Monday, July 23, 2012

ThyroidChange

ThyroidChange has launched a new web-intuitive site. It was created by and is maintained by thyroid patients advocating for better treatment. I am encouraging YOU to become a self-advocate while uniting and supporting other thyroid patients in your thyroid health journey. Check it out at www.thyroidchange.org. Thank you Michelle and thank you to everyone involved in creating a place for thyroid patients to inspire change. Hope this finds you feeling and living well! Follow me to ThyroidChange.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Love Thy Thyroid, Read The Petition & Sign It

I have hypothyroidism, and in a nutshell, I went to the doctor for panic attacks and anxiety. I was choking on my food, suffering from insomnia, and packing on some pounds. I was diagnosed with non-toxic multi-nodular goiter. I think that's the full diagnosis.  Fast forward...I had surgery to have my gland removed, sub-total thyroidectomy. And I have been reading books, blogs, visiting with those I can relate to and wondering in the back of my mind if I can publish the book I am working on as a resource guide for others, purely from my perspective and experiences, and how many people are really out there that truly relate to me, and wonder if they are getting the treatment they need.  I am not alone and neither are you! The Thyroid Petition, written by Michelle Teresa Bickford, and edited by Denise Rodriguez, acknowledges that "Thyroid patients are increasingly aware that there is a deficiency in thyroid knowledge among endocrinologists. As specialists of the endocrine system, the title, endocrinologist, expresses expertise and richness in experience." However, we don't always receive or easily find endocrinologists that exhibit that expertise or offer various treatment options. It is beyond frustrating, people! I was prescribed antidepressants prior to my diagnosis. It took a while for me to get my diagnosis - hypothyroidism. I am just saying...it was a road I would rather you not have to travel if you can get the right diagnosis to start with in your healthcare journey. I encourage you to read the petition, share it with your friends and help increase awareness and incite change. Share dialogue with others via e-mail, Twitter, and post this petition to your support groups and Facebook profile. "Like" the page at  https://www.facebook.com/thyroidpetition.  The petition calls for major actions. Read them!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Let's Share Dialogue: Insomnia no more!

Let's Share Dialogue: Insomnia no more!: Hello friends! I apologize for my hiatus, times have been busy, insightful, sad yet robust. I have been battling a ridiculously high TSH lev...

Insomnia no more!

Hello friends! I apologize for my hiatus, times have been busy, insightful, sad yet robust. I have been battling a ridiculously high TSH level, in addition to sinus and allergy madness. I am surviving, feeling better, and ready to touch base on reality with all of you. I go through periods of time like this where I "disappear" so to speak. I am ready to show my face again!  AdrenaMed, 5-HTP and daily doses of sunlight over the period of what I remember to begin with of two weeks, got me to feeling better;  I continued onward for a month. I also committed myself to doing yoga twice a week in addition to coming home and allowing myself to wind down after work everyday. It was a huge reality check for me. These steps under the supervision of my chiropractor got this girl rested again.  Sweet dreams. Night night!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Adrenal Fatigue

I had a bout with adrenal fatigue last summer. It lasted several weeks. I didn't know it was adrenal fatigue until I was diagnosed. What I did know was that I was tired, because I had insomnia like never before, I was waking up between 1AM and 2AM daily, ready to start my day, and I experienced heart palpitations that were scary. I even fainted one afternoon due to low blood sugar levels. I simply wasn't myself and I was living life in a haze. The brain fog was horrific!

Adrenal fatigue, as I describe it, is a purse full of symptoms, similar to those I described above, in addition to tired and stressed adrenal glands, and whack blood sugar levels.

The adrenals sit over the kidneys and  produce hormones, are responsible for several bodily functions, and help balance your blood sugar, so that you can get through the day with decent energy levels. When your blood sugar drops, the adrenals release hormones that cause your blood sugar to rise and increase your energy. When functioning properly, they keep you going, and support you and your crazy, busy lifestyle.  Fight or flight response often comes into play when discussing the adrenal glands. When you are stressed or in a situation which calls for you to move at full speed ahead or think fast, that fight or flight energy kicks in. Our adrenals are responsible for this. But, if your adrenals aren't functioning properly, you can end up in a hot mess!

My chiropractor, who is also a doctor of naturopathy, treated me successfully for my adrenal fatigue, and educate me on the condition, in addition to estrogen dominance. Stay tuned for my treatment information and additional notes regarding adrenal fatigue.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Greatest Love of All

Whitney Houston, a legend, a gem, will forever be remembered as a phenomenal woman by me, and by countless others. Last night I went out with a group of my girlfriends and we danced the night away. Last night was different, because in memorial of Whitney Houston, we belted out the lyrics to "I wanna Dance With Somebody" as we hopped about singing to one another and strangers. Whitney Houston is a part of our culture, our childhood. Sending my deepest sympathies to Whitney Houston's family, friends and fans...

Monday, February 6, 2012

Friends

I love my friends! Do you love yours? Friendship is serious business. It’s about commitment, bonds, love, humor, shared dialogue…it’s what YOU make it. Sometimes strife, jealousy, anger and rage enter into a friendship. We’re all imperfect. But when you realize that things of this nature are creeping in on your friendship, wake up and snap out of it, because for many, friends are family. For many, we have friends for different needs, or friends who are stars. I love all of my friends, but I’ve a few stars who just stand out among the rest. I’m keepin’ it real.

Think about a friend or two of yours that you have. Think about that friend, is it a friend that that you rarely see or talk to, but when you sync up, you haven’t skipped a beat, nothing’s changed, you’re still bonded and forever connected? It’s those special friends that you form relationships with in life that provide support, sound advice, are lovingly objective and simply stated – keep things real. Love those friends, cherish them, just like the others. But let them know who they are to you and what they mean to you, because they deserve to know it.