For the purposes of this website, my life was pretty boring until 2005. And then out of nowhere, at the age of 24, I had a stroke.
2005 – a few months after the stroke
I had always considered myself to be pretty healthy, and had no major health issues prior to that day. The stroke occurred when some loose tissue entered the right side of my pons (part of the brain stem), causing me to lose fine motor function on my left side. Luckily, my young brain quickly recovered, and after six months of physical therapy I returned to a normal life – once I had I re-learned to walk, drive, and write (I’m left-handed).
2006 – hospitalized for a month for autoimmune diagnosis
The following year I found that I was having a hard time exercising; I remember thinking I was simply out of shape. Eventually my shortness of breath got so bad that I was winded while walking. I then spent the next month or so living in a hospital, and after many tests, the doctors agreed that I was experiencing a narrowing of my pulmonary arteries, which was causing my shortness of breath.
I was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disease Takayasu’s Arteritis, characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to inflammation (but only rarely in the pulmonary arteries). The cause of this disease, like most autoimmune diseases, is not known. The doctors who treated me eventually concluded that my stroke was a result of inflamed tissue breaking off from my artery and entering the brain.
I spent the following year on immunosuppressant therapy; we tried a combination of steroids and other heavy-duty drugs, and they mostly worked. I would still get winded upon exertion, but I was able to make it through each day without major issues. But things were still far from good; my therapy was causing side effects, which in turn required other medications – a very frustrating experience. So I started looking for other options.
2007 – the day after pulmonary resectioning surgery
In the fall of 2007 I volunteered to undergo a pulmonary resectioning surgery. The doctors removed the inflamed tissue surrounding my pulmonary arteries and enlarged the arteries using bovine heart tissue. The procedure is called a standstill operation — in order to get to the arteries, they had to perform a full cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and full cardiac arrest. In layman’s terms, that means they rerouted my vital organs through a machine, drained a lot of blood out of my body in order to reach my pulmonary arteries, and lowered my body temperature to about 60 degrees to keep my brain alive.
2007 – a week after surgery
I had a 10% chance of not making it off the table alive due to the inherent complications associated with the surgery. It lasted about ten hours — and no, I didn’t see a bright light at the end of any tunnel, or my childhood dog, Davey (miss you, buddy). I did make it out okay, and now I have a killer scar and some crazy stories. Unfortunately, the surgery didn’t fix my issues; I was on the same amount of medication and saw no improvement in my symptoms.
2007 – immunosuppressant steroids caused weight gain and other side effects
So life went on. My continuous steroid and immunosuppressant medication therapy was starting to take its toll. I felt constantly tired and weak, and worse still was the fact that I couldn’t foresee it getting any better. I had gained 40 pounds, was osteoporotic, developed shingles and kidney stones, and was starting to experience memory issues. In order to conceive our first son, I had to temporarily wean off one of my medications, and the effect it had on my weak body was nearly fatal.
In short, I felt elderly at the age of 28.
2008 – about a year after surgery
By coincidence, in 2010 I happened across an article that mentioned this crazy diet modeled after cavemen that eliminated grains, and it could reverse autoimmune symptoms. Up until that moment, I had never really considered the connection between food and health. Within a week I had devoured all the research I could find on the Paleo diet, and decided to change the way I approach food.
2011 – about six months after adopting the Paleo diet
My inflammation markers decreased significantly within a month, and my doctors were impressed. So I decided to keep going with this new crazy diet, with some tweaks here and there. I went from a cocktail of about 15 meds a day down to just one. Thanks to the fact that I weaned off the most harmful of my medications, my wife and I were able to try again for a second child, and we welcomed Elliott into the world in 2015. I lost the extra weight, and was able to start exercising again; in 2016 I passed the Navy’s physical readiness test, the first time in nearly 12 years.
I’m not cured – there’s no mistaking that I still have a serious autoimmune condition – but changing my diet empowered me in a time when I thought I was out of options. In late 2010 I started blogging about the food I was eating, and documenting the recipes I developed; everything else just took off from there.
2014 – photo shoot for my first cookbook, The Ancestral Table
The Domestic Man 
What an incredible story. I know a man in his 30’s who just had a stroke and they are suspecting MS also. He has lost 2 chunks of time in his memory, like his wedding and birth of his kids :'(
So sad.
I will be passing your story onto him as well as the Paleo info.
Holding on good thoughts for you to regain 100% wholeness- sounds like you are on the right track!
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Nancy, I am just reading this. Not sure if your friend with MS has got any better. Here is another solid reference regarding MS and significant improvements through diet…also Paleo with small adjustments (no eggs). Check Dr. Terry Wahls website and her book Minding My Mitochondria. http://www.terrywahls.com/
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Hi Maria, I just saw your comment! Happy to say he did regain his memory and eyesight and I think is mostly back to normal amazingly enough. Not really sure of all the details since they live in another state, but I did pass all the information to my friend- his mother in law but as I’m sure you know many people just aren’t interested or ready. This particular friend has type 1 diabetes and many other disorders but just refuses to change her diet whatsoever and is pretty much completely disabled now. I just don’t understand that kind of thinking.
I have been reading Dr Wahls latest book- the Wahls Protocol and have found the missing pieces to my own health journey in there. I am several days into the Wahls Paleo Plus (stage 3) of the diet and although it will be a hard fight I am expecting a serious transformation. Despite not eating the standard American diet for the last 30 years and being nutritionally minded my health has slipped for many reasons. Time for a serious change.
Thanks for checking in Maria!😊
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Please contact me as soon as possible. My dear friend has the exact same auto immune disease as you and he is currently in the hospital and has been here for almost 3 months and has had numerous invasive surgeries with no answers and no relief! PLEASE CONTACT US!
Brad Boggs 208-971-1426 –
My name is emily lynch 208-699-3598
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Hi Emily, I sent Brad a reply to his FB message a few minutes ago, thanks for the heads up.
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Hi there. I have also been diagnosed with this disease. I have underwent a double lung transplant and heart bypass. Just within the past month I have had 2 clots removed from my heart . This disease is very rare. Just thought I would share, would be happy to speak with anyone who needs support.
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There is a Takayasu’s support group on Facebook. It is very helpful.
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Such a brave and encouraging story!
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I am SO thankful that Janey was ALWAYS by your side as you went on that roller coaster ride ! <3
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Incredible story, brother. Thank you for choosing to use your struggles and triumphs as a catalyst for education and enlightenment. Yours has been one of the handful of websites that have served as an invaluable resource for me as my wife and I adopted the paleo principals for ourselves.
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Thanks for sharing your story and for creating your blog. Great recipes, great photography and commentary. Keep it up.
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Awesome story!!!! I’m on day 3 of paleo and about to make poi and round roast (from your recipes) for my family of 5 for dinner tonight – excited!!! Praying for continued recovery for you! Thank you for your fabulous website.
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Hi – I got here from Highbrow Paleo. Yours is an amazing story & I thank you for sharing it. My son had a stroke last summer at age 26 shortly after shunt revision surgery. He had/has minor effects on his right side and has mostly recovered. I would love it if he decided to take an interest in paleo, no luck so far but I keep hoping!
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You have been so much in such a short period of time. I really hope that this lifestyle will continue to help improve some of the autoimmune inflammation. I’m really enjoying reading your recipes too, so thanks for the good food and for sharing your story.
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Good stuff, keep up the excellent work and enjoy your new found health and longevity.
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Wow, your story is really scary! I’m so glad that you stumbled across the paleo diet, because I bet the doctors didn’t mention anything about that to you :) Glad you’re doing much better now!
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What an amazing story! I’m in awe. I’ve recently adopted a more paleo diet and I can certainly feel the difference. Love your blog and your inspirational story. I’ll definitely be checking back. Delicious wishes!
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God Bless You and Your Family, and I am going to check out this Paleo diet.Thank You and Many Wonderful Blessings to You and Yours. Kathy
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What an inspiring story. Unfortunately it is also a view of the state of conventional medicine. Treat the symptoms, not the cause. If only you had found the Paleo diet before the surgery.
