The first symptoms of my autoimmune disease were rather brutal. After a minor outpatient surgery in early 2009, I woke up in the middle of the night in the grip of a full-blown panic attack. Fully alert and totally disoriented, my heart was pounding out of my chest, my breathing was shallow and fast, and my hands and legs were alive with a terrible tingling sensation. I thought I was having a heart attack. I came to understand that I was not, but the experience was frightening to say the least.
After that first episode, I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks on a daily basis for months. I never knew when an attack would strike and soon even the idea of having to face one at all became worse than the attack itself. I developed severe insomnia and if you have ever had insomnia, you know what a torment it is to lie awake hour after hour, utterly exhausted, yet unable to fall asleep. Several times, my panic attacks landed me in the local emergency room. Ultimately, I was prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Desperate, I took them grudgingly, and in truth, the medication did help reduce my anxiety, but it didn’t treat the cause of my panic disorder.
Read more: 7 years on AIP: Is my Hashimoto’s still in remission?
A Downward Spiral
Months into my ordeal, I noticed that my thyroid (a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat that regulates metabolism, among other things) was swollen and painful. It felt like a tennis ball was stuck in my throat, which, as you can imagine, was very uncomfortable and made it difficult to swallow. I was also experiencing a string of unsettling symptoms: anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, dizziness, brain fog, cognitive impairment, aches and pains all over my body, bloating, constipation, hair loss, dry and itchy skin, and mucus over-production. The medications prescribed to me seemed to have no effect and no one could say what was wrong with me.
I Could No Longer Function
At my lowest point, and still suffering from incapacitating insomnia, I was unable to work. Basic household tasks—grocery shopping, preparing meals, caring for my children—all became impossible. I was exhausted all the time. What little energy I had left was dedicated to consulting with doctors and subjecting myself to an ongoing battery of laboratory tests. I kept changing doctors hoping the next one might finally figure out what ailed me. Needless to say, this put an enormous strain on my family, both financially and emotionally.
Surely, This Can’t Be It
I asked myself that question everyday. “Surely, this can’t be how I am going to spend the rest of my life. Surely not.” That’s when I started working with a functional medicine practitioner and true healing began. He helped me look at the bigger picture and implement changes that would ultimately bring me back to health. I stopped taking all my anti-anxiety medications and approached my healing in a more natural and holistic way. In-depth testing of my thyroid revealed the presence of antibodies attacking the gland. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, was prescribed natural thyroid hormone replacement, and adopted a gluten-free diet. Finally, with a firm diagnosis and a plan, I looked forward to being healthy once again.
Not Quite Enough
With the help of my new thyroid medication, I was able to slowly overcome my panic attacks. The relief I felt was tremendous, however, the rest of my symptoms lingered and my overall health continued to deteriorate until, in 2012, I began experiencing excruciating joint pain. The pain was so intense that I couldn’t walk. I was desperate to find a way to“fix” myself. I began spending a lot of time conducting online research and stumbled upon the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol (also referred to as AIP). I read stories from people who had successfully reversed their autoimmune disease through diet and lifestyle modification and so, with absolutely nothing to lose, I decided to give AIP a go! I dove headfirst into the elimination phase of the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol and eliminated all listed trigger foods at once. Going cold turkey worked for me—severe pain is a great motivator!
Once I began AIP, I experienced rapid improvement of my worst symptoms, specifically the joint pain and anxiety, however, I didn’t feel the legendary “energy boost” so many people report when starting this diet. Even though I was following AIP to the letter, I continued to struggle for several months with intense fatigue and sluggishness. With time and patience however, my autoimmune flares became less frequent, less intense, and I recovered from them more quickly. My head cleared, I began sleeping better, and I slowly regained my energy.
