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	<title>Lyme Disease Archives - Lola &amp; Me</title>
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	<title>Lyme Disease Archives - Lola &amp; Me</title>
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		<title>Tips For Socializing With Chronic Illness</title>
		<link>https://healingwithlolaandme.com/tips-for-socializing-with-chronic-illness/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tips-for-socializing-with-chronic-illness</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Oct 2024 20:14:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Chronic Illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lyme Disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mold Toxicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nervous System Regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pet Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chronic illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social isolation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[socialization]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://healingwithlolaandme.com/?p=2210</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When I was feeling my worst during my healing journey, the last thing I wanted to do was socialize. Social isolation crept in before I actively learned how to set boundaries for myself and also allow myself to grieve the once healthy vibrant young woman I was! I felt robbed of the experiences I just couldn’t do. This was hard for many of my family and friends to understand because I was always such a social butterfly! This created alot of shame and guilt on my end. I am happy to say that phase of my healing journey is behind me, but I want to help others understand that they are not alone. I see you and I hope this blog post inspires you!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/tips-for-socializing-with-chronic-illness/">Tips For Socializing With Chronic Illness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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									<p>When I was feeling my worst during my healing journey from chronic illness, the last thing I wanted to do was socialize. Social isolation crept in before I actively learned how to set boundaries for myself and also allow myself to grieve the once healthy vibrant young woman I was! I felt robbed of the experiences I just couldn’t do. This was hard for many of my family and friends to understand because I was always such a social butterfly! This created a lot of shame and guilt on my end. I am happy to say that phase of my healing journey is behind me, but I want to help others understand that they are not alone. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-another-name-pain/202205/heal-connecting-others"><b>The effects of social isolation is deep and effects more people than you think.</b></a> I see you and I hope this blog post inspires you!</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Below are some tips I learned along the way to get my social life back and feel more myself again as I navigated healing my chronic Lyme disease:</span></p><p> </p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Tips for Socializing With Chronic Illness</h3>				</div>
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									<ol><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#prioritize">Prioritize Yourself</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#relationships">Nurture Your Relationships</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#plan">Plan Ahead For Events Or Cancel</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#goals">Set Social Goals Each Month</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a href="#dog">Get a Dog</a></strong> (you knew this was coming, right?)</span></li></ol>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">1. Prioritize Yourself
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To some, prioritizing themselves feels selfish and I was one of them for quite some time. I am a recovering people pleaser who wanted to just keep the peace! But the reality is, you need to take care of your physical and mental health above all in order to be your true authentic self! I learned to set boundaries and say “no” if something wasn’t serving me. I learned to re-learn to trust my intuition and follow my heart again &#8211; it feels amazing when you tune into your needs again. This is something I learned with <strong><a href="https://www.primaltrust.org/">Primal Trust Program</a></strong> &#8211; tuning into your own needs and expressing them is such a powerful tool and something I never really thought about until I was forced too. I often ignored my needs for rest, as I healed because I wanted to show up for everyone else or not to be a “burden”. I know ya’ll feel me on that one!</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">2. Nurture Your Relationships</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making new friends when dealing with chronic illness is challenging. I was lucky enough to meet a lot of fellow lyme warriors who use <strong><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/">Bee Venom Immunotherapy (BVT) like me,</a></strong> which has made this healing journey SO much less lonely. They understand the good and bad days, so I don’t need to explain myself. As someone who has moved A LOT the last few years, I am still finding my groove in making new friends outside the chronic illness community, while still deepening my current friendships around the country! Unfortunately, some friendships are lost along the way on your healing journey and thats ok! True friendship always prevails. Life goes on. Learning how to navigate explaining that I sting myself 3 times a week with honeybees isn’t something I lead with when meeting someone new either, so that was something I had to learn.</span></p><p><span style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">I have really made an effort to prioritize time with my family and friends dearest to me, while also learning to communicate my needs and health goals. I am oh so blessed with an amazing support system through all this! One of which is my amazing boyfriend, who is my calm in the storm. Yes, you can find love when healing!</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">3. Plan Ahead For Events Or Cancel</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While I am feeling SO much better than I was a year ago, I still have days that I experience not so fun symptoms from dieoff! This is when I prioritize my rest and increase my detox that day to listen to my body! These days are becoming less and less thankfully, but I still do need to cancel plans time to time. As most lyme warriors can relate, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain and shortness of breath are pretty common and not the most fun to deal with, but I try not to let them stop me from living life. It is a delicate dance to find balance!