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Fat Thigh-roid Woes: The Long Walk…Off a Short Cliff
Back when I still lived with my mom, my cardio would be to walk all the way up this hill to the top where the city Christmas tree hangs out. Part hike part hard walk, it was a great workout and very peaceful – away from traffic and tons of noise. Walking by houses until I hit the hill, I always passed by an old man easily in his late 70s who was building something in his garage. I always said hello, and he was super friendly back. For about a year, I’d see him a few times a week and all these pieces started to come together out of what he was making. I had no clue what it was. A robot, a car engine, take your pick cause it’s all Chinese to me.
One particular day, I walk by and see….IT’S A PLANE. The wings were up, and he was fiddling around with the engine. I almost fell over, and this old dude instantly made me feel like the world’s biggest underachiever. I HAD to stop and talk to him, and the story was that he’s built several planes just for fun. “Does it fly???” I ask him, one of the dumbest questions I think I’ve ever asked. I just couldn’t believe that this hunched over elderly man actually built a PLANE. Out of his tiny garage no less.
“Sure, it flies, I’m going to take it out to the airport next week and give it a spin.”
“Just like that??” I reply. “Yup, just like that.” He says, no fear whatsoever in his voice.
Recently, I went to my mom’s house to hang out and decided to take the walk I haven’t taken in years since I moved out, and thereafter, since the Graves started. I didn’t work out for more than two years during the Graves bullshit, and ever since I had RAI I thought I’d give my tired overworked heart a break and not try to push it. I’ve started out slowly by walking, and using some weights. I gradually built up to a bit of jogging, but I’m obsessive about checking my pulse.
While I was getting ready for the walk, I asked my brother if he thought it was safe to go out by myself – he replies, “yeah, dumbass, it’s safe.” This is a walk I used to do by myself all the time, and all of the sudden I’m thinking about murderers, rapists, and vicious dogs waiting for me in the hills. I somehow developed newfound fear of something I used to do all the time. F that, I wasn’t going to succumb. So, I take my ipod and head out. I passed by the old man’s house, and that’s when I started to think about him, and remembering how he was so unafraid of taking a plane he built with his own hands into the sky.
I got started on the hill, and thought of my disease and new fears. Why is it that my pulse says “go ahead and workout” and I still am afraid to do so? That old man had enough trust in his abilities to build a plane, and make it safe enough to take to the skies. I need to have enough trust and faith in myself to know my limits, and to trust my gut.
I wish I had thought to trust my instincts 3 months ago, when I looked at my lab numbers and my doctor prescribed me 60mg of Armour for the RAI induced hypothyroidism. I felt like maybe that was too high of a dose compared to my labs, but I trusted his judgement and went with it. The past month I felt a little off, and I didn’t know why…I just wanted to rip more heads off than usual. I also had some weird “flight or fight” response the the strangest things, like people asking me questions. The psychosis kicked in, and I was holding myself in the corner of my room rocking back and forth.
Yup, you know what happens next. I got a call a few days after my blood work was done, and he drops the good news. “So, I overmedicated you and you’re out of range…I want you to cut the dose in half to 30mg”.
Okay fuck-tard. So, basically the Graves Disease girl is back to the hyper range thanks to this overmedication? Because of your carelessness?? I wanted to scream, and I was so mad at myself for taking 60mg in the first place and NOT starting out with what I felt I should’ve started out with – which was 15mg. That would have meant ignoring the doctors orders, and I just assumed this particular doc knew what he was doing. I mean, he went to medical school and I majored in theater…it’s a no brainer, right??
I offered this up. “Well, why would I take 30mg if my levels are ‘pretty far out of range’…I don’t want to be hyper again and have to get RAI done for the 2nd time.”
“Well, I don’t want you to either…”
“Great. So I’m just going to stop taking the medication altogether and see what happens!”
