I have been alluding to some medical issues recently, not quite ready to elaborate. Mostly because it seemed like my little bits of stuff was typical-ish. Nothing special or extreme. Nothing to warrant much of a concern. When I found out that I was granted state medical coverage when W was I was pleased, but not because I thought anything was really wrong. I just thought it would be nice to not have to use a coupon to get a pap smear. Good to have a physical performed by someone that wasn’t mostly concerned with either getting me pregnant, staying pregnant or giving birth.
I have been to the doctor twice now, have had multiple visits to the blood lab, and oddly enough I have yet to have that pap smear.
These appointments have been like hunting and gathering. A simple question of, “do you have any questions or concerns about your health?” evolves into a fireside chat. At the first visit we discussed my weight, more specifically my total inability to lose it. You know how a lot of women lose weight after birth? And you know how some women lose weight when breastfeeding? Um, neither of those happened for me. No matter how much or little I ate, how much or how little I walked around the block, my weight clung to me.
But I figured this was sort of average. I have read lots of articles in women’s magazines about not being able to drop “baby weight”, how our bodies can completely and totally change shape. So my weight issues felt like a superficial complaint.
I also talked about how I felt like my anti-depressant medication wasn’t working, how I just felt so sluggish and tired all of the time, how my joints seemed sore all of the time. Again- things that just seemed typical to someone 2 degrees away from being homeless, and 11 months post birth, after 5 years of infertility, and nearly 6 months mourning the loss of a loved one.
But then we looked at my blood work. And we factored in the freaky reality that I have grown a full inch in height since giving birth to W. And more tests were ordered. More detailed questions asked.
The wonderful thing is that while I am fat, I do not have fat blood. No warning bells for heart disease or diabetes or cholesterol issues. But something was wonky. I bet some of you already guessed it. Thyroid problems.
It took the second blood tests to confirm the issue and from that I was given a very specific diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. (Hashimoto? Isn’t he an Iron Chef??) Also found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis- which just makes me feel OLD. It all adds up to one not so fun party of autoimmune disorders going on in my body.
Now I know what you are thinking- EVERY fat girl thinks they have a thyroid problem. Turns out this one actually does. I’m just thrilled that it seems like some of the problems I was dealing with are most likely not a resurfacing of the intracranial hypertension hell I went through a few years ago.
Some of the problems that I have could dissipate easily with one pill a day (that I will probably have to take for the rest of my life). It sucks to have a myriad of seemingly unconnected symptoms, but to then have them all woven together to point to something fixable is fantastic. (oh & wouldn’t you know fertility is one of the things affected…)
I go back to my doctor later this week and we will begin the treatment conversation. I can not wait to feel better.
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Good to have answers and onwards to feeling better.
*hug*
Is the thyroid problem the cause of your height gain? That’s just freaky! I’ve never heard of an adult growing. I would have been concerned as well. I’m so glad you have medical coverage now and can get your health on track. I need to go to the doc as well b/c I know i have arthritis. I guess I need to figure out if there is a way to treat it so it doesn’t get worse or if I just have t live with it. Makes me feel so old when my poor hand is all painy and I can’t move it.
I, too, have Hashimoto’s. I was diagnosed in my early twenties. I know how horrible it can make you feel when you are at the lowest of it. I also know how much better you can feel with a simple little pill or two in relatively short order! I’m glad you found out.
Now for my unsolicited assvice. I will advise you not to just rest with a simple synthroid replacement and annual TSH checks. No no! Make them check free T3 & free T4. Some people do well on Armour animal replacement – I did not! I did benefit from adding cytomel to my synthroid. Cytomel is one of the Ts. I can’t remember this early in the am. There is a really great book by Mary Shoman on living with hypothyroidism. But the best book written by a doctor is called The Thyroid Solution by Dr Arem- I think he’s a doc at MD Andersen Cancer center in Houston. Not sure on that, though.
I went through many a doctor before settling at a comfortable treatment. Remember, too, that because Hashimoto’s is autoimmune – meaning your body will continue to attack your thyroid, your dosages could always be changing, so the docs must be constantly vigilant. You know your body best. You will get to know how good and bad you can feel from this. Also, (try to) make them ultrasound your neck for nodularity – it’s much better than the other ultrasounds with which I know you are familiar
Unsolicited advice over.
Good luck!
Hooray for actually getting answers. I am thrilled you have a solution to a bunch of the little issues.
I’m glad you got a diagnosis and treatment plan. My dad had rheumatoid arthritis and it’s no fun. Good luck. And get that pap smear.
DAMN, girl, you GREW??? Wow.
I wondered about your thyroid, honestly, but didn’t wanna be all diagnosing people on the innernets and all. I’m glad for you that some of the “blah” might respond so well to medical treatment, because having a crap thyroid myself I know how it can screw with a girl’s general equilibrium, health-wise (and I include mental health in that statement).
Here’s hoping you do what I did and start feeling like a (comparative, adjusted for inflation) million bucks with proper treatment!
Gosh, your last few posts have been shining out like rays of light. You sound so much better already – that whole having a diagnosis thing must be lifting a huge weight off your shoulders. I am SO glad you got some healthcare coverage and can finally get some answers.
YAY for finding some answers!! So, could this also make it so you won’t need any antidepressants too?
I’m glad you got some answers and something specific to treat. That for me always seems so affirming. As in yes, there is a reason I feel like crap. I hope the treatments work well and that you’re soon feeling much more like yourself.
as soon as you said “joint pain” I thought Hashimotos. ONLY because I had a friend looking for answers, they were leaning in that direction, and then she was DX with Fibro.
So there you have it. SO SO glad that this is “fixable.” Answers rock.
