My doc requested one more test during my last visit. She (and my HMO PC) had previously requested that I take a bone density scan. I didn't want a test to tell me what I already knew ... that I lost bone (actually height) during those years my PCP and many other misdiagnosed my celiac symptoms as IBS and/or an eating disorder. My naturopath believed I might still be losing bone, because I was past menopause and never took any hormone replacement. I told her I consume calcium rich foods, take daily vitamin D and magnesium, do weight bearing exercise and lift weights daily. So I'm doing everything I can to keep my bones strong, short of taking HRT. My ND told me I could take the N-Teleopeptite test, which would indicate whether I'm losing excessive calcium or bone ingredients through my urine. I thought that was much easier than subjecting myself to unnecessary radiation (via bone density scan). So I agreed, order the test from my HMO lab and did the test.
Amazingly (to my ND) my results were mid normal range, which says I'm not excreting bone. Whatever I'm doing seems to be working. I believe the eating gluten (which blocked calcium absorption) and having low stomach acid prevented calcium, magnesium and vitamin D absorption. Once I resolved all that (stopped eating gluten and starting taking betaine HCl), I stopped whatever bone loss I experienced during my years of undiagnosed celiac disease.
Anyway, I'm glad my results were normal. I hope that my ND won't need any more tests to show I don't need HRT. If my HMO PCP pesters me again about getting a bone scan, I'll refer her to my N-Teleopeptide test results, which are in my HMO medical file.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Eating Disorder or Gastrointestinal Disorder
I just posted a comment on a blog in response to a 'guest post' by an eating disorder specialist. She recognized that food allergies may play a role in eating disorders, but she focussed on the emotional consequences of those food allergies, which she presumed cause the emotional/mental eating disorder. Nowhere did she consider that PAIN, DISCOMFORT or INDIGESTION could influence 'eating disorder' habits. Of course most ED specialists say that those symptoms are caused by ED habits. I think the causes of gastro symptoms PRECEDED ED habit, that ED habits are a solution, albeit ineffective solution, to gastrointestinal problems which cause those symptoms. Here's what I said in my comment:
Like "IBS" terms like anorexia, bulimia, etc. are just labels for sets of symptoms. Like "IBS" those labels do nothing to explain cause or suggest effective treatment. Like "IBS" those terms allow medical 'experts' who can't explain the cause of anorexia, bulimia, etc. to suggest that those are 'mental/emotional' diseases. Like "IBS" that 'mental/emotional' explanation does nothing to treat physical causes of those symptoms.
When I had 'eating disorder' symptoms, I talked to my traditional physician, who suggested I see a therapist. So I told my therapist that eating caused me pain and bloating, that vomiting relieved the pain and constant reflux after meals, and that I never felt physically satisfied no matter how much I ate, although I felt painfully full after eating even small amounts. That therapist told me to talk to my doctor. My doctor gave me the 'IBS' label. My therapist gave me the "anorexia/bulimia" label. Neither of those labels explained the causes of my symptoms or suggested an effective treatment.
26 years later I learned I had celiac disease and 6 other delayed reaction food allergies. Eating any of those allergens caused me cramping pain, bloating and nausea.
Abstaining from the allergens didn't eliminate the overly full feeling after eating small amounts or resolve the reflux. After more tests I learned that I had hypochloridia and needed supplemental betaine hydrochloride to digest normally (as well as absorb nutrients). Taking those supplements with meals allowed me to feel satisfied (rather than painfully full, but dissatisfied) after meals. My bloating also completely disapppeared. I was the same size before and after eating.
Finally I learned that my symptoms of fatigue and low core body temperature (as well as irregularity) were caused by autoimmune Hashimoto's hypothyroidism NOT low body weight (or anorexia as I had been previously told).
Today I weigh about the same as I weighed in my 20s when I was told I had anorexia. I eat anything I want EXCEPT my food allergens, and feel satisfied but not painfully full after eating. I'm warm, energetic and 'regular'.
I also wonder how many others who were given the 'eating disorder' really have gastrointestinal disorders, like celiac disease or food allergies, or even hypochloridia or hypothyroidism. I wonder how many therapists even consider physical causes for symptoms included in the eating disorders label.
