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 | Sticking Out Our Necks | Issue #67 -- May 2003 "We're Patients...Not Lab Values! from Mary J. Shomon, Author of Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, and The Thyroid Diet Success Guide |
Here is your chance to tell YOUR story, share your experience, and tell it like it REALLY is, instead of how the doctors IMAGINE it to be. For my new book on thyroid, diet, and nutrition, I would LOVE to hear your stories about weight gain, weight loss, diet, and exercise. What works, what doesn't? What helps, what doesn't?
How does it make you FEEL? Have weight gain wreaked havoc on your self-image, your sex life, and your energy? Share your thoughts with me now.
You won't be identified by name (unless you specifically ask to be), and I’ll change any specifically identifying information, so all your contributions are anonymous. You can share your important ideas and make them public, without compromising your own privacy.
Are you a practitioner, trainer, or alternative health expert who has ideas and approaches that work specifically for weight loss for thyroid patients and other people with metabolic dysfunctions? I'd love to hear from you too, with your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. (Just an FYI, if you are representing any multi-level marketed weight loss supplements, I've already heard from so many people many times about these various products and companies, that I don't really need any more stories on those products at this point, but thanks!)
Send all contributions to me at dietbook@thyroid-info.com.
I really look forward to hearing from you!
MAJOR THYROID NEWS
IS COCONUT OIL A THYROID AND DIET CURE?
The May 20, 2003 issue of Woman’s World featured a story “The New Thyroid Cure,” claiming that coconut oil can "cure" your hypothyroidism and ensure rapid weight loss. I asked Dr. Ken Woliner to tell us whether it's too good to be true. Find out now.
CONSUMER GROUP WARNS AGAINST ARMOUR THYROID
In an article heavy on accusations and short on fact, the May, 2003 issue of Public Citizen's “Worst Pills, Best Pills” newsletter disguises a shoddy, poorly researched and misguided opinion piece as analysis, and rehashes the tired old arguments against Armour Thyroid. What went wrong with this supposed consumer right champion, why do they think you shouldn’t take Armour, and what can and should you do about it? Read it now.
SUSPECT SALADS: LETTUCE MAY BE TOXIC TO YOUR THYROID
New research has shown that lettuce grown in the fall and winter months in Southern California or Arizona -- providing much of the lettuce Americans eat all winter -- may contain higher levels of toxic rocket fuel byproduct, perchlorate, than is considered safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Environmental Working Perchlorate can cause thyroid problems, and is of particular concern to unborn children. Are you, your family and thyroid health at risk simply from eating salads? Is your lettuce a danger?
FLAME-RETARDANT CHEMICALS A DANGER TO THE THYROID
According to a new study, flame-retardant chemicals may be a danger to health – and in particular, the thyroid, contributing to increased buildup of toxins in the bodies of Americans. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
RECENT THYROID DRUG RECALLS
FOREST PHARMACEUTICALS RECALLS LEVOTHROID
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls for certain Levothroid products, made by Forest Pharmaceuticals. Find out if your thyroid medicine is affected. Get the info.
KING PHARMACEUTICALS RECALLS LEVOXYL
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for particular batches of Levoxyl, made by King Pharmaceuticals. Find out if your thyroid medicine is affected. Is your Levoxyl affected?
FOREST PHARMACEUTICALS RECALLS THYROLAR
Forest has issued a recall on certain batches of the popular thyroid drug Thyrolar. Find out which lots, and why. Do you have recalled Thyrolar?
LATEST THYROID CANCER NEWS/INFORMATION
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THYROID CANCER SURVIVORS
A research survey found that thyroid cancer survivors experience a variety of health problems and complaints, and in particular, evidence of thyroid hormone imbalance and dysregulation. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
Source: Schultz, Pamela N. RN, PhD et. al. “Health profiles and quality of life of 518 survivors of thyroid cancer,” Head & Neck, Volume 25, Issue 5, 2003
ULTRASOUND IS BEST TEST FOR RECURRENT THYROID CANCER IN THE NECK, SAY EXPERTS
Researchers have concluded that ultrasonography of the neck is more sensitive than I-131 scanning or serum thyroglobulin measurements for detecting recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer in the neck. Find out more.
