What was it that drew you to our clinic?
I had been suffering from Chronic Urticaria for over one year. After seeing a number of specialists to no avail, I was given a book about changing your diet titled, ‘Turn over a new leaf’. Inside this book it described how the two authors had a ‘live blood analysis’ taken and thus, changed their diet and lifestyle based on the results. I then decided to search for a place on the internet that also helped with certain conditions through the use of a live blood analysis. I found a few places and based on some research including looking at the internet site, affordability etc, I decided that Vitalchi was my best option. Once I arrived for my first appointment I knew I had made a good decision. It felt like a relaxing place with very welcoming staff members.
Can you provide a background as to how your health was before you came to see Angela Smith and what other steps you had taken to improve your health?
Before my first appointment with Angela I had been suffering from Chronic Urticaria (hives) for over one year. I had also experienced occasional angio-odema (swelling) and had been given an epipen as I had experienced throat swelling. Throughout my life, I would say that I had been lucky with relatively good health with only minor mishaps along the way. I had consistently suffered from tonsillitis until I had them removed three years ago at the age of twenty-four. I had also suffered with a small lump in my neck which turned out to be a benign mass in my lymph glands which was also removed. Excluding these two problems and a few colds, bumps and bruises, I maintained a healthy lifestyle until I awoke covered in hives in May 2008.
Within a year, I had visited over thirteen different Doctors and spent over $4000 on trying to find an answer. Doctors I visited included; my General Practitioner (who was a great help), a Consultant Physician at an Allergy and Clinical Immunology Practice, a Rheumatoid Specialist, a Dermatologist, Naturopath, Gastrointestinal Specialist, Chinese Acupuncturist, The Royal Melbourne Hospital (both Allergy and Dermatology department), Natural Healing Specialist, Chinese Herbalist and Naturopath.
Although some of these Doctors seemed to try their best to help me, I was either put in a dose of steroids, told I had a virus and that it would eventually pass, told to take daily anti-histamines or had it explained to me that sometimes this just happens to people and that it could be worse.
During this year my life changed fairly dramatically. I was not the same confident person that I had been my whole life. I felt really unwell and bloated, I felt that I looked hideous and I had ‘lost my spark’ and ‘zest for life’. I knew that people suffered from other illnesses that were worse than mine, but I began feeling depressed and out of options.
I was ready to try anything and was prepared for any results. I had tests taken for numerous diseases and blood disorders and all came back perfectly fine. Not one specialist had given me an allergy test or a food sensitivity test as all the specialists I saw believed that an allergy/intolerance could not be causing my hives.
I was hopeful, but at my wits end.
How were you feeling before you made the appointment to see Angela Smith?
Before coming to see Angela, I was feeling depressed and like I was running out of options. I decided to make the appointment as it could not get any worse. After making the appointment and reading some more about ‘live blood analysis’, I felt positive and hopeful. I decided to make the switch from feeling miserable to feeling like this could be the answer. I went in with the mind-set that I would do anything (change my food, take tests) to be able to find an answer.
What were you expecting from your first appointment?
My expectations were clear and fair and they were definitely met. I expected someone to listen to me and then try and help me in finding an answer. I expected that it was a two-way street and that I would be given advice and recommendations and that it was up to me to follow these. I did not expect to find a cause or reason straight away, however I did expect that the person I worked with would continue helping me until either an answer was found or all possible suggestions had been thoroughly tested, tried and ruled out.
I had these same expectations for all Specialists and Doctors that I had seen previously, but unfortunately they had not been met and I began to think that I expected too much. It was not until I arrived at Vitalchi and met with Angela Smith that I finally felt like the Specialist thought of my issue as more than a job, but as a way of helping someone and changing their life.
What did your treatment do for you and what comments would you make about the way Angela Smith treated you?
I truly cannot find appropriate words to describe how I now feel about my treatment from Angela. THANK YOU!
Without the support of my friends and family, I really don’t know how I would have gotten through such a long time of feeling helplessness. My GP was fantastic and tried everything to help me but did admit that this was well out of her hands now and that she did not know what else to do besides give me referrals to see a number of Specialists who she thought would help. It was not until finally meeting with Angela that I felt like someone who didn’t know me actually cared enough to continue trying to help me until we reached the bottom of it all. I trusted her from the beginning and took all of her advice on board. Angela was the first Specialist to actually recommend food tests and she was the first person to sit for over an hour and get a full medical history from me so that she could assess the problem.
I have since recommended Angela to my Dad who has also seen her and likewise, he felt that she was thorough and helpful. I have also recommended her to two friends.
How did you feel after your treatment and how are you feeling now?
Thanks to Angela, I have been hive free for over three months and I am able to reintroduce the foods that were causing problems as well as continuing on important supplements and vitamins that promote a good immune system and nutrients. I have not felt this good in a very long time. I am completely back to the confident and happy person that I have always been.
What would you say to others who are not yet sure about contacting us to help them?
I would not hesitate in saying that it is definitely worth a try. I have had a 100 ÷ positive experience from my time at Vitalchi and I can’t even imagine what or how I would be feeling if I did not take the step to contact them. No matter the problem you are facing, it cannot hurt to give Vitalchi a try and it’s very likely that your experience will be just as positive as mine.
Is there anything else that Angela Smith could have done different or better to improve your experience?
Everything that Angela has done for me has helped and I have always walked out of her office feeling positive and ‘improved’. I only wish I had found her earlier!