Interesting range of responses here! I'm a 40-something PHP developer, and maybe one of the few ladies here! Since I'm lucky enough to be a lady, I'm also lucky enough to be more likely to suffer autoimmune diseases. In 2021, after the extreme stresses of you-know-what and resultant depression, and some heartbreaking personal losses, I noticed that my sore arms and hands had become something more and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I won't go into exactly how miserable this disease is except to say sometimes I wish I was dead. Since I have also developed a second autoimmune disease. 'Cuz usually if you have one, you'll get more. Collect them all!

My desperate quest to regain wellness (remission) has led me down all sorts of alt-health avenues. So far my greatest relief comes from the use of psychedelics (for inner work), Kratom (for pain), qigong (for exercise and release), breathwork (to repair my cells & ANS), and fasting (I achieved my best remission yet after a 7-day fast). Yeah, cuckoo. As a retired hospital RN, I am disillusioned enough with the state of medical care in the USA that I basically refuse to go. I could go on and on about what a shame this is. I have tried Prednisone (a typical first line of treatment) and trust me that medicine is hell. My sympathy to anyone who must be on that drug for life.

Over time it has become clear why I am sick. Prior to 2021 I considered myself healthy. I had great diet (vegetarian, organic) and earth-bound lifestyle. I was bit of an extreme athlete, having covered thousands of miles solo backpacking Death Valley, the High Sierra, and the Colorado Plateau. I spent most my time outdoors in the fresh air. Yet, because of childhood trauma I was broken inside, and I indulged in self-hatred. Until recently I was in denial about all that. I suffered strange symptoms for years and ignored them. Exiting denial and re-parenting myself, showing myself compassion, has been very helpful.

If I can help anyone who is feeling well, it'd be to say cherish your health and give love -- not advice -- to the sick. To the sick, I'd say, may you be happy, healthy, and free from suffering