Interrupted

My Life Thus Far
2009-02-14 07:34:19 (UTC)

Hashimoto's Disease

FINALLY it all makes sense! All these years I thought my
body was falling apart on me and now I've finally got an
answer! Well, potentially. Everything fits: Why my hands
and feet are always so cold (and why I'm dying to get to a
warmer climate). My constant struggle with my weight. The
depression, heavy irregular periods, persistent headaches.
My battles with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gall bladder
problems, constant fatigue and trouble sleeping. Maybe
even an answer to Kiki's inexplicable illness at birth and
the miscarriage I had in 2006.

The final straw came this morning while I was getting
dressed. I woke up feeling hung over, like I'd been out
late drinking. Which of course I hadn't. I had a splitting
headache, my entire body was sore. Every muscle. Every
joint. I've felt this way for awhile, but it never really
added up to anything for me. The moment of awakening came
while I was brushing my hair and an entire clump fell out
in my hand. My hair has been falling out for months, but I
chalked it up to the normal postpartum hair loss. It never
occurred to me that Keenan will be 8 months old on Monday
and I probably shouldn't still be dropping brush-fuls of
hair into the trash every day or unclogging the shower
drain twice a week.

I immediately called the Tricare appointment line to make
an appointment. By some incredible stroke of luck they had
an appointment open at 3pm this afternoon. I took it. When
I got to the appointment and described how I've been
feeling and some of my symptoms the nurse was quick to
hand me a postpartum depression questionnaire. I tried
explaining to her that I don't feel like I did when I was
truly depressed. This is almost totally physical. I
figured if the nurse didn't believe me, I stood no chance
with the doctor.

For the first time in my life, a Navy doctor surprised me!
I started explaining my symptoms to him and before I could
even get to the end of the laundry list, he interrupted me
and said "I know what you have". It was the most beautiful
thing I've heard in a long time :) I might have
Hashimoto's Disease. An autoimmune disease that causes the
body to create antibodies that attack the thyroid and
prevent it from producing a necessary hormone. In my case
pregnancy probably caused it. Of course a diagnosis is
never complete until all the proper tests are done, so he
sent me down to the lab for blood work. I won't get the
results back for at least a week, maybe more. But, this is
a start.

He did say that there's a possibility that the test
results could come back "within normal range", but that I
shouldn't get discouraged if this happens. Normal is
subjective and trying hormone replacement therapy could
help. If it does, I might have to take it potentially for
the rest of my life. If taking a pill would make me feel
better - truly better - for the first time in years, then
I'll do it. It may sound insane, but I'm hoping the test
results are clear-cut. I don't want to have to fight
anymore. I don't want to have to keep insisting to doctor
after doctor that SOMETHING is wrong. I just want to feel
like I did when I was 20. Before my body started falling
apart.

My head hurts so bad. I think I'll go to bed now. Maybe
I'll rest easier knowing there's at least a small glimmer
of light at the end of this bleak tunnel. Ciao.




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