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