits
When I started working with my nutritionist Katie, I was a bit overwhelmed by the initial set of lifestyle changes she recommended. But since then, I’ve seen so many other people echo similar advice, including my current integrative rheumatologist, Dr. Yu.
Some of the lifestyle changes are basic (exercise more and prioritize strength and low-impact workouts, sleep 7 hours a night, go to bed before 10pm when possible, eat healthy, whole foods and cut out processed food and other junk) and other changes were more perplexing — but would later change my life.
Here are some of the “weird” life changes I was recommended by a variety of experts:
Practice dry brushing to stimulate your lymphatic system
Touch grass or earth with your bare feet every day, first thing in the morning, while getting morning sunlight (no sunglasses, no sunscreen)
Get rid of all the plastic you possibly can
Cook with non-toxic cookware (harder than you think!)
Use castor oil packs and nettle tea to detoxify
Get rid of all source of “fragrance” in your home: candles, soaps, etc. and opt for essential oil or fragrance-free
Eliminate all clothing made from plastic or plastic derivatives and opt for 100% natural fibers like cotton or linen
Play 528hz healing frequencies at night as white noise
…and many more.
When I first compiled this list from the books I was reading and the experts I had on my team, I thought it was overkill. I mean, come on — standing on a patch of grass is going to help reverse a disease that my first set of doctors said I’d be on medication on for the rest of my life? Yeah, right.
Well, joke’s on me, because that’s actually exactly the kind of holistic thinking that helps in a huge way — and here’s why.
Welcome to America: Everything is Toxic
A month ago I got results back from an environmental toxins test that basically told me I was 5% plastic and my BPA levels were through the roof — and so were so many other pollutants. My bloodwork showed elevated levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and even mold. All those years I laughed at videos showing that mold happily grows in most coffee beans? Yeah, I’m not laughing — or drinking coffee — anymore.
All of this tracks with my healing, though: the practices I’d begrudgingly adapted to flush out environmental toxins had been working. Strange symptoms had disappeared, my energy levels returned, my skin began to clear up, the weird weight gain that came out of nowhere suddenly reversed and I began losing fat and gaining muscle like never before.
…all because I had started incorporating practices that prioritized “detoxing.”
Another key to my medical mysteries came whenever I left America. I spent three months in Italy and occasionally indulging in pizza — only for my symptoms to totally disappear. Same thing happened last year when I spent two months in Portugal and two weeks in London: the swelling in my fingers (thanks, RA!) were totally down to zero.
But after mere days back in the United States, my lone, lingering symptom would return.
This comes to no surprise to anyone who knows how seriously Europe takes banning chemicals that the U.S. embraces with open arms. (Unfortunately, our FDA is no match for unfettered capitalism.)
I’m not alone in experiencing expat healing. I’ve heard tons of anecdotal evidence from other Americans who left the country and saw their celiac disease, gluten intolerances, diseases, and other conditions be totally healed by tons of charcuterie boards in Paris.
It wasn’t my diet, either: I eat like a monk here in the States. I cook a lot from home, down green smoothies and juices like it’s nobody’s business, and ration avocado oil like it’s the Great Depression. I’m a vegan on a mission, and although I occasionally eat out for dinner when I travel, I split entrees with my partner Kyle so we don’t overeat, and we try and order healthy dishes. We also almost never eat out for breakfast or lunch, and we make our morning matcha from scratch wherever we’re staying.
But in Europe? I’ve broken my veganism, ate pizza three days straight in Rome, and went on a Pastel del Nada bender in Lisbon. (Don’t tell my health team!)
And yet, America is where I have the most problems. So, after my extensive experimenting, I realized that America is toxic, and I would have to outfit my entire life with brand new ways to manage and reduce my exposure to the hundreds of damaging chemicals we come into contact with on a daily basis.
The lesson here? Air filters, water filters, and washing ALL of your produce in baking soda and apple cider vinegar are now ~ non-negotiables ~ because this is America. Oh, and time to integrate some detoxifying habits into your life — and maybe get an environmental toxins blood test if you’re facing weird symptoms.