“Okay, but I wanted to go slowly, but well, I guess that’s an option too…”
You might believe I’m careless for just disregarding his advice to cut it in half. But my gut is telling me to drop it completely, go in for bloodwork in a few months and PRAY my levels have gone down to hypo or normal. You may think going hypo will be just as bad, but I’m willing to turn into Jaba-the-fucking-HUT if it means avoiding another dose of RAI. I can’t run the risk of taking 30mg for another two months, and possibly finding out that it’s still too high. Also, if I have to get RAI done again, I will drive around looking for a nice bridge overlooking gorgeous blue water, after I’m done stabbing everyone that has wronged me by this disease.
Here it is people – if something feels off, but your doctor disregards you and your concern…maybe it’s time to find someone who will take you seriously. How many people have walked into their endos office and said, “You know, I’m still dealing with mental fog – I think my medication needs to be adjusted” to get the response: “You’re just depressed. You just need fresh air and exercise, or maybe some anti-depressants”.
PS? In case anyone was wondering, I feel like so many doctors I’ve seen need a prescription as well. If the pharmacy had something in stock, I’d want it to be my FOOT, shoved up ignorant and uncaring asses. That would make me a happy camper. I’m thinking about branding and marketing my “foot-in-ass” medication, and guess what? It’s ALL NATURAL! No horrible side effects, just simply MY FOOT in some careless and ignorant doctor’s ASS.
He didn’t always show this carelessness to me, I had complete faith in this doc from the get go – which was odd, cause the reason I got kicked into Graves Disease was because of a doctor that misdiagnosed me as “Hashimoto” and gave me medication for hypothyroid! WHOOT WHOOT. Where THE FUCK is everyone going to medical school?
With the recent overmedication news, I’m trying to figure out what went wrong…maybe he didn’t know how to convert a dose for Armour appropriately, since that would require him to do math. Endos are so used to passing out Synthroid, that it just seems like they’re spinning an Armour milligram wheel in their office to figure things out.
I guess the point I’m insanely trying to make through all these stories is…no matter where you’re at with your disease – listen. to. your. gut.
If something about your doctor, or his/her advice seems off…take it into consideration. Trust your instincts. Put more trust in YOU knowing your body better than anyone else. Of course, some of you may have amazing doctors that you fully trust, so consider yourselves very lucky.
From now on, I’m going to approach them with an open mind, but I will be the one holding all the cards by trusting myself and my gut. I didn’t go to medical school, but at this point, I’ve researched my crap disease so much that I’ve given myself an honorary degree. Doctors are supposedly there to help us, and whenever it doesn’t feel like I’m getting the help I PAY out of pocket for – I will insert my foot, retract the foot, then leave.
Xoxo,
N
Tags: Dear Thyroid columns, dry hair, Fat Thigh Roid Woes, Fat thigh-roid Woes written by Nicole Wells, Graves disease column, graves' disease, hair loss, how do you deal with hair loss, how does hair loss emotionally affect you, hyperthyroidism, split-ends, The Long Walk Off A Short Cliff, thyroid related hair issues
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30 Responses to “Fat Thigh-roid Woes: The Long Walk…Off a Short Cliff”
Leave a Reply to amelissad2
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Nicole, you are a very gifted writer. I laughed out loud and then cried when your words, your agony, your anger and your wish to kick the ass of all the saintly white coat wearers mirror my journey so well. Last week I pondered about which set of stairs in my home would be best to throw myself down to get the most injuries. I have no pain threshold; I am a baby, yet I wanted to hurt myself. When I kick the ass of every “healer” I have entrusted my mind and body to, I hope you get to read about it. A very wise holistic psychiatrist diagnosed me hypo without a single drop of blood, and prescribed Thyrolar. He simply listened to my symptoms and said standard thyroid tests are wrong more often than not. I am also blessed with bi-polar disorder, Fibro and Seasonal Affective Disorder in Summer. I have a wonderful PCP who gives me a T3/T4 compound. He believes in threating the patient, not the paper. I had a total thyroidectomy 2 yrs. ago-Hashi’s, goiter and nodules. A wise decision,I feel. I want the first order of your “foot-in-ass” medication. Hell, I’ll be your sales rep! I’ve fired several endo’s. They are useless. Synthroid made me suicidal and homicidal, but they knew what I needed in spite of the side effects and wouldn’t discuss a compound. I hope we can stay in touch and look forward to your next posting. Keep fighting the good fight. Sincerely, fat, manic, hypo and pissed. Linda McClure-Woodham
Dear Linda,
Not only will you be my sales rep when I patent the “Foot-in-Ass” meds, but I will hire you to be my manager!
