First, let me start off by saying how great I've been feeling! I think having my thyroid removed is a huge part of why I'm feeling so great! For years I had a suspicion that a good majority of my medical issues were because of a faulty thyroid - even though the blood work always came back "fine" I knew things were not "fine" and now that I have been without my thyroid for a good 2 months I really believe that the be the case.
After my surgery, I started on 150 mg of Synthroid. I had my blood drawn on Aug 8th and it came back with a low TSH of 0.028 - the normal range is 0.0450-4.5000 so my Dr lowered my dose to 137 mg. What I find most interesting though is that my other numbers are significantly higher than they have ever been. Prior to my surgery and going on the medication my numbers were always in the low range of normal.
Before my surgery, my numbers were:
TSH - 0.749 (within the normal range)
T4 or Thyroxine - 5.4
T3 Uptake - 30
Free T4 1.6
My most recent numbers show improvement and I'm sure why I feel so much better:
TSH - 0.028 (according to my Dr, the number being so low means I have high thyroid hormone which could cause heart problems and why she wanted to lower my medication dose)
T4 -9.8 (up significantly since starting thyroid medication)
T3 Uptake - 34
Free T4 - 3.3
You will see an increase in all the hormones which makes me even more certain that the lower numbers were causing much of my fatigue, fibromyalgia pain and overall lack of being healthy in general. I would argue with anyone who says otherwise considering that it's the only thing that has changed in my life and the result is me feeling like a "normal" person most of the time now.
I will go in and have my numbers checked again later this month or early October to see how the medication adjustment has changed the numbers. I was really worried that dropping the dose of my medication would significantly effect me but so far things seem fine.
On another note, I've lost 18 lbs in the last 3 months. I'm on a mission to lose another 40 to get back to where I was before getting sick. With the new found energy I have, I'm able to get myself to the gym a few days a week to lift weights. I'm really pleased with the changes that I'm starting to see overall.
That's it for this update - I just wanted to be sure to update my numbers and share my success thus far since Surgery - it's really just been about 9 weeks since the surgery but so far everything is going really good.
Until next time - to your health!
Showing posts with label hypothyroidism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hypothyroidism. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Three weeks post surgery, no changes
Hello!
Well here I am 3 wks post surgery and really, I don't feel like there has been any change in how I feel. I realize it takes time so I'm hopeful. I have a follow up with my endocrine the first week in August for another blood test to see how my levels look.
I just finished a very busy week with my daughter and her High School volleyball team. We had two big camps we attended. It was busy and I'm glad it's done. This next week doesn't have many plans which I'm glad about - time to rest up! The following week will be another busy one with another volleyball camp and a trip to California to see my family. I'm the only one going and it will be a nice break/vacation before school starts again, which means I go back to work.
While my blog has mostly been about Fibromyalgia I am going to start including some things on Thyroid disease and hypothyroidism. I think there are links between the two. So as I get information I'll be including it here in link and just general information.
I don't really have a lot to report right now......I'm healing well from my surgery and hoping to see some changes as time goes on. I'm currently on a 150mg dose of Synthroid which I'm beginning to wonder if it's too low since I'm really not seeing any kind of difference in how I feel overall. I know that this particular medication is a T4 replacement and I wonder about the T3 - something to ask the dr and do a little research on. I know Amour is another medication that replaces both the T4 and T3 so we'll see.
Until next time - to your health!
Gerri
Well here I am 3 wks post surgery and really, I don't feel like there has been any change in how I feel. I realize it takes time so I'm hopeful. I have a follow up with my endocrine the first week in August for another blood test to see how my levels look.
I just finished a very busy week with my daughter and her High School volleyball team. We had two big camps we attended. It was busy and I'm glad it's done. This next week doesn't have many plans which I'm glad about - time to rest up! The following week will be another busy one with another volleyball camp and a trip to California to see my family. I'm the only one going and it will be a nice break/vacation before school starts again, which means I go back to work.
While my blog has mostly been about Fibromyalgia I am going to start including some things on Thyroid disease and hypothyroidism. I think there are links between the two. So as I get information I'll be including it here in link and just general information.
I don't really have a lot to report right now......I'm healing well from my surgery and hoping to see some changes as time goes on. I'm currently on a 150mg dose of Synthroid which I'm beginning to wonder if it's too low since I'm really not seeing any kind of difference in how I feel overall. I know that this particular medication is a T4 replacement and I wonder about the T3 - something to ask the dr and do a little research on. I know Amour is another medication that replaces both the T4 and T3 so we'll see.
