From Clinical Nutritionist to COVID Long-Hauler: Lee Holmes Shares Her Unexpected Health Detour”
As a clinical nutritionist and bestselling author of ten books on health and nutrition, I never imagined I’d find myself on the other side of the health equation.
But in April 2022, during a trip to England, I contracted COVID-19, and my life took an unexpected U-turn.
I thought, “Oh, I’ve got COVID-19, I can’t wait to get back on the plane, but I’ll wait a couple of weeks and then I’ll be good to go.”
Little did I know those couple of weeks would stretch into three gruelling months, challenging not only my physical health but my very identity as a health expert.
As someone who lived-and breathed nutrition, when the tables turned, I found myself grappling with a condition that defied my expertise and pushed me to the brink of my physical and emotional limits.
Suddenly, I was no longer the advisor but the patient, struggling to apply my own teachings to a body that seemed to have forgotten everything I thought I knew about health and healing.
At first, the symptoms felt almost flu-like: fatigue, headaches, and fevers. But as days turned into weeks, I realised I was dealing with something far more complex. My symptoms began to shapeshift, offering glimmers of hope one moment, only to come crashing down with renewed intensity the next.
One of the most alarming developments was pericarditis, an inflammation of my heart’s protective sac. I had to lie on my front for about a month in bed, barely able to move. This condition, coupled with extreme fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive issues, painted a stark picture of long COVID’s multisystemic impact.
The journey back home to Sydney was difficult in my debilitated state. Upon arrival, I faced a daunting challenge: 47 steps leading up to my cottage in Palm Beach. I remember crawling one by one on my hands and knees, desperately trying to make it to my front door dragging my suitcase behind me, absolutely exhausted.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) had started to affect my day to day life, and I knew that once inside, I would need to rest for days to recover from the exertion of the trip home. If I didn’t, I had learned by now that the palpitations, fatigue, brain fog, dizziness and malaise would soon return in full force.
But beyond the physical toll of what I now know to be long COVID, I grappled with an overwhelming sense of shame. Here I was, a clinical nutritionist who talked about health and promoted wellness to clients and across social media, and I literally couldn’t get out of bed.
The embarrassment was crushing. The shame I felt was overwhelming. As a health expert, I had built my career on helping others achieve vibrant health.
Now, I found myself unable to practise what I had long preached. The irony was not lost on me – here I was, the author of numerous books on nutrition and wellness, barely able to crawl up the stairs to my own bed. I felt like a fraud, and it made me think, how could I continue to advise others on health when I couldn’t even get out of bed myself?
This internal conflict ate away at me, adding a layer of emotional turmoil to my already debilitating physical symptoms.
I worried about what my clients, readers, and followers would think if they knew the truth.
This secret battle with long COVID challenged not just my body, but my very identity as a health professional. It was a humbling experience that forced me to confront my own vulnerabilities and reassess my understanding of health and healing.
I understood I had to dig deep and not let this setback define me, so I thought, “If this is happening to me, it must be affecting many others around the world.”
With renewed purpose, and being a nutrition geek at heart, I dove into medical research, consulting with professors and scientists worldwide. I meticulously documented my journey and findings, exploring the intricate connections between long COVID and various bodily systems.
One of my key discoveries was the role of mast cells and histamine in perpetuating long COVID symptoms. This led me to adopt a low-histamine, anti-inflammatory diet as part of my healing protocol. It helped so much, reinforcing my belief in the power of nutrition to help manage chronic conditions.
But diet was just one piece of the puzzle. I also had to learn the critical importance of rest and pacing – a challenging concept for a “go-getter” like me. I had to embrace what I now call “extreme mental rest,” incorporating meditation and breathing exercises to regulate my nervous system.
As I navigated my recovery, I encountered the frustrating reality many long COVID sufferers face: a medical community still grappling to understand and treat the condition effectively. This experience fuelled my determination to share my knowledge and help others in similar situations.
Today, I’ve made significant strides in my recovery and have channelled my experience and research into a new book called Nature’s Way to Healing. A Long Covid Guide; offering a comprehensive protocol for managing long COVID symptoms.
My journey underscores the complex nature of long COVID and the need for a multifaceted approach to healing. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of turning personal struggles into a force for positive change.
This unexpected detour in my health journey has become a powerful testament to the body’s ability to heal and the mind’s capacity to overcome. Even in the face of a mysterious and debilitating condition, I’ve discovered there is a path forward not just for me but for everyone struggling with this complex issue.
As we continue to learn about and grapple with the long-term effects of COVID-19, I feel compelled to share my story. It’s crucial to shed light on the personal experiences behind the statistics and to pave the way for better understanding and treatment.
Long COVID has taught me that health is not a destination but a journey. It’s reminded me of the importance of compassion – for others and for ourselves. As I continue to heal and help others, I carry with me a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly healthy and the complex, often invisible battles many of us face.
My experience with long COVID has transformed me not just as a health practitioner, but as a person.
Through this challenging journey, I’ve found a new purpose – to be a voice for those struggling with long COVID and to continue exploring innovative ways to support healing and wellness in all its forms and it is something I am very grateful for.
Nature’s Way to Healing. A Long Covid Guide(Rockpool Publishing) is available in print and eBook edition.