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Holy smokes Russ, I had no idea! Glad that you are now growing healthier and happier. Plus you have a cool website :)
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You are so young and such an inspiration to the rest of us. Thank you for sharing your blog and ideas with us. I hope to browse through your site and provide healthier meals for my family. Thank you once again!
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Very inspiring! After reading your story and about the Paleo diet, I am inspired to try to work this diet into my life. Though I think it would be a long long road for me. I don’t get to cook much, work and travel doesn’t help. But I think I can make some choices in my food ordering.
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
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Lots of paleo options out there! Just saw on amazon approved paleo bars and shakes!!!
Never say never…, if your health depended on it you’d do it in a heart-beat!!!
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wow, what a great story! thank you for sharing and educating!
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This is an incredible story. Wow is the only word I kept thinking as I was reading this. I hope you continue on this road to recovery and I can’t wait to read more from your blog! All the best.
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I just learned about you blog about a week ago but I’m hooked. I nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award. If you’re interested, check out http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thanks for sharing your story. I don’t eat Paleo exactly – I started using a way of eating called “The Idiot-Proof Diet”, which is basically ultra-low-carbing, and found it fixed my chronic heartburn and other problems. I love this way of eating, it really doesn’t feel like a ‘diet’ (as in “Die with a T”, as Garfield would say)!
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Thanks for sharing such an inspiring story. I love reading these sorts of things about the paleo diet. Yay!
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Amazing Man!!! My Wife has also been diagnosed with and auto-immune disorder. Like you, she has switched to the Paleo diet, and is recovering slowly. Stories like your story give her hop for the future. Thank you so much for sharing
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Congrats to you – and thanks for sharing your wisdom. Keep it up
John
Dublin, Ireland
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I stumbled on this website through Google (searching for almond flour pasta). Thanks for sharing your paleo story and posting all these awesome recipes! It’s always a chore to look for paleo-friendly foods that is presented with good design and sharp images, so I really appreciate the fact that you continue to post such awesome recipes. Keep it up!
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Awesome story and message. It’s sad hat many of us only come to looking at the whole person and not just one aspect after facing some kind of life threatening or terminal illness. I’m really frustrated by the medical community and their approach that MD means More Drugs. Paleo (or Primal) works and take a second to read my interview in Paleo Magazine to find out why. I’m only of of thousands of similar stories and we need to all make some noise so the Doctors and most importantly the teaching hospitals look at what’s taking place with diet, exercise and lifestyle. http://www.paleomagonline.com/2012/08/08/i-inspire-bill-vick/
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I couldn’t agree more! I have witnessed one too many times, doctors writing out prescriptions for my husband that does not cure but mute his pain. And not once delivered any means of healthy steps or recommendations! We quickly learned to do our own research & educate ourselves with the more natural healthier ways to cure or rid medical health problems. And has given my husband a happier, healthier more quality of life since.
What sickens me the most, is the steep price they charge their patient, for what? Because they’re a script happy doctor & took 5 minutes to hand their patient a very unhealthy prescription on a piece of paper!
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Thanks for sharing- as I had a stroke too.. in your 20’s it doesn’t seem possible. I’m trying out this Paleo diet to help with Lupus symptoms and APS- seeing your story makes it that much easier to give it a go.. thanks and keep it up! :)
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Amazing story and thank you for sharing with this website! Inspirational to us who have autoimmune disorders (I was diagnosed with Celiac Sprue in 2007.) My husband also developed diabetes that same year (hereditary in his family.) I have also heard of the Paleo diet. A very good diet to be on. I am not on the diet however I strictly adhere to completely gluten free. I still struggle some days as I developed Celiac at a later age so not as easy to bounce back. I also get very sick from even the slightest touch from gluten i.e. cross contamination as well.
I wish you the very best in your healthy journey!
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I really enjoyed your story and will look up Paleo Diet on line. Four of us in this household need to make sure we eat gluten free – and it is hard, but reading stories like yours helps! Go luck to you!
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bless you precious one……what an amazing life…..so very pleased you found a diet to ease your symtoms!!!!
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Russ, someday you’ll tell the rest of the Russ Crandall story and the folks that are impressed and inspired by your story now, will be blown away. You’re an amazing dude with an awesome family. I won’t wish you luck because you don’t need it, your determined enough to get what you want without luck being a factor.
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Mom and I were talking today and she told me that she told Grandma Colleen all about your website. So grandma had to check it out and is now a total fan and on the Paleo train and says her arthritis already feels better after just a week and she loves the site. Mom was also mentioning how great of a job you do on this website and just what a wonderful guy you are all around and how much she enjoys spending time with you and Janey and Ollie and I couldn’t agree more. So I asked Charlie if he’d ever seen your site and he said no so we just spent a little while looking around and reading posts and contemplating buying a t-shirt soon (you shold have a baby one on there) and I just had to let you know that you are pretty awesome and I remember the whole story and how scared I was for you and how happy and grateful I am that you are okay and that you have been a friend for all of these years, even if we only see each other sparingly. Hug the fam for me and it was nice to see you a few weeks ago and basically we just love you Russ!
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Fabulous site! I am also have Takayasu’s Arteritis, and have traveled the paleo road for a while to help maintain my inflammation.
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Hi Rachel,
I reach out to u because i came across this story and saw on ur post that u also have takayasus- im 28 also have TA id like to hear what has help u manage TA better i need some
guidance
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I just came across your site when looking for a good eye of round recipe. Wow what an inspiring story you have! I will pass your story and your site on to many. Keep on moving forward..you and your family are pretty awesome.
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Amazing story. Thanks for sharing!
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The mysterious ways of the world at work? I’m just bobbing around the Internet looking for Christmas Roast ideas and I get totally distracted by comments on a website written by a guy with a humorous name. So, I decide to read his blurb thinking it will explain why he chose his amusing name. What a surprise, the blurb is not about the name at all, but about a very trying and scary time in the man with the funny blog name’s life. All at I time when I’ve just been told I’m going to have scary and trying times for the rest of my life. The culprit? Evil inflammation, which apparently can take on an insidious little life of it’s own. I will take this as an otherworldly thump on the head and go back to bobbing around the Internet, this time looking for info on the diet. Thanks for sharing.
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My own experiences (Celiacs, arthritis,fibromyalgia, etc) have taught me that this diet is no less than a miracle for those of us with autoimmune problems. It will help you like nothing else can for inflammation in your body and all the problems that arrise from it.
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Good for you! Have you been checked for MTHFR? Seriously should be!
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Wow, that’s a phenomenal story. Diet is profoundly important in our lives too. We needed extra help though. One of my family members has large cell arteritis. The drugs really took their toll. I thought we had exhausted every option. Zija is a product made of Moringa oleifera. On Zija, suddenly the need for the pharmaceuticals plummeted. I really want to talk to you about this.
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I am inspired by your courage and grateful that you choose to share your journey. Blessings, Diane
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What an amazing story. I found your wonderful eye of round recipe and we are trying it tonight. Will let you know how it goes.
You are an amazing person. There is a certain calm tenor to your writing style that I really like. Your son and wife are blessed indeed.
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What an amazing story. I have yet to learn about your condition in Physician Assistant school, so thanks for educating me on your journey. I too have an autoimmune disease with a lot of inflammation, perhaps I should start going Paelo. Best of luck to you!
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I love paleo for my health, I have a number of AI diseases that are all made better by eating paleo.
I would also recommend you investigate LDN as a medication, it has made me mobile again and has been amazing for my immune system. it makes your immune system work, not suppress it like steroids do.
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/
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HOPE springs eternal…never lose hope.
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Glad you are doing so much better. It’s always inspiring when people find natural ways to heal themselves. Nature really does provide us with so much, we just need to trust it and pay attention.
