Hi everyone! So today is a short post since I have of a question and would love opinions.
What time of day do you take your daily thyroid medication?
I personally have been taking it first thing in the morning at 6am or so. I hear others take it at night thou and it helps them get up the following morning. Then there are other cases, which Im really interested in, where people split up their dosage throughout the day.
Thoughts?
Friday, February 1, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Heart Palpitations
Being a hypochondriac and having hypothyroidism just don't mix. Seriously. So many symptoms can be directed back to that pesky thyroid of mine but my mind does a number on me in the process.
When I was all the way up to 0.100MG of Levothyroxine at the beginning of my diagnoses my heart was going CRAZY. Heart palpitations up the ying-yang, creating the horrible sensation that my heart was giving out every few minutes/hours. I would lie awake and feel like my whole body was one big pulse as my heart hammered away even while I was resting. Needless to say I was terrified, but I blamed it on anxiety.
Once I settled into Kentucky two things happened: I was lowered to 0.088MG and the good doc put me on 10MG of Citalopram (a childs dose) to help me relax. This system, dare I say, was perfect for about 4 months. No more panic attacks, no crazy heart rhythms.
Than last Friday I was waiting at the postal office when the feeling of my heart dropping came back. I had the sickening feeling that I was going to pass out in line and driving all the way home I felt an odd tingling in my left arm. The hypochondriac in my head started to scream 'THIS IS THE BIG ONE MADDY! YOUR FINALLY HAVING A HEART ATTACK!' So I did the responsible thing and ignored it and laid around all weekend waiting for my heart to give out. Plus, im pretty cheap and didn't want to go to the ER.
Did I mention my inner hypochondriac is quite dramatic?
By Tuesday I was sure I had some kind of blood clot between the heart palpitations, the weird pain in my left arm and the mild pain in my chest. I went in the same day and the good doc checked me out, and did a run through. No signs of heart problems, blood clots, or any other medical problem I let fester in my mind.
I was reminded that heart palpitations are connected to hypothyroidism and we've agreed to lower my dose to 0.075MG. Also, I learned the weird sensation under my left arm was a 'refereed' pain from the palpitations. In one month I go back in to have some blood work redone and check everything out. I promise to update in a timely fashion when the news gets back.
In the meantime, if your experiencing the same problems please don't ignore it like I do and go see a doctor.
Cheers,
Maddy
When I was all the way up to 0.100MG of Levothyroxine at the beginning of my diagnoses my heart was going CRAZY. Heart palpitations up the ying-yang, creating the horrible sensation that my heart was giving out every few minutes/hours. I would lie awake and feel like my whole body was one big pulse as my heart hammered away even while I was resting. Needless to say I was terrified, but I blamed it on anxiety.
Once I settled into Kentucky two things happened: I was lowered to 0.088MG and the good doc put me on 10MG of Citalopram (a childs dose) to help me relax. This system, dare I say, was perfect for about 4 months. No more panic attacks, no crazy heart rhythms.
Than last Friday I was waiting at the postal office when the feeling of my heart dropping came back. I had the sickening feeling that I was going to pass out in line and driving all the way home I felt an odd tingling in my left arm. The hypochondriac in my head started to scream 'THIS IS THE BIG ONE MADDY! YOUR FINALLY HAVING A HEART ATTACK!' So I did the responsible thing and ignored it and laid around all weekend waiting for my heart to give out. Plus, im pretty cheap and didn't want to go to the ER.
Did I mention my inner hypochondriac is quite dramatic?
By Tuesday I was sure I had some kind of blood clot between the heart palpitations, the weird pain in my left arm and the mild pain in my chest. I went in the same day and the good doc checked me out, and did a run through. No signs of heart problems, blood clots, or any other medical problem I let fester in my mind.
I was reminded that heart palpitations are connected to hypothyroidism and we've agreed to lower my dose to 0.075MG. Also, I learned the weird sensation under my left arm was a 'refereed' pain from the palpitations. In one month I go back in to have some blood work redone and check everything out. I promise to update in a timely fashion when the news gets back.
In the meantime, if your experiencing the same problems please don't ignore it like I do and go see a doctor.
Cheers,
Maddy
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Sappy Update
Wow, its been sometime! I got settled in my new place and kinda let time get away from me..
What really drew me back was a text message I recieved the other day from a very good friend of mine. I haven't seen her in almost a year but the other day I found out she has read my blog, and recommended I continue this if it makes me feel better. The gesture meant alot more than I can convey.