Like "IBS" terms like anorexia, bulimia, etc. are just labels for sets of symptoms. Like "IBS" those labels do nothing to explain cause or suggest effective treatment. Like "IBS" those terms allow medical 'experts' who can't explain the cause of anorexia, bulimia, etc. to suggest that those are 'mental/emotional' diseases. Like "IBS" that 'mental/emotional' explanation does nothing to treat physical causes of those symptoms.
When I had 'eating disorder' symptoms, I talked to my traditional physician, who suggested I see a therapist. So I told my therapist that eating caused me pain and bloating, that vomiting relieved the pain and constant reflux after meals, and that I never felt physically satisfied no matter how much I ate, although I felt painfully full after eating even small amounts. That therapist told me to talk to my doctor. My doctor gave me the 'IBS' label. My therapist gave me the "anorexia/bulimia" label. Neither of those labels explained the causes of my symptoms or suggested an effective treatment.
26 years later I learned I had celiac disease and 6 other delayed reaction food allergies. Eating any of those allergens caused me cramping pain, bloating and nausea.
Abstaining from the allergens didn't eliminate the overly full feeling after eating small amounts or resolve the reflux. After more tests I learned that I had hypochloridia and needed supplemental betaine hydrochloride to digest normally (as well as absorb nutrients). Taking those supplements with meals allowed me to feel satisfied (rather than painfully full, but dissatisfied) after meals. My bloating also completely disapppeared. I was the same size before and after eating.
Finally I learned that my symptoms of fatigue and low core body temperature (as well as irregularity) were caused by autoimmune Hashimoto's hypothyroidism NOT low body weight (or anorexia as I had been previously told).
Today I weigh about the same as I weighed in my 20s when I was told I had anorexia. I eat anything I want EXCEPT my food allergens, and feel satisfied but not painfully full after eating. I'm warm, energetic and 'regular'.
I also wonder how many others who were given the 'eating disorder' really have gastrointestinal disorders, like celiac disease or food allergies, or even hypochloridia or hypothyroidism. I wonder how many therapists even consider physical causes for symptoms included in the eating disorders label.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Soyed By Labelling Error
A week ago I bought a deli item at my local, organic grocery coop. I've eaten their other deli items,which were labeled free of my allergies, and never had reactions. However a week ago, I saw an item which was originally free of soy (tamari or gluten free soy sauce). However, the deli began adding tamari to their recipe and correctly labeled that ingredient on their ingredients card. So I didn't eat it as long as I saw soy on the label. Nevertheless, during my last visit I saw that item with ingredients free of soy. I read the label twice and asked my husband to verify that he didn't see soy either. Then I asked the deli counter person if the label was correct and she said it was. So I bought a pound of the vegan rice casserole and mixed it with a few other vegies and sunflower seeds for 2 meals' worth.
As I ate some that night, I felt the need to recheck the label on the carton. To my horror, soy (tamari) was plainly listed in the 2nd line of the ingredients. I was absolutely certain that the deli case label had omitted the soy ingredient. So I called the deli department of that deli. The person who answered the phone said the they always use tamari in that recipe. Then I asked why that ingredient wasn't included in the deli counter label. The person in the deli department checked the counter label and sure enough that sign had omitted tamari (soy). Of course I learned all that AFTER I had eaten about 1/3-1/2 cup of the soy laced casserole.
Next I talked to the manager who told me to come in the next day so that they could refund my money. She also wanted to offer me a gift certificate to compensate me for the pain and suffering I would endure, because I'm very allergic to soy. I was so angry at the point that I asked her if chewing and swallowing the gift certificate was supposed to relieve my pain. GRRRRR!!! My husband later told me that the gift certificate was all they could offer me. I told him that made THEM feel better, but not me. What I needed was a guarantee that their labels would always be accurate. Instead I decided that I will never again buy food from their deli department.