Wow, that is a lot to find out about! My grandmother had Hashimoto thyroiditis actually and besides taking some medication, it didn’t seem to affect her in any visible way, which is great! And glad that you figured out the RA as well, I know they have some amazing resources out there. I have arthritis as well, the arthritis foundation web site is very helpful and informative.
So glad you have answers! I also cannot wait for you to feel better, feeling crummy is the pits!
I’m so glad there’s a simple treatment!
Hashimotos here too. Diagnosed when I was 18. It is hard when you are suffering with no treatment because it feels like many things at once. I take a pill everyday and get my blood checked every 6 or so months. And all is well. I’m glad you know what is up and are getting treated.
I am pleased you have found an answer! I have a thyroid problem, so I understand how hard it is to shift weight and the sluggish feeling it causes. Hope the treatments helps
Wow! It sure does add up. I hope, hope that this treatment will make you feel good — more energy and more verve. You deserve it.
I have another friend with Hashimoto’s — she was very relieved to be able to get the symptoms under control, which she did easily with the magic pill. Honestly, I sincerely believe that over half of the women I know have some version of underactive thyroid (including my sister who just lost hers entirely!).
Docs always want to check my thyroid, which alas, seems to function perfectly well. I got this way all by myself.
I am really glad you got health insurance and got this figured out…
Take it from a fat girl who has NEVER had thyroid problems; it’s incredibly tiresome to have one person after another repeatedly ask you (clearly implying that your latest diet isn’t working) if you have thyroid problems. Here’s to getting to the bottom of things!
There have been times in my life when I’ve felt like all I can do is run around trying frantically to scoop up all the pieces while dropping half of what I’ve already grabbed. I happen to really like kaleidoscopes for this reason. When all the pieces fall into place, it’s truly beautiful.
Here’s hoping that treating this medical issue is the nudge your kaleidoscope needs…
so glad you are getting some answers! I didn’t know hypothyroidism could cause a gain in height! YAY for health insurance! xoxo
So happy to hear that you finally got some answers to your concerns. While it sucks to have to take a pill every day for the rest of your life, hopefully the benefits will outweigh that drawback!
Having my own storied medical history, I can totally relate to the relief of having some answers and having an actual diagnosis that can explain things. I have to be honest, I am beyond intrigued as to how such a diagnosis could have resulted in you growing an inch after W’s birth. Has anyone explained that to you?
It’s wonderful that they found something that might be able to make you feel better.
Glad you are finding solutions! I love my thyroid medication! I feel so much better with it! I wish I had lost weight when I started taking it but no dice! I wouldn’t have minded growing an inch before either! Good luck!!!!
I’m glad you’ve figured out what it is and how it can be controlled! Here’s to getting better SOON!
xxx
glad to hear you are getting some answers and it is something relatively *easy* to fix ~ and i’m grateful you have good peeps taking care of you
no probably about it sweetie. you will have to take it the rest of your life. but it’s cool.you’ll want to marry it once u feel better. i knew the minute i started reading this post that it was going to be hashi’s. and if u didn’t know that, i would have suggested it. check out about.thyroid.com
be aware that the generic IS different from the name brand no matter what they say, and write me if u need some hand holding. you’ll always be a little more tired than the average bear, but once ubder control will feel sooo mjuch better. me depression did a 180 after. so many thyroid patients are only treated for symptoms and not disease. see my thyroid tag for more rants…
And many many “fat girls” DO have thyroid problems.. or PCOS or diabetes…
p.s. Family docs are often woefully undereducated on what a “high” tsh range actually is, so many people go undiagnosed even after being checked. … like me… for 6 yrs… like my Mom.. for 10 yrs…
Woohoo on a diagnosis that is easily treatable! Hope the magic pill is just that, and relieves the symptoms you have been living with.
When my own autoimmune issues developed this year, I learned that the postpartum period is a high-risk time in women for developing them. Nice, eh? Hope having solid diagnoses helps you feel better!
I’m not sure where getting taller fits in with hypothyroidism, but I can totally get all the other symptoms. Often takes a while to get a Dx because it can masquarade as so many other things.
You’ve obviously got a tendancy to make autoantibodies if you’ve RA as well, are you seeing a physician or suitable specialist for a more complete autoimmune screen?
x
g
PS. The odd thing is I totally don’t see you as tall. I think knowing some insanely tall people has distorted my perception of height because I don’t see Jen’s husband as espcially tall either
Phew! (This is me heaving a big sigh of relief on your behalf.) I’ve been really worried about those mysterious symptoms you kept mentioning. So so glad you have some answers and that the issues seem manageable. Wishing all good health to you asap : )
Answers rule, I’m glad you have a good starting point to feeling better!
I was kind of wondering if maybe you had some thyroid problems when you posted about neuro problems and your depression getting worse, because I had several months of crying every day and debilitating vertigo before I got diagnosed. But I figured it was just your health history and a perfectly valid reaction to the situations you’re facing, so I didn’t say anything. Sorry.
Oh, and a piece of unsolicited advice? Once you get on the right form of the medicine and the right dosage, you might notice your symptoms creeping back. I’ve found that when that happens to me it helps to wait two hours or more after taking the meds before I eat anything and to take a selenium supplement at night.
So glad you have a diagnosis. It’s half the battle with auto immune diseases as they are sneaky buggers!
I can’t believe they didn’t check your thyroid throughout your TTC process! That’s the only reason I actually got a diagnosis – Fertility doc noticed something or other was a little high, sent me to my GP, etc etc.
I’m glad you got diagnosed though, getting it under control will definitely help you to lose weight. And if/when trying for number 2, hopefully it will prove that Hashi’s was the cause of your infertility.
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