Cindy’s Story Of Healing From Thyroid Disease

This past year, I had the privilege of meeting Cindy Libby, my mom’s neighbor, who was struggling with multiple health issues including an autoimmune disease. She was at the end of her rope until she discovered her own path to healing.

I hope you are inspired by her story and encouraged to find your own answers if you are dealing with similar health challenges and frustrations.

Meet Cindy

I​ ​am​ ​a​ ​72​ ​year​ ​old​ ​retired​ ​educator.​ ​​​I​ ​have​ ​been​ ​married​ ​for​ ​just​ ​under​ ​50​ ​years.​ ​​​I​ ​have​ ​three married​ ​sons​ ​and​ ​seven​ ​grandchildren​ ​ranging​ ​from​ ​20​ ​months​ ​to​ ​18​ ​years.​ ​​​I​ ​would​ ​consider myself​ ​a​ ​very​ ​healthy,​ ​fit,​ ​and​ ​active​ ​person.​ ​​​I​ ​love​ ​being​ ​outdoors​ ​and​ ​enjoying​ ​nature​ ​through walking,​ ​hiking,​ ​biking,​ ​and​ ​gardening.​ ​​​​Keeping​ ​my​ ​body​ ​fit​ ​and​ ​well​ ​nourished​ ​have​ ​been​ ​top priorities​ ​all​ ​my​ ​life.

My Health Challenges:

In​ ​the​ ​fall​ ​of​ ​2011,​ ​I​ ​fell​ ​while​ ​ice​ ​skating​ ​and​ ​crushed​ ​my​ ​right​ ​hip​ ​which​ ​required​ ​surgery​ ​and four​ ​screws.​ ​​​A​ ​month​ ​later​ ​I​ ​was​ ​in​ ​the​ ​emergency​ ​room​ ​with​ ​a​ ​rapid​ ​heart​ ​rate​ ​and​ ​atrial​ ​fibrillation, possibly​ ​due​ ​to​ ​hydrocodone.​ ​​ ​Within​ ​the​ ​next​ ​18​ ​months,​ ​I​ ​had​ ​surgery​ ​to​ ​remove​ ​the​ ​screws and​ ​a​ ​cardiac​ ​ablation​ ​to​ ​correct​ ​the​ ​AFib.​ ​​ ​​

​After​ ​the​ ​second​ ​hip​ ​surgery​ ​I​ ​was​ ​told​ ​by​ ​my orthopedic​ ​surgeon​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​fully​ ​recover​ ​and​ ​do​ ​all​ ​the​ ​activities​ ​I​ ​was​ ​doing​ ​before​ ​my accident.​ ​​​Although​ ​never​ ​discussed,​ ​I​ ​also​ ​assumed​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​be​ ​medication​ ​free​ ​as​ ​well. The​ ​pain​ ​in​ ​my​ ​hip​ ​and​ ​back​ ​became​ ​chronic​ ​and​ ​restricted​ ​my​ ​daily​ ​activities.​ ​​ ​

Walking,​ ​sitting, shopping,​ ​and​ ​most​ ​daily​ ​activities​ ​became​ ​extremely​ ​challenging​ ​due​ ​to​ ​pain.​ ​​Eventually​ ​I developed​ ​stomach​ ​problems​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​prescription​ ​medications,​ ​stress​ ​and anxiety.​ ​​This​ ​resulted​ ​in​ ​more​ ​prescriptions​ ​to​ ​alleviate​ ​the​ ​acid​ ​reflux.​ ​​​I​ ​was​ ​on​ ​a​ ​continuing downward​ ​spiral​ ​of​ ​trying​ ​new​ ​prescriptions​ ​and​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​their​ ​side​ ​effects​ ​and​ ​not​ ​really making​ ​any​ ​progress​ ​combatting​ ​my​ ​chronic​ ​pain.