</span></p><p><strong>The biggest challenges for me have been:</strong></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learning how to navigate safely eating out</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not drinking alcohol at social events</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Navigating travel with mold toxicity </span></li></ul>								</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On sting days, I am still needing to avoid certain foods/spices and alcohol that can cause histamine issues and even worse anaphylactic shock if its a perfect storm. Don’t worry I carry an Epi-Pen! This will get better as time goes on and my mast cells stabilize, but I have had to learn how to communicate my needs more clearly to my partner and friends/family! I often plan ahead by looking at the menu and address with the waitress, as well. You are your best advocate! Enjoying a glass of wine is something I do miss, but I am getting very good at making fun mocktails to keep things interesting &#8211; no more hangovers for this girl! I make an effort to share with others to encourage creativity amongst my people too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">Due to my sensitivity to mold and mycotoxins, I need to be very careful where I spend my time indoors. This was pivotal on my healing journey to find a low mold home. AND very stressful.&nbsp; Let me tell ya, it was not easy to find a safe home with low mold in the Midwest (humidity is crazy here!), but it’s possible! Through a mold detox protocol with my doctor and nervous system regulation work with Primal Trust, I am becoming less and less sensitive. As for how I manage travel, I do my best to avoid older buildings or opt for outdoor activities like hiking or picnics and if I notice symptoms pop up, I simply communicate my needs and leave. If I can not leave, then I lean on my coping strategies to feel safe and remain calm. Trust me, I am still navigating this, but also learning to live in the moment and not try to control every little aspect of life. Going with the flow of life is a work in progress!</span></p>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">4. Set Social Goals Each Month</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This may sound silly, but I often would set goals for myself on being social each month. I would tell myself, I will plan 2 gathering this month and really prepare to feel my best and energize for it! This works for phone calls as well, just to engage with friends and family! I also set goals to find other interests outside of the anything health related to help me keep my sanity. I know others can relate because it&#8217;s hard to think outside of our illnesses and not obsess over every little symptom. It was really freeing to refocus my energy at times and enjoy the little, yet big things, in life that bring me joy! This leads me to my next tip….</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">5. Get a Dog (you knew this was coming, right?)</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lola really helped me break out of my shell and get outside to meet more with people on our daily walks! It really did get me outside my comfort zone. While we had to work hard with training initially, she now loves the belly rubs from fellow dog lovers on our walks. She really helps opens up the door to many conversations with my neighbors, which I appreciate. Interesting that as I worked on socilaizing her with new people and different environments, I was also socializing myself! Funny how that worked out, right? </span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Final Thoughts</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Socializing when you are navigating a chronic illness is incredibly challenging mentally and physically. So remember to prioritize yourself when you can, nurture your relationships with a strong support system, always plan ahead, set social goals each month and of course rescue a dog to get you outside of your comfort zone!  Surrounding yourself with supportive people and avoiding social isolation with these tips can help support you on your healing journey. I know it has for me. I am finally living life, but honoring my body&#8217;s needs day to day! </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember, be kind to yourself, you are doing the best you can. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-512a0f0c-7fff-9d8e-0ac1-3ab69f13c78c">XOXO, Amy and Lola girl </span></p><p> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This blog is for informational purposes only to share my healing story and offer hope for a better tomorrow and not give up on yourself. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Please work with your healthcare professional before starting any treatment plan for your safety. </span></p>								</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/healingwithlolaandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_5654-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1" width="100"  height="100" alt="" itemprop="image"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/author/amybatteram/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Amy</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Hiya! My name is Amy. I am a Lyme Warrior navigating my healing journey with my emotional support dog, Lola by my side! I rescued Lola girl in 2022 when I needed her the most, she is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix with lots of love to give. Buzz along with us as I share all things pet therapy, dog training and my personal healing journey from Lyme and all the things that accompany it!</p>
</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div><div class="saboxplugin-socials "><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lola_and_me__/" rel="nofollow noopener" class="saboxplugin-icon-grey"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sab-instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/tips-for-socializing-with-chronic-illness/">Tips For Socializing With Chronic Illness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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		<title>How To Advocate For Yourself At The Doctors Office</title>
