Following is a list of success stories submitted by our patients as testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence in health care. We thank these women for submitting their stories.
Shawna has been treating my wife for several years and has made an amazing difference to her health. Having helped her to beat a lengthy and chronic bout of Candida, she got her into tip top shape for pregnancy and we conceived in August 2008.
In December we were advised to have an amniocentesis as early testing had indicated a high risk factor for Downs Syndrome. As it turned out, the test was a disaster and we knew it at the time. We went home and over the next 24 hours she lost a lot of amniotic fluid. An ultrasound scan the next day showed a that the amniotic sac was ruptured and had separated from the uterine wall. The doctor advised us to terminate the pregnancy immediately or alternatively to go home and wait for the baby to miscarry..... we were not happy with this advice.
We spoke to Shawna later that day and she advocated bed rest, lots of water and a homeopathic remedy known to help in post surgical situations. After three days the fluid stopped leaking and a week later, with our hearts in our mouths, we went for another ultrasound. By chance, the same technician who had found the earlier problems conducted the scan and it was almost immediately clear that everything had healed! She told us that if she had not done the earlier scan herself, she would have insisted that my wife was a different patient! she had never seen anything like it and called it a miracle ...listening to her say these things I could only think of one thing .....Shawna and her homeopathic remedy.
We were later told that my wife had complete placenta previa so we went straight back to Shawna who again proscribed a natural remedy. The next time we went for an ultrasound we just just smiled when the nurse told us that the placenta had moved and that she had never seen anything like it in such a case.
There are many other ways in which we have felt the benefits of Shawna's care during this pregnancy, too many to list. I know that when baby Benjamin is born in a few weeks time, I will look at him and silently thank Shawna, for without her I do not think that he would be here. Once he is old enough we will be taking him to meet the doctor who saved him and you can be sure that she will be taking care of him for many years to come.
Thank you Shawna
Sandy & Bridget
Just two months before my wedding I went to my family doctor complaining of terrible night sweats. My thyroid tests came back normal and so she suggested that I could be entering menopause. My husband and I were devastated and not yet ready to try for a family, despite knowing it may be our last chance. Luckily for me my doctor referred me for further testing with an endocrinologist. As it turned out I did have a thyroid condition (hyper) as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I was given medication and monitored for a year. Despite treatment my weight remained low and I rarely had a period. I was told to "fatten up" if I ever wanted children.
When my husband and decided we were ready to have children we headed straight for a fertility clinic. I was told that we would be pregnant very quickly. We were elated! As any one who has struggled with fertility issues knows, it is emotionally taxing. Daily appointments at 7am, getting your hopes up only to have them dashed. I felt like there was nothing I could do except sit and wait for the doctors to figure it out. I didn't smoke, ate well, worked out daily and was in great shape (at least on the outside). I decided that there had to be more I could do to help this process along. I googled "fertility and naturopath" and went through a couple of unimpressive sites. When I found Annapurna Naturopathic I was reeled in by the quality of the website and the information contained therein. I promptly made an appointment with Shawna.
Working with Shawna was wonderful. I quickly learned I wasn't as healthy as I thought (although I had always suspected something wasn't quite right). Shawna worked in tandem with my fertility treatments, scheduling acupuncture sessions before and after IUI. I gave up gluten, coffee and most alcohol and was taking supplements appropriate for my issues. I gave myself over 110% to this process and slowly began to regain some control over my health.
In May 2007 after working with the fertility clinic for a year and Shawna for several months we decided to go ahead and try In vitro fertilization (IVF). In June 2007 we finally got the positive pregnancy test we'd been working towards. I'll never know for sure if my work with Shawna is what did it, but I strongly believe that it did. I was entering a high risk pregnancy feeling better about myself than ever before thanks to the dietary and lifestyle changes Shawna coached me through. In February 2008 I gave birth to twin boys weighing 6lbs 1oz and 6lbs 7oz.
Maricke Emanoilidis
When I first came to see Shawna Darou in December of 2007, I was in sad shape ...I was exhausted from my long journey through breast cancer treatment: diagnosis in 2006, followed by a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy, then another mastectomy. Somehow it just seemed to take forever to feel better, and after all their fine critical care, allopathic resources could only recommend the Canadian Food Guide and patience. I had plateaued in my recovery and needed help. Within a few days of starting the regimen that Shawna recommended, I experienced a surge in energy and physical well-being which allowed me to go from working 3 days a week to working 4 days a week. I was sleeping better than ever ...I was able to ditch most of my allopathic meds, sleeping pills and the antidepressants I took to relieve nerve-related pain. Shawna is thoughtful, knowledgeable, well-informed, dialed-in, compassionate, and above-all, practically helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to my sisters, my mother, a daughter or a friend. Thank-you Shawna!