Until next time - to your health!
Gerri
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Thyroid Surgery, Synthroid, Recovery and more......
Hello! I'm here, alive and doing pretty well! Had my surgery on June 26th which I want to share that experience with everyone......
Surgery took about 3 hrs - apparently my thyroid growths were pretty big, bigger than the Dr expected and growing down into my chest! That was a surprise when he told us that! Clearly a good thing I went with the surgery to get it removed. Pain after surgery was pretty high mostly inside my throat and upper chest - it hurt pretty bad - the incision itself didn't really bother me though. It was swallowing and taking a deep breathe that I struggled with. The Dr had told me to expect some pain in my throat due to the large breathing tube they use in order to monitor the nerves to the vocal cord. So the pain wasn't a surprise really but the amount of time I've had it has been. I'm almost 2 wks out from surgery and my throat still hurts to a degree. Not nearly as bad as it did but it still hurts when I swallow. Hoping that goes away in the next week. I have my follow up on Thursday the 9th (tomorrow).
The day after surgery I started on Synthroid, the hormone to replace the thyroid function which I'll be on for life. So far I suppose it's working, I don't feel any ill effects or any good effects for that matter....I feel fine really. I'm hoping I don't have any issues with the dosage - they started me on 150mg which I was told was the normal starting dose based on weight. I suppose if I lose weight, which is my intention, they may have to adjust the dosage.
So all in all, not a lot to report with surgery, recovery has been good, I've just been taking it easy and resting a lot and as I feel I need to.
I'm hoping my energy levels improve but so far I haven't noticed much of a difference. As I continue to recover and go on in life without my thyroid I'm hoping that things change in the area of my energy and that I get more of it.......I've lived so long with this chronic fatigue and low energy/metabolism I am really looking forward to possibly having better energy and a faster metabolism but we'll see. While in the hospital I also found out that I still have low Vitamin D levels, so I'm going to start taking that supplement again to improve in that area which could also help with the energy.
To be honest, I'm so very tired of having all these "issues". At times I wonder if I really have all the things the Dr's have told me I have - Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus......All the symptoms for each really go hand in hand and cross over one another that I find it hard to believe sometimes......are my diagnosis really that or just because the Dr's couldn't figure out why I have the issues I have had. I know I have Lupus as the blood test came back positive for that and I have the tell-tell signs of it.
Now, in addition to continuing to heal, I'm on a mission to lose this weight I've put on. I've started back on the Body By Vi program, you can check it out here - Body by Visalus - It's really helpful with controlling hunger and providing the nutrients our bodies need to keep us healthy and strong. I like it because I can drink a shake for breakfast which I usually skip anyway. It's a great program if you want to start a challenge, please check it out and let me know - you can win money and with every 10lbs you lose you also help a child in need. The program is fantastic and you get tons of support! Since starting on the challenge 23 days ago I've already lost 9lbs!!
Everyday is still a challenge and I'm not sure what to expect. One day I'm great and the next I'm feeling sick. Yesterday was a day full of nausea and just not feeling well. I've also developed some issues in my gut causing me to stay close to the bathroom most of the time.
That's about all I can give you for an update - I'll post again soon as I continue to heal and become the better version of myself.
Until then....To your health!
Gerri
Surgery took about 3 hrs - apparently my thyroid growths were pretty big, bigger than the Dr expected and growing down into my chest! That was a surprise when he told us that! Clearly a good thing I went with the surgery to get it removed. Pain after surgery was pretty high mostly inside my throat and upper chest - it hurt pretty bad - the incision itself didn't really bother me though. It was swallowing and taking a deep breathe that I struggled with. The Dr had told me to expect some pain in my throat due to the large breathing tube they use in order to monitor the nerves to the vocal cord. So the pain wasn't a surprise really but the amount of time I've had it has been. I'm almost 2 wks out from surgery and my throat still hurts to a degree. Not nearly as bad as it did but it still hurts when I swallow. Hoping that goes away in the next week. I have my follow up on Thursday the 9th (tomorrow).
The day after surgery I started on Synthroid, the hormone to replace the thyroid function which I'll be on for life. So far I suppose it's working, I don't feel any ill effects or any good effects for that matter....I feel fine really. I'm hoping I don't have any issues with the dosage - they started me on 150mg which I was told was the normal starting dose based on weight. I suppose if I lose weight, which is my intention, they may have to adjust the dosage.
