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In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Hi Susan,
I was diagnosed 18 months ago with a severe case of Grave's and I refused the RAI and although I'm still on meds (Tapazole), my goiter is virtually gone. My doc told me I would never acheive remission and he is very frustrated with me. Stand up for yourself.
I did a lot of research on Grave's. There are many people that say it caused by nutritional deficiencies or toxins. Yes, these can cause Grave's but here in the US I'm convinced that the overwhelming cause is STRESS coupled with a genetic predisposition. I have a book that you can find at the major bookstores that discusses pregnancy issues with Grave's.
This website is the best source of info for natural treatment of Grave's. Whatever you do, don't jump into RAI. I'm told that even the physicians desk reference recommends that patients remain on anti-thyroid drugs for 18 months before considering drastic methods. When you undergo RAI, you become a cash cow for the medical and pharmaceutical industry. There are many people that have beaten Grave's without RAI. In Europe and Japan, they use RAI far less than the US.
Good Luck
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Hi Susan -
Sounds like the doctors are *rushing* you into a an irreversible decision. Did they even TELL you about the meds? Many of them do not. If enough endocrinologists got slapped with lawsuits for withholding information about legal Graves' treatments, maybe they'd let off the RAI "squeeze play."
I get infuriated every time I hear about a case like yours. Rush, rush, rush--while the patient can't even think straight because the thyroid levels are so high, it's affecting the brain. They know this, and will try to take advantage of you. I personally think this is criminal.
Try the meds first. You stand a good chance of going into remission on them (then the MD's lose a life long patient....). RAI is quick and cheap, and many people never do get their levels right afterwards with the artificial hormone--that is supposed to replace the thyroid gland that has been destroyed.
Like Alex said, in Europe and Japan they prefer the AntiThyroid Drugs (ATD's) to the RAI. In fact in Europe and Japan they use the meds for life long use if the thyroid does not go into remission. I'm in the USA, but have been on Tapazole for 22 years. Still trying for remission.
At least TRY the meds - Tapazole or PTU. I understand that PTU can be used during pregnancy. In fact sometimes the Graves' subsides during pregnancy due to the higher estrogen levels.
READ ALL YOU CAN!
Best Wishes,
Chris
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Hi, Susan
Personally, I'm glad you decided to do research on graves prior to any drastic treatment. Especially, since you plan on becoming pregnant. As DR Stoll advises constantly, You Need To Be In Charge Of Your Health, Not the doctors!
Alex and GC have some good points of reading. I took the liberty of inputting graves into the search engine at the top right corner of this post to obtain information from the archives of this BB. I've linked them below for you to review. There's a vast amount of information for you to read. Hope this helps and don't permit them to rush you into anything. If I hadn't been in so much pain back in 76, there would have been no way I would've permitted them to do gallbladder surgery and remove my gallbladder.
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8942677&pageid=r&mode=ALL&query=graves&mode=Match+ANY
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Check out www.ithyroid.com for lots of information on the thyroid,to learn what ALL of your options are, and for various techniques to restore your health. Don't let the Doctors rush you into anything! Did your doctor tell you that many people achieve spontaneous remission within a couple of years? Most people who have RAI end up with a messed up thyroid, for life! With the proper nutrition and relaxation techniques, even some people who had RAI are regaining thyroid function. At least your thyroid is still working. You just need to get it working right! (Don't junk the car, just because the accelerator is stuck!)
Good luck,
Penny
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Hi,
Don't rush into anything. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid last October. Of course, my endo wanted me to do RAI. I refused. I tried a homeopath and a holistic MD. I finally started going to an acupunturist in May. Boy, what a difference. My waking pulse used to be 104 and now it is in the 70's. I am a chiropractor and one of my patients suggested that I go to her acupunturist way back in November. I told her that I was going to continue being treated by a homeopath for the time being. I wish I would have listened to her. It was very difficult treating patients because I had to sit down between patients because I was so shaky and had very little energy. I feel so much better now. I walk two miles every day and I also meditate 20 minutes twice a day. I also have been drinking this horrible tasting Chinese tea that I have to brew everyday. I drink two cups of it. This was prescribed by the acupunturist. She changes the formula every week. Hang in there, there are other methods besides RAI.
