I thought I was just stressed — I had a massive brain tumor
'They're amazing and they are so much fun, but it's a lot,' she told The Post. 'It's a lot to juggle.'
She was a clinical social worker at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Mount Sinai, and — between that and the kids — she thought she might have a cold that just wasn't going away.
'End of October, it started getting a lot worse,' she said.
5 Amanda Hyne, 37, had two young children — 18 months and 4 at the time — when her symptoms began.
'The fatigue was starting to get really bad,' she said.
That fall, she took a work trip to Australia with her husband — an avid surfer — when the headaches became more severe.
'I was getting to that point to take Excedrin at least one time every day in order to function, in order to kind of get out of bed,' she said.
'And it was awful — like literally almost like a labor contraction in my head or somebody taking an ice pick and just stabbing me in the head.'
When she got back home, things only got worse.
'I would wake up and feel miserable,' she said.
'No amount of sleep that I got would help. I would literally work, see patients, take care of the kids at night with my husband and then try to go to bed at eight. Nothing would help. I would wake up and it was like Groundhog Day — and I would just feel miserable again.'
5 'It was awful — like literally almost like a labor contraction in my head or somebody taking an ice pick and just stabbing me in the head,' she said.
'Couldn't even go down to get myself a yogurt for lunch,' she added. 'It was that debilitating.'
At the time, she chopped it up to the stress of being a mom with a full-time job.
'I was like, what choice do I have? I feel bad but the kids still need parenting and my job still needs to get done,' she said.
Her PCP referred her to a neurologist in Connecticut.
'I think he took [it] really seriously, which I was really grateful for,' she said.
It turned out she had a massive brain tumor. Luckily, she felt like she was in good hands.
5 Amanda 'Mandy' Hyne, 37, with her neurosurgeon, Dr. Raj Shrivastava, at her six-month follow-up appointment on July 8, 2025 at Mount Sinai in New York City, following successful surgery to remove a brain tumor.
OLGA GINZBURG FOR THE NEW YORK POST
'They took it very seriously — [they told me,] 'It's a good thing you came in when you did,' but also didn't resort to scare tactics.'
She was told: 'We're going to figure this out and there's a plan and here's what we're going to do.'
They did the best they could to mollify the whole process.
'Just how fast everything moved, from the MRI, to the results, to the surgery appointment, to scheduling — everything was so fast and that gave me a lot of confidence that these are providers who are taking it seriously,' she said. 'But it was scary.'
5 Amanda was diagnosed as having hemangioblastoma, a benign tumor that nonetheless caused serious symptoms when it pushed her brain out of alignment.
OLGA GINZBURG FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Hyne wants women everywhere to know it's OK to take your pain seriously.
'I know how easy it is, I think for women in particular, to kind of get down on themselves,' she said, remembering how she would wonder if she just wasn't 'cut out to do all the things.'
'And I thought I was doing all the things well, and now maybe I can, but I feel horrible. And what's got to give at that point?'
And she's doing fine now, by the way.
5 'I think he took [it] really seriously, which I was really grateful for,' she said.
OLGA GINZBURG FOR THE NEW YORK POST
'I'm great and still recovering, so I still get tired sometimes but a different kind of tired than I was — like that tired was 'there's no end in sight I could sleep for five days,'' she said.
'[Now] I'm tired because I'm recovering and I'm doing a lot — but when I sleep, I wake up and I feel better.
'I'm headache-free, which is It's really nice,' she added. 'I can get through the day and still be able to have time and do things that are fun.'
If there's one thing she would like people to take away from her story, it's to listen to their bodies.
'It's important to do that,' she said. 'And if something doesn't feel right, ask, get checked out, figure out what's going on. Seek providers who listen to you and take you seriously.'
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Possible Benefits Removal of unwanted parasites Restoration of the gut microbiome Liver and kidney support Increased energy Reduced bloating Improved nutrient absorption Reduced stress Better sleep Clearer, smoother skin When I began taking Para-Shield, my expectations were not very high. I test supplements for a living, and it's rare for me to experience anything notable worth writing about. With previous gut health supplements and probiotics, I've experienced a little less bloating, a bit more energy, and maybe a few fewer skin breakouts. But, nothing mind-blowing. After sifting through Para-Shield reviews, my hopes got a little higher. Most supplements require a few months of consistent use to achieve the benefits. Para-Shield users have reported symptom alleviation in the first few weeks of use, including improvements in bloating, constipation, gut discomfort, as well as skin irritation. 'After cleansing, some people report healthy and regular digestion, reduced hunger and cravings, and improved energy levels,' Stone explained. 'Most people report feeling less bloating, a soothed stomach, and more regular bowel movements.' All of this sounds great on paper, but consistency is key. Fortunately, it's very easy to take Para-Shield, and the flavor is not bad at all (think sweet-and-light ginger-clove-yuzu). My friend who tasted it compared it to a mocktail. I plopped the drops directly into my mouth using the provided dispenser, but the tincture also mixes easily in water. After the first week of my cleanse, I felt pretty much the same overall, aside from a few more trips to the restroom. I didn't notice any dramatic physical changes, but there were no concerning side effects either — just better regularity. The only mildly inconvenient part was remembering to take it twice a day, especially on an empty stomach. But by week 3, I wanted to take it even more (yes, you can double the serving size for a more intensive cleanse). It's not easy to transcribe into words, but my digestive system felt like it had taken a three-week-long retreat and could suddenly relax. I was full after all my meals, less bloated, and more relaxed. My sugar cravings? Nearly gone. The number on the scale? Down, a tad. The biggest change? My energy. I had so much more that, for once, I looked forward to working out instead of dreading it. It's hard to say whether the supplement alone was responsible for these improvements, or if my fiber-rich diet played a role too. Either way, I was genuinely pleased with the results. And for the