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Just came upon your story,hope things are still going to plan for you and your family.I have Guillian -Barre Syndrome with Aman variant ,I will be looking into the Paleo diet and give it a shot thanks for sharing with us.
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. I also have an autoimmune disease (UCTD) and numerous other issues and diseases that are a result of a the UCTD. I’m on lots of medications including an immunosuppressant when I am healthy. My parents are on the Paleo diet and have had great success. I was just given the go-ahead from my doctor to start. In fact, since I’ve been sick all winter and unable to take the immunosuppressant. Now that I’m starting to feel better my doctor has agreed that I can stay off of it for three months while I try the Paleo diet. My prayer is that I won’t have to ever go back on it. I started on Sunday and feel better already!
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Wow, very inspiring story. So glad you made it through it all to live and tell us all about it! Just found your blog and love your recipes! Thanks for sharing!
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“most autoimmune diseases, is not known”
Ever had a vaccination? A shot for travel?
Autoimmune diseases are usually caused by virus’ being on purposely given to the public at large. Go and have a virus work up to see what you actually have.
In the mean time I think you would find this exceptionally interesting.
‘The Exploding Autoimmune Epidemic – Dr. Tent – It’s not autoimmune, you have viruses.
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Hi, I have been enjoying your blog and have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
http://imarunnerandsocanyou.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/very-inspiring-blogger/
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Thank you or sharing your story. You are an inspiration.
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Wow… I am a scientist and my research area is white matter injury during stroke. It’s stories like yours that give me the motivation to work at my budding but very stressful career. Also, your blog is amazing. I’m gluten sensitive and I found a lot of excellent recipes that I’d like to try. Keep it up!
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Wow! Inspiring story! It’s amazing how much diet and lifestyle can heal the body and you are living proof. Thanks so much for sharing your story! :)
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It’s been an honor to have found you on this blog. I am inspired by your story, and it’s made me take life into perspective. Thank you :)
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Very inspiring, glad to hear that changing your lifestyle and eating has helped your condition. All the best.
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I’m excited to have come across your site. My grandmother had Takayasu, apparently one of the first cases diagnosed in a Caucasian woman. She suffered for 20+ years before her diagnosis. I’ve always wondered if dietary changes would have helped her. It’s wonderful that they are helping you.
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Truly excellent site. I came here looking for recipes that I could modify for GAPS diet. I too have an auto-immune disease, diagnosed 22 years ago at the age of 12. The paleo diet wasn’t enough to bring me to health, but the GAPS protocol worked wonders. Again, excellent recipes and site.
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Thanks for sharing your story. I’ve been looking into why I’ve not been feeling great either, with various symptoms I won’t bore you with. I will suggest getting a 2105 or 2100 Stool Profile from Metametrix tho… to look for bugs.
I have a PPTU – which means they found dna of a protozoan parasite. Is it possible you have something similar?
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I can relate, I have an auto-immune disease myself and have moved across the country, travelled across continents to seek treatment. I got off steroids, because I figured out it was wreaking more havoc on my body so I did the LEAP program and started eating clean, and it helped a lot. I’m still not 100% better, so it’s a process, but thanks for sharing your story and your photographs on your blog are great!
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award, not that you need any help gaining followers, but I linked to your blog regardless so my readers could discover yours:) http://littleblissbook.com/2013/09/01/oopsididitagain/
Rakhi, xx
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Glad to hear things are going decently for you. Have you heard of MTHFR? I think I will always wonder every time I hear of a young person with stroke/clotting issues, if that person has MTHFR. God bless you as you continue on your journey!
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I’m so glad you’ve posted your story. I too have an autoimmune disease (lupus) which can sometimes confound my doctors. I was on loads of medications but have adopted the paleo diet about a month ago. I’m currently attempting life sans all medications and so far, so good.
I love the way your website is laid out. It’s very easily navigated. Thanks so much!
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I came across your page when I was looking for a recipe for Pork Sirloin Roast. Thank you for sharing it. While I don’t follow a Paleo diet, I have a friend that does and swears by it. Good luck to your continued success. You look very healthy and would never know that you suffered so many health issues.
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A very inspiring story.
Originally, before I found out you are married and age, I was going to say how cute you are.
You still are, but I am way past that predatory age. My kids are older than you are. :-)
Thank you for you and your love of good food and nutrition,
Sheila
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What an eventful journey you have had (there’s the understatement for the day!)
I stumbled upon your site when I Googled for a recipe and here I am. I have Celiac (another autoimmune disorder) and I have been struggling with weight gain since my dx. I guess once my villi was active and absorbing nutrients again, it really started working! Anyway, a fellow scientist friend recommended that I read up on the Paleolithic diet and I landed here. Seems simple enough to make the change from GF to all out Paleo. And I guess I kinda knew along that eating GF processed food was the culprit. But man, when you haven’t had bread in so long, you go a little crazy. ;)
Anyway, thanks for sharing your story. You’ve epitomized what my GI doc has been saying for years: a GF diet is benificial to so many people, not only people with Celiac/Gluten intolerance.
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About 30 yrs ago I felt chronically horrible. Went to many doctors, underwent countless tests. They all said there was nothing wrong, except for one doctor who told me I was in the first stages of MS. I would not accept this, so started my own research, spending afternoons in the local university library, pouring over countless medical journal articles. I found nothing. Then one day while in a thrift store, I saw a book, “Cerebral allergies.” (can’t recall the author). What was described in that book fit my issues. I went to the allergist and asked for guidance to do an allergy elimination diet. He humored me and agreed. Within 3 weeks of basically eating nothing but unseasoned baked or boiled beef and a limited number of vegetables, my symptoms had all but vanished. By then adding certain items, I discovered an allergy to grains.
As a student of prehistory, I’ve since learned that many of the foods considered “healthy” today are not at all like the foods we “grew up with” as a species. Also, as a species we grew up eating a wide variety of foods, and these during their season only. Studies of present day hunter gatherer societies show that as a species, we probably ate about 1/3 lean meat and 2/3 vegetal resources. Fats and sugars were a luxury rarely procurred. Consumption of grains was minimal or non-existent (and surely not the hybridized grains we have today). The Paleo Diet comes closest to the diet we as a species “grew up with.”
There is an excellent epidemiological paper done back in the 1990’s by Ashton Embry … “Multiple Sclerosis, Best Bet Treatment.” You should read it. I learned a lot from that paper when I first accessed it in the mid-1990’s.
It’s amazing that you survived not only your illnesses, but especially your treatments. I wish you many years of good health.
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I’m so happy that this diet has worked for you. My sister had Takayasu’s disease, had bypass surgery, valve replacement, etc. They told her it wouldn’t be the disease that would kill her, it would be the meds. And they were correct. After twelve years on prednisone, it caused a ruptured aorta. She died instantly a week after having a partial hysterectomy. I’ve just found out that a medication that I’ve been on for five years causes pancreatic cancer. I have recently been diagnosed with pancreatitis. The doctors know what these meds are capable of doing and yet, they still prescribe them without telling the patient (in my case, anyway) the dangers. Good for you, keep up the good work. I am especially interested in your gluten free pizza, I have celiac disease. So, I am going to try it.
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I do have an auto-immune disease that affects my throat and my ability to breathe. I have been looking into eating the Paleo way and couldn’t find anything for Vasculitis, GPA which is what I have. I admire your courage and your willingness to share your journey with us.
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I am so glad i found your page. My daughter has the same disease and she is only 12 years old so when we found out that she had takayasu’s arthritis it really broke ours hearts and ever since then I have been looking for people with the same problem to see what they do to live a better life. I am going to try this diet that you are on. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and if there is any way you could continue sharing more with us, I think we would all appreciate it.
