moms helping moms find a new normal
Four years ago, I was at the top of my game. I was participating in Ironman Triathlon events, getting my master’s degree, and trying to be the best, most organized, never missing a beat, mom and wife possible. Then, in no time flat, I went from ironman triathlete to woman in a wheelchair. I was tired. I chalked it up to being a busy mom. All
Rheumatoid autoimmune diseases are painful conditions that are characterized inflammation, swelling, and pain in the joints or muscles caused by an autoimmune response by the body. A number of disorders fall into the category of rheumatoid autoimmune disease. Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that can, in severe cases, cause some of the vertebrae in your spine to fuse together. The disease causes grave, chronic
What sort of treatment will I receive if I am diagnosed with Hashimoto’s while I am pregnant? The autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affects the thyroid gland, resulting mainly in symptoms due to low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Occasionally the disease is first diagnosed during pregnancy, though many women with previously diagnosed Hashimoto’s report symptom improvement during pregnancy. Normally the treatment of Hashimoto’s is the
What conditions is this diet best for? The paleolithic diet, aka paleo or primal diet is best for people with autoimmune or inflammatory diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, celiac, lupus, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes, IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, obesity and others. In addition, those who have issues with blood sugar regulation and weight loss are usually served well by a paleo
What are some natural and medical ways one with autoimmune disease could try to improve chances of getting pregnant? Many interventions, both natural and medically conventional, have been attempted to correct this problem of infertility, some with fairly decent success. These efforts are often individualized, and what works for one couple may not work for others. This may depend largely on the underlying pathology leading
I know I’m breaking all the rules. Using food to make myself feel better. And not just food, but food with sugar and dairy. But I’ve been in a cranky pants kind of mood the last few weeks, waking up so tired each morning even though I’m getting my 7+ hours of sleep and even though my thyroid levels from the Hashimoto’s are supposedly in
Autoimmune mom Donna Jackson Nakazawa was tired of being sick. Her kids were growing up and preparing to go off to college while she was just trying to survive each day. A task as seemingly simple as taking the laundry up the stairs required several minutes of horizontal recovery time, knees bent, waiting for quivering legs to quiet. Determined to get better, to joyfully help
Back in what seems like another life – before my marriage and the birth of my two children – I was a busy single chick immersed in Manhattan’s social scene. It was very Sex and the City: running my own business, getting together with friends, and going out almost every night in the quest for love. In fact, it was such a hectic life style
When I was pregnant with my first child, I didn’t expect the labor to go perfect. I had heard enough labor horror stories to know better. However, I didn’t expect to have a seizure, either. I’ve always prided myself in being the perfect specimen of health. I used to brag to nurses when I got my yearly physical that I was “medically boring.” I had