Spicy Turkey Cabbage Wraps (recipe)

I've been reading Amy Myers' books The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection. Both good basic books on their respective subjects. Her "Myers Way" diet and lifestyle is very similar to Kharrazian's protocol except she allows sweet potatoes, shellfish, pork and all fruits.  And CHOCOLATE!!! She obviously didn't get the memo chocolate is a gluten cross-reactor. For anyone with weakened willpower for chocolate this could provide a justification for some bad behavior, but not me! Instead, I just lost all faith in her. Still, the books serve as refreshers on how to eat and how to live with an autoimmune disease, and specifically Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. For anyone newly diagnosed, this would be a life saver or at least set them on the right track.

Dr. Myers talks a lot about the failure of conventional medicine and gives all kinds of examples including her own personal story with Graves Disease and hyperthyroidism. Given only drastic options: poison, radiate, or surgically remove her thyroid, and desperate for relief with no other remedies in sight, she had her thyroid surgically removed. It is an atrocity how these conventional doctors are so eager to cut body parts out of us because they are too stupid or lazy to come up with better solutions. Having had my own close call with a butcher recently, I shiver at the thought.

Although I think both of these books are very good resources for newbies, I found them excessively repetitive. Every point she makes she repeats in every chapter, many times. One of the books I listened to it on tape in my car so perhaps this made the repeats more obvious. I kept yelling at the speakers, "YOU ALREADY SAID THAT A MILLION TIMES!" I fought the urge to fast forward with every repetition hoping I'd find new information but knowing I might miss it with each jump. I think if one were to remove all the repetition it would boil down to a very short book. And, she is a pill pusher. For every symptom, she has a corresponding drug that she promotes. Although she's all about removing toxins, she's failed to read the ingredients on her supplement bottles. She also doesn't address when her patients can't take drugs as so few profit-seeking doctors do.

BUT both books she has a whole chapter on recipes that comply with her diet regiment. Since I have recently added ground turkey and cabbage to my diet this one caught my eye. turkey is high in selenium which is a good, supportive nutrient. I've added my tweaks and notes in the recipe instructions below.

Spicy Turkey Cabbage Wraps

Ingredients:
8 intact cabbage leaves
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ginger root, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
10 stalks of asparagus
1/2 lb. ground turkey
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
juice of one large orange wedge (about 2 tablespoons)
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped scallions

Fill a large pot half way with water, heat to boil.

In a large skillet, heat oil, saute garlic, ginger, and onion. Add asparagus and cook a few minutes. (I chopped the stalks into one inch pieces. I suppose I didn't have to do this and it might have been better in a wrap with long stalks, but I liked it better.) Add turkey, turmeric, and juice. When almost cooked completely, add basil and scallions. Cook until done.

When water in pot boils, add a few cabbage leaves at a time using tongs. I think to fill eight leaves it would spread the mix thin or make very small wraps. I'd be more inclined to use four and have more filling so it would suffice as a meal. Remove after 30 seconds I left in about 1 minute only because they didn't seem soft enough to roll. Fill with turkey mix, roll, serve. As the rolls sit, the leaves form around each other so they stay together making it somewhat easy to lift and eat.

She said it has a nice flavor and with those ingredients, I had high hopes. Maybe I've been eating too many herbs and spices, but it didn't seem to have much of a flavor at all. It wasn't bad. I think turkey is a bit flavorless anyway. The cabbage roll was messy even though it did stay together. I preferred eating the turkey mix without the cabbage roll, but I think I will experiment and place slices of cabbage IN the mix.

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME??

My latest doctor I first saw about five years ago. She loaded me up with pills and I had bad reactions, of course. This time I spent almost an hour explaining in detail how I seem to have an intolerance to drugs of any kind. Did she listen? She seemed to get it, and we talked at length about alternative dietary treatments, but she also slipped in a few drugs just for the fun of it. I should have stood up and screamed immediately:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME? 

But I didn't. I looked at the new drug, Low Dose Naltrexone (for inflammation) and with much anticipation for a miracle cure said, "YES! Let's try it!" I have realized this is how I contribute to the problem. They don't take me seriously because I give them conflicting messages.

However, this time I didn't jump on the drug bandwagon quite as enthusiastically as I have in the past. I AM learning! I ordered only two weeks worth of the LDN, just as a sample. On the third day I started having side effects: hip pain, neck pain, weird dreams, sleep problems, nausea, sweating, migraines and BRAIN DEATH. I lost all short term memory capabilities. And I was taking only one third of the recommended dosage. That stopped immediately.