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Hi there! I love your story and how after the doctors weren’t giving much hope of being able to live a healthy life, you took it upon your self to find health again. I, also, was diagnosed with Takayasu’s Arteritis. The initial diagnosis was in Sept 2011. I suffered 2 strokes in November of 2012. After the strokes I lost my ability to walk, comprehend what I was reading more that a couple of sentences, write, and verbally express myself. I had open heart surgery in of February of 2013 at the Cleveland Clinic (the doctors down here in Nashville wouldn’t touch me… They told me the surgery would be too complex). At my 3 month follow up, the specialist told me that I had recovered the quickest and best out of all of her patients that have had this surgery. One thing I didn’t mention is that I changed my diet about half way through and added a very important whole food supplement to it.. Juice Plus+ it is fruits, berries,vegetables and grains that have been juiced and dehydrated at low temperatures in order to keep the enzymes and phytonutrients in place. I had been on 60 mg of prednisone, now I’m down to 4mg and have been able to get off of other medications. I am since on a couple of medications but have plans to be off of them in the near future! I thank God that He put a friend in my life that cared enough to share nutrition and Juice Plus + with me.
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Btw I regained everything I lost after the strokes much faster than the therapists that I should :)
When we give our bodies what they need, they will heal themselves.
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Loved reading your story. You are very brave. I can relate on a much lesser scale. I too have adopted a diet to reverse the effects of an autoimmune disease. So glad it is working out for you. Keep up the good work!
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What an encouraging story! Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you also for the wonderful recipes!
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Dear Russ Crandall,
I have a question for you;
Recently, my grandfather was diagnosed with Wegener’s disease, which is an autoimmune disease. Wegener’s granulomatosis is a rare condition where inflammation of the blood vessels impedes normal blood flow. I saw an article on your story. You have Takayasu’s disease; which narrows your arteries due to inflammation and caused your stroke. It is identical to the mechanisms of Wegener’s.
At the moment my Grandfather is on several immunosuppressant medications which have completely knocked out his immune system. He has PNEUMONIA in his lungs which he cannot fight off because he has no immune system. He is also house-bound because even the smallest cold could kill him.
My questions for you are:
What are all the names of the medication you were on during your immunosuppressant therapy?
Specifically, Were you on any medication to suppress your immune system?
How long were you on the diet until you could get off the medication to get your immune system back.
And you said you are still taking 1 drug that you have to continue to take; What medication are you on currently?
We would be grateful for a reply, it is urgent. Our hope is that if we remove the source of the allergy, he can get his immune system back to fight off the pneumonia so it won’t kill him (and he can get out of the house).
My email is: Lanadox@aol.com
Thanks. – Lane
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Hi Lane, just sent you an email.
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So glad the diet is working for you. My two boys and I have autoimmune disease as well. (mine is thyroid, their’s is brain.). You might want to look into low dose naltrexone, an excellent immune modulator for autoimmune diseases and cancer. It’s low cost and works very well alongside Paleo diet. My thyroid meds have been decreased and autoimmune symptoms are gone for the most part on it. One of my children’s condition looks to be headed to remission, and the other child’s severe symptoms have reduced by 60% or more. Amazing, low cost, and highly effective.
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What an incredible journey you have been on!!! Thanks for sharing yourself with the world. You are looking great and hopefully are feeling great. Best Wishes!
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Incredible journey. I love your blog, and your content surrounding the Paleo / whole foods lifestyle. Just pre-ordered your book on Amazon. Thanks!
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I randomly came across this site while trying to figure out how to prepare an eye round roast for Christmas. Its in the oven as I write an smells wonderful. Your story and this season bring into focus what is truly important. Thank you!
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Hi.. I read your story and im so happy to hear you are doing much better::
I also have Takayasus Arteritis. Im 28 i live in California, i was diagnosed with TA when i was 17
I have been on medications ever since..
Im currently on methotraxate. I have not had any extremely scary symptoms, but after hearing your story i want to try to change my diet.. Im so bad at eating healthy..
But i want to make a change for once.. I hope u can help me
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Hi my daughter has the same problem would like to talk to you
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Russ, amazing blog, amazing writing, amazing life you’ve been given and re-given! We love your blog!!! We love your family! Thanks for all you’ve shared with us! Blessings, J,A,E
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Russ – you are an amazing young man. So happy that you have found what works for you and that you are doing so well. I am excited to be able to share your wonderful Website with many of my Family and Friends. Keep up the good work. ; – ))
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What an incredible journey you have been on. The paleo diet seems to make so much sense although for me not eating lentils would be especially hard as my other half is Indian and it is very much part of Indian cuisine and the type of food we eat for now. Maybe I should look further into the paleo diet – you never know!
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have been grain free for 17 mos and after being sick with chronic fatigue and fibro for 21 years, I am now healthy. I am passionate about helping people becoming grain free. I appreciate having another reason for giving up grain. Yours is a remarkable story.
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Thanks for your sharing and inspiration :)
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I like your story and am glad you are well.
I do wish you’d consider wording some claims to more accurately reflect the entire context of the point upi seem to be making.
For example:
Lastly, the foods we eat today are less nutritious due to soil depletion and negligent mass-farming practices. These three factors contribute to a weakened system and an increase in food allergies and autoimmune-related health issues.
There may be truth in the claim but the terminology “less nutritious” is too vague. The context is avoided hence the big picture including the alternative(s) omitted. As a beneficial diet for inflammatory conditions, lowering markers of same, I get that. I’m a crohns suffer myself which means if there are inflammatory effects to be had with an autoimmune problem, I get them. In fact so many conditions are tied to inflammation and immune response it is amazing.
But the sort of loose use of the word science as having shown this or that is no more convincing than the same claims that science made about grains and low fat. Finally, the elephant in the room, that small farming is and always will be necessarily a boutique expensive thing for folks with discriminating diets and who can afford or choose to afford them. As such, all good.
Boutique farming to get the missing nutrition (again too vague) while others who cannot avail themselves to it lack nutrition due to lacking food makes me think of the local scandal that should have a headline “Whole Foods cuts down wooded area to build new location”
Moderation. We can still feed lots of people. It is cool how people grow bandwagons.
You may like Bioregionalism, by Kirkpatrick Sale, he would have been an early 80’s advocate for Paleo.
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Hi, thanks for the feedback. My science-related writing is vague on purpose because this is a page dedicated to cooking, and not nutrition, and I’m not trained or certified in that field. My graduate degree is in Healthcare Administration, so I have a fairly good understanding of extent of our nation’s declining health, but I certainly don’t have a solution. I understand your expectation of a more researched reasoning, and I think there are plenty of great sites for that discussion. I should mention that nowhere do I write that small, local farming is the solution to soil depletion and mass-farming practices, nor do I assume that this is the key to our nation’s problems – an extensive overhaul of many of the western world’s current practices is probably necessary for optimal health for our population. Those are issues far beyond the scope of this recipe blog; my intention is to start the dialogue on health and provide tasty recipes along the way.
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And that’s why I love you! You focus on the positive things we CAN do with food in a way that’s positive! We’re all tired of being sick, or overweight and hearing about what’s wrong with us and what we eat or don’t eat. Thank you so much!
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Hi Russ!! Your story is mind blowing inspirational and your blog is sOo mouth watering!! But there was something else that caught my attention and brought me here in the first place…..the title of the blog. Would you like to shed some light as to why you decided to call it The Domestic Man?
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Hi Maria, thanks for the email. I just wrote about the background of my blog’s name last week during my interview with WordPress.com: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/the-domestic-man/
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Ah that inflammation–I hear it all the time, so glad you are able to keep it under control and trying to prevent with Paleo. I also I’m trying to prevent inflammation from taking it’s toll on myself and my family by becoming aware of the food I eat especially how where it comes from and how it’s grown. Viva la wholesome food!
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Russ, what an incredible journey you have had and I’m humbled that you shared your story. Thank you. I had no idea when I met you, Janey and Oliver at Walt Disney world in 2013 that there was a reason you were eating a gluten free diet. I have heard stories about gluten allergies being misdiagnosed as autism! I’m excited to get your book and make a change as well. Hugs to You, Janey and Oliver!
