Hi:

I do the same things as you, eat organic and non-GMO and use safe green household and personal products.

I have to keep in mind that anytime I step outside of my home that I work hard to keep chemically free, that I am exposed to what is going on out in the public places.

Anytime I get a 'whiff' of the chemicals from the cleaning products used in stores and places such as work, schools, libraries, hospitals, doctors, dentists offices,churches, etc. along with the outside air and the smells of foods cooking in chemicals; I can be sure to have reactions.

EMFs exposures with WiFis are tied in with health issues. Be sure to read up on these on the Internet.

Also read up about the chemicals, toxins, and preservatives exposures to sick building syndrome of newly built and remodeled places. These have effect on our health because of aldehydes (such as Formaldehyde) are released into the air and affect our health.

These are such small examples I have mentioned and have researched thoroughly in the last few years of the things that negatively impact our health and cause different autoimmune disorders.

{{{hugs}}}

Hi 32Flavors,
Your emotions will be intense as “I” believe it is a part of Graves Disease. I was angry, like you, at my doctors for not figuring out what I had all these years. Just giving the doctors my families medical history SHOULD have raised a red flag. My father has Graves Disease. Please note, our thyroid is giving us just one set of hormones that we function on. And, if you know your hormones, then possibly you would remember how you would feel when your cycle came every month. For me, it was emotional and my eating patterns were crazy. Sweet, salty, sweet salty. I get that you feel that life is not fair because you were taking care of yourself and eating well (vegan). Hate to tell you - life ain’t fair. We’ll learn to roll with the punches. This is our NEW normal. Unfortunately, OUR environment has become more toxic so we need to be more careful of what we use, what we come in contact with and what we eat and drink. This is a good place for people to share what they are going through when it comes to Graves. I, personally, think we know more than the doctors. Take Care.

Yes, StillLearning, my emotions and eating were horrible during my menstrual cycle. And now I wonder how much of that was GD! I think I made myself sick with overeating yesterday. The disease, the meds, I don’t know. Besides feeling horribly nauseous all afternoon and evening, I actually vomited. Lesson learned. Regardless of how emotional I’m feeling, I can no longer eat through those emotions without suffering greatly. And yes, I know life isn’t fair, and whining gets me nowhere. I’ll come to terms with what my life with GD is, and I know others are worse off. I just needed to allow myself to wallow for a bit. Thank you for the reality check, truly.

Hi:

I have been dealing with GD for 17+ years now. I wonder if I had GD symptoms as far back as my teenage years. I certainly was a very angry gal back then. I also went through periods of hypO. I am now 55 if that gives you an idea how long I could've dealt with my thyroid going back and forth hypER/hypO.

{{{hugs}}}

@mmztcass: is it always a struggle? Or do you find your "normal" (until the next "episode," of course)? The idea of vacillating between hyper and hypo certainly isn't something I look forward to! I'm typically very logical...I just want to be able to follow a diet, meds, etc., and live a normal life. But it doesn't seem that's possible with GD...you can "manage" the disease so it's not horrible, but you still will suffer from relapses no matter how diligent you are. I think I'm struggling with the lack of control more than anything.

Hi:

No I meant it was a struggle prior to being diagnosed and being put on the meds. I knew nothing back then.

Once I understood from researching online of the roles of how diet, chemicals, toxins, and preservatives affect people's health negatively with many autoimmune disorders that were happening; I began doing much better and staying as balanced as I could.

I have had only one relapse back in 2008-2009 which lasted a few months.

I would encourage you to research and read up on everything on the Internet about the things I've mentioned in the first post.

{{{hugs}}}

Thank you, mmztcass. That makes me feel a bit better, that with certain changes, I could live a relatively normal life. I think my biggest hurdle is sugar. Clearly, I need to eliminate added sugar from my diet...a difficult task when you have a serious sweet tooth! But after what I went through yesterday, it'll be easier, because I don't want to feel like that again if I can help it!

