Sunday, September 6, 2015

My thyroid numbers and medicine changes

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!

Saturday, August 8, 2015

I can't believe how much has changed since the beginning - stick with me here on this recap of my journey so far.......

Hello everyone!  I hope this update finds you well!!

So, the summer break is coming to a screeching halt as school in my area starts back up on Monday.  That means I go back to work too.  BOO on that but hey, it's my job to be there for the kids and that's what I'll be doing!  Seems like the summer break just went way too fast this year!  We were busy with my surgery, volleyball, and trips so that's most likely why it seems to have gone so fast - tooo fast!  I guess though when you are living life instead of watching it pass you by it does go quickly!

This update is going to be chalk full of a lot of great things so I hope you will continue to read. For starters, I saw my Endocrinologist last week for blood work - I am axiously awaiting those results.  My thryoid levels, Vitamin D and calcium levels.  I'm expecting that they will be great based on how I'm feeling.

As I sit here today, I realized that about 5 years ago exactly is when I first became the sickest I've ever been.  As you know, I've been pretty sick at times in my life but this time, my life was changed in so many ways.  Initially the changes were not good and the things that were to come over the course of the following year were the worst of the worst for me and my family.  Some of the things that happened, I've never talked about because it was/is too personal and painful.......we were at our worst financially, emotionally, and for me, physically with illness that seemed like it would never get better.  Early on, before being diagnosed with FMS, I honestly in my heart thought I was going to die.  That alone is the scariest feeling to have.  Initially, all I could do was lay in bed, sleep and go to Dr's to try to figure out what in the world was going on.

My first diagnosis was bronchitis, then pnemonia......then everything else started happening....migraines, vertigo, terrible pain in my legs and hips that was 100% unexplainable.  I saw neurologists, had cat scans, MRI, blood draws, chiropractic care - you name it and NOTHING seemed to help and there were no results from the tests.  I began to feel like I was crazy and I think the Dr's thought so too!  None of them could make sense of what I was going through.  I finally recovered from the bronchial issues but had a migraine and vertigo for 3 months straight - the meds the neurologist put me on helped some but the migraine would come back.  The vertigo was just there constantly and the pain in my legs and hips never let up.  I could barely walk by myself let alone get out of bed and function.  It was the literal rock bottom, the worst.  That December of 2010 I finally ended up seeing a Rheumatologist who was the one to diagnose me with FMS.  I was SO relieved to have an answer even though I had no clue what it would mean for me.  Initially he put me on a medication, I can't recall what but it didn't help so I stopped taking it.  We decided at my next visit to just increase the antidepressant that I was on - Effexor - as that was also known to help with FMS pain at higher doses.  So he doubled it and within a day the pain in my legs vanished!!  PROGRESS!  Slowly over the course of another few months I was feeling well enough to be out of bed and sit in "my chair"......that is when I started doing mad research on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue (which I had been diagnosed with many years prior) Lupus (which I suspected I had due to the tell-tell rash I always got on my face), Lyme disease which was suspect due to all my symptoms and life history of illness........and I started my blog to document all the stuff I was finding.  I began to think that if I could help even just one other person that it would all be worth it because NOBODY deserves to live like I was......and I now know that way too many people do!

So that is, in a nutshell, the beginning of my story and journey.  I started looking for natural ways to heal myself - I knew that I couldn't live like that forever and I had a family to take care of.  I was in search of natural ways to heal myself because I knew I couldn't be on pain killers and medications for the rest of my life.  I started juicing, was contemplating going to the Mayo Clinic for help but ended up finding a Dr about an hour away that dealt primarily in FMS.  I began seeing him 1x a week for a year. My treatment included acupuncture, massage and chiropractic care.  One of the first things he did was a blood panel that looked at all my micronutrients - come to find out I was depleted of all my antioxidants so I immediately started on them all - I must of been taking 10-15 different supplements - it's all in previous blog posts with pictures....seriously crazy stuff.  After going 1x a week for 6 months I started to feel somewhat normal again - seriously relieved that I could drive and function on a somewhat normal level but I still didn't feel "normal" whatever that was.