The Importance of Support
Since the very beginning of my healing journey, I have been very fortunate to have the unconditional love and support of my husband and children. Their open-minded attitudes and encouragement have been instrumental in my continued faithfulness to the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol. After a short transition period, during which time I found my bearings with my new lifestyle, my family began following the protocol with me. What a tremendous gift that was! I began developing tasty AIP-based meals that were nutritious and satisfying enough even for those not suffering from an autoimmune disorder. I have even been able to convert some of my children’s favorite meals into AIP-friendly versions built around a wide variety of vegetables, meats, and seafood. You can find these recipes on my blog or in my AIP cookbooks The Autoimmune Protocol Made Simple or Simple French Paleo. It is my hope that sharing these recipes might aid in your recovery and also delight you and your family, as they have mine.
Commitment Matters
My commitment to the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol allowed me to put my autoimmune disease into remission. This doesn’t mean that once I started feeling better I began eating the way I used to! I still have to watch what I eat and avoid inflammatory foods, but I have been able to relax a little and reintroduce a few foods I had eliminated at the beginning. The anti-inflammatory benefits of the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol have had far reaching and positive influences in my life. I am healthy again. I am stronger and fitter than I was ten years ago. Most importantly, I now have a positive outlook on life and look forward to the future with joy and anticipation.
I wish this for you, too.
Dear Sophie,
When I was reading your story I thought has this woman been looking into my life! In 2012 I was told I had anxiety after spending weeks afraid of another panic attack, not doing well at work and basic feeling unwell all the time. I was put on to antidepressants and things did improve a little. Then at the start of this year things started to unravel again and I started to feel a lump in my throat. I went back to the Dr and she wanted to put me back on antidepressants, I took them and started to have sucidal thoughts and worse panic attacks. I stayed on them for a week and went back to her and begged her to test my thyroid. When the tests came back she said you have Hashimotos. I changed Dr’s and the new Dr told me I had it since 2012. There were times over the past few years that I thought I was going mad. That I would never feel normal again. Unfortunately I have developed other symptoms, mucus in the back of the throat, aching finger joints and of course the crazy insomnia. I think the insomnia was the worst as along with it came heart palpitations, and anxiety. I spent many nights crying and then screaming because I couldn’t get to sleep. I get bloated, have brain fog where I just can’t find the words and dizzy. But, in saying all of that I feel that I am not that bad, when I read other stories. I am just about to try AIP and working with a Chinese Dr. I thank you for your site and blog as it is so helpful to know that we are not alone in our journey. Sorry for the long email, I just wanted to share my story, as I know how much it helps me to hear others that have experienced the same. I live in Australia and the AIP community isn’t that big yet. Thanks again and have a great day.
Dear Lorinda,
Thank you so much for your comment! Your story does indeed look very much like mine 🙂 So I am confident when I tell you that the AIP diet can help you tremendously! Go for it, don’t wait another second. All this anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks can and will go away. I had to go and see a therapist though to talk about all these feelings and emotions of anxiety. Maybe something you would consider? Good luck!
G’day
I also live in Australia and have recently started AIP after being Primal for 4 years, so you aren’t alone Lorinda!
Hi Susan
How are you finding AIP compared to Peimal?
Hello Lorinda,
The AIP diet is more restricted than the primal diet. The reason for this is that the AIP diet, or autoimmune protocol, is designed to eliminate all potential food triggers and allow the body to heal from an autoimmune disease or chronic illness. It is highly effective at reducing systemic inflammation. After a certain period of time, some people are able to reintroduce foods they had to eliminate previously, including dairy and rice, which is closer to the primal diet. I have no experience with the primal diet because I haven’t reintroduced any dairy or grains into my diet.
I love to hear that you are finding relief with this protocol. I am still struggling a bit with some inflammation and continued low energy despite being AIP. I have been so frustrated with doctors not being able to figure this out that I quit going to any doctors except my prescribing MD for 1 1/2 years. I have tried a new doctor this week who has run many tests on me including a hormone panel to see if that is the problem. Here is to hoping that I have not wasted another ton of money! I do have to say though that AIP is the only thing that has helped bring my thyroid labs in to the optimal range! Your cookbook is beautiful!!