I’m sick of going to a different endo every single time, and having the new one say a completely different thing than the last. I also feel terrible that your endo didn’t listen to you regarding Synthroid and the side effects – this happens too much to just let it go, especially if you were feeling suicidal. I know so many people that are on medications for one thing, to only take another medication for the side effects the FIRST medication gave them – it’s fucking MADNESS.
Our bodies aren’t designed to constantly be sick, and they shouldn’t be. I want answers from SOMEONE damnit.
Please take care, and I’ll talk to you next week!
xoxo,
Nicole
Hey Doctor Nicole…
It is your body, and your decision. This is scary, to stop the meds… but what about Graves isn’t? I know “hyper” and don’t blame you for not wanting it back. I am in the process of packing the “hyper” baggage up and sending it on it’s merry fucked up way.
It is your advice/words that I have read here that have helped make me THINK and RESEARCH everything. I like my endo, but I am not willing to sign my life over to her. As long as I can remember to keep “my life, my body” in the forefront of my treatment, I think/hope my endo and I will work well together.
And I love the airplane man story, that is my Dad’s approach to everything. He is 84 years old and still works full time. We joke that he is semi-retired, “only” works 6 days a week now. He has always had that courage to do, try and push. Saying I wish I were more like him is just me admitting that I don’t allow myself to be that way. Anyone can be brave and go for it, I just have a problem strapping on the balls. 😉
So you go Nicole, just take care of yourself. I hope this works for you.
Amanda
[sorry, Graves potty mouth]
Dear Amanda,
You made my day when I read your comment. I teared up. I had no idea what impact I’d have when I started to write this column, and the fact you said “it is your advice/words that I have read here that have helped make me THINK and RESEARCH everything” makes MY YEAR.
All of us here are helping one another, and shaping the way we view our many stupid diseases. I’m just ecstatic about the positivity we’re all bringing to the table, and even if I bitch and moan about my disease via my column – I feel like I can see the light at the end of the shit-stained Graves Disease tunnel.
xoxo,
Nicole
Hi Nicole…so love your Gra-ge against the Machine.
It took me about 6-7 months to go hypo after RAI & before I was put on Levo; Endo said it stays in the body that long. Although going hypo opens a completely different can of worms or way of managing to that of hyper, being hypo for me has brought me so much peace. It has been a hard transition, fortunately DT has been there for me during this process, so supportive talking me down from the insanity and thru the lost health maze. New ways of eating (was so difficult for me; little by little); yes the hyper CRAZY appetite will subside in time and you will feel better being able to be physically active. It’s difficult right now due to having to watch your heart. I was bedridden for a year & bubble boy in air conditioning due to not being able to breath in anything but cold air. Little by little you will be able to re-claim your life, but yes it’s going to be work. As in keeping tabs on new health concerns that being hypo brings about. (Vit D deficiency for me although in the sun daily) So much more. Fortunately for me, I had been dealing with a physical disability for years prior so I already was armed with how to deal with Dr. office/insurance beaurocracy, mistreatment of diagnosis & happiness with changing dr.’s Keep up your search for the Dr. that will take care of you. It’s obviously lifelong management & there will be more different doctors for different body parts, lol. You will come out of this ahead, so keep holding your beautiful head high. I loved your airplane story…you will be able to grab life by it’s balls again 🙂
I am just barely trying to get a grip on having a great Primary Dr. and experienced mismanagement when the Doctor I loved delivered the news I had Graves on the same day she told me she was leaving for a better position. What a way to deal with hell, being bounced around from one incompetent full of their ego dr after the other. Now that I think about it, the larger the ego the more incompetent! the smaller the ego, the more experienced. Don’t quote me on this, lol. Keep up your search, they are out there! Keep taking care of yourself.
