Weight Loss
How lucky I am today because of my improved health and nutritional gains. Joy Feldman helped me survive a difficult time in my life. Not only was I one hundred pounds heavier but my health was so poor that my family wondered if I would survive.
I started a food plan with Joy that included a nutritional diet and supplements. At that point, I would have done anything to help myself feel better. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really believe that eating 5 meals a day (small) would allow my body to shed this weight. I kept a journal with the foods I ate and the supplements I needed daily. Within the year I lost the weight although I am still working on losing more. I stopped eating sugar and wheat and watched my body change. It is a difficult road to follow but with all the help and guidance I had from Joy, I was able to live healthier each day. I do moderate exercise and swim three to four times a week.
It is a struggle to follow a plan for life but certainly worthwhile and much easier today. By the way, I can live without sugar, candy, summer fruits and wheat products. I learned to love peanut butter and all fruit jelly ( not made with sugar) as a treat. The supplements really help give me energy and ease the stress of everyday life. Thank you Joy for giving me the motivation to live a healthier lifestyle!!
-S.K.
Weight Loss, High Blood Pressure, Cardiac Arrythmia
I wanted to take some time out of my day to let you know how I have been feeling since I began working with you on how to improve my health. For me, It all started with a racing heartbeat, very high blood pressure and just thinking it was normal to be tired all the time . Working at my job with people that had emotional problems seemed to have added to my declining health.
I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibulation, that is, an irregular heartbeat that was pounding 160 beats a minute. I didn't realize that is wasn't normal to perspire while sitting in a chair. The doctors wanted me to check into a hospital so that they could manage my condition and the complications that were occuring. I soon retired from my employment and focused my energy on getting well again. With lots of medication and under the doctor's care, I began to heal but needed more than what they had offered me. I had a procedure done that would shock my heart back into normal rhythm so that now the healing process could continue.
It has been two years and with weight loss of over 104 pounds, as well as eating properly, I am able to walk short distances, shop for myself and continue building a normal and healthy lifestyle. Exercise is a part of the healing process and has become fun each day.
Your guidance and patience played an important role in my old life as well as my new one. Thanks for your input and continued support.
-K.S.
Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Overweight, Pre-Diabetic, High Cholesterol
I found Joy Feldman by accident around the end of August 2008 when I was desperate to find a way to get myself fixed and in good health. I went on line and was looking for a Yoga class near work so I could take classes, (not that I would have been able to do the yoga in the shape I was in anyway). I was 336 lbs at age 54 and I had just got my blood test results from my doctor that said I was on the verge of diabetes, I was on cholesterol medication, I had edema in my legs, I had a fatty liver, and I could barely walk without being out of breath. I was desperate to find something. I was a lifetime Weight Watcher but it just wasn't working for me any more. I prayed that God would lead me to something or someone who would get me the help I needed before I ate myself to death.
The place I saw on the internet said that this was a diversified place that had had yoga, chiropractics, reflexology, and a number of other services. Something kept drawing me back to this place after I called a few other places, so I decided to call. I spoke to a woman and told her my history and she said I wouldn't be able to do the yoga right away but she had just the person that could help me with my health and weight issues.
When I spoke to Joy I knew that she would be able to help me just by hearing her kind, spiritual, and friendly voice. We met and talked for quite a while. She immediately wanted me to start on a food program even before she got the hair samples done. I wasn't quite sure I would be able to do this program because it didn't leave any room for the junk and sugar items I was use to having, but I said I would give it a try. After a week I started to feel a difference in my body. By the time she sent the samples of hair out I was really feeling a difference. I wasn't as tired and sluggish as before. I was sleeping so much better at night. Before I would never go into a sound sleep so I would get up in the morning exhausted. I was happier and more energetic than I had been in years.
When the hair results came in and we went over them I realized what a mess my body was really in. I was willing to do whatever Joy wanted me to do to get well. She gave me a list of foods I could eat and how I should eat every day. I read the hundreds of pages of articles she sent me on anything that had to do with getting well and educating me about so many foods and products that are bad for us. I had my husband build me a sauna that Joy told me would greatly help me sweat out the toxins from my skin and I am taking the supplements she had me buy that my body was lacking.
