Natalia Swidzinska

My Recipes & Articles

• I May Not Have Won Yet, But I’m Still Fighting to Control My PCOS Using Diet on July 13, 2018
• Soy-Free Asian Salmon and Clean Veggie Slaw on March 20, 2015
• Tropical Baked Oat Bars (Vegan) on March 17, 2015
• Terracotta – Carrot and Sweet Potato – Soup on February 23, 2015

My Story

I have always been of slight build, despite eating like a horse. Throughout my teen years I used to experience severe abdominal pain and bloating, but it took collapsing at work with what was suspected to be appendicitis, before I was finally diagnosed with IBS, 13 yrs ago.

I adapted my diet to suit my IBS, but despite cutting out all my trigger foods, I kept vomiting and had horrible burning sensations in my stomach. I found myself in worsening pain. I went back to the doctor, and got diagnosed with an underactive thyroid shortly after. My health declined so much that I was sent for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. The endoscopy showed the start of an ulcer in my stomach, so I unfortunately had to add acid reflux to my lengthening list of ailments. I tried three different medications for the reflux and eventually the vomiting, pain and coughing subsided. 

I thought, life is finally looking up. But the pain was still there! Doctors turned me away, saying it was simply my IBS and reflux creating the pain. However, after 5 months without menstruation, and negative pregnancy tests, I decided to go for some fertility tests. I was told I have severely cystic ovaries and was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). A baby may no longer be in my future if my body can’t respond positively to the meds, so I am trying daily to give it my best shot with my strictest diet yet.

To learn more about Natalia, check out her blog at irritableblonde.com