“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
Stories of Autoimmune Resilience
While there is no cure for autoimmune disease, the choices we make every day can have a powerful impact on how we feel. Below you’ll find real-life stories of autoimmune warriors who have improved their health through the power of nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset. Some have had dramatic, overnight success. Others walked a slower journey to remission. And some are still in the healing process, but have made significant improvements in their symptoms, and therefore their quality of life. We celebrate all of these versions of success!
Written Interviews
- Sandy’s Healing Story (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis)
- Emma’s Healing Story (Lupus Nephritis Class IV)
- Jenny’s Healing Story (Autoimmune Pancreatitis)
- Neil’s Healing Story (Celiac Disease)
- Jacqueline’s Healing Story (Uveitis, Alopecia, Psoriasis)
- Barclay’s Healing Story (Ulcerative Colitis)
Podcast Interviews
Healing Stories 11
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, Narcolepsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sarcoidosis.
Healing Stories 10
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Susac Syndrome
Healing Stories 9
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alopecia, Myasthenia Gravis
Healing Stories 8
Ulcerative Colitis, Multiple Sclerosis, CRMO, and Graves’ Disease
Healing Stories 7
Hashimoto’s, Endometriosis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Type 1 Diabetes, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Antisynthetase Syndrome
Healing Stories 6
Crohn’s Disease, Hashimoto’s, Adult Onset Stills Disease, and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (Celiac Disease, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis)
Healing Stories 5
Lichen Sclerosus, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Healing Stories 4
Alopecia, Type 1 Diabetes, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Sjogren’s, Lupus, Scleroderma, Myositis, and Raynaud’s)
Healing Stories 3
Psoriasis, Graves’ Disease, Uveitis, Parkinson’s Disease, and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (Scleroderma, Polymyositis, and Raynaud’s)
Healing Stories 2
Hashimoto’s, Crohn’s Disease, Myasthenia Gravis, Type 1 Diabetes, Sarcoidosis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Cardiomyopathy
Healing Stories 1
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Takayasu’s Arteritis, and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (Celiac, Endometriosis, Lichen Sclerosus)
Never Too Late – Healing Stories Over Age 60
Arthritis, Asthma, Suspected Celiac Disease, and Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (Hashimoto’s, Celiac, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Polymalgia Rheumatica)
Is this diet suitable for kidney failure patient??
Hi Abeer. Please consult with your doctor about that. I’m sure there are special dietary needs connected with that condition.
Hi! I am LOVING reading your Simple Guide book thank you! Need some help from out there. My wife has had Lichen Schlerosis for I think at least 4 to 5 years. We have been eating more Paleo, and she has been researching Low Oxalate diet. I think if there were some good AIP success stories I could point her to related to Lichen Schlerosis, she might start considering AIP. Can any of you out there help with some good stories for LS and AIP? Thank you.
I have just what you’re looking for! Rebecca shared her Lichen Sclerosis success story in Podcast Episode 87: Healing Stories 5.
Well Eileen, thank you for your quick reply and help! We will definitely listen to this success story from your podcast soon.
Eileen, I wanted to bring up a potential topic for the show. I’ve been doing some research, and there are some doctors who feel that parasites are the root cause of all diseases. This is one topic that is not heavily covered by the medical community because the believf is you only get them in third world countries. I was wondering if you had done any research on the topic, and if you would ever consider doing a show on parasites and their link to autoimmune diseases, I believe that it would be aboulutely fasinating! You always explain things so well and have amazing guests on. Just food for thought! Hope all is well!
Hi Ryan. I think parasites can play a role, but whenever people say one thing is the root of all disease, that’s a red flag to me. It’s just rarely true unless they’re talking about inflammation. That said, we did cover parasites and their potential impact on autoimmune disease in Podcast Episode 42: Infections and Autoimmunity with Dr. Michael Ruscio.
Hi Eileen,
Thank you so much for sharing these stories, as well as all of the amazing info you share on your podcast and blog. I discovered all of this about four months ago, and it has been life changing. I was diagnosed with celiac disease and collagenous colitis one year ago when I basically crashed. I did Whole 30 in January, but when my GI system was even more messed up than before, I found out about Paleo AIP.
I wrote about how your podcast gave me hope during this journey here: http://everydaymomlife.com/2017/05/09/journey-whole-30-paleo-aip/
Thank you so much for all of the information and resources you share. You are really making a difference in the world!
Emily
Emily, you are so welcome. And it’s wonderful that you are sharing your own journey, too. The more of us who do that, the more people we reach who can see a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Here’s to empowered autoimmune health!
Hi Eileen
Have you had any dealings with primary billary chongolitus ? I was diagnosed last Jan, and I’m not getting much help at all!
Hi Wendy. I don’t know anyone with that diagnosis, but since all autoimmune diseases have the same root causes, these success stories still apply to you. Since I’m not a doctor, I can’t give any specific medical advice, but if you’re looking for a practitioner beyond a traditional MD, here’s a link to Functional Medicine Practitioner Directories. Wishing you wellness in every way!
Eileen, I just recently found your podcast. I wish I found it a year and a half ago when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s with a TSH of 138. Almost everything you cover in the wonderful show, I had to learn on my own. It is so refreshing to hear about others who have gone through the same thing that I have gone through, and am still going through. I love your show, and I really think that you are providing a service that no one else is providing. Thank you for all your hard work and amazing podcasts.
Thank you so much, Ryan! Your comment made my day.
I have recently had a diagnosis of scleroderma, I have not read any blogs on this. wondering if there are testimonials I may have missed.
I am contemplating the diet change. Is coconut milk on the good list?
Thank you.
Hi Cathy. The Healing Stories 3 Podcast listed above includes a scleroderma success story, and I’ve been in touch with others with scleroderma that have been helped as well. Coconut milk is on the good list. For an overview, read A Comparison of 3 Healing Diets. For more details, I recommend my book: A Simple Guide to the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol. Wishing you wellness in every way!
Thank you for sharing these. 4 yrs ago,almost to the day, my daughter was diagnosed with Takayasu’s Arteritis. We have had some ups and downs. I am thankful to read that a diet change has helped. I have shared this with her and am now praying she chooses to try a diet change. I know it won’t fully heal her of this disease….that I am giving to God……but I think it will help some.
Martha, I’m so glad you found Russ’ story, too. If your daughter wants to ask Russ some questions about his experience, I think he’d be very open to that: [email protected].
Thank you Eileen for all that you do for this growing community. I would love to share my success story some time. I have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and have reversed 90+% of a large number of symptoms (everything from vertigo, balance issues, dropping things out of my hands unintentionally, inability to verbalize my thoughts, numbness down the left side of my body, inability to walk without a cane, extreme fatigue, and the list goes on…) and I am continuing to heal. Using the AIP has been one of the most life-enhancing gifts I could have every imagined. I do not take any MS drugs or steroids and have not used any since my diagnosis 1.5 years ago. The blessing was that the same month that I was diagnosed was also the same month that The Wahls Protocol was available! I changed my eating plan a week after my diagnosis and never looked back. I was recently diagnosed with Hereditary Hemochromatosis and Hashimoto’s and because I was already following a strict AIP, I was able to identify TH2 dominant responses that were triggering Hashi’s flares. It’s funny, because the MS is so incredibly under control that for a time, I was absolutely baffled as to why I was having these recurring symptoms even though I had not modified my AIP eating at all. I am still in the process of figuring out a good combination for compounded thyroid medication, however I am so thankful for the journey thus far.
A special thanks to you for the incredible service and amazing hope that you provide to me and my family so that I can be the best wife, mother, friend that I possibly can be.
Julia, how inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s amazing how often autoimmune diseases come in pairs or threes. It can be overwhelming to get a new diagnosis, but you are so well equipped to meet them with wise action. May you continue to feel better and better!
Hi – I was wondering what the name of your Blog is or where I can find it please?
For 23 years I have had Hypothyroidism and now have Hashimotos, Vitaglo and now I’m told a 80 percent chance I have Lupus. I believe diet will help me! It’s been a real battle and struggle with my weight and inflammation too! Drs seem to treat hashimotos the same as hypothyroidism unfortunately. Bothy parents in there 70’s are now on thyroid medication and within the tear they were put on it dad had aajor heart attack and mum had a mini stroke! M had premature grey in 20’s, many miscarriages, enemic and has Vitaglo badly! As well as high blood pressure! Dad had high cholesterol and psoriasis badly! They do not realize that their autoimmune most likely contributed to their heart attack and stroke sadly!
Heather, since you’re on my blog already, I’m guessing you are asking about another commenter’s blog? If so, you might want to comment again with their name, so they know you’re speaking to them. It sounds like autoimmune disease does run in your family, and you’re very wise to do what you can to manage it. For an overview of healing diets in general, read my article Comparison of 3 Healing Diets. For information on the Paleo Autoimmune protocol, check out this series of articles. And lastly, there’s a free webinar happening specifically to help people with Hashimoto’s. It’s led by Andrea Nakayama, whom I highly respect. It’s called The Butterfly Effect: Harnessing Thyroid Health Beyond Medicine.
Is there a light tasting oil that’s paleo?
Hi Marie. The paleo diet embraces unrefined oils, and they’re meant to have flavors. Once you eat them for a while, your taste buds adapt to embrace them rather than looking for the flavorless oils of the Standard American Diet. That said, I get it – there are times when you want to purely taste the food that’s prepared in the oil. In that case, avocado oil has a light flavor, and you can buy expeller-pressed coconut oil that removes the flavor while still leaving behind the beneficial fats unique to coconut oil.
I’m a huge fan of Hellman’s mayo and wanted to try to make one that tastes like it. I’ll give your suggestions a try. Thank you much!
If you tolerate eggs, Marie, there’s actually an avocado oil-based paleo mayonnaise you can buy: Primal Kitchen.
Eileen I just wanted to say thank you for providing this awesome resource and website. I have been lurking among autoimmune diet blogs for a few months now and I really like the information presented here. I have Meniere’s Disease, which in around 20% of cases is thought to be autoimmune, depending on which research you read. My Dad developed it after me and his Mum had Rheumatoid Arthritis so I’m starting to wonder whether an autoimmune protocol might work for me. Meniere’s i a bit difficult because attacks, for me, are infrequent, and don’t seem to respond to diet. My permanent symptoms are tinnitus and deafness which I think are likely permanent damage done by the meniere’s. However, after much deliberating, I am going to try an autoimmune diet. So I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I wonder – has anyone contacted you with Meniere’s? It would be great to hear an encouraging success story.
Thanks again.
Anna.
Hi Anna. Welcome! I don’t know anyone personally, but I have found one blogger who finds a paleo diet helpful in managing Meniere’s: http://primaljourney.blogspot.com/2013/07/menieres-disease.html . Please do report back on your own results; I would love to hear them.
I have autoimmune inner ear disease and now having symptoms of Meniere’s, curious if you have had success.
Hi Marie. Your best bet of finding someone with your same diagnosis is asking in one of the largest support groups on Facebok: AIP Support or The Paleo Approach Community. But here’s one person’s story online: http://primaljourney.blogspot.com/2013/07/menieres-disease.html
Thank you!!
Your website was a welcome note of encouragement as we are just beginning the GAPS diet in response to epilepsy and type I diabetes in three of our children. I am at wit’s end and hopeful this is an answer we have searched for so many years. Please pass on any info you may come across. Blessings to you and thank you for your service.
Sending love your way, Sharon! Have you joined one of the GAPS support groups? This one has thousands of members walking the path with you: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/GAPSdiet/info
Eileen, I want to thank you for your success stories. I hope to be a “Success” story one day too. I have multiple autoimmune conditions as well as neurological problems. I have been strict Paleo for 2.5 years and have seen some improvement. However, after still suffering from sleepless nights with interstitial cystitis since 1984, and still grappling with digestion and chronic reflux, I began the AIP last week. I so want that “miracle” that others confess to have after days, weeks and even a few months. However, I know our bodies are all different. I’m a very committed person, so when I say strict Paleo, I have not cheated once since I began my journey 2.5 years ago. I am walking small amounts in the house now after being in a wheelchair, and some other minor things seem better. But, certainly not the miracle that others have seen. I will continue my journey now without seeds, nuts, eggs, and nightshades (although I haven’t had tomatoes since 84 with the IC) and increase the grass fed gelatin, bone broth and other healing elements in The Paleo Approach. I’m not one to miss anything in my diet, because all I want to do is be healthy. I’ve been homebound since 2001, and struggle with multiple chemical sensitivities as well. May your website continue to be a guide for those of us who still struggle. I am never giving up, because I feel too ill, not too! Keep up the good work. Please e-mail me if you have any helpful tips for me.
Carolyn, thanks so much for writing. The fact that you are making progress is a very good sign. The AIP made a huge difference for me, and I believe it will for you, too. Gentle hugs coming your way.
I am wondering if anyone has spoken about an essential tremor. Shaking hands when I hold something.
Hi MKH. There are lots of possible causes of that. The best thing to do is see your doctor for diagnosis. Blessings.
Isn’t it multiple sclerosis?
Thanks! I fixed the typo.
Do you have aPinterest board with these success stories? I would like to follow it if you do.
Jennifer, I’m not on Pinterest. I made a conscious choice to limit my social media to Facebook, simply as a time-saving measure. I spend too much time on the internet as it is, and I knew I could lose hours on Pinterest. (It does look fun, though.)
Jennifer. I finally joined Pinterest today. Woot woot! Here’s the link to my success story board: http://www.pinterest.com/eileen1365/success-stories/
Great. I just followed it. Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you for this wonderful blog! I have multiple sclerosis and I want to learn all I can about using food and alternative methods for healing. I definitely believe food can either cause harm or promote healing.
Hi Carol! Welcome. I post articles twice a week, on healing through diet and lifestyle. I’m so glad you’re joining us. If you haven’t already heard of the Nutrisclerosis blog, that’s another inspiring one to check out: http://www.nutrisclerosis.com . I love that the internet allows us to be a supportive community for each other, even when we live thousands of miles apart.