Sunday, May 8, 2011

Don't you dare say "Cure"

My blog has been open to the public for a full 5 days! I've had tons of amazing, supportive messages sent to me. I've also had the complete opposite, not that I'm surprised.
If you've read my blog you will noticed that I never once use the word "cure."
I know how this word tends to ruffle some feathers. In a nutshell I've been told, "This is nonsense! You can NOT cure hashimoto's disease! Once you have it you will always have it!"
Even if people are only able to lower their antibodies and get their hashimoto's disease into remission isn't that better than continuing to let your thyroid be destroyed!?
To me that is like saying "there is no cure for cancer so don't bother with treatment, just let it kill you."
I'm sorry I don't have that sort of defeatist attitude. It's not who I am and I never will be that way.
I've often thought what the world would be like if everyone always thought "this can never be done."
The world changes for the better when strong, dedicated people choose not to be defeated and fight for what they believe in.
That's all I'm trying to do. Even if people completely disagree with me I still wish them all the best in their fight against this disease. :)

13 comments:

  1. I've been sick for 11 years with every daignosis imaginable. The only thing they could prove with a test, however, was "mild" Hasimotos Disease. Mild, my foot. But I knew it wasn't just all in my head. I just found out today that if the doctors would've listened to me after I had my first baby and gave me a Selenium supplement, it most likely would have prevented the onset of this "mild" disease that has RUINED my life. If people don't like the words "cure" or "prevention", let them deal with it. I appreciate your website thus far and am happy you will continue it.

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  2. Thank you so much for the positive feedback! :)

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  3. Hi Crystal, here is my story and solution...

    If only I knew then (in 2005) what I know now (2011). I certainly suffered through many years with little help from the medical community... other than telling me my symptoms are all in my head.

    In 2005, my symptoms began overnight with an upset stomach. What I've learned since with Hashimotos is that I more than likely had the disease long before 2005 and that my body had been trying to cope for years. I do recall years before being diagnosed that I'd always get what felt like the flu or throat infections and my stomach was slightly bloated. I'd run to the Doctor for antibiotics and eat/drink plenty of sugars. Of course all that this was doing was causing my adrenals to compensate for other issues.

    Within 5 years I developed so many other strange symptoms. In 2010 I added Anxiety and Panic Attacks to my list as well as sleep issues.

    Giving up gluten certainly helped with my constant upset stomach, but my bloating still persists.

    I realized that If I stopped taking Synthroid I'd feel better. I also found that if I increase my Synthroid I feel even worse. Why is that I wondered? I discovered a solution that seems to work for me.

    The solution came with Coffee and Soda. Before I started feeling bad with Hashimotos I could tolerate them (actually, I needed them to function). Now with 6 years of Hashimoto symptoms, I get a super peak and crash with any product containing caffeine. Why is that?

    For some reason everything I intake into my system is being amplified out of proportion and affecting my well being. Small issues are now massive issues.

    The fix...
    Carbs and Protein intake have a big affect on me. Eat too many carbs at any one meal and I'll feel tired, get anxiety attacks, feel nervous, depressed, heart palpitations, get insomnia or poor sleep. Balance the carbs with protein and I feel pretty darn good. The trick is learning how much of each to eat and when. The more stress in your day, the more protein you need to function effectively. Too much protein and not enough carbs and you get light headed.

    If only I had realized this 6 years ago... I'd probably be much better off today.

    Steven

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  4. I went to an endocrinologist 4 weeks ago because I have heart palpitations all hours of the day and kept me awake all night at times, very annoying. Several webs stated it could be caused by my thyroid. I asked her what was the reason for my heart palpitations she did not reply. She me diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease.
    She sent me to a heart doctor. I asked her why do I have heart palpitations she did not reply either. She wrote me a prescription for 25mg of Topal XL that makes me feel tired all the time and she wrote me a Prescription for synthroid, and told me to give the thyroid a rest from trying to work so hard. I have not taken synthroid yet; I have osteoporosis and do not want to weaken my bones further. Does synthroid make anyone feel better and get rid of heart palpitations? I have changed my diet to the caveman diet for a few weeks, it is not easy but I heard it helps with body lower the TSH if my diet is changed. I am hoping for the best.

    Julie Daniels from NYC

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  5. I don't think this blog is still active, but this is the best information I have read in a while. Thank you for creating this blog. I've never had a defeatist attitude myself and you've got to fight when you have a thyroid condition because everyone thinks it's in your head. Thank you...started my own blog because of this crap. I'm not giving up.

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  6. Yes this blog is still active, and you are very welcome!! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me anytime! :) Crystal

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  7. Hi Julie from NYC!!
    I had horrible heart palps and panic attacks when I was in the throws of my Hashimoto's disease. Synthroid only made them worse and I ended up in the ER. I would suggest having a full food panel allergen test done through blood work. See if you are allergic to anything so you can better regulate your diet. Sometimes it's a process of elimination. I don't suggest any radical diet changes like giving up multiple food items if you are not sure if they are even affecting you negatively. Also try the Selenium and Vitamin E I've linked in my blog. Hope this helps! :) Crystal

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    1. It is known by people who have hashimoto disease like me very often get heart palpations. The prescription medicine I have been given worked in the beginning and it does not work all the time now. >>>I really want to find a cure for the heart palpitations a natural way<<<. I hate an increase of meds I want to feel better naturally for the heart palpations. Is there anyone here have any experience with heart palpations and feel better with a food and a vitamin?
      Crystal do you get heart palpations like me?
      My email is irisjane33@iwon.com
      I do eat 2-4 brazil nuts every day for its selenium content and ¼ cup sunflower seeds for its vitamin E content. All vitamin E tablets I have found have soy that is not good for people like me with hashimoto disease that is why I get my vitamin E from sunflower seeds.