Thank you Stephanie for your feedback 🙂
I’ve been AIP for over a year and only take a few supplements for support. However, the fatigue persists, sometimes more, sometimes less. I’m trying low-dose naltrexone before any other meds. Good luck.
Hi Isabella-
Just stumbled across this blog and your post. It has been suggested that I try low-dose naltrexone also. I have had Hashmotos for 16 years and still struggle very often with energy issues. It is so frustrating. How did you find ldn? has it helped you? thanks!
Hello Marie-Claire,
I have never taken NDL but have heard many people finding relief with it if their thyroid medication didn’t help enough. I have been on Armor thyroid since the beginning of my healing journey though. – Sophie
Do you still take thyroid medication as well as adopting the diet? If you do, do you take less than at first? Thank you
Hello A.T
Yes, I still take thyroid medication even though I went AIP. The reason for this is that the medication doesn’t address the root cause of Hashimoto’s. It helps regulate the thyroid, but if you don’t address the root cause, your thyroid will continue to deteriorate. AIP helped stop the advance of my autoimmune disease. My antibodies went down to zero. But I still take the medication because my thyroid was too damaged to start working full steam again on her own. Does that make sense?
Hi,
Thank you for giving more details on this point. How did the doctors figure out that your thyroid was too damaged? I’m curious as I’ve also been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s last year and after the regular medicine have shown not full improvement (I’m still lucky that it’s working a bit), I’ve started the AIP diet two days ago following the advice of a naturopath. So I’m curious as to how the doctors come to evaluate the ability of the thyroid to function on its own.
For me, it was a process of trial and error, and giving feedback to my doctor on how I was feeling. We started with a low dose of thyroid hormone medication, and had to go up a bit before I felt “right”. You have to know though that thyroid medication doesn’t cure Hashimoto’s; it doesn’t address the cause of the illness. It is with the dietary and lifestyle changes (AIP) that you can address the root causes. I hope this helps!
Amazing results from diet change o thankful that you were able to find someone who listened and someone who could help! Thank you for sharing your story. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ? Hippocrates
Thank you for your positive feedback Antonia 🙂
Your blog is so refreshing. I’ve had terrible panic and anxiety attacks since last October. At times things would seem better but I continue to have flare ups. I’m actually up now because of one. They are exhausting.. I’ve been gluten, dairy and corn free since January. I’ve gotten better but the attacks are still happening. I think it’s time to go cold turkey with the AIP.
Hello Lori,
I am sorry to hear about your anxiety problems. I know how hard it can be. Going AIP is a good first step, but I would advise you also to have to thyroid checked with a functional medicine practitioner to make sure everything is a-ok. An over or under-active thyroid can also create anxiety and panic attacks. Good luck!
I have just found your website and I like it very much!
Nice looking recipes and a great story of you reversing Hashimoto’s. Thank you!
I understand you had a bit of a struggle with the energy level. How long did it take for your fatigue and sluggishness to go away?
I started the AIP in May this year and was not 100% strict to start with (I had coffee and wine occasionally) but have been completely strict with no cheats for 2 months now. Before that I have been on a Paleo diet since 2005 so the transition wasn’t difficult at all.
I have an under active thyroid (not diagnosed with Hashimoto’s) and I am totally fatigued and have been so since April this year (recognize your description fully!). In addition to the AIP diet I have just started T3 treatment and are waiting for some energy.
Hello!
It definitely took a few months for my energy to go up. I realize now looking back that maybe I wasn’t eating enough carbs as well. I need to have a certain amount of carbs in order to function. It might be the case for you as well 🙂
Thank you! I will up my carbs a bit more and see if that helps.
By carbs, do you mean more root vegetables, and not just more greens?
What about the cruciferous veggies, should you keep the intake low because of the said inhibiting effect on the thyroid or is that not important?
