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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Last Modified: 02/16/2010