Integrative Approach to Healing Nervous System Disorders: Testimonial

by Pamela Costello MD PC

“Medicine is not only a science, it is also an art. It deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided.

Paracelsus 1493-1541

With an incalculable number of ever increasing toxins in our environment, it is not surprising that our society is plagued by so much suffering and disease. I see patients daily who suffer from the adverse effects of environmental toxins on their nervous and immune systems. These toxins are typically comprised of heavy metals (often from mercury based fillings and pollutants), immunizations, food related toxicities, and infectious agents. Identifying and treating these agents, which stress, damage, and imbalance our bodies, is prerequisite to our recovery. Utilizing an integrative holistic approach of allopathy, combined with homeopathic understanding of health and wellness, allows that the causative core issues found at the very base of the illness to be discovered, and for deep, true healing to begin.

To illustrate the complexity of modern day neuroimmune illness, as well as that of an integrative holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, I’ve provided the following testimonial from a recent patient, along with details of her care.

This is the story of Somer, a lovely young 31 year old woman who, until June of 2012, was living a healthy, productive, and joyful life. She began a difficult journey of rapid decline in her health after a mild case of food poisoning, superimposed on an as yet undiagnosed case of Lyme Disease, triggered a progressive breakdown of her immunologic defenses, gastrointestinal balance, and neurologic health.

The underlying issues that precipitated her deep and rapid neuroimmunologic decline were missed by the many practitioners from whom she sought help. Her subsequent treatments, and even surgery, only addressed more surface issues and contributed to her progressive decline. She has graciously offered her testimonial for this article, as a means to inform others who might also be suffering, and to provide them with hope for their own healing and recovery. Here is her story:

Somer’s Testimonial: I had not been feeling well for several months and then in June 2012 my health took a turn for the worst. By September, I had seen 6 different doctors and I was told there was nothing wrong with me. One even told me that it was all in my head. I had every blood test and imaging study imaginable and they all came back normal. I even had my gallbladder removed due to abdominal pain even though it showed that it was normal on imaging. As a health care provider myself, I was quickly losing faith in the medical community. This was the very community I was part of and had so much trust and belief that allopathic medicine was the only way to successfully treat medical conditions.
By the time I got to Dr. Costello I was in pretty bad shape. I was desperate for some answers. I had to take a leave of absence from work. I was no longer able to function. I had to stay with family because it was getting to the point where I could no longer take care of myself. My symptoms which started out as abdominal pain and anxiety had quickly progressed to an array of debilitating symptoms: burning and tingling in my arms and legs, severe headaches, hand tremors, night sweats, fainting spells, tachycardia, heart palpitations, weight loss, depression, insomnia, muscle pains, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, and brain fog. I literally felt like I had been poisoned. I knew there was something terribly wrong, but none of the doctors I saw could figure out what was making me feel so terribly ill. I am 31 years old, and I was determined to find an answer. I refused to accept my current state as my life. My quality of life had gone from great to absolutely horrible in a matter of months.
I was referred to Dr. Costello by a friend of the family. I was so discouraged by that point, but was hopeful that a physician that took a holistic approach would maybe have some answers. Dr. Costello evaluated me and knew almost immediately I had Lyme Disease. I was shocked; how could this have been missed by so many doctors? But after learning about Lyme, I realized that it truly takes a doctor with the expertise like Dr. Costello to diagnose and successfully treat conditions like Lyme. I have been on treatment for almost four months and I am so much better! I am even back at work. It will take time and patience to regain my health to 100%, but I am getting there as I am committed to my treatment protocol.
Dr. Costello looks at the whole body system, which is absolutely necessary to reclaim your health. Four months ago I had no hope, I literally felt whatever I had was going to kill me. Dr. Costello saved my life. To all of you out there who are sick and hopeless, there is hope. You can get your life back! Your symptoms are not “all in your head”. I highly recommend Dr. Costello to anyone having a hard time getting well or to anyone wanting to maintain their wellness. She truly has the gift of healing.

Doctor Costello: Somer arrived at my office for an initial evaluation in late September 2012. She was in appreciable pain, with bouts of confusion, anxiety and lethargy. I began her on detoxification treatments of weekly IV Vitamin C, homeopathics, and herbal remedies, addressing a wide spectrum of neurotoxins, including Lyme Disease. Her prescribed laboratory testing revealed Lyme Disease and a number of environmental toxic burdens. I also referred her for biological dental evaluation and mercury amalgam removal.

Using a holistic, non drug focused approach, she experienced significantly less confusion, pain, and lethargy. Within a few weeks, she began to normalize after a treatment program of dietary changes, a gentle exercise program, and herbal antimicrobial, detoxifying, and balancing agents (Byron White Formulas). Acupuncture treatment was later added to her care and we helped her wean off all prescription drugs.

She was well enough at Christmas 2012 to return to her home state of Alaska. Her testimonial above was received in February of 2013, after 5-6 weeks at home and back to work. She will need to remain on the balancing herbal, homeopathic remedies, as well as follow dietary restrictions for awhile, to continue to heal her toxic infectious burdens, and to provide for deep tissue repair and restoration.

If you’d like an integrative approach to your healthcare, please contact us at the address and phone number listed in our accompanying ad.