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    2. I have been on Synthroid since 1995 and my Endocrinologist told me that there was no other alternative to taking this medication. Medical Doctors do not study Nutrition for any length of time in Medcial School 10 hours maybe...I have been doing some more recent research for my own health I too have Hashimoto`s Disease..cocnut water and especially coconut OIL is supposed to be quite beneficial in keeping the thyroid healthy.. It is very difficult to balance the Thyroid when you have Hashimoto`s and yuo SHOULD NEVER use health/natural product with Synthroid. If you can afford it -- find a Naturopathic Doctor and work with her to reduce the Synthroid and increase natural suppliments/minerals --- whole foods with his or her assistance. The thyroid regulates everything -- it is connected with your pituitary gland -- your body temperature, heart, eyes -- if you throw it out of balance you can have some severe health issues. More power to you all for not taking this disease lying down!!! Doctors tend not to be very transparent -- they want you to be dependant on them and their 'expertise'for LIFE ....you here ---for LIFE!

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  8. Hi,
    I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's the other day after having an increase in depression, fatigue, irregular periods, headaches, anxiety and an early miscarriage. My older brother, by the way has Diabetes type 1.
    I have had bloating, bad PMS and weird symptoms for most of my 20's, maybe even earlier but every time I went to the doctors they acted like it was all in my head. I started to think that this is just "normal". I even had thyroid testing, but didn't have the know how to ask for my labs, I was told all was well and sent on my way.
    Fastforward a few years, I had my daughter in 2010 and since then I had baby blues, extreme fatigue and while breast feeding, my period did not come back until almost a full two years later. When it did come back, this JAnuary, all my past symptoms came back and with a vengance. I knew something was not right and even tried to have more testing done. They all told me it was because I was still breastfeeding and if I want to feel better, then I should stop.
    This made no sense to me at all. Then after a year of trying to conceive, I had a postive pregnancy test! Before I could get too excited, it ended in a miscarriage. I knew something was not right and no one would listen. When I asked for another thyroid test, I was brushed off. Finally after having the worse depression, fatigue, flare, along with horrible horrible period, cramping, and just overall feeling like my body was fighting itself, another m/w finally listened to me and had my blood drawn.
    A week later she called me to say that my TSH was 5.0 and for optimal pregnancy, it needs to be 1-2. She had me come in for further testing and told me to hold off on trying to conceive. She told me this a day after I ovulated.
    She then called me yesterday to tell me that my antibodies are high and attacking my thyroid and wants me to see an endo and pcp asap. In the meanwhile she prescribed me levoxyl in case I am pregnant, to prevent m/c.
    I am so worried about taking this, but also worried about not taking it. I am reading so much online and it is so overwhelming.
    Anyways, coming on here and finding your blog has been so helpful. I am going to start on the Selenium and Vitamin E and possibly some of the other things as well as ask for an allergy panel, and a copy of my labs. I am still overwhelmed, but I really appreciate the way the layout and simple to read format.

    I have a few questions for you, I would like to pick your brain a little, don't worry, I am not expecting you to take the place of medical or an expert, but you have been through this and fought your way through it, so I would love to hear your ideas/recommendations or experience!

    My questions to you are, have you heard if woman take these supplements while pregnant? (If I am)
    CAn these supplements be taken with levoxyl or should it be one or the other?
    What do you use as a dairy substitute?
    Do you recommend any good gluten free websites or cookbooks or guidebooks? Finally have you heard of using CoE10?



    I am still going ahead with seeing a doctor, but I am like you in this way, I don't like being told to just wait for something bad to happen, I need to be proactive in trying to heal myself.

    Thanks!!!
    Lauren Pascale

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  9. I am so sick and tired of the dumh ass doctors telling me my levels are normal its all in my head,,, I am sufferring from the worst depression anxiety hair loss heart palpitations headaches tremors dullness dizzy spells aggitattion. PLEASE HELP ME I CANT TAKE THIS ANYMORE

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  10. @Anonymous I feel your frustration and pain. Have you tried going of dairy as Crystal recommends?

    After reading this blog 4.5 months ago, I quit all dairy. My last blood test showed that my TPOs have dropped from over 1300 to 645.

    I'm praying this continues.

    Thanks Crystal. You have given me hope.
    -Jeff

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  11. Thanks Jeff! That is great news! I'm so happy to hear that going off dairy has lowered your TPOs!! :)

    To Anonymous. In this blog I give some advice on what I've done to help me overcome Hashimoto's disease. My last post is a recommendation of a wonderful book that you might want to read. Low functioning thyroid can be caused by so many things and I always recommend that people do research and find out their root cause! Hope this helps! Crystal

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