Yes, by carbs I mean more starchy vegetables such as root vegetables and winter squashes. For the cruciferous vegetables, I eat them regularly and never felt any adverse effect. I don’t eat them raw everyday in a smoothie though!
Sophie,
Je te remercie pour ton article qui me donne de l’espoir. Je suis la diete AIP depuis Presque 3 mois sans augmentation d’energie, ni someil meilleiur. Je ne triche jamsis! En plus, je deviens plus anxiuse, pas moins. Je n’ai pas beaucoup de stresse dans ma vie et j’ai aussi un mari super qui me comprends tres bien. J’ai de la chance de pouvoir me reposer quand il faut, je fais le Qigong tous les jours et je dors le plus possible. Combien de mois a-t-il pris pour vous avant d’avour une vraie ameloiration? JE commence a me demander si je devreas continuer ou pas.
Bonjour Maureen,
merci pour votre petit mot! J’ai aussi été à travers une période de grande fatigue au début de AIP. Dans mon cas, les choses se sont améliorées lorsque j’ai commencé à introduire des “high starch vegetables” dans mon régime alimentaire. J’ai vraiment besoin de cela pour augmenter mon énergie. Je ne me sens pas bien sur un régime trop bas en calories comme le régime ketogène. Peut-être cela pourras vous aider! Sophie
I’ve been researching and browsing blogs to find recipes and advice for the AIP. I’ve basically started it this week, but am finding it hard to have variety and the prep is time consuming. I really want to commit to this lifestyle change as I am hopeful it will help me get my MCTD in remission. I’ve also had issues with my thyroid nodules that seem to be growing. My biopsy last year was cancer free, but there is a possibility I could be facing surgery going forward if they don’t stop growing. My doctor suggested going gluten free. My thyroid blood-work shows normal but something is triggering the nodules. . I also need to lose weight so am hopeful that a healthier lifestyle will help with that as well. I have enjoyed browsing around your blog and have pinned several posts to my Eat Well board. Thank you for all the time you have put in to giving us helpful information to improve our health.
I had a similar story…27 years ago! No doctor other has told me anything other than to take medication. I took Xanax for a couple months for the anxiety then stopped. I took synthroid for 26 years and depending on the brand had heart palpitations. I switched to Armour a year ago. I did the Whole 30 3 years ago while doing crossfit. The meal plan was an eye opener and I’ve been more aware of what’s in my food since. I tore my rotator cuff as I didn’t know about the joint and tendon sensitivities at the time. Late last year my friend went to a functional practitioner and I learned how AIP and gluten free could help me. I’ve been gluten free since and on the AIP found an intolerance to bell pepper. I have now yo learn but feel better, lost 20 lbs and have less inflammation. I have noticed joint pain, still have brain fog and fatigue, but keep on keeping on. I’m so thankful for this community and the knowledge I now have and the comfort in knowing others suffer from the same symptoms, and now I know why! Keep the recipes coming!
Thank you so much for your feedback Teresa!
Hi Sophie! Thanks so much for sharing your story, your cookbooks, and your recipes with us! Your story sounds similar to mine, at least with the sudden freakily scary heart attack like symptoms and the tingling. It took three months before I was given a Hashimoto’s diagnosis, but the doctors kept insisting that Hashimoto’s was NOT the cause of my symptoms. I spent a year and a half running from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, trying to determine what was wrong with me. Eventually I stumbled upon a practitioner that said since everything else was ruled out maybe it was the Hashimoto’s and I should try a gluten-free, anti-inflammatory diet. At first I just gave up gluten, dairy, and soy, and saw some improvement (enough to calm my erratic heart rate enough to allow me to get out of bed). But after six months, I started to flare and decline. That’s when I discovered AIP. In January 2017, I undertook AIP cold turkey and have never looked back. My symptoms were always so severe that I never understood how people could “slip’. Even now, 15 months into AIP, I’m not where I want to be. I’m fairly certain that I have a chronic viral infection (that triggers ear aches and vertigo) and whenever it transitions into an active phase, my Hashi antibodies increase. At least my symptoms have stopped flaring along with my antibodies, but my heart rate is still a bit high, I still have difficulty sleeping, and my skin is occasionally dry. Your story gives me hope that one day, with patience and continued perseverance, I”ll be able to overcome these symptoms too. The hardest part is never knowing when or if I’ll be able to enjoy a symptom free life again, but in the meantime, I’m excited to try your tasty recipes and can’t wait for your new cookbook. Thanks for support and inspiration in life and in cooking!
