DOCTOR REVEALS How She Cured Her Autoimmune DISEASE! | Cynthia Li & Mark Hyman

Think about how different our medical system would be if all doctors were required to have an extreme health crisis before practicing medicine. It’s through those toughest times with our own health that many of us turn to Functional Medicine, as we realize conventional care isn’t getting us what we need. But sometimes, being so involved in treating others’ diseases makes it difficult for doctors to even see our own symptoms for what they really are. This week’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy, Dr. Cynthia Li, is here to share her personal journey through autoimmunity and realizing her symptoms had deeper meaning.

Dr. Li received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She’s practiced as an internist in many settings, including Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, and St. Anthony Medical Clinic serving the homeless. She currently has a private practice in Berkeley, CA and recently published her first book which I highly recommend, Brave New Medicine: A Doctor's Unconventional Path to Healing Her Autoimmune Illness.

This episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy is brought to you by Thrive Market and by SomniFix.

[iztheterrible]

okay to save time, she tried to get more sleep, changed her diet by studying her ancestral diet, which led her to cut out most gluten, and that made a major impact. she did detoxes which removed toxins from air pollution, . she slowly weaned off thyroid meds over 14 years, and she studied her estrogen and progesterone levels, then slowly weaned off those hormone replacement drugs as the sleep and diet improvements made a positive impact. also she had a witchdoctor or some clairvoyant come into her house to burn smudge sticks of Southwestern US Native Indian sage and herbs around her home to rid the house of negative energy from the previous home owner. she didnt see that one coming, . she didnt in believe any of it but it opened her mind to think positively and to work on a positive healthy mindset. went to some functional medicine conferences and gradually over a decade, everything worked out and healed her.

[NintCondition]

- Intermited fast, having daily periods of hunger. Eat less often.
- Walk 30 minutes a day, increase as possible.
- 2 days a week do 20 minutes of HIIT with strength training. Increase to 60 minutes when possible.
- Do elimination diet and find out what works for you.
- Take digestive enzymes.
- Meditate at least 10 minutes a day
- Take cold showers
- Weekly shock the system by alternating heat and cold. Example: 10 minutes of sauna, 10 minute of cold by jumping in a swimming pool, alternating between the sauna and pool for 1 hour.
- Find your purpose
- Love and accept others for who they are and the path they are on and the fact that it is different than your path.
- Journal
- Love yourself
- Forgive yourself and forgive all others
- Follow your intuition
These were not mentioned here but I felt the need to put this.

[amylynn]

"Nothing opens your mind like desperation" ❤ I feel you sister!

[integrativethyroid]

I went through every single stage of illness that Dr. Li went through. I'm year 6 into my healing journey but KNOW that my autoimmune journey started YEARS before I hit rock bottom. I decided to take control of my health and saw major improvements and can now say that I absolutely put my autoimmune disease into remission. It propelled me to spread the message as far and wide as I could. I switched careers and made my life mission to help people get over their thyroid/hashimoto's disease!

[JA-oxfx]

When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.
~Ayurvedic proverb

[susieherron]

I am 67 and was insulted so many times by regular medicine. I found out I had autoimmune disease by my own research and 30 years down the road I have a great functional doctor. I rely on intuition all the time, my “gut feeling”. I use my community for local organic food and have a garden. I process my own flour, nut milks and on and on. I still have bouts where my body is attacked with debilitating symptoms but I believe it is from the vaccines I had to take to be in the medical field. Being awake to the times gives you great insight and knowing companies have poisoned us for years. Good food, sleep, exercise, supplements, digestive enzymes, no stress and faith in God is a good start to recovery. Our world is changing and we need to open our eyes to the possibilities set before us. I woke up years ago and believe we have knowledge that will be revealed to us soon.

[kathyhernandez]

I’m an acupuncturist with a background as a histotechnologist. I am so grateful for this combination that has helped me see health issues in the the eyes of western medicine and how it correlates to disease patterns in traditional Chinese medicine. I love the power of herbal medicine. We treat the whole person, not a named disease. Diseases must be treated on all levels: physical body (electrical, structural), chemical (nutritional, microbiome) and spiritual/emotional. If one area is affected eventually all areas are affected.

[nevinkuser]

My wife is Jero Tya. She's very well known for her psychic and clairvoyant abilities. I had no idea how many women are looking for help in this field until we started going public. It was like a flood of clients as soon as we opened the door.

Some think it's rubbish but others can't live without it because it's like a counselor, healer, and psychic giving guidance all in one.

