A Story of Recovery:

A Beautician’s Remission

I was misdiagnosed for quite a few years with symptoms of unbalance, being clumsy, lots of fatigue, and some dizziness. I finally went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and received a diagnosis of SCA, Sporadic Spinal Cerebellum Ataxia. My form of SCA is a neurological disease that might be hereditary, but they really do not know. I was told I needed intravenous drugs to stop the progression of this disease. I came home to California, devastated. I was unsure of how my life would be from then on. I did know I wanted to try other alternatives before I committed to taking prescription drugs.

My first step was to try a celiac food plan (no gluten). I began to see some results, and then wanted to experiment more with nutrition. Someone told me that when others had eliminated flour, refined sugar, and alcohol from their diet that it helped alleviate symptoms of their disease. I thought it would be worth a try. I wasn’t sure how I would adjust to eliminating flour or refined sugar products. I knew I could easily give up flour and alcohol, but sugar would be a challenge. Sugar is hidden in almost all processed foods. I had thought that having just a little every day was good for me. Yeah right!

I’m a hairstylist, and I watched one of my clients lose 80 pounds over a period of a few months. She had gained serenity as well, and I was so impressed. She told me that the FA program could help me to let go of flour and sugar without “white knuckling” it daily.

One of my co-workers wanted to lose weight, and I joined FA to support her. I became intrigued by the promises of the program. It turned out that I was the one who started to lose weight—50 pounds!

I eliminated all flour, sugar, and alcohol. It was easy for me to avoid flour, since I’d already been off gluten. Alcohol was also easy because I noticed the negative effects after a few sips. Alcohol increased problems with my gait, slurred my speech, and intensified my neurological symptoms. Sugar was more challenging. I went through withdrawals. I had no idea just how bad it was for my body. With the help and understanding of my sponsor, I got through it.

After being off of flour and sugar for three days, I noticed that my mind became clearer and continued to become clearer each day. I also began to lose that bloated look and started gaining more energy, while losing excess weight. That gave me the incentive to continue, because it seemed to be working.

Most of the symptoms have been gone for over two years. I attribute my improved health and SCA remission to my Twelve-Step program and new eating habits. Now I listen to my body instead of denying what it’s telling me. And I don’t push through pain or make other people’s needs more important than my own.

I have had two MRI’s to date that do not show any more degeneration. So I am hopeful that by living a healthy life style, I will be able to help keep most of my symptoms at bay. But if it slowly progresses, that’s okay too, because I’m presently living each day with more energy. I’m grateful that I found a Twelve-Step program that will help keep me on track.

I’ve been told by many doctors that it is not possible to stop the progression of this degenerative disease. But the lessening of my symptoms, and the energy gained, has brought me such relief.  Not having any flour, sugar, or alcohol; eating weighed and measured amounts of food that my body needs to be healthy; taking regular naps; and getting rid of things that don’t enhance my life and replacing them with healthier things have given me a better quality of life.

I found that my food plan and new life style has affected the people around me in many ways. People that know me see a huge change, not only in my weight, but also in my actions.  I was an angry person because I had to deal with frustrating symptoms of a disease, but the serenity I have gained is worth so much.

I’m grateful to have found spiritual, mental, and physical discipline, guided by something outside of myself. It seems to be working for me. You could say I’m practicing self-care daily, and the effects are amazing!

I’ve been told remission isn’t possible. But, now the doctors are considering the possibility.