It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 20 years since I started seeing Matia for Interstitial Cystitis. Spoiler Alert—I don’t have IC anymore, and have barely thought about that label in decades. I hope my testimonial will give you hope and excitement for a life free from the awful pain and anxiety of IC.
Twenty+ years ago, I was a young woman with the whole world ahead of me. Until I started experiencing chronic ‘bladder infections’ that were completely life-altering, devastating and debilitating. It took several months and repeated antibiotics for my doctor to realize I didn’t have a bladder infection at all—and the IC diagnosis came soon after. I could share all of the misery of IC, but I’m sure if you are reading this you already know how it feels. Not only was I on prescriptions for bladder spasms and pain, but eventually for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more. My coworkers used to make fun of me because I walked around with a gallon zip lock bag of all my prescriptions. I was only 23-years-old!
In a period of desperation, and endless (fruitless) searching online for ‘help’, I stumbled upon a website that two of Matia’s patients created for the sole purpose of giving other IC sufferers hope. I was in awe and near disbelief that these women were claiming they were free from IC. But like I said—I was desperate. I booked a flight to see her almost immediately; only knowing that I had to find another way to ‘manage’ this awful disease.
When I went to my appointment, I came armed with a timeline of my health…Noting all the multiple rounds of antibiotics I had taken for strep throat as a kid, and the non-bladder infections most recently. I indicated my 13+ years on hormonal birth control, my sugar addiction, etc. At the time, I really had no understanding of how these things truly affected my body, but I wanted to share everything about myself.
I’m going to make a really long story short…Matia immediately recognized the patterns that brought me to IC. She told me that through diet and an herbal protocol I would heal. And I believed her. I started her protocol immediately and in about two to three weeks I was completely out of pain with zero prescriptions. It probably took a year or more to feel completely balanced, but Matia walked with me every step of the way. I really can’t say enough about her absolute-expert knowledge of IC, her kindness, compassion, and true caring. She taught me so much about my body, and the importance of what I put into and on my body. It wasn’t just about the food-but water, air, cosmetics, and so much more. It’s not an exaggeration to say she changed my life in more ways than one.
After realizing that ‘if given half a chance the body will heal itself’, I had to learn more! I eventually went on to become a holistic health coach. When I had my two daughters they became instant patients of Matia’s—she is and has been our family’s main point of contact for our health since they were born! On a sidenote: one of my daughter’s was born almost 12 weeks early and weighed two pounds at birth. Due to a genetic propensity and intravenous antibiotics at birth she developed full body, bloody open wound eczema. Determined to heal the root cause and not cover up symptoms my daughter made a full recovery without any pharmaceutical intervention with Matia’s skilled help.
My daughters are now 13 and 14, and the lessons and guidance from Matia are still implemented in our household and daily lives. My daughters examine any product that will go on their body to be sure it doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. They use herbal protocols when faced with a cough or other ill. They have an awareness of how different foods make them feel. And as teenagers—with the occasional not-ideal food—they go in with eyes wide open and can assess how inflammatory foods make them feel.
I’m not sure where I would be or my family would be without the leap of faith to work with Matia all those years ago. All I know is that one decision not only erased the IC label given to me (which really just meant ‘your bladder is inflamed and we don’t know why!) and enlightened me to our body’s miraculous ability to heal. To this day I still tell the story of that one time I was told by doctors I would have a chronic, debilitating disease for life—and how it went away in less than a month with a different approach focused on root cause healing. I will forever be grateful to Matia and Bomamed!
