Women’s stories
“I have more energy than I can ever remember!”
Fifteen years ago, at the age of 40, Gail went through a really rough passage. “Everything
was ganging up on me,” she told us. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer;
she lost her job; she felt she was “spiraling deeper into a hole.” Luckily,
Gail recounts, “I knew I needed help.”
Gail’s doctor diagnosed her with borderline thyroid problems and depression.
She came home with prescriptions for antidepressants and thyroid medication and
began psychotherapy. “My doctor asked me how I’d feel about using medications
for the rest of my life — he assumed I would need them forever. Of course,
I agreed at that point because I was falling apart. Now I realize I have more choices
than that.”
In the years that followed Gail tried to reduce or stop her Zoloft several times,
but always went back to it within days to relieve her depression. Her menopause
at 49 was uneventful. It seemed her doctor’s prediction that she would be
on Synthroid and Zoloft forever was coming true.
At Christmas Gail paid a visit to her cousin — a new Personal Program member
who had also suffered from depressed moods. Gail was amazed by the improvement in
her cousin, though she had only been on her Program a month. She knew immediately
she wanted to try the Program herself, but was really determined when she realized
it would cost less than her co-pay for Zoloft and Synthroid!
When Gail called us, she wanted to stop her Zoloft and Synthroid cold turkey. We
urged her to wean off slowly with the approval and supervision of her local doctor.
We also suggested she take extra essential fatty acids nightly in addition to our
Essential Nutrients and strict dietary changes. We advised her to follow-up with
additional thyroid testing as needed.
Despite our advice, Gail did stop cold turkey. Fortunately, her results were very
positive. She was thrilled that stopping was so different this time. She experienced
only minor withdrawal symptoms for six weeks — just a few nightmares that
passed, and some mild mood swings and anxiety — all tolerable and short-lived.
As she said, “I know I’m going to get through this, I’m much stronger
this time.”
When we talked to Gail at her eighth week, she was already turning the corner and
feeling better. “I have more energy than I can ever remember! I’m clearing
out the house and closets this spring with new-found energy!” She added that
physically, “I’m feeling better overall than I have in years and I’ve
lost ten pounds already!”
We gave Gail some pointers on how she might support her low-serotonin tendency through
diet and by adding a 5-HTP supplement during these transitional months. We also
emphasized how important it is for her to follow up with her local doctor and get
her thyroid function tested again soon. But we are encouraged by her progress and
happy for her!
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Our Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements,
our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional
phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home
version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to call us toll-free at
1-800-798-7902. We're here to listen and help.
Last Modified Date: 05/24/2011