Take care,
Yvonne
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Susan,
A time capsule to ease your fears:
Grave's Disease 2 yrs. ago. Drs. and Specialists with good intentions recommend me for RAI. Take PTU instead off and on for 1 yr. with mixed results. Discover Dr. Stoll online and follow pretty well his plan with great results. That plan being a 3-fold combination of WHOLE FOOD, AEROBICS, SKILLED RELAXATION. It kicks out SUGAR and REFINED FOODS ( as well as MILK/WHEAT), keeps heart and immune system strong and most importantly deeply relaxes you inside and out.
In 1 week my symptoms were lessened. In 1-2 months I felt completely normal and with a wondrous lifestyle change. Still took some medications but lived a plan to keep well.
Personally, because of feeling revved up and altogether weird, my confidence was shaken. That fear makes you worry too much. Something a specialist had no prescription for. Only an all-around learned sort like a Dr. Stoll would think of reaching past the effect and on to the cause. I decided to reach there as well.
You might want to go there,too. Its a good place. -Ch K
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Yvonne on September 26, 2000 at 22:42:22:
Hi Yvonne,
May it is just standard, but I am curious to where you live? I also had acupunture and had to make the tea which was different every week. Nasty stuff.
Anyhow, maybe the tea thing is a standard protocol, but it made me curious to where you were receiving your acupunture treatments...I got mine in Boulder, Colorado
Not a big deal... :)
Sharon
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
An excellent thyroid site, go to about.com search thyroid, click onto Mary Shomons site. You will find all the info. you need there, very good forum as well. I too have thyroid problems, have a relative with graves, situation prob. not as bad as you are imagining. Understandable though. I had a severe, thyroid condition, took some time to sort it out but Im doing aok now. I also had a goiter, so did my mom, grew inside instead of out. Things will work out, chk. the site out it its the best on the net, informative and supportive.
In Reply to: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 26, 2000 at 13:31:32:
Dear Maddie, Camhead Ken, Yvonne, Penny, Paulette, GC and Alex H.- Thank you everyone for replying to my post. I was very surprised and thankful for all who wrote me back and I truly appreciate the information. I have been on an emotional roller coaster for the past couple of days and called both doctors this morning...asking for calls back. Yes, am going to pursue meds first now...don't know if the endo will support my decision, but hopefully he will. Thank you again.
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Alex H on September 26, 2000 at 18:47:33:
Hi Alex-
Can you tell me the name of the book that I should read about Grave's and pregnancy? You mentioned it in your post, but didn't tell me the name (or can you write the name here). I would like to know how to find it or at least, whether I can order through amazon.com.
Thanks again for your comments!
Susan
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by Susan on September 27, 2000 at 12:19:31:
Hi Susan -
You're welcome. Once the meds start working, you will begin to feel much better, and will be able to think much clearer. If one of the meds doesn't set right with you, try the other one. I wasn't able to tolerate one, but the other has worked just fine for many years.
It will take a few days to notice a difference. Have him start you off at a low dose, so you don't overdo it. If you have any questions or problems with the meds, we'll be glad to help.
If he won't cooperate, tell him you have a right to any an all legal Graves' treatments. If he scoffs, report him to your state medical board. Then find another doctor, and another. If you don't have access to another endo, an internist will do -- for prescriptions and lab tests.
We've all found that this disease teaches you to stand up for yourself - sometimes you have to get "down and dirty" with these pompous endos. There are a few great ones, but unfortunately, they are few and far between.
Best of luck to you -
Chris
In Reply to: Hey Yvonne...please read posted by Sharon R. on September 27, 2000 at 00:03:44:
Hi Sharon,
I live in California (San Pedro) and my acupunture doctor is in Santa Monica. Yes, that stuff is nasty but it definitely is working. Take care!
Yvonne
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared... posted by GC on September 27, 2000 at 13:19:46:
Hi, Susan
Don't let this endo scare you anymore than he/she already has. That's what I used to do and then do everything I was told.
Try to start doing SR sessions as well and you'll be able to handle those doctors who want to control your health.
