A journey begins with one step . . .

I've always been interested in natural therapies as opposed to synthetically altered drugs. However, I had not found a doctor that embraced those therapies or that wasn't, quite frankly, a quack. That was until a few weeks ago.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and I've never quite felt the same. My Internist prescribed Synthroid, and my lab tests have always read in the normal range on Synthroid. Still, I just haven't had the same energy or thrill for life. I've also suffered for many years with depression and anxiety. I've been off and on medications for it through the years. The last straw was a syndrome of symptoms that developed within the past year. The doctors have been treating each one separately, so I ended up on multiple medication. First, I began having what we'll just call "female issues" along with horrible PMS. I don't mean just a little moodiness. I mean full on I think I need to be locked away somewhere, because I just can't deal with life one week out of the month. Next I developed high blood pressure. I'm in my early thirties and suddenly developed hypertension. My blood pressures had always been normal and never pre-hypertensive. Lastly, I've had issues with sleep for the past several years. I have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. I have restless legs and I grind my teeth. The doctor prescribed something to help with both.

I am sick of being on so many medications and feeling so run down. There must be something causing all these things, yet the doctors have been treating my symptoms without mention of the cause. I've been taking supplements, mainly B vitamins, but feel like I'm grasping in the dark. I don't even know what my body needs and doesn't need, so how do I know which supplement to take?

A couple of weeks ago I decided to find a doctor that would use alternative therapies, preventative measures, and western medicines. My research resulted in an appointment at Cool Springs Family Medicine with the Nurse Practioner, Karen Hyden. My first step toward good health is finding the right care. I'm not leaving my Internist yet, because I need a good doctor should I go to the hospital. However, I need to try something else, because the status quo isn't working for me.