So all in all, not a lot to report with surgery, recovery has been good, I've just been taking it easy and resting a lot and as I feel I need to.
I'm hoping my energy levels improve but so far I haven't noticed much of a difference. As I continue to recover and go on in life without my thyroid I'm hoping that things change in the area of my energy and that I get more of it.......I've lived so long with this chronic fatigue and low energy/metabolism I am really looking forward to possibly having better energy and a faster metabolism but we'll see. While in the hospital I also found out that I still have low Vitamin D levels, so I'm going to start taking that supplement again to improve in that area which could also help with the energy.
To be honest, I'm so very tired of having all these "issues". At times I wonder if I really have all the things the Dr's have told me I have - Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Lupus......All the symptoms for each really go hand in hand and cross over one another that I find it hard to believe sometimes......are my diagnosis really that or just because the Dr's couldn't figure out why I have the issues I have had. I know I have Lupus as the blood test came back positive for that and I have the tell-tell signs of it.
Now, in addition to continuing to heal, I'm on a mission to lose this weight I've put on. I've started back on the Body By Vi program, you can check it out here - Body by Visalus - It's really helpful with controlling hunger and providing the nutrients our bodies need to keep us healthy and strong. I like it because I can drink a shake for breakfast which I usually skip anyway. It's a great program if you want to start a challenge, please check it out and let me know - you can win money and with every 10lbs you lose you also help a child in need. The program is fantastic and you get tons of support! Since starting on the challenge 23 days ago I've already lost 9lbs!!
Everyday is still a challenge and I'm not sure what to expect. One day I'm great and the next I'm feeling sick. Yesterday was a day full of nausea and just not feeling well. I've also developed some issues in my gut causing me to stay close to the bathroom most of the time.
That's about all I can give you for an update - I'll post again soon as I continue to heal and become the better version of myself.
Until then....To your health!
Gerri
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
More on Teeth, Thyroid surgery
Hello everyone!
I have some updates for you since my last post (note that I'm really trying to stay on top of this blog! Today is May 3rd.....) Just a small victory in my world of many set backs!
So for starters, I got my new crown placed - that was all great but the dentist informed me that I still need a lot of work in my mouth - 3 crown replacements and one of my molars has a crack and needs a filling. My priority is dealing with the cracked molar so I don't end up losing it too! That appointment has been made although now that I'm looking for the date I don't see it on my calendar so I'll need to call and make sure I really made the appointment. Gotta love the fibro brain!
I saw the surgeon on Thursday last week. He said because one of my many goiters is 6 cm in size, very large for a goiter, the thyroid should come out. He explained that with goiters 4cm and larger they automatically want to take it out due to increased risk of cancer. He said even though my biopsies have been benign, there still is the chance of having cancer cells that either were not captured or will develop. He followed that up with telling me that those cancer cells may never do anything but they prefer to get rid of any potential of having cancer. I agree with that! We discussed what that means for me - basically taking a pill everyday for life, a scar on the base of my neck and possible issues with calcium which would be treated with high doses of calcium. He did discuss with me the possible risk of vocal cord issues or voice box issues to which he said the risk is only about 1% and usually temporary in nature. He said it doesn't mean my voice would be lost but that I would have a hoarse sounding voice for an unknown length of time that generally fixes itself unless there is nerve damage. Hospital stay over night and potentially a drain for a week. He said the drain will help fluids that might want to accumulate due to the large vacancy that will be left from the 6cm goiter.
So I have that surgery scheduled for June 26th. Due to the continued growth of goiters on the thyroid I feel my best option is to remove it to stop the growths. Taking a pill forever is an easy fix and I won't have to deal with the painful biopsies every year anymore.
According to research, there is a link between fibromyalgia and thyroid problems. There are a lot of thyroid diseases so I personally find it hard to make the connection especially if the hormones are within a normal range when tested. I have tried for years to tell my endocrinologist that I think I have hypothyroidism but she insists that my blood work proves otherwise because all my numbers fall within the "normal" range.
(Note that I started writing this on May 3rd, today I am finishing it and it's June 23rd - I guess my quest to stay on top of it kind of failed with end of the school year and summer coming upon us....but hey, at least I came back to it!)
So back to those Normal ranges. Since I wrote the above, I had another blood test to check my numbers - the following information is what I was given.