Hugs,
Mel
Hey Mel,
Thanks for the words of encouragement : )
I understand being the bubble boy – I spent 2 years straddling my air conditioner and whenever I did go outside, I’d sweat clear through whatever I was wearing. I’d get up from a restaurant seat, and not only was my ass soaked…the seat was soaked too. It was beyond disgusting.
I think that coming off the meds in the past week has helped me a lot, so I’m glad I did it. Also, I’m trying to mentally prepare myself for a calorie restriction. My acupuncturist told me this morning that I needed to drop some weight…I mean, I don’t even fit into my fucking underwear anymore. Can’t do this any longer. It’s time to cut back on the consumption, and monitor my intake.
You take care of yourself as well, and I know it’ll all work out for us after all this bullshit struggle. : )
Please keep me updated on your progress!
xoxo,
Nicole
Nicole – Every time I did not listen to my gut, I regretted it and will never do it again. Not only are you knowledgeable now from all your research, you know you better than anyone and that counts for a lot! I love the airplane story too.
Hey Lori!
Unfortunately, I think my gut has been filled with too much cake these days to sway me – but I’m going to start paying more attention to what it’s trying to say in between bites.
The fact is, we all know when we’re feeling off and something is wrong despite what advice others may offer. The docs I’ve been to gave me the impression of the sympathetic ear, but the results I’ve gotten have been pure negligence on their part.
Take care of yourself,
Nicole
Sorry about the negligence you’ve experienced. I know it only too well and know how hard it is, but I know you’ll keep plugging away! You can read my story if you like, the short version that didn’t turn out too short;) It was just published July 30: http://dearthyroid.org/i-hear-you-butterfly/
Nicole, you are hilarious and brilliant and so very talented! I just love this post so much. We do know our bodies better than our doctors and we need to learn how to speak up when our instincts tell us to.
With my last dose of RAI (which was last October)I learned the secret behind doctors’ dosing methods. It’s called the S.W.A.G. method–scientific wise ass guess. Sometimes, that’s really how it feels when our doctors prescribe us medicine–like they are just taking a guess. I think the key is finding a doctor who has made enough bad guesses to know how to now make good ones.
Thanks for writing this for us!
xoxo,
Joanna
Hey Joanna!
The S.W.A.G. method???? AMAZING. I’m picking up new lingo weekly on DT.
Did you have to do two doses of RAI? Question: did it make you feel like something disgusting was in your body? It made me feel like that. Just a really, sick, uncomfortable feeling all over. That feeling lasted for about a week, and I NEVER want to go through that again. I’m not THAT brave. I’d rather perform my own thyroidectomy over my kitchen sink before I swallow that gray pill again.
Thank you for being so rad and amazing!
Nicole
Yep, I’ve had two treatment doses of RAI (a total of about 250mCi). It made me feel sick–the first couple of days after taking it I didn’t want to move for fear that I might puke everywhere. I have noticed more long term side effects, though. For example, my salivary glands are fried and hurt pretty much every day. I’ll take RAI one more time (if needed), and then I’m done with it.
Nicole,
Loved the aeroplane bit too. The only person you can trust is you and your gut instincts & symptoms, you kick ass but watch you don’t lose your foot cuz some of these docs are big ass holes.
Lolly
I also forgot to say I donlt hink it;s a good idea for you to sotrp your meidcation completly go with your gut instincts and reduce to 15mg let your doc know you have done it too because although you may beleive that hypo is not as hard as Hyeper it easier to come down out of hyper than it is to crawl back out of hypo it takes so much longer.
Just my opionion and one who fluctuates from one to the the other but finds hypo fucking hell.
Lolly
Lolly, I thought I knew all I needed to know about hypo and the crap that it is.Then, after reading your post, I now see that I am not hypo 24/7. Sometimes I shiver, curl into the fetal position and dare anyone to come close. Most of the time, however, I am too hot to live.
