As a clinical nutritionist and author of ten best-selling books on health and nutrition, I never imagined I’d find myself on the other side of the health equation.
But in April 2022, during a trip to England, I contracted Covid-19 and my life took an unexpected turn.
I thought, “Oh, I’ve got Covid. I guess I’ll have to wait a couple of weeks before I get on a plane back to Australia.”
Little did I know that those couple of weeks would turn into three grueling months, challenging not only my physical health but also my identity as a health expert.
As someone who lived and breathed nutrition, when things changed, I found myself dealing with a condition that challenged my experience and pushed me to the edge of my physical and emotional limits.
Suddenly, I was no longer the counselor but the patient, struggling to apply my own teachings to a body that seemed to have forgotten everything I thought I knew about health and healing.
At first, the symptoms seemed almost flu-like: fatigue, headaches and fever. But as the days turned into weeks, I realized I was dealing with something much more complex.
My symptoms began to change shape, cruelly offering glimpses of hope one moment, only to collapse with renewed intensity the next.
As a clinical nutritionist and author of ten best-selling books on health and nutrition, Lee Holmes (pictured) never imagined I’d find myself on the other side of the health equation.
One of the most alarming events was pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart’s protective sac.
Pericarditis is one of the rare and well-known side effects of Covid mRNA vaccines, but few people know that it can also be caused by Covid infection.
I had to stay face down in bed for about a month, barely able to move. This condition, along with extreme fatigue, joint pain and cognitive problems, painted a bleak picture of Covid’s prolonged multi-system impact.
The journey back to Sydney was difficult due to my weakened condition.
Upon arrival, I was faced with a huge challenge: 47 steps leading up to my small cabin. I remember crawling one by one on my hands and knees, desperately trying to get to the front door dragging my suitcase behind me, absolutely exhausted.
‘Suddenly, I was no longer the counselor but the patient, struggling to apply my own teachings to a body that seemed to have forgotten everything I thought it knew about health and healing.’
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) had begun to affect my daily life and I knew that once inside I would need to rest for days to recover from the exertion of the trip home. If he didn’t, he had already learned that the palpitations, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and malaise would soon return in full force.
But beyond the physical toll of what I now know was long Covid, I struggled with an overwhelming sense of shame, perhaps the worst “symptom” of all.
Here I was, a clinical nutritionist speaking about health and promoting wellness to clients and on social media, and I literally couldn’t get out of bed.
The shame was overwhelming. The shame I felt was overwhelming.
As a health expert, I had built my career helping others achieve vibrant health. Now I found myself unable to practice what I had preached for a long time.
The irony was not lost on me: here I was, the author of numerous books on nutrition and wellness, barely able to climb the stairs to my own bed.
I felt like a fraud and it made me think: how could I continue to advise others about health when I couldn’t even get out of bed? This internal conflict consumed me, adding a layer of emotional turmoil to my already debilitating physical symptoms.
I worried what my clients, readers, and followers would think if they knew the truth. This secret battle against long Covid challenged not only my body, but also my identity as a healthcare professional.
It was a humbling experience that forced me to face my own vulnerabilities and reevaluate my understanding of health and healing.
I understood that I had to dig deeper and not let this setback define me, so I thought, “If this is happening to me, it must be affecting many others around the world.”
With renewed purpose and a nutrition fanatic at heart, I dove into medical research, consulting with professors and scientists around the world. I meticulously documented my journey and findings, exploring the intricate connections between long Covid and various body systems.
One of my key discoveries was the role of mast cells and histamine in perpetuating long Covid symptoms. This led me to adopt a low-histamine anti-inflammatory diet as part of my healing protocol. It helped me a lot, reinforcing my belief in the power of nutrition to help manage chronic diseases.
But diet was only one piece of the puzzle. I also had to learn the critical importance of rest and rhythm, a challenging concept for someone “ambitious” like me. I had to embrace what I now call “extreme mental rest,” incorporating meditation and breathing exercises to regulate my nervous system.
As I progressed in my recovery, I encountered the frustrating reality that many long-Covid patients face: a medical community still struggling to understand and treat the condition effectively. This experience fueled my determination to share my knowledge and help others in similar situations.
Today I have made significant progress in my recovery and have channeled my experience and research into a new book called Nature’s Path to Healing: An Extensive Covid Guidewhich offers a comprehensive protocol for the management of prolonged Covid symptoms.
My journey highlights the complex nature of long Covid and the need for a multi-faceted approach to healing. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of turning personal struggles into a force for positive change.
This unexpected detour on my health journey has become a powerful testament to the body’s ability to heal and the mind’s ability to excel. Even in the face of a mysterious and debilitating condition, I discovered that there is a path forward not only for me but for everyone who struggles with this complex problem.
As we continue to learn and deal with the long-term effects of Covid-19, I feel compelled to share my story. It is crucial to shed light on the personal experiences behind the statistics and pave the way for better understanding and treatment.
Long Covid has taught me that health is not a destination but a journey. It has reminded me of the importance of compassion, for others and for ourselves.
As I continue to heal and help others, I carry with me a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly healthy and the complex, often invisible battles that many of us face.
My experience with long Covid has transformed me not only as a health professional, but also as a person. It has reinforced my commitment to holistic health and given me a new perspective on the intricate connections between our bodies, minds, and the world around us.
Throughout this challenging journey, I have found a new purpose – to be a voice for those fighting Long Covid and to continue to explore innovative ways to support healing and wellbeing in all its forms – and it is something I am so grateful for.