CAN AN ARTHRITIS DRUG FIGHT THYROID CANCER?
Some researchers are now trying the Cox-2 inhibitor Celebrex as a cancer treatment, including for thyroid cancer that has not responded to other treatments. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
MEDICARE EXPANDS PET SCAN COVERAGE TO THYROID CANCER
Medicaid coverage will be expanded to include positron emission tomography -- or PET -- scans for thyroid cancer. read the story.
RAI-INDUCED LOBECTOMY IS ALTERNATIVE TO COMPLETION THYROIDECTOMY FOR THYROID CANCER
A single moderate dose of radioiodine (RAI) I-131 is an option to completion surgery for those who have had one thyroid lobe removed. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
Source: Randolph, GW, et. al. “Radioactive iodine lobe ablation as an alternative to completion thyroidectomy for follicular carcinoma of the thyroid.” Thyroid 2002; 12: 989-96.
GENETIC LINK TO THYROID CANCER FOUND
A single genetic mistake is responsible for about two-thirds of papillary thyroid cancer cases, say experts. Find out more.
NEW THYROID CANCER BOOK
If you are a thyroid cancer patient, you may want to check out a new book, The Thyroid Cancer Book, from M. Sara Rosenthal, author of the Thyroid Sourcebook. The book provides a good recap of the basics on papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic cancer, conventional treatment options, surgery and radioactive iodine, post-treatment follow up, scans and Thyrogen. The book is available from Amazon.com for $16.50.
DISEASE CONNECTIONS
THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY, HYPOTHYROIDISM, INFERTILITY AND PREGNANCY
Researchers have found that there is a very definite connection between thyroid autoimmunity, hypothyroidism and infertility, as well as abnormalities during pregnancy. Among the findings, thyroid autoimmunity can affect fertility, miscarriage rates, and complications, even when thyroid function is normal. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
Source: Poppe K, et. al. “Thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism before and during pregnancy,” Hum Reprod Update 2003 Mar-Apr;9(2):149-61
THE THYROID/FIBROMYALGIA CONNECTION
A significant percentage of the estimated 20 million people with hypothyroidism are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Besides similar symptoms, just what is the connection between these two misunderstood conditions? If you're hypothyroid and in pain, could it be fibromyalgia? Find out the latest thoughts on this important connection.
ADRENAL FATIGUE/ADRENAL EXHAUSTION
Adrenal fatigue may be the reason that you don't feel well, despite your thyroid treatment. If you are continuing to experience fatigue, low energy, poor stamina, and little resistance to stress and infection, you may be adrenally exhausted. Find out the signs and symptoms, and the treatments.
UNDERACTIVE THYROID MAY REDUCE BREAST CANCER RISK
Researchers have discovered that hypothyroidism may reduce the risk of breast cancer, and even the invasiveness of breast cancer in women who are hypothyroid. A major news development for women with hypothyroidism, just announced this week!
OTHER THYROID NEWS
SHOULD SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM BE TREATED?
At a presentation of the 2003 Annual Meeting of the American College of Physicians (ACP) in April, one expert reported that subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated. (Read the full story in the print newsletter*).
RESEARCHERS FIND T3 HELPS UNRESPONSIVE MAJOR DEPRESSION
Patient with severe, unresponsive major depression are more likely to respond to antidepressant therapy when the thyroid hormone T3 is added. Read more.
ANTIRADIATION PILLS ARE URGED FOR CHILDREN
Pediatricians urge parents, schools and daycare to stockpile thyroid-protective potassium iodide pills to protect children in the event of nuclear exposure. Get the details.
WHY YOU MUST REVIEW YOUR LAB TESTS YOURSELF!
A reader wrote to share some excellent advice for women who are trying to get pregnant, and why you absolutely must review your own lab test results yourself. Find out more now.