Sometimes I forget the amazing support system I have. No one pushes me beyond my limits, and no one asks me to hurry up. Honestly I am very lucky and grateful for those that have been in my life!
I hope this doesn't come out as bragging. I write this as a shout out to everyone that sticks with me. Who has dropped off soup, stayed at home with me, let plans change, visit me in the ER, drive me to doctors appointments when im dizzy, made me a "get better" package, sent flowers, let my cry in front of them, and simply kept in touch. In means so much to know that while im down, im not out in friend's lives.
It has been a crazy few months and it means the world to me that your still here.
I plan to update more regularly in the near future. Maybe 2x a month?
What really drew me back was a text message I recieved the other day from a very good friend of mine. I haven't seen her in almost a year but the other day I found out she has read my blog, and recommended I continue this if it makes me feel better. The gesture meant alot more than I can convey.
Sometimes I forget the amazing support system I have. No one pushes me beyond my limits, and no one asks me to hurry up. Honestly I am very lucky and grateful for those that have been in my life!
I hope this doesn't come out as bragging. I write this as a shout out to everyone that sticks with me. Who has dropped off soup, stayed at home with me, let plans change, visit me in the ER, drive me to doctors appointments when im dizzy, made me a "get better" package, sent flowers, let my cry in front of them, and simply kept in touch. In means so much to know that while im down, im not out in friend's lives.
It has been a crazy few months and it means the world to me that your still here.
I plan to update more regularly in the near future. Maybe 2x a month?
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Big Changes and Anxiety (pt.1)
Lots of moving and lots of changes recently! To keep it brief I made alot of big decisions revolving my life that I hope pan out. I quit my job, packed up all my belongings to fit into one car and moved back out east. It was a crazy few days as I basically spent 25 hours going from the front door of my parent's house in Germany, to my apartment in Colorado. Than the following day we were packed up and on the road to Kentucky! Two days later, I was in a new home closer to family for support. I was proud, and surprised my thyroid (and me) handled those 4 days so well. Two days later, however, the old anxiety ridden me washed back up on shore..
Which segways into my main topic: ways to deal with anxiety (part 1). Sometimes things just snowball out of control. You've probably heard the cliche 'mind over matter' or simply been told 'its all in your head.' Panic attacks and anxiety issues shouldn't be taken lightly though. They are generally a physical manifestation of stress in your life.
A few months ago, my coping abilities were shot. I had been sick for months with no answer, and was only starting to get an idea for what my symptoms meant. The german doctor, hearing all this, gave me a sample packet of a herbal supplement containing St. John's Wort.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a small yellow flowered plant considered a weed in most of the United States. It is more widely known as a medicinal treatment for forms of depression and mood elevation. In Germany you can get it over the counter in 600mg tablets for once a day use. The only brand name I know and am familiar with is Neuroplant .
I only did 11 tablets before I became stubborn. I’ve always had mixed feelings about pills that “enhance your mood.” Surprisingly thou, my stress and anxiety went down quite a bit. More importantly to the sanity of loved ones, my mood started to pan out. Talking about things that use to make me a debbie downer, were really more of a matter I could shrug off. It felt like when someone brought something up that could be worrisome, my brain recognized that but just pointed its middle finger to the sky.
So why only 11 tablets? Because although I felt more “stable” my entire disposition became gloomier. Basically, I was a gloomy gus but felt like I could deal with anything. It was an odd combo for me and I didn't like it. I won't knock it to the point that I would say others shouldn't give it a shot, but for me personally it wasn't working.
Which segways into my main topic: ways to deal with anxiety (part 1). Sometimes things just snowball out of control. You've probably heard the cliche 'mind over matter' or simply been told 'its all in your head.' Panic attacks and anxiety issues shouldn't be taken lightly though. They are generally a physical manifestation of stress in your life.
A few months ago, my coping abilities were shot. I had been sick for months with no answer, and was only starting to get an idea for what my symptoms meant. The german doctor, hearing all this, gave me a sample packet of a herbal supplement containing St. John's Wort.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a small yellow flowered plant considered a weed in most of the United States. It is more widely known as a medicinal treatment for forms of depression and mood elevation. In Germany you can get it over the counter in 600mg tablets for once a day use. The only brand name I know and am familiar with is Neuroplant .
