Sticking With It

This past week has been a little worse than previous weeks.  But I've come to expect this type of roller coaster in general, and it has been my life story for the past 4 years.  Just when I think I'm getting better, or getting relief from a specific problem, it comes back or something new forms.  Through this therapy process, I think it would be only normal and expected for the ups and downs to still occur.

Some of my acne trouble spots have returned, and I seemingly have new eczema spots now, which is extremely frustrating.  This could be environment, allergens, or anything else I suppose.  But now my elbows and knees have flared up and I never had problems with them before.  

I still stick with the diet and exercise, drops and vitamins.  On any given day, I am still about 95-99% true to the "legal" diet.  Restaurants are still difficult, because even with Gluten-Free menus, who knows what else is in there that I shouldn't be eating.  But I choose not to fret about that, as that only causes stress, and it's only a little bit of the item once in a great while.

My mileage in my running is starting to increase now, since I'm approaching that point in my training plan where the biggest month of mileage is.  July will be the highest month, and I'm slightly anxious about keeping my nutrition up and not exhausting myself throughout the training.  I am torn about this, because I want to continue training, but I don't want to undo anything I'm working to fix.  Just taking it a day/week at a time here.

The family is full-blown into summer now, and trying to do lots of fun activities and family events without going crazy with it.  We are planning a family vacation in August now, and I am looking forward to that!

I have lost a little bit of weight now because of the diet, but it seems to be leveling out.  I am keeping my eye on this, as I don't want to lose too much.  It is often difficult for me to reach my calorie goal, because most of the foods I eat have little calories.  I'm trying to focus less on the calorie number, and more on the nutrients I'm getting, and keeping that balanced.

Here are my cuties at a playground.  So in love!  

After 6 weeks on the diet:  Still have decent sleep, mood swings were a little more prominent the past week and less leveled, acne and eczema have returned and some in new places, energy is still better than when I started, but not great, stomach still seems better.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:5,6

No Gluten = Better Life

This past week has been pretty good, and very similar to the week before.  Energy level has remained relatively decent and I have felt pretty even keel physically and mentally.  I have started back up on my running and am hoping to gradually increase that as time goes on in order to train for my next half-marathon in September.  It seems if I allow adequate rest days, I am tolerating the exercise okay.  

It is quite amazing to me the difference I feel mentally after eliminating gluten, in particular.  This past week, it is quite evident that I feel calmer and more cheerful overall.  This makes perfect sense, when I read the following study on gluten and depression anxiety:

How gluten causes depression anxiety is by producing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, triggering an autoimmune response to the gluten protein which releases cytokines, which then enter the brain and produce inflammation in the brain, leading to depression anxiety.

Gluten causes gut inflammation in at least 80% of the population and another 30% of the population develops antibodies against gluten proteins in the gut. Furthermore, 99% of the population has the genetic potential to develop antibodies against gluten.  Report.

This gluten autoimmune cytokine response can affect other organs besides the brain, including joints, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, heart, and more.  Which is why gluten is associated with a whole host of conditions including, asthma, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and brain related autism, alzheimers and depression anxiety.

Read more at:  Gluten & Depression Anxiety

This past week has also revealed a smoother complexion and less acne in my trouble spots (still there, but less).  As I continue through this process, I am enjoying seeing more improvements in many areas, and looking forward to hopefully many more!

This coming week, we celebrate my beautiful daughter who is turning 4.  While she has a special place in my heart being my only girl, she also is a constant reminder of what my physical sacrifices are for.  She has been worth every bit of my struggles, and I would do it all over again for her. 

After 4 weeks of diet change:  Smoother complexion, decent energy level, improvement in mood and mental fog, calmer overall.

Gimme an E! Gimme an N! Gimme an E!......... R! G! Y!.................ENERGY!

This past week has been relatively "easy" compared to prior weeks.  I seem to have gotten some energy back and I am not as tired all the time.  I really love this and hope it's not a fluke!  My only set-back was that I got strep throat and was down for the count last weekend.  Once that was gone, I was a new person.  
I still crash in the evenings, but it's an easy trade-off since it used to hit me about 4:00 pm.

