Desperate for Help!

[lahackett]

Hi there,

I’m desperate for help!

I’m currently suffering from severe adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and am very low on progesterone. It’s so bad that I’ve been out of work for 3 months on FMLA and have recently filed Long Term Disability through my work.

Two years ago I was raw for nine months. After being raw for 7 months things started to go downhill for me. I started gaining weight, retained a lot of water, became severely fatigued, and depressed.

A couple of months later, I started binging on SAD food. It was crazy! I was always a health nut so this behavior was not the norm for me. It freaks my my daughter out how I eat because it so unlike me.

Binging on the SAD food has caused a great deal of weight gain in a short period of time. I tried to go back to raw but it was impossible – my body was screaming for crappy food!

I then saw a doctor who diagnosed me as hypothyroid. I went on several thyroid medications and after each one I felt worse. I would be bedridden for a week after each change/increase of medication.

After 6 months of not getting any better, I found another doctor who tested my Adrenals – turns out I’m suffering from severe Adrenal Fatigue which is why the Thyroid medication didn’t work and made me feel worse (adrenals and thyroid work together). Also, my progesterone levels are extremely low.

I’m now on Hydrocortisone (Cortisol to give my adrenals a rest) and Armour for my Thyroid. After a month, I still don’t feel any better. I’m thinking my low Progesterone levels play a role in how poorly I’m feeling since I must be estrogen dominant but my doctor doesn’t want to address this yet.

I hate dealing with doctors!!!!

I’m desperate to get my life back. I feel like I’m losing everything! I can’t work (and therefore can't pay my mortgage or bills), I can’t care for my 12 year old daughter (she's currently staying with my parents) – I’m a mess!

I’m wondering if any of you have gone through anything like this or know of anybody who has? Any insight is greatly appreciated!

I’m attempting to go raw again (I don’t understand why it’s so hard now when it was so easy before) - The cravings are insane!

Do you think a Green Smoothie feast would heal me?

Sorry my post is so long! Thanks in advance!

Laurie

[snoops]

Have you read Suzanne Sommers new book. Forget what its called (Breakthrough maybe) but she talks about just your problems which she apparently also had. It may be worth a read. I thought it was very interesting. She also had complete adrenal fatigue, low progesterone.

[Shoney]

Were you following Alissa's book?

Good luck, and please let us know what you find out!!

[curiousraw]

Sounds like you need to take some DHEA (10 mg a day) for a few weeks and eat some seaweed once a week for a few weeks.

[curlygirl82]

You might want to check out rawreform.com -- angela stokes lost 160 pounds and cured her thyroid on raw (and has kept it all off for years now)... she's massively inspiring.

i don't have experience with what you're describing, but from everything i've read about raw, it seems like, if not a panacea, it's our best shot at healing things like this...

treat your cravings as symptoms of detox - it's toxins/unhealthy food leaving your system. this will happen rapidly when you go raw, so maybe trying an intermediate diet would be useful for you?

also, might there be any naturopaths around you - sympathetic to raw - that could give you advice on your condition?

oh oh oh and alejandro junger might be great for you to check out. he's an MD who specializes in curing adrenal fatigue, and he just released a book called Clean which tells you how. he's very up on raw, too... there's interviews with him on give it to me raw...

best of luck to you!

[Colorawdo girl]

I had adrenal fatigue and take DHEA and another. Naturopath can get test to see what slow and how much you need to take and balance you out.

[EZ rider]

Are you using caffeine ? If so you may want to ask your Dr. if thats OK.

[DebB]

I've been on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for over 4 years now (Suzanne Somers was the first book I read on this about 5 years ago - easy to understand, not medical mumbo-jumbo. If I remember correctly, she's written 3 on the subject so far, Breakthrough is her most current). I take (compounded separately) estradiol, progesterone and testosterone).

I've been raw for just over a year. I don't know enough about raw helping hormonal issues to comment on it - but I do know that I feel so much better on BHRT (just sharing info).

I go to a Holistic MD and I am so thankful to have him as my doctor. He has almost 25 years experience with BHRT and I finally found a doctor who would give me Armour instead of Synthroid & Levoxyl (I had my thyroid ablated/killed - twice - over 10 years ago, thanks to my endocrinologist - I was hyperthyroid. My current MD said that was such a shame because he could have whipped my thryoid into shape in about 10 weeks. Doesn't make me think loving thoughts towards my X-endo.).

I hope you find the answers you're seeking. *Ü*

[snoops]

Thank you for posting better information on Suzanne Sommers book than I did. I did think when I read it that would be something worth looking into if my body ever needed it. I am hoping with raw though I may not!!

[Moretta]

Welcome and good luck on your RAWNESS journey.

Wish you the best of health.

[raw runner]

it is all about body chemistry, hang on and continue raw eating and you'll see the body adapts the chemistry and soon you 'll be able to eat raw like before.

[mstrish]

I have alot of experience with these health issues. First, the reason your craving SAD processed foods is due to Adrenal fatigue...the body is trying to get nutrients to alleviate symtoms but not knowing that eating properly can eliminate these imbalaces but instead our cravings for salty and sweet in easy prepackaged foods takes over. The gut is the center for controling all hormones(I know people will disagree with this and thats okay..I have 15 years in the medical field and many doctors and test later on these issues personally)...when its out of balance then our blood levels will show abnomalities. I gained 30 lbs in 4 months due to adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, sex hormonal imbalances and IBD, so I know the pain and frustration of always being exhausted. I started raw 2 months ago and my symtoms have lessened but to heal my body I know the raw food lifestyle is forever for me. I eat alot of greens (drinks and smoothies). Greens help hormonal imbalances and if you don't have Hashimotos you can add kelp to your diet and adding CLA for hormones(high quality so do your research). DHEA is the precursur to our sex hormones and cortisol (DHEA Keto brand does not metabolizes correctly so don't use this)Testing the adrenals you should find a practitioner that specializes in saliva testing and take the test that has four samples throughout the day so you can tell what time of day the abnormal reading is and supplement at that time instead of blind dosing just to relieve symtoms. I know the cravings are strong but keep eating raw foods and within a few weeks your symtoms will get better. Also, find a vegan probiotic and take several times a day and at bedtime to help your gut get back in balance. Hang in there and keep eating raw foods...its hard in the begining but keep telling yourself your healing your body. If you want more specifics on lab tests and hormone balancing just PM me. Stay strong and get plenty of rest and greens, greens, and more greens will help.