Next I thought I'd try the Siberian ginseng from her list. This is to support the adrenals as the new doctor seems to think I'm having drug reactions because of adrenal fatigue. It is a common theory in the world of hypothyroidism that if your adrenals aren't working optimally, the thyroid drugs won't either or might cause problems. Still, I wasn't buying that adrenal fatigue was the cause of my drug intolerance.  First, I've treated any adrenal fatigue problem I might have before and it doesn't stop the drug intolerance problems nor does it make a difference with anything. Second, it's not just thyroid medication I have problems with. Third, I'm chemically sensitive and I am intolerant to drugs. Fourth, my DNA testing showed I have a gene mutation that causes detoxification issues which contributes to chemical sensitivity. The interpretation of my gene mutation clearly states I have a problem detoxing pharmaceuticals as does my latest gastrointestinal test. This seems clear to me. I can read these test results. Why can't she? I tried to explain this to the new doctor. Her response was, "I'm not sold on all this DNA testing." Again, I should have stood up and screamed:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Still, like the brain-dead patient I am (due to previous drugs), I dove right in and decided it's a good idea to poison myself again. However, I AM learning. I didn't buy pills. Instead I found an herbal shop that sold the real root for tea. I wasn't sold on the Siberian ginseng, but what I didn't realize is I have notes from taking it a few years ago. In my (faulty) recollection, I thought I didn't have a problem with ginseng. However, on the third day I had slight neck pain. Didn't think anything of it. The next day unexplained fatigue followed by slight depression, but again, I passed that off as minor as could have been caused by anything. I am my worse nightmare. I don't even listen to myself! I ended up running out of tea only to buy more and start again. The fatigue became unbearable with headaches, weird dreams, and extreme dizziness if rising too fast while gardening. Finally, I found my Siberian ginseng notes from a few years ago...same reactions then, right down to the bizarre gardening-induced vertigo.

I emailed the new doctor and explained AGAIN about my intolerance to drugs of any kind. She suggested when I come in for the next appointment she'll have to tweak the prescription and we'll experiment how best to take it because, hell or high water, she will make sure I'm taking drugs! Again, I wanted to scream:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Next on the list: thyroid. I am of the belief all my issues from foot/leg pain to kidney damage is related to my untreated thyroid issues. My previous doctor, the crazy one, was also treated to a lengthy description on my bad reaction to dessicated thyroid. Her response was, "OK, I"ll give you a prescription for dessicated thyroid." I should have stood up and screamed:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

I went into great deal with my new doctor about the last four thyroid prescriptions and how they all nearly killed me, especially the dessicated thyroid. Again, I repeated my descriptions of drug intolerance. Her response was, "OK, I'll give you a prescription for dessicated thyroid." Again, I should have stood up and screamed:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Instead, I calmly explained AGAIN I had very bad reactions to dessicated thyroid and called attention to the fact every thyroid drug I've taken has had one thing in common, besides my horrible intolerance to them, they all have T3. Is it possible I am reacting badly to T3? Also, my T4 labs are low. Not my T3 labs. I also explained AGAIN Dr. Kharrazian's theory of hypopituitary caused by over medication. My side effects are exactly as he described and if I'm not detoxing the drug, I am being over medicated because my body is hoarding it.

She thought about that for a minute and prescribed just T4. Finally I felt heard. But it's like pulling teeth.

What is it that makes doctors not want to listen to me? It's such a waste of time to go into such detail and I'm ignored constantly. I have to explain details repeatedly, emphasize lab results, point to what I think is very obvious data I've collected throughout my health history with evidence from books and websites, yet they persist in following their own agenda. How many times must I repeat myself and correct their assumptions in order to get viable medical attention? And I'm paying THEM for this. I may need to start screaming:

ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?

Still, I need a doctor. If I start screaming at them, no one will want to work with me. I legally can't prescribe my own drugs. I am convinced I am drug intolerant because I am chemically sensitive. I don't detox chemicals whether they be chemicals found in food, air, water, or drugs. I hoard the chemicals in my body creating overload consequently creating more misery. This was diagnosed by an environmental specialist years ago and recently supported by DNA testing that clearly suggests I have a detoxification mutation. Still, I need my thyroid issues treated, if only to see if they alleviate the foot/leg pain and rectify the kidney damage. Untreated thyroid can also cause heart failure. I don't want my organs to start failing. Something must be done and I seem to be the only one who can do it.

I realize I'm on my own. I'm treating myself. I'm hoping my theories are right. So my new plan is to try the T3, but not take it every day in order to avoid overload. We'll see...

Dental Dangers

Dentist offices can be hazardous to the health of a chemically-sensitive person. Prior to making the appointment, call and interview the receptionist to find out office protocol and safety. Be very clear about your fragrance-free and chemical-free needs. Don't take anything for granted and assume the receptionist and staff are clueless until they prove otherwise. Here are some potential office toxins and questions to ask before you make your first appointment:

Do staff members wear perfumes, colognes, scented hand lotions or other toxic products? Some dental offices have fragrance-free standards because being scent-free is a medical protocol, but some are managed as if it's still the 1960s. If they indicate they don't have a clue, don't waste your time trying to educate them.

