Short version of this post:
16 years of MANY doctors and products with little to NO improvement. New diseases have been added over the years and ALL kinds of symptoms. MS is my worst disease with my most annoying symptoms being fatigue, vision issues, nausea, pain, heat intolerance, intestinal issues, and weight gain. I have FINALLY found something that has helped my energy level, weight issues, and skin. Plus, I finally feel like I'm not starving and have hope. Herbalife. It is delicious, makes sense, easy to do, I have continued support, and it gives my body so many nutrients that I am feeling SO much better. The results have been the BEST I've had on my long health journey. H.O.P.E. and excitement are things I've experienced and decided to share in case it could help someone else. While there is no cure for my diseases, the products I've tried are helping several symptoms associated with my diseases. It makes daily living easier and more manageable. The following is my OWN experience and opinion.
These are the products I have in my medicine cabinet from the past two years.
Most of these have been recommended products from physicians and I have seen little to no progress with my multiple symptoms. Some I tried for a short amount of time (but couldn't bring myself to toss them since they cost me money) and some I've tried continually without progress. Some I save for when I'm struggling severely (i.e. advil is used VERY rarely).
Now these 3 products replace all of the products above and I have better results with these than ALL of those above.
I've been on these for 2 months (less than 2, actually, since I stopped and started again) and am SO grateful!
Please see the final disclaimer below. LONG version:
In 1998, I was afraid I was going blind and deaf. I got huge bruises for no reason, the worst version of anyone's sickness, and gained 90 pounds in less than a year. I exercised 3 hours a day, but then would pay for it in my intestines, vision, and hearing. Every day for 16 years, I've had shadows in my eyes, ringing in my ears, nausea, fatigue, and pain. Intermittently I have had stabbing pains, weight gain, dry skin (extreme to moderate), memory loss, dizziness, weakness, stiffness, insomnia, intestinal issues, swelling, bone spurs, heat intolerance, balance issues, menstruating for 5.5 months straight, and various other medical conundrums. I went to many specialists and they bounced me around from one to another because they couldn't make sense of the issues my body was experiencing. Finally, after 3 years, I found the Mayo Clinic. They gave me answers and said, "I cannot believe there is THAT much wrong in ONE person's body," and "I have never had a patient like you." Since then nearly every doctor and nurse has said the same thing.
Here is an INCOMPLETE list of things or specialists I've tried over the past 16 years:
Cardiologist
Endocrinologist
ENT Specialist
Dermatologist
Chiropractor
Colon surgeon
Gastroenterologist
Gynecologist
Hormone Specialist (who was AMAZING and helped me the most, but I still struggled with issues)
Internist
Neurologist
Ophthalmologist
Podiatrist
Sleep specialist
Urologist
Massage Therapist
Acupuncture
Various Holistic Doctors
Various forms of exercise (excessive exercise as well)
Appetite suppressants
HcG diet
Raw diet (Vegetarian plus no processed or cooked)
Slim Fast
Liv sXinny
ReLiv
Weight Watchers
Gluten Free diet
Betaseron (MS injection)
Vitamins of EVERY sort (sublingual, injection, tablet, etc)
MANY other shakes/drink mixes
Cleanses (they left me sick, weak, nauseas and STARVING)
Lotions, creams, oils, sprays, vaseline, prescription, and over-the-counter meds for severely dry skin
Between MS, Hoshimoto's thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism specific), Insulin Resistance, PCOS (too many cysts on my ovaries), Asthma, IBS, Gall bladder disease, and Costochondritis (Tieze Syndrome because I have inflammation throughout my body), and Dysmetabolic Syndrome, I have had a lot to deal with but have learned a lot as well. MS is my worst disease and affects everyone differently depending on the brain lesions, type of MS, and rate of demyelination.
Additionally, I had one horrible reaction to two meds a doctor prescribed to me and my intestines shut down. I have had absorption problems and intestinal issues ever since. My doctors have been at a loss because things that usually work for other patients do NOT work for me. I have been told by many doctors that I'm basically starving because my body simply won't absorb nutrients or vitamins.