My Typical Day:

Over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​past​ ​six​ ​years​-​I​ ​have​ ​struggled​ ​with​ ​chronic​ ​pain,​ ​depression,​ ​anxiety, constipation,​ ​bloating,​ ​acid​ ​reflux,​ ​asthma,​ ​and​ ​urinary​ ​tract​ ​infections.​ ​​​Early​ ​on,​ ​I​ ​​​was diagnosed​ ​with​ ​Fibromyalgia​ ​even​ ​though​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​have​ ​all​ ​the​ ​classic​ ​symptoms.​ ​​​For​ ​several years​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​drive,​ ​shop,​ ​cook,​ ​clean,​ ​or​ ​go​ ​out​ ​socially.​ Sitting​ ​was​ ​painful​ ​especially​ ​in​ ​the car​ ​so​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​travel.​ ​​​By​ ​4​ ​or​ ​5​ ​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​afternoon,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​in​ ​so​ ​much​ ​pain​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​be​ ​done​ ​for the​ ​day.​ ​​​I​ ​would​ ​eat​ ​dinner​ ​and​ ​then​ ​lay​ ​in​ ​bed​ ​until​ ​10​ ​or​ ​11 PM.​ ​​​Most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time​ ​I​ ​did​ ​not sleep​ ​well.​

​​My​ ​typical​ ​day​ ​would​ ​begin​ ​with​ ​home​ ​exercises,​ ​stretching​ ​and​ ​short​ ​walks.​ ​​​I rarely​ ​went​ ​out​ ​except​ ​to​ ​the​ ​community​ ​pool​ ​and​ ​hot​ ​tub.​ ​​​Walking​ ​was​ ​extremely​ ​painful​ ​but​ ​I managed​ ​brief​ ​walks​ ​every​ ​day.​ ​​​Despite​ ​these​ ​efforts​ ​my​ ​condition​ ​did​ ​not​ ​improve​ ​and eventually​ ​worsened.

My​ ​Course​ ​of​ ​Treatments:

​​Over​ ​the​ ​years​ ​my​ ​doctors​ ​always​ ​recommended​ ​and​ ​prescribed​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​medications​ ​for the​ ​pain,​ ​anxiety,​ ​depression,​ ​asthma,​ ​acid​ ​reflux,​ ​bronchitis,​ ​constipation,​ ​and​ ​bladder infections.​ ​​​​I​ ​also​ ​had​ ​a​ ​cortisone​ ​shot​ ​in​ ​my​ ​injured​ ​hip​ ​(no​ ​pain​ ​relief)​ ​and​ ​in​ ​my​ ​lower spine (condition​ ​worsened).​ ​​​My​ ​doctors​ ​were​ ​also​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​prescribe​ ​physical​ ​therapy​ ​and​ ​one even​ ​recommended​ ​osteopathic​ ​manipulation​ ​therapy.​ ​​​​On​ ​my​ ​own​, ​I​ ​pursued​ ​counseling, massage​ ​therapy,​ ​acupuncture,​ ​and​ ​chiropractic​ ​care- ​none​ ​of​ ​which​ ​were​ ​covered​ ​by​ ​medical insurance.

Of​ ​all​ ​the​ ​treatments​ ​I​ ​tried-​ ​the​ ​massage​ ​therapy​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​consistently​ ​bring​ ​relief.​ ​​​Physical therapy​ ​was​ ​helpful​ ​but​ ​always​ ​ended​ ​before​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​ready.​ ​​​As​ ​far​ ​as​ ​the​ ​other​ ​modalities​ ​were concerned​ ​the​ ​relief​ ​was​ ​temporary​ ​and​ ​inconsistent.​ ​​

​With​ ​the​ ​medications,​ ​the​ ​side​ ​effects seemed​ ​to​ ​outweigh​ ​the​ ​benefits;​ ​brain​ ​fog,​ ​dry​ ​mouth,​ ​constipation,​ ​bloating,​ ​muscle​ ​soreness, and​ ​lethargy​ ​were​ ​what​ ​I​ ​experienced.​ ​​​​​​My​ ​sleep​ ​improved​ ​but​ ​my​ ​pain​ ​continued​ ​to​ ​restrict​ ​my daily​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​lifestyle.​ ​​​At​ ​one​ ​point​ ​I​ ​was​ ​given​ ​antibiotics​ ​and​ ​a​ ​steroid​ ​for​ ​an​ ​upper respiratory​ ​infection​ ​and​ ​soon​ ​after​ ​my​ ​digestive​ ​system​ ​stopped​ ​working.​ ​​​I​ ​lost​ ​my​ ​appetite, had​ ​acid​ ​reflux,​ ​and​ ​lost​ ​weight.​ ​​

The​ ​bottom​ ​line​ ​was​ ​that​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​getting​ ​better​ ​I​ ​was continually​ ​getting​ ​worse​ ​despite​ ​all​ ​these​ ​efforts.​ ​​​I​ ​began​ ​to​ ​think​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​never​ ​get​ ​out​ ​of this​ ​downward​ ​spiral​ ​of​ ​poor​ ​health​ ​and​ ​chronic​ ​pain.