GENE VARIATION RAISES RISK OF DIABETES, THYROID PROBLEMS
British researchers have found that variations in a gene called the CTLA-4 gene can increase the risk of developing early-onset type 1 diabetes, Grave's disease, and autoimmune hypothyroidism. About half of the population has this genetic variation -- which allows the immune to then turn on itself and the autoimmune disorders to develop. The hope is that this discovery will aid researchers in identifying therapies down the road, or help identify those at higher risk of these conditions.
GRAVES’ DISEASE/HYPERTHYROIDISM
IS GRAVES OPHTHALMOPATHY PREVENTABLE?
Can you prevent thyroid eye disease and Graves Ophthalmopathy? Some experts think so. Find out how now.
RAI CONTROVERSIES
Controversies still go on about RAI, including risks of worsening Graves' ophthalmopathy, the interaction with antithyroid drugs, and use of RAI for large goiters. Find out what experts are saying about RAI and why it's still controversial in some circles. Read the story.
EUROPEAN ENDOS SAY DRUGS, SURGERY, NOT RAI
RAI comes in dead last as a choice for hyperthyroidism treatment in patients with any thyroid eye disease in Europe. Get the details now.
*HOW TO READ THE FULL STORY IN THE PRINT NEWSLETTER
Full length versions of all the stories that are marked as "Read the full story in the print newsletter"are featured in the May/June issue of "Sticking Out Our Necks: Print Edition." This newsletter is available only to paid subscribers. If you order by June 15th, you can still get the March/April issue, AND a FREE GIFT -- the 8-page Thyroid News Roundup. A one year subscription to Sticking Out Our Necks is only $25. To order securely online right now, go to: http://www.thyroid-info.com/subscribe.htm.
If you are not receiving the Sticking Out Our Necks bimonthly print newsletter, you are missing out on essential thyroid news. Plus, if you subscribe now, you'll receive the free 8-page "In-Depth Thyroid News Roundup Report," which features 45 news reports on thyroid disease, with research references. To subscribe, go to:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/subscribe.htm. A one year subscription is only $25. Order securely online now, with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover, or via mail/phone/fax (Visa and MasterCard only). For information about subscribing see http://www.thyroid-info.com/subscribe.htm or call 1-888-810-9471.
Free Special Report When You Order Now! Some of the important news stories included in the free 8-page "In-Depth Thyroid News Roundup Report," include:
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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS – AGAIN BEHIND THE TIMES
In a US News & World Report article on patient-ordered blood testing, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ president Hossein Gharib has again distinguished himself as being behind the times. Here’s a quote from the US News article:
“Many thyroid patients…have become convinced that they need a free T3 test to detect a specific thyroid hormone. They've dumped doctors who order only a more general test for TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. Free T3 is available from HealthcheckUSA as part of a $75 test. Yet it may not be worth ordering, says Hossein Gharib, a thyroid specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. "Hey, we live in a free world, but it's not a `free T3' world. TSH is the gold standard for thyroid function," he says. "T3 tests are not very reliable. And you would only try one if the TSH is abnormal." Yet patients with normal TSH who still feel lousy insist a further test can pinpoint their problem.(Note: Gharib is the same person who announced earlier this year, on behalf of the entire endocrinology community that thyroid disease “is easy to diagnose and treat." Find out more about his announcement.)
Clearly, Gharib and his colleagues have not been talking to the millions of patients who don’t feel well when subject to, as some practitioners have referred to it, “The Tyranny of the TSH.” And they haven’t been consulting with the many thousands of enlightened practitioners who believe that Free T3 testing is an essential part of their management of thyroid disease.
If you want to live in a “Free T3 world,” there are several direct laboratories that offer various thyroid tests. You do not need a doctor’s prescription to order tests from these companies.
- Biosafe -- 1-800-768-8446, extension 123
- Direct Labs
- HealthCheck USA
INSIDE MARY SHOMON'S MEDICINE CABINET
Find out what thyroid medicine I take, as well as my daily supplements and vitamins, what I take to fight colds and flus, things that help with weight loss, enhance energy, and help hair and skin. Read Inside Mary's Medicine Cabinet.