The blood tests ordered were TSH, Thyroxine (T4), T3 uptake
I have some updates for you since my last post (note that I'm really trying to stay on top of this blog! Today is May 3rd.....) Just a small victory in my world of many set backs!
So for starters, I got my new crown placed - that was all great but the dentist informed me that I still need a lot of work in my mouth - 3 crown replacements and one of my molars has a crack and needs a filling. My priority is dealing with the cracked molar so I don't end up losing it too! That appointment has been made although now that I'm looking for the date I don't see it on my calendar so I'll need to call and make sure I really made the appointment. Gotta love the fibro brain!
I saw the surgeon on Thursday last week. He said because one of my many goiters is 6 cm in size, very large for a goiter, the thyroid should come out. He explained that with goiters 4cm and larger they automatically want to take it out due to increased risk of cancer. He said even though my biopsies have been benign, there still is the chance of having cancer cells that either were not captured or will develop. He followed that up with telling me that those cancer cells may never do anything but they prefer to get rid of any potential of having cancer. I agree with that! We discussed what that means for me - basically taking a pill everyday for life, a scar on the base of my neck and possible issues with calcium which would be treated with high doses of calcium. He did discuss with me the possible risk of vocal cord issues or voice box issues to which he said the risk is only about 1% and usually temporary in nature. He said it doesn't mean my voice would be lost but that I would have a hoarse sounding voice for an unknown length of time that generally fixes itself unless there is nerve damage. Hospital stay over night and potentially a drain for a week. He said the drain will help fluids that might want to accumulate due to the large vacancy that will be left from the 6cm goiter.
So I have that surgery scheduled for June 26th. Due to the continued growth of goiters on the thyroid I feel my best option is to remove it to stop the growths. Taking a pill forever is an easy fix and I won't have to deal with the painful biopsies every year anymore.
According to research, there is a link between fibromyalgia and thyroid problems. There are a lot of thyroid diseases so I personally find it hard to make the connection especially if the hormones are within a normal range when tested. I have tried for years to tell my endocrinologist that I think I have hypothyroidism but she insists that my blood work proves otherwise because all my numbers fall within the "normal" range.
(Note that I started writing this on May 3rd, today I am finishing it and it's June 23rd - I guess my quest to stay on top of it kind of failed with end of the school year and summer coming upon us....but hey, at least I came back to it!)
So back to those Normal ranges. Since I wrote the above, I had another blood test to check my numbers - the following information is what I was given.
The blood tests ordered were TSH, Thyroxine (T4), T3 uptake
- TSH - 0.749 (Normal ranges for this lab - 0.450-4.500) I'm barely above normal
- Thyroxine (T4) - 5.4 (normal ranges 4.5-12.0) This one is low
- T3 uptake - 30 (normal ranges 24-39) This one seems OK
- Free T4 1.6 (normal ranges 1.2-4.9) This one again, just above the normal zone
Does anyone notice something with my numbers? The first thing I thought was that my numbers, while "normal" are very, very much on the lowest end of normal. This could explain and account for a lot of health problems and general issues I deal with daily!
I'm pretty nervous as I approach my surgery. Today the hospital called with details for the day of - I have to arrive at the hospital to check in at 5:30 am and the surgery is scheduled for 7:30 am. I'll be there over night and as long as everything is good they will let me go home the next day.
I just really hope everything goes well and that I don't have any issues with my thyroid levels after all is said and done. I'm hoping the meds they put me on will raise the low numbers - that would mean the Dr will have to prescribe me the "right" dose from the beginning.....praying for that!
I want to go back to the numbers real quick. Each lab has a different "normal" range for those thyroid numbers. So out of curiosity, I went and searched on google for normal thyroid numbers and found that is could vary from 0.3 to 5.0 and anywhere in between as "normal".....my immediate question is "normal for WHO?" Not me, that's for sure! I would be willing to put money down that if my low numbers were raised I would notice a huge difference in how I feel on a regular basis, day to day.........
Enough thyroid talk, school was done June 4th for me, the kids were out a week before that. My daughter took a little over a week to spend with her auntie and grandma (she calls her "bacca" and it really doesn't mean anything, the kids made it up when they were babies) in California. She had pictures done for her birthday and enjoyed being with the family.