A New ​Approach

​I​ ​started​ ​researching​ ​alternative​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​with​ ​chronic​ ​pain.​ ​​I​ ​decided​ ​I​ ​would pursue​ ​an​ ​integrative,​ ​more​ ​holistic​ ​and​ ​natural​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​better​ my ​health.​ ​​ ​My​ ​neighbor’s daughter,​ ​Mary​ ​Moskowitz,​ ​described​ ​the​ ​work​ ​she​ ​was​ ​doing​ ​​​to address​ ​health​ ​related​ ​disorders​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​mine.​ ​​​I​ ​also​ ​had​ ​seen​ ​several​ ​articles​ ​online​ ​and​ ​a few​ ​shows​ ​on​ ​public​ ​television​ ​about​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​having​ ​a​ ​healthy​ ​gut​ ​system.​

​​​​Mary​ ​gave me​ ​hope​ ​and​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​excitement​ ​that​ ​I​ ​could​ ​reach​ ​my​ ​goal​ ​of​ ​reduced​ ​pain​ ​through​ ​a healthy​ ​diet​ ​and​ ​a​ ​few​ ​digestive​ ​supplements.​

​​​In​ ​early​ ​July​ ​of​ ​2016​ ​I​ ​met​ ​with an Integrative​ ​Nurse​ ​Practitioner, Colleen​ ​Tetzlaff.​ ​​ ​After​ ​a​ ​thorough​ ​analysis​ ​and​ ​some​ ​testing,​ ​I was​ ​diagnosed​ ​with​ ​an​ ​autoimmune​ ​disorder​ ​called​ ​“Hashimoto’s”.​ ​​​I​ ​was​ ​put​ ​on​ ​a​ ​30​ ​day autoimmune​ ​reset​ ​diet​ ​and​ ​followed​ faithfully ​for​ ​the​ ​thirty​ ​days.​ ​​

​After​ ​about​ ​two​ ​weeks​ -​I started​ ​having​ ​less​ ​pain,​ ​more​ ​energy,​ ​less​ ​bloating,​ ​more​ ​regularity,​ ​and​ ​fewer​ ​incidences​ ​of acid​ ​reflux.​ ​​I​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​using​ ​Prilosec​ ​for​ ​the​ ​reflux​ ​and​ ​cut​ ​back​ ​on​ ​medication​ ​to​ ​deal with​ ​the​ ​chronic​ ​pain.​ ​​​I​ ​started​ ​becoming​ ​more​ ​active. ​I​ ​went​ ​on​ ​daily​ ​walks,​ ​did​ ​some​ ​cooking, cleaning,​ ​and​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​host​ ​friends​ ​for​ ​lunch​ ​and​ ​go​ ​out​ ​for​ ​early​ ​evening​ ​dinners.

Three​ ​Significant​ ​Health​ ​Improvements:

1. ​I​ ​became​ ​more​ ​regular,​ ​had​ ​less​ ​bloating,​ ​gas​ ​and​ ​the​ ​reflux​ ​subsided​ ​over​ ​time.

3. Emotionally​, ​I​ ​became​ ​hopeful​ ​and​ ​confident​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​eventually​ ​get​ ​back​ ​into​ ​a​ ​more normal​ ​lifestyle.

