In early 2018 I noticed that I had started to bruise a bit. Given that I was a non-bruiser, I found it odd. As months progressed, I noticed feeling a more exhausted and the development of petechiae - pinpoint, round spots that form on the skin.
I searched my symptoms online and looked for an easy explanation, however, there were some daunting diagnoses that appeared, which led me to book a GP appointment.
I was referred for a blood test and hours later the NHS called telling me to pack a bag and go to the nearest hospital or accept an ambulance to collect me. My platelet count had dropped to 8,000 - the normal range is 150,000-450,000. Anything under 10,000 is considered dangerous and at risk of hemorrhaging.
The journey from that day was tumultuous to say the least. Low platelets could be due to the body not making enough of them, which could be caused by leukemia or lymphoma. After doses of steroids, immunosuppressants and a bone marrow biopsy, this was ruled out and the diagnosis of ITP was given.
What is ITP?
ITP stands for Immune/Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. My body was randomly destroying platelets, for no reason. Only six in every 100,000 adults in the UK have ITP.
The medication I took for ITP meant my life was a bit of a haze and after three months of treatment, I decided to take some time out and go on a health retreat on my own.
Alternative treatments for ITP
I went to an incredible place called Kamalaya in Koh Samui, where I locked my phone in a safe, had no interactions with the outside world or did any work.
My daily routine consisted of a healthy diet, sleep, exercise, reading and some body therapies. Upon returning home, my platelet count had naturally spiked from countering the inflammation in my body. However, retreating to Kamalaya and ditching work was not a sustainable option.
How CBD helped
I'd read a lot about CBD and its benefits for fighting inflammation in the body plus helping with stress and improving the quality of sleep. I found all of these benefits to be true and after taking CBD, I was able to drift off to sleep quickly and my inflammation was soothed too.
This increase in sleep and reduction of stress helped my body repair itself better, improving my platelet count and easing my ITP symptoms.
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Sleep and stress are such huge problems for so many people and can become a vicious cycle. You need sleep to manage stress better, but stress prevents you from sleeping and CBD helped me break this cycle.
I was so impressed with the benefits of CBD that I wanted to create my own CBD wellness tea range, JP's Originals, named after my grandfather who had tea estates in Assam.
I launched three teas/infusions created to support you through the day. I had no experience in the world of tea whatsoever other than loving it and it was a huge leap out of my comfort zone. I was so nervous to step out of my comfort zone, but I was so keen to help people see the same benefits that I had.
My other worry was that I would create a tea brand that didn't live up to my late grandfather's impeccable tea standards. Naming the company JP's Originals meant a lot to me. I believe that the drive to succeed is not enough motivation- we need a fear of failure too to push us further.
Find out more about JP's Originals and read more inspiring stories on our HELLO! Happiness Hub