One week later I'm still suffering soy reaction symptoms. For the first few days I had more and more cramping intestinal pain and bloating. By the 5th day I had loose stools which turned into outright diarrhea for the past 2 days preceded by excruciating gut cramps and bloating each night. This was my first soy consumption incident in about 5 years or so. The longer someone abstains from a delayed reaction allergen (soy is an IgA mediated allergen for me), the stronger (more intense) and longer lasting reaction symptoms will be. That's exactly what I've experienced. I've been reacting to soy for over a week now. I hope it ends soon. I used to spend 5-7 days reacting to soy. The past 2 days (6 and 7) were the worst. Usually my symptoms are most intense in the middle of the reaction period and then taper off toward the end. So I may spend the next few days still reacting. I hope not!!
The good news is the DHEA seems to be working to improve my immunity (or all the T-cells activated by soy are attacking cold viruses LOL). I've had less sleep lately (because cramping gut pain keeps me awake), but I haven't had any cold symptoms, despite being out in public, touching and possibly picking up germs, for the past week. I'm still taking a tiny bit of arabinogalactin (less than one teaspoonful each night), but that amount previously did not prevent cold symptoms. Also my hair doesn't seem to get so dry between shampoo/conditioning treatments.
I've developed a rhythm to taking my daily sublingual DHEA dose each morning. I wait about 15-30 minutes after taking my thyroid supplements so that I'm fully alert to measure out the 2.5 mcg dose in the oral hypo. After taking that dose I wait 10-15 minutes until I no longer taste the cherry flavored solution (under my tongue) before drink or eat anything. So I know I have absorbed as much as possible.
I hope I can enjoy my improved immunity after I stop reacting to the soy. SIGH
As I ate some that night, I felt the need to recheck the label on the carton. To my horror, soy (tamari) was plainly listed in the 2nd line of the ingredients. I was absolutely certain that the deli case label had omitted the soy ingredient. So I called the deli department of that deli. The person who answered the phone said the they always use tamari in that recipe. Then I asked why that ingredient wasn't included in the deli counter label. The person in the deli department checked the counter label and sure enough that sign had omitted tamari (soy). Of course I learned all that AFTER I had eaten about 1/3-1/2 cup of the soy laced casserole.
Next I talked to the manager who told me to come in the next day so that they could refund my money. She also wanted to offer me a gift certificate to compensate me for the pain and suffering I would endure, because I'm very allergic to soy. I was so angry at the point that I asked her if chewing and swallowing the gift certificate was supposed to relieve my pain. GRRRRR!!! My husband later told me that the gift certificate was all they could offer me. I told him that made THEM feel better, but not me. What I needed was a guarantee that their labels would always be accurate. Instead I decided that I will never again buy food from their deli department.
One week later I'm still suffering soy reaction symptoms. For the first few days I had more and more cramping intestinal pain and bloating. By the 5th day I had loose stools which turned into outright diarrhea for the past 2 days preceded by excruciating gut cramps and bloating each night. This was my first soy consumption incident in about 5 years or so. The longer someone abstains from a delayed reaction allergen (soy is an IgA mediated allergen for me), the stronger (more intense) and longer lasting reaction symptoms will be. That's exactly what I've experienced. I've been reacting to soy for over a week now. I hope it ends soon. I used to spend 5-7 days reacting to soy. The past 2 days (6 and 7) were the worst. Usually my symptoms are most intense in the middle of the reaction period and then taper off toward the end. So I may spend the next few days still reacting. I hope not!!
The good news is the DHEA seems to be working to improve my immunity (or all the T-cells activated by soy are attacking cold viruses LOL). I've had less sleep lately (because cramping gut pain keeps me awake), but I haven't had any cold symptoms, despite being out in public, touching and possibly picking up germs, for the past week. I'm still taking a tiny bit of arabinogalactin (less than one teaspoonful each night), but that amount previously did not prevent cold symptoms. Also my hair doesn't seem to get so dry between shampoo/conditioning treatments.
I've developed a rhythm to taking my daily sublingual DHEA dose each morning. I wait about 15-30 minutes after taking my thyroid supplements so that I'm fully alert to measure out the 2.5 mcg dose in the oral hypo. After taking that dose I wait 10-15 minutes until I no longer taste the cherry flavored solution (under my tongue) before drink or eat anything. So I know I have absorbed as much as possible.
