Feeling Challenged

[Ravani]

I'm not much more than a lurker here, but I must say that this forum has been invaluable for me. I had been off and on with raw, but then went "100%" after I had found out about Alissa in December of 2008. My 100% was a bit loose; I used vanilla, agave, and even had a dressing I loved that called for mirin. But I stayed religiously away from anything that would bring me back to cooked food. That was the way I worked my program.

It took me quite awhile to realize a thyroid problem I've had for a long time has flared up again. (Curse that old brain fog.) The situation was further exacerbated by the natural thyroid becoming unavailable. Synthroid just doesn't cut it for me, but I have Hashimoto's and basically have nothing left of my own to work with.

Well, my energy level is zilch, my mood swings are unbearable and life just basically feels flat (or worse) right now. I'm being jerked around a bit with insurance, but I'm hoping to be with a doctor within the next two weeks.

I didn't have too much weight to lose when I began eating raw, but I did lose some and felt good. Since starting the Synthroid, I've gained 11 lbs - that's more than 10% of my body weight. It feels awful. I've recently noticed myself eating more and more emotionally. I always let myself do that to some degree, as I wasn't gaining any weight and there didn't seem to be any big price to pay. Now, it seems now as though I'm never satisfied. I'm sure my inability to use the nutrients I'm taking in has something to do with that.

After more than 15 months, I ate some cooked food last week. I had been really afraid of what would happen if I did that. I've been a recovering alcoholic for 26 years, and I don't want to even think of what would happen if I picked up a drink. I had associated raw in the same way. Fortunately, it wasn't as I had feared. I didn't black out and I woke up in my own bed, thank God! I got back on track the next morning. But today, I ate some more cooked food. I would say it feels awful, but I felt rather awful anyway.

I thought I'd do a juice fast as my body could get the necessary nutrients easier. I don't have a juicer right now, and am not in a position at the moment to get one either. (Although I have my eye on one of those fancy Norwalks!) I'm using my Vitamix and two nutmilk bags. What a drag. I don't have much umph right now anyway, but I'm just trying to show up as best I can.

I just felt the desire to get real here, to ask for some magical raw fairy dust, and to know I'm not alone. I've spent enough time in my life being hard on myself. This is yet another journey, and I'd like to be easy about my stumblings for once.

Thanks for being here to let me reach out.

[sport]

You should keep an eye on the charity shops for a juicer as some have got them there.
It does sound as if you are having a hard time right now. I do not know much about thyroid but I do know that my niece has drastically reduced her meds by modifying her diet. One of the things that she takes is brazil nuts. She went to a nutritionist for advice.
Are all thyroid problems similar. Would there be any point in me getting the complete list of what she does.

[Ravani]

Thanks, Sport. Tag sale season is approaching also; I may have some luck with that.


Are all thyroid problems similar. Would there be any point in me getting the complete list of what she does.

I don't think so at this time. There is the overactive and underactive. I've gotten a list of things I CAN'T eat off the internet. Aside from lettuce, most greens I was using are not thyroid friendly. It's not supposed to matter in small doses, but I was having a collard green smoothie every morning for months. I've stopped that, and all smoothies for that matter.

I think first I would need to get some leveling out from a more natural hormone replacement.

Thanks so much for your response. Today's another day to try again.

[freshlight]

focus on perfect health and meditate on it. Let in the most beautiful thoughts you can create and expand them,- this will start filling up your life too and you'll start finding it EASY to heal fast. All the best to you and ENJOY!

[lovenlife]

It is ALL in your focus. What you focus on grows.

[rawviveyourself]

Hi Ravani!

I keep hearing people on this board about natural thyroid becoming unavailable, but a quick google search and it's available no problem.....? Research the balancing effect coconut oil has on the thyroid.

Don't restrict yourself mentally by thinking you have to wait for a doctor appointment or for that special juicer....look for what you can do now....I have a hand citrus juicer ($3) that is all I need for lemons when I do the master cleanse.

And greens need to be rotated to avoid thyroid depressing actions - please don't abandon greens because a website told you to!

Maybe find a friend in a similar situation and split the cost of the juicer with them - sort of like a juicer co-op! :D

I offer a service where people bring their produce to my office an I juice it for them - or I do it in their homes for them - if you can't find anyone like that in your area, maybe there is a need and you can be that person!
Get creative and good luck!

[DebB]

I'm blessed to have a holisitic physician where I could get my Rx for Armour Thyroid. I was hyper, had my thryroid killed (that's another story - wish I'd found this doctor before having that nasty procedure done). But now, Armour is very difficult to get.

But - it's still available in compounded form, that's what I'm using now.

There's a possibility that more is going on here than your thyroid. You may want to check out a doctor that knows their way around hormone balance, such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone to name the top 3. The symptoms you describe fit right in line with this. I started having these symptoms even with a balanced thyroid when I was in my late 40s and still menstruating - I was in perimenopause.

