Cruisin'

TGIF, I can't wait for Monday! Hahaha. Has anyone ever said that to you? If not, consider this a first. Be safe this weekend, have fun, and for my friends in the Quad-Cities - Bix it up! Stay informed, follow @qctimes on Twitter.

What Does Thyroid Change Mean to YOU?

ThyroidChange, The United Voice of Thyroid Patients Worldwide, wants to hear your voices. What does that mean exactly? This initiative wants to hear your voice, in your words, what thyroid changes means to you.  Voices of ThyroidChange would love your submissions (200 words or less) about your vision of the future for thyroid diagnoses, treatment, and management.  What does “ThyroidChange” mean to you? Email thyroidchange@gmail.com with the subject line: “VOICES.” Let your voices be heard! ThyroidChange is a web-based initiative, unifies the voice of the thyroid community (patients, organizations, groups, blogs, websites and physicians) to promote change and further research in the diagnoses and care of thyroid disease.

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.

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!

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!

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.