My Healing Journey: From undiagnosed to holistically healing Lyme disease and co-infections
My healing journey has been long—and far from linear.
As a child, I had endless energy. I loved to run, play sports, and spend time outside. I was relatively healthy and full of life. Looking back now, it’s hard to reconcile that version of me with the years that followed—marked by unexplained symptoms, chronic fatigue, and a body that no longer felt like mine.
For much of my adult life, I experienced occasional fatigue, headaches, and chronic neck and shoulder pain—but I could usually bounce back quickly. That changed after my first dose of the COVID vaccine. Almost immediately, my health began to unravel in ways I couldn’t explain. Perhaps it is a coincidence, but it seemed to unleash any virus or disease that had been dormant.
I developed persistent, treatment-resistant strep-B UTIs, bladder pain, and frequent HSV-1 outbreaks. Symptoms snowballed: migrating joint pain, dizziness, chronic migraines, intense head pressure, and heightened anxiety. I became reactive to things I’d always tolerated—shellfish, pineapple, even common skincare ingredients. I broke out in rashes, experienced multiple shingles flare-ups, was diagnosed with a tapeworm infection, and developed severe iron deficiency anemia.
It felt like my body was failing and no one could tell me why.
I’m not anti-vaccine, but I am vaccine-hesitant, and here’s why: my body tends to react strongly to immune challenges, including vaccines. I’ve experienced adverse responses in the past that left me sicker, not stronger. With an MTHFR mutation that affects detoxification pathways, it’s critical that I approach anything immune-related with extra care, research, and support.
I fully respect everyone’s right to make the health choices that are best for their bodies, just as I’m learning to honor mine. My approach isn’t about fear—it’s about individualized care and working with practitioners who understand the complexities of chronic illness and genetic sensitivities.
Fast forward to Memorial Day weekend, 2024:
After eating lobster for dinner, I woke up around 2 a.m. with my throat swollen, unable to swallow. My neck was so stiff I could barely move, I had a raging headache, a fever, and waves of intense panic. At the ER, they suspected meningitis and gave me a brain scan, (clear) along with some Tylenol. Then, despite showing signs of mild anaphylactic shock, I was discharged. One of the doctors even remarked, “Some mothers just need a bit of rest.”Not a single person asked what I had eaten that night—despite the fact that shellfish is one of the most common food allergens. Looking back, I was almost certainly having an allergic reaction.
I remained in a state of shock for over 24 hours, convinced I might not make it. In the weeks that followed, I was stuck in a heightened state of anxiety and fear. The emergency medical system had failed me—and I was left asking the terrifying question: If not them, then who do I turn to for help?
My Aha Moment
The medical system had failed me—but deep down, I knew there had to be an answer. I’d been committed to a holistic lifestyle for years, yet I realized I hadn’t seen an integrative health practitioner in a long time. Why not now?
That’s when I came across Healing Arts NYC: Integrative Health and Wellness Center. Something about it felt deeply aligned—like a quiet but clear yes. For the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this was the next right step.
Turning Point: The Diagnosis
When I finally met with Dr. Alicia Armistead, everything began to click. Using muscle testing—a form of applied kinesiology—she gently guided my body to reveal what had been hiding beneath years of symptoms and confusion.
The results were staggering, but they finally made sense:
Lyme disease
Candida overgrowth
Mercury toxicity
Parasitic infections
An overloaded lymphatic system that wasn’t able to drain properly
It was overwhelming, but also validating. I also deeply respect science so I took blood tests on my own to confirm these diagnosis— all positive. For the first time, someone was looking at the whole picture—not just my symptoms, but the root causes. I left that appointment with answers, a sense of direction, and something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.
