From Tired Teacher to Wheatgrass Wonder Woman!
Having energy to do what we want to do is easy to take for granted. I know I did, as I zipped through graduate school and into my first years of teaching. I worked hard–and stayed up late planning each lesson. But then I crashed. As a teacher it’s natural to feel wiped out, but having to spend the entire weekend on the couch was really depressing. I became concerned when I started to feel fatigue that was, well, debilitating. I missed out on fun things and lost friends because I was too drained. I felt like a magnet was pulling me to the ground, dragging down my limbs and making my mind into mush.
I had to do something. Browsing the medical section of the bookstore led me to a book on fibromyalgia. I read it cover to cover; it was somewhat helpful. It gave me the idea to see a rheumatologist, who ran a variety of tests. She found nothing specific, then wanted to put me on a stimulant for the fatigue. I found this counter intuitive because I had just given up coffee after reading that it can cause fatigue.
Fortunately I had other resources to draw on. A few years back, I was given some B-12 shots from a naturopath, and I remembered getting quite a boost of energy from them. It seemed more natural than taking prescribed speed. Back in the naturopath’s office, with my sleeve rolled up for the shot, they stopped and wanted to evaluate me for a few more things instead of just treating the symptoms. They tested my blood and found I had the Epstein-Barr Virus (which the rheumatologist had not checked for), which can lie dormant in your body. This made sense since I had mononucleosis as a teenager. The antibodies indicated a current infection, as the virus can reactivate when the body is under a lot of stress.
Armed with supplements from the ND, but still seeking more vigor, I recalled a friend who had eaten a raw food diet for a while. She seemed to be able to conquer the world while eating uncooked goodies. I knew I always felt great after eating salads and drinking fresh juice, so why not try that? I was thinking a week or so would do the trick. Just to see how I reacted.
The first few weeks of my raw food diet, I was really tired, but no more so than I had been. I found if I kept up my weekly B-12 shots and daily juicing, I could get past the fatigue and keep going. Somehow my week of eating raw food turned into two weeks, then three, then months. I found myself having more and more energy. I felt so great that I didn’t want to come down! That summer, I spent plenty of time in the sun, charging my inner stash of vitamin D. I learned to make lots of different types of raw food–including lasagna, chili, and ice cream–so I wouldn’t get bored. I had a weekly shot of wheatgrass and even started jogging to expend my extra energy.
However, Epstein-Barr, like other illnesses, can return. That fall–just last year–I had a relapse from overworking and not taking care of myself like I should. I forgot to juice and drink wheatgrass. I poured any extra energy into my job, working 50 or more hours a week. I managed to keep going but slowly became even more tired than before I started eating raw. On my breaks from teaching I would lie under my desk barely able to move.
I ended up leaving my job and refocused. I joined My Crazy Sexy Life in May and did the ACT cleanse. I learned that I should really be drinking green juice daily. After watching the film Crazy Sexy Cancer, I read up on wheatgrass and sprouting and started my own mini-garden inside. I started to walk daily and spend a lot more time with my dogs and cats. I also began Craniosacral therapy, a method of teaching your body to self-heal, which is also very meditative and helps me quiet my busy mind.
Six months later, my Epstein-Barr blood test shows that I am well on the way to recovery. My body is not showing a current infection, just a past infection. I attribute this to slowing my life down and taking the time to heal. I still get tired at times but I’ve also learned to pace myself so I don’t burn out. I am flexible with myself so I can make plenty of room in my schedule for growing wheatgrass, dog walks, cat snuggles, making raw food, and just plain living.
Bitt is a 30 year old who lives in Seattle with her husband, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. She is a longtime animal activist and recently has become a health activist. She blogs at bittsblog.blogspot.com
19 Comments
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Aimee! You rock! And your pup is adorable! :) HUGS!
Wonderful job! We love you, Aimee!