It has been about 11 weeks since I started Joy's program and I have lost 32 lbs, which is about 3 lbs a week. I look like I lost more than that because the bloat that I was carrying around from eating wheat and white flour was down quite a bit. My blood work has improved as well. My glucose went from 124 to 104. My cholesterol went from 150-108. I am now off my cholesterol medication .My LDL's (bad cholesterol) dropped from 79.6 to 54.8. I had a fatty liver and now that is gone. My liver functions are now all normal. I feel like a new person and I don't want to go back to the way I was ever again. It isn't worth it. I look at what other people are eating and I hear and see what commercials and ads say about some food items and I know they are lying. I want to tell every one that a lot of the foods they are eating are killing them and they don't know it. But like me, sometimes you have to hit bottom before you hear anyone. I feel like I want to have everyone feel like I do. Joy has been there with me through all this. She calls me to see how I am doing if I haven't called her first and keeps encouraging me and reminding me where I came from. She is my Angel in disguise.
-D.P.
Fatigue, Anxiety, Weight Loss
As a person who always had striven to be healthy and fit, something was horribly wrong with the way I felt. I was extremely tired, stressed, anxious, and struggling to lose weight I had gained during a particularly stressful time. On a particularly anxious day, I decided to try a new yoga studio looking for more meditation than my previous one incorporated. I walked into the studio and promptly met Joy Feldman. I confided to her my anxiousness and she promptly told me to get off soy and wheat products,(something I ate a lot of) thinking they were good for me. Within one week, I was feeling like my old self and continued with a hair analysis. The transformation is indescribable. After receiving my results, Joy worked with me to find my optimal diet.
I have found that that seeing the results of the analysis has enabled me to understand my body and what works for me and what doesn't. It makes it much easier to decide whether or not I am going to put something in my body or not. This is not a diet, it is a way of life and a big investment in your future health. There is a lot of misinformation out there and Joy Feldman helped me sort through it all.
-M.Z.
Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression
I have been a firefighter in a fairly large city for the past 20 years. During that time I have seen and been through many disturbing and scary moments. On March 19, 2007 I responded to a 3-story house that was involved in fire. I was told that someone was inside so a fellow firefighter and myself had carried out at search and rescue. During this attempt we both were trapped on a third floor bedroom, ran out of air and were rescued just as the flames were behind us.
After that incident I began having emotional and physical problems. I was depressed and began having muscle twitches and other physical impairments. This is when I started taking anti depressant and stomach medication that made me feel even worse. My family and friends were very supportive but that wasn't enough. I went to many doctors and they ran test after test with no answers. At this time a lifelong friend of mine asked me if I have ever had my hair tested. I really never heard of such a thing. This is where I met Joy Feldman for the first time. I had my hair tested and they discovered heavy metal in my body that is undetectable during blood tests. After getting my results Joy had formulated a plan for me.
Joy then started me out on a new diet, supplement regimen, daily exercise and daily saunas. I began to improve and my mental and physical state was much better. It has been almost nine months since I began this program. Although all of my physical problems have not left me I do feel that I am making some real progress thanks to Joy. I am in the best shape physically since the early 90's thanks to my new lifestyle. If you want to feel better and start living again listen to Joy.
Her care doesn't stop during our meetings. She constantly calls or emails me just to ask how I am doing. I am now a better person and my family and I are very grateful.
Her caring demeanor and positive attitude has helped me not to give up and to keep trying. I am lucky that I have met her and thanks to her, my outlook is bright. Without her support and knowledge I couldn't be where I am today.
-T.B.
Fatigue, Joint Pain
By the middle of June 2008, I had to stop my beloved job as a dental hygienist because my finger joints were so swollen and painful. I was also totally fatigued, and I thought this was from not sleeping. I was taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, but I could hardly move from the stiffness and pain. In addition, I was depressed, had anxiety and restless leg syndrome. I was ultimately diagnosed with Polymyalgia rhuematica. My daughter recommended that I find a holistic practitioner to help me. I was referred to Joy. I called her immediately and I felt as though Hope began!
After I spoke to Joy, I felt a sense of relief and inspiration. Joy shared her story with me and other stories as well. With the information she gave me, I realized my diet was full of inflammatory agents and I needed to start with that. She took a sample of my hair to send off for analysis. I started a diet free of wheat, sugar, soy and carbohydrates. Hope inspired!
Taking the supplements, and following the diet have really helped. My blood tests have shown my body is improving. My energy has returned, my depression gone, as well as my anxiety and panic attacks. Even my restless leg syndrome has disappeared.
