Ibbi Lidstone
Mindbody Practitioner
Life Coach
Hi and welcome – I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m guessing you’re visiting my website because you or someone you know are experiencing chronic pain or other symptoms. I understand how difficult that is - and I want you to know that recovery is entirely possible.
On this page I share my own experiences of living with debilitating neuroplastic symptoms
– and how I recovered.
About Me
My journey with chronic symptoms began in childhood with chronic constipation, headaches, nausea and other digestive issue. Some disappeared as I grew older, but others worsened and new symptoms appeared.
Over the years, I developed IBS and the chronic constipation continued. I suffered with nausea, food sensitivities, burning mouth, difficulty swallowing, insomnia, chronic pelvic, lower-back and leg pain, numbness, bursitis, neuropathy, dizziness, anxiety, heart palpitations and vertigo. Ultimately I was diagnosed with M.E / CFS
List of neuroplastic symptoms
Searching for answers
Despite countless appointments, specialist consultations, blood tests, three MRIs, a CT scan and an X-ray, nothing explained the extent of my symptoms. I tried medication, supplements, diets and treatments. Some brought temporary relief, but the symptoms always returned.
Eventually, along came the diagnosis of M.E / CFS and I was placed on an NHS management programme. I was told that I would always have symptoms and needed to learn how to live with them.
At first, I resigned myself to that idea. But how about the fact that I just wanted my life back?
"how about the fact
that I just wanted
my life back?"
A different possibility
During this time, I developed sleep anxiety and sometimes slept for only a couple of hours. This was when I then decided to get help from a coach. He helped me recognise old beliefs and patterns in how I spoke to and related to myself. As these changed, I could sleep again, and I became curious about what else might be possible.
Then one evening I discovered the work of chronic pain specialist Nicole Sachs and the amazing Dr John Sarno. As I started to learn how the nervous system’s stress response can generate symptoms, a voice inside me said: “This is what is going on for you.”
Even though I didn’t fully understand this concept, I decided to listen to that voice and embrace the idea. And so I began learning from Nicole and doing the work. Through various tools, techniques and exercises I learnt to calm and reassure my brain and nervous system.
Getting my life back
To my surprise, symptoms began to ease. Some even disappeared! And when they started to creep back up, I responded to them differently. I was beginning to understand what was really going on for me internally. So I continued the work, and over time I fully recovered.
I went from barely being able to work, living with debilitating fatigue, brain fog, food sensitivities and excruciating pain after simple activities, to working full-time, taking long walks, rebuilding my social life, eating a varied diet, going to the gym and becoming physically stronger than ever.
I have been in the depths of hopelessness, believing, ‘This is just my life now.’
And I have also come out the other end.”
Why I do this work
I understand how frightening it is to live with persistent symptoms, lose trust in your body and watch your normal life gradually shrink and disappear. I also know how exhausting it is to keep searching for relief when nothing makes a lasting difference.
I have been in the depths of hopelessness, believing, ‘This is just my life now.’ And I have also come out the other end.
My recovery led me to train as a coach specialising in neuroplastic symptoms, also known as TMS or Mindbody Syndrome. I trained with SIRPA and am completing the Sarno x Sachs Solution training with Nicole Sachs. My training includes aspects of Pain Reprocessing Therapy and EAET. I also hold a Diploma in Applied NLP Coaching and a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
Recovery is possible. I’m here to offer that message - and to help others reclaim their lives.
My clients and my love for this work inspire me every day, and I truly believe I have the best job in the world!