		<link>https://healingwithlolaandme.com/how-to-advocate-for-yourself-at-the-doctors-office/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-advocate-for-yourself-at-the-doctors-office</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:44:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Chronic Illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lyme Disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mold Toxicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advocate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chronic illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[doctor]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://healingwithlolaandme.com/?p=2175</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We have all been there. We go to the doctor expecting answers, but we leave feeling broken and misunderstood. This is all to common to feel gaslight by doctors in the chronic illness community and learning to advocate for yourself at the doctors office can help. I learned very early on in my healing journey to do my research before my appointments and not leave without kindly demanding answers. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/how-to-advocate-for-yourself-at-the-doctors-office/">How To Advocate For Yourself At The Doctors Office</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have all been there. We go to the doctor expecting answers, but we leave feeling broken and misunderstood. It was heartbreaking to constantly hear &#8220;you don&#8217;t look sick&#8221;. This is all too common to feel gaslight by doctors in the chronic illness community and learning to advocate for yourself at the doctors office is necessary to get answers. I learned very early on in my healing journey to do my research before my appointments and not leave the appointment without kindly demanding answers or next best steps that I felt comfortable with. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2254573/">On average, a conventional doctor&#8217;s visit is only 15 minutes</a>,</strong> so a lot needs to get packed into that 15 minutes! Functional Medicine doctors are typically longer, but the same principles should be applied. Your appointment is YOUR time to get the help and care you deserve. Sometimes this simple mindset shift can be really helpful. So how do you actually get answers and advocate for yourself at the doctors office? Keep reading for ideas that have helped me on my healing journey!</span></p>								</div>
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									<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#appointment">Come to Appointment Prepared and Take Notes</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#concerns">Prioritize Your Concerns and Take Control</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><strong><a href="#someone">Bring Someone With You</a></strong></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="#why"><strong>Ask Why To Understand Your Treatment Plan</strong></a></li></ul>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Come to Appointment Prepared and Take Notes</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your doctor is really smart healthcare expert, but YOU are the expert of your own body. Only you know what is normal and not so normal. Before your appointment, jot down some questions and/or research you have done to prepare. I would always come with a list! If you have multiple symptoms you want to discuss, make sure to think about: </span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How and when it started</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What makes it worse or better</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any associated symptoms </span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Things you tried to alleviate symptoms already (don&#8217;t trust that past symptoms are in your chart &#8211; they usually never have time to review prior to your appointment either!)</span></li></ul>								</div>
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									<p><b><i>Check out my free Self-Care Tracker. I print this weekly to track my day to day symptoms and celebrate my wins too. It&#8217;s helpful to look back before my doctors appointments, so I don&#8217;t need to think so hard when preparing! </i></b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, if you have test results to review, make sure to bring copies with you. It is always helpful to also bring a list of your medications and supplements to make the admin portion of your doctors appointment goes smoother as well!</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oh and take notes if you can. Even jotting down a few words to joggle your memory is helpful. I recognize how hard that can be when trying to be present in the moment though! </span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Prioritize Your Concerns and Take Control</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do your best to take control of the appointment and ask your questions in order of importance, so if your time does get cut short, you have those answered first. I have even shown my doctor my list of questions and circled the most important to start with. I share with them everything that I am doing that is foundational to my healing as well, so they understand my lifestyle and that I currently use Bee Venom Therapy (BVT)  to heal my chronic Lyme Disease. </span></p><p><strong style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);"><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/">Read more about my healing journey using Bee Venom Therapy here.</a></strong><span style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);"> </span></p>								</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bringing a family member or friend with you for another set of ears can be really helpful, especially if the appointment relates to next steps on your treatment plan. It can feel very overwhelming as the patient, so do not feel shameful if you want to bring someone with you! If that is not possible, you can ask the doctor if its ok to record the appointment on your phone or small recorder, so you can listen back. I typically do this on my telemedicine appointments in case I need to refer back.</span></p>								</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is my favorite tip when advocating for yourself at the doctor’s. If you don’t understand why a doctor is telling you something or why they are prescribing you a medication, ask them. If you would like specific labs or tests run, ask them and explain why you feel you need the labs (after researching prior of course). I used to be intimidated when questioning the doctor, but then realized doctors are human and don&#8217;t know everything. Now my doctor thanks me for bringing things to his attention. For example, I asked for my iodine levels to be checked with my full thyroid panel and he thought it was a great idea. You never know until you ask! </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You have every right to ask for certain aspects of your care and also gain clarity on why they are recommending a specific treatment plans. Here are a few examples on how I kindly ask for clarification in the moment:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can you help me understand____?