Many years ago, I was afflicted with myasthenia gravis, a chronic
autoimmune disease affecting the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The
hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle
weakness, which affects my vision.
One of the main causes of myasthenia
gravis is stress. I did not
know how to relax myself.
According to the diagnosis, I had developed
ocular symptoms: ptosis
(drooping of eyelids) and diplopia
(double vision) in my myasthenia gravis. Both of my eyelids drooped, as
if my eyes were tired, and I could not open my eyes wide enough to see
properly.
At first, I was prescribed pyridostigmine (mestinon) as the usual first-line
treatment for my immune disorder.
After several months, my conditions did not
improve. I was given another prescription, prednisone, a synthetic hormone commonly referred to as a “steroid,” for my myasthenia gravis.
Prednisone acts as a long-term immunosuppressant to control the production of
antibodies. Essentially, it serves to stabilize my so-called “overactive”
immune system.
The adverse side effects of prednisone for my
myasthenia gravis included decreased resistance to infection,
indigestion, hypertension, weight gain, swelling of the face, thinning of skin,
predisposition to osteoporosis, and potential development of cataracts and
glaucoma. The long list was not only depressing but also frightening. I was
worried that I would have to take my medications for the rest of my life, not
just for my myasthenia gravis but also for the many side effects related
to the drugs, such as bone loss, weight gain, and high blood pressure, among
others.
After almost two years on prednisone, my neurologist, seeing
there was little improvement in my myasthenia gravis, switched me to azathioprine, a drug supposedly with
fewer side effects. However, that medication did not seem to have any positive
effect on my symptoms, let alone my double vision. Naturally, I became
frustrated.
Now, when I look back at the whole episode, I
would think that my illness might have been a blessing in disguise. Everything
happens in one’s life with a divine purpose. In many ways, I was grateful that
I had the illness—which has changed my life forever and for the better. I began
to learn how to take care of my health, and I knew I had to do it on my own.
I made a decision to change drastically my
diet, accompanied by a regular fast, in
an attempt to discontinue all my medications ultimately. The initial results
were encouraging. Instead of gaining weight, I had lost more than fifteen
pounds; instead of jacking up my blood pressure, I had made it plummet. I had
won my initial battle against all the adverse side effects of medications for
my myasthenia gravis. I knew that I had to do more—much more than
that. My rude awakening finally came: there was no miracle cure for my myasthenia
gravis; only my wholesome wellness would bring about recovery and natural
self-healing.
Slowly and gradually, I discontinued all
my medications. Finally, I did it! Now,
I am 100 percent drug free!
To eliminate double vision, the doctor
recommended wearing an eye-patch over my weaker eye. But I did not entertain
the idea of wearing an eye-patch—looking like a pirate of the Caribbean Sea.
Besides, wearing an eye-patch would not solve my problem of double vision.
There is a Chinese saying: “Cut your
toes to avoid the worms.” I thought that was precisely what the doctor
recommended: getting around the problem instead of solving it. I also recalled
that early on, when my muscles were weak and I asked him for recommended
remedy, he told me not to use those weak muscles. I disagreed with the doctor;
instead, I exercised my weaker muscles until they became much stronger.
That was how I began my journey of
self-healing.
Stephen
Lau
Copyright©
by Stephen Lau
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