Question 1

How long have you been practicing, and what led you to Functional Medicine?

Accepted Answer

I’ve been a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner since 2016, but my journey into this field began long before that, as a patient myself.After the birth of my first child, I became severely ill with crushing fatigue, muscle aches, trembling, and a constant feeling of being on edge. I was eventually diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but no one could tell me why this was happening or how to truly heal. I saw multiple practitioners and made countless ER visits.  I’d get better, then worse, then better again, caught in an exhausting cycle with no real answers.Years later, while pursuing my Master's Degree in Nursing, I could barely function. In order to take a leave of absence from my studies I needed a medical note stating my inability to continue my classes. That is when a friend recommended a Functional Medicine practitioner to me.  I went to that appointment desperately hoping for a letter to withdraw from my studies, just some validation that I was truly sick. After reviewing my mountain of medical records and conducting a thorough exam, she looked at me and said something I’ll never forget. She said "Abby, I cannot write that letter for you to discontinue your classes." I was shocked and hurt. Here we go again, I thought, another person who can’t figure me out. But then she continued "Yes, you are a very sick young woman. But I’ll work with you. You will get better. And I will be at your graduation."That moment changed everything. It gave me hope.Within a month of working with her, my fatigue lifted. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better, and I didn’t have to withdraw from school. True to her word, she was there at my graduation, celebrating with me.That experience showed me the power of Functional Medicine firsthand. I had been trained in conventional medicine and understood what it could offer, but I had also experienced its limitations. Functional Medicine gave me the tools for true healing and transformation. I wanted to offer that same hope and option  to others.That’s how I decided to practice Functional Medicine.

Question 2

What type of patients do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I love helping women reclaim their energy. Whether that means untangling bloating and digestive chaos, breaking the cycle of running on empty and stressed out, or guiding them through perimenopause into hormonal balance. I especially love helping women get ahead of the hormonal  transitions, before they start.With the right nutrients,  clear detox pathways and real lifestyle changes combined with everything I know from conventional medicine,  that's when the shift happens. That's when she  feels like herself again. She gets her life back. Those are the women I love to work with.

Question 3

Who and what conditions do you NOT treat?

Accepted Answer

People under the age of 18Pregnant womenMalesFemale hormones using hormone replacement therapy Strictly weight lossChronic painCancerMental illness- bipolar, depression, schizophreniaBrain injuriesChronic MoldLyme DiseaseVaginal Health ConcernsMultiple Sclerosis

Question 4

How are you different from my regular Medical Practitioner?

Accepted Answer

In many ways, I’m like your regular medical practitioner. I’ve been trained in conventional medicine. I assess your condition, order labs and diagnostic testing, evaluate results, make a diagnosis and develop treatment plans.Where I differ is in how I choose to treat and this is where my Functional Medicine training comes in.  Conventional medicine often says medications are the answer. I say medications are needed sometimes, but not always. There are many conditions where we can help your body balance itself through finding out why it truly is not functioning and use nutritional, complimentary and lifestyle changes to help it heal. Sometimes this complements medication; sometimes medication isn't needed at all.The key difference? I'm always asking why. What's at the root cause of your symptoms? How can we best support your body to regulate, balance, and heal itself?I value medications and understand their purpose, but I also know there's often another or complimentary  path.

Question 5

What exactly is Functional Medicine, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Functional medicine is a whole body, systems based approach that focuses on why you got sick and how to restore your body's ability to heal itself.Your body is brilliantly designed to maintain balance, to heal wounds, fight infections, regulate hormones, produce energy, and adapt to stress.  However, when that system breaks down it is because something has disrupted your body's natural ability to function.Maybe it is chronic stress that never lets your nervous system rest. Maybe it’s years of poor sleep preventing your body from repairing itself. Maybe it’s inflammation in your gut affecting your brain and hormones. Maybe it’s environmental toxins your body can’t process. Maybe it’s nutrient deficiencies that have left your cells starving for what they need to do their job.Functional medicine investigates what caused the breakdown and when it started. We work backwards to understand your unique story, your genetics, your environment, your stress, your nutrition, your toxic exposures, your life events, and how they’ve combined to create your current symptoms.Then we create a roadmap to restore function. This is not about swapping a medication for a supplement. It's about identifying what your body needs to heal, removing what's causing harm, and supporting your body's natural ability to rebalance itself.The goal is transformation.  It is getting your body to work the way it was designed to work.

