Sheela Newley, daughter-in-law of actress Dame Joan Collins, has shared her story of a debilitating illness that lasted for over a decade, severely impacting her health and weight. Newley, a singer and songwriter, revealed that the health crisis began when she was 23, shortly after graduating from Brown University and working as a reporter in Florida.
Initially, Newley experienced extreme fatigue, which progressed to exhaustion even from short periods of activity. She also suffered significant, unintentional weight loss, dropping from approximately 110 pounds to under 100 pounds despite maintaining a healthy diet. Other symptoms included hormonal imbalances, severe menstrual pain, disturbed sleep, and what she described as the most challenging symptom: brain fog, which affected her typically quick mind.
Early Symptoms and Misdiagnosis
Her initial medical consultations revealed slightly abnormal thyroid levels. Doctors suggested anxiety or depression might be contributing factors and prescribed anti-anxiety medication. However, Newley felt that a deeper physical issue was at play. The symptoms escalated to the point where she experienced severe nausea and dizziness while driving, prompting her to leave her job and move back to New York to focus on her health.
In New York, doctors diagnosed her with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the thyroid gland, often leading to an underactive thyroid. While hormone-replacement therapy with levothyroxine improved her blood test results, her symptoms, including rapid heart rate, persistent brain fog, and chronic fatigue, did not significantly improve. Her autoimmune markers also remained high.
Complications and Lowest Point
Newley's health continued to decline, leading to muscle pain and numbness in her legs. A suspected Lyme infection prompted a course of intravenous antibiotics, but this treatment was halted after three days due to severe shooting pains and a fourfold increase in liver enzymes, putting her life at risk. This incident underscored the fragility of her health at the time.
By age 26, Newley was forced to move back in with her parents in Princeton, New Jersey, abandoning her freelance work. She described this period as her lowest point, grieving the loss of her vitality and ability to pursue her passions. She recalled looking in the mirror and weeping at her pale, thin appearance and the dark circles under her eyes.
The Role of Music and Support
Music became a crucial lifeline during her illness. Newley, who had a childhood desire to sing and write songs, found that music re-entered her consciousness as her illness worsened. Her husband, Alexander Newley, son of Dame Joan Collins, provided significant support. He helped with daily tasks that had become physically difficult for her, encouraging her research and creative endeavors.
"I cannot overstate how grateful I am for his support during those years. It has been a big part of how I have made it this far," Newley stated. Their shared passion for art and literature also strengthened their bond.
Exploring Alternative Therapies
As conventional medicine offered limited relief, Newley turned to alternative therapies. She explored Ayurvedic medicine and found that re-engaging with singing helped alleviate her depression and renewed her determination to address the physical aspects of her illness. Her research led her to a practitioner in London who utilized hair mineral analysis.
This practitioner recommended a strict diet excluding sugar, gluten, and most dairy, along with a high intake of cooked vegetables and quality animal protein, plus tailored supplements and near-infrared sauna sessions. Within a month, Newley reported a significant improvement in energy and concentration. Over the following months, her leg numbness decreased, antibody levels dropped, and thyroid scans showed improvement.
She also underwent a liver flush and used natural peptides, which further contributed to her recovery. Newley emphasizes that recovery was a gradual process, not attributable to a single intervention, and credits her active participation in her own healing and her refusal to give up.
Music Career and Motherhood
As her strength returned, Newley began developing her music career. She released her debut single, "Zeros and Ones," earlier this year, with further releases planned from her forthcoming debut album. She is also scheduled for UK performances next spring.
In 2022, Newley moved to Vienna before giving birth to her and Alexander's daughter, Deia. She noted that she waited until she felt physically and emotionally ready in her late thirties to have a child, by which time she had developed a deeper understanding of her body and trust in her resilience.
Newley stated, "Today I am a mother, I perform live regularly, I write and record music, I dance, strength train, and live a full creative life." She added that her experiences have provided her with rich stories to tell in her songs and the strength to sing them.