'Years of fatigue - vanished!'
First for Women|November 27, 2023
Debbie Olson went from doctor to doctor looking to ease her constant fatigue. Then she discovered the little-known cause - and cure!
Gina Roberts-Grey
'Years of fatigue - vanished!'

What is wrong with me? thought Debbie Olson as she struggled to muster the energy to make dinner. “I’d been dealing with debilitating fatigue coupled with enormous hives that covered nearly half my body,” she recalls. “But no one could tell me what was wrong.”

Tired all the time

“For months, I’d been dealing with unexplained extreme fatigue. Initially, I assumed I was fighting a mild case of food poisoning or a cold, but then I woke up in the middle of the night with huge hives blanketing my torso and legs. My training as a nurse told me I was experiencing symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Baffled by what caused the reaction, I decided the hives were a fluke and didn’t seek medical treatment.

“I recalled the engorged tick I had found on my back after an afternoon gardening but didn’t think much of it. Then, two weeks later, after hosting a backyard cookout, complete with a hamburger—something I didn’t typically eat—I attributed a queasy stomach to the beer I drank possibly hitting me wrong.

“The fatigue worsened and became so unbearable that I quit working. Some days, exhaustion—along with joint and bone pain—made it hard to stand up or stay awake.

“Once a self-sufficient go-getter who owned and maintained a business and my home on 5 acres with a pool, I was barely able to care for myself. I bounced around doctors’ offices desperately seeking answers, occasionally rushing to the ER with inexplicable anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing.

Bu hikaye First for Women dergisinin November 27, 2023 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 November 27, 2023 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