It has a name!!! And it isn't Steve!!!

[Tazicket]

I've been feeling really cruddy for the last month or so, so my Doctor ordered blood drawn last week to test some different possibilities. They got my results back today and it turns out that I have hypothyroidism. They called in a perscription for me that I'm supposed to start in the morning and I go back in 6 weeks to have blood drawn and a check-up to see how the treatment is working. I'm relieved that it has a name now, so we can start fixing it. I'm not crazy!!!

Does anybody else have this? Do you feel normal with meds? How long did it take them to find the right med balance for you?

 

[golfgal]

I have had it for about 12 years and as far as chronic conditions go, hyperthyroidism is pretty easy to manage once you get your dosage correct and if you remember to take your little pill each day. You will feel better in a couple weeks but it does take time to get your dosage regulated, plan on trips for blood work every 6 weeks for the next year or so to get things under control. After that it is just a yearly checkup.

 

[Tazicket]

I think I can handle that. The phlebotomist at my Dr's office is really good (I'm a great big wimp about getting poked). She did an awesome job with the initial blood drawing. After everything is regulated and I'm down to the once a year thing, they'd be drawing blood on those yearly visits to make sure the meds are still working, right?

 

[doombuggy3]

Haha, first I love your reference to over the hedge!

I'm glad they figured out what was wrong with you. Now to start treating it so you feel good.

 

[Tazicket]

Haha, first I love your reference to over the hedge!

I'm glad they figured out what was wrong with you. Now to start treating it so you feel good.

The reference actually came from DH. I was telling him last week that I would feel better if I knew what it was called. He said to call it Steve. Before that, we'd been referring to it as African Sleeping Yaba Kuru Sickness. I liked Steve better.

I'm so excited! I can't wait to feel more normal again!!!

 

[golfgal]

I think I can handle that. The phlebotomist at my Dr's office is really good (I'm a great big wimp about getting poked). She did an awesome job with the initial blood drawing. After everything is regulated and I'm down to the once a year thing, they'd be drawing blood on those yearly visits to make sure the meds are still working, right?

Yes, they will draw blood at each visit, the only way to check for your levels. I am a needle baby too but I am getting used to it now after 12 years .

 

[taximomfor4]

I have this. It took about 2 yrs to get my blood levels to be somewhat ok. They cannot nudge my dosage up any more because I get heart palpitations whenever they try. SO I am just BORDERLINE hypothyroid now. I still look puffy, and I still feel sluggish relatively often. My hair still falls out, but not at the rate it used to. My skin is dry and cracks easily, especially my legs. My legs still ache pretty constantly. So no, I don't feel much better but at least I am able to function. My newest battle is type II diabetes. I am very, very borderline now and hypothyroidism can cause insulin resistance (which can be a cause of diabetes).

I am working hard to NOT gain any more weight, but am not able to really lose weight either...I am just trying to survive nursing school, when mostly I want to lay on the couch.

Wow, I am whining a lot today. Sorry!! My best advice to you is to see an endocrinologist, not a general practitioner. They are always learning more and more about our hormones, and an endo. will generally be much more current on the newest knowledge. Also, don't change brands of meds - there are several out there, and they do the same thing but are NOT interchangeable.

Beth

 

[Tazicket]

Yes, they will draw blood at each visit, the only way to check for your levels. I am a needle baby too but I am getting used to it now after 12 years .

So there's hope? I guess I'd rather be stuck with a needle once a year than experience all the crazy things I read about on WebMD that can happen when the hypothyroidism goes untreated. Woohoo psychosis and comas...

It'll be ok. I really like the phlebotomist. I told her that any time I ever need bloodwork done, I'm coming back to see her.

 

[Tazicket]

Just thought of another question. I'm interviewing for a new job on Friday. With them, you don't get sick time the first 90 days of employment, but I have to go back for my Dr. appt. Should I tell them about my hypo, or should I just say I'm under care from the Dr. and have to go back for a regulatory check-up thing?

 

[taximomfor4]

Just thought of another question. I'm interviewing for a new job on Friday. With them, you don't get sick time the first 90 days of employment, but I have to go back for my Dr. appt. Should I tell them about my hypo, or should I just say I'm under care from the Dr. and have to go back for a regulatory check-up thing?

Most new jobs will give you the opportunity to tell them any days that you cannot work (prior scheduled appointments, etc). They usually do that when they make the job offer, so probably don't even need to mention it at an interview (unless you're sure you will get the job).

Beth

 

[Disneydreaming6]

I have been just diagnosed with the same thing. I feel like I can't get out of my own way. my body aches, I can cry at the drop of a hat. I can't put enough lotion on to get my skin somewhat soft, just finished with a few tests when I go back for my next dr appt in a few wks will start meds then. I can't wait. At this rate, I will be almost bald by the time I start the meds.

 

[Tazicket]

I have this. It took about 2 yrs to get my blood levels to be somewhat ok. They cannot nudge my dosage up any more because I get heart palpitations whenever they try. SO I am just BORDERLINE hypothyroid now. I still look puffy, and I still feel sluggish relatively often. My hair still falls out, but not at the rate it used to. My skin is dry and cracks easily, especially my legs. My legs still ache pretty constantly. So no, I don't feel much better but at least I am able to function. My newest battle is type II diabetes. I am very, very borderline now and hypothyroidism can cause insulin resistance (which can be a cause of diabetes).

I am working hard to NOT gain any more weight, but am not able to really lose weight either...I am just trying to survive nursing school, when mostly I want to lay on the couch.

Wow, I am whining a lot today. Sorry!! My best advice to you is to see an endocrinologist, not a general practitioner. They are always learning more and more about our hormones, and an endo. will generally be much more current on the newest knowledge. Also, don't change brands of meds - there are several out there, and they do the same thing but are NOT interchangeable.

Beth

Thank you for the advice and the heads-up about the different types of drugs. I think it's awesome that you're going to nursing school in the midst of feeling icky. I can really relate to just wanting to lay on the couch. Do endocrynologists do more/different tests than the GP? I really really like my GP alot (I've been seeing him for years), but if a specialist would be able to treat it better, then I need to do what's best.

I have been just diagnosed with the same thing. I feel like I can't get out of my own way. my body aches, I can cry at the drop of a hat. I can't put enough lotion on to get my skin somewhat soft, just finished with a few tests when I go back for my next dr appt in a few wks will start meds then. I can't wait. At this rate, I will be almost bald by the time I start the meds.

My skin and hair are also pretty dry. My legs have been dry and had weird bumps on them for ages. What bugs me the most about it is the constantly feeling tired and my hair falling out- it's baby fine already!!! I just want to spend all day curled up in bed. What stinks is that we're really busy at work right now, so I've been going in the mornings at 8ish and working until I feel like I'm going to drop (which has been 1 or 2 o'clock).

 

[golfgal]

Just thought of another question. I'm interviewing for a new job on Friday. With them, you don't get sick time the first 90 days of employment, but I have to go back for my Dr. appt. Should I tell them about my hypo, or should I just say I'm under care from the Dr. and have to go back for a regulatory check-up thing?

What my MD does is just has me come in for a blood draw for the check ups then if the meds need to be adjusted he just calls that in and then leaves me a message as to the results. Chances are it is something you will be able to do on the way to or from work-providing they are convenient to each other. It might be a good idea to look for an endocrinologist near your work if you get that job.