The medical profession doesn't know what to do about my problem except prescribe prednisone and pain medications. But what I have learned, is that my biochemistry is amiss. With dedication to my healthy diet, taking the supplements required by hair sample results, getting rest and having Joy in there rooting me on and helping me understand, I will have whole body health. My immune system will function better; I will have no disease to fight because I will be strong when I am tuned for health. Hope is real.
-B.P.
Fatigue, Muscle Soreness, Joint Stiffness, Headaches
Working with Joy over the past couple of months has been an answer to my prayers. About 6 months ago, I started experiencing very strange symptoms of fatigue, muscle soreness, joint stiffness, headaches, etc. I went through two doctors, a trip to the emergency room and four rounds of blood work only to be told "you are exhausted with your life, drink more water and rest more". I am a 34 year old mother of three children and my anxiety levels were through the roof because my health was deteriorating and I had no answers. Before these new symptoms came on, I tried to get pregnant for 5 months to no avail (previously I was able to get pregnant the first month both times I tried, one time being with identical twins). Over the last couple of years I have suffered from post-nasal drip, sinus infections, anxiety/stress, and intense sugar cravings.
When I met Joy she was so calm, patient, reassuring and ready to help me find some answers. Joy was able to assess many deficiencies and imbalances in my body after running a hair analysis and by listening to my daily routine and food choices. I had previously thought I was a healthy eater, but I did not realize I was not balancing my food choices, my sugar intake was way too high and I was taking the wrong supplements.
I am two months into my program with Joy and the majority of my symptoms have disappeared and I have lost 10 lbs! I feel more energy for keeping up with my kids and I am making better choices with feeding my family. Joy is AMAZING, she is extremely responsive and available to help with any questions you have on the program. She works with you to map out the best program, keeping all of your needs in mind relative to both your health and budget. Besides Joy being so wonderful, the program really does work, I can't wait to see how much I improve within 6 months.
-C.D.
Anger, Anxiety, Brain Fog, Confusion, Depression, Irritability, Mind Racing, Panic Attacks
AT LAST I have found someone who actually has the knowledge and ability to determine the CAUSES of health issues! This was accomplished by a simple hair analysis (Tissue Mineral Analysis) which specified my personal body chemistry. With this approach to good health, there is no guessing and no drugs (with their hideous "side effects"). "It almost sounds too simple to be true, doesn't it?" I had a similar hair test some 20 years ago at a chiropractor's office, but the doctor had no idea how to interpret the results, and nothing was done to correct anything.
My daughter and her family were the first to be helped by Joy. How fortunate we all are because there was a common thread that needed to be addressed, and mine was the worst. It was copper toxicity. My lab report indicated more than 11 times the normal range of copper! No wonder I had the following symptoms: Anger, anxiety, brain fog, confusion, depression, irritability, mind racing, panic attacks, poor memory and trouble both with concentrating and sleeping! I also experienced severe abdominal distention which was very painful. It could last hours or go on for days, and I couldn't even fit into my clothes. I couldn't safely drive the car, and it took me hours to balance my checkbook, just to name a few of the consequences. Imagine trying to live with someone like that? (By the way, my family and I have nominated my husband for "Sainthood"!)
The side effects from the sleeping medicine were almost worse than the lack of sleep, but together, they were totally debilitating. I have suffered like this for years. Needless to say, getting through each day like that was a chore, and worst of all, totally unnecessary! My sleeping has improved, but I am still addressing a huge calcium overload (14 times the normal range, but "bio-unavailable" i.e. stored in the tissues and not able to be used by the body.) However, my calcium has dropped 82 points after my first 4 months under Joy's meticulous care, and I no longer take prescription medications to sleep! I am looking forward to much more improvement.
The panic attacks (caused by copper toxicity) could appear when I was particularly stressed, or they might simply arise "out of nowhere". Over the last four years I have been admitted to the ER numerous times with extremely high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest tightness and pain. In the worst case, a panic attack was accompanied by uncontrolled shaking. I was repeatedly checked for a heart attack and stroke. They performed: EKGs, MRIs, X-rays, CAT scans and all of the other normal tests. Nothing was ever found, and I always felt like the "boy who cried wolf". These situations were extremely frightening and they caused a profound sense of helplessness and embarrassment. I always knew that the medical professionals would access my record and think , "Oh God, here she comes again."
