Guess who's back....back again....

If you are now bobbing your head to the corresponding Eminem song that matches those words, give yourself a pat on the back. Aren't you thrilled to learn we have similar taste in music? I mean what SUV driving mom of twins doesn't rock out to Eminem, right? Don't answer that. So yes, after a LONG time, I am knocking the dust off this blog and going to fill your screen with the ramblings of what's been going on 'round here lately. 

So, if you've read my infertility story, you know that I have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) along with premature ovarian failure and a hysterectomy to boot (don't be jealous). With this disorder, comes it's own set of challenges, primarily with the symptoms it causes in my body. I have been on medication for the past 2 years that were supposed to "fix" my issues, but let me tell ya, the only thing that was "fixed" was the number on the lab result sheet. Apparently, this number was all my doctors cared about and dismissed all of my other issues. It was not until just recently that I discovered that my doctors back in Dallas ssssuuuucccckkkkeeeeddd! Lately, my symptoms have really been bringing me down and have gotten the better of me, and I really hate that. There is nothing worse than going around like a raging hormonal biatch to your husband and kids while also being incredibly sad all the time, unable to sleep, have zero energy and even less than zero libido, I mean talk about feeling like a worthless, useless ball of crap!

I knew I had to do something, things COULD NOT continue the way they were going, but I was powerless to do anything about it on my own. I had tried everything I could think to do for the past 2 years to make these symptoms (as well as sooooo many more not mentioned) go away, but nothing I was doing (diet change, exercise, vitamins/supplements, antidepressants, spending more time in the word, yoga, meditating... you name it!) was working :(

I knew I needed to find a new doctor, so I hit up the 'ol webbernet and did some research. Through my research, I discovered that the LAST person I needed was an endocrinologist. So, there was the first mistake I made. And also, that I was not alone. The internet was full of countless people who were also suffering with unwanted symptoms despite their labs being "normal" and their doctors not doing anything about it, or worse yet, blaming the patients for their issues. One woman was even told to seek psychiatric help! Reading all this really pissed me off! What the heck is wrong with the medical community that they can't seem to address what appears to be a pretty common problem??? Seriously, I don't get it!

 

I began to seek out a doctor that was open to taking a deeper look into my condition and not just what my TSH level was. I ended up deciding on Dr. Wiseman - perhaps it was subliminal (Wise-man, I sure hope so!). His practice promoted that they were an integrative practice that offered both conventional, as well as alternative approaches to wellness. What I also liked, was that they tout that they are a practice dedicated to treating the whole person and understanding the root cause of medical issues and specifically listed thyroid and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy as disorders that they treated. Sounded perfect. The reviews were great. So, I made the call and got myself an appointment for the very next day - score! I told the good dr. of my laundry list of issues and symptoms and while he agreed my case was definitely unique, he had more/less heard it all before and was very confident that he could help me get back to "feeling like myself" again, which is someone I'm not even sure I remember anymore. He had me go get some lab work done so that he could confirm a few things and would have me back in a week to talk treatment plan. Over the last 7 days, I have continued researching some of the things he was talking about doing (switching my medication from synthroid to armour), and I began to see a common theme forming with all the posts I was reading... people would respond that their lives had been completely transformed with this simple switch. Seriously, I did not find ONE negative review about it! This got me VERY excited! But at the same time, I began to get very angry. Angry at my former doctors who didn't prescribe Armour in the first place. I felt robbed. Robbed of the happiness I could have been feeling over the last 2 years instead of the chaotic roller coaster of hormonal hell I had been living in. Then I was so sad thinking about how this horrible cycle would just continue. That uninformed doctors would continue to force their useless medication on these poor unsuspecting patients all so they can get the result they want on the labs, check it off their list and collect their paycheck, without much regard for how the patient is actually feeling.
I was also reading a lot about people changing their diet to grain-free, dairy-free and Paleo/Primal and having amazing results. I decided to take a deeper look at this idea and must say, I'm pretty sold.

I've tried it over the past week and honestly, it's not much different from the low carb diet we've been following for the past year. One big adjustment was including more eggs and meat into our meals, something we had previously been trying to decrease after watching Forks Over Knives. I don't know if it was the added protein, the mood change or both, but I lost almost 5 pounds over the course of the week! Holla! However, I'm fairly positive I gained every bit of it back last night when I went out celebrating with the girls from my church. Celebrating the end of our healthy challenge no less! Ha! Hmmmm, celebrating being healthy by shoveling fried eggrolls, deep dish pizza, and a pizookie party platter into your mouth! Sounds like a good plan!

sinfully delicious y'all!

Sooooo thankful for these awesome ladies!

Fast forward to today... one week after my first appointment. I had been anxiously awaiting this day, like a kid before Christmas morning! Somehow the anticipation and proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel" seemed to change my mood considerably the whole week - it's amazing what a little hope can do!

 

Sure enough, my thyroid was barely functioning (it is constantly being attacked by antibodies) and was not converting my T4 hormone to T3 (I realize this means nothing to most of you - sorry!), also we found out that I have ZERO estrogen, untraceable amounts of progesterone, and very little testosterone, as well as low Vit D and DHA levels (I know there was another letter in that acronym, but I can't remember what it was - I think it was an R??). It's bad enough to deal with the Hashimoto's symptoms by themselves, but coupled with the issues of a 90 year old woman's body too, let's just say, I was/am a HOT MESS. But, the good doc is hookin' me up! I start my switch from synthroid to armour TODAY, and should feel the effects of it in as little as a week - Hallelujah! The compounding pharmacy should have my estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone meds by tomorrow, and I also need to pick up some Vit D and a new multi-vitamin with DHA when I get the other meds. All in all, I should be a new woman by the end of the month. OMG - I still can't believe it - I have never been more relieved and excited before IN MY LIFE. I'm excited for what this will mean for my marriage, for my family, for my self-confidence, gosh everything. I honestly don't even know what it's like not to feel like a prisoner in my own body. Thank you Jesus for bringing us to Austin, for leading me to this doctor, and for the amazing wisdom, knowledge and advancements in science that allow for me to live a life free of these debilitating symptoms! I just feel like I am in such a positive place right now - finally! Jason and I are so thrilled and excited for where the Lord is leading us and the people He is putting in our lives.

Now, if only I could find a sitter for this weekend so the hubs and I can go out and celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary :)

Love this man so much!

 

So, I kinda feel like today is the first day of the rest of my life, and I am LOVIN' it! I will let you all know how this all shapes out! I hope you all have a fantastic week!

 

-Candice