The Journey To Health : Part 2 Attempting Changes

Last month I shared the details surrounding my health concerns and how I have been looking for answers without much luck. I spoke to quite a few friends on what they were doing for their chronic issues and tried to figure out who could help me the most : a trainer, a nutritionist or a naturopath. Many friends reached out suggesting that I meet with a naturopathic Doctor. I was surprised that it was the popular choice. While I do believe in the non-invasive approach employed by Naturopaths, I also recall that I didn’t really click with the two I had met over the last few years. I was a bit dubious and that there’ a lot of skepticism around this field didn’t help make my decision easier either.

In the end I decided to go down this route because I believe there’s a couple issues at play when it comes to my health and that a personal trainer would not be able to help me as much. I then tossed and turned about working with a naturopathic doctor vs. a nutritionist and having spoken with a couple people from both sides, I felt that the right naturopathic doctor will be able to help me the most. Hopefully I made the correct choice! If all else fails, I can always go back to a nutritionist!

I received a few naturopathic doctor referrals and instead of blindly choosing one, I did some research. I discovered that there is a regulatory body in Ontario and that the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors connects people who are interested in a proactive approach to their health care with the right naturopathic doctor for them.  I spent a week reading about naturopathic medicine which has been around for over 125 years in North America and how it not only focuses on the symptoms but also the underlying conditions causing the symptoms.  Definitely sounded like the attention I needed because they would treat the root causes of my issues. One of the doctors I chatted with was Dr. Lisa Watson, a Toronto naturopathic doctor who is a women’s health and hormone expert. I liked that she was a mom, a lady who enjoys her wine night with her friends and someone who believes in living a balanced life. I knew I needed someone like that because lets be honest, I’m not one who is ready to give up every delicious thing on planet earth! In my mind, Naturopathic Doctors were buzz kills when it comes to all the stuff I enjoy in life -food, drink, food and more food!

Once Dr. Lisa and I got chatting (she offers a FREE 15 minute consultation) we decided to collaborate on the stories I will be sharing. She knows I’m not an easy patient and she knows that Chris is quite skeptical when it comes to her practice, so I think this will be a fun journey. Hopefully one that brings me some relief in the health department! So, where are we now? How did my first consultation go? What changes have I made? Is it helping? All questions, I’ve received from you. Here goes!

Disclosure : This post is in partnership with Dr. Watson but, as always, opinions are TOTALLY ours. 

First Meeting with a Naturopathic Doctor

I booked an appointment online and turned up for my in-person consultation with Dr. Lisa earlier this month.  I knew she’d want to know about my conditions but totally forgot to take my previous scans and blood work with me. Did naturopathic doctors even look at things like that? Answer is yes. Their practice is rooted in  a wide range of science-and evidence-based, natural and conventional therapies. I had to promise to follow up with my scans and blood word so that she would have better understanding about my condition and be able to determine which tests I’d need to do in the future. If you’re going to meet with a naturopathic doctor for the first time, I highly recommend taking in any health charts you can and also have a chat with your parents to know your family’s health history.

It was an easy and casual chat where I was very open about firmly believing that my issues weren’t food related and that everyone assumes that food is the root cause when it isn’t. Heck, I had done a juice cleanse and also given up gluten for short bursts in time. Unfortunately for me (and much to Dr. Lisa’s dismay), I was told that while I could do a test to determine gluten sensitivities, my arms and legs were proof that I needed to cut out soy, gluten and barley. I was apparently a text book case for gluten sensitives. GAH! NO! I refuse to believe it. After a one hour consultation I left with a promise – to avoid those three things for 6 weeks.

Seriously, I wasn’t very happy. This is what everyone says and weeks later, I’m still itching.

The difference Dr. Lisa advised me is that  I had never gone off it long enough for my body to clean up.

No one had explained that part to me before. I was under the assumption that 2 or 3 weeks was sufficient but apparently not.

There’s more that she needs to dig into before she can address all of the issues (some of which I wasn’t even aware of!) but before we can get to that stage, we need to eliminate this looming food issue. BAHHUMBUG!

What Changes Have I Made and is it Helping?

It is helping a bit but I’m still itching at least once a day. That said, it has only been 4 weeks so I really cannot judge. This was my issue with previous diet changes so I’m taking it very slow. I have eliminated gluten, soy and barley from my diet. I was also challenged with eating veggies with each of my meals, which is REALLY hard for someone like me who isn’t very good at cooking veggies! This is where she offered some cookbook suggestions!

I’ve impressed myself because it has been easy to avoid gluten (except for when my friends brought over eclairs for wine & cheese night – though I was good y’all!). Our local grocery store has many gluten free pasta options and I am experimenting baking with different types of flours. It has actually been fun trying out new items. Another positive practice is that I’m looking at every single label again. It’s a practice I haven’t been able to develop into a habit but having to avoid certain things means I have to read every label. Like EVERY label. Even hot sauce!

What has not been easy is avoiding soy. I thought it would be the easiest but sneaky soy is in everything these days. From dark chocolate to salad dressing, it’s in the most random places. Halloween wasn’t easy y’all….I could only eat the Welch’s gummies!!

Luckily for me, Dr. Watson didn’t make me stop sugar, dairy or alcohol (except beer). I have my fingers crossed I don’t have to cross that bridge because that really will be my point of no return. I can’t give up EVERYTHING, you know? I might as well itch myself away.

At the end of my 6 weeks I will be meeting with Dr. Watson again and if the itching has stopped, yay! If it hasn’t then it’s back to the drawing board and I’ll be inhaling a giant eclair and sipping a barrel aged Porter in celebration. Stay tuned, I’ll keep you updated!