Now for the good news: After only 4 months on Joy's program, my copper, which was "off the page", has returned to normal! I am no longer plagued by the copper toxicity symptoms and I haven't had ANY panic attacks in the last 2 months! I no longer suffer from the painful distention or any of the myriad of symptoms listed above.
You can't imagine the mental, emotional and physical relief that I feel ~ thanks to Joy Feldman! She is one of the two kindest health professionals that I have ever met. Joy is truly interested in helping each client heal, and it doesn't stop at the office door: I have received numerous emails and follow-up phone calls to help me during my worst moments.
I am finally able to understand the causes of my problems, and I have made life style changes, improved my diet, and continue to take the recommended supplements. I feel great, have lots of energy and am very happy. My clever husband has built a sauna to further detoxify, and we are both well on our way to vibrant health.
-C.P., Rhode Island
Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, Depression, Weight Loss
I know this sounds cliché, but Joy and her program have changed my life and the lives of my husband and daughter. Most amazingly, these dramatic changes occurred without us having to make dramatic changes ir our lives. All three of us have medical problems. We have taken medication for these conditions for many years. This course of treatment controlled our conditions, but we never "got better". Boy have things changed in the last 6 months!
I ran into Joy by chance (if you believe in things happening by chance). We started talking about our daughters, I mentioned some concerns I had and Joy asked if I had ever heard of hair analysis. She gave me some information. The first thing that struck me was that everything sounded SO LOGICAL. We had hair analysis done on all three of us. The results answered questions that had gone unanswered for years. The levels in our bodies were indicative of the symptoms we suffered. I'm not talking about SOME symptoms, I am talking about ALL of the symptoms for three people.
Based on our individual profile, Joy recommended dietary guidelines and supplements. Everyone's needs are different, because our profile is like a fingerprint. The dietary guidelines did require us to make some changes in the way we ate, however, they were not a diet. Some things were hard to get used to, for example, no sugar, reduced carbs., 5 meals a day, etc., but there was nothing surprising or outrageous-just healthy. It took us awhile to get into the routine of taking supplements, but again, no big deal.
Again, the most impressive thing is that everything logical. You do not eat things that will exacerbate your symptoms. You do not eat things that your body cannot handle. You take supplements to support your body to help it increase or decrease levels in your body to bring it back into balance so it can function the way it is supposed to. Taking the supplements and learning how to use food strategically have allowed me to reduce the amount of medication I took by half. How exciting is that! My anxiety and depression are reduced and so is the medication I take. I don't take any medication for Fibromyalgia anymore.
After a ski fall in 1991, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Before then, I was involved in many athletic activities. I slowly lost the ability to do all of them. My body was shutdown. My muscles atrophied and the smallest tasks, walking, going up stairs, going shopping became monstrous challenges. The pain, fatigue and "Fibro-Fog" were constant. Less than one month after starting on the program, I started to notice a change. My trigger points pain became less severe. I started to be able to do more without my muscles giving out. I began to think more clearly. I can honestly say that I am free of my Fibro. symptoms.
Initially, the idea of six small meals was daunting because I never had an appetite. Soon after starting to work with Joy, I got this funny feeling in my belly. I was hungry. My body was waking up. The same thing happened with drinking water. I was rarely thirsty, so the idea of drinking a lot of water sounded like a lot of work. Again, soon after I started on the program, I started getting thirsty and craving water. My body was actually asking for what it needed. Gone was the bread, fruit, diet coke and coffee (ok-most of the time). I started eating more healthy balanced meals. I am still working on it-especially in the Veggie department, but it's a process.
Giving up some unhealthy eating habits wasn't as hard as you would think, because I feel clean and that feels good. The only way I can describe it is that it is like the feeling you have after you go to the dentist and your teeth feel really clean, so you don't want to eat right away. That's how my body feels and I don't want to mess it up with foods that are bad for me.
I have had a weight problem for 10 years. Nothing I did ever helped; no diet (tried them all), no gimmick, no nothing. I couldn't exercise because of my Fibro., so I thought I was doomed to be heavy forever. As my body has gotten more into balance and has started functioning better. I am happy to tell you that I have lost 14 pounds in 6 months. I haven't lost 14 pounds in 10 years!!!
