I was referred to Roby Puglia in July 2016 as she has a specialist knowledge of unexplained illness and experience with Lyme patients.
I had been affected by a myriad of unexplained chronic health conditions all of my adult life. In 2015 things got much worse with a series of serious, acute health crashes, resulting in several trips to A & E and a stark stop to all my work and activities. I had critically high blood pressure, weight gain, acute headaches and total exhaustion. By the time I was referred to Robyn things had got so bad I was bedridden and in unmanageable pain. I thought I was destined for the scrap heap…
The progress I have made since we started working together is exponential. I am up and about, dedicated to my treatment plan and seeing real measurable progress. For example I lost about a stone in weight and returned to my normal weight within 2 months of my new diet she suggested, my blood pressure is now normal, my pain is exponentially better and my prospects are looking pretty good.
In my first appointment with Robyn she took a detailed history and immediately identified a number of reasons why I was suffering and struggling with specific problems.
She identified an overburdened liver, suspected specific gut problems caused by specific bacterial and parasitic bugs and difficulties with chronic stress due to years of living on my nerves. All complicated by a malfunctioning MTHFR gene we identified via a genetic profile test.
This was followed with specific tests that have shown her assessment was correct and we stared working together on a treatment program that I could do – building up my strength at my own pace and with interventions I felt comfortable with.
One of my worst problems was a collapsed tolerance to any stimulation, especially sound. As a composer it was pure torture not to be able to write music or even listen to music . Previous to my big health crash I was working intensively writing music every day. One significant moment 3 months after working with Robyn and following her protocol came when my partner was playing some classical music. Usual when I walked into a room she would quickly turn it off so as not to trigger my terrible headaches, this time I said leave it on – I was engrossed. It was Mozart clarinet concert in A major and I could enjoy the bliss of it without the sound triggering any symptoms. It was an incredible moment and I realized then that I was going to make a recovery, I was going to climb out of the swamp.
Anyone reading this who has any experience of Lyme disease, chronic migraine or sensitivity to stimulation, hyperacusis and other neurological conditions will understand how frightening and debilitating it can be to be so overwhelmed. You know you are not depressed but are in fact functioning in what seems like a parallel universe to everyone else.
When I was at my most vulnerable and confused Robyn provided solid answers and solutions, these strategies helped me cope with the day to day struggle as well as providing a plan I could work on towards my bigger goal of recovery. Her advice and insights have been proved to be absolutely on the money.
There are no quick fixes when it comes to chronic illness it seems, especially for someone like me who had been running on empty for years. My motto this year has been “you can’t expect to bounce back from a shattering” but with Robyn’s help I am putting myself back together piece by piece.
Over the years I have pretty much tried everything to get better. I’ve spent thousands of pounds and made some unnecessary sacrifices along the way too. However, it wasn’t until Robyn put her first class mind to work, figuring out exactly what was holding me back, and coming up with a comprehensive package of treatment for me that I started to make proper measurable progress. I’ve waited 27 years, since I was 15 to finally find someone who can help me get better.
I’ve had to put the work in too, and for anyone who wants to make a comprehensive recovery from what ever ghastly chronic condition they are caught up in, you know deep down that you need to be committed and disciplined. You have to believe that hard work pays off. Hard work and the right plan.
Looking back over this last year I am staggered by how much I have been able to put into place. I have had a detailed plan based on solid evidence and I went at my own pace. I’ve made many small steps towards a big goal.
Each person is different but for me the scientific validity of my treatment plan was crucially important.
I would recommend Robyn without a moment’s hesitation.
— Sam