I have to stand in front of a fan when dressing or doing much of anything even in 68 degrees-inside. Having to choose between starvation and going out in the heat equal to the center of the sun we have had of late, I think I would starve. Hell, I can eat dirt or cat litter and gain weight. My husband decided about 2 mos. ago he needed to take off some weight. He is down about 25 lbs. and has not suffered one second. I take a diaretic and go down maybe 2-3 lbs. Then the next morning I weigh 5 lbs. heavier. Damn it! Why can I not melt like he did? I have foolishly wished I was hyper, so I could be thin. A stupid thought, to be sure. What are your symptoms when you swing from hypo to hyper? Can you attribute the change to any activity, food, meds?
I already have a pendulum up my butt from being bipolar.
Crap. How do I know if I’m going from depression to mania at the same time I’m swinging to hyper. You named this illness so correctly- “hypo fucking hell”
A final question: What is RAI? I remain, depressed, manic, fat, hot and pissed off. Linda
Hey Lolly,
Thank you for the advice! My thing is: I’m going to get a blood test in about another month or so, so if I do go hypo, I will not be wandering in hypo land for very long. Personally, I’d rather be hypo than hyper, because at first my Graves over the years manifested itself AS hypo (I’m such a medical marvel) and I had the typical symptoms of Hashimoto…ugh, such a long and lame story. Anyways, I wasn’t that hypo to begin with after the RAI since my goiter was the size of a truck so I don’t think it burned it off completely. So, I’m willing to go down the hypo way for a bit if it means protecting myself from the bullshit hyper all over again.
Different strokes for different folks I guess. I’d gladly hand over the explosive shit-your-pants diarrhea for some good ol’ constipation for about a month or so, until things started to work out with my levels.
xoxo,
Nicole
Hi Linda, I really feel for you because Bi-polar runs in my family and worst nightmare is for someone close in my family to suffer from both thyroid & bi-polar because each individually on their own are difficult to deal with or treat, so I feel for your struggle. I’m a little new to this game but I have seen some of the ppl on here really knowledgeable with how to pay attention to T3. I have seen from different peoples post something along the lines of Testing TSI, TIS? levels I think possibly from Lori, which I am completely unknowledgeable but it’s something on the back burner that I want to learn about. How to better keep track of T3 treat it (a lot off ppl talk about treating it naturally) it’s something I want too need to learn about because I have never suffered from depression b4 but do now if I let myself have certain triggers or if my levels are off. It’s such an experiment @ this point, so I too would love to know from you all how to better keep track of T3.
Linda Do you have any NAMI or SAMHSA support groups near you or anything supportive thru your insurance? I know that it’s a HARD road to find good help even with insurance. I think you are so great for fighting back and to try to seek answers. So many ppl with bi-polar fall off their treatment and I credit your search for answers. keep it up and I hope u find some soon!
Hugs,
Mel
Sorry to interject on your page Nicole, I had seen a bit of Linda’s story before & had wanted to touch base. Linda RAI is the radiation treatment for hyper, well in my case hyper/graves. I was allergic methimazole so I couldn’t take anything. it was either remove it or RAI, but my endo recmn’d for my situation RAI. I feel like it personally saved my life because I was not functioning prior to. I know a lot of ppl express discomfort with this option. FYI, I hope you have good insurance because after RAI there is a possibility of developing TED(ask your dr.) This includes being able to see a Plastic Ocular reconstruction surgeon at about 700$ an office visit (of coarse your insurance would pay the bill (I pay co-pay), check 1st to see which insurance’s they accept ie. PPO’s. not familiar with HMO’s that cover this. That would require further investigation) TED (thyroid eye disease) cannot be around 2nd hand smoking. With TED there are a couple of treatments, natural, nothing, prednisones (temporarily. btw caused me to be a zombie with tooo high of a dosage. I’m sure this is not something you need. mY LEVELS also fluxuated on them, but they helped me weather the storm, my levels are back to ‘normal’ and am in a better place w/ TED. )Some ppl have to have surgery due to impingement on optical nerve; dont want to deteriorate your sight. There is another radiation treatment for this & more/other. Just wanted to give you a heads up. btw, forgot to even ask if you have graves…for all i know you have hashi…
Thanks, fellow thyroid sister. I am most definitely hypo, because I had a total thyroidectomy 2 yrs. ago.