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Inspiring story, great blog. I am a type 1 diabetic, have Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis and a host of other conditions-your blog has been very helpful to me. We are the same age and its just nice to have someone my own age who has experienced some of the same types of struggles, makes the world a little smaller. Keep up your amazing work!
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I’ve been eating Paleo for awhile… I stumbled across your website and was interested in your book, but convinced myself that I do not need yet another Paleo cookbook (I have a bit of an obsession)…until I saw your US Navy uniform! And now I have to buy it!! Go Navy :)
-Navy Wife
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Dear R,
Thanks for sharing your life, healthy receipts and inspiring moments with us. I have always been a passionate healthy eater and a big fan of the blog.
I do hope there are more interactions between you and us followers, where we create a supportive community for everyone who has a passion for healthy food of life.
I invite you to check out this blog platform Toovia.com. I am a user myself and think it provides the functions/tools to build that interaction between you and us fans!
Don’t ever stop being inspiring!
Love,
Melody
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Wow! What a story. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many, especially people on a similar journey – a journey back to health after a serious, life-threatening event. Stumbled upon your blog today reading a post from Cheri Lucas Rowlands on WordPress.com News about the release of your cookbook. So, first time visitor, but following you now.
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Thanks for sharing your story. I just happened to come here from Skinny Taste and was interested in the man behind the recipes. My sister is gluten free and so is my mom, I’m sure I’ll be back many times to get some awesome recipes.
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Russ, thank you for this site. Its been a resource for quite some time, and also seems to be a life-saving intervention for some people!
I have a slightly more philosophical question, especially since you are in the health field (or were trained for it). What about the emotional side of the search for a cure? Do you or did you have anger at the doctors who saw you, the hospitals that kept you, the pharmaceutical companies that told you what to take, and the system that educated all of them?
It seems like the level of disgust and frustration that an average person feels when they find out how fundamentally wrong the health “system” is can’t even compare to someone like you, who nearly died several times in the process and no doubt racked up a crapload of medical expenses.
This is a very personal question but it would be helpful to others, I think, to address those feelings and how you are dealing with them or successfully put them to rest. Thanks again.
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Hi there!
I’ve nominated your gorgeous blog for the Liebster Award at http://fallenforfood.wordpress.com/ – participation is up to you :)
Thanks for keeping up such an awesome, inspiring blog!
All the best,
Chantal
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Have you seen Sarah Ballantyne’s blog and her autoimmune protocol? Some of her ideas might be helpful. Her book is also quite good.
Love your cookbook, we are working our way through it. So refreshing to have a book with delicious recipes that we can actually eat!
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Your story is so amazing! I was recently diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis as well (I’m 20 years old) and I was really hoping that if you had time, you could send me an email (stratobelo@hotmail.com) as I have some questions regarding this diet and the specific disease before I get started on the paleo diet.
Thank you so much, I really hope to hear from you
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Thanks for sharing your story. I found out that my body has a high level of inflammation so I’ll be starting an anti inflammatory diet soon in hopes that I can beat it naturally. I love your blog and will be purchasing your book take care.
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You are incredible. You embody all of my interests and inspirations as a Dietitian. Thank you for being! :)
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Dude, you are an INSPIRATION. Thank you for sharing your challenges and taking the time to illustrate your persistence in such positive words. I’ve signed on to follow your blog, and will check back often. Thanks!
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hi sir , im sherry from Philippines.. im 21 now, i also suffering now the takayasu arterities and i had my mild stroke when i was 19 years old .. my doctor said that takayasu is not treatable but then beacause of your story you gave me courage ^_^ , sorry im not fluent in english . lol . :)
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verryyy goood, thank you verry much for telling the story, i really m. i have takayashus to, but know really tiny of this, so thank you…
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Wow, what a story! Isn’t it amazing how much dietary can help?
Just curious, have you ever been tested for Lyme Disease & co-infections?
It can cause strokes, heart issues, major inflamstion & mimic autoimmune issues.
Heart issues & shortness of breath are just a couple things that I had because of
Lyme disease.
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I meant to say ‘dietary changes can help’. That’s what I get for commenting via iPhone :)
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Hi Russ – I came across your website last year when I was browsing for recipes. Your story is such an inspiration! We heard about the paleo diet after my husband and I had a marked difference of opinion on this Bio Meridian test done by a nutritionist I had gone to with the children which resulted in a gluten free diet plan. All three of them were diagnosed 7 years ago on the moderate end of Fragile X Syndrome with ADD/ADHD but four years ago I knew I had to refine their diet more than just cutting out certain refined/processed foods. My husband found a blog on the internet by a chap who was using the paleo lifestyle to manage his epilepsy. Then last year I did a lose and shape up course at my local gym and the meal plan was based on the paleo diet and wow – what a difference! I’m 47 years old now and since changing my habits, my digestive system is much better and I’ve barely put anything back on (save a couple of lbs here & there) whereas before I would have a long trek – literally! – back to where I was before the school holidays. I’m now more of a size 10 than a 12 (UK size, that is).
I know the kids will never be cured, as FX is a chromosome disorder and they were born with it. But fortunately their schools have good, fresh meals and I give them a decent, freshly cooked paleo meal at night. This has contributed in some way, I believe, to keeping their blood sugars on an even keel, rather than them fluctuating all the time. However, about four years ago, we felt we had no choice but to put them on medication for the ADHD, but my hope was to some day ween them off their medication and manage things solely with diet. Whether this will actually be achieved remains to be seen, but at least we are giving them a good start with diet. There is the odd sugary ice cream or crumpet that creeps in there now and again, as they are children, and it is difficult to explain to them the nitty gritty of how food affects the body – with out them losing the plot!
So I now frequent the butcher’s and farm shops for more local, fresh produce, which has cost a bit more, but you can’t put a price on your health and longevity. I love some of your recipes and have printed a few of them off for my recipe binder.
Thanks for such a great website and your inspiring story!
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I am sorry to hear of your condition, but I’m glad you’re improving. I don’t know what it feels like to suffer from a disorder, but I have lived with someone who did.
My wife of nearly 22 years died from an auto-immune condition called Multiple Sclerosis after suffering from it for almost a quarter of a century.
There is still no cure for the disease, and not really much in the way of effective treatment but the research through the MS Society continues, and it is important that a cure AND effective treatments for the symptoms are found soon.
I am walking — yes, walking! — through the entire west coast of Scotland to raise funds for the MS Society in the UK. Please take the time to share my story and encourage others to participate.
Oh, and thanks for sharing *your* story.
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Dietary and lifestyle changes absolutely do help. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis four years ago and I started to chronicle my experience on http://www.zoeangelia.com. I hope to see you over there.
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Hey man just found your blog, awesome story and glad you have found at least some relief! I was suffering from frequent gout attacks and I was pretty overweight until I found the Paleo Diet and I can tell you it’s changed everything for me too (45lbs lighter, no gout issues) Anyways just subscribed, thanks for sharing your story!
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Hi my daughter was diagnosed with Takayasu this year she is only 14years old, I was told that her condition is already in an advanced stage , she is currently in hospital for two weeks . the doctors recommended that she must be treated with chemotherapy . thank you for sharing your story it has given me hope
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Thank you for sharing your story. My brother also had a stroke (in his 30s), was paralyzed on his left side and is still working toward recovery. I found you because of your pork adobo recipe. I am filipino – american and never made pork adobo! It was great… I am adding this recipe to my collection.
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I have Takayasu. I’ve had one stroke and a heart attack, open heart CABG and Aortic bypass. Inetersteting to see, I’m not the only one.
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I would like to know why no eggs, I’m following a paleo diet, I have GCA very similar to you, I believe that trying to re-introduce dairy in my diet cause the inflammation but if I need to cut off eggs, I will, I lost a lot of weight, from 130lbs to 88lbs, eggs are protein they are free range and organic so is all my food, I also have celiac. louskyhawk@gmail.com
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Hi Louise, I don’t eliminate eggs from my diet. They have been known to affect those with autoimmune issues, and I’ve tried several periods without them and have only had negligible improvements, so now I limit them to about 4-6 a week and that seems to work best for me. If you tolerate them fine I wouldn’t recommend avoiding them.
