Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Based on my last three labs, my TSH has been 5.92, 1.89 and 5.19. Clearly I fluctuate. And based on Canadian ranges (0.20 - 6.0) I am considered "normal".
My days look like this - I work an office job, with many meetings from 7:30am - 4:15pm. I ride the train to work and I have to stand both ways. I get home, make something easy to eat, and then I'm on the couch for the whole evening. I've given up on soccer and yoga cause I just can't do them. If I have a day where I push myself too far, two days later, I am pasted to the pavement, hanging off my chair, walking like a zombie. Lately I've missed one day of work approximately every other week, where I just need to sleep all day, or I've needed to go to the Dr. I sleep more than I used to, but I'm not always sleepy tired, just body tired.
How are other people functioning? Are you able to work regularly? Are you able to live much of normal life at all? How much do you sleep?
I am just curious to know how I function in comparison to others. I wonder if my random days of staying home from work is just me being lazy, or if others function like that, too. What do your days look like living with hypothyroidism. Please let me know...I don't know what's "normal" for us.
My days look like this - I work an office job, with many meetings from 7:30am - 4:15pm. I ride the train to work and I have to stand both ways. I get home, make something easy to eat, and then I'm on the couch for the whole evening. I've given up on soccer and yoga cause I just can't do them. If I have a day where I push myself too far, two days later, I am pasted to the pavement, hanging off my chair, walking like a zombie. Lately I've missed one day of work approximately every other week, where I just need to sleep all day, or I've needed to go to the Dr. I sleep more than I used to, but I'm not always sleepy tired, just body tired.
How are other people functioning? Are you able to work regularly? Are you able to live much of normal life at all? How much do you sleep?
I am just curious to know how I function in comparison to others. I wonder if my random days of staying home from work is just me being lazy, or if others function like that, too. What do your days look like living with hypothyroidism. Please let me know...I don't know what's "normal" for us.
Lynn
I do hope one day to go back to dance class myself. I may be 38, but I will always be a dancer....I just hope I'll get the energy back to do it again some day.
All of us have experienced fatigue and even shut down because of our thyroid disease. That is normal and your doctor(s) should have told you that very clearly. All of our lives here on the forum have been altered drastically to some degree, I know mine has. I had to cut my work load down my half if that is any comfort! If you need to just chill out after work, lay on the sofa and watch silly television, DO IT! Do whatever you have to do to conserve the little energy you have. Ignore what other people may say or think about your situation, only you know what you are going through. It took me a couple years to get to that place but now I just say f*** off to anyone who might question my motives for slowing down or even my sanity! Yes, a few people professionally and even friends have asked me if I was mentally OK. I said NO, of course not! Being hypo or hyper makes you nuts! And the last thing we need is to hear from those around us that we are wierd or lazy or worse. Do what you have to do, get proper medical advice, and do the best you can given your thyroid issues, that's all any of us can do. And look forward to a time in the future when this will all just be a bad memory.
Everyone's set point is just a bit different, but that's why it's important to get treatment as soon as possible. This business of waiting until a TSH is over 10 is ridiculous.
You're right that it is ridiculous to medicate after 10! If I feel this horrible now, I couldn't imagine how I would feel at 10! I posted about my ND appointment in my other post about my labs. She had an interesting approach. I'm going to be patient and trust in it.
I was clueless about this for about 14 years.
I have only been on thyroid treatment for 3 months and am 45 mgs of Armour. It is my hope that I am able to find the right dose and be symptom free so that I can grow a brain and go back to work!
My life is a mere shadow of what it once was.
I am barely functional at all, ok, here is what I do:
-I try hard to remember and take the pills I am supposed to take.
-I make my own breakfast.
-I water house plants.
-Sometimes I do dishes, sweep, vacuum, or cook a meal.
-I take piano lessons, and sometimes I practice piano.
-I drive for limited distances on roads that are very familiar to me.
-I take naps often.
-I try to remember to eat something good for lunch.
-I read things on the internet and type replies.
-I come to the table when my husband tells me supper is ready.
[I have not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism--except for a temporary acknowledgment that I was hypo when over-treated for Graves' Disease.] So I haven't ever had supplements of any kind. I asked for an evaluation for Central Hypothyroidism but haven't received word yet from the doctor as to her interpretation of my labs which were done May 20th.
I'm new to the forum, but I've had hypothyroidism for over 13 years. I felt as you do, and still do. If I'm not working, I'm crashed on the couch. When my levels are being medicated properly, I miss about 1 morning every 2 to 3 weeks because I just can't get out of bed. Weekends, I sleep nearly all day. Now, don't think that this is a forever thing. I have had periods where I did well and my medication levels helped me function more normally. I am currently under-medicated which is my own fault for not getting my higher dose re-submitted to the online pharmacy. I am taking care of that with a visit to the Doctor tomorrow.
But I just wanted to chime in that there are others that feel the way you do. And, I too, usually blame myself and feel like I must just be too lazy. I see a counselor about that and she helps me ease off myself.
Karma