Candice Matthis

Co-Founder, Two Alpha Gals

In 2007, Candice Matthis's life took an unexpected turn when she was bitten by a tick, an event that would go on to significantly impact her health. Within a month, she began experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues, a problem she had never faced before. However, the condition known as Alpha-gal Syndrome, which was actually responsible for her symptoms, wasn't discovered until 2009, leaving her condition misdiagnosed for many years.

Throughout this period, Candice struggled with finding an accurate diagnosis; her mornings often began with debilitating GI distress. Her journey through varying symptoms and misdiagnoses stretched over more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2019—some twelve years after the initial bite—that she was conclusively diagnosed with Alpha-gal Syndrome. Prior to this, she was diagnosed with a wheat allergy, though she always suspected that her health issues might be tied to her diet, particularly her fondness for bacon at breakfast.

Candice's story is one of perseverance and resilience, navigating through years of medical uncertainty to finally understand the root of her health problems. Her experience sheds light on the challenges of diagnosing tick-borne illnesses and underscores the importance of medical advancements.