So there is apparently something going on with my thyroid, which is--you know, unexpected. I am told by
amireal (as you know, I needed someone to panic to and hey, there she was!) I will not die. I am not comforted by the fact, however, that my nurse already called in the prescription. Apparently, there is literature winging its way to my house as we speak. Granted, I've been feeling off, but this is not new, since two bouts of pneumonia and one of bronchitis in eleven months totally changes otherwise normal people into hypochondriacs. I've cut out all my allergy meds and all diet sodas (that because they make me so sick) and then, oh, let's say about three weeks ago, I noticed my jean size had, well, increased. Like, two sizes. I went shopping back in April. This was December. And I did not embrace a new diet. I mentioned this to the doctor, adn we discussed higher vegetable portions and then there was a blood test and then the insanely cheering (and heavily Czech accented) voice of the nurse saying "Your blood tests are fine! Except for your thyroid!"
*sighs*
(Also, just to show this up right, my son is being referred to a pediatric psychologist, because of the possibility of ADHD. Completely independently, my niece's school sent a letter to my sister to have her evaluated with her doctor, since apparently, she's a totally charming kid with the attention span very much in the range of a fruit fly. I feel like this is some sort of pop trend that will later involve weird coincidences, such as, Niece is left handed, as is Child.
I have no intention of making any sort of sense until I can calmly evaluate how three years ago I was very healthy as of 11/2006, my body is slowly but surely going crazy.)
So. Feel free to tell me a.) not to panic and b.) I am not going to die However. I would like to say that the Is Your Thyroid Healthy Checklist website that I went to stare at in horror kind of looks familiar.
Alternately, Arthur Pendragon is always an acceptable comfort device.
In fact, once your thyroid is regulated, you will probably feel a LOT better! Thyroid plays a hand in everything from skin to hair to eyesight to mood to weight to temperature control. A big load for a little, occasionally iffy gland!
I had half of mine removed in 1993; it took a few months to get the dosage right on the thyroid meds, but I've now been on the same dose for, like, 15 years, and it really did help me feel better.
Thyroid problems are relatively common and comparatively easily treated. Fear not!
Don't panic. You're not going to die. But if it's hypothyroidism that you have, say bye-bye to any ease of losing weight, especially in your belly. And your hair might thin a bit. And there is the annual blood test (though for me these last few months, I've had one because my thyroid is playing yo-yo and they have no idea what dose to put me at). I keep telling them to up it big time so I can be knocked into hyperthyroidism and lose the weight this stupid thing made me put on! Yes, I am not going to get over that any time soon.
It's really one of the better conditions to get if you have to get anything. It doesn't prevent you from doing anything, and the generic drugs are like $1.38/month.
Of course, I am still miffed at the whole belly fat thing...
Edited at 2009-01-13 05:20 pm (UTC)
On the other hand (and this is directed back at Seperis) Aelora is totally correct - once you get your dose right you won't even think about it - the only pain in the rear is needing to get regular blood tests (like every six months to a year depending on how stable you are). Hypothyroidism is one of the most common and easily treatable metabolic disorders in women.
Good luck to you both...
*hugs you bunches*
*hugs you*
My understanding is that thyroid problems are very common and not at all likely to cause long-term illness or discomfort, once treated. Please not to be panicking!
As for the ADHD stuff... I think sometimes that's the new catch all. It certainly exists, but I also think it's over-diagnosed and definitely over-mediated (often diet changes have a huge impact). When I was in elementary school eons ago (early 80's) the teachers told my parents I had ADHA and should be medicated. The reality was I was bored stuff in school because I finished the work long before anyone else and had nothing to do. My parents realized this and suggested some things I could do to help me not be so bored and basically ignored the advice of the teachers to medicate me. I went on to be valedictorian of my high school, graduated from a very good college and got my PhD - and I'm very grateful my parents didn't simply accept the advice of the teachers but helped me analyze the situation so we could figure out what the problem really was. Which is not to say some kids don't need meds to help focus, just that there are alternatives to consider before the ritalin route.
Child seems quiet intelligent- maybe he's not being challenged enough in school.
Book recs to take your mind off of things: The Atrocity Archives and The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross.
I am married to not so much a fruit fly but a Classic Absent Minded Professor x10. There are all sorts of gradations and types of Attention Deficit and so many new options from diet to mediction to small behavior mods.
I know exactly how you feel about the falling apart bit. 2006 is the last year I truly felt like my regular gorgeous self.
So no dying. *hugs*
Thyroid problems are very treatable. It might take a bit to get dosages at the right level, but then you should be fine.