MERCOLA'S NO-GRAIN DIET IS AVAILABLE -- WITH FREE E-COOKBOOK
Dr. Joseph Mercola's first major book, The No-Grain Diet, has hit the bookshelves, and is already proving to be popular with readers, including thyroid patients. I've read the book, and it is an excellent addition to any thyroid or autoimmune patient's library of health books! It has excellent information that can help you determine the best way you should eat to optimize your metabolism, feel your best, and lose weight. The book is already an Amazon.com bestseller, and has become a huge success across America. Dr. Mercola is running a special No-Grain Diet contest, offering some incredible prizes. You can help spread his vision to change the medical paradigm in the process -- and get a complimentary copy of a new e-cookbook loaded with healthy recipes! Just visit the No-Grain Diet home page to find out more about the contest and how to participate.
ARE YOU READY to try the No-Grain Diet? Order a copy now from Amazon.com, and pay only $17.47, which is a $7.48 -- 30% -- savings off the cover price of $24.95.
SAVE MORE & FREE SHIPPING! And if you want to save even more money, and deal a one-two punch to the forces that are preventing you from feeling and living well, then add in a copy of my latest book, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know, Order Now! for only $10.47, a $4.48 -- 30% -- savings off the cover price of $14.95. You'll get both books, AND free shipping from Amazon.com!
ATTN: NEW JERSEY DIETERS! CURVES FOR WOMEN FITNESS OPENS IN CARTERET
A new branch of Curves, one of the hottest and fastest growing fitness facilities’ in the nation, opened Monday, May 19 at 771 Roosevelt Avenue in the Carteret Shopping Center in Carteret, New Jersey. Over 1 million women are using Curves to stay or get in shape in a positive, reinforcing environment of just women. The Curves system offers a complete aerobic and strength workout, built around easy-to-use hydraulic resistance machines. Curves specializes in a fast, in-out workout, and I've been getting many reports from thyroid patients who are having great success with the Curves' cost-effective, fast and supportive approach to exercise, along with their diet suggestions. The new Curves happens to be owned and managed by my cousin, Connie Raymond. According to Connie: “With great determination, healthy eating and regular visits to Curves, you can make significant progress in losing weight and shedding inches.” More information is available by visiting the Curves Web site at www.curvesinternational.com or emailing carteretcurves@aol.com. Or you can call Connie at the Carteret Curves at (732) 541-7880.
TAKE THE THYROID POLLS
- WHICH HYPOTHYROIDISM SYMPTOM IS TRULY THE WORST?
- WHICH THYROID HORMONE DRUG DO YOU THINK WORKS BEST?
- WHICH PRECAUTIONS ABOUT THYROID DRUGS AND INTERACTIONS DID YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST SHARE?
- AT WHICH TSH DO YOU FEEL YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST?
- WHAT'S THE WORST THING ABOUT YOUR DOCTOR?
- WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR DOCTOR?
- WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT YOUR THYROID CONDITION: YOU OR YOUR DOCTOR?
- WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITE THYROID-RELATED BOOKS?
Vote/See Results!
Vote/See Results!
TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR ALLERGIES
Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States-and that's nothing to sneeze at. The runny nose, sneezing, congestion, itchy and watery eyes and itchy throat caused by seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever) affect 35 million Americans. These symptoms are more than annoying; they can make daily activities a challenge. With the number of seasonal allergy cases steadily rising over the past 20 years, consumers need to have a plan.
That is why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is introducing a nationwide Allergy Action Plan campaign to help people recognize, prevent and safely treat allergy symptoms with over-the-counter and prescription medications. On the educational Web site-www.allergyactionplan.com - people can use a simple self-screening tool for seasonal allergies and create a personal Allergy Action Plan, complete with prevention and treatment tips.
"Taking control of allergies will help many people get back to their daily lives," says Sheryl Lucas, M.D., practicing allergist and board member of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "The first step toward managing allergy symptoms is a simple one-visit www.allergyactionplan.com and get started on a personal Allergy Action Plan."