Does the office use air fresheners in any capacity? Plug-in type or aerosol? I knew of one dental hygienist who sprayed her chair after each patient because she didn't want a patient's body odor offending others. It's a high stress area so people sweat!

Appointments: What day is the slowest with the least amount of patients? What time of day is the slowest? They can't help it if their patients stink so it's best to avoid them if possible. I have found a mid-week, first appointment of the day to be the best, however, be aware of commuter traffic issues and automobile exhaust air pollution.

How do they sterilize their equipment? Do they use chemicals, steam under pressure (autoclaving), or dry heat? What about disinfectants? At what time during the day do they do this? Most often this is done at the end of the day so make your appointment accordingly.

Are scented, latex gloves used? Do they have unscented and/or non-latex options available? Any other secretly scented supplies?

What is required: examination, cleaning, and/or x-rays? Most offices will require an exam and x-ray with every annual appointment. Do you want to be radiated that often? Thyroid cancer is on the rise and the causation theory is dental x-rays. Chemicals can zap our thyroids anyway - no need to help it along. The justification for requiring x-rays is liability, but enlightened dentists will allow their patients to sign waivers stating as the patient you have opted not to get x-rays unless there are obvious symptoms or problems that need a more a in-depth check. These offices will want copies of past x-rays so they have some information on your tooth structure and anatomy. If the office doesn't give you the option of a radiation-free visit, don't settle. Keep looking. In my opinion, it has less to do with liability than profits. There is a lot of money to be made requiring unnecessary x-rays and if insurance is willing to pay, why not make it a requirement?

After each patient use, do they wash off the lead protective coverings that shield your thyroid from x-ray radiation? Be aware of perfume residue left from the previous patient.

With cleaning comes scented and flavored polish. Is polish required? This may be included in the cleaning cost or an added expense so by opting out, you could save some money. In addition, some offices have the option of flavorless and scent-free pumice. I've never had a dental office require polish, but they usually argue with me when I refuse it as if it's the best part of the whole appointment. Not sure why.

Do they use mercury for amalgam material? Do they remove mercury amalgams? What are their safety protocols? If you opt to have amalgams removed, ask about the replacement material. Some composites made with plastics can be just as problematic.

 

Make sure your questions are answered and your needs are clear BEFORE your appointment so you are not liable if something goes wrong. If you go in, have a reaction and have to leave, a lot of offices will charge you for the last minute cancellation.

These are the basics, but other poisonous substances may be lurking anywhere unbeknown to the MCSer until it's too late. For instance, magazines in the waiting room will often have perfume-scented inserts. Bring your own reading material and sit in the far corner.

 

I didn't go to a dentist for eight years and finally found one that was fragrance-free. It was a long, hard search for one so enlightened. They were fine with no polish, but they required x-rays every other visit. So I continued my search and found one who was fragrance-free AND didn't require x-rays! Health-minded dentists are rare, but do exist. Someday they will be the norm rather than the exception.

What are your experiences? Did I miss anything?

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

One of the few advantages of being chemically sensitive is my immune system kicked into overdrive - I never get sick. No colds, no viruses, no flu, no sore throats. I can have sick people sneeze all over me and still I never get sick. When my first environmental medicine specialist explained my immune system was in overdrive, I remember thinking to myself how convenient, and then, that can't be good. Somewhere down the road I was going to pay for the extra energy my hyperactive body was expending to keep me well.

I was feeling tired anyway and assumed it was because I was under so much stress while working at the school that poisoned me. Some of the doctors I saw looked at my blood labs and told me I was fine. "But, but, what about that TSH thing? What is that and why is it high and out of range?" "Oh, no, you're fine," said the quacks still practicing medical theories from the 1950s. OK. I'll take that. I needed some good news.

A few years later I found someone on an online MCS support group with twelve years more seniority and experience dealing with chemical sensitivity. She had thyroid problems and was seeing Dr. William Rea, renowned environmental medicine specialist who is at the forefront of the latest treatments for MCS. She told me thyroid issues are common for the chemically sensitive. Chemicals mess with our hormone levels, in general, and we are more susceptible to these fluctuations. "Just wait!" she said. Great. Something to look forward to. This made me seriously question the competency of the doctors I had already seen who told me I was fine.

Tired of being tired, I eventually found a doctor who also questioned the TSH lab in conjunction with the complaints I had of not only fatigue, but exhaustion. Utter exhaustion. Exhaustion so profound there would be times I couldn't move even to raise my arm. She did the antibody testing for Hashimoto's.

