Testimonial written by: Doug Goudsward
In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, our home was without power for a week. The morning after power was restored, I went down to the basement to exercise on my elliptical trainer. I found I had tightness in my back. It progressively got worse over the next few days. Within a month I was barely able to stand and my left leg was partially paralyzed. I saw a number of doctors including a pain management specialist, a neurologist, and an orthopedic surgeon. They all gave conflicting stories of what was wrong. Ultimately I ended up at the Hospital of Special Surgery in Manhattan where I received devastating news. I was stricken with primary lateral sclerosis. Visits to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Jersey and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota confirmed the diagnosis. “You can’t exercise or diet your way out of this>” These were the words of the head of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic. I wasn’t prepared to surrender yet though. First I came across some articles by Dr Marios Hadjivassiliou linking gluten to neurological disease. Then I discovered Dr Terry Wahls TEDx presentation on her recovery from MS. I began a Paleo diet, also incorporating cleansing herbs and spices into my diet. Initially my neurological problems remained the same or perhaps even worsened. However, I stuck with the diet because I very quickly lost 30 lbs. My cholesterol level which had been borderline high came down to healthy levels. Likewise with my blood sugar. After about two months I was able to come off blood pressure medication. After about four months, my neurological problems began to reverse. Motor function began to return and the back spasms stopped. I was able to stop using the wheel chair, and then the walker. While I cannot say that I am fully recovered, I am able to go about my day to day activities without using a cane. I owe it all to the Paleo Diet and a consistent exercise program.
