An Ayurveda Healing Journey Through Weight Loss and Hives
Starting in 2010, Ayurveda—a 5,000 year old science of healing—became a solid part of my life, and I have counted my blessings ever since. Not only has Ayurveda deeply healed my debilitating, severe hives, it has had the wonderful “side effect” of sustainable, natural weight loss. I have been able to lose and successfully keep off 40 pounds since then—a feat I have been trying unsuccessfully to achieve since I was twelve. I feel much lighter inside and out. And, as I delve deeper into Ayurveda, I understand why it works. I see the positive results in my body and through my conventional medicine blood tests. I understand why I eat for my particular body and in what season instead of blindly following a “one size fits all” diet plan. I truly love this path of cleansing my body and my mind in order to achieve true and lasting health.
From 2002 to 2007 I suffered debilitating bouts of hives. At first, I had no idea what was causing my outbreaks. Each bout took on a life of its own, and it would take up to a month for my body to get back to normal, only to have another outbreak. I was constantly taking an anti-inflammatory medicine to keep the itching tolerable, but it made me extremely drowsy and I moved through life like a zombie. Over time, I became allergic to new things and the hives began to go systemic, some outbreaks spreading to every part of my body.
I frequented the emergency room when constant scratching, flaking, and cracking skin developed into abscesses on my face. I got no answers from the doctors and went through appointments that were either very clinical or downright apathetic. One doctor commented over her shoulder in a disgusted voice, “Well you probably have diabetes,” and then immediately walked out the door. Another doctor told me he had seen this type of condition in heroin addicts. Because they could not take the time to ask questions, I was quickly labeled a diabetic or a drug addict.
It took a solid year of bouncing around the different health care departments before I finally decided to visit the allergy department. None of the doctors I had seen thought food could create such intense symptoms and constant inflammation. But the allergist finally pinpointed certain foods—foods I had been eating all my life such as seafood and spicy foods—as the possible cause.
The allergist’s first step was to try to isolate and avoid foods I knew I reacted to. The only medical solution to stop the reactions was weekly allergy shots, possibly for life. I was also already developing a dependence on stronger and stronger steroids and creams to control recurring reactions. It just didn’t make sense to me to shoot my body up with chemicals that I thought could possibly cause other problems over time. Nor did it make any sense to only treat the symptoms and not get to the ROOT of the problem. The series of blood tests to isolate the allergens did not seem accurate. Some foods that showed up as non-reactive, like strawberries, I knew from experience could produce pretty nasty results. I kept asking the questions, “How can this happen? Why now? Why this? Why that?” Like others before, the allergist did not have a straight answer.
On top of the hives, I was gaining more and more weight each month. I was working an imbalanced graphic design job that consisted of daily stress-laden deadlines, 12-hour work days, and rare lunch breaks. Taking vacation was considered a luxury and frowned upon.
All the stress not only kept my body poised for hives, it also increased my emotional eating. Throughout my life, I’ve filled the void with processed foods and sugars in order to deal with stress. I began to pack on weight and was at 200 pounds with no relief in sight. For a 5 foot 3 inch frame, this was a lot to carry and created yet another tax on my poor body. I was in a constant state of exhaustion. Despite, my generally positive set point, depression began to creep in and I knew I had to turn elsewhere—and get a new job.
Looking back now, what I am most thankful for was that this experience created an unquenchable desire to learn about alternative, chemical-free healing. It took a few years while I tried out alternative modalities, which helped tremendously, but I found I always returned to the deeper question of “Why? What is the root cause?” Once I found Ayurveda and learned a few simple concepts in a two-month course, I realized I could achieve a basic understanding of what was happening to my body— hive and weight wise— in a few short months rather than a few long years.
I joined Vedika Global’s low-cost clinic and upon reviewing the intake form, I heard the words, “Just so you know, all your symptoms make complete sense to us. We know what’s wrong and we’ll be able to get you back on a path of health.”
It was the first time in five years that I had heard someone, anyone, say anything close to that and with such conviction! I was so relieved that after the appointment I cried in the car all the way home. No longer was I the diabetic heroin addict the Western, conventional doctors had suggested. I was an individual with specific digestion needs and a certain energetic makeup that simply needed to be understand. The Ayurvedic doctors helped me balance my body with natural substances and foods, including herbs and spices I already had on my kitchen shelf. This was the type of healing I was looking for! A natural, alternative way to make the very food that was poisoning my system turn back into my friend.
These were the beginning steps of my journey leading me to a certified diet and lifestyle practitioner. The next story tells more about how I moved forward to become a healthy, functioning being. However, if you are more than ready for the health you DESERVE, and want to learn more about how I can help you begin RIGHT NOW click here to begin your journey!
As always, much light, health, and happiness to you, Lakshmi
TLC - Tracy Lakshmi Cunningham