Testimonial – February 2009

“When I retired, in my sixties, I accepted that broken sleep, regular colds and infections, and reduced energy levels, were all part and parcel of getting older. However, after six visits to The Amber Centre, my quality of life has improved immensely. Within a short time of taking the remedies prescribed, I began to feel better. Now, my quality of life has improved so much that, though it sounds like a cliché, I feel so much younger. I find that when I go hill-walking, on my return, I could very well turn around and go again. How good is that?

The Amber Centre doesn’t just work for the elderly. It was the constant colds and infections my six year old grand-daughter suffered the winter before last which prompted me to respond to an ad I saw for the Amber Centre. Her G.P. had consistently diagnosed viral infections, but seemingly could do nothing for her. Occasionally, an antibiotic was prescribed, to no effect. The Amber Centre identified a weak immune system and low energy levels. Her treatment has resulted in her coming through what could be described as the coldest winter for some time with only one cold, and that was quickly sorted. Swimming lessons were uninterrupted for the winter. Score two for The Amber Centre. Thank you.”

Joe Brennan – Dublin

“I was feeling very tired all the time, very stressed and no energy at all. I saw Alma and she treated me for it. I have my energy back now and I feel great. All thanks to Alma I have my health back to normal”

Geraldine – Mullingar

“My first meeting with Alma was January 09 .I was on the internet searching for answers when I came across Alma’s website. Why was I searching for answers, well for 12 months before attending Alma I literally could not function on a daily basis. I had been in hospital for a week in sept 08 with symptoms of a stroke, left sided numbness, slurred speech, memory loss and unbelievable fatigue. I was diagnosed with Migraine and sent home. The day I left the hospital I felt worse than when I went in , I could not stand up for more than two minutes , the fatigue was preventing me from carrying out daily tasks like loading a dishwasher , sweeping the floor going up the stairs.. I could not drive as I was getting regular dizzy spells and the fatigue made it too dangerous. Also my left side arm and leg were still a bit numb. I could not go out too far as I would be extremely tired within a short time and have to lie down. This went on for weeks and I knew it wasn’t just migraine. I went back to my doctor and was put through a string of tests and nothing showed up to my dismay. I couldn’t get any answers as to why I was like this. I changed my diet completely not that it was bad in the first place but just to try out high energy foods. That didn’t work, I began to get incredibly stressed as I thought this is my life now and how am I ever going to get past this. I went back to my doctor six months after all this began and because I got upset with the frustration she told me it was probably in my head and referred me to a shrink. I knew this wasn’t mental as seven years previously I had a similar thing happen but not to the extent it was this time, that time I had a bacterial infection in my blood and was laid up for a month. I asked could I have an infection again and was told it would have turned up in the tests, which I replied well did you test for it and then I was dismissed again. So you can imagine my frustration at being sent to a shrink, reluctantly going on anti depressants which didn’t change my energy levels one bit. I was still in limbo I wanted so much to be out walking, partaking in activities with family without having to lie down after a few minutes. At this stage I couldn’t remember what my active life was like before all this and every day would pray that I would be able to make it through a day without having to lie down with fatigue.
I was trawling the internet as you do when you feel like you have been let down by conventional medicine, looking for anyone that might be able to help me, and I found Alma. My first visit with Alma was in Jan 09. I was a bit nervous going in as I wasn’t sure what to expect , all the other doctors I’d been didn’t look up from their desks when they spoke to me and they made me feel like I was imagining my symptoms . Alma sat me down and we started talking about what was going on with me, I didn’t tell her everything at that moment as for previous reasons I thought she might think it was in my head. Alma then started testing me, this process was painless as you sit in the chair hold on to the bar in your hand and the machine begins testing. Straight away Alma was able to tell me more of the symptoms I hadn’t discussed with her previously, through questions to which I answered yes to all. I could feel the tears starting to come as finally I was getting answers I had waited for . I felt vindicated. I was completely run down and I was allergic to tomatoes which accounted for some tummy trouble. I left the clinic that day with a huge weight lifted and above all hope.
Alma sent me home with drops and vitamins to take on a daily basis. First week I felt a bit worse which Alma said I would, I continued to take them for a month and already I felt better, I had a little bit more energy not so much that I could drive or walk but a definite improvement. A month later I went back for my next visit and surely my energy levels and immune system had risen, to my delight. Next visit same again, but more noticeable at home as I was doing a lot more without having to lie down as much. Next visit same again this time I’d driven short distances at home to the shops, painted in the house, walked a bit. Each visit after that my energy was and immune system rose. My family and friends couldn’t believe the difference, next visit I drove down and felt great I was able to do the journey. 
It’s now August and I’m coming to the end of my treatment, I’m driving, I’m walking 40 to 50 mins a day , I’m out with friends , I have a lot more energy , housework is no problem and the only time I have to lie down is when I’m going to bed at night. I know it probably seems like a long road to recovery but it was worth it, I had a year of complete misery before I met Alma, and she changed my life. It works you just have to be patient and you’ll get there. I did! I would finally like to thank Alma for her kindness and support; she’s a lovely lady who is not judgmental but very understanding. If I had not found her by accident that day on the internet I know I would be still in limbo waiting on answers.
I would recommend anyone who has had a similar experience, if you feel exhausted all the time, or just know there’s something just not right and your doctors don’t give you the answers (as you know sometimes if there’s no pill for it well it doesn’t exist). Go see Alma at the Amber Centre. She changed my life and I’m sure she can do it for you. Thank You Alma.”