I hope I can enjoy my improved immunity after I stop reacting to the soy. SIGH
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Natural Thyroid Supplement Comments
I mentioned this before, but I've received several more 'replies' to really old posts which mentioned thyroid supplements. Those 'replies' all included links to advertisements for 'natural thyroid' (dessicated bovine thyroid). So I'll say this again:
I'm not interested in 'natural thyroid'. I need to adjust my T3 and T4, because I don't easily convert T4 to T3. 'Natural thyroid' has a fixed proportion of T4 to T3 (I believe that's 4 to 1). I take more T3 than T4.
My point is: If you post a reply mentioning a link to 'natural thyroid' advertisements, I WILL CLASSIFY YOUR REPLY AS SPAM AND DELETE YOUR POST. IN THE FUTURE, YOUR POSTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CATEGORIZED AS SPAM AND NEVER APPEAR ON MY BLOG.
I'm not interested in 'natural thyroid'. I need to adjust my T3 and T4, because I don't easily convert T4 to T3. 'Natural thyroid' has a fixed proportion of T4 to T3 (I believe that's 4 to 1). I take more T3 than T4.
My point is: If you post a reply mentioning a link to 'natural thyroid' advertisements, I WILL CLASSIFY YOUR REPLY AS SPAM AND DELETE YOUR POST. IN THE FUTURE, YOUR POSTS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CATEGORIZED AS SPAM AND NEVER APPEAR ON MY BLOG.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Test Results and Baking Obsession
I finally received the results of my 24 hour urine collection test for adrenal steroids and enyme activity. My doc had suspected that I had 'adrenal fatigue', which made me more vulnerable to respiratory infections. I also seem to need more and more thyroid supplement (mostly T3, because my body doesn't easily convert T4 to T3) to eliminate my hypothyroid symptoms. My test results showed I was low in DHEA, androsterone and etiocholanolone. I tried to research the relationship between low DHEA and hypothyroidism, but I couldn't really find much. So I definitely need to book an appointment to talk to my doctor next week. I hope she understands what those results mean and whether that explains my challenged immunity and thryoid problems.
Meanwhile I've been enjoying 2 new allergy free baking books I discovered at my local library. Both books include recipes that are free of 4 and sometimes 5 of my diagnosed allergens (gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and cane sugar). However, I can easily subsitute beet sugar for granulated white sugar and coconut palm sugar for brown sugar in recipes. I can also substitute allspice for nutmeg in other recipes. I liked those books so well that I ordered them on Amazon.com. I've received one, but I'm still using the library copy of the other book. My purchased copy of that book must have been slowed by holiday orders.
However, reading those cookbooks reminded me that my portable mixer is 30? years old and very weak. The lower speeds don't work at all and the beaters make noise at the higher speeds. Also my blender was almost worthless. I can only use one low speed, without getting power deficits. (The blender doesn't run smoothly.) It also 'walks' across the counter. LOL
So we found a great deal on a 'Ninja' blender which is powerful enough to easily crush ice and make peanut butter. I need to cruch cashews for my homemade (allergy free) mayonnaise and ice creams). My husband will take my old blender to work, where his fellow employees only make fruit smoothees. I hope they only need the 'stir' speed on my old blender. LOL
However, finding a great stand mixer took much longer. I didn't want the 'all-purpose' Kitchen Aid with the possibility of all those attachments. I already have a a food processer, a blender, and an ice cream maker (which are all Kitchen Aid attachments). I don't want to make pasta or grind meat (other attachments). So why pay more for possibilties that I don't need? I found online a great mixer with glass bowls (a little heavier, but you can see whether stuff is stuck to the bottom or sides of a glass bowl, unlike a stainless steel bowl) and 3 different mixer blades. It also has some features which the Kitchen Aid lacks. Unfortunately I had to order it online to get exactly what I want. So my great stand mixer won't arrive for another week even though I ordered it a week ago. SIGH
Nevertheless, I've been using my old mixer (before it completely dies?) to make date nut bread and my husband's birthday cake (a lemon poppy seed bundt cake). That was my FIRST bundt cake and a gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg free cake at that! LOL My husband loved it and I'm so proud of my creation. I also liked the taste and texture. However, I'm looking forward to tasting my 'impossible' pumpkin pie. After making a birthday cake the day before, I didn't want to make a pie crust AND filling for a pumptin pie yesterday. So I found a great allergy pumpkin pie recipe that makes it own crust. I hope to eat some for dessert after our Thanksgiving dinner in about 2 hours.
