Patient Finds Hope and Healing Through Integrative Care

Texas County Memorial Hospital is proud to share the inspiring health journey of Kathryn Parsons of Mountain Grove, who found life-changing answers and renewed hope with the help of Lynsey Sullivan, a family nurse practitioner at TCMH who integrates functional medicine principles into her practice.

Kathryn explained that her health took a dramatic turn after experiencing COVID-19 multiple times.

“I went from having no allergies—not even seasonal, no health issues, and two healthy pregnancies—to having two miscarriages and an onset of tachycardia, digestive issues, interstitial cystitis, joint pain, and chronic brain fog including short-term memory issues,” she recalled.

Over several years, Kathryn saw different providers who suggested long-COVID as the likely cause of her symptoms but had little to offer for treatment. In May, she decided to see Lynsey Sullivan.

“Lynsey’s approach was to get to the root cause and not just mask symptoms,” Kathryn said. “She listened to everything I was experiencing and immediately suspected an alpha-gal and wheat/gluten allergy, histamine intolerance, and mast cell activation syndrome.”

Though skeptical at first, Kathryn underwent extensive blood work and allergy testing. The results confirmed Lynsey’s suspicions, along with several additional food allergies.

“Lynsey told me she had seen so many people develop similar issues after COVID and encouraged me that these conditions could be improved with time and treatment,” Kathryn explained.

Additionally, Kathryn shared that she was familiar with SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) acupuncture, as some of her friends with alpha-gal syndrome had undergone this treatment.

“I asked Lynsey’s opinion on the SAAT acupuncture, and she confirmed and recommended that it would be a good option for me to try,” Kathryn said.

Shortly afterward, Kathryn’s daughter, Grace, was also diagnosed with alpha-gal. Both began treatment with SAAT acupuncture and a low-histamine diet.

“After just four weeks of acupuncture, both my daughter and I were free of ALL our food allergies!” Kathryn said. “That included my egg yolk, wheat, dairy, and alpha-gal allergies, and Grace’s alpha-gal and egg white allergy.”

Today, Kathryn and Grace are still in active treatment for histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome, and Kathryn continues to manage long-COVID. They are scheduled for follow-up testing in September and are hopeful of continued success.

“I fully believe the treatment is working because the symptoms I had for years have either dramatically decreased or completely disappeared,” Kathryn said. “My daughter has already been eating normally again for weeks with no issues, and I can’t wait to enjoy a cheeseburger again when my reintroduction period ends!”

Kathryn shared her story in hopes of helping others who may be struggling with similar post-COVID health challenges.

“To say Lynsey is incredible is a huge understatement,” Kathryn said. “I’ve never seen a more genuinely caring, intuitive, and attentive healthcare provider than her.”

Appointments with Lynsey Sullivan are available in Mountain Grove at 417-926-1770 or in Houston at 417-967-5435.