My kids are now on summer break, and we are ready to tackle various activities!  For the past couple days, I have been going through a ton of kids' clothing to get it ready for a garage sale my friend is having.  To actually have the energy to go through it and want to is an awesome feeling.  I am feeling accomplished!
I have continued on my diet restrictions (about 95%) with an occasional splash of milk in coffee or a small sprinkle of cheese on roasted veggies or salads.  I still feel great as a result of this, even though I don't always enjoy the diet. 

I'm still plugging away at the hormonal therapy drops and vitamins.  It feels like it's been longer than 2 weeks!

After 3 weeks of diet:  Eczema improved at back of neck and ear, no heartburn, less cravings and hunger, energy increased, acne decreased, mental fog improving, sleep is decent.

This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."  Isaiah 48:17

Week 1: Complete

I am through one full week of hormonal therapy and it's going just fine.  I haven't noticed any specific side effects from the drops, which is good.  Fortunately, they are able to be combined in one spoonful each time I take them.  However, the worst part about them is they contain alcohol and burn a bit in the mouth and down the throat.  (I wonder if I'll have any taste buds left when I'm through with this treatment.)  The other tough part is to remember to bring them with me if I go out to eat.  That may be a bit of a challenge for the next several months.  I have also started the vitamin packs, but am currently only taking 1 pack per day instead of the required 2.  I intend to get up to the full dose by the end of this week.

The first half of this past week was rough.  I had zero energy, I was pretty depressed, I didn't do any of my housework, and just took care of the kids' priority needs.  I was discouraged about the diet and very frustrated in general.  But the past few days, I have improved in these areas and have a little more energy and a better outlook.  Unfortunately, I came down with some sort of virus yesterday and have been fighting that.  Severe sore throat, achy, feverish, tender lymph nodes, etc.  (My hubby came to the rescue and took care of me and the kids all day so I could rest.)  I'm a lot better today but the sore throat is still lingering.  Aside from the cough drops (my favorite drops have soy in them!) and night time syrup, I have managed to stick to the diet through the illness.  (Mmmmm chicken broth.)  Even my favorite tea I drink when I'm sick contains soy.  *soy sigh*

I have been unable to run because of my lack of energy.  However, I'm trying to stay positive and hopeful that my energy will return soon and I will be able to resume.  I love to run.  It makes me feel good.  It's my "me" time.  It's a stress-reliever.  It's something I do for just myself, and no one else.

This coming week will be our final week of school for the kids.  It's hard to believe summer is here!  I hope to have enough energy to keep busy with the kids, and do a lot of fun activities together.  

If you haven't noticed, the key word today is "energy."  It's a wonderful thing, and I miss it.

My family at the Cincinnati Reds game on May 9

After 2 weeks of diet change:  

Sleep is solid, fingernails are stronger, still no reflux/heartburn, no stomach gurgling, eczema on ear about 50% improved, sugar cravings are not as strong, extreme hunger is subsiding

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

Hormonal Therapy - Day 1

Today is Day 1 of the hormonal therapy I will be doing for the next 6-12 months.  The reason the exact amount of time is not known is because it will all depend on how my body responds to the treatment, and how quickly.
For now, I will do my best to take each supplement as directed and push through my anxiety about ingesting new things.  I've never been a big fan of medications and such, but the anxiety about taking and eating new medications and foods really escalated back in 2010-2011 when my thyroid was hyper-sensitive, and many things I would put into my mouth would send me into a "thyroid storm."  The storms made me feel so awful that I had to avoid ingesting those items, or introduce them into my body very slowly, a little at a time.
Since I can't do that in this case, this will be a big challenge for the first several days.  While what I'm taking isn't considered "medication," I still struggle since it is new to me.

Here is what my next 4 weeks (for certain) will look like. At the end of 4 weeks, I meet with my chiropractor to discuss, and any necessary changes will be made:

It is extremely important that I take the amount of drops shown at the exact times of day, and all together.  This will allow my body the best chance for the different hormone levels to rise in a balanced fashion.  In addition to these 3 types of drops, I am to take the following vitamin pack twice daily:

The pack includes an Omega3 Softgel, Calcium, Magnesium, and a Multi-vitamin.  Never mind the bottles and bottles of half-used supplements that crowd my kitchen cabinets right now. 0:-) We will stick with these, with the goal of not allowing them to be added to my *ahem* collection.  I may or may not have a hoarding problem.