Adriene Carty

What is Fatigue?

Fatigue is constant tiredness. It is very common. About one in four EU workers complain of enduring fatigue, and blame everything from a lack of sleep to stress.

Causes

• Sleep Apnoea – People with sleep apnoea generally snore up a storm, then suddenly stop breathing, which is marked by a period of eerie silence. After a minute or two without air, they wake up with a start, often gasping and snorting. This may happen hundreds of times a night, and sufferers may not remember ever waking up. But when they rouse in the morning after such a restless night, they’re exhausted. Sleep apnoea is caused by a blockage in the airway. Losing excess pounds can often ease the problem, as can sleeping on your side
• Recent Illness – Just because you’ve gotten over a cold or the flu doesn’t mean you’re back to your usual self. Being sick can make you feel tired… sometimes for weeks after the illness has passed. Take it easy, and let your body recover at its own pace
• Side effects from drugs – Many medications can cause drowsiness and fatigue, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and beta blockers
• Anaemia – Without sufficient iron, your blood can’t carry enough oxygen to the cells in your body. The result: fatigue, weakness, faintness, and dizziness. In order to replenish your iron stores, you’re going to have to find out what’s depleting them. If an iron-poor diet is to blame, an iron supplement should help. If you’re a woman, you may be losing too much iron during your menstrual period, in which case supplements are again the answer. Sometimes anaemia is a symptom of a more serious disorder, such as a bleeding ulcer or colon cancer. If this is the case, the treatment is to correct the underlying condition. Getting too much iron can lead to irreversible organ damage
• Depression – Sometimes the most noticeable symptom of depression is fatigue. This is especially likely if you’re also feeling melancholy; you’ve lost interest in your usual activities, including those you used to enjoy; you’re having difficulty concentrating or making decisions; you’ve lost your appetite or are hungrier than usual and may have either lost or gained weight as a result; and you’re having trouble sleeping. There’s no shame in being depressed. In fact, experts call it the “common cold” of mental health because no one is immune and it strikes so frequently. Fortunately, effective treatment is available. In addition, studies show exercise is a good way to raise sagging spirits
• Thyroid Problems – Your thyroid gland produces hormones that tell your cells how fast to work. If it’s not producing enough, everything slows down: your heart rate drops, your digestive system becomes constipated, your skin dries out, your hair thins, you gain weight, you feel cold and, yes, you feel tired. Oddly enough, too much thyroid hormone can also cause fatigue (in addition to triggering rapid heartbeat, sweating, and weight loss)
• Diabetes – Your body’s primary source of energy is glucose, a sugar found in food. In order to absorb glucose, you need a hormone called insulin, which is produced by your pancreas. If you have diabetes, your pancreas either stops making insulin or doesn’t make enough; without insulin, your body can’t absorb glucose, which means you won’t have any energy. In addition to feeling tired, signs of diabetes include: being very thirsty and hungry, having to urinate frequently, and losing weight. In many cases, making changes in your diet (mostly to regulate the amount of sugar and other carbohydrates you eat) is enough to manage the condition so you can live a normal, active life. Exercise can help a lot, too
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) – If you’re so exhausted that you’re having trouble going about your usual activities, your fatigue has been going on for more than six months, CFS may be the culprit. No one knows what causes this mysterious malady, but symptoms can last for months or years. In addition to overwhelming fatigue, people with CFS have at least four of the following symptoms: difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, fatigue on waking up, and feelings of illness and exhaustion after even light exertion. Because so little is known about CFS, no definitive treatment plan has been established. Most experts recommend living as healthy as possible: exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, get enough rest, learn to pace yourself, ask for help when you need it, don’t smoke, and cut back on alcohol and caffeine. In addition, some people find dietary supplements (such as vitamins and herbs) and alternative therapies (like acupuncture and hypnosis) helpful
• Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) – Experts now believe that some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome are actually NMH, a blood pressure disorder that causes your nerves to overstimulate your heart, starting a chain reaction that results in lightheadedness, fainting, and fatigue. If you have fainting spells that leave you feeling overwhelmingly tired for hours or days afterward. Eating more salty foods will help prevent the fainting spells that trigger fatigue.
• Congestive heart failure – Despite how it sounds, congestive heart failure does not mean your heart stops; rather, it means your heart is not pumping as well as it should. The result: fatigue, shortness of breath, and bloating and weight gain due to water retention. Get plenty of rest, but don’t become totally inactive… regular activity keeps your circulation flowing. It’s also important to avoid salt, which causes you to retain even more water
• Addison’s Disease – Your adrenal glands produce corticosteroid hormones that regulate many important functions in your body. When the outer layer, or cortex, of your adrenal glands fails, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, and anaemia result