</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are there other options that I can consider?</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When my results are back, how do I interpret them? Can you email me your full explanation? </span></li></ul>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Key Takeaways</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, this is your health and your life. The chronic illness community gets pushed around from doctor to doctor frequently, so it&#8217;s time to take a stand and take back your control! I learned to put on the</span><b> “CEO of my own health hat&#8221;</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> a lot these days and fired a few doctors along the way on my healing journey. I have learned a lot and now encourage others to do the same!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have the right to advocate for ourself with doctors and ask questions to make more informed health decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask for your needs &#8211; this took me a long time to accept. You are your own best advocate! </span></p>								</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/healingwithlolaandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_5654-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1" width="100"  height="100" alt="" itemprop="image"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/author/amybatteram/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Amy</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Hiya! My name is Amy. I am a Lyme Warrior navigating my healing journey with my emotional support dog, Lola by my side! I rescued Lola girl in 2022 when I needed her the most, she is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix with lots of love to give. Buzz along with us as I share all things pet therapy, dog training and my personal healing journey from Lyme and all the things that accompany it!</p>
</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div><div class="saboxplugin-socials "><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lola_and_me__/" rel="nofollow noopener" class="saboxplugin-icon-grey"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sab-instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/how-to-advocate-for-yourself-at-the-doctors-office/">How To Advocate For Yourself At The Doctors Office</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2175</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>5 Foundations of Healing With Chronic Illness</title>
		<link>https://healingwithlolaandme.com/5-foundations-of-healing-from-chronic-illness/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=5-foundations-of-healing-from-chronic-illness</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 2024 17:43:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lyme Disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mold Toxicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nervous System Regulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[movement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sleep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://healingwithlolaandme.com/?p=2139</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The key to building a foundation of health and wellness is focusing on 5 aspects within your control. These "pillars of health" lay the groundwork for successful treatment plans and symptom reduction.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/5-foundations-of-healing-from-chronic-illness/">5 Foundations of Healing With Chronic Illness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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									<p>Over my healing journey, I have found, the key to building a foundation of health and wellness is focusing on 5 aspects within my control. These &#8220;pillars of health&#8221; lay the groundwork to be successful with my treatment plans and reduce day to day symptoms symptoms.  Once I got out of my own way and started getting back to the basics &#8211; hydration, whole foods, sleep, stress management and movement &#8211;  everything fell into place!</p><p><strong><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/"> Bee Venom Immunotherapy (BVT) doesn&#8217;t work alone</a></strong> &#8211; I needed to get really honest with myself and look at the big picture of my lifestyle. Reality was my gut health and nervous system dysregulation also needed to be addressed along with these key foundational components of healing chronic illness listed below. </p>								</div>
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					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">5 Foundations of Healing  include:</h2>				</div>
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									<ol><li><strong><a href="#wholefood">Whole Food Nutrition</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="#hydration">Hydration</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="#sleep">Sleep Quality</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="#stress">Stress Management</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="#movement">Daily Movement</a></strong></li></ol>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">1. Whole Food Nutrition</h3>				</div>
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									<p>Like you and many others in the chronic illness community, I ate a healthy diet with lots plenty of protein and vegetables/fruit. I would avoid processed foods and focus on eating the rainbow of whole foods. It was when the elimination diets started to turn my world upside down and absorption issues surfaced that lead to my malnourishment. I was not absorbing the nutrients I was eating and this caused a lot of vitamin/mineral deficiencies and food sensitivities to creep in from intestinal permeability aka leaky gut. Looking back it seemed everything I ate made me feel unwell! I have come very far in my gut healing journey, once I addressed the root cause infections in my gut. <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);"> I do not obsess over the little things like I used too, but it helps that I am feeling better overall. It took years of rebuilding my food relationship to get to this point of finding balance. Becoming fearful of food is all too common within the chronic illness community, especially if specific foods make you sick. Using a mindful eating approach and nervous system regulation techniques before eating helped me create a positive food relationship again immensely! </span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">2. Hydration</h3>				</div>
