Written by Mike Hutchings on September 16, 2024
"It wasn’t easy, and it took months of trial and error to find a diet that worked for me. But the results were undeniable. I slowly started seeing improvements, and over time, my inflammation began to subside."
My Autoimmune Journey: Healing Beyond the Diagnosis
Two years ago, after receiving my third COVID vaccine, my life took an unexpected turn. It started with inflammation in my nose; an uncomfortable tingling that within three weeks turned into unbearable pain and a trip to the emergency room. Over the next year the pain and inflammation spread to my neck, ears, eyes, back, elbows, fingers, prostate, knees, and feet. I was overwhelmed as my body seemed to be turning against me, and despite multiple doctor visits, there was no clear diagnosis. They mentioned a potential autoimmune disease but said they would need a nose cartilage biopsy to confirm it. Their solution? A lifetime prescription of prednisone. But that wasn’t the path I wanted to follow.
Relapsing Polychondritis - The Search for Answers
Instead of accepting a future defined by medication, I turned to the internet and began researching alternative solutions to relapsing polychondritis. That's when I found Jitka, a wholistic health practitioner who introduced me to the relationship between diet and inflammation. This discovery changed everything. Jitka taught me that what I put into my body had a direct effect on my symptoms. It was eye-opening to learn that processed foods, sugars, oils, and even seemingly harmless salts were contributing to my body’s inflammatory response. Determined to heal naturally, I made the decision to overhaul my diet.
A Whole Foods Approach
I committed to eating only Whole Foods, nothing processed. I stopped dining out, which was a big lifestyle shift, and began cooking all my meals at home. It wasn’t easy, and it took months of trial and error to find a diet that worked for me. But the results were undeniable. I slowly started seeing improvements, and over time, my inflammation began to subside.
My approach became a plant-based diet, free from salt, oil, and sugar. I was meticulous, yet even with this clean approach, I realized through food journaling that too much of a good thing could still trigger inflammation. For instance, an excess of nuts, seeds, or even fruit could cause flare-ups. So, I continued to fine-tune my diet, evolving it to incorporate as many high-micronutrient foods as possible while listening closely to my body’s signals. One such signal was noticing I felt better when I skipped breakfast. With some additional research I discovered the healing power of fasting. I started incorporating fasting into my healing plan, including intermittent fasting and long fasting of 7 days or more at a time. It's during these fasting periods the undeniable connection between food and inflammation is so evident.
"...it’s about what we eat, how we move, how we manage stress,
and how we connect with the world around us."
The Power of Physical and Mental Health
Alongside dietary changes, I knew I needed to become physically stronger. I started jogging regularly, incorporating HIIT workouts, and lifting weights. Exercise became an outlet not only for improving my physical health but also for boosting my mental well-being. One of the surprising reliefs I discovered was the use of saunas and hot showers. They provided instant relief from inflammation and helped me feel more grounded in my body.
I also turned inward, focusing on mindfulness and stress reduction. Meditation became a daily practice, helping me let go of the stress and anxiety that had accumulated during this challenging time. I consciously shifted my mindset to appreciate the positives in my life—my health, my family, and the small joys of everyday living.
Reconnecting with Nature
Vitamin D deficiency was a concern, so I made a point of spending more time outdoors. Hiking, boating, or simply walking for an hour after dinner became my new normal. Recently, I began practicing grounding—spending more time barefoot, walking on grass or simply standing in my yard. I found that reconnecting with the earth brought me a sense of calm and balance that further supported my healing journey.
Sharing My Journey
My autoimmune journey has been one of trial, discovery, and perseverance. While I continue to evolve my diet and lifestyle, I feel empowered by the knowledge and control I have gained over my health. This journey has taught me that healing is multi-dimensional—it’s about what we eat, how we move, how we manage stress, and how we connect with the world around us.
I'm not symptom free yet, but I am pain free and able to live a happy, high-quality life without limitation and medications. My symptoms are trending in the right direction, and I feel empowered knowing I have tools to mitigate the inflammation. I’m happy to share my experiences and insights with others who may be going through something similar. If you have questions or want to know more about my journey, please feel free to reach out. We’re all in this together, and I believe that with the right tools and mindset, healing is possible.
-Mike Hutchings
Note: If you would like to connect with Mike, let Jitka know, and she will provide his contact information. Just fill out the form below. Thank you!
Note:
I began working with Mike in April 2022. His case was challenging, requiring significant time, effort, and varied strategies to reduce the inflammation driving his symptoms. While Mike isn’t completely symptom-free, he is pain-free and committed to continuing his health journey. It’s hard work to stick to a strict diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, but the benefits far outweigh the alternative of living in pain and ongoing inflammation, risking further autoimmune disease.
This article was written in September 2024, almost two and a half years after we began working together. In many cases of relapsing polychondritis (and other autoimmune diseases), remission can be achieved much sooner. If you or someone you know is dealing with this condition, please share my website so they can learn how to manage and, ideally, put their disease into remission.
Thank you,
Jitka