[beardseiibeard]

I wanted to briefly share how I got my Hashimoto's thyroiditis in remission. 3 years ago I got a infection in pancreas which cause me to be nauseous so I didn't eat for 9 days (basically fasting, however definitely not planned) but tried to keep up my fluid intake. It just happened that when I recovered I needed to have my labs drawn and my doctor was so surprised because my labs reflected 90% remission of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Asked all kinds of questions and once found out I hadn't eaten for 9 days, only had fluids asked if would wait 6 months and do another long fast (5-9 days) and see if we would get it in complete remission. That is exactly what happened after the second fast and now 3 years later, I am still in remission from Hashimoto's thyroiditis. :)

[UpFromUnder]

I have a chronic illness and my ex rheumatologist laughed at me. Changed to a different one in the same office. Total difference! Be your own advocate!

[Subspace._tripmine]

This is my story. After more than 15 years of trying to figure out what was wrong with my body, I ended up with a Psychiatrist telling me that I had Clinical Depression. I explained to him that if I had Clinical Depression why do I still have goals? People with depression lose hope. That was not me. I just wanted my body to help me achieve, and my body was tired and in pain, so that was frustrating me. I explained that my body is making me get frustrated, and that leads to depression. He wouldn't listen to me. A couple of times he even dozed off in front of me...like sorry for boring you sir. He waived me off and just handed me the slip for the next appointment.
I have found my own remedies, and today, I own my own wellness clinic specializing in massage. I see many people who are this same position, and I am happy to fast track them to wellness. Now, I refer patients to functional medical doctors who they can go to to get real answers.

[georgiagirl]

I began my painful journey when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Went to doctor after doctor (M.D.'s) Of course my tests were coming up "normal" so they told me I that it was "in your head". Finally I went to a D.O. & was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Took yrs of self help & changing my diet. That was 30 yrs ago. I'm feeling great now & have not had a flare up in 15 yrs. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[TerriblePerfection]

I'm 63 and avoid doctors, nearly all of whom have failed to help me, and in one case badly scared me with a false diagnosis. What I have learned from self-experimentation is that "less is more, " meaning less food, less often. I'm not interested in weight loss, merely feeling optimal, and fasting gives the body time to heal, followed by a healthy diet of real foods. Aside from posting this, I don't discuss my health regimen, as it provokes a lot of unwanted advice and even worry. Do your own research, so much easier these days, thanks to videos such as this one and many more. Best wishes to all for a healthy 2020 and beyond.

[salsa]

23:52 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Dysautonomia.

28:17 Systemic Inflammation and Fibromyalgia

30:38 Recovery (how she recovered)

Sleep: (learn about circadian rhythm) keep to a sleep/awake schedule.

Stress: stick to a schedule reduce stress.

Diet: Meat! Ancestral Diet. Nutrient Dense Food. Avoid Gluten.

[joycesegers]

"You can only heal what you are connected to... what is going on in your body, you can't heal something you are detached from"....BINGO!! That is the key statement in this whole conversation for me in healing my body and my autoimmune disease. Also, loved learning more about the Ancestral diet, researching that for sure! 💎💜🙏🏼

[sheradenart]

I have an autoimmune condition, symptoms of lupus. Lichen Planus, heart, liver, kidnney and spleen pain. I gave up trying to be heard by the doctors, so I started researching. And that made them angry, my doctor's office sent me a letter telling me I couldn't see my doctor any more because I had asked them to stop sending me to specialists. The ones I had seen had given me drugs without telling me they planned to, and were treating me with disrespect. There was a kidney doctor who yelled at me for not wanting radioactive iodine. I had been having thyroid symptoms and my mother has hashimotos. I said I didn't want contrast. And this woman treated me like I was being a difficult 4 year old. She was the last straw. I asked to just give me blood tests and stop sending me to specialists anc they tlld me I couldn't come there for testing or to see my primary anymore.

[lsdlrf]

A terrific example of doctors that are allowing themselves to learn so they can truly become healers.

[dakotaknight]

This should be required listening for every doctor. It’s so frustrating when doctors lable people with mental illness or being a “difficult patient.” The exact same thing happened (is happening) to me. Everyone including my own wife thinks it’s all in my head.

The arrogance/ignorance of so many doctors is just tragic.

[AahyiSam]

1:02:02
Physician-Scientist who chose an alternative career path. I tell this to my new medical students every year. “Every Doctor should be a patient at some point in need of medical care; it changes your practice completely”

Thank you esteemed colleagues for a vital conversation!

[daughterofelroi]

Thank you for validating the dismissive, pejorative experience many of us deal with for years before proper diagnosis. The struggle is very real.