Written by Lisa on December 17, 2024
"I maintained a strict diet for six months and saw great results. Today, I still follow this diet, although I can now tolerate much more food without autoimmune triggers like nuts and coffee."
My name is Lisa. I am married 26 years, and I have two daughters, ages 21 and 23. I am 49 years old. My journey through Relapsing Polychondritis started in July 2021. I woke up with a painful nose, as if I had walked into a wall during sleep. The pain progressed to the inability to touch my nose with my hands, a washcloth, or blow my nose because of the excruciating pain.
After a week, my nose became very swollen. I went to a Primary Care Physician who walked through the door and said, "You have Relapsing Polychondritis."Â He explained that he had a patient with the same autoimmune condition. He put me on steroids and referred me to a Rheumatologist.
In the next few months, my symptoms began to appear all at once. After the steroid treatment ended, my nose returned to normal, but then it swelled again. My trachea began to feel like it was narrowing, and breathing became slightly difficult, especially when lying flat in bed. I also experienced excruciating pressure behind my eyes and in my sinus cavity. The pressure was so strong that I went to my doctor, thinking I had either a sinus infection or a tumor causing the issue.
I began educating myself on this autoimmune disorder—its symptoms and treatments. I knew I didn’t want to rely on steroids long term, so I turned to holistic health. I visited a Chinese medicine physician in Chicago, Illinois, which was a five-hour drive away. Unfortunately, her treatment didn’t completely work because the diet she recommended still included meat, which seemed to inflame my symptoms.
Determined to find another way to heal, I prayed and diligently searched online. I found Dr. Brooke Goldner and followed her free protocol. Her diet suggestion was very strict, but I was determined to give it a try. The diet is vegan—no sugar, no oils, no gluten, no processed foods, no alcohol—along with 80 ounces of water and 1 pound of cruciferous vegetables blended with flax seeds and fruit every day.
After just two weeks, all my symptoms went away. But this was only the beginning. I had to learn what triggered my symptoms. For example, I could not eat nuts, oatmeal, or coffee because they inflamed my condition. I realized I needed a low-inflammatory diet and had to avoid certain foods, even healthy ones, while I figured out this new lifestyle.
During this time, I found Jitka in my searches. She was kind enough to communicate with me about what she does to control her symptoms and offered me supportive words that reaffirmed I was on the right track. I maintained a strict diet for six months and saw great results. Today, I still follow this diet, although I can now tolerate much more food without autoimmune triggers like nuts and coffee. Sometimes, I can even enjoy sweets and chips, but I do not make eating inflammatory foods a habit because my Relapsing Polychondritis symptoms will return.
My journey also included stress-relieving practices, exercise, and supplements such as Vitamin D with K2, magnesium, adrenal support, B12, iron, and a few others. I do parasite cleanses and body brushing to help my lymphatic system circulate better, as well as liver cleanses.
Overall, I have learned and truly believe that living clean, eating clean, making good choices, and following a whole-food diet, exercise, and rest have kept my body in good shape.
We are what we eat. My body reminds me that I still have RP, as mild symptoms will flare if I cheat on my diet. However, by avoiding meat, processed food, sugar, gluten, and alcohol on a regular basis, I keep the inflammation in my body low.
I am so happy to know that we are not limited to conventional pills and treatments. There is so much more we can do to improve our health.
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-Lisa
Note: Lisa first contacted me on October 24, 2021. She was highly motivated and determined to do whatever it took to get her health back. Now, three years later, she is doing wonderfully! She discovered what works for her and realized that she needs to stick with it to keep her symptoms at bay. Way to go, Lisa! I love your story and wish you continued success and health!
-Jitka
If you or someone you know is dealing with this or another autoimmune condition, please share my website so they can learn how to manage their health and, ideally, put their disease into remission.
Thank you,
Jitka