A critical part of the Allergy Action Plan is learning to check the local allergy forecast to prepare for allergy symptoms before they strike. It's not just the amount of pollen in the air that triggers allergy symptoms-the type of pollen and the weather also play a role. The local allergy forecast on allergyactionplan.com takes the standard pollen forecast one step further and actually predicts the likelihood that the pollen levels in an area will cause allergy symptoms.
In some cases, the best prevention steps will not be enough and people may need to treat their allergy symptoms with over-the-counter or prescription medication.
"New over-the-counter allergy medications, like Alavert™ and Claritin®, make allergy symptom relief more convenient and may appeal to people who don't want the sleepy effect that can be caused by other non-prescription medications," says Dr. Lucas. "Over-the-counter medication can effectively control seasonal allergies for many people if symptoms persist, however, the person should contact their doctor."
To create a personalized Allergy Action Plan, visit www.allergyactionplan.com.
Source: NAPSI
A SERIOUS DISORDER IS MORE COMMON THAN MANY THINK
A next door neighbor...a coworker...a friend...a relative...these are some of the people you know who may have bipolar disorder but may not know it.
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a chronic, sometimes progressive illness characterized by distressing and disruptive mood swings ranging from high (manic) to low (depressive) states. If ignored, bipolar disorder can have serious, harmful consequences such as damage to personal relationships, alcohol and/or drug abuse, job loss and suicide.
According to a recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, three times as many Americans than previously thought-or 1 in 30-may have bipolar disorder, which translates into nearly 8 million people.
"This study reveals that bipolar disorder occurs frequently and that we are missing most cases of it," said Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D., Titus Harris Chair, Professor and University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. "Bipolar disorder can be well managed when appropriately diagnosed; the problem is that most often it is completely unrecognized. The good news is that a simple screening tool is available for people who think they-or a loved one-may be experiencing the symptoms of bipolar disorder."
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:
- Increased physical and mental activity and energy
- Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
- Feeling easily irritated
- Rapid speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
- Uncharacteristically poor judgment
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions
- Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
- Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
- In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
It is believed that typically what prevents people who may have the illness from receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment is the stigma and stereotype associated with bipolar disorder. On average, people with bipolar disorder will consult four doctors and receive up to four misdiagnoses over a nearly 10-year period before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
For more information about bipolar disorder, please call the National Mental Health Association at 1-800-969-NMHA, or go to http://nmha.org or http://ibipolar.com.
Source: NAPSI
FREE MENOPAUSE GUIDE
Nearly two million women will turn 50 this year and many of them have questions about changes that may be happening to their bodies. Fortunately, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has some answers for them. The brochure, Menopause: One Woman's Story, Every Woman's Story-A Resource for Making Healthy Choices can help answer a woman's questions about what to expect as she approaches menopause, how to handle the symptoms, and what to do to maintain her health in the decades after menopause. "In the past, women have often looked upon the time after menopause as a period of poor health and waning abilities. Research has shown that this may not have to be true," said NIA Director Dr. Richard J. Hodes. For your free copy, call 1-800-222-2225; TTY 1-800-222-4225. Ask for Department MB, or view a copy in Adobe PDF format
View PDF brochure. Source: NAPSI
ESCAPE TO AN ISLAND -- HYPOTHYROID HEALTH JOURNEY: FIONA GOES TO CORFU!
Do you ever get that feeling like life would be better, and your health would improve, if only you could just quit your job, and run away to a beautiful tropical island? After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism and battling the health effects, Fiona Klonarides decided to leave her high-powered round-the-clock high-tech internet job in California, and truly get away from it all, settling for a simple life in a small village on the Greek island of Corfu. Here is part 1 in an ongoing series of Fiona's adventures in life, love, and finding health and happiness.
Escape with Fiona!CRUISE TO HEALTH: A WOMEN'S HEALING JOURNEY
Maybe you can't run away to an island, but you can take a week-long cruise for better health! Four women who have made the empowerment and healing of women their life's mission will be joining together for "The Healing Women's Journey," a seven day educational - healing - adventure cruise for greater hormonal health and wellbeing. The four key speakers are Dr. Lindsey Berkson, Dr. Helene Leonetti, Linda Chae and my friend and colleague, Sherrill Sellman.