I am thrilled to say that my life is 100% better than it was before I started working with Joy. I am riding my horse almost everyday. I can physically do just about whatever I want to do and I feel better emotionally. In addition, I know this is only the beginning of my journey. I know that I'll keep getting better and better as my body naturally comes into balance. My husband (63 years old) and my daughter (11 years old) have experienced similar changes.
None of this would have been possible without Joy. She is an amazing coach. She is always available and supportive. She has never asked us to do anything that made us uncomfortable or tried to force us to do something. What Joy does is explain why something is happening and make recommendations. She has always come through for us. She checks in on us regularly to see how we are doing. It is so nice to work with someone who cares so much and really wants us to get healthy.
Thank you for everything you have done for us Joy. You are truly a blessing to us.
-L.B.
Chemotherapy, Fatigue
Words cannot describe what a blessing you have been to come into my life. I originally came to you to help nutritionally support my infant daughter as she underwent months of chemotherapy. I was so interested in what you had to say that I participated in the program too. When I met you I was feeling tired, irritable and overall "awful". I accepted that this was how I was supposed to feel and there was nothing that I could do to change it. I cannot thank you enough for "opening my eyes to how harmful my diet was that I was consuming. You taught me that I didn't have to feel this way and that through information on good nutrition I can feel healthy again and I do!!
Not only did you help me feel much better but most importantly you helped my daughter. I truly believe that your program helped to strengthen her immune system while she was undergoing chemotherapy. When she started chemotherapy, the health care professionals told us to expect her to be ill from the weakened immune system and that she would probably have to be hospitalized. I am happy to report that she wasn't sick (not even a cold!) and avoided being hospitalized!!!
Through your teachings, support and encouragement you have made my family a much more educated and healthier unit. I am forever grateful for your help, your program. We cannot thank you enough for changing our lives for the better!!
- Anonymous
Endometriosis
I happened to meet Joy through my cousin's friend. I have been battling Endometriosis for seven years along with anger, extreme fatigue, irritability, sleeplessness just to name a few.
My main problem was the Endometriosis. I had the laparoscopy to diagnose it. I asked my doctor what were the options? They in turn said, "Hysterectomy." I said, "No." I did all sorts of research and started reading about diet. I went to two more doctors for opinions, one being a specialist in the field and asked the specialist would changing my diet help to alleviate the extreme pain that I lived with practically every day. I literally ate Extra Strength Tylenol. He said that there is no concrete proof that diet would do anything for me. I asked what he recommended, he said, "Hysterectomy." He prescribed me birth control. I started the regiment and within two months was back at my doctors with my lower extremities filling with fluid. I in turn went back to living on Tylenol. I asked my doctor after hearing about another pill that was just progesterone and convinced them to give me the script. I had been taking this pill, when I met Joy, and still felt tired, bloated, mood swings and irritable. Joy literally, came into my life. I had no clue what else to do and none of my Doctor's would even do a hair analysis never mind a vitamin level check nor a hormone test.
I called her immediately and had the hair analysis done. I received the results and my calcium was off the charts and the "three amigos"(Manganese, Aluminum and Iron) –as well as Mercury, and Copper were greatly present. These three are not your friends. They mimic the good minerals needed in your body and play absolute havoc.
As of today, I am off birth control, off Extra Strength Tylenol and on my way to a much better me. I am not as agitated, irritable and I sleep so much better than I have before. Anything we do in life has to be a habit, but most of all we need to care about ourselves in order to feel better. I was so tired of being tired and in pain that I am glad I found "Joy."
I had my second hair analysis and I am utilizing calcium and riding my body of the toxic "amigos." It definitely shows. You don't even realize how miserable and unclear you are till you start this program. I have clarity and I have definitely become a calmer person. I have had many friends tell me now, where before if they said something I would have been extremely defiant and nasty.
-T.T.
ADHD
I am a client of Joy Feldman's. I started my 11 year old son on the program about 7 months ago because he was diagnosed with ADHD. He has always had difficulty sleeping at night. He would lay awake at night restless and pensive. He would have difficulty staying focused in school. After my consultation with Joy, my son was enrolled in the program. He has been on the program for about 7 months and he is a different person, Since I have changed his diet, cut back his sugar intake, carbs and wheat and increased his protein and vegetables, he is calmer more focused and is sleeping much better. My other family members witnessed such a positive change in him that they are all currently on the program. My husband, daughter, mother, father and myself are all benefiting from this program.
-K.N.