I'd never heard of Hashimoto's. It's one of the most common autoimmune diseases and although said to run in families, no one in my family has this. My immune system is attacking my thyroid creating hypothyroidism or low functioning thyroid. Most people who have hypothyroidism are not diagnosed. They just continue their lives feeling tired, run down, depressed, and drinking lots of caffeine to keep going. Of those who ARE tested and diagnosed with hypothyroidism, most have Hashimoto's although few are tested or diagnosed for this. Why not? Most doctors believe the only treatment for Hashimoto's is thyroid medication and if the thyroid labs are already showing low function, why bother with the antibody test since it's the same treatment? In other words, doctors are lazy idiots who prefer to cut corners instead of find answers. Making patients well would affect their bottom line!

When I heard I had an autoimmune disease my first thought was, OK, this is it. This is what happens when your immune system becomes hyperactive. I wasn't surprised. I guess I was waiting for some indication my immune system was wacko. I was given thyroid drugs which did nothing except make me incredibly sick. I would have thought at least I'd lose weight or feel less tired as a benefit, but no, I was still tired and still chubby. I gave up the pills although I was told I had to be on medication because if my thyroid levels become too out of balanced, I could have a heart attack and die! Jeez. Nothing like a little fear to push you into a drug addiction.

I didn't buy into the drug therapy anyway. Hypothyroidism is a SYMPTOM of Hashimoto's, it's not the cause. WHY does everyone want to treat the symptom? Even naturopathic doctors want to give me thyroid drugs without addressing the cause of my autoimmune disease. Of course, I was already convinced chemicals were the cause of autoimmune diseases and I was already doing whatever possible to alleviate my chemical load and avoid exposures. There had to be more to this. Half-ass answers weren't going to help. Typical medical protocols weren't making sense. What's new?

My labs were never outlandish. Most people I read about have labs in the double, triple, or even quadruple digits. My cholesterol was higher than normal as I'd always had low cholesterol. I found out this is another indication of hypothyroidism along with depression, weight gain, skin dryness, constipation, forgetfulness, hair thinning and loss, gravelly voice, and increase infection. Thankfully, I only had the fatigue and high cholesterol. (Later, I also found out slow heartbeat, lack of perspiration and cracked heels are also symptoms, which I had.) More importantly, the paralyzing episodes of exhaustion were a concern. I began researching online and read every book on Hashimoto's and hyperthyroidism I could get my hands on. Not very many had any answers. Same old theories from decades ago. I tried that drug. And that one. And that one. I needed something new, some out-of-the-box-thinking.

Then a friend of mine told me about Dr. Datis Kharrazian's book Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal. She has been on for thyroid drugs for years constantly in search of answers and she thought it might give me some answers as well. I found his website and blog www.thyroidbook.com or www.drknews.com discussing his diet protocols and various theories and other private websites with bloggers writing about their dietary changes and experiences. DIET. OK, I can do a diet. This addresses CAUSE, not just SYMPTOM. I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time.

His theory is gluten is the culprit. I had the gliadin tests which showed negative. I didn't have a gluten sensitivity. According to Dr. Kharrazian, it doesn't matter. Gluten is evil and most people can't digest it efficiently. In response, the immune system registers undigested gluten and goes crazy trying to get rid of the poison. It also thinks thyroid tissue is gluten because of their similar structure. More importantly, an immune response to gluten can last up to six months AND any little amount of gluten that is eaten can start the process all over again with a three week guarantee of a reaction, minimum. Although I had considered myself gluten-free for the last year, I cheated a lot. With each cheat, I was put right back at the beginning and getting no results. Most people eat gluten daily.

The Gluten Monster

In addition, other foods create health issues that put stress and strain on the thyroid by creating inflammation or blood sugar issues such as hypoglycemia or insulin resistance. These include sweeteners of any kind, other grains, dairy products, saturated oils, legumes (dried beans, carob, soy and peanuts), lectins (potatoes, mushrooms, and tomatoes), highly-contaminated meats (shellfish, and pork), and high glycemic foods such as bananas, watermelons, mangoes or dried fruits. Chocolate, although on the forbidden list because it's processed and is usually made with sugar, is also a gluten cross-reactor. Some foods trigger autoimmune responses because they act like gluten in your digestive tract. (Chocolate is evil!)

Every food item should be as wholesome, fresh and chemically-free as possible. Iodine-rich foods and supplements (like kelp) which are a common holistic treatment for hypothyroidism excite the thyroid gland and trigger an autoimmune response. I also found out most thyroid medications have iodine added. Just for that extra kick. No wonder why the drugs were making me feel worse! And although these drugs are known for weight loss, they can also make a chemically sensitive person gain weight. I love what doctors don't tell you...or don't know.

Unfortunately, all those forbidden foods were part of my normal diet. What the HELL was I going to eat?

I didn't care. It was hope. I'd much rather control my food than take useless drugs that would rob my bank account and not work. I'd give it six months and see what happens....

...To Be Continued....