Weddingbee boards

Hi,

Anyone here have Hashimoto's Disease, or just a slow thyroid? I am beyond frustrated-- I got diagnosed with Hashi's in August, and I just had my most recent bloodwork come back yesterday. My TSH levels have INCREASED since I first started treatment. WTH??? 

It's been six months. I'm tired of feeling like crap! I guess I"m wondering how long it took for you ladies to get regulated onto a dose that works for you, without  making extra adjustments. I feel like I need a hug. I just can't seem to get this disease under control. I feel like a slave to this illness, and it's been stealing away bits of my life for the past 4 years almost (no one could figure out what was wrong with me until now).

How do you get past the frustration? Is it always an ongoing struggle, or is there light at the end of the tunnel. Help?

@eloping:  I feel your pain. When I was first exhibiting symptoms of this mess, I was cycling in between hashi's and graves before my thyroid figured out what it wanted to do exactly, which is what took so long for anyone to catch what was going on.

My doctor told me not to worry about the foods because she doesn't want me to sacrifice getting all the good stuff my body needs from things like brocoli or edamame /soy products, etc. but oddly enough, my palate is becoming repelled by things that traditionally inhibit thyroid function, so I guess nature is hashing that out for me. :-)

After ten years of your issues, do you still FEEL ill? Do you feel an incumberance on daily activities? I do, and that's mostly what I'm getting frustrated with. I'm wondering if there will ever come a day when this isn't making a nuisance of itself when I need to get things done without the overwhelming urge to nap. Concentration is a big issue for me too, and that's the first thing to tip me off that I'm having a fluxuation (that, and very cold hands and feet). The rest of my symptoms I can deal with, but I want a clear mind again, dammit!

Thanks for responding, it helps knowing that I'm not alone.

Well, I can tell you that both my sister and mother have had their hypothyroidism under control for 10 and 30 years, respectively, so it IS possible.  I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism last month (my levels have been off for a few years, but I'm just now ready to treat), so I can relate.  How often do you go for checkups?  Is this the first one since being on treatment?  I think talking to your doctor will make you feel better.  It's such a common disease that is easily treated, so I would think they have a very good hold on how to treat you and should be able to correct the issue.  Sorry you're feeling so frustrated.  

@angarrett81:  Well, I expected the adjustments to last a little while since the doc says my body would take about 5 weeks to respond. I have a heart murmur too, so it was important that she not start me off on full blast because the meds speed up metabolism. It had to be a gradual thing.

I was going to her once a month for a blood draw at first, and we finally reached a dose she thought I'd be good with 1.5 months ago, but with this most recent vampire session, my TSH is UP despite treatment. That's the frustrating part. I'm wondering how long it really takes to get settled with everything; I've had treatment now for 6 months, and adjusting the dosages is getting old. I kind of just want to be able to refill an RX without having to seek a needle first. I'm ok with having blood drawn once every 3 months (which is protocol, according to doctor) but I'm still stuck with once a month.

I'm just irritated. I love my doctor, and it's nothing she is doing wrong-- my body just isn't being cooperative.

@eloping:  THis stupid disease is really wearing on me to the point that I don't know that I can stomach going through a pregnancy even after my levels taper off. It's definitely not in the cards right now because I can't sustain a pregnancy the way I am now, but it isn't unheard of after treatment has been well maintained. I just don't know if I have the fortitude to make it happen. My husband has expressed disappointment initially, but he is getting more comfortable with adopting if we really seek out parenthood. I just don't want to be tasked with deciding right now because the circumstances aren't right for me to make such a decision where I am now.

I respect not wanting radiation-- I don't think I could ablate that way either. Just take the thing out if need be, but I wouldn't want such an unnatural, unhealthy means to get to stability either.

@MidwestBride2012:  I get what you're saying. It's not that I'm thinking about it every day, it's the amount of days that I haven't felt well that are adding up and making themselves known. That's where the frustration is coming in. Luckily the weekend is coming up, and I'll have the ability to relax. Trying to focus on this project I have going on at the moment is herculean because I can't focus to the level I was able to only a few weeks ago. THe timing is just bad. I'm just having a "human" sort of a day where I"m not firing on all of my "patience" cylinders.

I just have to say I love you guys for sharing your experiences and offering support. Part of helping me to feel better is knowing I'm not the only person out there getting irritated at feeling less than stellar. Thank you all for dropping in and letting me know it does get better.

Oh, by the way--- to any of you who have responded--- has your hair loss tapered off? I'm still clogging up the drain anytime I shower, and I'm starting to get worried about how much I'm going to lose. Please tell me it's temporary!