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									<p id="ember1850" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"><strong><a class="app-aware-link " href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207053/" target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">On average,</a> </strong>Americans typically consume about 1 L (4 cups) of drinking water per day, which doesn’t sound like enough, right? Drinking enough water seems to be a struggle for a lot of people. At the end of the day, there is no getting around the fact that getting enough water is vital to your health. Water has the ability to flush toxins out from the body and promote regular bowel movements. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to aim for half of your body weight in fluid ounces (ex: 150 lbs =75 fl oz of water).<strong> <a class="app-aware-link " href="https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need" target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">The exact amount of total water needed in a day depends</a> </strong>on many factors included – age, weight, activity level, climate, and overall health status (if you are fighting acute/chronic infections). For me, I sweat alot on my &#8220;detox&#8221; days between exercise, coffee enemas and sauna time, so I prioritize my water!!</p><p id="ember1852" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">In order to stay hydrated, you can always drink plain water, but to jazz it up, you can always add fresh mint, kiwi, parsley, lemon, cucumbers and/or berries! Also, being mindful of implementing soups and water-dense fruits/vegetables like watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes into your daily rotation can help keep you hydrated as well.</p><p>Adding in electrolytes to your water daily is proven to help stay adequately hydrated and energized. Scientifically speaking electrolytes like sodium &amp; potassium assist in keeping your cells hydrated. There are so my great brand out there &#8211; just be mindful of the sugar content they like to sneak in there. My favorite brands are Lyteshow, Jigsaw Adrenal Cocktail and Hydrant! Plus, I add minerals to my water, since I use a Reverse Osmosis Water filter for my drinking water. (I could talk all day about water, but I won&#8217;t bore you with the details here!)</p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">3. Sleep Quality</h3>				</div>
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									<p id="ember1854" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Sleep….The most commonly forgotten pillar of health, but one of my favorites! Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love my bedtime routine &#8211; I even have an alarm on my phone to start to wind down. Research shows that when you sleep, your body is in repair mode and naturally detoxing cellular waste. Lack of sleep is <strong><a class="app-aware-link " href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0014189" target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">directly associated</a></strong> with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cravings. Additionally, it increases the hunger hormone,<strong> <a class="app-aware-link broken_link" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2008.00662.x" target="_self">ghrelin</a>,</strong> while correlating the satiety hormone, leptin. Anyone healing chronic illness should prioritize good quality sleep to support their healing journey, in my opinion!</p><p id="ember1855" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Tips to prioritize sleep include: aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep a night, be consistent with bedtime/wakeup time to support your circadian rhythm, turn off all screens 1 hour before bed to minimize blue light exposure, and lastly create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal your brain that its time to rest. The nervous system regulation program I was a member of, <a href="https://www.primaltrust.org/"><b>Primal Trust, </b></a>really helped me determine the best bedtime routine to stimulate the vagus nerve promoting calm! Doing eye yoga and listening to a sleep sound bowl sessions are my some of my favorite ways to chill. </p><p id="ember1855" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"><strong><em>TIP: Adding a red lightbulb to your nightstand lamp is a nice touch to help with reducing blue light exposure when I journal before bed!</em></strong></p>								</div>
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									<p id="ember1857" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Stress is a part of life for all of us. For those of us with chronic illness such as Lyme disease, not only do we have emotional stress, but also daily physical stress on our body more than the average person too! I needed to learn ways to manage stress in a healthy way and this is where <strong><a href="https://www.primaltrust.org/">Primal Trust</a> </strong>helped me determine the best coping strategies that worked for me.</p><p class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">From an emotional standpoint, stress can look like overfilling your calendar, lacking boundaries, or worrying about things out of your control – resulting in your body shifting into “fight or flight” mode. Poorly managed stress can lead to a laundry list of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352289515300370"><b>c</b><strong>hronic illnesses and suppresses our immune response,</strong></a> which elevates the inflammation in our body altering blood sugar control, digestion issues, and hormone function just to name a few.</p><p id="ember1858" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">When the body is under both physical and emotional stress, cortisol is released from the adrenal glands causing blood sugar to rise to send energy to our muscles to “run away from the tiger!” As you can imagine, if this is chronic, this takes a toll on your immune system and overall functionality of your body as a whole. Over time, chronic stress can <strong><a class="app-aware-link " href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31504084/" target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">deplete nutrients</a>,</strong> weaken the immune system (with risks of developing autoimmune conditions),<strong> <a class="app-aware-link " href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/stress-and-the-sensitive-gut" target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">disrupt digestive processes</a>,</strong> and cause blood sugar fluctuations. </p><p id="ember1860" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Simple ways to turn on the parasympathetic nervous system (and turn off the sympathetic nervous system) is to incorporate deep breathing throughout your day – it can be done anytime and anywhere! Commit to 10 minutes a day and you will see your mindset shift turn your day around. My favorite is sitting in front of my red light lamp and practice alternate nostril breathing to break up my day! I work from home, so that is a perk I suppose! Lola girl loves too use this as an opportunity to sit on my lap and snuggle. </p><p id="ember1860" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Additionally, being mindful of a clean environment to put less physical stress on your body is key to progressing on your healing journey. This means low toxins in your home ranging from cleaning supplies, clean air and mold free living! <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/non-toxic-ways-to-keep-home-air-clean/"><b>Check out this blog to learn more on keeping your home air clean when healing and beyond!</b></a></p>								</div>