(SIDENOTE::: Pregnancy was rough on my body and I've struggled physically ever since. For TWO years, I've had extremely dry skin and a doctor guessed it was one thing I caught by my students. But, after all kinds of creams, lotions, and sprays, I learned it wasn't contagious and nothing was making it better consistently. It all started when I got pregnant and felt like my baby was sucking what little nutrients I had from me. Even after I had her, my skin didn't improve and I had other issues as well. I finished teaching full time and had a surgery to fix postpartum issues from a tough labor. But, ever since my hemorrhoidectomy, I have not regained the strength or energy I had previously felt. This was due to a MS exacerbation after the surgery, but I did not get treatment).
After 16 years, people and products have shouted "Miracles" and 'fast fixes,' but it left me with just the opposite most of the time. In time, you learn to be very hesitant, critical, and cautious with products and promises.
Fast forward to when I reconnected with a friend via Facebook and I kept seeing her shrink in size and grow in confidence. She continued to share her amazing progress as she lost more than 100 pounds and started posting these delicious looking shakes. I've tried shakes and vitamins and dismissed this. But, after struggling with TWF (train wreck fatigue), weakness, and other issues for MORE THAN A YEAR, I decided to try something. I contacted my friend and looked into Herbalife.
Some reviews were critical of Herbalife and I was hesitant to spend the money. Others SWORE by it saying how wonderful it was for them. My friend said she felt great, lost weight, and had so much more energy. I figured what would it hurt to try it for a month? Try it. Test it. If it fails, then 'meh,' not much worse off.
So, I talked to my friend more in depth and decided to buy the 3 basic products (shake was soy, gluten, and lactose free) and a 21 day cleanse. Instead of adding the Herbalife protein, I bought a cheap version at Walmart. I'll give more details in a later post, but basically, their shakes are DELICIOUS and full of nutrients and vitamins.
**Below is my PERSONAL experience with Herbalife.**
I started March 2nd and in the beginning I didn't notice much of a difference, but lost 5.6 pounds the first week.
The next few weeks I noticed other improvements:
- More energy than I'd had in a year!
- Skin improved quickly
- Craved sugars and fatty foods less
- Lost 9.4 pounds in 3 weeks
- Intestines were regular
After 3 weeks on the program, I quit and that was when I realized just how much Herbalife was helping me!!! Within a few days, I noticed the following:
- Energy went back to LOW
- TWF (Train Wreck Fatigue)
- Cracked and bleeding fingers/hands
- Shaking
- Weakness
- More nausea
- Constipation
- Hungry ALL the time
- Gained and lost very little despite my efforts
It was SO noticeable that I decided that it was worth sacrifices to get back on. Since restarting, I have experimented a bit. I tried only 1 shake each day. I tried not taking the cellular nutrition (helps absorb nutrients and vitamins). I tried not adding more protein. I have learned that following the program is what helps me the most. Doing the program partially is better than nothing, but doing the program full force is awesome.
It's not a miracle, but has helped me considerably.
I also have my health coach check in with me weekly. The INDIVIDUALIZED support I receive from such an awesome, positive, supportive person who has been on this journey is invaluable! It has been even more beneficial to me than Weight Watchers was because my leader had SO many other people to deal with regularly.
I also have my health coach check in with me weekly. The INDIVIDUALIZED support I receive from such an awesome, positive, supportive person who has been on this journey is invaluable! It has been even more beneficial to me than Weight Watchers was because my leader had SO many other people to deal with regularly.
It's delicious and there are ALL kinds of shake recipes out there. Their shake flavors are:
French Vanilla (This is the one I have right now)
Dulce de Leche
Orange Crème
Mint Chocolate
Vanilla (Allergen Free-Soy, Lactose, and Gluten Free)* This was the first one I tried
Dutch Chocolate
Wild Berry
Cookies ‘n Cream (This is the next one I'm gonna get)
Pina Colada
Café Latte
Kosher Vanilla
I love it. Sorry so long. But, I LOVE IT and am EXCITED. =) Just had to share!!!
***Herbalife products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases. It just makes sense that if you feed your body all the nutrition it needs on a daily basis, your body will heal by itself.*** Please make sure to consult your doctor before beginning Herbalife.