Ryan went to a spring football camp with his high school and enjoyed that. He is in strength/conditioning through the summer through his school as well. Come fall he will hopefully be playing a little football! I just run the kids back and forth anymore :)
Taylor turned 16 on June 8th, that same day she got her driver permit and a job as a cashier at Wal-Mart. She is playing volleyball 3 hours a day as well right now getting ready for upcoming team camps she will be participating in for the rest of the summer.
BUSY is an understatement for our little family but it's good this way, keeps us all out of trouble ;)
So as I approach my surgery I want to wish you well and please send me a little extra positive thoughts and visions of healing fast.
Until next time......(I will try to post an update on my surgery as soonas I can!)
Gerri :)
Sunday, February 22, 2015
My thyroid and breaking teeth - what's next?
I hope this finds you doing well!! I've been busy trying to keep the family healthy, seems everyone has been sick since the New Year.......
I'm not good with fluff so I'll get to it. Last week I had a follow-up appt with my endocrinologist to check my thyroid. It appears to have gotten bigger so I am going in on the 23rd for an ultrasound to see what has changed since about 3yrs ago - I kind of dropped the ball on checking it sooner.
Depending on the outcome of that appointment will determine the next step, either follow-up in 6 mo or schedule an appt with a surgeon. I have had some weird chocking episodes recently and a random coughing attack I think because I can feel the growth in the mid-line of my throat now. I'm pretty certain it has grown and needs to come out. I've mentioned in the past that I think I have hypothyroidism so we'll see what the blood work and ultrasound show us.
In addition to that, I just had a tooth break randomly - that makes 4 broken teeth in the past several years. Thankfully I don't have pain with it but this one needs to be dealt with as it's the 5th tooth from the center teeth - and there is only half a tooth there now.
It seems if things go too well for too long something has to happen to not just one thing but multiple body systems at once. All of this requires missing work to accommodate appointments and that can add up when you are missing not only for your own medical issues but for your kids too! This past month has been appointment after appointment for all of us!
Finding time to deal with these things is hard but has come to a necessity and fast. I'm sure my lack of seeing a dentist in recent years is to blame for my current issues - ugh, I hate the dentist but now am forced to see one......
I will report back as soon as I know anything from these appointments - thanks for letting me share!
I'm not good with fluff so I'll get to it. Last week I had a follow-up appt with my endocrinologist to check my thyroid. It appears to have gotten bigger so I am going in on the 23rd for an ultrasound to see what has changed since about 3yrs ago - I kind of dropped the ball on checking it sooner.
Depending on the outcome of that appointment will determine the next step, either follow-up in 6 mo or schedule an appt with a surgeon. I have had some weird chocking episodes recently and a random coughing attack I think because I can feel the growth in the mid-line of my throat now. I'm pretty certain it has grown and needs to come out. I've mentioned in the past that I think I have hypothyroidism so we'll see what the blood work and ultrasound show us.
In addition to that, I just had a tooth break randomly - that makes 4 broken teeth in the past several years. Thankfully I don't have pain with it but this one needs to be dealt with as it's the 5th tooth from the center teeth - and there is only half a tooth there now.
It seems if things go too well for too long something has to happen to not just one thing but multiple body systems at once. All of this requires missing work to accommodate appointments and that can add up when you are missing not only for your own medical issues but for your kids too! This past month has been appointment after appointment for all of us!
Finding time to deal with these things is hard but has come to a necessity and fast. I'm sure my lack of seeing a dentist in recent years is to blame for my current issues - ugh, I hate the dentist but now am forced to see one......
I will report back as soon as I know anything from these appointments - thanks for letting me share!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
January round up.....
To summarize this first month of 2015 I would have to say it's been so, so....
I've been feeling ok but not optimal. I'm having pain in my hips again, which was the original thing that started me on the road to get a diagnosis of FMS. I've also been fighting getting sick, which right now has me home under the weather.
Both my kids have also been fighting health this month. Days out of school due to not feeling well add up for sure and effect them where school is concerned. It's so hard to catch up after being out a day or two.
Hopefully February and beyond will bring better health for the family.
We do have a big trip planned in March that we are all looking forward to. We are going on a cruise and can't wait! This will be the first for my kids (15 and 13) and the first for my husband and I since our honeymoon 20 yrs ago. So as you can see, it's a trip that we are all looking forward to - very much! We will be cruising to Jamaica, Grand Caymen and Cozumel over 7 days. It's going to be great! I just wish I was 30lbs lighter for it!
