PCOS, Fatigue & Chronic Pain: How I Finally Connected the Dots

The ‘Tree of Symptoms’ metaphor

Last week, I heard this incredible metaphor, the ‘tree of symptoms‘ from Dr. Ben Bikman, bestselling author of Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease—and How to Fight It. He explained that many health conditions, diseases, and symptoms share a common root cause, much like how branches stem from the same tree.

Pruning a branch (treating a symptom) might make it disappear temporarily, but if you don’t address the root, another branch will grow in its place—just like new symptoms popping up when we ignore the deeper problem.

As a pharmacist, I spent years watching people manage symptoms with medications, often without ever looking at the underlying cause of their issues. While medications have an important place, I’ve learned that true healing starts with lifestyle and nutrition changes.

The ‘Band-Aid’ Approach to Health

I love this term because it describes so well how many people approach their health. A Band-Aid approach means treating each symptom in isolation without addressing what’s really causing the problem. This will result in only masking the issue instead of fixing it.

For example, imagine taking:
✔️ A painkiller for knee pain
✔️ A blood pressure tablet for hypertension
✔️ Diabetes medication to manage high blood sugar

At first glance, these seem like separate issues, but in many cases, they all stem from the same underlying cause—poor diet, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. And while your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, the importance of these changes is often overlooked in favour of quick-fix solutions.

My Personal Wake-Up Call

I know firsthand what it’s like to be trapped in the Band-Aid cycle. Six years ago, I had multiple health issues that seemed completely unrelated:
➡ PCOS and ovarian cysts—leading to multiple surgeries and even the loss of an ovary
➡ Severe haemorrhoids and fissures—requiring three painful medical procedures 
➡ Exhaustion and brain fog—despite drinking coffee and taking all sorts of supplements

At the time, I treated each symptom individually and never made the connection that they were all linked. But eventually, I uncovered the common root cause—my diet.

How Food Became My Superpower

My old diet was:
🚫 Nutrient-poor and filled with inflammatory, processed foods
🚫 High in sugar and carbs, which kept my insulin levels elevated all the time
🚫 Convenient but toxic, loaded with additives that my body couldn’t handle

My new diet is:
✅ Nutrient-dense, with whole, real foods
✅ High in healthy fats and proteins, keeping my blood sugar stable
✅ Anti-inflammatory and clean, fuelling my body instead of harming it

The result? Every single symptom disappeared. No more pain, no more fatigue, no more surgeries.

It took me years of learning, trial and error, and many ‘aha’ moments to finally understand how food could either harm or heal me. Today, I use nutrition as my superpower—helping me feel my best and be optimistic about my future.

The Missing Piece in Health & Wellness

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep struggling with new symptoms despite taking medications, it may be time to stop pruning branches and start looking at the whole tree.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. As a nutrition and wellness coach with pharmacist background, I help my clients uncover the hidden causes of their health challenges and make lasting, life-changing improvements.

Are you ready to shift from symptom management to true healing? Let’s work together.

I offer a unique ‘white-glove’ Personal Wellness Concierge Service for those who want a comprehensive transformation. Learn more here.

For individual Nutrition and Wellness Coaching sessions, enquire through the Contact form.

You’re welcome to visit me in my home office in Margaret River, or we can meet online. For concierge clients, I also offer in-home visits in the South West, including Augusta, Margaret River, Cowaramup, Yallingup and Dunsborough, for added convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ginger x