It has been a little while since I have shared a health update with you so I thought I would take the time today to do so.  I have been amazed at just how many emails and messages I have since received from woman all over the country who are suffering with a lot of the same symptoms, frustrations and lack of answers.  It would seem that many women are not being heard and being dismissed by the medical community or worse, being prescribed medications to treat their symptoms rather than determining the cause of the symptoms.

I want you to know, I can totally relate to your frustration.  If you find yourself in this situation.  I have learned that you MUST continue to search and be your own advocate.  Share your stories and get the help that you need so you don’t suffer a day longer than necessary.

It took me almost 2 years before I could get a Medical Professional to take my health concerns seriously.  In the fall of 2011 we discovered I have hypothyroidism.   I am currently taking Armour Thyroid and feel like my hypothyroid symptoms have mostly subsided.  Sometimes I still have a bad day or two…but for the most part feel like my old self again.

I have discovered that many doctors will NOT prescribe Armour Thyroid (and some pharmacies will not sell it) and will only prescribe Synthroid.  I have since discovered that there are some woman who are not finding sufficient symptom relief with Synthroid, but have fared a lot better when making the switch to Armour.   {You can do a lot more research on this if you are interested, but I will just briefly mention it as it might help some of you out there}.

In December of 2012, I was diagnosed with seven major food allergies/intolerances.  I have had to cut all wheat, corn, soy, tomatoes, peanuts, yeast and milk from my diet in the past few months. It was one of the hardest things I have done.  I am not perfect either.  I still have slip ups or accidental exposure due to the fact that these are pretty much in EVERYTHING.  So…needless to say…I was chronically ill and my whole body was in crisis mode.  My intestines and body tissues were inflammed with thryoid symptoms and allergic reactions.

If you are new here you can read more about my food allergy issues here.

I have been eating whole foods and trying out many Paleo recipes.  I still have some digestive issues, and miss a lot of my favorite foods but am learning to live with this new lifestyle.

And…Since discovering my food allergies and my diet change, I have lost 5 pounds.  Now, that may not seem like a lot…but I have not been able to lose a single pound after three years of working hard (training for a couple half marathons) and eating right.  I finally feel like my body is beginning to heal and is on the road to recovery.

I also want to share with you something that I feel very strongly about.  I am not being paid for this post! I just want to share with you these doTerra oils which I feel have been helping me on my road to a healthier me.

I first heard about these oils a couple of years ago from a friend who was selling them.    Now, I don’t know about you…but I tend to be pretty skeptical about these sorts of things.  I assumed this was one of these new age movements for people that are all natural…which is so NOT me.  haha!  I mean…have you seen my Rainbow Cake and Rainbow Pancakes?  :)

But it seemed like everyone around me was using doTerra, people whose opinions I trusted and valued.  And, with my health in shambles, I was ready to try just about anything.  I began using Peppermint and Lemongrass oils to treat my hypothyroidism (along with my Armour Thyroid).

I have LOVED having the oils in my home.  I keep finding all sorts of ways to use them.  Essential Oils have been around for centuries and many of our Modern medicines are based on these early uses for Essential Oils.

With my food allergies and sensitivities, I have to be really careful about the things that I put into and on my body.  Many of the Modern Medicines have fillers and supplements that I can not ingest or put on my skin.  So, with doTerra oils, I have on hand, all natural healing remedies that don’t cause me any allergy symptoms.

We have been using the oils more and more in our home for all sorts of ailments like coughs, headaches, sore muscles, and infected finger (on a child who bites her fingernails down to nothing), an ear ache, acne (for me…I mean my teenager), shin splints, arthritis, digestion issues, thyroid, congestion, a toothache, bug bites…and so on.

I have been amazed with how well the essential oils work.  I am totally sold on them.  I still believe in Modern Medicine and recognize the importance of going to a doctor for more major ailments and health concerns, but I LOVE having easy access to the oils to care for my family in a more natural manner with these amazing oils.

I haven’t even begun to use my oils in the depth that I could be and am still learning all of the useful benefits of the oils.  I do love to diffuse the oils in my home in the air.  My favorite scents right now are:

Peppermint–As an essential oil it is useful for ease breathing and as a digestive aid. Other uses: headaches, pain, alertness, hot flashes, morning sickness, memory, colic, fever.

Lime–With it’s sharp, citrus smell, Lime is one more essential oil to add to your favorites! Lime’s stimulating and refreshing and can help with mood. Other uses: blood pressure, clarity, energy, cleansing digestive system.

Cinnamon–Cinnamon Bark is mostly known for its extensive use as a spice for flavoring food. It strong properties help with cleansing, aches and pains. Other uses: cold, flu, constipation, cough, diarrhea, stomach ache, insect bites.

Lemon–It is known as a powerful aromatic topical and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffuse in a room to cleanse the air and lift the mood. Other uses: heartburn, intestinal parasites, rheumatism, throat infection, gout, water purification, varicose veins, removes gum, grease spots.

Citrus Bliss–Citrus Bliss has wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, tangerine and clementine with a hint of vanilla. With benefits that help with mood and reducing stress.

OnGuard–On Guard is a unique blend formulated to support the immune function. It is also a wonderful blend to help cleanse surfaces. Other uses: kills VIRUSES, bacteria,infections, mold, cold, flu,sore throat,cleanses the air.

Deep Blue–Deep Blue helps ease achy joints and muscles. Its effects are deep and penetrating with sustained results. Once you rub the oil into the affected area you will feel immediate relieve. Helps with inflammation.

DigestZen–DigestZen has been recognized through research as powerful agents to help restore normal balance in the digestive system. Other uses: food poisoning, constipation, motion sickness, colic, nausea, sinus infection, if pregnant use only a drop massage on the outer ear for morning sickness.

I have even been using some of the oils in various projects which I have shared.  For Example: Lemon Sugar Scrub, Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub, Lavender Soap, Cinnamon Chocolate Bread (most of the oils are safe for consumption), and Bath Salts.

All in all, I feel like my health has taken a huge upswing from where it was a year ago…even 6 months ago and that makes me super happy.  I feel like I finally have some hope.  I know that my thyroid symptoms will continue to be up and down,  adjusted over and over… And as far as the food allergies go, I am learning to adjust to them and am feeling consigned to making a new lifestyle for me and for my family.

There is no possible way for me to even begin to explain doTerra’s oils.  There are so many of them and so many amazing uses for them.  I am just a newbie at all of this but I have a great resource in my friend.  I can’t tell you how many times I have texted or emailed her with a new complaint or health issue and she has been so good to respond with some instructions and specific oils to use.

I feel like the oils have played a role in helping me get some relief from my health problems.  I am still learning and rely on my friend Julie Crowell and the book Modern Essentials, to research what the oils can and should be used for.

If I had the extra time and energy, I would love to share these with others…but I am already stretched to my limits at times with family and work.  So I have teamed up with Julie Crowell, an Independent doTerra Consultant and friend.  If any of you are interested in learning more or purchasing your own doTerra oils Julie would love to get you set up with some or answer any questions.

She is so knowledgeable and well…pretty amazing!    Feel free to contact her via her Website: Drops For Life or her FB Page: Drops For Life.

I am also happy to answer or talk with anyone who is struggling with similar health issues.  I know how frustrating and isolating it can be to be dealing with these “hidden disabilities”.

*This is NOT a sponsored post with doTerra.  All opinions and statements are 100 % mine.  Julie Crowell and I could possibly earn a commission on any oils that may be purchased through these links.