Speaking of my weight, oh what a terrible time I've had trying to lose it! I honestly believe it's because my thyroid isn't functioning correctly. I do have an appt with my endo this month to check it. Not sure if I've ever mentioned this but I have several large "goiters" consuming my thyroid. Every time I've had it checked the tests come back "normal" which I don't trust one bit. I am going to try to get my Dr to put me on a hypothyroid medication this time to see if it helps any of my "symptoms" that I think are totally related to my thyroid. The symptoms for Hypothyroidism are listed below and the ones I have are highlighted in Yellow:
I've been feeling ok but not optimal. I'm having pain in my hips again, which was the original thing that started me on the road to get a diagnosis of FMS. I've also been fighting getting sick, which right now has me home under the weather.
Both my kids have also been fighting health this month. Days out of school due to not feeling well add up for sure and effect them where school is concerned. It's so hard to catch up after being out a day or two.
Hopefully February and beyond will bring better health for the family.
We do have a big trip planned in March that we are all looking forward to. We are going on a cruise and can't wait! This will be the first for my kids (15 and 13) and the first for my husband and I since our honeymoon 20 yrs ago. So as you can see, it's a trip that we are all looking forward to - very much! We will be cruising to Jamaica, Grand Caymen and Cozumel over 7 days. It's going to be great! I just wish I was 30lbs lighter for it!
Speaking of my weight, oh what a terrible time I've had trying to lose it! I honestly believe it's because my thyroid isn't functioning correctly. I do have an appt with my endo this month to check it. Not sure if I've ever mentioned this but I have several large "goiters" consuming my thyroid. Every time I've had it checked the tests come back "normal" which I don't trust one bit. I am going to try to get my Dr to put me on a hypothyroid medication this time to see if it helps any of my "symptoms" that I think are totally related to my thyroid. The symptoms for Hypothyroidism are listed below and the ones I have are highlighted in Yellow:
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Unexplained weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Slowed heart rate
- Depression
- Impaired memory
You would think when a patient has 11 out of 16 symptoms the Dr would look at that in addition to the blood work. We'll see! I will definitely update once I see her in Feb.
Of course, a lot of these symptoms also go hand in hand with FMS and CFS - at this point, who knows what's what?!?
What I do know is that I would love to have energy, feel good and lose the weight I've put on. I feel like I do all the "right" things to lose weight but nothing happens. The only thing I don't do is exercise due to my fatigue and lack of energy to get out and do it! I keep telling myself "tomorrow" but tomorrow comes and goes without the exercise. It's a vicious cycle I live in.
So this month has been full of ups and downs in my health and the health of my family. I'm hoping February brings us all many more good than bad days.
Volleyball has started up and we have games almost every weekend. We love watching my daughter play so I look forward to those long days in the gym.
That's all for now, until next time......to your health!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Getting things back to normal
Hello friends!! I know it's been several weeks since I last updated but I'm still here! It's starting to cool down here in Colorado, our fall weather is starting to come into play with cool mornings. While it's still heating up in the afternoons, we are loving the cooler mornings and evenings. It won't be long now before the snow starts to creep in. We usually get snow by Oct 31st, which seems far away however it will be here before we know it!
School has started back up for the kids in our area. Last week was the first week. Now that the kids are out of the house for the day I can actually get some things done and not have to be interrupted every 10 minutes to break up a fight or help one of them with something urgent. Everything is always URGENT to an 11y/o and 13 y/o don't you know!
I'm still feeling good. Keeping my routine relatively the same helps. As usual, with the cooler weather comes a few aches and pains but overall nothing new to report. I'm exercising and really working on losing some of this extra weight I've accumulated over the past couple years.
I recently read an article that talked about FMS being a nutrient disorder - I found it very interesting because I know for me, once I got all my nutrients back to the correct levels they should be at I felt so much better. It took a good year but along the way small changes were very clear. If you recall in my last entry I listed the differences over a year and all my nutrient deficiencies are cleared up and a lot of my symptoms are minimal now too - I like to say they are in "remission" as I know I'm not cured, I'm just healing my body with the things I'm doing and healing is coming from the cell level.