Had Hashi, goiter, nodules. Glad I got it out and didn’t have to have a crap shoot to know when or if it was working. My TSH is below 1 and last test T3 and T4 were in normal range. My PCP prescribes a compound becuse the usual meds made me worse. He knows more about thyroid problems and solutions than any endo I fired.
When my bipolar and hypo overlap it is hell for anyone around me. I have a very wonderful, patient husband, and lots of 4-legged babies who are better than any medication for any illness/syndrome. Having a very bad day- had to leave Church services in middle and came home to bed, where I spend lots of time. One of my dogs is sick, and although I have loved and given up 20 or so in my life, I am never ready to hear bad news. Will get the news tomorrow. All who pray, plese pray for my baby, Peaches. Sad and wanting to kill the pain, not myself-Linda
Love it.
Not the terrible disease or the dumbass doctor part, just the fact that it’s so gosh-darn honest. Love that. Love you.
Thank B bARTs!
I consider myself a warrior in the Honesty Revolution…
Luvs,
Nix
Hi Linda,
I am glad you have a pretty good grip on things and have the ability to recognize when something is off. That reminds me when my new Primary doctor said “well you should come in when you feel something is off” to which I replied “I don’t know how to tell yet, when it has always felt off.” Also glad you are surrounded by loved ones 🙂 I hope things get better for Peaches, poor baby….You are a far more patient person than I am to have taken care of so many “pets”.
-Mel
Mel, thank you and everyone who prayed for my sweet dog, Peaches. She does not have a blockage or a mass, thank GOD! After a full panel of blood work, Xrays, 2 doctors, and some S.W.A.G. my Vet thinks she has developed allergies to her food.(and I only spent a mere $490. for new food,meds,tests, ADVICE, etc) Well, isn’t that just F’N dandy! Now both of us can eat food with no ingredients. She is sleeping peacefully on the bed with me and my other 3 babies. I am exhausted; feet, ankles swollen from spending an eternity at the clinic with her, and I am supposed to stay awake tonight so I can have yet another Sleep Study tomorrow. Forgot to add Sleep Apnea to my list of bitchy complaints. I sleep better in daytime, so my sleep/pulmonary specialist thought I should have the sleep study during daylight.
I stopped using my CPAP (C-CRAP!)machine after my thyroidectomy. Snoring subsided, but still concerned since I am heavy. No, not heavy; FAT!! Thank you, Dear departed thyroid, for leaving all the fat cells behind when you were gently ripped from my neck. As for being patient with so many animals; they ARE and have been my salvation during many bad, bad times. I have never given birth, but don’t think I could love them any more if they had come from me. They do read my mind and get closer to me when I am down. Quoting from my favorite calendar, =Getting In Touch With Your Inner Bitch= …no matter how dilligent we are, Toxic Niceness creeps back in. Your inner bitch wants you to take a few minutes today to practice saying-“I don’t think so”
Sincerely, Bitchy and glad—-Linda
Great to hear about Peaches! Best of luck with your sleep apnea treatment, you are so on the ball! I had to respond, I think that I need a calendar talking me down from my “inner bitchyness” and can’t believe you have a one reminding you how to get in touch with it, lol. Do hashi patients experience rage like us graves ppl? 😛
Good evening, Mel. It is 12:40a.m on the East Coast and I’m trying to stay awake for tomorrow’s sleep study by eating. Big surprise! You asked if Hashi people have rage episodes. I’ve had horrible bouts of rage which I always blamed on bipolar. Maybe I was hit on the head after my thyroidectomy and didn’t know I can still have Hashi’s??? I thought it went to the medical waste bin with my thyroid. Wow. I’m learning how much I don’t know with every new message.
