Saturday, October 31, 2009

Onwards and upwards

I’ve been feeling really ‘bleh’ the last few months.

tirednessIt wasn’t anything I could put my finger on; just fatigued, feeling a bit blue as well as inexplicably piling on weight. Actually it some ways it was rather reminiscent of the Glandular Fever I got as a teenager. My doctor just kept saying it was about working full time in a stressful role, being a single mother and running a household alongside juggling my study towards a Diploma in Business, but as of yesterday I have a concrete answer.

It’s kind of weird but it’s a huge relief to finally understand that my thyroid gland has stopped functioning well (aka Hypothyroidism). Apparently it’s a reasonably common condition (up to 3% of the population is affected) but it is often overlooked.

Today I have started taking replacement thyroxine, probably for the rest of my life,  but I am feeling very hopeful of a huge change in my outlook.  

11 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear that Lou, but if you have the fix that is great.

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  2. Thanks Punch. I feel greatly heartened knowing I may well feel back to normal soon.

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  3. If your experience is like mine, most likely you'll start feeling better almost instantly. My issue was a parathyroid and required surgery, but it's all about the hormones.

    Wishing you well
    T

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  4. Random symptoms are so frustrating. Fortunately you now have an answer. The meds should do their job quickly.

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  5. Meds will work but be prepared it could take a bit of time for them to get the right dose. Voice of experience speaking. With luck you get the right dose immediately but there are just a couple of cautions with these meds. Nothing big just ways to help you get the most of the medications.
    Take it first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before you eat.
    Do NOT take with any other medications and especially any vitamins or minerals - allow at least 2 hours before you take anything else.
    Something new I just learned also allow a couple of hours before drinking *gasp* tea - especially green tea. There is flouride in tea more in green and it acts to slow down an already wonky thyroid.

    Bottom line its all good and really helps with all the symptons you are suffering with. I have been on these meds for 11 years -- dose has been changed a couple of times. I just have to had it checked yearly now.

    Keep us posted.

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  6. Thanks for the advice Joanne. So perhaps I shouldn't be taking at the same time as my blood pressure meds first thing in the morning. I might need to rethink that perhaps.

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  7. it's always good to know the cause for something...takes out a lot of worry. I hope the meds work for you!

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  8. Lou I was taking my thyroid meds with my blood pressure for years (notice a pattern here?). So what I do now is have a glass of water at my bedside and leave my thyroid pill out and take it the minute I wake up -- that way I have about thirty minutes at least before I have finished showering making my lunch etc etc. Then I take the BP meds eat my breakfast and save any vitamins and minerals for later in the day.

    I know personally I can't go without my BP meds and have a physically active day. There was one time I ran out and didn't have the pills - went to a yoga (yes yoga) and almost passed out. I figure it was from one too many downward dogs and not enough BP meds.

    Just remember this is all good at the end of the day - a bit inconvienant but better than the alternative.

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  9. Thanks Joanne. Appreciate your advice.

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  10. Glad you identified the cause - so much better than not knowing. Feel better soon.

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