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...
....to the other side.
That's what it feels like to me after a much-needed dose increase kicks in.
Hey everybody!
You may remember me sharing my story about my latest thyroid mis-adventure:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/17439709-learned-hard-way-again
And I can tell you that I will NOT repeat that error again.
If I stick to the lab frequency I learned works best for me....and, of course, if my doctor adjusts my dose appropriately.....I am able to stay free of virtually all thyroid symptoms. My history has shown this time and time again.
Now, I'm not sure I would have escaped *all* symptoms this last go-round even if I *did* get labs in a timely manner.
I demonstrated some brain fog on the day I should have gotten labs. I didn't realize it back then but, my family actually called me on it.
How did they know? Well, I managed to burn my reading glasses as I was cooking dinner which also incorporated burning part of the dinner. I also burned the majority of the cookies I was baking (and I bake every week) I claimed to everyone that I couldn't talk and cook at the same time. These are the types of things I've done when pregnant and there's no chance of that.
Still, I know that getting my labs done later than usual resulted in the development of more symptoms than I would have developed if I got my labs done (and started my dose adjustment) on the schedule that has proven to work for me.
Yes, I probably would have dealt with slowed digestion for a few days but, I'm confident I wouldn't have dealt with several days of gas/bloating as I did.....or another several days of bone pain down my arms and into my hands.
I know I wouldn't have woken one night as I did with extreme leg pain.
Motivation went out the window....as did my usual energy. I was thinking about needing coffee at 11AM some days.
I gained 5 lbs. over the course of 3 days. However, over the course of the past week, I was passing more water than usual and those 5 lbs. are gone, thankfully.
In fact, the past week has consisted of nothing but improvements....not only with things I knew had been compromised but, with things I didn't realize had been compromised until I was back to what's normal for me.
For example, I usually buy 4 gallons of milk at the wholesale club. I could only carry one at a time during last month's trip. However, my trip to the store last week showed that I am back to being able to carry 2 in each hand.
I'm once again feeling my muscles build (vs. strain) as I use weights during my strength-training workouts.
And, my vision is back to being crystal-clear....and my night vision is better as well.
I'm back to my usual level of clutziness vs. the ridiculous level I'd been at lol
I never cease to be amazed at the far-reaching effects of thyroid function.
One thing I realized after bringing these things upon myself is the fact that dealing with the aftereffects of brain fog has eroded my confidence.
Over the course of the years I've dealt with thyroid disease, I've made many errors running my business as a result of brain fog. I've also made errors managing my personal finances. I know you can all relate to the feeling of mindlessness or "empty brain".
And, I have felt like a blubbering fool at times when trying to talk.....that's if I can wrap my head around the topic being discussed.
I'm grateful my oldest son understands - he didn't always.
Most recently, he was helping me with a technical aspect related to my business. He actually asked me if I was in my A game and, if I wasn't, he suggested we wait for future discussion. While I was touched by his compassion, I was frustrated with myself for even having to deal with not being the person I know myself to be.
Still, I realized earlier this week that I'm back to being "me" and it feels GOOD.
I see my doctor on Friday and I plan on telling her about the effects repeated instances of brain fog have had on me these past 6+ years I've been dealing with thyroid disease.
In fact, I plan on giving her a page from my symptoms journal that chronicles my most recent experiences.
I want her to see what maintaining optimal levels does for me......and what I go through when my levels aren't right.
It means the difference between sub-par functioning (and compromised ability to maintain a livelihood).....and feeling happy to be alive because I'm not dealing with thyroid symptoms.
I broke on through to the "other side" this week.
I am free from thyroid symptoms once more and it feels g-r-e-a-t :)))
I know you guys can relate to my experiences. I share them in the hopes it helps others in some way.
We are so in this together.
That's what it feels like to me after a much-needed dose increase kicks in.
Hey everybody!
You may remember me sharing my story about my latest thyroid mis-adventure:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/17439709-learned-hard-way-again
And I can tell you that I will NOT repeat that error again.
If I stick to the lab frequency I learned works best for me....and, of course, if my doctor adjusts my dose appropriately.....I am able to stay free of virtually all thyroid symptoms. My history has shown this time and time again.
Now, I'm not sure I would have escaped *all* symptoms this last go-round even if I *did* get labs in a timely manner.