Take Care Of Yourself
Paulette
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by Paulette on September 27, 2000 at 16:16:40:
Hi Paulette-
The endo called me late last night and left a message. He assured me that the RIA would not cause cancer...would not have any adverse affects and I would be just fine. He said the treatment has been used since the 40's and people are fine (his words). He stated it was the best treatment for me (that's funny since during our meeting last Friday, he chose it only BECAUSE I wanted to have a baby sooner rather than later). I called him this morning and said I want the Meds first...I said this was what I wanted. I am trying to not stress yet know I am and my goiter has become more pronounced since all this (people are noticing now). :(
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by Susan on September 28, 2000 at 07:43:18:
Susan, Just remember that in many other countries, RAI is considered barbaric. There are studies (check ithyroid.com) which show that RAI actually worsens TED. When you have RAI you are just trading one set of problems for another, by turning an overactive thyroid into an underactive thyroid. Somewhere in the Archives, Dr. Stoll mentions that doctors give you much more RAI than is necessary so that dramatic improvements will be apparent to the patient. Those dramatic improvements are a slowing of the thyroid to the point where it barely functions or doesn't function at all, making you a permanent hypothyroid patient. Believe me, that's no fun either and you can still have TED, etc. So don't let this guy bully you. It is very common for endocs to at least let you try the Anti thyroid drugs for a few months. This doctor is way off base for suggesting otherwise. Once you see how you feel on the drugs, you'll be thinking more clearly and in a better position to make a decision about future treatment. Don't let this guy push you into something you may regret for the rest of your life.
Good luck.
Penny
P.S. You can always talk to your pharmacist and find out which endos in your area DO prescribe the anti thyroid drugs and make an appointment with one of them. Just have your records transferred over or take copies with you.
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by penny on September 28, 2000 at 12:04:09:
Hi Penny-
Well, perhaps I misunderstood him too. He telephoned me back and said because of my pregnancy hopes, he decided on that course. Instead...I will begin PTU tomorrow, 50 mg. 3 pills/3X a day. I don't know what this is going to do...concerned about weight gain BECAUSE I have gained about 20 pds. in 2 years time. He said I am not typical, gain instead of losing, he isn't sure. He doesn't think it will help though. My primary doc called me this morning as well and really is upset that I am reading all this mis-information. She went to Trinity college overseas and claims that the anti-thyroid drugs are NOT used in most cases. She claims that is wrong and feels the meds are extremely toxic!! See...what on earth am I supposed to think or feel?! Very very confusing.
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by Susan on September 28, 2000 at 14:18:28:
Well at least you have a breather, so you can have some time to straighten it all out. It is criminal that they pressure you this way. Approximately 30 % of graves patients go into remission without RAI! Why don't they tell you that! There are lots of sites where you can read the studies for yourself and make up your own mind. We're just trying to encourage you not to do anything drastic that can't be reversed. I wish I could tell you all the times doctors have told me emphatically that there is only ONE way to do something and a few years later, that way of thinking was considered obsolete. This is YOUR body. You need to remember that Doctors get their information from studies that are not necessarily objective or looking out for YOUR best interests. On the meds, you'll at least have a chance to see how you feel and go from there. Being pushed straight into RAI is criminal, and some day these docs will start being held accountable for this kind of irresponsibility.
Granny Chris has been on anti-thyroid drugs for over 20 years. Japan has a lot of thyroid disease, perhaps due to the toxins they've been exposed to, and they use ATD's. Our doctors don't know everything! Just the other day I had to e-mail MY doctor an article from the New England Journal of Medicine, and she admitted to me that often times her patients know more about their diseases than she does. What does this tell you? Nobody cares about your health more than you do! You should be making the decisions about your own body, nobody else. Good luck on the meds, I hope you're feeling better very soon.
Penny
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by Susan on September 28, 2000 at 14:18:28:
Hi Susan -
If your primary doc is tired of all this "misinformation" you're getting - print out the first paragraph of this document found in the New England Journal of Medicine. It says that Europe and Japan prefer the meds. I've contacted a reliable source, and was told that many people in Europe and Japan are on LIFE LONG AntiThyroid Drugs.
http://www.nejm.org/content/1996/0334/0004/0265.asp
Get your white blood cell count and your liver enzymes checked several times in the first few months. If the levels remain normal, then it will be very unlikely that you will have a problem with toxicity of the meds.
And if your endo thinks that gaining weight while hyperthyroid is unusual, he doesn't know much about this disease. I'm finding that about half the people GAIN weight while hyper - myself included.
