I Felt Like Nothing

I received an email last week from a lady asking for advice. That in itself is not unusual, sharing my story has enabled me to connect with people all around the world and help them make lifestyle changes that will ultimately reflect in their wellbeing and skin. 

What made me take note was the 'sent from' email address. This lady - I'll call her Rachel - is a qualified Doctor.

I tried my best to answer Rachel's questions, whilst all the time having a thousand of my own. I was never very academically minded so the opportunity to become a doctor would not ever have been even a remote possibility for me. But to possess this hard earned knowledge alongside a curiosity to understand natural healing methods is such an impressive conjunction. 

I asked Rachel to stay in touch and yesterday her incredibly powerful email made me cry. With her permission I wanted to share it with you, as I believe it highlights just how cold and clinical the skin treatment process can be.

I worry that somewhere along the way we've forgotten the very basic principles of good health. We've forgotten to establish route cause and instead we focus on masking symptoms. We've forgotten to look at someone as a person rather than a patient. The hurt and fear and pain and sadness - this is all a part of the same disease. We need to focus on treating the mind and body as a whole if we have any real chance of creating true, long-lasting wellness. 

Thank you so much Rachel for sharing your story; 

"Yesterday I went to see my rheumatologist up in London and it was probably the most horrific experience of my life. The tube journey was as to be expected, but my appointment was the most embarrassing experience.

Sat in a room wearing the absolute minimum whilst six clinicians told me how bad my skin looked, boy did time stop. The looks of pity. I felt embarrassed. And not one doctor did anything to change this. I told the derm consultant that being offered steroid creams to ease the symptoms was a terrible fix and that there must be something less damaging in the long term to help patients with this condition. They offered me no support. I can't work because of my skin atm they had no information about help which might be available to me. It was shocking.

I couldn't believe that they thought I would just sign the forms to say I would inject another substance into myself which might or might not work and obviously doesn't cure the internal issue anyway. Not once did they acknowledge the role of juicing and diet in the management of this condition. In fact the dermatology consultant looked horrified at my suggestion of wanting to pursue this over the treatments offered to me. I realised how doctors view outwardly sick patients. I feel frustrated that before trying the stronger medications they did not even consider diet and nutrition.

I felt so embarrassed and alone. I felt so different to them despite academically matching the degrees of half the people in the room. I felt like nothing. It was horrible. I know that degrees are pieces of paper but I felt beneath them. Almost as if I was less than them because of my skin.

The docs and derms look at those of us with this condition as somehow being responsible for what is happening to us. In addition to being an extremely visible illness the psychological battles of living with the disease are as bad. And when they look at those of us passing through this condition they see someone who they pity. I saw that. It's very obvious. With conditions such as this which affect every facet of living how can a doctor who has never suffered the daily struggles of it empathise with you or even advise you?

I have spent time as a doctor and as a patient and I have seen both sides. You feel powerful as a doctor because a few years of memorising facts and doing some exams gives you a piece of paper, but no real common sense. You can't teach humanity. Neither can you teach common sense.

But now, more than ever, I feel determined to show them that this condition can be overcome permanently through diet alone."

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