I demonstrated some brain fog on the day I should have gotten labs. I didn't realize it back then but, my family actually called me on it.
How did they know? Well, I managed to burn my reading glasses as I was cooking dinner which also incorporated burning part of the dinner. I also burned the majority of the cookies I was baking (and I bake every week) I claimed to everyone that I couldn't talk and cook at the same time. These are the types of things I've done when pregnant and there's no chance of that.
Still, I know that getting my labs done later than usual resulted in the development of more symptoms than I would have developed if I got my labs done (and started my dose adjustment) on the schedule that has proven to work for me.
Yes, I probably would have dealt with slowed digestion for a few days but, I'm confident I wouldn't have dealt with several days of gas/bloating as I did.....or another several days of bone pain down my arms and into my hands.
I know I wouldn't have woken one night as I did with extreme leg pain.
Motivation went out the window....as did my usual energy. I was thinking about needing coffee at 11AM some days.
I gained 5 lbs. over the course of 3 days. However, over the course of the past week, I was passing more water than usual and those 5 lbs. are gone, thankfully.
In fact, the past week has consisted of nothing but improvements....not only with things I knew had been compromised but, with things I didn't realize had been compromised until I was back to what's normal for me.
For example, I usually buy 4 gallons of milk at the wholesale club. I could only carry one at a time during last month's trip. However, my trip to the store last week showed that I am back to being able to carry 2 in each hand.
I'm once again feeling my muscles build (vs. strain) as I use weights during my strength-training workouts.
And, my vision is back to being crystal-clear....and my night vision is better as well.
I'm back to my usual level of clutziness vs. the ridiculous level I'd been at lol
I never cease to be amazed at the far-reaching effects of thyroid function.
One thing I realized after bringing these things upon myself is the fact that dealing with the aftereffects of brain fog has eroded my confidence.
Over the course of the years I've dealt with thyroid disease, I've made many errors running my business as a result of brain fog. I've also made errors managing my personal finances. I know you can all relate to the feeling of mindlessness or "empty brain".
And, I have felt like a blubbering fool at times when trying to talk.....that's if I can wrap my head around the topic being discussed.
I'm grateful my oldest son understands - he didn't always.
Most recently, he was helping me with a technical aspect related to my business. He actually asked me if I was in my A game and, if I wasn't, he suggested we wait for future discussion. While I was touched by his compassion, I was frustrated with myself for even having to deal with not being the person I know myself to be.
Still, I realized earlier this week that I'm back to being "me" and it feels GOOD.
I see my doctor on Friday and I plan on telling her about the effects repeated instances of brain fog have had on me these past 6+ years I've been dealing with thyroid disease.
In fact, I plan on giving her a page from my symptoms journal that chronicles my most recent experiences.
I want her to see what maintaining optimal levels does for me......and what I go through when my levels aren't right.
It means the difference between sub-par functioning (and compromised ability to maintain a livelihood).....and feeling happy to be alive because I'm not dealing with thyroid symptoms.
I broke on through to the "other side" this week.
I am free from thyroid symptoms once more and it feels g-r-e-a-t :)))
I know you guys can relate to my experiences. I share them in the hopes it helps others in some way.
We are so in this together.
How London had it been since your last labs? Did you forget to go?
Believe it or not, going for labs one week later than usual made a VERY big difference for me.
Here's the lab frequency that works for me:
6 wks. after dose adjustments (as is the case for everyone)
4 wks. after levels show optimal
Since I've been fortunate enough that timely dose adjustments most often optimize my levels, my history has shown that my levels will start to stray by 4 wks. after my last labs showed optimal.
I don't know what was in my head last go-round.....I was feeling awesome and somehow thought the doses I was taking stood a chance of "holding" me longer.
Rather than go in for labs at 4 wks., I actually thought I'd go in 6 wks. or possibly even 8.
I then decided to not take any chances and went in at 5 wks.
That made a difference between *all* of the symptoms I had quite recently and the hardly noticeable ones I might have for a few days (vs. weeks) when I get labs on the schedule that works for me.
Some people don't need labs as frequently as I do. My doctor has all her thyroid patients get labs every 8 wks.
I consider my lab frequency a small price to pay for feeling awesome most of the time.