EMJ : for those who have had Chronic Fatigue … this is worth watching. Comment: 6 years of my life lost to drop dead exhaustion of an illness steeped in shame

Posted on September 23, 2026 by michelleclarke2015

Home General Healthcare Complex Cases, Simple Truths

Complex Cases, Simple Truths

29 Aug 2024

General Healthcare

The EMJ Podcast | Episode 217

Valerie Gysberts, Functional and Nutritional Medicine Therapist, Beingwell Clinic, Melbourne, Australia and Jonathan Upfal, Integrated General Practitioner, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne, Australia, discuss their medical practice with a diverse range of patients who have often been through the medical system but have seen no improvement and have complex conditions such as chronic fatigue, ADHD, and depression.

Spotify | Apple | Amazon Music | Download MP3 (50:24 mins)

Speaker bio:

Jonathan Upfal graduated with honours from University of Sydney in 1983 and trained at Sydney Hospital, Westmead Hospital, Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne. Today he specialises in biochemical psychiatry and psychology, chronic fatigue, mental health, and ADHD. He is also the author of the “Australian Drug Guide” a multi-bestselling a consumer guide to medications and is co-author of “Your Medical Tests: What Do They Really Mean?”. Jonathan has also developed the Smart Phone application “Top300 Rx Plus”.

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Valerie Gysberts is a Functional and Nutritional Medicine Therapist with over 15 years of experience in health and nutritional medicine. She holds a Bachelor of Science, an advanced Diploma of Nutritional Practice and an advanced Diploma in nutritional medicine. Her focus is on Nutritional Therapy, and she is passionate about helping individuals achieve optimal health through personalised nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

Together, the pair work very closely on complex health cases that slip through the cracks of the conventional medical system.

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 02:36 – From pageant queen to Functional and Nutritional Medicine Therapist
  • 08:10 – How the pair met
  • 10:50 – Working with patients with chronic fatigue, ADHD, and depression
  • 19:25 – Postnatal anxiety and depression
  • 25:05 – Zinc and copper testing
  • 29:50 – What can healthcare professionals do?
  • 32:29 – Ozempic
  • 36:30 – The importance of responsible use of social media
  • 41:15– Jonathan and Valerie’s three wishes for healthcare

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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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