Supportive Therapies:

Despite​ ​my​ ​improved​ ​health​ ​and​ ​digestion-​​I​ ​was​ ​still​ ​finding​ ​it​ ​challenging​ ​to​ ​walk,​ ​bike,​ ​and​ ​do activities​ ​that​ ​involved​ ​sitting​ ​for​ ​long​ ​periods​ ​of​ ​time.​ ​​Also​ ​I​ ​was​ ​still​ ​taking​ ​medications​ ​for​ ​the chronic​ ​pain​ ​which​ ​were​ ​making​ ​me​ ​lethargic​ ​and​ ​fatigued.​ ​​ ​I​ ​became​ ​fearful​ ​of​ ​the​ ​pain.​ ​I​ ​was limiting​ ​my​ ​activity​ ​level​ ​for​ ​fear​ ​that​ ​I​ ​would​ ​make​ ​my​ ​condition​ ​worse.​ ​​​My​ ​muscles​ ​started​ ​to atrophy.​

​​​Last​ ​winter​ ​I​ ​hit​ ​rock​ ​bottom​ ​when​ ​I​ ​pulled​ ​some​ ​muscles​ ​from​ ​fainting.​ ​​​I​ ​knew​ ​I​ ​had​ ​to do​ ​something​ ​proactive​ ​to​ ​not​ ​become​ ​totally​ ​immobile​ ​and​ ​in​ ​a​ ​wheelchair.​ ​​ ​My​ ​primary​ ​care doctor​ ​recommended​ ​physical​ ​therapy,​ ​aqua​ ​therapy​ ​and​ ​chiropractic​ ​manipulation​ ​to​ ​jump​ ​start my​ ​system.​ ​​

​I​ ​started​ ​feeling​ ​better​ ​and​ ​slowly​ ​regained​ ​some​ ​muscle​ ​function.​ ​​​I​ ​discovered​ ​that the​ ​diet​ ​alone​ ​was​ ​not​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​cure​ ​all.​ ​​​I​ ​now​ ​work​ ​with​ ​a​ ​trainer​ ​every​ ​other​ ​week,​ ​bike, and​ ​go​ ​to​ ​fitness​ ​classes​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​times​ ​a​ ​week.​ ​​​Increased​ ​activity​ ​has​ ​made​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​difference in​ ​my​ ​mobility​ ​and​ ​happiness and ​​the​ ​autoimmune​ ​diet​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​key​ ​to​ ​my​ ​overall​ ​health.

Impact:

The​ ​key​ ​to​ ​my​ ​better​ ​health​ ​started​ ​with​ ​my​ ​diagnosis​ ​of​ ​Hashimoto’s​ ​Disease.​ ​​​The​ ​blood​ ​and stool​ ​tests​ ​for​ ​this​ ​disease​ ​are​ ​not​ ​usually​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​person’s​ ​annual​ ​screening.​ ​​​My​ ​thyroid​ ​levels always​ ​tested​ “​normal”-​ ​but​ ​with​ ​the​ ​extra​ ​tests​ ​it​ ​was​ ​clear​ ​that​ ​my​ ​gut​ ​health​ ​had​ ​been compromised.​

It​ ​has​ ​been​ ​just​ ​over​ ​a​ ​year​ ​since​ ​my​ ​diagnosis​ ​and​ ​I​ ​am​ ​now​ ​seeing grandchildren​ ​play​ ​sports,​ ​going​ ​out​ ​to​ ​dinner,​ ​taking​ ​day​ ​trips​ ​to​ ​my​ ​favorite​ ​places,​ ​and interacting​ ​with​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​neighbors​ ​regularly.​ ​​

It​ ​has​ ​been​ ​challenging​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​proper​ ​foods and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​prepare​ ​them.​ ​​​I​ ​take​ ​extra​ ​time​ ​at​ ​the​ ​grocery​ ​store​ ​making​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​things​ ​that​ ​go in​ ​my​ ​mouth​ ​are​ ​as​ ​pure​ ​as​ ​possible.​ ​​​Cutting​ ​back​ ​on​ ​carbs​ ​and​ ​sugar​ ​has​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​to maintain​ ​a​ ​healthy​ ​weight.​

​​​I​ ​have​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​eating​ ​the​ ​autoimmune/anti​ ​inflammatory​ ​diet​ ​is a​ ​permanent​ ​lifestyle​ ​change.​ ​​​I​ ​have​ ​slowly​ ​added​ ​some​ ​foods​ ​to​ ​the​ ​original​ ​“Autoimmune Reset”​ ​diet​ ​list​ ​but​ ​always​ ​feel​ ​the​ ​best​ ​when​ ​I​ ​eat​ ​mostly​ ​vegetables,​ ​healthy​ ​fats,​ ​fish,​ ​poultry, and​ ​some​ ​fruits.