Wow, Bitt! Great story! I am so proud of you. I think I need to start a wheatgrass garden of my own. :)
Bitt, as always, your story fires me up with hope and inspiration! What a fine teacher of life you are!
love deb
Hey Aimee! It is so great to hear your story on how you reclaimed your health and life! Your story is so insightful and helpful to tell in this too high-paced world hooked on quick fixes. It takes time to revolutionize yourself!
Thanks for sharing Aimee. I have a question, though: I was diagnosed with EBV a few years ago and was told by my doctor that it couldn’t possibly return. The reason I ask is because I had what I thought was a relapse over a year ago and my doctor wouldn’t listen to me when I told him I felt like I had EBV again. He tried to assure me that that wasn’t possible. He ran many, many tests — all of which were negative — and sent me to an ENT, a cardiologist, neurologist, etc. Nobody could find anything wrong with me. Could I have been having an EBV relapse? Is it true that it can re-manifest? Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.
Hi Aimee, I did alot of research on Wheat grass and it is a remarkable plant that would benefit everyone. This is found in 1 oz. of chocolate, 12 walnuts or 24 almonds. It also treats anxiety and depression. It protects every cell in the body from free radicals. This also improves cognitive functions to produce your own serotonin–feel good neuro-transmitters. So I am very optimistic about this.
Suzanne, EBV has several different antigens that are expressed at different stages of infection. If you’ve been infected with EBV at one point, some EBV antigens will never leave your body–they’ll just be latent, and you’ll develop immunity. However (and I don’t really understand the biochemistry of all this), those more damaging antigens can reemerge and cause infectious symptoms. This is what happened with Aimee. The tests that Aimee had at her naturopath showed different antigen levels, so the docs could tell if she was in the infectious stage or the latent stage. This kind of information is important for you to know.
And great picture of you and Sienna! :)
Suzanne, chris answered well. I also must say that since I go to a teaching naturopathic center I have had an opportunity to meet any many different NDs. There is some controversy about how to read the test results. If you are still feeling tired, I would get a second opinion. Of course it could be something else–adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue go together often. Most allopathic docs are not familiar with how to test for this. Another thing to consider is having your thyroid checked. Mine is considered within “normal” range for western docs but my naturopath still treats it because I have symptoms. Best of luck to you!
I love your story Aimee!
Thank for sharing with all of us!
I read Bitt’s blog!
Well, done Bitt!
Hey Suzanne:) I tested positive for EBV more than once as well… Turned out mine was actually Lyme Disease…. The standard tests they have at the docs are inaccurate. There’s an independant lab in Florida that is good. It’s through the Bowen Lab group. They have tests for other vector born buggies. You might try looking there. I use rife machines, salt, and various other methods to treat mine. Try the test if you’re able and go from there with what works for you. Just my two cents.
LOVE that photo of you (and the pooch!). It was a treat to hear your whole story – I’ve only gotten it in bits and pieces before.
I think your whirlwind cross-country tour this summer is a testimony of just how far you’ve come in your healing journey.
Aimee! This is so great….I am so proud to call you friend and see you here rocking the Crazy Sexy Life! So awesome!
XOXO…..P
Teaching is the hardest job EVER. It doesn’t have to be, but it’s become just horrible. I am so glad you are doing better!
Aimee, I am always struck by your brutal honesty and willingness to share your insights with others. You are wise beyond your years in so many ways. I miss you and love you. You have a gift with writing and expressing yourself… You are so clear with your words.
One day at a time… xoxoxo
Aunt Amy
Hi Aimee,
Thanks for sharing your story with all of us readers – very inspiring! I wish you continued health and look forward to scrolling through your blog!
Jennifer
Hi Aimee,
I can relate to your post! I also have Epstein-barr and have been eating raw food. It’s great to hear you’re story. It reminds me to pace myself too. Sometimes it can be so frustrating and at times isolating when ESB is active, not being able to do all you want and used to be able to do. Taking care of ourselves has to be a priority! My dog gets lots of cuddles too:)
Thanks for sharing and I wish you all good health.
Cheers, Nicola :)
December 4, 2009