Delayed Wound Healing
At the time of his injury in early July of 2007, my son was a 22 year old, student athlete who just two months before had graduated with honors from Endicott College and had played football as a starter for all of his four college years. He had just been hired at Fidelity Investments and was ready to begin his career. He had just returned from Ireland where he was selected to play on the NE All Star Team. Life had so much to offer him until the evening of July 6, 2007 where my son's achilles tendon was sliced by a young hockey player wearing his hockey skates. We thought it would be routine surgery and that he would be back on his feet in a very short period of time. That was not the case at all. I could not imagine in my wildest dreams that my son would undergo three separate surgeries over the summer of 2007, hyperbaric wound treatments for nearly six months and then finally physical therapy which he still undergoes to this day.
My son developed a wound infection that nearly took his foot. The doctors tried everything and to no avail; nothing worked, the wound would not heal.
Joy Feldman has been a close friend for several years now. She called me several times over the course of my son's medical treatments. She offered to help in an attempt to heal this wound. She spoke of good nutrition, rest, infra lights, vitamins. She cut my son's hair to send out for analysis in an attempt to see what was really going on with him.
She was so diligent in her recommendations to my son and just as diligent in her follow up care. His wound did completely close over the next couple of months. It was Joy Feldman's expertise in the area of health and nutrition that got his body to heal itself which then allowed the other treatments to work.
My son is walking on his own again. He is back to work. He is coaching football at a local high school. He is back to the gym. He is living life and happy again.
I truly believe in Joy Feldman as a person and as a professional. She is bright, intelligent, articulate, knowledgable, and compassionate and holds her clients accountable for their own well being. She is a teacher in every sense of the word. She teaches good health and well being. I am very grateful for what Joy has done for my family.
-C.C.
Ulcerative Colitis, Headaches, and Insomnia
Prior to beginning this program, I experienced severe headaches once a month, and I would go for days without any sleep. After 12 weeks on this program, I have lost close to 20 pounds, I have not had a headache and now it is the norm for me to get a good night sleep. I also have more energy and I'm much calmer - no more eating from stress. Also, about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis; it was not uncommon for a flare-up to last a month. The one flare-up I had while on this program lasted 3 days. Losing weight, no headaches, getting a good night sleep - works for me!
P.B.
Children - Chronic Infections
Our family is blessed to have met Joy Feldman. She introduced us to hair tissue analysis and is a wholistic healer who has a passion and the patience to change lives. My two sons, Sebastian (3.5 years) and Severance (1.5 years) were constantly getting sick and I don't mean with just the common cold. As a mom of two and working outside of the home I began to feel tired, but ignored the symptom and just thought I needed to rest more. As a breastfeeding mom, I transferred mononucleosis from myself to my 5 month old and other son as well. The recovery was slow, but we got through it. In 2009, the boys and I ended up getting the norovirus and the swine flu and that was the last straw! We agreed to make a family commitment and begin Joy's program. The boys have been on it for about 5 months. I have increased their protein intake; made diet changes and with the use of fish oil I am able to give the boy's all of their supplements. There is a huge shift in their health as well as their behavior. They have been illness free for the past 4 months! In addition, they are able to calm themselves and rarely get frustrated; aren't always on full speed ahead; their under eyes are no longer a purplish black color and have regained their rosy complexion. We have our health and our lives back thanks to Joy!
C.F. Exeter, RI
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
In 2003 I was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. This did not come as a complete surprise as two of my family members also have it. My case was also coupled with amenorrhea since I had not menstruated for ten years (from 1999 to 2009) and the condition was making it difficult to get pregnant and caused a strain on our marriage as I was moody and obsessed with becoming pregnant. PCOS was not only causing infertility, mental instability, but also many disadvantageous physical conditions as well.
With PCOS, I started making more androgens (male hormones) causing me to stop ovulating; get acne; gain weight even when being very cautious about food choices; impossible to lose weight even while exercising; grew facial hair on the upper lip; debilitating migraines; excessive anger and rage; and depression as a result of all of the above. I was also becoming insulin resistant; my blood sugar levels were going up and my gynecologist was warning me that I was showing a tendency towards diabetes.
The Gynecologist ran a battery of tests to ensure a proper diagnosis. I filled out questionnaires assessing my past health, symptoms and lack of menstrual cycles. A physical exam assessing body hair; blood pressure (which was high); and body mass index (BMI) were also conducted. Lab tests checked my blood sugar, insulin, and various hormone levels which ruled out thyroid problems. An internal pelvic ultrasound also showed numerous fluid filled sacks on both ovaries.