Just try the PTU. Check your levels (T-4 and T-3, not just TSH, which is the pituitary gland) often to get the right dose. Get a CBC (complete blood count) and liver profile to check on the toxicity - cases of this are rare anyway.
And see how you do. Take this one day at a time. Listen to Penny, and don't be forced into a hasty decision.
REMEMBER, you must stand up for yourself. Remind the doctors that YOU are the CUSTOMER, and you demand satisfaction! You have the right to refuse RAI and surgical destruction of the gland. It's your decision, not theirs. Change doctors if there is a problem.
Best Wishes,
Granny Chris
I was just told last Friday that I have Grave's Disease which wasn't surprising. The endocrynologist I was sent to told me this and ultimately scheduled the radioactive iodine treatment for this Thursday. I am 39 today and was planning on getting pregnant soon when I found out I am not well. I have a goiter as well although it can't be seen. I am surfing and reading posts (and purchased the book as well as the other), cancelled the appt. and then rescheduled for next week. I am frightened and do not know what I should be doing...overwhelmed too. I cannot ask for advice as I know that I need to read the book. I don't know what is ultimately right (and my Grave's, as I was told, isn't mild, but moderate to high). Thank you.
In Reply to: Granny Chris, Help! posted by penny on September 28, 2000 at 16:53:20:
Yes, I have a breather...sort of. Now the latest is that my health insurance refuses to pay for the PTU! So...I haven't started today because of it. I also spoke with another doc (I saw her 3 mon. ago because I thought I was having serious hormonal problems due to the fact in Feb., I developed severe cystic acne from shoulder to shoulder on my back) and she wants to check my adrenal gland to sort of have a starting point of helping me. She does homopathy, chinese herbal, acupuncture, etc. I am assuming that the joint efforts of endo/meds and this doc's help will be the best, but again I do feel overwhelmed in trying to figure things out. I am thrown by all the diet/supplement info though. I need basic info...like cut out sugar, take such and such, etc. I figure that is something that I can do immediately while they sort out the other. P.S. Dr. Stoll's book hasn't arrived yet.
In Reply to: Some suggestions for your doctors posted by GC on September 28, 2000 at 19:18:31:
Dear GC-
Is 450 mg. too much to start with? I figured that is what he is giving me 50 mg. tablets, 3 pills each dose, 3 times a day.
In Reply to: Re: Some suggestions for your doctors posted by Susan on September 29, 2000 at 09:43:58:
That is considered a high dose of PTU. The doctor may have a reason for the high dose - so why don't you ask him/her. They should answer your question about the PTU dosage that was prescribed.
Get your thyroid levels checked soon if you start to feel tired, cold, depressed, etc. - or otherwise "off the mark." The meds may work faster in some people and slower in others. We're all different.
You may be able to reduce this soon, with your doctor's permission, of course.
Chris
In Reply to: Re: Granny Chris, Help! posted by Susan on September 29, 2000 at 09:41:54:
Hi Susan -
I sure do understand how complicated information can overwhelm us. Having a tough time concentrating is the nature of thyroid disease. (I'm lucky if I can balance my checkbook. If it's within 10 bucks, I'm thrilled!)
Take it one step at a time.
-- Right now, since I recently had a hyper bout, I'm focusing on cutting out sugar. I try to picture it as poison. Use stevia (a natural sweetener) if you would like.
-- For the past 2 months - I've cut out all gluten--starchy items like cakes, pastries, and most breads - (No, it's not easy!) For bread I use a "sprouted grain" type. I'm beginning to see there are several "empty carbohydrates" that don't agree with me. I'm seeing vast improvements already - gut distress AND heart symptoms have been greatly reduced.
In just the past few days, I'm beginning to think that most foods with yeast in them are also aggravating my thyroid.
>>>>> I fell into this because I recognized many signs of the LGS or Leaky Gut Syndrome. I'm finding that many people with thyroid disease have some form of IBS (Irritable Bowel Symptom) or gastric (stomach) disorders. Candida is one of the culprits, and it feeds on sugar and starches.
-- Take acidophilus to get some healthy "flora" into your digestive system. This will help get the candida and other parasites under control.
-- Try to find some kind of way to relax, or meditate, or at least have some sort of "quiet time." It might take some of us longer to be able to accomplish the skilled relaxation. When one is hyper, it's tough just to sit *still* for FIVE minutes..... As your levels come down, you'll feel more relaxed.