How to Stay Persistent and Resilient in the Face of Illness
During year one of healing from RA, I had a hard time with the massive amount of immediate health changes. It was dizzying to keep track of my supplements, and I actually had a huge phobia of swallowing pills that I had to get over — fast! — when I realized I’d be taking 10 pills per day for my medications and supplements. Not fun, but now I’m a pro.
Year one was also emotional because I had no energy: I gave up on all caffeine cold turkey while I was building companies, producing podcasts, and keeping up with client work as a freelance writer and memoir ghostwriter. Later, my nutritionist would correctly predict that I had a hard-to-spot iron deficiency that could only be spotted through checking ferritin levels: something my first doctor had no inkling of checking and I had to beg them to get it tested. (Which is why I’m with a much better doctor now!)
Another hurdle I didn’t anticipate to be so difficult was the art of going vegan. I remember crying over the fact that I couldn’t have bagels and cream cheese anymore, a childhood staple that I used to get every Sunday with my family when I was a kid. You don’t realize how deep and emotional food is until you have to confront your habits head-on. But when I finally made the leap and went vegan? I felt so great. My partner Kyle ended up going vegan with me, not only as a sign of solidarity (but that was definitely part of it, he’s the best) but also because he felt better going plant-based, also. I’ve read so many books written by doctors about the benefits of eating more plants, and I can promise you it’s worth the hype.
Year two was much better, but I was still dealing with tons of mystery symptoms, fatigue, and a persistent iron deficiency that took six whole months to heal. Exercising for both of these years was nearly impossible because of that deficiency, but when it was healed and my gut health went back to normal, everything turned around.
Now, embarking on year three of my journey to heal an “incurable” disease, I’m excited. I’m so proud of every moment I didn’t give up on myself and kept the promises I made to myself to do better. I’m proud of myself for the moments I failed at my diet, but the next day woke up determined to do better. I’m proud that I held myself accountable without punishing myself for being human.
These years taught me that being persistent means showing up every day and learning more about how to have the life you want for yourself. I see discipline as a form of self-care: you’re keeping the promises you made to yourself, and showing that you prioritize your well-being and happiness.
Resiliency is the grit you earn by doing the hard things. For me, those hard things meant standing up to doctors, demanding care that gave me a shot at a better life, and seeking out second (and third!) opinions from other medical professionals who ended up changing my life for the better.
And lastly — healing with others is more fun. My family, friends, and partner Kyle helped me through the ups and downs of this journey, and to them I’m forever grateful.
Getting this Healing Party Started: Goals This Year
Going into 2023, I’m tracking habits and dialing up my consistency with some of those things that are harder to work into my routine — I’m looking at you, castor oil packs and feet-on-grass grounding practices. I’ve been working with a personal trainer through the Future app, and I’m trying to get closer to averaging 10,000 steps per day compared to the 8,000 steps per day I’ve hit in previous years. I’ve also gone through a complete overhaul of my skincare routine, and ditched all products and clothing that are made from toxic materials. Plastic is enemy #1 for me right now, so I’ve been trying to eliminate any contact with plastic items that might have BPA in them.
This marks the year I’ve completely given up coffee, a new one for me! Matcha has stolen my heart, and I make it from scratch now wherever I go. I see my new matcha habit as a big win for keeping my nervous system happy, along with my other stress-reducing habits that have also made me more productive while working fewer hours.
I’m also continuing to find ways to travel without sacrificing my healthy habits. As a digital nomad, I spend the majority of my year traveling, and I’ve learned tips and tricks like traveling with a water meter that measures how clean the tap water is so I know what’s safe to drink. (Weird but important!)
I’m well on my way to remission, and I’m excited to finish reversing this disease and find a healthier version of myself than ever before.
So, if you needed an excuse to take back your health and find new ways to combat the toxic world we live in, now is just as good as a time as any.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and creative year ahead!
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