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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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My mother hasn't been feeling well. She's been gaining weight, not eating well, and not exercising. But when she threw out her back after Christmas and tried to get approved for exercising, they found her blood pressure was high (which is not normal for her at ALL), her cholesterol through the roof and now she has to have a stress test. My father is against about alternative practices. She doesn't want to go onto medications for life, so I'm hoping for some suggestions for her.
To complicate the issue, she has a hiatal hernia and lately lots of indigestion (gas and belching), indicating she's not breaking down her foods. She can't take solid supplements; they just don't go down.
She also has a tendency for low blood sugar (actually now she's almost borderline diabetic), so needs more protein in her diet. But following a doctor's diet regimen for lowering cholesterol doesn't have that.
She's feeling awful, and has hit bottom that she can't think straight to make changes in her diet. Basically she needs it written out and spoon-fed to her to get her on her feet so that she can feel better. She's only 59.
Can anyone pass on some suggestions for me? In the past when she felt really awful she went on Adelle Davis diet (brewer's yeast, liver, yogurt), but much of that isn't ideal for high cholesterol. But perhaps you can get an idea of what has worked.
Thanks for any help.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Rebecca
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, I will certainly be praying for your mom. The first thing that came to my mind, since she is not tolerating solid supplements is a fresh vegetable juice fast for a few days (carrot, celery, tomato, spinach, etc.) If that is too drastic for her, maybe she could include some each morning on an empty stomach and slowly work up to a quart a day. The enzymes and vitamins work wonders on a variety of ailments. It would help with the indigestion as well as her cholesterol/bp.
I know my mother would never do a juice fast because she is rather set in her ways but I was not sure whether yours would consider it. Eliminating refined carbs would be a good place to start if she will not do the juicing like having an egg and fresh fruit for breakfast, lean protein over a green salad for lunch and lean protein with 2/3 plate of steamed or raw veggies for dinner. Increasing the natural fibers (veggies, fruits) will help with the blood sugar as well.
Just a few ideas...
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aussieannie
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, has your mother had a complete check from the doctor? If not, it might be worth having her thyroid thoroughly tested - just listening to what you have said:
gaining weight
blood pressure high
indigestion
low blood sugars (that usually look like boarderline diabetes)
can't think straight
she needs it written out and spoon-fed
high colesterol
feeling awful
They are ALL symptoms of a low thyroid....I know I tend to ask whether people suspect it, (my pet thing) it's just I have lived with one for 12 years and I know how common it is and how many symptoms are connected with it......it may not be that but if it hasn't been thoroughly checked, I think it should be, to rule it out.
Jenn I will pray for your mum and offer today for her - please keep us updated.
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Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
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aussieannie wrote:
| They are ALL symptoms of a low thyroid....I know I tend to ask whether people suspect it, (my pet thing) it's just I have lived with one for 12 years and I know how common it is and how many symptoms are connected with it......it may not be that but if it hasn't been thoroughly checked, I think it should be, to rule it out. |
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Annie, thanks. I love your Avatar...you are beautiful! And your picture very much resembles my mother in her younger years.
Now, about the thyroid. I would agree all things would point that way. Low thyroid and other problems run in her family. She was on some low doses, but the results came back as she doesn't need thyroid meds anymore. All the blood tests for thyroid are fine.
Now, I know there are tests for some thyroid levels that aren't done normally by most medical establishments. Can you fill me in on what maybe she should request?
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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aussieannie
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| Posted: Jan 03 2007 at 5:35pm | IP Logged
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I like to change my avatars a bit...thank you for your words that were too kind  but I must say that it is nice to put a face to a name - I usually see some of the girls pictures on their blogs and I think it really helps connecting with others..
I think the trouble can be that practitioners don't realise that what can seem normal is not for that particular person....I have a naturally fast metabolism - if you look at the normal range for TSH (.3 - 3)(some doctors are still working with the old figures of .4 - 4  ) I know that I feel my best when it is in the . range or 1 something - if I am 3, things are not quite right, but a doctor seeing me for the first time would say I am fine. My T4 is just in the range of normal when I last checked but it ought to be up the high end of normal to feel my best.
Also doctors often don't check antibodies - this should also be checked. If thyroid problems run in the family and your mum has had previous troubles it would need to be monitored during periods of ill health to make sure there is not a flare-up. I was talking to a friend the other day whose sister's tests have gone from hypothyroid after many years to hyper - I've never heard of it but strange things can happen - my Godmother who has had a seriously low thyroid for 11 years, recently had her thyroid figures go way up and her doctor wanted her to decrease her medication and then when tested a few months later it had dropped low again she really feels like what's going on? 
Basal temp is also something that could be monitored too - some people think it is more accurate as blood tests have the big range of normal that presents the problems I mentioned above yet everyones temp ought to be in a certain range, here is some info:
The use of axillary (underarm) basal body temperature (BBT) as a symptom and diagnostic tool for hypothyroidism. It is a diagnostic and monitoring method still used by some complementary and alternative practitioners.
To measure your BBT, use an older oral glass/Mercury thermometer, or a special BBT thermometer available at some pharmacies. For glass thermometers, shake it down before going to bed, and leave it close by and within reach. As soon as you awake, with minimal movement, put the thermometer in your armpit, next to the skin, and leave it for ten minutes. Record the readings for three to five consecutive days. Women who still have their menstrual period should not test on the first five days of their period but can begin on day 5. Men, and girls and women who are not menstruating can test any time of the month.
If the average BBT is below 97.6 Fahrenheit, some complementary practitioners would consider a diagnosis of an underfunctioning thyroid or insufficient thyroid hormone replacement. An average BBT between 97.8 and 98.2 is considered normal. Temperatures from 97.6 to 98.0 degrees Fahrenheit are considered evidence of possible hypothyroidism, and temperatures less than 97.6 degrees can be even more indicative of hypothyroidism. Some practitioners, however, consider any temperature under 98 degrees to be indicative of hypothyroidism.
Lastly, here is an article from a fabulous thyroid site that cites testing troubles.
Except for the high blood pressure, everything you had mentioned about your mum is me in a thyroid dip but it could be something else that is simple and straight forward to correct and hopefully it will be.
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Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Helping My Mother with Diet & Supplements