- KF
For years, I had suffered from emotional side effects of PMS. Like clockwork, the uncontrollable mood swings - sometimes to the point of depression and severe anxiety - would set in each month. It was debilitating, frustrating and confusing because I am, by nature, an optimistic and rational person and couldn't understand how my mind would undergo this "Jekyll and Hyde" transformation each month. Conventional medicine offered band-aid solutions such as anti-depressants. That's when I discovered homeopathy, the Annapurna Naturopathic Clinic and Shawna Darou. I was immediately impressed and comforted by her genuine interest in getting to the root cause of the problem. From the initial consultation assessing my health history, to prescribing treatments that were unique to me and my condition, to follow-up sessions focusing on progress, she has been attentive, knowledgeable and empathetic. She quickly earned my trust by offering tailored options rather than cookie-cutter solutions. In a few short months I saw results I never thought were possible - a relief from PMS! Supplementary treatments focusing on my overall health have me feeling more healthy, energetic and in the better health than I can remember. I am grateful for Shawna's expertise, advice and encouragement. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
- Elizabeth G.
When I first started seeing Shawna Darou, I felt I was in pretty good shape and was relatively healthy. Through the years, however, she has helped me to improve my overall health to the point where I'm feeling the healthiest and strongest I've ever been. The biggest problems for me have been managing my stress levels and controlling the incremental weight gain that has occurred over the last 3 years. The program she introduced to me isn't so much a diet, but a change in lifestyle - one for the better! I've since lost the ring of fat around my waist and I'm much better at managing stress. I'm amazed at the results.
Shawna takes a holistic approach to every situation. I appreciate how she looks at the entire picture before deciphering the root(s) of the problem. She has such a wealth of knowledge and depth, that I truly regard her as my sage. I recommend her to every woman in my life.
- Dolores Salken
....after my fertility specialist informed me of the options of drugs I could take to treat my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in order to get my body to ovulate, I just didn't feel comfortable. I really wanted to explore other avenues before I started introducing drugs to my system. Shawna Darou helped me understand and deal with my condition naturally through acupuncture and diet changes. Not only did I start ovulating on a regular cycle, but I have such a greater understanding of my condition and the way
my body works and reacts to things such as diet and stress.
Once my husband and I decided to try and conceive, we were successful in getting pregnant within a few months! I owe many thanks to Shawna for helping us conceive naturally and without the use of drugs.
- CK
Discovering Annapurna Naturopathic has been a wonderful experience. I have been a patient for nearly 18 months, and have found the level of care to be extraordinary. I had originally perceived naturopathic medicine as something that people pursued when traditional or western medicine had failed. What I have found is that it is an essential part of overall health maintenance, and after years of struggling with low iron, I was provided with a natural alternative that has been easy on my system and really effective. When I do become sick with a cold or bug, and it seems to linger, I automatically will seek out advice from Annapurna Naturopathic as opposed to over the counter medicines. I have also found that Shawna Darou's bedside manner and approach to naturopathy and personal health to be far superior to any doctor or physician I've seen. She provides a relaxed and comfortable environment, and immediately puts you at ease. I have recommended Annapurna Naturopathic to family, friends and colleagues, all of whom have had really positive experiences!
- Liz Manning
I first visited Shawna Darou after a full year of dead ends with the traditional health care system. After countless visits to doctors and the emergency room with no answers, Shawna was able to pinpoint my illness to a simple food intolerance in just a few visits. I am now truly healthier than I have been for years, and able to return to a full and happy life. Thank you Shawna!
- Cindy Cleaver
I met Shawna Darou about 4 years ago. I was searching for an alternative to western medicine and some answers to some health issues. I had been struggling with digestive issues, as well as anxiety and stress and hormonal imbalance from PCOS. I had seen my GP many times and specialists and no one was helping me with the root of the problem. Shawna was extremely attentive and knowledgeable. She quickly diagnosed me with celiac disease and through diet and supplements she has helped me immensely. Shawna balanced my hormones with homeopathy as well and for the fist time in over 20 years I was able to get off the birth control pill. My children and husband have had allergy testing done with Shawna and she has helped us with diet and recipes for our family. Shawna's gentle nature and patience are why the children feel very comfortable with her. We go often for check up's for the kids ears and general well being. Shawna has become a very important resource for our family and we feel blessed to have her in our lives. We have recommended her to many people and they all feel the same way.