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Mr. Crandall,
We believe that both Takayasu’s arteritis and giant cell arteritis are caused by persistent varicella zoster virus infection, which causes shingles as well as a vasculitis, and are currently treating a patient with Takayasu’s with intravenous acyclcovir and have shown evidence of the virus in the arteries. If you are interested in further studies, kindly contact Dr. Maria Nagel at University of Colorado School of Medicine.
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Just ran across your website & read your incredible story. Thank you for sharing it with us!
My husband and I are both ready to go Paleo – you’ve inspired us :)
Thank you for all these amazing recipes ~ I just used the picked turnip recipe :)
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I just stumble upon your story and read your incredible story. I myself have TA and suffering for over 20 years now. I need guidance…..please enlighten me about the paleo solution.
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wow, quite a journey you have had, thanks so much for sharing… i would love to get u a silibag if u would like it, just send me your deets and its on the way!
peace n luv
andrew
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I’m about to make an eye of round roast.. got distracted.. thanks for being strong and never quitting. Guaranteed you are your families rock.
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Amazing story. Keep eating well and stay healthy.
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I happened upon your website while looking for a spicy but low heat Panang Currie Paste, your recipe hit the nail on the head perfectly. Congradulations on your personal strength and resilience. Your website is not too shabby as well…..from Canada
Best Regards
Dan Montague
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Fantastic to see you doing so well now and even more fantastic to see another man blogging about food!
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stumbled upon your blog while searching Takayasu Arteritis. my little sister was diagnosed in August 2013. She didn’t respond as well to the treatment, but it is inspiring to know that you have!
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I was just diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis myself and I’m still in the early stages of treatment. It is nice to know that I’m not alone.
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Hi Russ,
In my kitchen in South Salem NY. I really liked your website and just put my Eye of the round roast in on 500. Fingers crossed !
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It works! The 500 roast I mean! I did it with. GF tritip!
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Oh, Russ. I thought I knew your story, but those pictures really made it real for me. I’ve been a working California RN for over 40 years so those images tell me a lot. I think your personal story is why I gravitate toward your book, your page and recipes more than the more didactic proponents of Paleo. I’d like to follow Dr Perlmutter, but I feel lectured to. Thanks for sharing your story and letting us be part of your healing while we heal ourselves and develop a better relationship with food.
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I am a 37 year old Caucasian woman and I too have Takayasu, diagnosed six months ago after I had a series of embolisms in my left lung and arterial blocks in both subclavian arteries. Lucky for me (if you can call it that) the fact that I also had an undiagnosed coagulation disorder led to have emboli sooner and thus diagnosing the Takayasu sooner, however I am left with lasting damage and clots in my lung that may have to be removed if it begins to cause heart failure. As a parent of 3 year old twins, this diagnosis was devastating, and as a nurse, I envision the worst because I see it daily but I am focusing on the positive, grateful the damage was minimal, and trying to view it as a wake-up call to change my life to prevent further damage if I can.
I know at this point these medications are essential, I also know they have a myriad of terrible side effects in both the short and long term, and I hope to be able to stop them at some point. I had been considering giving a paleo type diet a try to minimize weight gain and stabilize my blood sugars (prednisone!), but when I read your post that was the cinched the deal.
Three weeks in, and I’m feeling pretty good on this diet, and my weight is finally holding steady. I’m tapering prednisone and hoping that lifestyle changes will allow me to continue to do so. Thank you for your inspiring story and for giving me some hope that nutrition can be a powerful contributor to my healing. My doctros have been absolutely amazing with their rapid diagnosis and treatment, but there is little info out there on this disease and anything in my control. This gave me that.
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Melissa, thank you for sharing your story. I am honored to hear that I had an influence on your health – cheers to better health, a bit of control over the uncontrollable!
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Thanks very intereesting blog!
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Russ,
Semoga cepet baik 100%.
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Hello. sorry you had a rough go of it, but thank goodness you seem to have figured it out for good. I am 51 and just diagnosed with a brain tumor. I just finished with 6weeks of radiation and now grasping for anything that will with put this tumor into remission and take away my symptoms. In your writings and travels have you come across tumor pts who have used your lifestyle with success. Brain tumors esp Agioblastomas grow with sugar. I was told to stop eating carbs and read meat. If you actually read these post I would love some feedback if you are able. Thanks.
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Hi Tom, I am not qualified to speak on this with any authority, but this article from Paul Jaminet, one of the more prominent voices in the Paleo movement, is really good: http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/09/an-anti-cancer-diet/
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Thank you for putting out this blog. I’m sorry you have gone through all of this. My son has had to go on a paleo diet. He cannot have any type of sugar refined/processed. He loses reality because of this. We’re still trying to find out what’s going on. No one seems to know why. Thank you again and good luck to you.
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I think I am a bit over whelmed…don’t know where to start on this or really even how. My daughter passed away from a disease called Wagners Grandulomatosis. Actually from an off-shoot of that called Churgg Strauss Syndrom. My other daughter suffers from PCOS which I believe I also had when I was young. Additionally I believe that many of my issues started when I was younger and lived in an Air Force Base in Hawaii. They fogged DDT regularly and as a young child my friends and I ran behind the truck and pretened to be in heaven. I now think I was in a hell. I still believe that that was the beginning. So many health issues that I just get tired of talking about them. Food is difficult because I love everything and I hear so many different storie, advise and opinions. I know I don’t have forever to figure it out!!!
I just don’t know where to start.
Help,
Falene
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My father eventually passed from Wegener’s when he was in his eighties. Usually you get it at a younger age. He was nearly dead when diagnosed and we transferred him to Johns Hopkins Hospital. I truly think if you are diagnosed with something like that there are certain drugs to help it. That being said I also devoted my like at the time to keeping him healthy, along with the medication I made sure he ate all the right foods. You need to be your own best advocate on this disease. I know all the doctors say it is not genetic, but I believe in some form or another it is passed on. My father was also in a war and who knows what he was given. Don’t give up! Try anything that you think will help, but I think the right diet is definitely the way to go. Good luck!
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I read most of your story and immediately recognized what your problem is. Have not read all the replies but needed to tell you that you are majorly deficient in the mineral magnesium. Your diet was deficient and all the physical activity you were involved in depleted your body of the most important mineral our body needs. Everyone seems to know about calcium but don’t know that magnesium is more important. Your intake of calcium and magnesium should be 1:1 ratio or more in mag. Find the book Magnificent Magnesium by Dr. Dennis Goodman. You will be amazed at the info contained in this softbound book. 50% of mag is in your bones, only one % in blood stream and 75 – 80% of Americans are deficient. It helps to regulate over 300 enzymes and functions in our body and is the 4th most available mineral in the world. Even if your blood work says your mag is ok it isn’t. Take a red blood cell serum test. It’s possible to take in IV’s, tablets and a topical gel. When you changed your diet you started to get more and it helped you but you still most likely need more. I never did this before but I felt compelled to let you know. God put all this on the planet for our good. Hope it helps you. Praying you will not just think this is the rambling of an old woman but will look into it and try it. And don’t forget the very important Sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D3, and potassium. Only God knows why I happened to see your story!!!!
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Thank you so much for giving me the hope I needed. I am a 64 yr old female that eats a healthy diet and am active, that is until recently when all of a sudden I couldn’t walk without pain or lift my arms past my waist and was always tired. I have been to countless doctors from rheumatologists to neurologists endocrinologists and they all have there own agenda. The only common demoninator was to put me on a course of prednisone which I refuse to take. I feel the risks far out weigh the benefits. When I asked if there was something in my diet I could change they all emphatically said NO! I was not willing to accept this I felt there had to be something else I could do, and then I came across your article. I truly think you have something there. I am starting to eliminate some of the trigger foods and incorporate some others. Since I already eat a pretty healthy diet it should not be so hard. I think a combination of the Paleo and the Mediterranean is the way to go. I was eating more cheese than I usually had and was eating a lot of red grapes. I have eliminated them and have seen a slight decrease in symptoms. I didn’t eat much wheat before but I will now elimate is from my diet and see how that works. I will be eating more root vegetables and most definitely using some of your recipes. Looking forward to more of your insight into this.