After a year of driving an hour each way to see this Dr I found a local chiropractor who specialized in chronic illness, specifically FMS so I started to see him.  Now that I was feeling so much better I felt that change could happen.  He did a follow up on the blood work and this time all my levels were good.  So I was able to stop taking the multiple pills and go down to about 5 different vitamins.  I saw him weekly as well to keep my spinal health in good condition and had him do acupuncture on me as needed.

Slowly I was feeling better......my business that I had for 12 years leading up to this was gone...since I couldn't work to save my life......other things we had were gone......but my life was moving on.  Don't get me wrong, I was still having pain, fatigued beyond belief but I was out of bed and functioning to the best of my ability.  The pain wasn't constant but would pop up randomly and was definitely there.

Now let's fast forward a bit.  My thyroid started to become a huge issue - as you know that's dealt with now.  I'm finally feeling like things are looking up all around.  When I exercise I get pain in my hips, my hips are always the problem for me.  But with regular chiropractic care that seems to help a lot.

People who are like me and have multiple issues with health have to deal with things one at a time.....there is so much going on that we just have to pick one thing to handle......it's taken me 5 yrs to get a handle on everything and the last thing to deal with is my weight......since getting sick 5 yrs ago I've gained 65 lbs - SIXTY FIVE POUNDS! That's 13# a year, which doesn't seem like a lot but year after year it added up to where I am now.  I think my thyroid, laying in bed, having no energy, eating on the go and fast food is definitely to blame......my lack of motivation to do anything about it and lack of knowing what to do about it too.  It seemed like such a huge feat to try to lose it all,,,,,,,,and I didn't know where to even begin.  Getting to the gym was not an option because I had no energy....none.  Cooking healthy didn't happen, no energy.  Ordering pizza, getting subway or other fast food was easy, so that's pretty much what we did.

Everything started to change when a friend of mine introduced me to a company that is focused on lifestyle, weight loss and fitness.  I researched this until I was blue in the face as I didn't want another scam or gimmick to deal with.  I didn't want to waste money or time that I didn't have.  I've tried it all, believe me.  There are so many out there, so many that don't work that I wasn't about to take a chance on another failure.  Honestly, it's taken me a couple years to really get on board with this and already in just a couple months I'm down 14 lbs, feeling the best I've felt in as long as I can remember, my skin issues are clearing up and I have energy - yes energy!  I want to scream from the mountain tops.  Here is a little video that tells you about it.


If this video doesn't play you can also view it here - just click on the first video

I'll be 100% honest - I've done the challenge before and lost some weight then as well (2013) but I was still dealing with stress and my illnesses and didn't really give my lifestyle, ways of looking at food and eating the attention I should have.  I wasn't eating right and wasn't sticking to a better eating plan.  Because of that, I gained back what I lost initially.  As would anyone who goes back to eating out, fast food, sugars and all the processed crap that is in our face everyday.  It takes some effort to eat better than that.  It's a lifestyle change and that takes time and energy I just didn't have to give.  Be honest, it's easier to stay the same and not work on betting ourselves UNTIL we hit that point that we know something has to be done.  I'm on TWO medications for the rest of my life - Synthroid for my thryoid and Effexor because #1 the withdrawls to come off it will send me in a downward spiral I'm not willing to endure and #2 it was the only thing that helped my hip pain.  Not bad for someone who has all the chronic illnesses I have.

I've been on this challenge now for 2 months and I'm down 14 lbs and 10 inches overall.  I'm feeling the best I've felt in as long as I can remember.  I have energy to do things with my kids and husband.....I'm starting to work out at the gym - WHAT?  Yes, working out at the gym! This is a new me that I'm loving!  At the rate I'm going, I expect I'll be down to the size I was 5 yrs ago PRE-ILLNESS by mid 2016, maybe even sooner.  And it doesn't end there!  Once I'm down to where I began I plan on maintaining that with my new lifestyle and living the life I only dreamed I could!  Do I avoid going out to eat, NO....Do I get to enjoy treats time to time - absolutely!  Is it hard?  Sometimes but those are the times that I have to be strong and remember WHY I'm doing what I am.