- Carrie Shibinsky
I had been diagnosed with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea in 2001, and had seen many doctors and specialists who weren't able to help me and didn't have anything to offer besides synthetic hormone solutions, and "wait and see". It was discouraging, because I not only wanted my body to be healthy and produce hormones naturally again, but my husband and I wanted to have a baby, and this clearly couldn't happen if my body wasn't producing hormones. I didn't feel very comfortable with the idea of standard infertility treatments, and began to look at other options. In early 2004, I found information on Shawna Darou and promptly made an appointment. She discussed all aspects of my health - not just the hormone problem, but my diet, activity and lifestyle and made some suggestions about things that I could change. She also prescribed some supplements and a homeopathic remedy as well as gentle acupuncture. After about 6 weeks of treatments, I had the biggest surprise of my life - my hormones had not only returned, but I was actually pregnant! I had a very easy and healthy pregnancy, and gave birth to a very healthy little girl. I was easily able to breast feed and my cycles returned (while breastfeeding!) after a year at exactly 28 day intervals! 3 years later, my husband and I wanted to have another baby, and it happened very easily the first month! I don't think that could have happened if I went the standard route of fertility treatments the first time. Shawna helped by body to heal and balance itself, instead of just overriding the symptom with chemicals and medical procedures. Shawna also helped me to treat some mild morning sickness early in this pregnancy with homeopathy. This pregnancy has also been very easy and healthy and we are now expecting our second baby any time now.
- Dianna
After a car accident a few years ago, I started seeing a massage therapist, chiropractor and started exercising regularly by attending Yoga, Pilates and Aquafitness classes for my back & shoulder pain. I also gained a considerable amount of weight and even though I was exercising regularly, I just couldn't seem to lose any weight and it was becoming a hindrance on my life. In April 2007, my massage therapist recommended I speak to a naturopath about my weight, and that's when I gave Shawna Darou at the Annapurna Naturopathic Clinic a call. My first session consisted of Shawna getting to know my condition and she recommended a change of diet that would increase my metabolism and decrease my cravings for sweets. Before I met Shawna and started her recommended program, I was feeling tired all the time, was in constant pain, suffered from work stress and lack of sleep. Eleven months later, I am proud to say that I have lost just over 25lbs and decreased a lot of my original symptoms! It wasn't an easy task, especially with all the temptations at work! There is always cake or sweets around! I was able to curb my cravings for sweets and maintained a good intake of carbohydrates and protein. I now eat breakfast regularly and have increased my metabolism and water intake, which has helped me to lose a lot of the weight. I also find I have more energy and don't need that extra sweet at 3 pm in order to get through my day. My co-workers often ask me how I lost all the weight and I always say, its thanks to my Naturopathic doctor and her support that I am able to lose the weight and have discovered what I was doing wrong in the first place to make me gain weight, but most importantly it's taught me how and when to eat. I still let myself have a sweet now and again, but when I do it tastes so sweet that I hardly finish it! Thanks to Shawna I have lost my sweet tooth and am able to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle!
- LP
I have gone to different naturopaths over the years and none of them could help me get my digestive system working properly. I was so tired of suffering! Shawna Darou listened so carefully to me, and took it seriously. She went through a really thorough assessment process, and slowly started adding supplements and suggesting changes to my diet. She worked with the pace of change that I could handle and did things in a way that really complemented my lifestyle. Now, I am experiencing better digestion that I ever have in my life - no health care practitioner has been able to work with me to achieve that! I am so thankful to Shawna for her expertise, her commitment and the sensitive and respectful manner in which she approaches her practice. Coming to see her was an important decision in my life, and definitely a good one!
- Anonymous
Shawna Darou played an instrumental role in the conception of our first child. With a history of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) we weren't sure how difficult it would be to conceive. She recommended several natural and non-invasive treatments, which included dietary changes, supplements, and acupuncture in order to result in my pregnancy within a short time. Shawna was also extremely helpful during and after the pregnancy in providing lots of advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, boosting energy levels, and caring for the baby. Her enthusiasm, compassion, and patience throughout the process was absolutely wonderful! We will definitely be working with her for our second child when we're ready.
Shawna has also added tremendous value to my health over the past few years. I initially approached her for a different perspective on my health, having only been exposed to "conventional" doctors in the past. I was particularly concerned about insulin resistance and weight issues. Shawna offered me wonderful advice and natural remedies which helped me significantly with my weight loss efforts, when little else had worked in the past. She also addresses the root cause of health issues, as opposed to finding ways to mask symptoms - and always explains what is happening with my body in terms that I can understand. My energy levels, mood, and overall health changed in an extremely positive way as a result of her guidance. Shawna is an invaluable part of my health care efforts - I never leave her office without feeling like I have a plan. I can't thank her enough for everything she has done!
MM (Toronto)
Shawna Darou is amazing. She listens to you and is so thorough and really takes time to diagnose and help you in whatever you need. She goes above and beyond the call of duty and you really feel like there is sunshine at the end of the rainbow!! She really helps you heal and helps you change your lifestyle in a preventative manner. I continue and will continue to see Shawna and wouldn't have it any other way. She is the best.
Thanks Shawna you really work miracles!
- Anonymous
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