Autoimmune Disases: Understanding what's really happening.

[FancyPantsandMe]

I have spent the last 6 months, researching, reading, and reading and researching.
I am now preparing to set up a place where I can share all that I have learned, and it's much more than you can get from any one doctor.

Actually our doctors are over taxed as it is.  They finish with their office hours ( sometimes maybe 12-15 hours a day) and then go home to their families etc.  Point being they have a life.  How can we expect them to know everything? How can we expect them to have a 15 hour day and then go home or to the library and do research?

HOWEVER you and I have time in our days ( and believe me I am very busy with 5 kids, 3 businesses etc.) BUT I still find time to do the research and read the books.  What if we took 50 people who did research and read the books and got to some answers about what's really happening?

I'm working on setting up a board for just this purpose.  Whether you want to do the actual research, read what I've already found out, get a list of books to read, listen to how others have healed..you'll want to be part of this new creation.

Just e-mail me...

But before that know that you are your disease..meaning it is your job to figure out what's happening...to do this you ask questions of your doctor..you join boards such as this and this site I must say is one of the better ones that I have found in the 10 years since I was diagnosed with hypothyroid disease. You do research on-line with other doctors, library , local groups in your city/town..and you check in with yourself and keep a health journal of your journey. Not saying this is for everyone..just a suggestion. I know even in just the short amount of time I've been researching I've found things that worked and things I thought worked until they didn't any longer. ALL things change, and we are each different...there is no cure all for anything.  BUT I believe there is a combination of things that can work for a lot of people.  Finding what combo of treatments works for you is your job and those you choose to surround yourself with ( doctors, support, others with your same illness/disease).

Eat well, live well, be well.
Contact me.
~Amy~

[FancyPantsandMe]

My goal in this life, I've known for quite some time, is to educate, educate, educate.
People seeking "the answers" behind what is happening to their bodies, I have witnessed over my years of "counseling" and Coaching and teaching self-help workshops, comes in two catagories. Each equal and valid.  Each important to the individual.  Each catagory valid in its own right without question.

1. The first catagory are those people who NEED help right now, dealing with symptoms. And help dealing with fear and panic around what's happening to them.  They are in TOO much pain to care about how they got their disease(s), or care about root causes, or care about what research is being done that can't help them right this very minute.  They NEED to find relief! MOST of the self-help boards are filled with these people.  Very understandable. And it is for this reason that i am grateful to this site and many others for the help they are trying to give to people so they can get on with their lives.

2. After the relief comes the questions.  Maybe questions like a. why me? b. why now? c. what the heck is happening to my body that it would turn on itself? d. what has happened in my lifetime to create this condition in my physical body? e. is there a "cure"? f. why wasn't I told about this? g. can I reverse it? h. will I have this the rest of my life? i. what are my options in care? j. what side effects come with medical treatment and medications? etc.

This is where I can help educate the people.  And I am not the only one.  There are many many people, professionals and laymen and women alike that have spent countless hours researching on-line, going to their local libraries, living their own stories, asking the tough questions and not giving up until they are satisfied with those answers, who can help educate people on what is happening to them.

There is an OVERWHELMING amount of information.  There are "experts" in every category who have their own personal opinion and some of it is backed by solids studies and some are not...neither less valid than the other.  We are in uncharted waters here in many ways, so you can't just say, if there isn't "hard" "qualitative" effidence then I won't believe it.  I like to search out the personal stories of healing. There is a huge flaw in many studies depending on who is paying to have the study run.  I wish this was not true.

What I have learned is GATHER the information.  Step away from the computer...let it sink in and design a health care plan for yourself that works for you for 6 months.  Revisit it if need be to adjust...absolutley come back at the 6 month mark and re-evaluate how you feel, what you're doing etc. GAIN support from family, friends, loved ones...maybe they can't totally understand but their support is crucial to your success.

Eat well, live well, be well.
I too am learning to "cope" and heal at the same time.
~Amy~

[evo123]

I would be very interested in visiting your board and think it is truly wonderful that you have put in so much dedication.

I also wish you lots of luck x

[FancyPantsandMe]

My antibody numbers have been decreasing slowly over time.
In 2007 my antibody numbers for my Hashimoto's was over 300 ( not even registerable on the scale).
I had them tested again last year and they were 2200.
I had them tested again last week and they are now at 1169.

My doctor, whom I saw today, thinks several things are going on.
My replacing my mercury/amalgam fillings she thinks definitely has something to do with it ( have two down and two to go..but just started that process the last 2 months).
Taking Ambertose and MonaVie.
Changing my diet/lifestyle to include a mostly raw organic diet..little if any animal products( including dairy and meat).

Yes yes yes!

I am eating 90% raw food and blogging it for 6 months if you want to follow me to see what other health changes I have.
www.thoughts.com/FancyPantsandMe

Eat well, live well, be well.

[FancyPantsandMe]

Consolidating blog sites, and boards into one place to share what I have learned about autoimmune diseases and my own auotimmune diseases, Hashimoto's, Pernicious Anemia and possibly Alopecia Universalis ( which i don't think I have, I think I have Telogen Effluvium as my hair has slowly but surely decided to grow again!).

Anyone is invited to join to learn what I have learned.  I would post it all here, but I don't think that is possible.

You have to contact me through e-mail to get the site address, as iknow they won't let me post it here.

Eat well, live well, be well.