------------
Pick out a few paths to try - any methods that appeal to you. Don't try to do everything at once. You'll get too burned out on it.
Make just a few changes and see how it goes. Then try something else. Slow and easy does it. You should check with your doctor first -- to cover yourself. Some will listen, some will laugh. Follow your gut instinct.
Best Wishes,
Chris
In Reply to: PTU posted by GC on September 29, 2000 at 11:59:22:
Thank you for your response. Well, I believe he has a reason for the high dosage. I got it all straightened around with the insurance company and it was covered all along. Oh well... I am headed to a party on Sunday evening, actually a show, and I wondered if I can have a drink or if alcohol affects this particular medicine? Please understand, I am not a drinker, but every once in a blue moon, I might have one. Is it dangerous to do so with this medicine?
In Reply to: Re: Granny Chris, Help! posted by Susan on September 29, 2000 at 09:41:54:
I know the supplements are hard to comprehend at first, but you start little by little, and pretty soon it's making sense. I receive Mary Shomon's newsletter (she wrote the best selling "living well with hypothyroidism") and she has an article in there today about RAI and the latest study that shows RAI contributes to breast cancer, 10-20 years later. RAI is serious stuff, not to be taken lightly. You might want to check out her site at about.com. She has a new graves/hyperthyroid board that I'm sure will be very active. You can find a lot of information and resources there, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have a LOT in common. I'm learning a lot about being hypo from my hyper friends.
In the meantime, some type of skilled relaxation will help. Stress is a big factor in hyperthyroidism. I don't know what Dr. Stoll says in this situation, but strenuous exercise is usually not recommended for hypers until you get your levels adjusted. Because your metabolism is on overdrive, your body begins to cannibalize itself for nutrients. Were you a big exerciser before, or a vegetarian? These are two common traits in hypers.
Best of luck,
Penny
In Reply to: Re: PTU posted by Susan on September 29, 2000 at 12:28:19:
That's tough to say. Some people may be able to tolerate an occasional drink with PTU, and some may not.
Make a list of these types of questions and get your doctor's opinon. Ask him or her if there are any side effects to watch for.
If they say you can have some alcohol, then sip a weak drink for a while. If you don't feel good, then drink ice water the rest of the evening.
I take Tapazole and have a drink maybe once a year - it doesn't seem to bother me.
Chris
In Reply to: Re: Have Grave's Disease and scared...--You're Welcome:-) posted by Susan on September 28, 2000 at 07:43:18:
Hi, Susan.
I agree with your doc that RAI does not cause cancer BUT it nearly always causes permanent hypothyroidism. See the archives about thyroid conditions and my book's chapter on this. There IS an an aternative. Unfortunately it takes learning and discipline to apply it to your lifestyle. Fortunately it also has only positive side-effects and you will bless the day you learned to listen to your bodymind's messages.
Now, you will at least not be able to sasy that no one told you of your alternatives.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Granny Chris, Help! posted by penny on September 29, 2000 at 12:33:37:
the way I read the newsletter, it is RAI used to combat thyroid cancer that seems to increase the incidence of breast cancer. I think that's important since it may be the thyroid cancer that is predominantly the culprit here.
Now, just to play devil's advocate -- let's suppose that Susan's RAI can't be beat and she has to be on anti-thyroid drugs for the rest of her life. These drugs can be pretty toxic. If you believe that RAI for hyperthyroid doesn't cause cancer (as Walt has stated), then wouldn't you rather take a thyroid supplement for the rest of your life than something as toxic as an anti-thyroid supplement?
In Reply to: clarification... posted by LT on September 30, 2000 at 18:56:37:
Well that's one of the big misconceptions in medicine. That thyroid "supplement" you're talking about is not all it's cracked up to be. I'm trying my best to get off of that hormone. I think it's dangerous. It pushes my body to go when my body isn't capable of going. It's a lousy feeling. That's why I'm working on restoring complete health so my thyroid can function on its own. Contrary to all those doctors out there who say hypothyroidism is easy to cure with one little harmless pill, are the thousands upon thousands of people who feel horrible taking it and are being told they should be happy to be condemned to a lifetime on an artificial hormone that's being delivered in an artificial way. In the meantime, their bodies continue to deteriorate, and they experience one autoimmune disorder after another.