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									<p>Moving your body everyday is pivotal for foundational health! The key is finding movement that brings you joy to aid in creating a sustainable habit. Exercise is an incredible way to support not only body composition, but immune function, hormone health, and stress management.&nbsp; Moderate exercise at least 5 days a week has been&nbsp;<a class="app-aware-link broken_link" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005" target="_self"><strong>shown</strong></a>&nbsp;to support the immune system, lower inflammation and aid in weight loss, along with promoting longevity.&nbsp;<strong><a class="app-aware-link " href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking#:~:text=A%20study%20of%20over%201%2C000,and%20their%20symptoms%20were%20milder." target="_self" data-test-app-aware-link="">One study</a>&nbsp;</strong>shows that people who walked at least 20 minutes a day for a minimum of 5 days a week had 43% freer sick days!</p>
<p>After I rescued Lola my daily walking nearly doubled. It became a priority to develop a structured walking routine for her and organically, I worked in more movement day to day, which was a win &#8211; win for the both of us!&nbsp;</p>
<p>I have been doing strength training three times a week, with slower yoga sessions on sting days. It is my goal to pick up running again with Lola! I used to love running and feeling the desire to get back into it again. Stay tuned on my first 5k planned in Spring 2025, since getting sick anyway!</p>								</div>
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									<p id="ember1864" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph">Whole food nutrition, hydration, sleep quality , stress management, and movement all work in synergy to support us all on our healing chronic illness. Make sure to focus on all these elements as best as you can and your treatment plan with your doctor and it will go a heck of alot smoother! Speaking from experience. My<b> <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/">Healing Journey using Bee Venom Therapy</a></b> has been a lot smoother, once I looked at the big picture to support my body. </p><p id="ember1864" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"> </p><p id="ember1864" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"> </p><p id="ember1864" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"> </p><p id="ember1864" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"> </p><p id="ember1869" class="ember-view reader-text-block__paragraph"><em>This article is for general informational purposes only and not intended for medical intervention. Please seek medical advice from your medical doctor or registered dietitian before making any nutrition or lifestyle changes.</em></p>								</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/healingwithlolaandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_5654-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1" width="100"  height="100" alt="" itemprop="image"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/author/amybatteram/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Amy</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Hiya! My name is Amy. I am a Lyme Warrior navigating my healing journey with my emotional support dog, Lola by my side! I rescued Lola girl in 2022 when I needed her the most, she is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix with lots of love to give. Buzz along with us as I share all things pet therapy, dog training and my personal healing journey from Lyme and all the things that accompany it!</p>
</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div><div class="saboxplugin-socials "><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lola_and_me__/" rel="nofollow noopener" class="saboxplugin-icon-grey"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sab-instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/5-foundations-of-healing-from-chronic-illness/">5 Foundations of Healing With Chronic Illness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2139</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>My Healing Journey Using BVT to Heal Lyme Disease</title>
		<link>https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Amy]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Sep 2024 21:24:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Bee Venom Immunotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chronic Illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lyme Disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mold Toxicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BVT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nervous System Dysregulation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://healingwithlolaandme.com/?p=1932</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Bee Venom Immunotherapy (BVT) is growing in popularity in the US to help heal Lyme Disease, but a number of other chronic diseases. While controversial in conventional medicine, it can be safely done when monitored by a medical team like myself. Read how I can to the cross roads of using BVT.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/">My Healing Journey Using BVT to Heal Lyme Disease</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Growing up I was always the sick kid. Plagued with chronic sinus infections, hives, and allergies year round. As an adult, I was tired of “treading water” and acquiring more food intolerances year after year. I became very sensitive to chemicals and various smells that would cause me to break out in full body rashes. I had to get to the root cause. And this led me to discovering I had chronic lyme disease, along with mold toxicity. This resulted in beginning Bee Venom Therapy Immunotherapy (BVT) to heal myself after antibiotics/herbal protocols only made me sicker. </span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Key Takeaways On My Healing Journey</h3>				</div>
