THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I want to say a super gigantic thank you to all those who left comments on this website as well as facebook. I firmly believe there is great power in sharing your experiences with others. I received many private messages from folks telling me they were thankful for these stories because it helped them to realize they weren't alone in their struggles.

It wasn’t until I read someone else’s story several years ago on the internet, did I realize I wasn’t imagining what was happening to me. A person can only get a certain amount of strange looks from doctors...then you begin to wonder about yourself.

My thyroid brothers and sisters keep speaking out, demanding results, creating awareness and if you need a shoulder, the Crazy Thyroid Lady is always here for you. Twitter me, facebook me, email me…just don’t come over my house, though because it is usually a mess.

What? I’m too tired to clean it!

SHARE YOUR STORY

A recent conversation I had with a fellow thyroid sufferer helped me come up with this latest blog post.

Because the thyroid gland affects just about every cell in the body, a multitude of symptoms can occur-from your hair to your little piggies. This is why it is so difficult to diagnose and treat.
How do you begin mending a sinking boat full of holes?

My fellow thyroid suffering comrade said she could not place all the blame on the multiple misdiagnoses from MD’s, since she was in denial about several of her symptoms, and wasn’t exactly forthright with all them... in particular, the neurological symptoms, i.e., depression, anxiety, brain fog, irritability, slow thinking etc,. Sigh, why does society (myself included) sometimes have trouble understanding that symptoms of diseases can also develop from the neck up?

Therefore, in my quest to increase thyroid disease awareness and help the medical community realize EXACTLY what we suffer through, I am asking all of you to please leave a comment explaining HOW YOU FIRST KNEW, (but were hesitant to speak out). It is my hope that other thyroid sufferers and medical professionals will read these comments and perhaps, get a better understanding as to what thyroid disease is all about (not just about losing or gaining weight). Don’t get me wrong…weight is an issue, the thunder in my thighs are holding on for dear life, they do not want to leave, no matter what I do to try to get rid of them.

Ok, I will go first- Here it goes:

I first knew something was REALLY wrong with me , but did not know what to say or how to communicate this to my MD-Several years prior to my diagnosis, I began having major panic and anxiety attacks whenever I was enclosed in places like elevators, backs seats of cars and my cubicle at work. I was also having trouble with large crowds. I never had these issues before. Weird lumps on my right shin started to emerge and in my early 30’s, hot flashes were becoming the norm for me. Also, I began to start losing bits and pieces of my memory. Suddenly, (it seemed like overnight) the majority of my childhood memories were gone. It was like a giant eraser was used to remove that area in my brain where these memories were stored. This sucks, because from what I do remember, my upbringing was great!

So, this was my first “Hmmmm, something is REALLY wrong with me, but how in the world do I explain this to my doctor moment” Ha, because I knew I would receive the “Carol are you for real?” look.

K…So it’s your turn…what was yours?

I FIRST KNEW SOMETHING WAS REALLY WRONG WITH ME BUT DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE THIS -

If you are having trouble leaving a comment here on blogger then you can go to my facebook page (the link is at the top right of this page) and leave a comment there.

Thanks so much for giving some of your time to help raise awareness.

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

THYROETRY - VALENTINES SPECIAL

This poem is dedicated to my hubby, love you honey!

Roses are red.

My thyroid is pink.

But it is not working.

That sure does stink.

Sending a shout out to my special Valentine.

Please understand I must be in bed by nine.

No wine, no chocolate…too many calories.

The weight will stay on for several centuries.

I love you my hubby, thanks for putting up with me.

Yours truly, The Crazy Thyroid Lady.

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book, Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy. Buy it on Amazon today.

OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Hello my thyroid family,

KUDOS to any family member who’s been able to snare an awesome thyroid doctor, for those who haven’t - keep searching. Good luck!

In past blogs, you've read about my tumultuous relationship with my Endo. I was so close to divorcing her again, however, recent events have led me to want to stick with her a little longer. She accepts me now because I have given her the one thing she truly loves most, a non-thyroid ailing patient.

Allow me to explain…

It all started one day when my Endo had grown tired of me complaining about my symptoms(I must have received 10-12 sighs during that particular office visit). You know the type, the huge loud sighs, accompanied with her hands on her hips and some eye rolls...

Because I told her many of my symptoms were exacerbated around "that time" of the month, she promptly cut me off and said. “Well this all sounds period related, you should go see your gynecologist. “

Oh the joy when specialists pawn you off onto another? Cha Ching!

Meanwhile, at the Gyno, he heard my concerns and ran a battery of tests (without the sigh’s and eye rolls).

The tests showed my progesterone was off the charts "low", almost non-existent. Progesterone is nicknamed “The feel good hormone.” You mean there is a hormone that is supposed to make you feel good? I’ll take a few cases please!

In addition, my blood sugar was high...

Fast forward to my next Endo visit, she immediately asked how my appointment with my Gyno went. I told her about my progesterone (rather lack thereof), then I told her about blood sugar.

And…amazingly, it was like I turned into a shiny new toy for her to play with! She became somewhat giddy, it was weird. She began talking 100 miles an hour about my health and all the things I should do from here on out. She wanted me to come back to see her physician assistant, who is also a registered dietician to chart out a comprehensive dietary plan. She suggested exercises, recommended books and a few websites.

I could not believe this change in her attitude, (now I’m sighing)...But ya know, I can’t even get mad anymore. Still, I’m a little frustrated. Where were the exercise tips, the dietician, the passion to treat me when I gained 20 pounds after radio-active iodine treatment? The only response I received then was…”Are you sure you are taking your medicine at the right time each day.”

Thyroid sufferers, if we aren’t treated like hypochondriacs then we are treated like five-year olds!

But alas, I am an optimist! I know one day we pioneers will not have suffered in vain. The medical community will eventually know how to treat those of us afflicted with thyroid ailments. Our future looks bright. We will have "on-call" massage therapists to work on our achy joints, round the clock maid service to keep our houses clean, and in-home chefs to cook nutrient enriched but, tasty meals-all paid by insurance companies.

Sigh

Crazy Thyroid Lady