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Hi Russ!
My name is Ariadna and I’m the co-producer & comunity manager of
Speechless, a documentary about aphasia directed by Guillermo F. Florez.
I would like to share our website and facebook page with you, just in case
you are interested in it! http://www.speechlessdoc.com
I have been reading your website and I think
it’s amazing! I was thinking if you would be interested in writing a post
for our blog (http://www.speechlessdoc.com/blog/) talking about your
personal expirience as a young stroke survivor and of course, also about
The domestic Man project. I think it would be very inspiring for thouse
who’d read it! Please, feel free to contact me and discuss about it! speechlessdoc@gmail.com
All the best!
Ariadna
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Hi Russ,
I really enjoy your recipes and have added several of them into my personal weight loss program.
The recipes that I have tried have a great deal of variety and taste.
I would ask, is there a way to add nutritional information for each recipe on a per serving basis?
Good luck and thank you.
Jim
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Hi Russ,
I have been living with Takayasu Arteritis for 14 plus years. In 2006 had aortosubclavian bypass procedure at Cleveland Clinic. It has been a journey for me as well. I felt I should send you a note and say that I hope your TA is and stays remitted. I found my own irregular pulse in 2001 after some similar symptoms and it took a while before the testing got me to an angiogram, carotid dopplar and then on to Cleveland and starting a series of Steroids, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and then ultimately the Bypass and cellcept. I have been looking for some sort of ‘sign’ to what a good diet could be for me. I am digging into your information on the website as I can see you have been researching with Autoimmune diseases like this in mind. I am an eye doctor in Indiana and I have been doing a lot of study on Omegas and the possible role in reducing inflammation. I believe that inflammation is a key root to damage that occurs in many health conditions including my, your TA. I think our diet in America is simply dangerous with all the preservatives and processing.
I would love to talk with you anytime about the TA as I know no one with the condition aside myself.
Best Regards
Andrew Hogue OD
Indiana
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Hi Russ,
Thanks for sharing the recipes. This is my new favorite website.
Miles
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Wow, really inspirational story. I’m so glad to hear that the Paleo diet has helped you with your health problems. Although my story isn’t nearly as scary as yours, I struggled with horrendous IBS for 2 years before a wonderful functional healthy practitioner put me onto Paleo, I really hope more people learn about the incredibly important role diet plays in our health.
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Wow Paleo Man, Your story is inspiring. About a year and a half ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had sugery and was recommended to have about 6 month of chemotherapy followed by radiation. After one round of treatment, she had lost 7 lbs and was hospitalized for dehydration. She visited a naturalist doctor and found alternative methods of treatment. She stopped chemo (i have nothing against medicine, I am a nurse in Uganda, my job is giving medicine) but she changed her diet. I believe it saved her life. that and a lot of prayer . Her most recent scan shows to be completely cancer free. And Like I said before I work in Uganda where the main food is just a different version of carbohydrate. It amazing how that affects the body. My body cannot handle the African diet of posho and beans It is beyond incredible how diet as vastly affects our health. The Lord has designed our bodies so intricately and blessed us with food to satisfy our needs. Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful recipes!
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Thanks for sharing your story Russ. I also have an autoimmune disease. Parkinson’s. I have been eating Paleo for about 4 yrs as a way to reduce the inflammation and toxins in my body. I recognize the improvement I feel when I am diligent with staying on protocol. I also take an amino acid protocol that fills in the nutritional gaps that can only be filled by supplementation. I see this doctor hope-for-Parkinsons.com
My symptoms are virtually gone now and from everything I am told, it stops the progression of the disease.
Blessings on your journey.
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Thanks so much for posting your amazing story here! I am far older than you (at 52) but also have Takayasu’s, and it has been quite a journey. Like you, I was pretty healthy and active, then things began to get weird. It was a long road (that included failed bypass surgery as well, and heart attack) to diagnosis at age 46. I also had trouble with the meds and did not want to be so disabled, and also came across not Paleo, but an anti-inflammatory diet that’s similar in many ways. Like you, I experienced a big difference! I have had to take rounds of immunosuppressant drugs now and then, but I am largely free of such meds most of the time since switching my diet. No mistaking that I have this illness, and I have to take life at a different pace, but with the help of a diet change, I have been able to continue to enjoy a gently active lifestyle with my family. Since our illness is so rare, I’ve never met anyone else who has it, and certainly never heard about anyone else who is using diet modification to reduce the need for meds. You’ve made my day. I admire your courage, strength, and creativity! You go!
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What an incredible, inspiring story! I wish you the best in your journey of health and helping others. I am very interested in Paleo, plan to buy your book!
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Very inspiring!
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Very inspiring and absolutely fantastic. You have a great support from family. That is heavenly. Very happy for you and your family
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Wow what a great story. Thanks for sharing and all of your amazing recipes, it is very inspiring to someone like me who is currently on my own journey to wellness. Also a great resource. P.S. You have a lovely family!
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Hello, I was also diagnosed with TA in 2006, I decided to pass on the steroids and chemotherapy and opted for acupuncture and Chinese herbs……ever since my Imflamation has been controlled but my diesease has progressed. No surgeries yet!!! I have had quality of life since diagnosed and for that I am so grateful with God. Going to look into Paleo diet and thank you for sharing your touching story!!!
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Thank you for sharing your story. I wish i would have came across this in August of 2013 when my younger sister was diagnosed with Takayasu. She had a stroke August 1st 2013. Shocking for a girl who was only 32 years old! After testing, the docs saw 100% blockage in both carotids and 80% blockage in the only artery supplying blood to her brain… The vetebral artery. She also had 80% blockage in her coronary artery and a aortic aneurysm. This was devastating. Over the course of a year, she was on the highest dose of prednisone and also Methotrexate! I slowly watched her deteriorate. She lost all her teeth, her septum, vision, her ability to walk or basically do much of anything! She would complain so much of the pain. Sadly she lost her battle January 13th of this year. My heart aches something terrible for her.
I will keep all of you in my prayers! This is a devastating disease!
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Dude! That’s a powerful story. I was dx’d w Fibromyalgia after two years of tests and procedures and dr visits to specialists in 2007 to eliminate evety autoimmune disease that has the same symptoms as mine. Very frustrating and I’ve tried and done it all without much relief (western and eastern medicine alike). I’m looking into trying Paleo for relief. Almost 9 years after Dx, I’m beyond tired of feeling crappy. I’m 47 now and unwilling to give up on some kind of remission.
Thanks for your site and your amazing story and your willingness to share it and your lovely recipes. I’d love to hear from anyone who has suffered from Fibro and had any good results from eating Paleo. Best to you and your family!
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My name is Alexis Zarycki and I am writing to you in regards to my father.
About seven months ago, my mother Lori Jo Zarycki passed away after a three year old battle with cancer.
My mother was well-liked within our community, among both family and friends, and she was only 51 years old when she passed away. My mother was amazing, still is, and was the super mom we all love to hate. Even during her first two years with chemotherapy and radiation she still went to work, took care of us; was everything to us.
After my mother’s passing, our family was a mess. We were basically like any other family that has had a loved one pass away from such a terrible thing. We felt empty and dad. However, after the screaming, crying, and feeling sorry for ourselves; we all decided to do something in order to share our mothers live with others. So my father wrote a book.
My mother’s story is empowering; but so is my fathers. He was her caregiver. We all were, but he was the main one. Which is why my father, Steven Walter Zarycki, took his sadness and anger, and also love to write this book. My father is 52, a local of Forked River New Jersey, and wants to share with people our story; so I am trying to help him. The book, which you can find more detailed information online at this link, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStevenWZarycki, is entitled, “Stairways- A True Story of Love, Life, and Death,” and is available on Amazon.