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									<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How I got sick</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Where I am now on my healing journey</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plans for my Bright Future </span></li></ul>								</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began seeing a Functional Medicine Practitioner in Denver, Colorado and in 2020, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease, along with Mold Toxicity. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I </span><span style="text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;">almost </span><span style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3);">felt  relieved. I actually had a diagnosis and I could treat it easily, right? So I thought. I am sure many of my fellow Lyme Warriors can relate to this very feeling after being gaslight by healthcare professionals for many years.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So my treatment plan began and I was nervous. SO nervous! I knew it was going to be challenging, after researching more about chronic Lyme and the horror stories online. (I am on a mission to not be that person by the way &#8211; positive vibes only here!) I was put on various antibiotics and herbal protocols with various killing and detox tinctures. Looking back my body was in NO place to be killing at the rate I was. I became incredibly sick and could barely function. After a lot of soul searching and running out of money (being sick is VERY expensive), I threw out or cleaned what I could then made the decision to move back to the Midwest to be closer to my family. It was a hard decision as I loved Colorado and the mountains, but I knew I needed the support.</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Let's talk...mold toxicity</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let me back up a bit and discuss mold a bit. It&#8217;s terrible. Unless you have been through mold sickness or witnessed someone going through it, you have no idea how much it impacts your already suppressed immune system. Yes, I recognize mold is everywhere in our environment, but some molds create <strong><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00060/full">mycotoxins that can accumulate in your body if your liver can not properly detox them out</a></strong>. They can also colonize on your organs and need to be treated by a medical professional. Luckily, I worked with an expert medical professional in this area of expertise! </span></p><p>My apartment in Denver in 2020 had<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a style="transition-property: all;" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828207/"> high levels of Stachybotrys chartarum</a></span> (aka black mold that creates toxic mycotoxins) and it was thought to have triggered my Lyme to become active, along with chronic stress. It was in my bedroom from a leak on the roof and I had no idea. What I know now is that my Mast Cells were activated and it created a perfect storm. My diet was very limited and I was malnourished because it seemed like everything I ate made me feel unwell. <span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trauma mold has caused in my life is something I am navigating still today! I have moved more times than I can count due to mold exposures at this point and I have learned all the tricks to keep my home low mold now as a result. Now that I am starting to travel more again, its been challenging, but doable to help me get my life back! I even have a handy dandy traveling air purifier that I love.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><u>TIP: </u>Advocate for yourself if you see any discolorations or signs water damage in your apartments. Landlords need to be held accountable! I was not educated in the matter at the time, but now I am fiercely diligent! Starting with an </span><strong><a href="https://www.envirobiomics.com/product/ermi/?v=3e8d115eb4b3">ERMI from EnviroBiomics</a></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to see what molds you have in your environment and then compare with your lab mold markers is a great place to start if you think this is a barrier to your healing.</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Where I Am Now On My Healing Journey...</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is crazy to think how far I have come as I reflect on my journey.  I am one strong cookie as I look back! I never gave up on myself and kept seeking answers.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ultimately, I stopped all Lyme antibiotics/herbs in 2022 and embarked on my quest to prepare my body to begin a Lyme treatment called Bee Venom Immunotherapy (BVT). It was not an easy road as you can imagine. I worked hard to regulate my nervous system, get quality sleep, drink quality water, gentle movement and low inflammatory diet. It was very important to bring specific inflammatory markers down significantly to safely begin. </span><span style="text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;">I completed a nervous system regulation program called Primal Trust to set the foundation for healing. I can’t recommend this Program enough!</span><span style="text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;"> </span><a style="text-align: var(--text-align); font-size: 1rem; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.primaltrust.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a link to check Primal Trust out.</span> </a><span style="text-align: var(--text-align); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); font-size: 1rem;">Getting out of the &#8220;sick mentality&#8221; when you have been sick for so long, is not easy, but doable. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am working with a BVT guide (who healed herself from lyme years ago using BVT) and my Doctor to run quarterly bloodwork. </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">So how does this work? Well, I administer BVT (with an Epipen prescribed from my doctor) &#8211; 3 days a week. <strong><em>So yes, I sting myself with honey bees 3 times a week. I will let that sink in&#8230;.. It seems extreme, but hey it&#8217;s the ONLY thing that has worked for me. </em></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am finally getting my life back and don&#8217;t plan to stop until I fully eradicate the Lyme and potential coinfections. It took a minute to get used to the process, but now that I am in my groove and ramping up, it is becoming second nature. They live in a little bee hut in my bathroom. I just see my little healers as something else in my medicine cabinet. </span></p><p>I am also working through healing my gut, as well as continuing to regulate my nervous system, so BVT is not the silver bullet as some may say, its just the cherry on top! I also, focus on the basics everyday &#8211; joy in the little moments with Lola, clean water,<a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/non-toxic-ways-to-keep-home-air-clean/"><b> keeping a clean environment,</b></a> calm mind and a nourishing whole food diet. See my<a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/non-toxic-ways-to-keep-home-air-clean/"><b> blog on keeping your home air clean here!