Meet the EDS Dietitian
My Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Journey
My Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome story is probably similar to yours.
I had health problems from an early age. I saw doctor after doctor for seemingly unrelated issues like knee pain, flat feet, frequent stomach aches, tendonitis in wrists and hands, fatigue, headaches…the list could go on.
I did not feel like a normal kid. I couldn’t keep up with my friends and I was physically uncomfortable the majority of the time.
During a high school biology class, I learned about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I had 20 of the 25 symptoms that were listed in front of me. It all clicked.
At my next doctor’s appointment, I asked about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The doctor was confident that I needed further evaluation.
I was officially diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) by a geneticist later that year.
It felt so validating. After years of symptoms and doctor’s visits, there was a tangible reason for all of the discomfort and difficulty I faced on a daily basis.
While my diagnosis helped in so many ways…it did not lead to any relief from my everyday symptoms. Besides physical therapy and pain management, there are no treatments for hEDS.
My Nutrition Journey
I just wanted to feel better.
I did not want to worry about the next stomach ache and the next pain flare. And I certainly did not want to give up on leading a normal life.
I began to focus on nourishing my body. I prioritized anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, etc. I did my best to meet my body’s needs for protein, vitamin C, iron, B12, zinc, etc.
And finally…I felt better.
I actually remember the day I realized that I felt well for the first time I could ever remember.
I was running errands with my family, and instead of wishing we parked closer to the store entrance, I did not mind that we needed to walk several minutes. The usual fatigue had lifted.
But what really surprised me?
Zero stomach aches. None. For the first time in my life.
My Professional Journey as a Dietitian
Good nutrition was life-changing for me.
So it was no surprise that I wanted to pursue a career in helping other people feel better through nutrition.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California, Davis, then went on to complete my Dietetic Internship in a coordinated master’s program at Dominican University.
Now, as a Registered Dietitian, I feel so privileged to play a central role in helping patients just like me reduce symptoms and have a better quality of life.
Here at EDS Nutrition, I provide one-on-one nutrition counseling and other resources for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and other chronic illnesses.
It’s my mission to bring nutrition to the forefront of conversations about symptom management.
While there may be no treatments for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, nutrition is a way to reduce the symptoms that hugely impact quality of life.