Can anyone tell me if I still have Hashi’s, even though I do not have a thyroid? I know the goiter and nodules are history, but since Hashi’s is an autoimmune disease, maybe Hashi is not gone. Crap!! I need an answer.
Forgot to mention my trip to hell last September when as a last hope for crippling depression, I willingly had 3 ECT treatments. Now, I get sick just thinking about how barbaric this treatment really is. I was great after the first 2, but the 3rd went horribly wrong and I woke up during the shock to my brain. I came out of the hospital wounded and in horrible mental pain. Contacted an attorney to sue for malpractice, but I’d need thousands to sue the bastard doctor. Oh, well, he’ll get “his” I strongly believe in Karma. Not sure what part of the country you are in. Here in Tennessee, it is 55 minutes past the witchig (or is it ‘bewitching’?)
hour and I’m headed back to the kitchen. Good night.
Linda
Thank you for sharing Linda. I’m on pacific time. Good q about Hashi’s. I hope it’s gone for you. …So sorry you experienced medical malpractice, everyone’s worst nightmare. I believe in Kharma as well..just not for me hahaha. jk.
night/morning
Mel, I thought you might be on the West Coast. It is 2:43 a.m on this side of the river and the TV is still blaring and I have eaten all the food I would need for tomorrow when I am asleep.
Thinking about going to bed. Husband will have me up at 6 a.m., I have to be at sleep clinic @7:a.m.
Hope others have read our posts and can answer my question about Hashi’s. If not, I will post it to the entire family on our website. Yes, Karma is for all of us. Some get it in this lifetime, others in the next.
Good night, friend. Glad we talked. Linda
Nicole,
Well as long as you know what to expect, but neither is a walk in the park and I think most of would say as you would probably yourself that we would rather not be either hypo or hyper but to put yourself there well what can I say other than I hope no one else gets the idea to follow suit, because both can be a horrible place to be as many will testify so I found your comment a little off the wall if you don’t mind me saying so felt the need to respond
also this comment well I didn’t exactly find it funnny maybe others did. freedom of speech I guess.
Different strokes for different folks I guess. I’d gladly hand over the explosive shit-your-pants diarrhea for some good ol’ constipation for about a month or so, until things started to work out with my levels.
I too have Graves disease so know exactly what it is like to be Hyper well both ends of the spectrum.
Luv
Lolly
Hey Lolly,
My mom has Hashimoto, and she had a nightmare of a time until she found out that’s what was causing her brain fog, depression, and all the other shitty symptoms.
My comment wasn’t intended to disregard symptoms of hypo and say it’s so much easier to deal with – but for myself, shitting my pants in public because of Graves Disease was a lot harder to deal with than the constipation of hypo (naming just one issue), and the RAI didn’t make me go severely hypo in the first place…so I doubt I will be dealing with the symptoms people with hashi or hypothyroid deal with day to day.
My point is that I found Graves to be so dangerous on my body short term, that I will gladly exchange a few months of hypo rather than risk going hyper again..if I end up becoming hypo when all is said and done.
Take care,
N
Nicole;
Thanks for this. So much of what you said, I relate to, as many of us do, I think. And, you’re hilarious. Full stop.
I agree — we always have to trust our gut and our instincts, especially when it comes to doctors, and in life. Great point.
Dear Thyroid’s posture is: We don’t endorse taking or stopping medication without a doctor’s consent or approval. Never self medicate. Never compare diseases.
All of that being said, as much as I will worry to bits and pieces about you until you are under a good doctor’s supervision, I accept the choice that you’ve made. I will also be very glad when you’re on the right track with medication and you are able to achieve the coveted ‘in range’ thyroid levels.
Keep up the great work. Thank you for sharing more of you with us. Seeing/experiencing disease through the eyes of other patients is enlightening and always educational. I think it brings us closer together as a community. Whether we agree or disagree.
xo
Katie