I saw a new endocrinologist last week. My thryoid still has some nice size nodules on it however nothing to worry about as far as we can tell. She had some blood drawn to check my Vitamin D levels again as well as my thyroid function. Even though my #'s have historically come back "normal" she thinks my easy weight gain and lack of ability to lose it has a lot to do with my thyroid - UM HELLO I think I've been saying this for the past 5 yrs to my other Dr, hence why I have a new one! Once those blood tests come back she'll decide if I need a thyroid hormone to help combat what we believe to be HYOPTHYROIDISM. She said I have almost every single symtom that would point to it regardless of what the blood work states - she said sometimes you can still have normal #'s and have the condition. I'm thrilled to finally have a Dr that is willing to listen to me vs just write off my concerns. So those results are still pending.
I'm very proud of a recent accomplishment - On August 3rd I climbed my very first mountain which was 13, 400 ft! I made it to the peak which I didn't think was going to happen! It was a climb alright but I did it!! I was struggling along the way but no way was I giving up! It was a GREAT feeling to sit on the top and know that I DID IT! I was with my husband and daughter and another family that we went with. We started out at 7am and by the time we were totally done I think it was close to 2pm. It was a great feeling and I can't wait to climb another one. I was hurting later in the evening and the next day but it was good pain, muscle pain from all the hiking and walking. Believe me when I say if I can do this ANYONE can!! Just takes some determination!
I hope you are all doing well - You'll notice to the right side of my page I have added a new button - it's to a fibro bloggers directory. I just found it and think it's a great resource to find more people who blog about their condition - if someone out there is able to help, then more power to everyone! I know that's why I started mine and hope that I've been able to give some insight to others about what has worked to help me feel better. With Fibro, CFS and Lupus it always seems to be one thing or another that I'm dealing with but I'm so glad that I'm continuing to feeling good and finding that I'm able to do more and more in my life again.
Until next time!
School has started back up for the kids in our area. Last week was the first week. Now that the kids are out of the house for the day I can actually get some things done and not have to be interrupted every 10 minutes to break up a fight or help one of them with something urgent. Everything is always URGENT to an 11y/o and 13 y/o don't you know!
I'm still feeling good. Keeping my routine relatively the same helps. As usual, with the cooler weather comes a few aches and pains but overall nothing new to report. I'm exercising and really working on losing some of this extra weight I've accumulated over the past couple years.
I recently read an article that talked about FMS being a nutrient disorder - I found it very interesting because I know for me, once I got all my nutrients back to the correct levels they should be at I felt so much better. It took a good year but along the way small changes were very clear. If you recall in my last entry I listed the differences over a year and all my nutrient deficiencies are cleared up and a lot of my symptoms are minimal now too - I like to say they are in "remission" as I know I'm not cured, I'm just healing my body with the things I'm doing and healing is coming from the cell level.
I saw a new endocrinologist last week. My thryoid still has some nice size nodules on it however nothing to worry about as far as we can tell. She had some blood drawn to check my Vitamin D levels again as well as my thyroid function. Even though my #'s have historically come back "normal" she thinks my easy weight gain and lack of ability to lose it has a lot to do with my thyroid - UM HELLO I think I've been saying this for the past 5 yrs to my other Dr, hence why I have a new one! Once those blood tests come back she'll decide if I need a thyroid hormone to help combat what we believe to be HYOPTHYROIDISM. She said I have almost every single symtom that would point to it regardless of what the blood work states - she said sometimes you can still have normal #'s and have the condition. I'm thrilled to finally have a Dr that is willing to listen to me vs just write off my concerns. So those results are still pending.
I'm very proud of a recent accomplishment - On August 3rd I climbed my very first mountain which was 13, 400 ft! I made it to the peak which I didn't think was going to happen! It was a climb alright but I did it!! I was struggling along the way but no way was I giving up! It was a GREAT feeling to sit on the top and know that I DID IT! I was with my husband and daughter and another family that we went with. We started out at 7am and by the time we were totally done I think it was close to 2pm. It was a great feeling and I can't wait to climb another one. I was hurting later in the evening and the next day but it was good pain, muscle pain from all the hiking and walking. Believe me when I say if I can do this ANYONE can!! Just takes some determination!
I hope you are all doing well - You'll notice to the right side of my page I have added a new button - it's to a fibro bloggers directory. I just found it and think it's a great resource to find more people who blog about their condition - if someone out there is able to help, then more power to everyone! I know that's why I started mine and hope that I've been able to give some insight to others about what has worked to help me feel better. With Fibro, CFS and Lupus it always seems to be one thing or another that I'm dealing with but I'm so glad that I'm continuing to feeling good and finding that I'm able to do more and more in my life again.
Until next time!
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