Remember, I have always said that I started this blog and share information in hopes that I can help someone which is ultimately exactly what I want to do.  If I can help someone change their life and circumstances then I have succeeded in my mission.  This is no different.  I know there are people out there who have struggled with weight gain and an inability to lose it for whatever reason.  Just like me, it seems that no matter what you do, aside from starving yourself, you can't lose the weight.  I've always said if I even look at a piece of cake I gain 10lbs - because that is how I really felt. I struggled to control my cravings and didn't even try to have will power when faced with an opportunity to have cookies, cake, ice cream, pizza, burgers - all the good stuff that isn't so good in the long run.  Right now, I can walk away from it all - because I'm seeing how much better I feel without it.  Even without going to the gym I'm losing the weight just from changing the way I'm eating.

If you are reading this now - congratulations for sticking it out!  I know this is long but I have so much to say - I could continue but this is enough for now.  I'm just so excited about where this long journey has taken me and where it will continue to take me.  I'm sure I will have set backs, we all do...I'm not perfect and the healing process is long - we all have to remember how long it took us to get where we are and allow the time to change ourselves inside and out.

I encourage anyone out there to reach out to me to talk if you want some guidance - that's why I'm here - my mission is to help anyone and everyone who is ready for change in their life, suffering from illness and ready to do something and make changes.  I've taken the journey and am still on it....

Until next time - to your health - xoxoxoxo

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

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


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


  • 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 :)







Tuesday, April 14, 2015

A plea for HELP! Thyroid update and my teeth.....

So a lot has happened since my last entry.

I had my thyroid ultrasound which turned into another appointment for a biopsy to check the newest growth.  All came back benign so that was good news.  Bad news is I have a new growth - I think that makes 5 or 6 now.

I also had my tooth looked at and fixed.  Turned out I had significant decay which broke the tooth and needed a root canal.....had that done and I actually go back tomorrow to get the permanent crown placed.  Other than costing me a small fortune, that tooth will finally be fixed.  I'm in need of 3 other crown replacements which need to get done soon - not sure how fast it will take my money tree to sprout, been waiting a while for that!  HA HA

I'm currently waiting on a call from a surgeon to discuss removing my thyroid - I'll have a consult with him and see what he says about it.  In my opinion, if I'm going to continue to grow nodules on it and go through these biopsies, just take the sucker out!  The biopsies are pretty painful and I can do without another of those!  You know it's bad when the Dr who does the biopsy genuinely feels sorry for you that you have had to have so many done.....the nurses and Dr kept saying how sorry they were that I had to have another.

On a happy note, we went on a Western Caribbean cruise which was FABULOUS!!  A much needed week away from technology and life at home....we went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel - it was just perfect and we all had an amazing time.

My main inspiration to write tonight (aside from the above updates) comes from my lack of "restful sleep" over the past several, oh I don't know........decades I would say!  It sucks!

My typical time to go to bed is usually around 8pm and I get up at 5:30 am - plenty of "sleep" but I wake up exhausted - tired all day, every single day.  I'm over it!

I've been searching out "diets" to help with the exhaustion, only to realize that I already eat the "right" foods and combinations that are suppose to help give someone "energy".  So why am I not feeling alive?  I just had my birthday, and really, I'm not that old but good lord do I feel much older!

I swear I go through my days sluggishly, yawning and in general malaise.  People always tell me how tired I look - the thought that goes through my head is "gee thanks asshat you look great today too!"  Why do people feel the need to tell you that you look tired - trust me I already know and don't need anyone pointing it out for me! 

I have my "good" days but the "bad" definitely are outweighing the good.  Other than being absolutely exhausted I feel generally fine.  My body doesn't ache like it use to constantly.  Of course I have my days for that too but overall I do believe my main issue right now is the lack of energy which leads to a lack of motivation to do anything - even going to the store seems like such a huge monumental feat these days.

I am interested in hearing from anyone out there who has dealt with this kind of fatigue for a lengthy amount of time and what you do to combat it.  I'm really at my witts end and am looking to anyone out there who might have some answers or a direction to lead me in.

In the past I took Adderall for the fatigue - sure it gave me energy it's an amphetimine!  I am almost to the point of asking my Dr to put me back on it but really don't want to go that route if I don't have to.  Not only is it expensive to the tune of close to $200 a month it's just not a good thing to be on day after day.  So please HELP!  I'm begging!

Until next time....TO YOUR HEALTH!

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!

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:

  • 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!