I think what my father is doing is inspiring. I really do. My father didn’t write this book for anything else but to remember and honor my mother’s life. He did it out of love, out of grief: to give people another outlet they could relate to. Cancer and sickness affects so many lives today, and my father wanted people to see that. He is such an amazing man. Truly he is. I am being contacted by many individuals about how inspiring and influential his book and I know in the bottom of my heart I know my mother is proud of him as well as myself, brother and the rest of our family and friends. My father’s book is not only a story about love and loss, but it is also a self-help book. It shares our mother’s story and my father’s journey as a caregiver while also teaching people ways to deal with stress, anger, and sadness.
So with that, I thank you for giving me the time of day and letting me share this news with you. Please let me know if there are any questions regarding the book or our story. Together we can all fight cancer and put an end to sickness. We just need to share one story at a time.
Thanks again and have a blessed day.
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Wow, that is quite a journey that you’ve been on. I’m glad your health has improved thanks to the Paleo Diet! I have a question though, do you have any advice for people who may want to try this diet out? Any tips or suggestions to help out beginners? Thank you so much! Looking forward to your next post!
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Thank you for telling your story. I am forwarding this onto 2 friends with R.A. I am a vegan, and am currently doing a paleo version of veganism (think veggies, fruits, tons of nuts/seeds, and one dose of soy protein powder a day….not paleo, but that’s my exception). I’ve been off gluten for a while, but still struggled with a lifetime long digestive problem/IBS. I’ve cut out all grains, beans (except some peanut butter), potatoes, etc. and am seeing dramatic improvement. As a kid I was put on Senokot, mineral oil, wheat bran flakes, etc. and suffered as even that didn’t work well. I needed hernia surgery in 2012 and my surgeon suspected decades of severe constipation caused my muscle to tear. We truly are what we eat. I’m a huge fan of “let food be thy medicine”.
As a psychic medium, I’d love to hear if you had a near death experience during surgery. I’m betting you did!
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Hey Russ!
I don’t know how to thank you!
I needed a blog like yours in my life NOW!!!!
Life is so beautiful I’m so happy. I will be following you from now on and I’ll be trying your delicious recipes. Thank you.
Your story is incredible.
If one day you have a minute, feel free to visit my page as I’m on a journey, it’s cool to meet people along the way…
Take care and keep going!
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I just needed a beef ball broth recipe and found it here. My husband is from Indonesia. His family left meatballs in the freezer after Thanksgiving and also a huge head of Savoy cabbage. OK I took all the spices out except for the ginger after checking back with him, no carrots traditionally for bakso, but crispy fried onions and a soy sauce and raw hot pepper seasoning and glass noodles for a finishing touch at the table. The family is from East Java. They loved it. I am a vegetarian ;). Best of luck with your health!
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Wow, you have went through so much so young! That is definitely scary! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I’m wondering if you had considered a plant-based or vegetarian lifestyle before switching to Paleo? I think if everyone followed a plant-based lifestyle we could really end world hunger, not to mention destruction to the planet (Cowspiracy) & animal cruelty issues at slaughterhouses.
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Dear Stacey Ann,
If you want to advocate for your lifestyle, more power to you.But if I may, perhaps you should consider starting your own website or blog, so you don’t have to hijack someone else’s. Just a thought…
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There is nothing wrong with some curiosity and awareness. Also I do have my own website and blog, just click the link to have a look! Thanks!
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So sorry to read about everything you’ve been through. I also have an auto immune disease, no where near as serious as what you’ve went through, but I also have to take immune suppressant meds. I had never heard of the Paleo diet, but so glad that you’ve found something that works for you. I look forward to trying some of your recipes.
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Amazing journey. Happy you’re on the right road with your family.
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Hi Russ, Thanks for telling this story. I remember you having medical issues in Hawaii but had no idea this was the reason. You’re story is inspiring and motivating!! It’s truly amazing how diet can remedy most of our ills and your story is proof of that!
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I had a stroke at the age of eight (’03) and have been in delicate health often since. I’m hoping that a Paleo diet/lifestyle will help with that and the constant pain.
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that sux :(
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I wish this story would reach more young people. My daughter is in her 20s and we know more young people that are showing symptoms of AI diseases than not. Anxiety and depression is rampant in this age group, seems like a precursor to other problems.
Russ, so sorry you went through this. But surely enjoy your recipes!
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Russ, do you think that after your stroke and diagnosis that your paleo lifestyle/diet helped with residual paralysis issues and pain? I’ve had my stroke-life for nearly fourteen years and have recently (as of the last six or so months) developed chronic pain; mostly in my back, but also in my hips, knees and ankles (for the most part). I’m not looking to completely fix my brain-that is only possible in the resurrection or afterlife. I’m just looking to improve my pain, stability, and self image so I can be more confident. I often feel like an eighty-five year old. Do you think you could give me some input on what you think?
Thank you,
Robyn J.
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I admire your determination and intelligence to continue looking at other avenues for help. It is a pleasure to meet you.
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Your blog is such an inspiration, thank you. Our 16yo son has Vasculitis and I am going to show him your story. He hopes to live an active life and also join the Navy.
Are you still on any medication for your condition? We have avoided everything so far except Pred but we may need to do something soon as he is symptomatic. Thank you for any advice you may have
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You are the definition of brave and determined. God bless
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You’ve had a bumpy ride, immunosupressants, I know them well and the prednisilone drugs. Mine are for a different reason, in my case a kidney transplant. So I am now fascinated by your blog and the idea of the Paleo diet. I may write something for kidney patients, I keep meaning too but I often deny that I have any problems, life is precious anyway but for some, it is even more so.
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No navy! MHO. This baby needs TLC AT HOME. Poor baby…..
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Thank you for your helpful recipe blog and for being brave enough to share your story. It is amazing what you have overcome. Autoimmune diseases have occurred in my family (Celiac and others), although it is unclear whether the problems I have are from a specific autoimmune disease. I continue to try paleo recipes while eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
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Thank you for sharing your story, Russ. So glad you are better and found how eating Paleo has changed your life. I found your website when looking for a recipe on how to prepare boniato. I made the mashed boniato last evening and it was delicious! Thank you for your blog/recipes and bless you and yours!
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You’ve got plenty of comments here, but I just have to add one more. :) Your story is amazing! I knew that diet was powerful for autoimmunity, but most autoimmune diseases are (seemingly) not as severe as yours. Knowing that even extreme surgeries and so many “necessary” drugs might be avoided with the right diet and lifestyle is VERY encouraging. Seeing your story in pictures from beginning to end makes it even more compelling!
Thank you for all you’re sharing here. I arrived initially at your pork adobo recipe (I grew up in the Philippines and it looks sooooo good), but now I’ll be checking out your cookbook and the rest of your blog. :) I have Hashimoto’s, and after my diagnosis in 2013, eliminating gluten in addition to what I was already avoiding (soy, fluoride, junk food in general) made a huge difference, but I know I’d be even better if I could improve my diet further).
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Oops, adding a comment just so I can click “Notify me of new posts…” since I saw it just as I clicked “Post comment” before. The option may be elsewhere on the site but sometimes I just can’t find it!
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I visited your site almost a year ago, and I still cannot forget your story. This is a site of positive experience, and I will add mine. I have multiple sclerosis. In 2015, I had seven relapses within 6 months. Bad. Than I started paleo diet (close to Wahls protocol), and had only one relapse in the next year. Now I am relapse-free for three years.
My life goes better and better, because this diet also healed my depression and lack of energy.
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I felt it when you said you felt elderly at the age of 28.
I’m 27 year and I have takayasu and as a result I have severe narrowing of my aorta (70%) and other arteries. Thank you for sharing your story.
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What a story…
Here via your YouTube handheld channel. ;-)
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