Dennis: overcame rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic obesity

Late in 2012 I woke up one morning to find that my hand had swollen overnight and the major joints in my body ached. Quickly and progressively, I became weak, unable to walk more than a couple of hundred metres without a long period of rest.

Already a type 2 diabetic, with a history of hypertension, I was soon diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Over the next 18 months the number of medicines I was taking for these diseases were increased and changed until they were somewhat under control. To make matters worse I was very overweight at 105.6kg.

About to depart on a pleasure cruise I was concerned by all the stories I’d heard from people who had gained another 5kg following a week on board a ship. It was the catalyst I needed to seek help and advice, so I googled, “vegan naturopath” (I was then and remain a vegan) and Robyn’s name appeared on my screen.

Soon thereafter I left the initial consultation knowing I would achieve my goal to lose 20kg with Robyn’s guidance and support.  About three months later I had lost 21.6kg and now weigh 84kg.

There was also a very unexpected outcome. During the weight loss I relied less and less on the cocktail of drugs I’d been taking. Blood test results provided evidence that my diseases were disappearing.

Having previously taken as many as twelve different drugs a day, I haven’t taken a single tablet in the last four months. Subsequent tests show no sign of diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis (my HbA1c is 5.5, which is in the ‘normal’, non-diabetic range and all my inflammation markers are low) and my blood pressure is better than normal, averaging around 115/70.

I  lost about 100mm from my neck circumference (hence stopped snoring and now sleep soundly); had to take 3 links out of my watch band; need a belt to keep up my 32″ waist jeans (though that’s really a hip measurement) and am down a shoe size – even my feet were fat!

I have regained my strength; it feels good to be able to wear nice clothes and catch my reflection in a window; instead of sitting in a doctor’s waiting room I now go surfing; I save about $200 a month in medical costs; and thanks to Robyn, I feel alive!

Dennis Sydney

Dearest Robyn

I went to see [his endocrinologist] Stephen Thornley this morning to provide him with my last set of blood tests from January and advise him of my state of health.  Stephen was delighted to see how much weight I had lost, to hear that I hadn't taken any medications since the end of September, and I was symptom free. He told me "You no longer have diabetes!"

He also thought it, "surprising and fantastic" that I no longer have symptoms of the RA either.

He asked how it had been achieved, and when I told him, he asked me to thank you. He also asked if you were local, and if you would please provide him with your contact details so that he may refer patients to you.

- Dennis