For Katy, the healing gallery has three benefits
experience report
One illness rarely comes alone. At least, that was the case for Katy. Now 48, she suffered from a skin condition at the age of 10. Seventeen years ago, joint inflammation was added to the mix. The cause was a rheumatic disease, psoriatic arthritis to be precise. Then bronchial asthma was added, and fibromyalgia was also suspected for a long time. Three diseases, each of which has a significant impact on her quality of life and everyday routine. But Katy is optimistic, proactive, and takes her health into her own hands. Today, it is the combination of rheumatism medication, annual spa stays in the Gastein Healing Gallery, and dietary supplements that enable her to live an almost normal life. We interviewed her.
What psoriatic arthritis, bronchial asthma, and fibromyalgia are
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Typical symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Symptoms usually occur in attacks and are exacerbated by various triggers such as allergens, cold weather, smoke, or stress. Bronchial asthma causes narrowing of the airways due to swelling of the mucous membranes, increased mucus production, and spasms of the bronchial muscles.
Psoriatic arthritis, on the other hand, affects the skin and joints. It leads to painful inflammation in the joints and can also affect tendons and ligaments. Typical symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility, especially in the fingers, toes, and spinal joints. Treatment often includes anti-inflammatory drugs, known as DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs), and in severe cases, biologics, which specifically regulate the immune system.
The chronic pain condition fibromyalgia is characterized by muscle and joint pain and increased sensitivity to pressure in certain areas of the body. Accompanying symptoms often include severe fatigue, sleep disorders, concentration problems, and depressive moods. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is believed that a disturbance in the pain processing of the central nervous system plays a role.
Experience report from someone affected
Katy has been visiting the Gastein Healing Gallery every year for the past 15 years. She says that it keeps her psoriatic arthritis at bay, and her asthma has completely disappeared in recent years. Her husband has also recently started accompanying her on regular visits to the healing gallery. We spoke to her:
Dear Katy, it usually takes many years to get a diagnosis for rheumatic complaints. When did your symptoms start and how long did it take to get a diagnosis?
That's right. For a long time, I didn't know that I had rheumatism. Looking back, the symptoms started very early on. Early in my career, I suffered from tendonitis for a long time, which just wouldn't heal. As a child, I had psoriasis, which in retrospect was something like the beginning of my medical history. I discovered I had psoriatic arthritis in 2007. I had a thick, swollen toe joint, couldn't walk properly, and suspected gout. But a doctor finally said I was far too young for that. She sent me to a rheumatologist, who finally diagnosed psoriatic arthritis."
But that was not her only illness.
No. I was prescribed MTX and cortisone, among other medications, based on a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. However, my symptoms did not improve. I continued to work despite this. Since my blood values were good, my rheumatologist at the time was unable and unwilling to assist me further. In 2009, I was feeling so unwell that my family doctor referred me to a rheumatology clinic. After my hospital stay and three weeks of follow-up treatment, the rheumatology clinic recommended that I see another rheumatologist. He then put me on a biologic. The biologic suppressed my immune system so severely that after the second dose, I developed very severe bronchitis, which seemed almost untreatable. I was immediately referred to a pulmonologist, who, after extensive diagnostics, diagnosed me with bronchial asthma. Because of this massive side effect, the rheumatologist had to prescribe a new biologic drug. Unfortunately, after a while, this also failed to have a sufficient effect. He said that my blood values were excellent, that I had "nothing," and that my rheumatism was well controlled. So he suddenly suggested a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and ordered pain therapy. Psoriatic arthritis is a seronegative rheumatic disease, which means that blood values can be normal and yet there is inflammation of the joints/tendons/spine, etc."
But you weren't feeling well!
"No, I was in a lot of pain, I always felt like I was coming down with something, I was tired and exhausted. My hip and some of my joints were inflamed, I had severe back pain, morning stiffness, joint effusions, and tendon pain. I obviously had something wrong with me, even though my blood values were fine. I wasn't feeling well, and I didn't go to the doctor for fun. But I pulled myself together and kept telling myself that my illness would not control my life. Finally, I changed rheumatologists for the third time and got lucky. He wasn't interested in my blood values; he looked at everything closely, involved me in the process, and changed my treatment. I've been feeling better ever since. But the damage to my joints cannot be repaired."
And you started going into the Gastein Healing Gallery.
"That's right, I went to a health resort for the first time 15 years ago, and I've been going every year since. After all, all three conditions—psoriatic arthritis, bronchial asthma, and fibromyalgia—are indications for healing cave therapy. My asthma has been in complete remission for years, meaning it is no longer detectable. I don't even need an emergency inhaler anymore. My lung function results are excellent." More about the Gastein Healing Gallery therapy
What was it like for you to enter the healing gallery for the first time?
"I had a friend who took me by the hand, so to speak, the first time. That helped me a lot, because the healing gallery was a bit strange the first time I went in, and I am very young compared to the other patients. But the atmosphere and the process in the healing gallery are great and truly unique."
How do you handle the costs? Does your health insurance cover it?
"In the early years, my health insurance covered a lot of the costs, but today it's more difficult. It takes a lot of effort and expense to get reimbursed for the tunnels and treatments. In principle, the insurance company only pays every three years. So I pay for it myself because it simply does me good. Now my husband, who suffers from allergies, comes along too, and we spend our annual vacation in Gastein, so to speak."
So you're feeling well today?
"For the most part, yes! Thanks to a combination of biologics, healing cave therapy, and dietary supplements, I am doing well under the circumstances. And even though I pay for the treatment myself, I don't want to take the risk of stopping it. My rheumatism was so difficult to control that I am very happy that I am doing well so far."
Do you have any advice for others in the same situation?
First, I must say that I find it terrible that people who cannot afford it are unable to visit the tunnels regularly. I can only advise them to persevere, and the first treatment is usually paid for. For everyone else: it is worth the money! My husband and I tell ourselves that this is our vacation, and the Gastein Valley is also very beautiful. Everyone I have met has benefited from the treatment in the healing gallery. You should just give it a try!
Thank you very much for the open conversation.