I kinda gave up on baking before I found those 2 allergy free cookbooks. I previously bought cookbooks which were free of gluten, but still used dairy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla, soy and nutmeg. So I had to make all those allergy free substitutions all the time. I never did find a decent substitution for brown sugar (derived from cane sugar) UNTIL I met that baker in Maui who custom made some peanut butter cookies for me using coconut palm sugar. I loved those cookies so much I'm STILL eating them. I have 6 left, luckly because my husband didn't like them so well. Since we got home from Maui he already made 3 dozen chcolate chip cookies, which he consumed in less than a week. Ive had my peanut butter cookies for over a month now. I eat about a half cooky a day on days that I want a cooky. I have so many other desserts (that date nut bread, ice cream, candied ginger (which I eat daily), maple sugar candy, etc. So I don't need to eat everything everyday.
Before my new mixer arrives, I'll probably begin making Christmas cookies. I'll need to hide some (from my husband) in the downstairs freezer, if I hope to have any of those near Christmas time. He's a big fan of my baking. Fortunately we now have his birthday cake, another loaf of pumpkin date bread (which I hid in the freezer) and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. So maybe I can distract him from the Christmas cookies, while he still has cake and pie in the kitchen.
Meanwhile I've been enjoying 2 new allergy free baking books I discovered at my local library. Both books include recipes that are free of 4 and sometimes 5 of my diagnosed allergens (gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and cane sugar). However, I can easily subsitute beet sugar for granulated white sugar and coconut palm sugar for brown sugar in recipes. I can also substitute allspice for nutmeg in other recipes. I liked those books so well that I ordered them on Amazon.com. I've received one, but I'm still using the library copy of the other book. My purchased copy of that book must have been slowed by holiday orders.
However, reading those cookbooks reminded me that my portable mixer is 30? years old and very weak. The lower speeds don't work at all and the beaters make noise at the higher speeds. Also my blender was almost worthless. I can only use one low speed, without getting power deficits. (The blender doesn't run smoothly.) It also 'walks' across the counter. LOL
So we found a great deal on a 'Ninja' blender which is powerful enough to easily crush ice and make peanut butter. I need to cruch cashews for my homemade (allergy free) mayonnaise and ice creams). My husband will take my old blender to work, where his fellow employees only make fruit smoothees. I hope they only need the 'stir' speed on my old blender. LOL
However, finding a great stand mixer took much longer. I didn't want the 'all-purpose' Kitchen Aid with the possibility of all those attachments. I already have a a food processer, a blender, and an ice cream maker (which are all Kitchen Aid attachments). I don't want to make pasta or grind meat (other attachments). So why pay more for possibilties that I don't need? I found online a great mixer with glass bowls (a little heavier, but you can see whether stuff is stuck to the bottom or sides of a glass bowl, unlike a stainless steel bowl) and 3 different mixer blades. It also has some features which the Kitchen Aid lacks. Unfortunately I had to order it online to get exactly what I want. So my great stand mixer won't arrive for another week even though I ordered it a week ago. SIGH
Nevertheless, I've been using my old mixer (before it completely dies?) to make date nut bread and my husband's birthday cake (a lemon poppy seed bundt cake). That was my FIRST bundt cake and a gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg free cake at that! LOL My husband loved it and I'm so proud of my creation. I also liked the taste and texture. However, I'm looking forward to tasting my 'impossible' pumpkin pie. After making a birthday cake the day before, I didn't want to make a pie crust AND filling for a pumptin pie yesterday. So I found a great allergy pumpkin pie recipe that makes it own crust. I hope to eat some for dessert after our Thanksgiving dinner in about 2 hours.