No treatment options were discussed, the gynecologist stated that I would be unable to conceive on my own and that I should immediately begin metformin (a diabetes medication) to help control insulin and blood sugar levels and reduce androgen levels. He also handed me a pamphlet for electrolysis, which was conveniently offered by his practice and recommended I check the internet for more information.
I was disgusted with the lack of discussion and attention that I was receiving from the Gynecologist who rigidly followed the biomedical approach to medicine and sought alternatives. I met a naturopathic doctor in Connecticut, where we were living, and was a bit skeptical as she was very informal and was constantly looking things up in her medical digest. Nevertheless, she believed in my body's ability to heal itself and after taking a chaste tree berry tincture I was able to conceive. However, my other symptoms were still persistent and worsening and I desperately needed help.
After moving to Rhode Island, I was referred to Joy Feldman by a new friend. I was able to conceive on my own, without the help of the herb, and was in denial about my persistent health issues so I thanked my friend graciously, and ignored the information. I was afraid of investing in myself and my main objective, having children, had been obtained. Not until my second major health concern did I think about calling Joy.
About a month after my second cesarean section, I was in excruciating pain and my back kept locking up. I was unable to get up off of our family bed without assistance and once up I didn't know how I would get through the day taking care of two children, then newborn and 2 years old. I called the gynecologist and general practitioner repeatedly and they brushed the symptoms off as not related to the section and that I was just tired from tandem nursing and caring for our family. I knew that more was going on and consulted a physical therapist. She had just given birth by cesarean herself and also denied the connection. She thought that I just needed some exercise and the program that she created for me helped me to walk and get through the day, but I was still in chronic pain but was also having incontinence and urinary tract infections. After seeing a urologist and undergoing a CT scan and a MRI, it was determined that I have 3 herniated disks, spinal stenosis and a pinched thecal sack which was the cause of the incontinence and urinary infections. The physical therapist was wonderful in agreeing to avoid medication and honored my request to "fix me" through exercise. I was seeing her up to four times a week, which was a time commitment that was almost impossible to maintain and was less than effective when bringing the boys to my appointments with me.
I finally made a commitment to taking care of myself and investing in my health. I called Joy. At the first meeting I was extremely impressed with Joy's professionalism, knowledge base, ability to critically listen and profound desire to really help me. This was an experience like never before. I connected with her immediately and knew that I didn't want to let myself or her down. I finally found someone who cared about me, and not about selling a product or service and who was skilled and very informed with clients spanning the globe.
I have been under Joy's care on the Nutritional Balancing Program for ten months and ALL of the above symptoms associated with PCOS and my back have subsided. The most surprising and personally inspiring was that I actually started ovulating and menstruating on my OWN! I have even purged many toxic elements from my body and am more prepared then I have ever been to have our third child, due in August. Our entire family (my Mom, Dad, husband and two children) are under Joy's care and following at our own rate, the Nutritional Balancing Program. I am so grateful to Joy as she has enriched, empowered and enlightened my life.
C.N., Exeter, Rhode Island
General
I'm so thankful to have Joy Feldman in my life. She is a wonderfully sweet and caring person. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable about nutrition and health, but she's also such a positive and uplifting individual. She really cares about what she's doing, and when you meet with her, she definitely makes that apparent. I've worked with her for about three months now, and her program has already made such a difference in the way I feel. Joy encompasses the holistic approach in her nutritional healing plan, which takes into account one's spiritual well-being along with his or her dietary needs. This approach has made all of the difference in my life because I feel like you can learn all you want about diet and nutrition, but if you are not in a healthy state of mind, then this knowledge will not be as useful. The hair analysis has shown me my body's chemical composition, and with Joy cheering me on, I'm slowly working to make the changes in my diet and in my state of mind that will help me to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Thank you so much Joy!
-H.H.
Joy's program has changed the way I look at life and the way I live it! I always thought I lead a healthy life style, but when my sister-in-law recommended hair analysis to help me with a circulatory issue that I was having, I never thought that my whole digestive system would improve 100%. I began with the diet change and I was very skeptical about taking vitamins. However, slowly and at my own pace, I added the supplements and now I feel the best that I ever have. I have become aware of who I truly am!
-J.N.
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