Hi:

When one is proactive with their own healthcare to do as holistically as possible, things are much easier to deal with because of knowing what to do.

I moderate at: livinwithgravesdisease.com that you can research there at.

Dr. Mercola at mercola.com has tons of holistic health articles to research.

I allow myself to have a chocolate honey patty of different flavors from Heavenly Organics. Their honey is raw and organic and they use only organic and non-GMO.

I shop at many places such as vitacost.com, luckyvitamin.com, iherb.com and amazon.com along with shopping at places such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Aqua Vita and Trader Joe's to buy things as pure as these can be. Occasionally I shop farmer's markets or one of my adult son will.

I am not sure where you are from as I am from the USA.

{{{hugs}}}

I'm in CA, mmzrcass. Before I was diagnosed I was pretty good about eating relatively healthy (hence my anger). We shop often at WF and TJ's, but regardless, we primarily eat whole foods and favor organic, non-GMO. My issue is dessert and snacks. Though I know fruit is a healthier way to go, I crave cookies, etc. Plus, dried fruit is pricey! But, enough excuses...I thought I was being healthy enough because I have healthier habits than most, but obviously I need to make those difficult (for me) changes and work harder to avoid what I need to avoid. I gave up coffee, so I'm sure I can give up sugar too. ;-) Thanks for the tip about Heavenly Organics honey patties. When I feel I can trust myself again for a little treat, I'll get some. :-)
P.S. I had already stumbled across livingwithgravesdisease.com ... lots of great info!

Hi32flavors,
Okay, we’re going to hold onto that sweet tooth, huh. ? I can tell you there is no one else in the world ;-) that doesn’t have the sweetest tooth than I. I used to have a candy store under my bed, when I was a kid. It started with candy, then entemenns cookies, then frosted cereals, then teaspoons of sugar...because it tasted so good. I am going to make a promise to you - the processed and produced cookies, cakes and breads are NOT like they used to be. When you have curbed your sweet tooth and then go back fir a taste, your taste buds are going to be more keen of what tastes artificial and natural. I can guarantee that once you are over the hump, you will know the difference. There is so much crap out there, its not funny. Another thing to keep in mind - do NOT bring it into the apartment or house. If it is not physically there, it will help with curbing those cravings. If you feel dried fruits are expensive, buy a dehydrator. Make your own. Set up your cabinets and refrigerator with YOUR good foods. I did and it helps. I do not look in my husband’s side. And, because I eat this way, there is very little junk in the apartment. I am not hearing complaints, either. To have control over your food and environment will give you the power to get through these tough times. I promise you. Take Care.

@StillLearning: My bf threw away all the ice cream & cookies after yesterday's episode. He hates seeing me sick and not being able to do anything...THAT he could do. lol. I actually stopped eating sweets when I first went vegan. But then I discovered VEGAN sweets, and fell back into it. GD has made me feel powerless...but THIS I do have power over. I CAN say no to sweets. Thank you for the encouragement. I am thankful I have a super supportive bf that will do everything within his power to help me be healthy. :-) And since I can resist non-vegan sweets, he can indulge when he wants with something non-vegan. He doesn't have much of a sweet tooth and we otherwise don't keep junk food in the house, so I think I'll manage okay...I just need to leave the grocery shopping to him. ;-)

32Flavors,
I would have responded but the website didn’t email me that you replied. It is good to feel power in the choices that we make. And, setting up an environment that is supportive of it. And, its good to share our experiences with people who have been down that road or going down that road of Graves Disease. WE are our best advocates because “all in all” I just don’t see the medical community looking out for us. Sad but true. On ocassion, I will taste a cookie and automatically my tastes buds pick up a chemical taste. Food manufacturers don’t make food like they used to. The only real sweet things I like to eat are meedjol dates and Larabars. (Cashew cookie or Coconut Cream Pie) but I have to make sure I do not eat too much sugar - makes me all achy, the day after (not worth it). BTW, It’s okay to go shopping, just don’t go hungry. :-) Take Care.