Hi, I just found you…read your story. I am so desperate. Looking for a way to eat that will help me and Hashimoto’s friendly too.
The one and only Endocrinologist in my rural town told me to do the KETO Diet. Well, it does not help one bit. I am sad and also anxiety ridden with not knowing what to do next. Until just now, I found your wonderful blog.
I am going to try your AIP diet for sure.
Let me say, there is not a whole lot of knowledge out there in the world on how to deal with Hashimoto’s. I just know that hearing your story. I will try anything. Now it will be your special diet. Thank you for posting all your information to anyone with this awful auto-immune disease.
My recent bloodworm indicated that I am positive for autoimmune diseases but it hasn’t yet been identified. I’m overwhelmed and need help! In addition to changing my eating habits, what do you recommend that I take as supplements/powders, etc. to build my immunity? Thank you so much.
Hello Darlene,
Hey, while I am an expert when it comes to all things AIP in the kitchen, I am not giving advice on supplements. I would recommend that you talk about this with your doctor or nutritionist. Here is a helpful blog post to help you find an AIP doctor: https://asquirrelinthekitchen.com/aip-doctor/
Reading your story has weirdly brought me some sense of comfort and reassurance. I feel connected with you in a way because of knowing exact feelings when you described your experience with Hashimoto. I haven’t been formally diagnosed yet, but I have been pointed in the direction of having MS ( need an MRI done to confirm).
I know the feelings of having anxiety, heart palpitations, cognitive impairment, and extreme fatigue. I have had my own moments of going the the ER, just to be told everything looks fine and get prescribed anti-anxiety meds. I have had moments at the grocery store where I had a cart full of stuff to buy and leave without buying it because the fatigue brought on anxiety. Eventually leading to someone else to do the shopping for me. I laughed out loud when you said “severe pain is a great motivator” for going cold turkey, because it is True. There is great desperation when we are in a state like this and can’t do much about it.
I just barely started AIP five days ago and came across your blog just today. Reading your blog has made things clear that this is something I really need to stick to. Thank you for sharing your experiences Sophie! Your blog is a great guide for those of us just starting out our journey to healing.
Hi Sophie, my name is Kami and I’m so grateful I found your blog and your recipes. I found out I have Hashimoto’s back in 2015 after a brutal night of 16 hours long panic attacks, that used to come and go every 15 minutes or so. In the morning I couldn’t even walk, so my parents took me to the ER and they gave me a shot to calm my nerves and said I had anxiety. At that point, panic attacks were happening on a daily basis, and although I thought it was a nervous crisis, I was well aware that something wasn’t right. That same day I found my current endocrinologist and after less than two hours, she delivered the news. It took me quite a long time before I had the courage to start the AIP, I tried twice in the past and failed both times. This time I’m way more motivated, I go day by day and I try not to make a big deal out of it. It’s been exactly a week since I’m on the regime and I intend to continue the whole 3 months + the reintroducing phases afterwords.
I’d like to ask you, how long did you follow the AIP diet and was there anything else that helped you overcome your Hashimoto’s?
At the moment, I’m not watching any screens at least 3 hours before bed, I try to walk more or workout on a daily basis, I drink at least 2 le of water and I spend a lot of time in the park with my dog, also I’ll start meditating soon.
Thank you for your time and for the amazing and so helpful content you put out there! I wish you all the best!