"The Journey" takes place on Royal Caribbean's luxury ship "Vision of the Seas" departing from Vancouver British Columbia on September 7, 2003. It will sail north through the scenic Alaskan Inside Passage and then on to the majestic Hubbard Glacier and stopping at the ports of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan and then returning through the famous Misty Fjords. There will also be plenty of time for hiking, sight seeing and on-board activities.For further details and information call 800-957-2572 or visit www.ta2000.com/wisewomen
BOOK RECAP
 | For the people in your life who have thyroid disease, or who have a suspected thyroid condition, there's my book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know. Most people, whether they are hyperthyroid, have autoimmune Graves’ or Hashimoto’s disease, thyroid cancer, nodules or hypothyroidism -- end up being hypothyroid. That's where this book, published in 2000 by HarperCollins, comes in. If you, a friend, or family member has confirmed or suspected thyroid disease, there's my book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know. Most people, whether they are hyperthyroid, have autoimmune Graves' or Hashimoto's disease, thyroid cancer, nodules or hypothyroidism -- end up being hypothyroid. That's where this book, published in 2000 by HarperCollins, comes in. "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" is a top 40 Amazon.com health bestseller, and is in its 16th printing! You can find out more information, read a free chapter online, and get more information on the book and how to order it at http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm. |
Don't forget that you can order it from Iherb.com for a special rate of $10 by going to Iherb.com's online store.
You can also order Living Well With Hypothyroidism from Amazon.com for $11.20 plus shipping, by clicking here.
 | For the people in your life who have a diagnosed autoimmune disease, or who have symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, joint/muscle aches, rashes, unexplained fevers, and other mysterious symptoms -- but no diagnosis -- there's Living Well With Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know. The book was published in October 2002 by HarperCollins. Website: www.autoimmunebook.com. For you and the people in your life who have a diagnosed autoimmune disease, or who have symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, joint/muscle aches, rashes, unexplained fevers, and other mysterious symptoms -- but no diagnosis -- there's Living Well With Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know. The book is for anyone with Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease, or your family and friends who have any of the 80 autoimmune diseases, including:
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- Hair and Skin Diseases -- Including Scleroderma/Crest Syndrome, Alopecia, Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Pemphigus
- Gastrointestinal Conditions -- Including, Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) / Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Celiac Disease/Celiac Sprue, Pernicious Anemia
- Joint and Muscle-Related Conditions -- Including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthropathies: Reiter's Syndrome and Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Neuromuscular Conditions -- Including Multiple Sclerosis, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Guillain Barré Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis
You can also order the book from Amazon.com for $10.47 plus shipping, by clicking here.
Phone Orders: to order either book by phone, call Iherb.com tollfree at 1-888-792-0028.
NOTES FROM MARY: A TECHNIQUE THAT WORKS TO CHANGE HEALTH & EMOTIONS
I know you're going to think I'm losing my mind. Because I truly can't explain how or why the technique I'm going to tell you about works. Frankly, when I first read about the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) at Dr. Joseph Mercola's website, I thought he'd lost HIS mind! Tapping on the head and face points on the body to change emotions, or even health issues? It sounded ridiculous...
But I'd heard from a few people who had good experiences with EFT, and so I decided it was worthwhile to at least review the concept of EFT. I figured I could look into it, quickly determine that it was worthless, and move on to something else. Instead, I ended up becoming more interested...
EFT was created and pioneered by Gary Craig over a decade ago. It's based on the same general concepts that acupuncture and acupressure rely on -- that energy that flows through the body and regulates our health can be channeled and directed to places where it is most needed, physical AND emotional. As a fan of acupuncture, I figured I couldn't totally dismiss the idea, but it sounded pretty wacky, to be honest.
