Day 11: Synthroid

Well, it has been eleven days since I started taking Thyroid hormone replacement medicine and despite my skepticism I have noticed remarkable improvements. When I wake up in the morning my body feels snuggly and rested laying in my bed - not heavy, tired, and depressed. My depression has gotten NOTICEABLY better. I am not having negative thoughts all of the time and sad feelings. I have hope for the future instead of worrying all of the time. I feel less bloated, like maybe I have lost a couple of pounds. My muscles are not really hurting anymore... although as I type this my back and shoulder seems kind of achy. I have more energy, but I cannot say that I feel completely normal yet. I am also experiencing constipation (is that too much information) so until that symptom is relieved I am not declaring synthroid a wonder drug yet.

I started my elimination diet last weekend and it is going well. I have not drank coffee, nor eaten wheat gluten, dairy foods, sugar,  soy, alcohol, or any of the other foods on my 'no-no' list. I do feel better. Even though the nutritionist suggested I follow this diet for three months, I might consider following it indefinitely if I get used to it and feel great on it. I have known for a long time that all of those "bad" foods were not good for me, so why start eating them again regularly if I can help it? The only problem with this diet is eating out...it greatly reduces my options.  But then again, it is also a blessing in disguise. I have wanted to stop eating out for a while now. I will save SO MUCH MONEY. Since I want to buy a house by the end of the year, it seems like the smart thing to do. Health and wealth? Sounds like a good plan to me.

I go to the Nutritionist on Monday - will give an update about what he says afterwards.

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So I Found Out What Is Causing My Health Problems

On Monday I decided to finally go to the hospital and get my blood test to see if I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. To my dismay, on Wednesday morning I got a call from the Endocrinologist to set up an appointment to talk to me about my results. I asked the receptionist if my thyroid anti-bodies were high and she said yes - although she did not have the authority to give me my diagnosis. I am pretty sure that it means that I have it. That really sucks, but at least I know now what the root cause of my:

• depression
• cold intolerance
• constipation
• leg cramps
• ten pounds that I cannot seem to lose
• bad memory
• poor concentration
• panic attacks

The bad news is that traditional medicine says that there is no cure for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and that I should take synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medicine the rest of my life. The good  news is that my landlord is an alternative medicine practitioner and she said that she has treated many people for this disease and all of them are doing well, without having to take the hormones. I am meeting with her this weekend, so she can evaluate what I need to do to start getting better.

This condition has been coming on for the last few years. I have known that there was something wrong with me, although I did not know what it was or what I needed to do to get better. At least now I feel like I finally know what is causing the problem, and that is half the battle. Even though it is daunting to face an illness for which there supposedly no cure, I believe that I will find a way somehow. It is probably going to involve a big change in my diet, and I am going to have to continue the exercise regimen I have been undertaking for the past month permanently, but that is okay. I just want to get better.

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