Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

What Chronic Illness Taught Me with Nicola Singleton #87

Dec 11, 2019

Nicola Singleton, a former patient who dramatically turned her health around after battling chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, shares her inspiring journey. She recalls how a holistic approach helped her transition from feeling 'aged 38 but feeling 98' to vibrant health. Nicola emphasizes the power of personalized medicine, emotional connections in healthcare, and the transformative effects of dietary changes. Her story underlines resilience, the appreciation for life's moments post-recovery, and the significance of community support in healing.

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ANECDOTE

Applying to Doctor in the House

Nicola Singleton was struggling with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression.
She applied to Doctor in the House for a chance to have a doctor address her issues at home.

ANECDOTE

Meeting Dr. Chatterjee

Nicola was both excited and scared when Dr. Chatterjee first arrived.
She didn't focus on the cameras; her priority was having a doctor's attention.

ANECDOTE

A Day in Nicola's Life

Nicola's days were filled with pain and exhaustion, leaving her unable to work or play with her kids.
She describes her former self as merely existing, not truly living.

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This week’s podcast is a first for me – my guest is a former patient of mine, Nicola Singleton. I met Nicola back in September 2016 on the second series of my BBC1 TV documentary, Doctor In The House. Since then, she has completely transformed her health and I’m so pleased she’s agreed to share that story with you.

Nicola was, in her own words, ‘aged 38 but feeling 98’. She had a list of 10 different health diagnoses and was taking 20 different pills a day. Her main issues were feeling crippled with the exhaustion of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) along with the debilitating, widespread pain of fibromyalgia – both complex and misunderstood conditions from which she’d been told there was no hope of recovery. She couldn’t work, couldn’t play with her kids, could barely get out of bed. Nicola also suffered from anxiety, depression, IBS and more.

She was so desperate to feel better and start living again that she allowed me, and a BBC television crew, to practically move in with her, her husband and three young children for six weeks. In this podcast, we revisit what happened and how, by removing the illness labels and focusing on creating health, rather than treating disease, Nicola was pain free by the end of those six weeks.

Even more enlightening though, is our chat about everything that Nicola has achieved since then, without me. I know you’re going to find it fascinating, whether you saw the TV show or not. Nicola is a remarkable woman and her story a truly inspirational one.

Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/87

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.