Question 6

What type of personality do you work best with, and what’s expected of me?

Accepted Answer

I work best with people who are: Open to learning new things and considering different perspectives Willing to be challenged in how they view their health Optimistic and believe that change is possible Ready to do hard work because their health matters most right nowI expect every patient to give their best. Not perfection, progression. We call it "progress over perfection."Healing rarely happens in a straight line. There are curves, ups, and downs. You need to be willing to stick with the process for the long haul. It takes  dedication to get your health under control so you can live a better life.

Question 7

What type of patient might not be a good fit for your practice?

Accepted Answer

You might not be a good fit if you: 
Believe medication is the only way to get better 
Aren’t willing to look outside the box for different options 
Are completely opposed to medications under any circumstances (because sometimes they truly are needed to stabilize you while we work on finding the root cause. The goal is always to get you off the medication if possible.) 
Need an immediate and quick fix to your health concern instead of lasting transformation. 
Need to rely on insurance to afford care. To give you the best care possible, my office does not accept or work with insurance.

Question 8

What can I expect in a visit with you?

Accepted Answer

We start with a consultation to see if we’re a good fit for each other.

If you decide to move forward, your first visit is comprehensive. I review all your medical records and health history, and perform a full physical exam. Then, I'll give you recommendations for any testing that's needed.

The second visit is where things get exciting. This is when we create your personalized plan of care. There's no cookie-cutter approach here. We might start with your gut, stress response, detoxification, or nutrients.  It depends on what your body needs most right now.

There's a lot of listening at our appointments. We work together as a team because I strongly believe nobody knows your body better than you do.

It’s always a process, and I’m with you every step of the way.

Question 9

Does this really work?

Accepted Answer

After practicing functional medicine for many years and being a Functional Medicine patient I can say with confidence: Yes, this works.It takes time, effort, and energy on your part. But it works.

Question 10

How long will it take for me to feel better?

Accepted Answer

Every patient is different, but I've seen results in as little as three to four weeks. You won't feel 100% better right away, but you'll start seeing improvement once you begin working with your plan of care.

Question 11

Do people continue working with you after they've had success?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  Health isn't something you achieve once and forget about, it needs to be maintained. Once we've reached your initial goals, I put you on a maintenance plan to keep you healthy, accountable, and thriving. Many people come to me for one condition, and once that improves, we start addressing other concerns they'd been putting on the back burner.

Question 12

I know I need to get my health under control. What's next?

Accepted Answer

I'm so glad you're ready to take this step. Getting started is straightforward.Schedule your consultation with me. During that first conversation, we'll talk about what's been going on with your health, what you're hoping to achieve, and whether we're a good fit to work together. Just an honest conversation about your health and what's possible.I look forward to meeting you.

Question 13

I'm ready to do this, but I have a few more questions. How can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

We're happy to answer any additional questions!Email: frontdesk@oasisism.com
Phone: 815-634-6460We look forward to hearing from you.

Hello

My name is Abby Stalcup
MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP

About Me

Getting to Know Me

How long have you been practicing, and what led you to Functional Medicine?

What type of patients do you work with?

Who and what conditions do you NOT treat?

How are you different from my regular Medical Practitioner?

What exactly is Functional Medicine, and why does it matter?

What type of personality do you work best with, and what’s expected of me?

What type of patient might not be a good fit for your practice?

What can I expect in a visit with you?

Does this really work?

How long will it take for me to feel better?

Do people continue working with you after they've had success?

I know I need to get my health under control. What's next?

I'm ready to do this, but I have a few more questions. How can I reach you?

Education

Hello

My name is Abby Stalcup MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP

About Me

Getting to Know Me

How long have you been practicing, and what led you to Functional Medicine?

What type of patients do you work with?

Who and what conditions do you NOT treat?

How are you different from my regular Medical Practitioner?

What exactly is Functional Medicine, and why does it matter?

What type of personality do you work best with, and what’s expected of me?

What type of patient might not be a good fit for your practice?

What can I expect in a visit with you?

Does this really work?

How long will it take for me to feel better?

Do people continue working with you after they've had success?

I know I need to get my health under control. What's next?

I'm ready to do this, but I have a few more questions. How can I reach you?

Education

My name is Abby Stalcup
MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP