I am Healthy Margit
Thursday, July 5, 2007
By: Margit Crane

Reprinted from FMOnline

I was first diagnosed with fibro in 1985 after a car accident left me sore for longer than expected. When my physical therapist told me I would probably never be able to ride a bike again, I decided that was too extreme and started riding a stationary bike at the YMCA. Within a couple of years I was not only riding a bike, I was riding two! Mountain biking became my version of shaking my fist at my condition. I joyfully fell off my bike and proudly showed off my many scratches and pebble-filled scars (getting those pebbles out is really painful!).

I thought my fibromyalgia was gone. I believe that a fairly aggressive Candida infection revived my condition. It was clear, after a few years, that the Candida Albicans bacteria had passed through my gut and was living in my lungs and bloodstream.

In about 2002, I started feeling debilitated. I had been under treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, yet my health just wasn’t up to par. I was miserable and didn’t know what to do. I felt that I couldn’t take time off from work because we needed the money, but I couldn’t function very well at work either. I decided to work half-time, thinking that that would give me time to catch up on sleep and to go to the gym. It didn’t help, and a month later I was sobbing at my doctor’s office telling her that my fibro had returned and I needed a leave of absence. She felt around for all the trigger points. Hearing my gasps and “ow”s she referred me to a rheumatologist and a social worker. She told me she would give me a six-week leave if I would go on Prozac. I agreed.

My first visit to the rheumatologist was a huge relief. He confirmed that I probably hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in five or six years and he gave me some medication to help me. What a gift that was—to be able to sleep through the night.

At the same time I had started to work with a life coach who said that he had cured himself of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I wanted some of that! I started to do what he had done: I used essential oils for pain and for detoxing (www.saje.ca/). I got regular massages, and cleaned up my food which helped my IBS. One of the best things that I did was to start taking water aerobics classes with a trainer who specialized in strength training in the water. She told me, “Gravity is your enemy, it seems, but in the water, you’re a ballerina!” Being in the water made me feel capable and beautiful and I think this contributed to my healing.

One day, about a year into treatment I decided that I no longer wanted to be sick. I started to call myself “Healthy Margit” and told my husband and kids to do the same. The kids were thrilled If anyone asked how I was or if I was okay, I would reply, “I’m doing great; I’m Healthy Margit!” I also put signs up in key places in our house so that I would be reminded of my true self. Shortly thereafter I went off the last of my meds.

After almost two years of coaching and following my program of exercise, I now only use essential oils, vitamins, digestive enzymes, and amino acids. I believe that the fibro is lurking, but I can “keep it in its cage” if I continue to follow my program. This still includes regular massages and swimming or water aerobics and luxurious baths (which I used to hate!) with essential oils and Epsom salts. My IBS seems to be the hardest nut to crack but it’s improving also. My Candida overgrowth is gone.

I have started my own home business as a teen and family coach (http://www.rocktheworldcoatching.com/ was a teacher and counselor for 20 years--and am looking forward with eagerness to the second half of my life.