Thyroid a year later......and more

Hello!

I know I have a problem with not updating my blog very often, I attribute that to being busy and forgetful! I have good intentions but when it comes down to it I falter.......I'm sorry for that, I really am!

So, it's been a year since I had my thyroid removed and I can tell you that I notice nothing different. My levels are still wacky, I'm losing hair by the handfuls, I still lack energy and god forbid I want to lose a little weight - it takes an enormous amount of effort and it always comes right back. So, having my thyroid removed didn't help me with any of my major issues. At least I don't have growths anymore but my levels still have not leveled out. I started on 150 mg of Synthroid last year and am now on 100 mg - I continue to be adjusted to lower levels without it helping.

So since it's been a bit since I've updated let's see what's been happening:

January-March 2016 - I started back to college at an online University - Ashford University. It's been 7 months and I'm doing great! I have straight "A" grades and just last week was invited to become a member of Alpha Sigma Lamda Honor Society. This is an honor society for exceptional adult learners. It was such a great surprise and honor. So being that I have such great grades should also tell you I spend a lot of time with my schooling. I haven't had time to be sick or tired or sore or anything other than focusing on school. My intention of going back is to complete the degree I started right out of high school - which was a long time ago.........I'm studying "Social and Criminal Justice" and will graduate with my BA in 7/2018.

Regarding my FMS and CFS I'm still holding steady. I haven't had any major flare up of either condition. I have learned to just listen to myself and if I'm tired, I go to bed. I still have issues with my hips being achy and locking up after sitting down for a bit but overall I can't complain. I have a lot of contact with people who have FMS really bad and I feel terrible for them but at the same time am grateful I have been able to reverse a good majority of my issues with FM and keep it under control.

April - July 2016 - I ended up in the ER on my birthday, April 5th - with what I thought was chest pain - it was bad, had me convinced I had a blockage - after a night stay and many tests that came back negative I was sent home and referred to a cardiologist. A few more tests and nothing. I still get these weird chest pains but haven't gone back to the cardiologist because he already determined it's not my heart but of course, as with most things they don't know why I'm having these pains. I thought maybe heartburn but I really don't think so since I never get it. So chalk it up to another strange thing related to FMS I guess.....

I was just talking with my mom about when I first got sick back in 2010 and took up juicing to get better. It definitely worked after a period of time - between juicing AND taking many supplements I brought my nutrition levels back to where they needed to be and was able to reverse a lot of my symptoms that had me bedridden for several months. Everyone also is different so what worked for me may or may not work for another - but it's all worth a try! In fact, coming back to my juicing information I've decided to juice a metabolism boosting juice and see if it helps me shed a few lbs like it says it does.

In other news, I've been off work since the first week in June and it's been great! Since I work in a school, I have the same schedule as the kids do and it's fantastic. We go back in just 3 wks from now......summer vacay goes way too fast! But it will be good to get back on a schedule. When I have no schedule not much gets done because I don't have to....it's bad.

My daughter is going into her senior year of high school - I can't believe in just a short year she will be going to college. My "baby" girl is grown into such a beautiful young woman. Makes me sad that she will be leaving but I know it's coming quickly. My son is starting his sophomore year - he is another one that I can't believe has grown so much both physically and mentally. The past several months have been big in the growth area for him. My daughter will be playing volleyball with the school over the next few weeks leading up to try outs - in fact next week we go to a big college camp with some girls who were invited from the school - should be fun!

I hope this update has found you all well! I would like to say that I will update in a month but, I've said that before and 7 months later I show up ...... I know I suck at this but I'm trying! I will be back soon, how is that???

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

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