It's especially frustrating, talking to the many people who regret having had RAI who were not told of their options. RAI stays in your system for years, makes TED worse, doesn't do anything to heal your thyroid, and the damage often times doesn't appear for 20 years. On top of it, you're now hypothyroid, which is certainly no walk in the park, contrary to popular medical opinion. I've spoken to many RAI induced hypos who said they felt better when they were hyper. In my opinion, and thankfully there are more and more people who agree, the ATD's may not be nearly as toxic as we've been led to believe. Not as toxic as RAI anyway. Especially when something like 90% of hypers who actually get the chance to try the ATDs go into remission. I'd rather take my chances with a drug than a radioactive substance. Better yet, I'd rather get to the cause of the problem and cure it. Don't send me to some zap happy doctor who thinks destroying my thyroid is the answer. It may be a way of creating patients for life, but it's no way to heal.
Penny
In Reply to: Re: clarification... posted by penny on September 30, 2000 at 20:49:22:
and the problem with all these diseases is not with the thryoid. The biggest misconception (even with doctors) is that Graves, Hashimoto, etc. is a thryoid disorder. The problem is that your thryoid is probably working just fine (even more than fine to keep up), it's your immune system that is out of wack. So yes, if you can heal the immune system, hopefully your thyroid can relax and return to normal operation. But if your thryoid works fine and you haven't healed the immune system, you are just allowing a continued attack on your own body.
And I think all of us, if I thyroids were off, would rather be on the hyperthyroid side than the hypothyroid side. I sure would. I don't have a problem with trying the drugs first, but I do question them on a long-term basis -- I don't have a definite opinion, but I do have questions.
In Reply to: Tips for Information Overload - posted by GC on September 29, 2000 at 12:25:27:
Hi Chris-
Wow, what I weekend. I am sad, tired and discouraged. I received Dr. Stoll's book on Friday. Have yet to read it through (I read parts of it). Question about foods...he said to cut out all the stuff with sugar (or things ending in ose including honey)...HOW? It seems to be hidden in so many things!! I really feel overwhelmed (including just finding out about Grave's)! I bought sprouted bread and it has honey (I hadn't checked before buying)! What do I eat? (I never was a fastfood girl and thought I did eat healthy) Can I drink decaf coffee? Have heard it isn't really caffeine free. I also was planning a long weekend, out of town in a few weeks time...what on earth can I eat while traveling??
In Reply to: Re: Tips for Information Overload - posted by Susan on October 02, 2000 at 07:51:38:
Susan, it's really not that difficult IF and only if you start preparing your own food from scratch - no mixes, no canned foods - just plain wholesome food. Vegetables, fruits, grains and meat of your choice if you like.
You can even get a breadmaker (they are quite inexpensive these days) and make your own bread. That's the only way you can control what goes into your bread. I even have a flour mill attachment on my Champion Juicer (have had it for over 15 years) which I use to grind my grains - because most of the whole grain flour you get in the stores is already rancid as the wheat germ typically spoils within 24 hours of grinding.
My husband loves pizza and so I make it from scratch thus reducing the huge amount of salt and sugar in the crust and sauce as well as reducing the fat of the pepperoni (Yes!) or salami by briefly zapping them in the microwave between paper towels. We do this together and it really takes no longer than waiting for the pizza man to arrive :-) We make 2-3 large pizzas at a time and freeze the rest.
I happen to eat and like a lot of grains (brown rice, quinoa, spelt, etc.) so I always cook some ahead and freeze it in a bag pressed flat so I can break off what I need. Whatever you cook - cook a lot so you can freeze it in serving size containers and eat it later.
For me a meal without a salad is not a meal, but I do not like heavy dressings. I prefer vinaigrettes and make that on the spot with vinegar, seasining, olive oil and herb like chives, etc.
Stop obsessing about sugar. Get some of those delicious grapes available right now, or a nice juicy apple, or a handful of raisins if you must. A whole new taste experience is awaiting you and if you stick out the initial phase all those cokes and donuts will taste awful to you later on and you'll wonder (as I do) how people can stand them.
I know this is a real sacrifice for some and not everyone is willing to do it. But as you get older and everyone around you gets sicker, while your health remains the same, you'll be glad you did!
Good luck!
Rosemarie
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