Over the last several weeks and especially in that last week, I’ve hinted at some changes in my health and specifically in my diet. I haven’t given much explanation as honestly, there wasn’t much to give, but over the last several weeks I’ve had several doctor’s appointments all ending with the results “everything looks normal, check back in with me in 2-3 months.”
Guys, I’ve never been one for modern medicine. There’s absolutely a time and a place but my frustrations with their practices has come back around and I tell you this, I’m taking my health back in my hands!
For the last several months, things have been off. I don’t really know how to describe it any more than that necessarily but it felt like my symptom list just keep growing, so when my insurance kicked in at the start of the year, I scheduled an appointment and was finally able to get in. By this point, I’d done enough research to walk in and ask for specific tests (while also being open to any other ideas), but I was 90% sure I had hypothyroidism. Look a list of symptoms and I check off every.single.one (or at least 99%).
Well, my blood work came back and I was told that I don’t have it but may be developing it. Come back later.
WHERE IS THE PREVENTION?
WHY ARE WE LIVING IN A REACTIVE WORLD?
IF I AM DEVELOPING IT, THEN DO SOMETHING TO TRY AND STOP IT!
MAKE A SUGGESTION SO I STOP FEELING LIKE CRAP EVERY DAY AND BACK LIKE MYSELF AGAIN!
So I started continuing my research, listened to a lot of advice, some good, some bad, most out of my price range (which is anything, let’s get real). But this is my health and I’m not willing to sit around and feel STUCK. I did that for about a week and cried a lot over it and then decided “NO MORE!” So I made a decision, based on research, suggestions, and friends who have gone through similar things and now feel amazing.
Then it became a matter of WHEN do I start. After my birthday? After my weekend to see family and friends in Illinois in late April? I could easily push back the date over and over, until I said “STOP. NO MORE!” And decided I start immediately. Or as immediate as I could.
I logged on to Amazon, found the supplements I needed and ordered them, got the book by Jeffrey McCombs D.C. with the plan, and picked up the final supplements I needed when I went into my part-time job later that afternoon (it was a Saturday). I made a meal plan based on the allotted foods and went to the grocery store. By Sunday afternoon, the supplements were on my doorstep, food was prepped and by Monday, I was starting the plan.
So what am I doing?
A candida cleanse.
You can read more about it here, if you’re interested, but long version made short – it’s a strict diet, supplement (and sweat) plan meant to help restore and repair the GOOD bacteria in your gut and get you feeling well again.
No, I did not get tested for candida. No, I am not worried about that. I’m not taking anything crazy that I feel I need to be worried about putting into my body. I’ll be seeing my doctors again in June and if things progress, we celebrate; if they don’t, then I can reevaluate with them, but I’m not willing to just let 3 more months go by and not feel like myself. I’m not willing to wake up in the morning and worry that I won’t be able to get out of bed because my body is mysteriously in pain for some unknown reason. I’m not willing to feel like the only way I can get through the day is by having an IV of coffee because despite a full night’s sleep, I can’t make it to 10:30 before I feel like I need a nap.
My health is worth more than that.
And that 25k? It’s on the back burner. For now. Maybe I’ll run the 5k or 10k, but the 25k is off the table right now. I wasn’t able to recover properly and that’s a sign something is wrong. Hello? I’m usually the girl who wonders WHEN she’ll actually feel SORE from a workout.
So there you have it. That’s my plan. More than my plan, that’s my ACTION and I’m feeling GREAT about my decision. I’m taking my health in my hands and that’s something I’m extremely proud of.
When have you had to take your health in your hands?
Interesting. I’ve never heard of the Candida Cleanse but am very familiar with the Whole30 that also has a super strict diet. I’ll have to check it out. I also am trying to get my health back into shape since I haven’t been working out and have been eating crap!
Great job trusting your gut! You know when something is wrong with you and that’s awesome you are doing what you can to help yourself feel better.
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life recently posted…How We Live On Less Than $1500 A Month + A Peek At Our Budget
Good for you for taking your health into your own hands! Sometimes that’s what we have to do because doctor’s may not always be the greatest. I have been using essential oils recently to help better by health and they really have helped. I hope you start to feeling better and everything calms down.
PREACH! I feel like I’m figuring out what’s working for me (and what isn’t) these days too since Drs haven’t been helpful. It is hard to know if what you’re doing is going to work but sometimes you just gotta try and see! I hope you find answers (and feel great) asap!
Phoebe recently posted…Banana-Free Smoothie Ideas (and a recipe!)
i went to 239824798 doctors appointments for tons of digestive issues and felt like drs never listened to my words. I finally found a DR who listened to me and we decided on the GF diet. MY blood work came back normal and not that I have celiac, but he said it doesnt mean i dont have it. Celiac is really hard to diagnose and not shown the same way in all people. It’s been 1 month and im already feeling much better!
I hope you begin to feel improvement too!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…5 Guiltless Desserts
the idea of prevention is sooo backwards in modern medicine and it frustrates me ALOT every single day. i see patients who are prediabetic which research have shown 10000000 times that they will become full blown diabetic if they dont take matters seriously TODAY. However. most doctors send them home without any information and wait until they get a true diagnosis. kudos for being proactive and doing what you think works best for you because you know your health more than anyone..i’d interested to hear more about cleanse 🙂
dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Baked Tofu Fries
Living the Whole Life for sure! Great article!!!!
This is great – good for you! I totally understand your frustration with Doctors! I’ve been through my fair share of illness and Doctors not understanding. I’ve also be told I’m developing hypothyroidism and have to go for regular checkups about it and my question is the same as yours – why don’t they do something to prevent it?! Luckily, I have a homeopathic Doctor who is also a GP and can give me homeopathic medicine than can help with the symptoms and help postpone the hypothyroidism. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s maybe worth looking into? But you seem to have a great plan so good luck and I hope it all goes well for you!
Amy xx
Amy Saunders recently posted…Easter Antics!
Great attitude and controlling and taking back. You got this.
candy recently posted…Creme Filled Sponge Cakes
Good for you for taking your health in your own hands!
Christine recently posted…Tips on Kicking Up Your Productivity at Work
Thanks, Christine!
So glad you took things into your own hands. I will have to google and research on that as well. I, too, have been feeling like there’s something off. So tired and exhausted all the time. I have trouble getting out of bed every single morning no matter how much sleep I got. Sometimes my entire body hurts and I do not know why,. And those migraines I’ve been suffering lately are unreal. I already have a doctor’s appointment scheduled and thank goodness to my Germany health insurance I don’t have to worry about that.
Definitely! You sound very much like me so I hope you get answers from your doctor’s appointment but remember that if you don’t, you still have options!
Here to support you in any way that I can! Good for you for getting into the driver’s see of your health and being proactive.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Running Advice: Run the Race You Trained For (Running Coaches Corner)
Thanks, girl! <3 <3