record, no, I didn't see any worms. Side-effects Here's where it can get a little scary. While Para-Shield does not report any expected side effects, individual responses may vary. In general, cleanses and detoxes are associated with a variety of possible short-term and long-term risks that you should be aware of. Take the aforementioned trips to the bathroom — very common. If you have somewhere to be, don't count on taking the tincture and getting there in time. Beyond increased bowel movements, it's also possible to experience vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, diarrhea (which can lead to dehydration), and other GI issues, per the Cleveland Clinic. According to Touchstone Essentials, 'die-off' symptoms can also occur as unwanted microorganisms are expelled from the body. The release of endotoxins can trigger a temporary reaction of discomfort in the digestive system, causing short-term fatigue. The symptoms should pass quickly, but users are instructed to stop the cleanse if they experience any more pronounced symptoms. Fortunately, I didn't experience any major side effects while taking Para-Shield for 21 days. No digestive discomfort, no headaches, no bloating, no lethargy, etc. I did take some precautions; I drank what felt like gallons of water a day to curb dehydration and tried my best to stick to a plant-based diet, incorporating lots of colorful fruits and veggies and skipping most processed foods (besides a slice of pizza or two). Despite my generally positive detox experience, I'm still cautious when recommending any cleanse program. Just because it's right for someone does not mean it's right for you. Para-Shield is not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to the cleansing herbs. Some ingredients could also interact with other medications, which is why it's very important to consult your physician before use. Pros and Cons Pros: Para-Shield incorporates clinically studied, time-tested herbal ingredients that support detoxification and gut health at the same time The customer reviews lean very positive on taste, tolerance, and symptom improvement, with benefits being noticed in the first few weeks of use Para-Shield is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, and free from synthetic additives and fillers Cons: Para-Shield is not suitable for pregnant women, and it's possible that it could cause detox symptoms and interfere with other medications (always consult a physician before use) Requires consistent use for best results, and adults must take ten drops twice a day (preferably on an empty stomach) Final Thoughts My TikTok #foryoupage is nothing short of wild, and I'm no stranger to some woo-woo remedies. I've covered everything from testosterone treatment and heavy metal detoxes to anti-aging supplements that tout cellular repair. Very few protocols I've tested firsthand have delivered identifiable benefits. A detox works a little differently since your body is actively flushing out unwanted substances. It's often easier to tell when it's doing its job, because that process usually leads to faster, more frequent digestion (nature calls) as well as an overall sense of lightness. Temporarily, it may show on the scale, too. However, that might not translate to long-term benefits. As someone who tried a parasite cleanse without an awareness of having parasites, I was generally very impressed with the results. Sure, it's not the most convenient routine to take ten drops twice a day, but after noticing less bloating, fewer cravings, and more energy, I thought it was well worth it. For just $49, I think it's more than a reasonable investment to make in your overall health. How We Tested In order to evaluate the Touchstone Essentials Para-Shield herbal cleanse, I followed a structured 21-day protocol, mirroring the instructions on the website and the back of the bottle. Before, during, and after testing, I considered ease of use, side effects, internal and external benefits, and overall value. I also consulted Eddie Stone, the founder and CEO of Touchstone Essentials, for answers to frequently asked questions about parasite cleanses. Ease of use: A cleanse protocol should be simple for any person to follow and integrate into their daily routine. I considered the required serving size (10 drops) as well as the frequency (twice a day) for 21 days, to make note of how easy it was to stick with the detox program. It is also recommended to take Para-Shield on an empty stomach, so users must consider planning their meals accordingly. A cleanse protocol should be simple for any person to follow and integrate into their daily routine. I considered the required serving size (10 drops) as well as the frequency (twice a day) for 21 days, to make note of how easy it was to stick with the detox program. It is also recommended to take Para-Shield on an empty stomach, so users must consider planning their meals accordingly. Side effects: It's important to consider that parasite cleanses can be accompanied by a range of potential side effects, including dehydration, headaches, frequent bowel movements, and reduced energy associated with 'die-off' symptoms, as well as other potential GI tract issues. I monitored any symptoms closely, keeping a journal, logging any adverse physical or mental side effects. It's important to consider that parasite cleanses can be accompanied by a range of potential side effects, including dehydration, headaches, frequent bowel movements, and reduced energy associated with 'die-off' symptoms, as well as other potential GI tract issues. I monitored any symptoms closely, keeping a journal, logging any adverse physical or mental side effects. Benefits: The goal of a parasite cleanse is to eliminate parasites and alleviate symptoms of parasite exposure, which can range from diarrhea and abdominal pain to bloating and nausea. While taking Para-Shield, I tracked any improvements in digestion, energy, skin tone, and noted whether I was craving any certain foods, as well as how 'full' I felt after meals. The goal of a parasite cleanse is to eliminate parasites and alleviate symptoms of parasite exposure, which can range from diarrhea and abdominal pain to bloating and nausea. While taking Para-Shield, I tracked any improvements in digestion, energy, skin tone, and noted whether I was craving any certain foods, as well as how 'full' I felt after meals. Overall Value: At $49.00 a bottle for a 21-day supply, I evaluated the cost, safety, and effectiveness of the herbs used in Para-Shield for parasite removal and gut health support. I considered the requirements of upping water intake and the recommended dietary changes to evaluate the ease of Para-Shield parasite cleanse, while comparing it to other supplements and detox protocols I've tested. This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston's favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
