Experiencing a Graves Disease Relapse and Why I’m not Surprised

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Hello Lovelies:

I had the flu recently and it knocked me off my feet. Fevers, aches, chills and fatigue took over. On top of that I had some Graves Disease symptoms that I haven’t felt in over a year, and I was terrified. After some tests, I received bad news – I’m experiencing a Graves Disease Relapse.

We caught it early (my doctor thinks the flu caused some thyroiditis that led to some intense symptoms – they’re mostly gone now) but of course I was initially devastated.

But after a couple of weeks of soul searching, I am not surprised by my diagnosis. Here’s why (and what this Graves Disease relapse is teaching me)

Experiencing a Graves Disease Relapse and Why I'm not Surprised - What my first relapse taught me about living with an autoimmune disease and creating balance

I have been burning the candle at both ends for a while and this Graves Disease Relapse is my body’s way of telling me to slow down.

Although I have never once wavered with my self-loving, organic diet, I haven’t been making as much time lately for everything else. I’ve been working very late regularly, sleeping less, putting my self-love routine on hold, making less time for the things that make me happy, and pushing myself far too much.

My health-esteem has been sitting on the back burner. Stress plays a major role in illness and diseases, and is definitely a huge factor in Graves Disease. I am, in a strange way, grateful for this message from my body to take a step back, re-assess, and make some changes for the sake of my own well being.

Graves Disease is a permanent part of my life. And I’m learning that, even when I’m in remission, I can’t forget that. I need to treat my body with extra love and care and make my health a priority.

Graves Disease has been one of the most difficult challenges of my life, but it has also been my teacher.

It changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. Graves Disease gave me the courage I needed to embrace who I am and to love myself. It changed the way I eat, the choices I make, the products I use, the way I treat myself and the way that I look at the world.

This has been a difficult battle, but it was also a life changing event that I wouldn’t erase. I know that I will be in remission again soon and that I will learn a lot more from Graves Disease this time around. I’ll be keeping you updated with the self-loving, health promoting ways that I am going to find my way back to better health. I hope that you will continue to take this health journey with me.

Health and love,

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Thought of the day: This is a life changing adventure.

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Ms. Health-Esteem

7 Comments

  1. Reply

    Jo's food bites

    May 31, 2017

    So sorry you are struggling a bit at the moment. Your positivity and knowledge will soon have you back on track again. Sending hugs. ?

    • Reply

      Sara

      May 31, 2017

      You are the sweetest Jo! Thank you! Your love and support means the world to me – I am so grateful!
      The good news is that this post is from 2014! I’m not experiencing a relapse right now :). Thank goodness <3.
      I've been re-designing my site and made a Graves Disease Tab for anyone who may need it... I was updating this post (so the photos are more like the style I use today) and accidentally made it so it e-mailed everyone? I have no idea what I did... The joys of technology!
      I hope you're having a beautiful day! <3 And that you are feeling well.
      Sending my love!

      • Reply

        Jo's food bites

        May 31, 2017

        How did I not spot that??

        • Reply

          Sara

          May 31, 2017

          Because you were concerned about my well-being I’m sure. ♡ Thank you!

  2. Reply

    Em

    May 31, 2017

    All my love and healing vibes!! It’s always so scary and we always get through it somehow. You are a total rockstar! Take it slow and breathe into the storm ❤️❤️❤️

    • Reply

      Em

      May 31, 2017

      Oops! But love to you anyway!

    • Reply

      Sara

      May 31, 2017

      You are the sweetest Em! Thank you so much for your kind words!
      I feel so bad for my mistake. I have no idea why WordPress would e-mail everyone over such an old post, but when my phone dinged I was like “uh oh!”
      However, I am so grateful to have your love and support. We’re in this for life, so being there for each other is really uplifting (and definitely makes this whole autoimmune experience a lot less isolating :)). Thank you gorgeous!

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