The Wellness Component & Foodnista Soul

In honor of Pain Awareness Month this September, I have a personal two-part post I’d like to share to introduce my comprehensive wellness piece to Foodnista Soul. Before I begin, I want to extend a big mahalo for all your continued support. My heart is full of gratitude.

The Pain Journey Begins

Pain crept into my life in early 2015. It started with intermittent tailbone pain. I noticed it when I returned from a trip to Southeast Asia. I thought it was normal to experience this pain as I associated it with sitting too long. The flight journey was quite long. And because of this belief, I didn’t seek medical attention at the time.

In 2016, I began having a series of urinary tract infections (UTIs). That same year, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC). One of the most prominent symptoms mirrors UTIs. 

I was referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist (PT) for my tailbone pain. Throughout 2016 and into 2017, I worked with my PT. She provided me with exercises; even encouraged me to buy props and equipment to help ease the irritation off my tailbone. 

In early 2018, I began having lower back pain. Additionally, the tailbone pain worsened and became consistent as well. Similar to 2015, the lower back pain started after returning from a trip to the West Coast. Again, I thought it was the long plane ride. Unfortunately, the pain did not go away and has remained with me until today.

Over the last four years, other areas of my body began aching. My buttocks, legs, knees, ankles, feet, arms, neck, shoulder blade, fingers, and hands. Practically my whole body. 

I sought medical specialists who told me I had mechanical arthritis in my sacral area. The biggest mystery was not knowing the root cause of the pain. It seemed to come out of nowhere. No injury, no falls… Thus, doctors could only speculate that it was a wear-and-tear issue or that this condition was innate and remained dormant until 2015 and manifested in 2018.

In August 2022, my primary care physician suspected I might have arthralgia, pain and stiffness throughout the body without autoimmune disease or inflammation diagnosis. She believed some healthy people lived with pain daily with no underlying conditions.

The Pain Management Journey

Throughout the years, I sought treatment from numerous medical and holistic practitioners. Additionally, I participated in countless remedies and antidotes that led me back to square one every time. It was frustrating and infuriating. Name a type of treatment, and I probably tried it. 

In 2019, I began to change my diet. I learned that so many foods cause inflammation that leads to chronic pain. As a result, this revamped blog focuses on healthy dishes: pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan styles. I’m still on this path to finding the right foods that reduce my pain levels.  

Nevertheless, I’m grateful I’ve never been tempted to take opioids or other addictive pain medications. That had never crossed my mind, even when my pain was at its worse. I learned to cope with the pain in different ways. In all honesty, I’m not much of a medicine consumer. If at all possible, I’d instead take the naturopathic route. 

Another Evolution to Foodnista Soul

This platform will be a vessel where people can learn, grow, and be enlightened, encouraged, and uplifted to take charge of their health and live their best life. The feeling of empowerment is powerful!

Stay tuned for part two of my pain journey.

In good health,

FS x