I kinda gave up on baking before I found those 2 allergy free cookbooks. I previously bought cookbooks which were free of gluten, but still used dairy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla, soy and nutmeg. So I had to make all those allergy free substitutions all the time. I never did find a decent substitution for brown sugar (derived from cane sugar) UNTIL I met that baker in Maui who custom made some peanut butter cookies for me using coconut palm sugar. I loved those cookies so much I'm STILL eating them. I have 6 left, luckly because my husband didn't like them so well. Since we got home from Maui he already made 3 dozen chcolate chip cookies, which he consumed in less than a week. Ive had my peanut butter cookies for over a month now. I eat about a half cooky a day on days that I want a cooky. I have so many other desserts (that date nut bread, ice cream, candied ginger (which I eat daily), maple sugar candy, etc. So I don't need to eat everything everyday.
Before my new mixer arrives, I'll probably begin making Christmas cookies. I'll need to hide some (from my husband) in the downstairs freezer, if I hope to have any of those near Christmas time. He's a big fan of my baking. Fortunately we now have his birthday cake, another loaf of pumpkin date bread (which I hid in the freezer) and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. So maybe I can distract him from the Christmas cookies, while he still has cake and pie in the kitchen.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November Update
WOW! I returned from Maui 10 days ago and still haven't updated this blog. I had a great vacation, bought too many clothes again SIGH, and came home tan and tired. I'll post more about my vacation, if/when anyone asks. However, for now I'm facing/dreading another test to determine why my immunity is still challenged. (I can avoid colds if I take my arabinogalactin daily and get plenty of sleep. I'm also obsessive about washing my hands. My doc talked me into taking a 24 hour urine sample test for adrenal function. She thinks adrenal deficiency may influence my tendency to get frequent colds and need more and more thyroid hormone.
Usually people who lead stressful lifes deplete their adrenals. My life has not been stressful during the past few years. Nevertheless, my childhood with a very abusive parent and first marriage with a controlling, abusive man could have fatigued my adrenals. However, I don't have many 'adrenal fatigue' symptoms (listed on the test questionnaire). Maybe thyroid supplements have resolved those symptoms. Yet I seem to need more and more thyroid to resolve those hypothyroid syptoms (esp. fatigue and irregularity).
On a somewhat related topic, I've received many reply comments to this blog from people suggesting I try 'natural thyroid' (often Armour brand with a T4/T3 proportion of 4/1). My husband takes that brand and does well, because he easily converts T4 to T3. I don't easily convert T4 to T3. So I need separate T4/T3 products to increase my T4/T3 proportion to about 5/3 or a bit more than 2/1. So if any of you reading this blog wants to post their reply about 'natural thyroid', be advised that I will designate your post as 'scam'. That means your post will never appear on this blog, because I moderate every 'reply' post that I receive. If those reply posts are automatically generated, I've just wasted this paragraph (and time). Nevertheless I'm getting very perturbed by those freqent spammy posts!!
That's all I have time or inclination to post for now. At least my few readers will know I returned from my vacation happy and healthy (for now). More later ...
Usually people who lead stressful lifes deplete their adrenals. My life has not been stressful during the past few years. Nevertheless, my childhood with a very abusive parent and first marriage with a controlling, abusive man could have fatigued my adrenals. However, I don't have many 'adrenal fatigue' symptoms (listed on the test questionnaire). Maybe thyroid supplements have resolved those symptoms. Yet I seem to need more and more thyroid to resolve those hypothyroid syptoms (esp. fatigue and irregularity).
On a somewhat related topic, I've received many reply comments to this blog from people suggesting I try 'natural thyroid' (often Armour brand with a T4/T3 proportion of 4/1). My husband takes that brand and does well, because he easily converts T4 to T3. I don't easily convert T4 to T3. So I need separate T4/T3 products to increase my T4/T3 proportion to about 5/3 or a bit more than 2/1. So if any of you reading this blog wants to post their reply about 'natural thyroid', be advised that I will designate your post as 'scam'. That means your post will never appear on this blog, because I moderate every 'reply' post that I receive. If those reply posts are automatically generated, I've just wasted this paragraph (and time). Nevertheless I'm getting very perturbed by those freqent spammy posts!!
That's all I have time or inclination to post for now. At least my few readers will know I returned from my vacation happy and healthy (for now). More later ...