The way Dr. Mercola and other practitioners describe it, EFT is a sort of a psychological acupressure, based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture to treat physical and emotional ailments for over five thousand years, but without the invasiveness of needles. Instead, tapping with the fingertips is used to input energy onto specific meridians on the head and chest, while at the same time you think about your specific problem - whether it is a traumatic event, an addiction, a craving, pain, etc. -- and you voice positive affirmations. This combination of tapping the energy meridians and voicing positive affirmation is meant to clear the "short-circuit" - the emotional block -- from your body's bioenergy system, thus restoring your mind and body's balance.
All right, sounds a little bit far out there...but again, I wasn't going to completely write it off until I had a bit more information.
So I had an opportunity to review Dr. Mercola's DVD course on EFT. After watching for about an hour, I was still convinced that it was fairly nuts. But I'd watched him walk through the technique several times on the DVD, and try it on various volunteers that were taped at one of his in-person seminars, and decided that before I spent any more time viewing, I would try the EFT technique myself.
My objective? To treat an incredibly annoying eye tic that had been plaguing me for months. This irritating tic in my left eye started almost as soon as I woke up in the morning, and there it went, tic tic twitch twitch, all day long until I went to sleep. Nothing seemed to help it, and I was seriously thinking about going in to my doctor to have a shot of Botox put into it to calm down the muscle, as it was causing headaches and eye strain. As I watched the DVD, the eye was twitching and tic-ing away -- quite irritatingly.
So after watching for about an hour, I had mastered the tapping spots for EFT, and figured out an affirmation that fit with my eye tic problem, and followed the process, which took less than a minute. I stopped. I waited for the tic to start back up. No tic. I waited for a few minutes, full expecting the tic to pick back up. No tic. I went back to watching the DVD, fully expecting that once I diverted my attention from the tic, it would come right back. I watched for another hour, and no tic. Three months later, it still hasn't come back.
A few weeks later when some heart palpitations were bothering me (I have mitral valve prolapse) I again thought about the EFT technique. I'd taken a beta blocker, and done some relaxation exercise, and nothing was helping. I tried EFT, and within minutes, my palpitations were gone. I've now also used the EFT to also successfully deal with a craving for chocolate, and for stress. I've used it on my husband, and child, for assorted ailments and stressors. And it worked every time.
And guess what -- my eye tic STILL hasn't returned since that first attempt at EFT.
You can learn how to do EFT simply by reading the free manual at Dr. Mercola's site, you don't need to watch the DVDs or videos, as I did.
But if you want to really delve into it more fully, the DVD or videos really can take you to the next level and get the 5 Video Tape Set, or 5 Disc Digitally-Enhanced DVD Set, for only $97.00 plus $10 shipping and handling. Order the 5 Video Set or the 5 DVD Set
You also have a one-year, no questions asked, money-back guarantee from Dr. Mercola himself, so it's a no-risk situation.
I know some of you are going to write to me and tell me I'm definitely headed for Looney-Land ;-) -- and as I did, you are going to think that on first glance, EFT sounds pretty crazy. But seriously, I would feel as if I was doing a disservice if I didn't share information about something that really worked -- even if it sounds a bit off!
COMING NEXT MONTH
Also, just wanted to give you a heads up as to what is coming next month:
- A look at the popular “DietPower” computer program
- A review of Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield’s The Great Thyroid Scandal and How to Survive It
- Information on Jim Scheer’s terrific book The Garlic Cure
- News on the latest update of David Brownstein, MD’s innovative book The Miracle of Natural Hormones, 3rd Edition
- Details on the publication of Gina Honeyman-Lowe DC and John Lowe DC’s new book Your Guide to Metabolic Health
- A review of Mira Kirshenbaum’s The Emotional Energy Factor: The Secrets High-Energy People Use to Beat Emotional Fatigue
Live well!
-- Mary
"Sticking Out Our Necks" email edition is published monthly by Mary Shomon. Please invite your friends to subscribe! Send them a copy with your recommendation. "Sticking Out Our Necks" is copyright 1997-2003 by Mary Shomon.
Web: http://www.thyroid-info.com
Email: thyroidnews@thyroid-info.com
Regular mail:
Mary Shomon
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Palm Harbor, FL 34682
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