IT'S OVER...FINALLY

Why did even try to reconcile? Why?...I’ve finally had enough, It’s over…She will not get custody or visitation rights of my thyroid, I am through… FOREVER!

OK, long story short, here’s what happened:

·   Referred to Endo over 8 years ago.

·   Endo recommended Radio Active Iodine or (RAI).

·   Got RAI, but was then prescribed T4 only (I accepted this, even 
     though I did not feel well, because I did not know any better).

·  Divorced Endo years later, after suffering for so long, realizing I 
    could have tried a T3 drug that would perhaps make me feel 
    better.

·   Went to another MD who tested my T3. My T3 was off and
    started taking T3 right away.

·  However, the new MD didn't accept insurance and the
    appointments were getting to be too costly.

·  Reconciled with my old doc, but told her the only way I would
   come back is if she prescribed T3.

·  Old Endo said yes and prescribed T3 for several years.

·  A few months ago, I called my old Endo and said for some
    reason my thyroid meds were making me sick to my stomach (I
    let her know I had been eating a very very clean diet at the
    time).

·  She took me off T3 and Levoxyl and put me on Tirosint (a T4 
   only drug without dyes and preservatives). 

·  I reluctantly agreed with the treatment plan at the time, but
   then I started to feel horrible, the same way I felt nearly 8 years
   ago, without T3.  I told her I wanted back on T3 or at the very
   least test my T3 to see if my body needs it.

· She refused, without explanation…I didn’t bother asking,
   because I know she never wanted to give me the T3 in the first
   place, needless to say I was done.

So there you have it… that was the last straw! Time to leave this abusive relationship! It made me realize this Endo doesn’t care about me; I am just another troublesome-TSH-testing-T4–only- thyroid patient in her aesculapian assembly line.  I mean come on doc… it is just a test, not like I was asking you to come over and do my dishes.

Anyway…enough about her. I found the Holy Grail of providers. She is a nurse practioner with prescriptive authority, which means she can prescribe medications and tests (T3 tests, reverse, free..etc. NOT just TSH). This woman reeled me in hook, line and sinker when she said “Carol, the TSH test is just a small piece of the puzzle, it doesn’t tell the whole story, I’ll run a full workup on you and if you need T3, I’ll give you T3.”

I gushed…I think this is the one…she’s a keeper!

The Crazy Thyroid Lady

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

VACATION TIPS FOR THE THYROID SUFFERER

 

My husband came home the other day with a lovely surprise.  “Honey, we are going to Mexico for our 20^th wedding anniversary,” he said.  I was so excited.  Yea! I’ve never been to Mexico…Oh wait a minute…have I?

Isn’t it a shame, that I must think really hard about something like that? 

But with thyroid disease, comes a chalk full of symptoms, affecting various areas of the body, READ fellow thyroid activist, Hypothyroid MOM’s blog post and symptom list.  Symptoms can be far worse for some and not that bad for others…For example, for some, the fatigue is almost unbearable; for others, it is the joint pain.

As for me, without a doubt, hands down…it is my memory and brain fog.  Alright, so let me see…Hmmm, OK…I used to work for an airline… and I was able to fly for free…have I been to...?? Ummmm nope, I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to Mexico. Yippee!  We are going to have fun!

Since my brain cells have decided to take their own permanent vacation, I have had to come up with five tips to help make all my excursions more memorable:

 

1.  Say CHEESE! Of course this is the obvious – take many pictures and shoot video footage, if you can. Don’t be too annoying that you make this a stressful event for everyone involved.

2. Play games! A great way to spend some quality fun time. Laughter can stimulate parts of the brain promoting a better memory. 

3. Scrap it! Collect/save brochures, ticket stubs, maps etc… then make a scrap book when you return.  It makes for a nice keepsake and it will help you recall certain adventures of your trip.

4. Find a happy medium! Don’t schedule too many guided tours, however you want to do a little planning.  If you rely on spontaneity throughout your entire trip, you may not do anything and conversely, If the vacation is too action packed, it becomes one big blur.  Those are the types of vacations where you need a vacation, after the vacation.

5. Save the best for last! A sunlit walk on the beach, dine at your favorite bistro or visit the attraction you’ve always wanted to see.  Psychologists say we are more likely to remember events which occur at the end of something. Ahhh, that moist, delicious icing on the cake!

If I don’t do some or all of these tips, my time away becomes, well…just a time away.  It was great at the moment, but many many years from now I could be saying…Hmmm let me see, have I ever been to Mexico?

Crazy Thyroid Lady

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

YOU KNOW YOUR THYROID HORMONE LEVELS ARE OFF WHEN...

Top ten ways, you know your thyroid hormone levels are off:

1.  You are watching a television show and during the commercial break, you totally forget what television show you are watching. Hmm…what do I have on… Downton Abbey or CSI?

2. Your arguments with your significant other end in… “Oh whatever.” Because you can’t think of anything else to say.

3. You can’t remember if or when you took your thyroid medication(s), the same medication that will likely help get you back to your normal levels.

4.  You are no match intellectually with your children (or any household pets).

5.  It doesn’t matter what is the forecasted weather, you know, you will either need to wear a parka (hypo) or anything sleeveless (hyper) to work.

6.  You are sleepy in the morning, after coffee, before lunch, during lunch, after lunch and when the sun goes down.

7.  Forgetting something is taken to a whole other level…it is not like something normal like forgetting where you placed your keys. It is like forgetting your address, the ages of your children or the make/model and color of your car.

8.  You are looking, looking…I mean seriously looking…tearing the house apart. You are putting a lot of effort into this organized bloodhound and rescue type-search. This search has been going on for the past 60 minutes…then suddenly on the 62^nd minute, you forgot what you were searching for (time for a nap).

9. You look at a simple word like “THE”…cock your head sideways and say, “Is that how you spell that word?”

10.Your train of thought is like the little engine that couldn’t.

 But of course, for me…most of these thyroid hormone-related issues hardly ever happen… because, well… my Endo says my TSH is primarily “within normal range.” (sarcasm)

Crazy Thyroid Lady

What!? You haven't purchased my thyroid book yet? Do it now, it is a quick and easy read. Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy