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So what is interesting is there seem to be a lot of ways to react to foods. I have seen intolerance mean both autoimmune symptoms and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. Allergy seems to mean something to the effect of celiac or a peanut allergy which can be immediately life threatening. For me I have autoimmune symptoms to almost all of the foods I have problems with. Depending on what it is I'll get headaches pretty immediately after eating and then I'll get joint swelling in different parts of my body. Now after I got through all that the Doctor had me try the FODMAP diet as an elimination diet and I have found that there are a small number of foods that I eat regularly that actually are causing gastrointestinal issues. In my situation my doctor is of the opinion that my small intestine is more permeable due to damage that has happened. That the best way to let it heal is to get things out of my diet that cause distress... so figuring out things that cause gastrointestinal issues is important.

The reason this is hard to figure out is if the problems feel normal to you then you don't realize they are a problem. The elimination diets help because you remove things for a period and reintroduce them. It's basically a science experiment to see if you are having issues with any of those foods.

In my experience I have learned new things about my body and my issues for each diet. They do take a lot of energy to get into because it really does require a lot of attention. By the last ones though I'm pretty used to this and the payoff has been huge for me.

• Increased energy. Being able to exercise without hating life, being able to focus, work long days if i need too.
  
  
• Cognitive focus increased. I can sit and focus on work or a project far longer without being exhausted.
  
  
• Less dependance on meal time. I could not push meal time without becoming really short tempered. It cause me a lot of anxiety and I would keep snacks around in case something happened. I can pretty much skip snacking now and even skip a meal if i need to without it completely wiping me out.
  
  
• Weight loss. I have been trying to lose weight because I was obese for the last 8 years. I was making progress but it was so incredibly hard and painful. Changing my diet without cutting calories and minimal exercise (walking) I lost 25lbs this past year without really trying at all.
  
  
• Improved emotional stability. In my other comment I had written about my mood issues. Getting on thyroid meds helped a lot for the first 5 years or so but the last year with the diets have made a huge difference in my overall patience and ability to stay focused on calm.
  
  I'm not trying to push these at all I am just relating my experience so you can weigh out if it is something that you think might be worthwhile. These are the ones I have tried (in order of what I tried):
  
  
• IMF Elimination Diet Is a good first step.
  
  
• Whole30 I really recommend the book for the recipes, food planning, and cooking intro) there is also a subreddit for support
  
  
• Autoimmune Protocol - There are lots of online resources. This is a great intro book
  
  
• I also had this food sensitivity blood test done which while overwhelming at the time (because I reacted to like 40 things) was really helpful because I found out I had reactions to things like black pepper. You can also use this to do your own elimination diet so you can learn how your body reacts to those foods. It was also a great relief to know I could modify the Autoimmune Protocol diet... which for me was the hardest.
  
  
• FODMAP elimination diet. The Monash University app for iPhone or Android is very helpful for starting the diet.
  
  Anyway I know that is a ton to take in. Sorry for writing a book. I wish you the best luck and hugs* because its very hard when you are first starting out and trying to figure out what works for you. You are doing great to start reaching out and looking though. Keep searching, it will get better!
  

I posted this in another thread but hope it helps you:

I had my hemithyroidectomy done 2 weeks ago and had never been under general anesthesia before so was also concerned. Pre-op, they gave me a gown, robe, skid-proof socks to wear, put in my IV. I was able to put my curly hair up in a top knot with a silk scrunchie (no metal) so it didn't tangle (listen its the small stuff!). I was walked to the OR (it's not like on TV!), give a hair net to put on, greeted all the surgical staff and then laid myself down on the table (again - SO WEIRD!). The anesthesiologist gave me an IV "cocktail" which felt like I had one too many drinks and then I was out. I came to when I was wheeled into recovery and complained about being woken from a REALLY good sleep ;)

The surgery itself was not nearly as bad as I thought it to be (and you read a lot of the negative experiences here). My voice is fine, my parathyroids are fine and I feel so much better than I did before. As someone else stated, the sore throat is 100% the worst bit of all of it. I didn't have to stay overnight but I only had my right side removed but I wasn't sure if I would go home so things I recommend:

- Have some good numbing cough lozenges (I had Cepacol: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWS60RG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) or throat spray (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L4XC3I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and keep chewing ice, it'll help.

- Do not be afraid to ask for the good drugs from the nurse - it'll help to sleep a lot of the time.

- Wear comfy clothes. I was able to dress myself and lift my arms up to put things on (but they were super easy stretchy & loose clothes) but my sister had to help tie my laces as bending down wasn't as easy.

- Get some PJs that button down: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0772S54GH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Comfy slippers/skid-proof socks: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M24S9OF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Comfy pillow to prop yourself up for the first few days - its easier to sleep sitting up higher as there's less pressure on your neck. I could sleep lying flat and on my side after 4-5 days.

- An ice pack that can stay strapped around your neck. I wrapped mine in a pillowcase first then used a velcro hair band to keep it in place. I got this from Amazon (so it can be used cold or hot): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CHLS3B3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Silicone scar sheets for post-op (I can use them in about 4-5 weeks post-op): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P5G9PQD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- If you're a woman, I got these front close bras so I wouldn't have to lift my arms: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KKVLP2D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- A good thick lip balm. I like this one from Laniege but honestly anything you like will do: https://www.amazon.com/LANEIGE-Sleeping-Berry-Treatment-Qunce/dp/B00VR0Z0I4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=laneige&qid=1571934520&sr=8-1

- I took my Vicodin, Stool Softener (yeeeep it can cause constipation) with 1 Aleve (it's not acetaminophen) for the 1st 5 days at night only to ease my sleep but I didn't need pain meds after that.

Outside of sleeping a lot (recovering from surgery will do that), I was back to eating well chewed solids on the 3rd day post-surgery but that will all be on personal preference. You won't be able to shower for at least 48 hours so make sure to do that morning of if you can.

Most of all - good luck! You will be OK and the relief from having it out will be well worth it. I haven't had my bloodwork done yet to determine whether or not I will need medication (I know you will since its a TT) but that'll be the tricky part from what I've read. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions!

Its never late to try the simple natural herb, known as black seed oil, "Nigella Sativa", get it from amazon, its one of herbs that can cure all types of ailments. Take one table spoon, in the morning before anything and before sleeping.

https://www.amazon.com/El-Captain-Virgin-Nigella-Largest/dp/B00HNHSS5M/ref=sr_1_4?crid=31JZ5BOF0KWMZ&keywords=black+seed+oil+el+captain&qid=1567372598&s=gateway&sprefix=black+seed+oil+el%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-4