Dee Dee’s Story – Synthroid, Asthma, Weight Gain

I have to admit right off the bat…I am a Registered Nurse of 18 years and was a non-believer like other clinicians. Three years ago, I remember my older sister, the “health nut” of the family telling me about her “high levels of yeast” and how she found the answer to all of her menstrual irregularities. I like many others, rolled my eyes and went on about my business not putting too much further thought into the matter. She was always the one who watched everything that went into her body and was a dedicated exercise “queen”. Of course, she would feel better with a little encouragement. So life continues until…
 
I was in a near fatal motorcycle accident in 2002. I was hit head-on and was taken by Life Flight to Hermann Hospital where they managed to save my life. I had several broken bones and was left to getting around in wheelchair. If any one knows a nurse, you will understand what a terrible patient I was. Three months later I was able to get out of the wheelchair and returned to work on light duty. One year later, I continued to get back on my feet but with 30 extra pounds. I could not understand what was going on with my body. A great time for reflection…
 
The usual PMS symptoms were just a “normal” part of my life did not raise any flags. The heavy menstrual periods…my mom had those and that was just “normal”. I had been taking Synthroid since 2001 when I had been diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter. The endocrinologist said these are your options, we can give you radioactive Iodine 131 and “kill” your thyroid now or we can treat you with daily medications and eventually have to do something else later. So, I thought, I would rather take care of this now and take medications for the rest of my life. I did not see a problem at the time, I knew lots of people who took Synthroid and were fine. Little did I know how difficult it would be to regulate the thyroid levels in my body. My endocrinologist continued to see me for 6 months and said that my Primary Care Provider could “take it from here”. Well, he is the specialist…he should know…right???
 
After several visits with my Primary Care Provider and decreases in my Synthroid I began to notice pounds creeping up, low libido, low energy and my eyebrows were beginning to fall out…what in the world was going on? Was my job too stressful? Yes, but no worse than usual. So 6 months into this crazy period into my life…the motorcycle accident. I do not know who said it but someone said something like, “out of tragedies, good things can happen”. Who would have thought that good things could come from such devastation?
 
I made an incredible job change March 1, 2005. I could not be happier working from a home office doing consulting for hospitals in Texas and Louisiana. Okay, no more stress, but I still had extra pounds, not sleeping well, asthma out of control and not feeling worth a flip. I kept seeing my physician for each one of the problems. I was treated for the thyroid issues and asthma. Once, I was given Ambien to help me sleep. One day on my new job, I met a co-worker who I had never met before. We were “stuck” in a room together at one of the local hospitals for several hours. She passed on the donuts (that I brought in). She said that she had been put on a “yeast free” diet by her physician. Well, the nurse in me said “here we go again”. However, she and I talked for a very long time about this place called the Hotze Health and Wellness Center. She was so excited about her overall health in such a short period of time. Later I learned that she was a nurse, too. Hmmm…maybe there is something here. I asked her for the website address and she said that a book had just been released. So doing as all good nurses do, I scribbled the information on a napkin and placed it in my purse.
 
Two weeks later, I was on a Southwest Airline flight heading to California for training. I never read the in flight magazine but this one day I did. There is was…an article on Hotze Health and Wellness. I read the story and got goose bumps realizing that this was the same place I had recently heard about. I remember laughing out loud and thinking “Okay God, I am listening”.  As soon as my plane landed I booted up my laptop and went to the website. Wow! I ordered the book immediately and had it shipped to my house. The book arrived while I was still in training and upon my return I tore open the book and read it cover to cover. This made sense to me. I took all of the tests and of course was off the charts for allergies, hypothyroidism, yeast, estrogen dominance, and low testosterone. Next step was to call and set up an appointment. What a pleasure it was to call the center. I was greeted with such warmness. I was able to set up an appointment for June 15, 2005. I was so excited and a little bit nervous. I had not had any validation of my symptoms from the medical field and was a little afraid that maybe it was all in my head. My initial phone call from the nursing staff was unprecedented. I have never had (or have I done) such a thorough history and physical; especially a history and physical BEFORE I ever saw the doctor.
 
On June 15, 2005, my life changed. Dr. Sheridan came into my life and I will always be eternally grateful. His ability to prioritize my health issues was a breath of fresh air. My asthma had been out of control for 6 months and he wanted to attack that first. I had been looking forward to the allergy session but he thought that it would put me at risk at that time. We talked in great detail about the low libido, low energy, the eyebrows, gastrointestinal issues, everything. How refreshing to have a physician actually listen to my symptoms, and have a plan in the same session. In 48 hours my asthma was under control and in another two weeks I was back in the office. Dr. Sheridan was pleased with my asthma control and the allergy testing began. I cannot give enough praise to the nursing staff. Their professionalism and their knowledge of the health and wellness philosophy were comforting.  I was introduced to the yeast free diet plan and loved every benefit that it brought to my life. Not only weight loss, but an eating habit without all of the gastrointestinal issues. I also began therapy with the bio-identical hormones, Armour Thyroid and a wide range of multivitamins and supplements.
 
On August 14, 2005, I finally got my life back. My husband, our friend, and I returned from a cross country motorcycle ride. Yes, I did get back on a motorcycle and ride it almost 4,000 miles in 10 days.  I have not felt this good in more than 15 years. I have lost 25 pounds and my PMS is gone! My husband has been the biggest supporter of this change in my (our) lifestyle and is benefiting almost as much as I am. Thank you, Hotze Health and Wellness for giving me my life back!
 
PS…I told my older sister about my new found wellness at Christmas, she said “Dee Dee that is the same place I told you about 3 years ago. I have been seeing Dr. Sheridan for 3 years and it is about time you did too!” I guess I should have listened to my sister a long time ago, but you know us little sisters…

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