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
August Update
Over another month passed since my last post. I've been busy sewing, harvesting garden fruits and vegies, playing tennis, walking daily and enjoying opera and musicals. We've had season tickets to Seattle's 5th Avenue theatre for a few years and enjoy most of the musicals there. However, Seattle Opera offered us a trial subscription (3 operas of our choice) for a reasonable price. Since my husband doesn't understand opera, we chose the most famous operas (Porgy and Bess, Madame Butterfly and Carmen). I was very impressed with Porgy and Bess and hope the other 2operas will also be outstanding.
Healthwise, I've done well on the increased thyroid supplement dosage (25mcg of T3 in 2 divided daily doses and one 50mcg dose of T4). However, I noticed more hypothyroid symptoms when I don't wait long enough after taking my thyroid before taking magnesium supplements. My doc warned me to wait 4 hours, but I've read that 3 hours is okay. I've noticed that I need to wait 3-1/2 to 4 hours to get the full affect of my thyroid dose.
I got tired of sewing skirts and moved onto dress patterns. I only completely the muslin on the first pattern. I had so much difficulty fitting the linen dress from that pattern that I gave up. I realized the linen was too stiff, I added too much extra 'ease' to the pattern and I moved the front dart incorrectly. Of course I realized all that AFTER I wasted the linen and lining fabric. SIGH However, I really needed some summer dresses, because we're having really warm August weather. So I moved onto the next pattern and made the first attempt from an inexpensive cotton, which I could wear if it fit or put in my charity bag if it didn't fit. Fortunately, I recognized and corrected fitting problems before I completed the garment. So the first attempt is 'wearable'. Nevertheless, I learned how I need to alter the pattern before making my second garment from that pattern.
Since I stopped taking the LDN, I did well with no cold symptoms while taking arabinogalactin daily. Even one teaspoon daily is enough to stop slight symptoms (like sore throat) before I develop a cold. However, when I ran out of the effective brand of arabinogalactin (IAG), I tried taking a cheaper brand, which causes more gas, bloating and pain (from the FOS prebiotics). So recently I've not taken any arabinogalactin at night, but continue to take vitamin D and get some sunshine daily. (Vitamin D also fights infections.) I seem to be doing well (no actual colds) without any IAG, when I get enough vitamin D. Nevertheless, I also snack on cantaloupe (which is high in both vitamin A and C, which both fight infections).
After my last post I tried a new hair stylist. A new salon opened 2 blocks from my house. I was really tired of trying to communicate with my former hair stylist. She was Vietnamese and didn't always understand what I told her. She was VERY skilled at cutting hair, However, she couldn't understand that I didn't want a cut exactly like the pictures I showed her. I would tell her that I liked the bangs from one picture, the length on another picture and the angles on another picture. She just didn't get that I didn't want a cut exactly like the picture. She kept telling me I couldn't get that cut until my hair grew 3 more inches (6 more months). So I finally decided to try a new stylist. I showed the new stylist the same pictures. She 'got it' and gave me a great cut. She's also close enough that I can pop in for free bang trims or neck shaves. (My hair grows down my neck in 2 places.) While I still have a short 'inverted' bob (shorter in back, longer in front), I need to keep the back trim (and shaved). Almost a month after my cut with the new stylist I love the style even more. However, I'll wait another month before my next cut to precede my trip to Maui.
I'm looking forward to our Maui vacation, especially now that we have temperatures in the low 80s in Seattle. We usually have mid 80s in Maui. So I'm ready for more warm weather. However, my husband tells me that I will experience Maui very differently this year. Taking thyroid supplements has finally increased my core body temperature. I used to easily tolerate 80 degree weather, because I wsa sooooo cold all the time. Now I sweat when the weather is in the low 70s. I wear sundresses or tank tops and shorts when my husband wears long sleeved shirts and slacks. I only get cold just before I need to take my second T3 dose. T3 has an 8 hour half life. So when I take my first T3 at 5:30-6 am, by 3pm I have an energy and temperature 'crash'. I have to wait 1 hour after lunch before taking my T3. If I don't get my lunch until after 2pm (which often occurs), I suffer the energy 'crash'. I just get too busy sewing and don't want to stop to eat. So I don't eat until I'm starving and then have to wait longer for my T3 dose.