My Diet

I am wrapping up the first week of my new diet - no dairy, no sugar, no gluten, no soy. (The idea behind this is to keep my blood sugar steady.  When you have highs and lows in your blood sugar, your body releases cortisol at the wrong time to over-compensate.  This is also why cortisol issues are related to diabetes.) What does that leave me to eat?  Well, if you have hours of time and millions of dollars, it leaves plenty to choose from.  But here are the easier options I am sticking with, given my busy mommy-of-three lifestyle:  lots of fruits and veggies (read: lots of trips to the grocery store), quinoa, rices, nut butters (and I don't mean Jif), beans, eggs, pea protein powder, gluten-free granola, and lean meats.  The problem with a lot of the gluten-free crackers and such on the market nowadays is that they have added sugars or cheese (which I can't eat) to cover up the bland taste.  So I am staying away from most of those items, which are expensive anyway.

I am currently logging my foods and exercise into My Fitness Pal in order to make sure I have the proper balance of proteins, carbs, and fats in my diet.  Since I plan to continue running as my main exercise, it will be crucial that I fuel my body with enough of the energy I will need.  (Energy?  What's that?) The MFP program will allow me to keep that in check.

The Drops

This morning, I began with the first set of Licorice drops.  Yeah, it's not as tasty as it sounds, although it slightly resembles a mixture of espresso and black licorice.  After breakfast, I combined the rest of the drops required into one spoon and took it plain.  The instructions indicate I can do pretty much whatever it takes to get them down - - mix them in a little water, place them under my tongue, whatever.  After a week or so, I'll post an update to report how I'm feeling.

They are why I'm doing this.

I could not do this without my husband's support.  When he found out that I was going to try yet another treatment that would cost yet another chunk of money, he immediately said he was on board and to move forward.  Prior to him saying that, I had just asked God to help me communicate it clearly to him and that if it was God's will, to allow my husband to accept it and be receptive.  While my husband has never been unsupportive with anything I do, I was a little nervous about telling him because after all, we have been through 4 years of these ups and downs, and usually it comes at a hefty cost.  He puts up with me, and all my health baggage, and I love him for it.

Day 6 of diet:  

Pros:  Not as hungry all the time; sleep has been solid for 3 nights (I'm liking this one!); still no reflux/heartburn; no stomach gurgling

Cons: craving sugar; mild headache

"When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."  Psalm 94:18-19

The End & The Beginning

This being my first blog post, I'll take this opportunity to introduce myself, and explain where I've come from and what I plan to accomplish, documenting it along the way. 

I am a stay-at-home mother with 3 children, ages 8, 5, and 3. This is us. 

I have been happily married for 10 years, and we have a wonderful home near Dayton, Ohio.  In 2010, I was diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis when my daughter was 8 weeks old.

In a nutshell, my thyroid went wacko, and I was hyperthyroid with panic attacks, racing heart, mental fog, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sleep trouble, diarrhea, feeling of doom, and the list goes on.  Once diagnosed, I was medicated and my thyroid went into "hypo" mode with fatigue/exhaustion, constipation, sleep trouble, skin issues, mental fog, and that list goes on.  I was then taken off the medication to let my thyroid level out on its own.

As a result of all this trauma, my body went into survival mode, and I developed severe anxiety and stress to my thyroid, adrenal glands, liver, and kidneys.  What I'm left with now, 4 years later, is the struggle to function like a normal human being, trying to ignore what I'm actually feeling.  

I am going to list my current ailments here, so I have a reference point months from now, to see how much has improved.

Extreme fatigue/exhaustion

Occasional dizziness

Mental fog/haze

Incontinence

Bloating, stomach gurgling

Menstrual woes - severe gas pains, short cycles (23-24 days), long periods (7-8 days)

Memory loss

Tonsil stones

Halitosis

Depression

Anxiety

Eczema - right ear, right hip, back of neck/hairline, left forearm, elbows and knees

Reflux/heartburn

Irritability

Occasional shortness of breath

Heart palpitations

Poor circulation

Kidney stones

Low libido (to none)

Dry skin

Fingernail ridges

Sugar cravings

Acne - forehead, neck under the ears, upper back

Neck going out - needs readjustment every 1-2 months

Severe seasonal allergies

What I'm doing about it

During one of my many chiropractor visits to get my neck readjusted, he mentioned how he's studied for the past 3 years about adrenal fatigue and that a lot of my current symptoms sound like I may be suffering from it.  He suggested I get tested.  I agreed to the test, and was given a saliva kit, where my saliva was sampled 4x throughout a typical day to measure my cortisol levels.