I wish you all the best! *Ü*

[Ravani]

Thank you all so much for your caring responses. It feels wonderful to have "come out of the closet." I just spent the entire day with spiritual friends entrenching myself again so that I might now focus more effectively. It's working. Slowly, surely, it's working.

rawviveyourself - I appreciate your offerings. Sometimes, it takes me awhile to be willing or able to work with what I've got, but I'm closer now. I really like the idea of the Norwalk, but the Vitamix is doing its job well enough. I did not know about rotating the greens. Everything I've seen said to avoid these foods. That's really good to know. The reason I really need to see the doctor is so that I can get an RX - can't fill one without it! As Deb mentioned, it is available in compound form or from Canada, but it's otherwise still hard to get.

DebB - I so appreciate what you have to say. I recently finished reading The Miracle of Natural Hormones and knew it was what I needed to look into now. The doctor who wrote it said he never treated anyone with a thyroid problem who did not have some other hormonal imbalance. I may be able to heal myself spiritually and/or through raw food, but I'm a strong proponent for the path of least resistance. Over the last 20+ years I've been dealing with this, I've never created a cooperative relationship with a doctor I valued. I'm ready and really wanting to do this now. And perhaps in the future, I won't want or need any of it.

Thank you so much again. The very hard thing about depression is that it steals your desire to help yourself. That's where this support is critical for me. I'm very grateful to all of you.

[DebB]

Hi Rawani ~ Just a little note to say again that I wish you all the very best! *Ü*

[freelee]

I always found a trip to banana island to be very beneficial for balancing out again. I do it about once a year if I feel I need a change or a "freshening up", its an awesome experience. Myself and about 30 other ppl on my site are doing it, starting today for the next 2 weeks

[Ravani]

Thanks, Deb. You are so sweet. I'm really glad to see you every time you post.

I read a lot on your site, Freelee. Thanks. If the juicing is drudgery for me right now, a mono fruit fast might be that much easier. What a great idea!

Thanks everyone for being so supportive. I don't know why, but when I get so low, the only thing that works for me is to scream out for help. I appreciate the responses.

[karenisraw]

I would like to know what banana island is. I drink a green smoothie with a banana in it every day. I would also like to note, I've lost 4.5 lb's in 1 & 1/2 weeks. Yeah.

[freelee]

Banana island is just banana's for a number of days or weeks generally. I'm doing just banana and dates for the next 2weeks and blogging on 30BaD. I won't say anymore about it on here because I respect the fact that it's not recommended here but feel free to mail me or visit my site for more details X

[Rawcstacy]

I would like to know what banana island is.

A place where all ladies should visit.:eek: (My apologies if you're not "straight")


I always found a trip to banana island to be very beneficial for balancing out again.

Durian Island or Coconut Island are more interesting destinations. IMHO:D

[Aleesha Sattva]

mmm I wanna visit Mango island myself! ;)

[Revvell]

mmm I wanna visit Mango island myself! ;)

I'm with you! Add some pineapples, papayas...

[freelee]

mmm I wanna visit Mango island myself! ;)

You should give it a go Aleesha & Revvell, I did 12 days on mangoes once, it was awesome, I didn't really want to stop!

Hey Rawecstasy, oh yeh definitely durian island would rock! I have mono'd on durian before for one day only :-)

I do prefer high water content fruits though, for this reason I have banana smoothies instead of just eating bananas all day but sometimes i do.

[Ravani]

I do prefer high water content fruits though, for this reason I have banana smoothies instead of just eating bananas all day but sometimes i do.

So do you add water to your smoothies, Freelee? I've been collapsing my cheeks sucking down these banana smoothies sans water. :eek:

[SevenKindsOfCookie]

So do you add water to your smoothies, Freelee? I've been collapsing my cheeks sucking down these banana smoothies sans water. :eek:

:D Just add enough liquid to make it the consistency you prefer.

[sport]

I did see a demo where they proved that adding water to a smoothie delays and reduces oxidation.

[Ravani]

I did see a demo where they proved that adding water to a smoothie delays and reduces oxidation.

COOL! I tried adding water yesterday and it was much better. Prior to this mono smoothie fast, I always used watery fruits with the bananas - hence less need for water.

[CathyA.]

Yeah!!! You are sounding happier. Glad to hear it.

[Ravani]

Yeah!!! You are sounding happier. Glad to hear it.

Thanks so much, Cathy! I am feeling so much better. I've come to learn I was just ingesting too much fat. Made me feel AWFUL and lethargic and moody and more. And although I loved those cashew dips and macadamia ice creams and avocado chocolate mousses, they didn't love me.

Feels great to feel great again. And I'm so thankful for all the support here.

[Mad Mex]

And I'm so thankful for all the support here.

It's a pleasure, next time you help me or someone else.

Saludos,

Marcel :cool: