Bonnie H Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I shared here a few weeks ago about my trying to have a hysterectomy in November but my blood pressure was too high in the preop and operating room and the surgery was cancelled. I was left trying to get my BP back under control and rescheduled surgery for December 16th. After weekly doctor visits and BP checks, my FNP ordered some lab work. I have been complaining for YEARS to these people that I'm so tired some days I can hardly get out of bed or walk across the room, have shortness of breath, feel weak, muscle pains, joint pains, and at least a dozen other symptoms, but each time I'd go in and complain and ask for help, I'd be met with "exercise and lose weight." Well, don't you think I would if I had the energy??? So I stopped complaining. I should have found help elsewhere. Today my lab work came back. And wouldn't you know. I have hypothyroidism. So instead of getting a hysterectomy for Christmas, I may get to feeling better than I have in years by getting my thyroid levels back to normal. I've been telling my husband for a couple of years I wish they would find something wrong with me so I could stop being a hypochondriac! LOL I feel vindicated. What a great feeling. The hysterectomy is on hold until my thyroid levels are adjusted, but that's okay. I'm learning that hypothyroidism affects women at a much higher percentage rate than it affects men, and especially women over the age of 60. So if you haven't been feeling well, don't stop nagging your doctor to run a simple blood test and at least rule out your thyroid. I'm hoping to feel like a new woman soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oma Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Yay! Let's keep our fingers crossed. So happy for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSteller Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 I'm glad they discovered this for you, Bonnie. I can tell you however, that getting your thyroid level under control may help you to feel a little better, but the thyroid medication really won't make a huge difference in the way you feel. I discovered I had hypothyroidsim about 20 years ago, and have been taking synthroid ever since. I'm still exhausted! All the best to you. I hope you can get the levels adjusted so you can continue with your surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Bonnie, I'm glad they finally figured that out for you. Now, keep watching what the really do for you. I have started working with a clinic that focuses on functional medicine instead of the traditional pill popping medicine to treat symptoms instead of curing the base cause. There is more to check in thyroid than just the THS, eventutally they should be checking T3 and T4 and the rest of the hormone levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Bonnie, I'm so glad they have found out what is causing the weakness.. Our older daughter also has thyroidism, and is on meds, and having a terrible time, trying to even things out. She was told she had a "different body" than most people needing thyroid care! Like mother, like daughter? My source of tiredness was three things.. One, my white blood count was dangerously low.. I give myself weekly infusions of Hyzentra. 4 needles each time. Two was my potassium level was also very low. The B vitamins were needing help. Of course anemia went along with all that.... I'm a wreck!! lol I am feeling better, a Lot better since the heart attack back in April. Odd? Yeah but I'm a unique person and my body does strange things all the time. Heart attack or no, making my body feel better is the best part! LOL, even my cardiologist gave me a weird look when I told him I'm feeling so much better. prayers for your body and the help it needs with thyroid and BP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Great when doctors 'listen'. Hope you are feeling better really fast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 That my dear, is wonderful news (Not that you have Thyroid issues,..that you found out what's been ailing you.) The hysterectomy is a cake walk. So, yes putting it off, is nothing. My gallbladder surgery was the worst I've ever had in all my surgeries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Linda, I'm sorry the Synthroid didn't make you feel more than just a little better. I wonder why? I'm still in the very early stages of researching and looking for a support group. Maybe I will find more answers than I want to know. As I understand it, if you have one autoimmune condition (is yours Hashimoto's thyroiditis?), you are more likely than the average person to get another autoimmune disease. Could you have something else going on? Madelyn, I will be going back in for more thyroid tests hopefully this week. I'm guessing a T3, T4, Reverse T3, and anti-thyroid antibodies. I'm not sure what other tests just yet. Is there a place online I can learn more about functional medicine in thyroid patients? That would be an interesting topic to research. Thank you! Rita, I didn't realize you had recently had a heart attack. I'm glad you are still with us!! My mom had a very low potassium level from taking HCTZ and not being routinely monitored. (I'm on the same diuretic and mine is a little low, too). Having a very low potassium level can cause heart attacks. Of course, having too high a potassium level is just as dangerous. Our bodies have room for balance but when they are out of whack, boy do you feel it. I'm glad you are feeling better. Even if it takes medications to get you that way, feeling better is G O O D !!! Sheri, I have heard that with women and gallbladder surgeries ... just the recovery and finding what types of foods you can tolerate I hear is the pits. I hope you are better now! Thank you to all for the well-wishes. I'm hopeful to get back to having at least a little more energy and spend a whole day SEWING soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Hashimoto Hyperthyroidism was the diagnosis in my case. After so many visits to the regular doctor, endocrinologists office and lab tests, the surgeon removed the sick left lobe of my thyroid gland in 2012. It was a relief, I am not taking pills for it because of the healthy lobe functioning well, I thank God. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted December 9, 2014 Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 This is the clinic I have gone to but it is a trek from CA! I have a friend whose mom comes from NY since she hasn't found her help locally. Between the Bridges Healing Center offers solutions to acute conditions (infections, neck and back pain, headaches, and joint and muscle pain); chronic conditions (IBS, osteoarthritis, heart and lung disease, diabetes); chronic complex conditions (obesity, autoimmune illnesses, inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut, diabesity, ALS, MS, Parkinson’s disease, cancer); endocrine imbalances; chronic fatigue; fibromyalgia; mental health imbalances; and nutritional needs associated with preconception, perinatal and postpartum, infant, childhood and adult stages. This site lists a number of functional medicine locations in CA. https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117#results I hope you can find what is right and works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2014 Corey, praise God that worked for you! Madelyn, thank you for the link. I will bookmark it and check it out later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted December 10, 2014 Report Share Posted December 10, 2014 Gosh, my thyroid is up to 9 cm (?) keeping close watch. So many of the possible symptoms listed above are what I have and am going thru. Gall bladder surgery was a breeze, haven't had to go to special diets or avoid any foods other than the Bell and relatled peppers I'm allergic to. Hysterectomy was a breeze in itself, no help from family was the hard part. I'm a stubborn old cuss and managed to function well.. when they, one daughter and Himself both had abdominal surgery, they found out what I'd gone thru and said so, but no apologies at all. lol Yes, the heart attack in April was all from stress I had no control over. The washer went out 3 time the dryer twice, (or those numbers were reversed) The fridge went out twice, the Heat pack, (some call them heat pump) went out and was out for 3 months, with various parts being needed.. and onlyo knowing that one part at a time. It's so dold it took days to find a part, buy it, and put it in, then find another part was needed. We were to have 4 windows put in the living room, to replace One Small Window, but had to put a new roof on. Was to have a tree taken out, it's still not done. We pulled the old BADLY FILTHY carpet out of the living room and bedrooms.. just have bare pressed boards now.. That was the day I spent in the motel to not be in all the dust, and had the heart attack there. We now have the windows in, tree is still here, bare floors.. and no flooring has helped the copd. trying to sell a wood stove and a huge sofa with 2 lounges, to bring some money in to buy the flooring. They aren't selling. I'll put the treadle machine and another sewing machine on Craigs List, today. We can use prayers that at least some of them sell.. Anyway short story long, that's our situation. I'm just finishing meds for another bout of copd so am feeling better. Best Holidays, prayers for good health, good budgeting and safety for all, with piles of blessings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiP Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Bonnie, I couldn't believe the difference after I went on medication for an under active thyroid earlier this year. Instead of feeling tired and always feel like I'm pushing myself, I feel normal, and as a bonus, my nails, skin and hair are healthier. You should notice a big difference in a few months. The thyroid gland is pretty important! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Heidi, did you get NDT-type or synthetic thyroid? My doc ordered just a TSH level, twice. Kinda odd, I thought! They were both mid range 30s. I see her tomorrow but I think I will need to find someone experienced to treat me. I have a list of tests I'd like done before starting any treatment. No idea how receptive she will be, and I don't really know which tests are necessary. I've been reading at the site "stop the thyroid madness" and am overwhelmed. I'm glad you are feeling normal again! It gives me hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Bonnie, I have to say, I know exactly what your saying. I spent much of my 30s and 40s dragging myself through my life. Barely enough energy to do what I had to do with nothing extra for anything else. My primary sent me to a.surgeon, which should have been a big flag, but I was told he was one of the top docs on thyroid issues in the state. After years and having half my thyroid removed I went to anotber doc and was referred to an endocrinologist. I cant figure out why this didnt happen from the beginning of my issue. It turned out that he had me on too low a dose of synthroid. Once I got the right amount, my life changed drastically. I feel GREAT. NORMAL. Looking back I feel robbed. Keep going till you get a doc who will help you k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Bonnie, I am so glad you finally have an answer!! Yay! Now you will really enjoy running around after grandkids! Seriously, though, I understand how misdiagnosed thyroid issues are. Last year this time hubby started having symptoms that eventually endocrinologist and bloodwork diagnosed thyroiditis. It's been a long year of appointments, etc, and now the levels are borderline hyperthyroid all over again. So here we go again, but at least he now has specialists that take it seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Bonnie, I'm glad you got a diagnosis and hope that you find the right treatment quickly without too much fuss. It's tough to weed out all the information we have access to now. I know I am really bad at diagnosing myself from the internet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Marci, I feel for your husband and you. It is really hard for the person afflicted with an illness that is undiagnosed, but maybe even harder to be a spouse of the afflicted, trying to understand what that person is going through. I've had so many symptoms, some that are rather distressing cardiac-wise, so it's hard to believe they were ignored for so long. I imagine with the hyperthyroid issues, your husband has experienced a few distressing ones, too. I'll be praying that they get his fixed quickly so he can enjoy life again! You two must be so thankful his specialists are on top of things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 Annie, isn't that the truth about diagnosing from the internet! But you know, being able to investigate your own health is a positive -- even if it makes us look a little like hypochondriacs!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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