I need to go out now to harvest more brocolli, blueberries and strawberries. Our grapes won't be ripe for another week or so. Hopefully, the berries will finhish ripening by then. So much to harvest, so little time. Actually too much sewing ... LOL
Healthwise, I've done well on the increased thyroid supplement dosage (25mcg of T3 in 2 divided daily doses and one 50mcg dose of T4). However, I noticed more hypothyroid symptoms when I don't wait long enough after taking my thyroid before taking magnesium supplements. My doc warned me to wait 4 hours, but I've read that 3 hours is okay. I've noticed that I need to wait 3-1/2 to 4 hours to get the full affect of my thyroid dose.
I got tired of sewing skirts and moved onto dress patterns. I only completely the muslin on the first pattern. I had so much difficulty fitting the linen dress from that pattern that I gave up. I realized the linen was too stiff, I added too much extra 'ease' to the pattern and I moved the front dart incorrectly. Of course I realized all that AFTER I wasted the linen and lining fabric. SIGH However, I really needed some summer dresses, because we're having really warm August weather. So I moved onto the next pattern and made the first attempt from an inexpensive cotton, which I could wear if it fit or put in my charity bag if it didn't fit. Fortunately, I recognized and corrected fitting problems before I completed the garment. So the first attempt is 'wearable'. Nevertheless, I learned how I need to alter the pattern before making my second garment from that pattern.
Since I stopped taking the LDN, I did well with no cold symptoms while taking arabinogalactin daily. Even one teaspoon daily is enough to stop slight symptoms (like sore throat) before I develop a cold. However, when I ran out of the effective brand of arabinogalactin (IAG), I tried taking a cheaper brand, which causes more gas, bloating and pain (from the FOS prebiotics). So recently I've not taken any arabinogalactin at night, but continue to take vitamin D and get some sunshine daily. (Vitamin D also fights infections.) I seem to be doing well (no actual colds) without any IAG, when I get enough vitamin D. Nevertheless, I also snack on cantaloupe (which is high in both vitamin A and C, which both fight infections).
After my last post I tried a new hair stylist. A new salon opened 2 blocks from my house. I was really tired of trying to communicate with my former hair stylist. She was Vietnamese and didn't always understand what I told her. She was VERY skilled at cutting hair, However, she couldn't understand that I didn't want a cut exactly like the pictures I showed her. I would tell her that I liked the bangs from one picture, the length on another picture and the angles on another picture. She just didn't get that I didn't want a cut exactly like the picture. She kept telling me I couldn't get that cut until my hair grew 3 more inches (6 more months). So I finally decided to try a new stylist. I showed the new stylist the same pictures. She 'got it' and gave me a great cut. She's also close enough that I can pop in for free bang trims or neck shaves. (My hair grows down my neck in 2 places.) While I still have a short 'inverted' bob (shorter in back, longer in front), I need to keep the back trim (and shaved). Almost a month after my cut with the new stylist I love the style even more. However, I'll wait another month before my next cut to precede my trip to Maui.
I'm looking forward to our Maui vacation, especially now that we have temperatures in the low 80s in Seattle. We usually have mid 80s in Maui. So I'm ready for more warm weather. However, my husband tells me that I will experience Maui very differently this year. Taking thyroid supplements has finally increased my core body temperature. I used to easily tolerate 80 degree weather, because I wsa sooooo cold all the time. Now I sweat when the weather is in the low 70s. I wear sundresses or tank tops and shorts when my husband wears long sleeved shirts and slacks. I only get cold just before I need to take my second T3 dose. T3 has an 8 hour half life. So when I take my first T3 at 5:30-6 am, by 3pm I have an energy and temperature 'crash'. I have to wait 1 hour after lunch before taking my T3. If I don't get my lunch until after 2pm (which often occurs), I suffer the energy 'crash'. I just get too busy sewing and don't want to stop to eat. So I don't eat until I'm starving and then have to wait longer for my T3 dose.
I need to go out now to harvest more brocolli, blueberries and strawberries. Our grapes won't be ripe for another week or so. Hopefully, the berries will finhish ripening by then. So much to harvest, so little time. Actually too much sewing ... LOL
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