“I've lived with fibromyalgia for about 35 years, and have had psoriasis since childhood. Pain and fatigue largely determined what my days looked like. Every afternoon I had to rest for about an hour and a half. If I didn't, I would have so much pain afterwards that I could hardly sleep at night.
Planning several things in one day was barely possible. I would quickly become overstimulated and overwhelmed. Even during a family dinner I sometimes had to go to bed, because it became too much for me. Sometimes I was so tired and nauseous that even eating wasn't possible. I wanted to care for others, but often couldn't manage it.
After my husband passed away, I found myself on my own. He was the one who was fit and who caught a lot of things. My world kept getting smaller, and I hadn't expected that so much improvement was still possible.
The day I couldn't fully be part of
The turning point came during my youngest daughter's wedding. Halfway through the day I physically couldn't go on. I lay on a sofa for a few hours, hoping that rest would help me recover enough to be part of it.
That didn't work. I had to be taken home before dinner even started. I missed the meal and the whole party. Even now, talking about it still makes me sad. You want to experience such a special day with your children, but my body couldn't keep up.
More energy and more space in my head
In January I started with WILDFIT® and treatments with Marja at the practice. I wanted more energy and hoped to need less medication. Above all, I wanted to be able to pick my life back up.
During the programme I noticed I could handle more appointments in a week. I got more space in my head, slept more deeply, and saw my skin improve. I also learned to look more closely at what's in food, and started reading labels more.
Gradually I no longer needed my fixed afternoon rest. I now use that hour and a half for gardening, cycling, or something creative. I've lost about ten kilos and feel better for it. I'm now also, under the guidance of a physiotherapist, gently building up strength training, taking into account what my body can handle.
Marja is my daughter, but during this journey also my coach. Her support and enthusiasm have meant a lot to me. The group also felt good: I felt involved with the others. I'm proud that I dared to make this shift.
Almost a week together
A few months after I started, my grandson unexpectedly couldn't stay with his other grandmother. So I offered to have him come to me. He was four and a half, and stayed for almost a whole week. I looked after him on my own.
We worked together in the garden, walked the dog, and went to the playground. We cooked, played games, drew, and strung beads. We also visited his great-grandmother.
It went well, and I fully enjoyed our days together. The wish I had spoken at the start had become reality.
The feeling that I'm alive again
My pain has also strongly decreased in recent months. Where I used to need strong pain medication during the day and at night to be able to function, I now experience hardly any pain. My blood pressure improved, and in consultation with my doctors I was able to stop the blood pressure medication. After the programme I gradually started tapering off my tramadol, in close consultation with my doctor and the GP's practice nurse.
What this change means to me, I see mostly reflected in my daily life. I can do more, have room for the people I love, and can once again do something for them myself.
At the start I was asked how it would feel if I reached my goals. I wrote: ‘I would thank the heavens and jump for joy.’
Now I understand how much was behind those words. My journey has brought me what I hoped for: energy, and the feeling that I'm alive again.”