So, the time has come for me to embark on a journey that has been a long time coming; a personal journey that’s all about me. This is a foreign concept to me, after all, I am an Aquarian, and for us it’s all about doing for others. In the process of doing for others I have forgotten about myself.
I have been living with psoriases since the age of seven and although it has been manageable, I’m really over it! J Psoriasis is said to be an autoimmune disorder that has no cure. I have been treating it with topical creams. In no way is my condition serious or as extensive as some experience, but the underlying cause has remained undetected.
In addition, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in May of 2009. (I think I must have had this condition many years prior to being diagnosed.) Nonetheless, the diagnosis helped me understand why I had been feeling the way I did for so many years. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is inflammation of the thyroid gland, which damages the gland's cells. Hypothyroidism is also an autoimmune disorder, do you sense a pattern?
My underactive thyroid causes a myriad of symptoms;
· Fatigue
· Weakness
· Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
· Coarse, dry hair
· Dry, rough pale skin
· Hair loss
· Cold intolerance (you can't tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
· Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
· Constipation
· Depression
· Irritability
· Memory loss
· Abnormal menstrual cycles
· Decreased libido
I have had all of these symptoms at one point or another. Unfortunately, conventional medicine typically views the thyroid in isolation from the other systems of the body. Although my medication has worked as far as keeping my thyroid condition from getting worse, in many cases women with thyroid problems spiral steadily downward, feeling worse as the years go by and finding themselves on an ever-expanding list of medications. I DON’T want to get to that point.
I have to say that my diet isn’t by any means BAD, and for someone free of disease it would suffice. For someone who needs to heal, more aggressive measures are needed.
My journey begins October 1st, inspired by the documentary “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead” and others. I know that the human body can heal itself of disease; it’s just a matter of feeding it whole foods from the earth.
I chose this outlet not only to keep myself ”in check” but also because I know I will need your support!
Stay tuned for more details as I document my experience!
