"I finally got my life back!"
First for Women|April 01, 2024
Another day watching life pass me by, thought Cindy McDaniel, 58, as she lay in bed. Unable to focus on a book, TV or her phone, the once-active mental health counselor spent weeks doing nothing
"I finally got my life back!"

"After having COVID during Christmas of 2020, I developed long COVID that left me with such unbearable fatigue that taking a shower and brushing my teeth forced me back to bed for hours from exhaustion," recalls Cindy.

Too tired to function

"On top of the excessive tiredness, I had such a heavy layer of brain fog that I couldn't concentrate on anything! I felt like there was a thick coating in my head, making it hard for thoughts to form or make any sense.

"The fatigue grew so severe, I became bed-bound for months, and my husband had to take care of me and the household. We had to rehome our puppy to a wonderful friend in California, which was so hard, but my husband could not take care of him and me and his job. Depression seeped in as I grew more and more sad that the fatigue and fog were slowly stealing every part of my life.

"For more than four months after recovering, the inability to do anything offered few options beyond lying in bed, looking out the window. I developed severe anxiety because of my health, which, teamed with the fatigue, landed me in a constant state of hypervigilance and exhaustion. I only slept a few hours a night, waking up frequently with nightmares.

"My primary care physician offered no treatment. She simply said, 'There's nothing we can do to help you.' Unwilling to accept that this was how I'd feel for the rest of my life, I consulted a functional medicine doctor, who prescribed off-label treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, low-dose naltrexone, antidepressants and more to combat my long COVID and restore my energy levels. While her efforts validated that how I felt wasn't all in my head, nothing she prescribed sparked a recovery, so I stopped the treatments.

Bu hikaye First for Women dergisinin April 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye First for Women dergisinin April 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

FIRST FOR WOMEN DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
YOUR BEST-EVER THANKSGIVING
First for Women

YOUR BEST-EVER THANKSGIVING

Impress everyone this holiday with our flavor-packed dishes that are as easy to make as they they are delicious

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
"I LEARNED BOUNDARIES AND SELF-LOVE AS MY GRANDMOTHER'S CAREGIVER"
First for Women

"I LEARNED BOUNDARIES AND SELF-LOVE AS MY GRANDMOTHER'S CAREGIVER"

After her mother and grandmother moved into her home, Shannon McCoy, 53, felt overwhelmed, frustrated and exhausted as she acclimated to sharing her space and taking on the role of a caretaker. But Shannon soon learned that to find true peace and strengthen their bonds, she must first set limits and carve out moments for herself

time-read
2 dak  |
November 18, 2024
LIFE'S MILESTONES, EMOTIONAL ENDURANCE & GRATITUDE
First for Women

LIFE'S MILESTONES, EMOTIONAL ENDURANCE & GRATITUDE

with actress, activist, advocate and mom MARISKA HARGITAY

time-read
3 dak  |
November 18, 2024
TOP MD'S NEW Thyroid Cure
First for Women

TOP MD'S NEW Thyroid Cure

BREAKTHROUGH: Research reveals that stress and trauma lead to surprising gland slowdowns that make weight loss difficult. Harvard doc shares the simple plan that heals and slims

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
THE HEALING POWER OF GINSENG
First for Women

THE HEALING POWER OF GINSENG

The ancient herb boasts a number of feel-good benefits. Read on to find out more-and how it helped one woman stave off sickness

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
WHY SO MANY WOMEN ARE CHOOSING TO GO Alcohol-free
First for Women

WHY SO MANY WOMEN ARE CHOOSING TO GO Alcohol-free

More and more research reveals the dangers of drinkingespecially as we age. Here's what you need to know

time-read
6 dak  |
November 18, 2024
LOOK GORGEOUS WITH Viral Beauty Tricks
First for Women

LOOK GORGEOUS WITH Viral Beauty Tricks

TikTok trends that help turn back the clock

time-read
2 dak  |
November 18, 2024
First for Women

10 BRILLIANT USES FOR HONEY

Savvy ways the sticky stuff saves the day

time-read
2 dak  |
November 18, 2024
IS 'SPAVING' The New Saving?
First for Women

IS 'SPAVING' The New Saving?

Spending more to save more—is it worth it? How to know if a deal is too good to be true

time-read
2 dak  |
October 07, 2024
I CREATED A JOYFUL 'NEW NORMAL' AS MY SON'S CAREGIVER
First for Women

I CREATED A JOYFUL 'NEW NORMAL' AS MY SON'S CAREGIVER

As the mother and caretaker of a 24-year-old son with autism, Anne Couldridge feels a tug on her heart as she watches her friends' adult kids fly the nest to pursue their dreams. But Anne's unique life has taught her there are so many beautiful moments worth celebrating

time-read
3 dak  |
October 07, 2024