My name is Andrew.
My first allergic experience was at a Burger King at 12 years of age with my family. I reacted violently to the sesame seeds on the bun and was rushed to hospital. I was given the usual Benadryl intramuscular injection alongside epinephrine. This would be the first of over 60 visits to the hospital with anaphylaxis.
From ages 13 to 18 the profile of foods that induced severe reactions broadened to include sesame, soy, peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pinenuts, all seeds & seed bearing fruits with high intolerance for nightshades (tomato, potato, eggplant, peppers). The reaction was either emergent (starting within 5 minutes of exposure and becoming life threatening within 15 minutes) or latent where my skin would erupt in rashes, fits of itching accompanied by eczema, headaches and asthma for up to 2 weeks after exposure.
My sensitivity increased from ages 18 to 20 but my safe foods remained safe and I was able to have some semblance of a normal life; as I had discovered the triggers that were life threatening. I was able to play the avoid game, sticking to the most basic of foods and eating only when absolutely necessary. My diet consisted of bread, pasta, rice, meats, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower.
Things quickly deteriorated after a really bad accidental ingestion of sesame seeds on my 21st birthday. I almost didn’t make it to the hospital for treatment.
I found that after this last really severe reaction I had become hyper sensitive. I started to react to wheat (one of the most accessible staples I had and regarded it as a “safe” food). The reactions on the skin were welts and hives that were like large swollen blotches over 90% of my body and were more frequent and harder to control. Breathing was laboured and fear was a big part of eating. At this point, to be honest, I had considered ending my life.
It was here that Marie Herrell made a difference that would completely change everything.
I had been in contact with her before so I was aware that she quite possibly could help me. Being a student at the time I wasn’t confident in my financial situation so I hadn’t started any sessions with her. Now things were much more dire so I called her. She immediately agreed to help me and left me after our 2nd conversation feeling like there was control over a situation that had been uncontrollable for so long.
I had no idea what to expect from our sessions. The idea that there was a better way to deal with something that modern medicine had only band-aids for was hard to believe. I had a daily prescription for 200mg of Benadryl and walked around in a stupor for most of my 20s. I was more than willing to see any witch doctor you could line up for me if it meant an end to this lifestyle of fear and unhealthy relationship with food.
Marie really helped me uncover the structure of my allergies, what they were connected to and what systems were out of balance in the presence of a trigger. After my first session I walked away with techniques for keeping myself balanced. I am now 26 years old and it has been a solid 3 years since I last saw Marie. I haven’t needed nor taken a single dose of Benadryl since I started working with her and I would also like to note that I have not had one single episode of anaphylaxis since our first appointment.
I have enjoyed a vegan lifestyle eating mostly foods that had hospitalized me in the past. I marvel at the achievement. I was completely comfortable the entire time. I learned so much about how I am wired and what power I really have over my own health and wellness.
I would sincerely recommend seeing how Marie Herrell can help you.
For me it has been life altering; taking me from a powerless place to complete control over my allergies and no longer needing any chemicals to maintain a normal healthy lifestyle.
I’m forever grateful.
Andrew A.
Toronto, Ontario