Battling Hashimoto’s Disease is an evolving process for me. As I continue in this battle, I made a decision to take charge of my own fate as best I can. I believe this can be summarized in 7 overlapping steps.
The 7 ways of healing on my journey boils down to this:
- Research/self-advocate
- Diet
- Heal additional issues/functional medicine
- Stress reduction
- Dedication/support
- Supplements/medication/probiotics
- Exercise
Over the next 2 weeks I plan to go in detail discussing each of these in my blog. I will begin today with step 1: Research/self advocate.
Part 1
The summer of 2017 was the turning point for me. Overall, I just wasn’t feeling well and was progressively feeling worse. As an analytical like to know type person, I began reading The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution by Aviva Romm and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause by Izabella Wentz. Based on these two books I made the decision once my summer travels were over, the tide was going to turn in my life. I had to start putting myself and my health first. The only way I was going to hope to feel any better and get back to living a good life was by focusing on my healing. I had made a decision, and the focus was intense.
On July 17, 2017 my healing journey began!
The first and most important step was research! Knowledge equals power. I went to the library and checked out Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90 Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back by Izabella Wentz (you will see me refer to her many, many times in my blogs!). This book is more of a detailed plan based off her Root Cause book I had already read and seemed the most practical and logical plan to support my goals.
Why didn’t I just do what the doctors told me to? It is easy for us to rely on a doctor who is considered an expert in overall medicine and health. Unfortunately, I have come to believe there is no way doctors can know it all. I also believe doctors tend to treat symptoms and not necessarily what is the root cause of the symptom itself.
In my own experience I went to doctors multiple times for various symptoms over many years. The symptom was discussed with a possible treatment plan, which usually was a recommendation of a prescription. I don’t recall ever talking to a doctor about change in lifestyle or diet, or even keeping a log to help discover what may be causing such symptom. I was even told by my current general practitioner that being hypothyroid was “no big deal” since easily treated with a daily pill. That isn’t good enough for me. I want to know why, and as best as possible, naturally treat the problem with change.
For example I have had migraines with a visual aura for about 15 years. I went to a general practitioner and a neurologist for these migraines. Actually I first went to the eye doctor because I thought I was going blind! I was prescribed medicine for the migraines but after a short period of time I went off the medicine because the side effects weren’t worth the occasional migraine. Never was it discussed why I had migraines or maybe how I could try and discover something in my lifestyle that could possibly help. I took it upon myself just last year to start analyzing why I was getting them. I had a period of about 5 months with no migraines in the previous year and they suddenly returned, so I figured there had to be a cause. I had narrowed it down to possibility of sugar and low water intake prior to going on the Autoimmune Diet (which I did for my Hashimoto’s, not the migraines specifically). Looky there!! I have not had migraines since I cut sugar out of my diet!!! Coincidence, I think not. Unfortunately if I had simply relied on doctor’s advice, I would be taking a pill instead with who knows what long term effects, and never addressing the root cause.
Similar situation happens with so many Hashimoto’s patients who suffer from anxiety and/or depression. It is honestly sickening to me. Fortunately for me the sudden intensity of my anxiety led me to a doctor who I believe is in the minority and tested further. He did of course prescribe anti-anxiety medication first, but he didn’t leave it at that. Through his testing he discovered my hypothyroid evident by the TSH levels of 93 in my comprehensive blood work. (For those who don’t know TSH is the signals in your blood sent out to the thyroid telling it to make more thyroid hormone, and should be in an ideal range of .3-3.0 *). Again, many doctors prescribe a pill and send you on your way. I have read countless times in my research and various support type groups I follow on social media about patients who are hypothyroid but never get tested for the antibodies present in Hashimoto’s. Heck, my 82 year old mother in law was just diagnosed as Hypothyroid, yet no testing on antibodies. Fortunately, my doctor did further testing and even an ultrasound of my thyroid gland. Unfortunately this amazing thorough doctor retired a year later.
Thankfully overall my anxiety has been under control since I have been under treatment, but at the same time it has varied and I know this is a sign that some adjustment is needed. That was indeed one of the things I was starting to experience again in the spring and summer of 2017. I went to the doctor (the replacement doctor, we’ll call him) and was told again, I have anxiety and should maybe consider medication. I also went to a specialist, and endocrinologist, and had such high hopes for him helping me further. I was so emotional because I desperately wanted someone on my side who I believed would be thorough in evaluating my disease. Well I was so wrong……..he INSISTED I was experiencing “cyclical depression” and I “needed” to treat it!!! It didn’t matter how many times I told him I wasn’t depressed. He made that diagnosis as soon as he saw the desperate tears on my face. I can’t even begin to tell you how furious I was when I walked out of his office! I know I was sick, not depressed!
I have always been more of a self-advocate and analytical person, thankfully for me. How many other patients though would walk out of those doctors’ offices with the prescribed medication for a symptom of an untreated misdiagnosed illness?!
I did let this disease become my main identity for quite a few months once I made the decision to take charge and help myself. I told my husband at one point I didn’t want this to define me and who I am. I do believe though, that intensity and dedication to myself is necessary in helping me and healing.
I went to the library and checked out any books on Hypothyroid or Hashimoto’s they had. I sat on the floor at various Barnes N Noble bookstores reading through books on the subject or anything similar. I googled online and paying close attention to the sources made mental and often written notes on what I found. I follow various health experts (take that term loosely of course) on Facebook that I think understand or have any knowledge to share regarding Hashimoto’s, or other various autoimmune diseases and health issues. These experts are more along the natural medicine type as that is what I have come to trust. I also belong to multiple Facebook groups made for people like me suffering and trying to cope with this disease. It is amazing how people sharing their experiences and knowledge helps in so many ways, physically, mentally, and emotionally!
I am still continually researching and learning more and more about this illness. I already have learned that chances of having other health issues are high if have an autoimmune disease, especially additional autoimmune diseases. Some health issues may have led to this disease, others may be subsequent to this disease, and many have a negative cyclical effect.
As of the past few days, my focus has slightly shifted to broaden my research and learning about the effects of Adrenal Fatigue. I had first heard this phrase about 4 ½ years ago just before my Hashimoto’s diagnosis, and didn’t think too much more of it in depth afterwards. However, my blood pressure is dropping to concerning (for me at least) lows (87/39 just 2 days ago) and I have other symptoms consistent to those with adrenal fatigue. I know from my continuing research that chances of having adrenal fatigue while battling Hashimoto’s is high. I will work with both functional and traditional doctors, but I 100% believe it is in my hands the outcome of what I discover, learn, and treat regarding this potential issue as well.
As I will continue to write this blog and share information, I will also be constantly researching facts. This will help in my communication of my messages, but also continue to help me. I hope it helps you too, no matter what health issues you or someone you love may be experiencing. Research, learn, and self-advocate. That is the best treatment for anyone.
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