365 days later

 1 Year on seems like a good place to start, so here we are! 1 year since my world, quite literally, turned belly up. A day that's set me on a journey leading to creating this blog. Who knows, perhaps no one will read it, but if 1 person does and finds some support then I've achieved my aim. So, what happened to prompt this? Well...

In December 2024, I was loosely diagnosed with 'Gut-Brain Disconnect'. I say loosely as it was through a process of elimination and there is not a singular diagnostic test that can be done, I am also still looking at alternative avenues, however this seems to be the most likely culprit of my current situation. Sparing the details, the theory is that my brain and my gut stopped talking the same language to one another as a result of mental trauma that has built up over the years, disrupting my vagus nerve (sadly not to be mistaken for 'Las Vagas which is far more fun and exciting...!). It turns out that this nerve connects practically all your major organs to your brain, therefore these not so temporary road works on its major highway has led to my body simply saying 'enough's enough' 1 year ago today. 

From the rough diagnosis back in December, I soon realised how hard it is trying to get your mind around how mental trauma can manifest in such a physical way; from here I started looking for any support groups that may be out there to help me get my head around the situation I was now in...and found none. It was a very lonely time, with family and friends trying to understand but not fully getting it, and on top of that feeling like I was crazy. However, to an overused metaphor, 'from the ashes rises the phoenix' and for me, that will be this blog. A place where I can share my experience in the hope it might help someone like me and show them they're not alone.

Alongside showing you're not alone, I wanted to document my experience and what helps me - hence the name! I'm literally giving my Gut-Brain connection a 'Glow up' - it may not be as quick and dramatic as you see in the films, but one can hope!

I think that's enough for my first post, Ta Ta for now!

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