The results were alarming.  I was in Stage 3 Adrenal Exhaustion (and you guessed it, there are only 3 stages prior to complete adrenal failure).

The chiropractor I see has been studying through Dr. Dan Kalish (www.kalishresearch.com), who has been mastering this study and treatment for the past 20 years.  

To explain what happens in adrenal exhaustion:

As the adrenal glands (located next to your kidneys) first come under chronic stress, the outer part of the gland called the cortex begins to produce and secrete a greater quantity of cortisol, the "stress hormone."  This increased cortisol production "steals" pregnenolone, the hormone needed to produce other hormones in the adrenal cortex, most notably DHEA.  In Stage 1 of adrenal exhaustion, daily cortisol output is elevated and DHEA levels begin to decline. (This was probably where I was in 2010/2011, shortly after my daughter was born.) Since DHEA metabolizes into sex hormones, specifically estrogens and testosterone, imbalances in these critical hormones can occur. In women, progesterone levels are often impacted to a greater degree by chronic stress than estrogen levels, leaving them "estrogen dominant."

As chronic stress continues unabated, the adrenal glands can no longer maintain the daily high levels of cortisol output. In Stage 2 of adrenal exhaustion, daily cortisol output falls back to "normal" levels, and DHEA levels decline even further. Low or borderline low morning, noon, or afternoon cortisol levels and normal nighttime levels are often seen in Stage 2 of adrenal exhaustion.

As chronic stress continues to weaken the adrenal glands, daily cortisol levels fall even farther. In Stage 3, cortisol levels are low and DHEA falls even lower. There is an increased probability of low nighttime cortisol levels as well as low readings throughout the day. (That's me!)  In Stage 3 adrenal exhaustion, a patient is subject to serious hormonal imbalances, resulting in profound fatigue or depression.

There are many health consequences associated with a high ratio of cortisol to DHEA that affect:

Blood sugar control, immune function, detoxification capabilities, tissue health, hormone balance

My treatment

In order to combat this awful, debilitating list of symptoms as a result of my adrenal fatigue, here's what I have to do for at least 6-12 months:

1) Follow a strict supplement protocol, designed by Dr. Kalish himself (I will explain what this entails below).

2) Change my diet drastically to eliminate all dairy, gluten, soy, and sugar. 

3) Remove any possible stress as much as I can, and take more time for myself.

4) Get adequate sleep

5) Exercise regularly, but not overdoing it

The Supplements

The supplement pack is a combination of multivitamins and hormone drops, to be taken daily.  The drops are:

DHEA - a hormone that is naturally produced by the adrenal glands 

Pregnenalone - a chemical found in our bodies; supplement is used for fatigue and increasing energy

Licorice extract - used to improve the function of the adrenal glands

The idea behind taking these three hormones together, is to slowly raise the hormone levels in a balanced fashion together, to gently increase the cortisol levels and thus allow the adrenal glands to heal and be re-trained to release the proper amounts of hormones at the correct times.  The drops are taken at specific times of day, to correlate with the levels in your body, and this blended with proper diet and rest should allow the body to begin to heal itself.  This type of treatment goes against what most doctors would do, which is throw a hormone at the thyroid or give me progesterone, which would shock the adrenal glands even further and send me more off balance than I already am.  This process I am entering into will treat the source of the problem, and hopefully correct the thyroid and female hormones as a result.

I firmly believe this is the answer.  I believe my body was created by God to heal itself, and when given the proper food and supplemental support, it can get back on track and I will be able to go off these hormone supplements by next year.

I am currently on day 4 of my new diet.  I waver between extreme hunger and cravings to feeling completely satisfied and a lot healthier already.  

I intend to post weekly to document my progression toward a healthier me, free of many (if not all) of my symptoms.  This is no way to live, and I've had enough.  This is my all-in attempt to feel normal again.  My future me and my family can only benefit from this therapy.

I already sense that God is blessing this process in many ways, and I can't wait to see how He works through this.

Day 4 of new diet:  Little to no reflux/heartburn, less stomach gurgling, slightly more energy

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:17

Thank you, God, for bringing me this far, allowing me to be healthy enough to care for my family and to exercise. Thank you for leading me to Dr. Combs, and for his efforts in helping his patients feel relief, getting to the source.