Advocacy:

Practically​ ​every​ ​time​ ​friends​ ​or​ ​new​ ​acquaintances​ ​ask​ ​me​ ​about​ ​my​ ​diet​, ​I​ ​explain​ ​what​ ​it​ ​is and​ ​how​ ​it​ ​has​ ​impacted​ ​my​ ​life.​ ​​I​ ​have​ ​sent​ ​people​ ​from​ ​their​ ​early​ ​30’s​ ​to​ ​people​ ​in​ ​their​ ​70’s the​ ​internet​ ​link​ ​to​ ​the​ ​diet,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​information​ ​about​ ​overall​ ​gut​ ​health.​ ​​ ​Some​ ​have​ ​written back​ ​to​ ​me​ ​saying​ ​they​ ​have​ ​lost​ ​weight,​ ​they​ ​feel​ ​better,​ ​and​ ​their​ ​blood​ ​sugar​ ​and​ ​other numbers​ ​have​ ​improved.​ ​​​

It​ ​is​ ​amazing​ ​how​ ​many​ ​people​ ​are​ ​experiencing​ ​similar​ ​health problems​ ​as​ ​me.​ ​​​I​ ​am​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​say​ ​that​ ​the​ ​grocery​ ​stores​ ​and​ ​restaurants​ ​are​ ​offering​ ​more and​ ​more​ ​foods​ ​that​ ​are​ ​non​- ​GMO,​ ​gluten,​ ​dairy,​ ​soy​ ​and​ ​egg​ ​free.​ ​​They​ ​are​ ​realizing​ ​that people​ ​want​ ​more​ ​healthful​ ​offerings​ ​on​ ​the​ ​grocery​ ​isles​ ​and​ ​restaurant​ ​menus.​ ​​​I​ ​am​ ​always disheartened​ ​to​ ​see​ ​most​ ​people​ ​in​ ​my​ ​circles​ ​eat​ ​poor quality, ​fat,​ ​processed,​ ​salt​ ​and​ ​sugar​ ​laden foods.​ ​​Food​ ​producers​ ​and​ ​farmers​ ​are​ ​slowly​ ​making​ ​changes.​ ​​​

I​ ​will​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​advocate​ ​for a​ ​healthful​ ​diet​ ​any​ ​chance​ ​I​ ​get.

My Final Thoughts:

I​ ​am​ ​more​ ​and​ ​more​ ​concerned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​diets​ ​of​ ​my​ ​sons,​ ​their​ ​spouses​ ​and​ ​their​ ​children.​ ​​It breaks​ ​my​ ​heart​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​types​ ​of​ ​highly​ ​processed,​ ​sugar,​ ​salt,​ ​fat,​ ​and​ ​additive​ ​laden​ ​foods that​ ​family​ ​members​ ​are​ ​eating​ ​on​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​basis.​

​​​My​ ​goal​ ​as​ ​a​ ​mom​ ​was​ ​to​ ​be​ ​sure​ ​my​ ​sons​ ​ate a​ ​healthful​ ​diet.​ ​​​I​ ​discovered​ ​as​ ​far​ ​back​ ​as​ ​my​ ​college​ ​days​ ​the​ ​importance​ ​of​ ​eating​ ​a healthful​ ​diet.​ ​​It​ ​seems​ ​ironic​ ​that​ ​I​ ​always​ ​thought​ ​I​ ​was​ ​eating​ ​the​ ​proper​ ​foods​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the best​ ​practices​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time.​

​​​I​ ​will​ ​continue​ ​to​ ​let​ ​family​ ​and​ ​friends​ ​know​ ​about​ ​my​ ​diet​ ​and​ ​what​ ​it has​ ​done​ ​to​ ​change​ ​my​ ​life.

Special Offer:

For a limited time, I am offering a free thyroid health breakthrough session for anyone needlessly struggling like Cindy and so many other women.
I have limited space on my calendar, so schedule your free session with me soon!