</b></a></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">The Power Of Bee Venom Immunotherapy (BVT)</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">So much research is being done on the power of the medicinal properties of Bee Venom and I foresee this really taking off in the coming years! Its antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic.&nbsp; Many people are already using bee pollen, propolis and honey for various ailments. These wonderful little healers can do it all! Specifically, an amino acid in Bee venom that is called melittin, gets the most attention as its found to break through the biofilms of <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1326033/full"><strong>bacteria and viruses.</strong></a> It is</span><b style="font-style: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);"> </b><a style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align);" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41698-020-00129-0"><b>currently being studied</b> </a><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">for the use in breast cancer treatment as well. Overall, so much e</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);">merging research</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: var(--text-align); color: var(--ast-global-color-3); background-color: var(--ast-global-color-5);"> is surfacing that shows how powerful Bee Venom is at low doses for lyme disease and I am feeling the positive effects already.&nbsp;</span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Plans For My Bright Future...</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am back to living semi-normal! I have energy to work, keep up with Lola, meal prep all of my food and be present with loved ones. Don’t get me wrong, I have days where I need to SLOW down. This is when Lola girl intuitively knows, it&#8217;s a snuggle fest kind of day on the couch. I love how instinctive dogs are! I have learned to listen to my body and rest. </span></p><p>Pictured above are my bee huts and me in a beekeeper suit. PS. I don&#8217;t actually need a beekeeper suit. I was lovingly gifted this when I started BVT, but maybe someday if I have my own hive! For now, I will buy my bees from a local beekeeper or online. </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Typically, it takes 2-3 years for the BVT protocol from start to finish depending on the complexity/progression of the disease and coinfections. Slow and steady wins the race and I am in no hurry to rush the process. I am going to keep on, keeping on! I will continue to be monitored by my doctor along with checkins with my BVT guide. Luckily, I also have a group of sting friends that I chat with frequently, who also work with my BVT Guide. This journey can feel a bit lonely at times, so I am happy I have them along with my family and friends. You know who you are! So much love for you all.  </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My motto is &#8211; Test Not Guess</span>, so I also get a big lab panel done with <strong><a href="https://www.functionhealth.com/">Function Health</a> </strong>&#8211; 2x a year to ensure my basic labs are within range. Data is fun and I love to track and trend. Taking my blood pressure and blood sugar every morning has become a routine and I know this will serve me long-term. <strong>If you want help tracking like I do, download my personal Weekly Self Care Checkin Planner below! </strong></span></p>								</div>
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					<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Final Thoughts</h3>				</div>
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									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My healing journey has had its ups and down, but I am finally on the right path for me. I am learning to trust my body again &#8211; trust that it will heal given the right environment and positive mindset! I am slowly creating my mind body connection again. It feels wonderful!</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buzz along for all updates, as I progress on my BVT journey &#8211; this is only the beginning!</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Please note:</span> I know BVT is not for everyone and that is ok, I am just sharing what is working for me. Please be kind and refrain from any negative, judgmental comments. This is a space of positivity and healing!</span></p><p> </p><p><b><i> </i></b></p><p><b><i> </i></b></p><p><b><i> </i></b></p><p><b><i>This blog is for informational purposes only to share my healing story and offer hope for a better tomorrow and not give up on yourself. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Please work with your healthcare professional before starting any treatment plan for your safety. </i></b></p>								</div>
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		<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/healingwithlolaandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_5654-scaled.jpeg?resize=100%2C100&#038;ssl=1" width="100"  height="100" alt="" itemprop="image"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/author/amybatteram/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Amy</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Hiya! My name is Amy. I am a Lyme Warrior navigating my healing journey with my emotional support dog, Lola by my side! I rescued Lola girl in 2022 when I needed her the most, she is an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix with lots of love to give. Buzz along with us as I share all things pet therapy, dog training and my personal healing journey from Lyme and all the things that accompany it!</p>
</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div><div class="saboxplugin-socials "><a title="Instagram" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/lola_and_me__/" rel="nofollow noopener" class="saboxplugin-icon-grey"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="sab-instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z"></path></svg></span></a></div></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com/my-healing-journey-using-bee-venom-immunotherapy-to-heal-chronic-lyme-disease/">My Healing Journey Using BVT to Heal Lyme Disease</a> appeared first on <a href="https://healingwithlolaandme.com">Lola &amp; Me</a>.</p>
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