"I was diagnosed by the doctors with Crohns Disease, (an inflammatory bowel disease) and Menopause!

The crohns was affecting my lower and upper part of my small intestine, causing a lot of discomfort and diarrhoea. I was placed on Mezazaline and Imuran (an immune suppressant drug). Whilst on this medication, I still had severe diarrhoea and bloating and I started noticing that my periods were getting less and less frequent, with no fertile mucous.

I was getting my periods every 7 months! So I took myself off all my medications for Crohns as I was concerned that they were causing the above as well as a lot of secondary effects.

My skin started to look yellow and I was getting every cold under the sun. I also worried about being able to conceive, as my husband and I wanted to start a family. So I went to my gynaecologist who found out that I was not ovulating. Anyway, my gynaecologist started me on a course of Clomid (fertility drugs). I was on the treatment for 4 months, increasing the dose each month. Still nothing, so I then went to a fertility specialist who started me on a course of hormone injections. This could have resulted in multiple births, which we were willing to risk.

After lengthy tests for my husband and myself the specialist turned around and said to me that there was "no hope of conceiving alone as I was going through EARLY MENOPAUSE" and therefore, my only hope was to go on the waiting list for an egg donor. This could take up to 5 years to get one. I was not willing to accept this at all. I was only 31 years old.

I decided not to listen to the specialists and to seek natural alternatives.

I phoned a number of different Naturopaths, but Linda's number just stood out to me. After talking with her I was confidant that something could be done. My faith kept me strong, as Linda told me it would take some time to get everything right. I was disappointed to hear that but knew it was for my own good.

Within 2 weeks of treatment and being on a special diet, my Crohns was under control. To have solid stools again for the first time in years was such a bonus. I didn't feel sick each time I sat down to eat and I started to actually enjoy life again.

After my Crohns was under control, Linda worked on normalising my hormones again. It took 6 weeks from the first time I saw her for me to have a period again and then, I was getting it every month (on time too!!) We then worked on my ovulation and believe it or not, I was pregnant within 5 months of seeing Linda.

I now have 3 beautiful, healthy children. So much for "early menopause".

All I can say is never give up hope. Have faith and believe. I have never looked back on seeing Linda and thank God each day for leading me to her".

Vicki Vella (Sydney)

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