Introduction:

It began on a cold winter night while I was camping with friends. The temperature had dropped so low that we eventually had to move into the van just to stay warm. Soon after, I noticed a strange, persistent cough that started to concern me. It wasn’t just a tickle in the throat—it felt like my whole body was being suffocated every time I stepped into the cold. My friends began asking, “Mish, why are you coughing so much?” as it progressively got worse.

The Onset of Long COVID:

By August, in search of some relief, I traveled to Holland for a friend’s 50th birthday, hoping that the summer warmth would at least help me escape the cold back home. But instead of relief, I found myself short of breath simply walking or climbing stairs. Something was seriously wrong.

When I returned, my doctor suggested I might have asthma, but after seeing a pulmonologist and undergoing several tests, the results were inconclusive. Although I had all the symptoms of asthma, the diagnosis didn’t quite fit. That’s when the term “long COVID” was first mentioned—a term that would come to define my health journey over the next two years.

The diagnosis was both a revelation and a nightmare. It explained my symptoms, but it also opened up a new world of challenges I wasn’t prepared for. I began to feel like I was in an endless loop of medical appointments and tests, each one revealing something new and unsettling about my health.

The Discovery of DNA Issues:

One of the most significant breakthroughs came when I decided to have my DNA tested. I had heard about the importance of genes, but I knew very little about what they meant for me personally. The results were a shock. Suddenly, the frustration I had felt with my body for most of my life started to make sense.

1. Detoxification Issues:
The first revelation was that I lacked a gene responsible for detoxifying chemicals and carcinogens. Growing up, I had always wondered why I could never tolerate alcohol or certain medications, why I had a constant sore stomach, and why I avoided things that others seemed to indulge in without issue. It wasn’t that I was a prude or boring—my body was simply protecting itself because it lacked the ability to process those substances.

This discovery was eye-opening. It made me realize that the discomfort I had always felt wasn’t in my head. It was a very real, very physical reaction to something my body couldn’t handle.

2. Methylation and Energy:
The second major discovery was related to methylation—a process that helps our bodies break down and use the nutrients we consume. My DNA results revealed that my body wasn’t effectively methylating, which explained why I always seemed to run out of energy faster than others. It wasn’t just a matter of being tired or overworked; my body literally couldn’t convert what I consumed into the energy I needed.

3. Nitric Oxide and Breathing Issues:
Finally, I learned that I had an issue with the ENOS gene, which is responsible for producing nitric oxide—a molecule that helps blood vessels relax and expand. Without enough nitric oxide, my vessels would contract, particularly in cold conditions, making me feel as if I were being suffocated. This explained the breathing issues I had struggled with since childhood, especially when swimming or in cold weather.

Connecting the Dots:

These DNA discoveries were like missing pieces of a puzzle that I had been trying to solve for years. They explained so much about why my body reacted the way it did and why I had struggled with certain health issues throughout my life. But they also brought a new challenge: understanding how to support my unique self in light of this new information.

I began to incorporate supplements that acted as the missing genes, supporting my detox process and improving my methylation. I started taking L-arginine to boost nitric oxide production, which helped alleviate the suffocating feeling I often experienced in the cold.

Understanding my DNA didn’t just give me answers—it gave me a roadmap for how to manage my health moving forward. It allowed me to approach my healing journey with a new sense of clarity and purpose, knowing that I was working with my body rather than against it.

Conclusion:

This part of my journey has taught me the profound value of understanding and supporting my unique self. My DNA isn’t something to fight against; it’s something to work with. By embracing the information I’ve learned about my body, I’ve been able to make choices that truly support my well-being.

As I continue on this path, I invite others to consider how understanding their own bodies—whether through DNA testing or other means—can empower them to make informed decisions about their health. We are all unique, and our paths to healing should reflect that.

Call to Action:

If you’ve been struggling with unexplained health issues or just want to understand your body better, I encourage you to explore your unique makeup, whether it’s through DNA testing or other methods. Understanding yourself is the first step toward truly supporting yourself.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss this further or if you have any questions about my journey. I’m here to share and support others on their paths to better health.

This version focuses on the specific discoveries related to your DNA and how that knowledge has helped you better understand and manage your health. It’s a powerful story that highlights the importance of self-awareness and personalized care in the healing process.