I only did 11 tablets before I became stubborn. I’ve always had mixed feelings about pills that “enhance your mood.” Surprisingly thou, my stress and anxiety went down quite a bit. More importantly to the sanity of loved ones, my mood started to pan out. Talking about things that use to make me a debbie downer, were really more of a matter I could shrug off. It felt like when someone brought something up that could be worrisome, my brain recognized that but just pointed its middle finger to the sky.
So why only 11 tablets? Because although I felt more “stable” my entire disposition became gloomier. Basically, I was a gloomy gus but felt like I could deal with anything. It was an odd combo for me and I didn't like it. I won't knock it to the point that I would say others shouldn't give it a shot, but for me personally it wasn't working.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Fault in our Stars
So I am a fairly avid reader, and always on the hunt for a new book. Recently Goodreads brought this gem to my attention:
----
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
---
I've only had a chance to read a sample, but I loved it and only hear good things about it. (Note: I also hear its a pretty big tear jerker) With alot of things coming up in my life I don't have time at the moment. I do plan to start in September though. I want to write a little bit about it after , minus spoilers, but what I really want to do is discuss it with other people. Especially since the book seems to touch on how people evaluate things differently when one's health starts to fail.
Is anyone interested in chit-chatting about this book sometime in September?
Cheers!
----
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
---
I've only had a chance to read a sample, but I loved it and only hear good things about it. (Note: I also hear its a pretty big tear jerker) With alot of things coming up in my life I don't have time at the moment. I do plan to start in September though. I want to write a little bit about it after , minus spoilers, but what I really want to do is discuss it with other people. Especially since the book seems to touch on how people evaluate things differently when one's health starts to fail.
Is anyone interested in chit-chatting about this book sometime in September?
Cheers!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Video Blog and a Friendly Disposition
If I'm going to stick with this blog as long as I plan to, I need to keep things fresh. So today you may notice I tried something different... a video blog! I'm not the best writer out there because after four years in college I type far to formally.. or like i'm texting. A middle ground is something which I have to work on for these posts. This was my first VB ever and it shows, but it was fun to make all the same :) If I do this in the future at least I will have learned some things along the way.
The point I started to make in this blog is my mood and disposition is not optimal anymore. I get very easily stressed out, which leads to frustration and than I lash out at people who don't deserve it. On good days where my health is great, I go around walking on sunshine and I'd like to think I'm a pleasant person to be around.
On bad days thou? Maddy #2 , my evil twin, comes out and suddenly the quiet, easy going person people know me as melts away and whats left is a resentful, bitter, angry
My solution? Exercising on the 'feel good' days and working on my art and writing on the lower days. Keeps my mind from working situations over and over, and gives my body a good reason to be tired for once! Today is one of those good days, and i've already made the most of it with some biking and finishing up a good book.
Cheers,
Maddy
P.S. if you actually watched all 3 minutes of my ramblings in the VB, your a champ!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Six Week Check-In
I've only recently started taking medication for my thyroid, so my 6 week check-in to retest blood levels seems to have flown by.
My new results are:
Doctor likes my results, and i'm quite pleased with them too, so no changes for now. One wonderful thing about the German doctor i’m currently seeing is he too has hypothyroidism. I don’t wish the condition on him, but it is nice to have a professional know really what its like.True to the doctor's advice, it takes 3-4 weeks for the medicine to really kick in, so you have to stick with it.
Currently I'm on a German brand called L-Thyroxin Henning 100. In preparation of seeing the doctor, however, I looked into Liothyronine (generic name) / Cytomel (brand name) / Novothyral (german brand). Currently my medicine is purely T4, but I’ve been reading that people that take liothyronine, which contains T3, have improvement with concentration issues and “brain fog.” That and fatigue, are two continuing symptoms I have.
I suspect that I also have some adrenal fatigue going on from all the stress these last few months. I never thought to ask for a look at my cortisol levels. I'm gonna have to get use to requesting tests if I suspect. In a few weeks I will be returning state side and will pursue both matters later when I have to switch my medication over to an American brand anyway.
In the mean time, are there any other avenues I should be looking into in terms of medications, supplements, etc?
My new results are:
- TSH level 0.37 (normal range 0.3 - 3.0)
- Free T3 3.72 (normal range 2.0-4.4)
- Free T4 1.32 (normal range .90-2.00)
Doctor likes my results, and i'm quite pleased with them too, so no changes for now. One wonderful thing about the German doctor i’m currently seeing is he too has hypothyroidism. I don’t wish the condition on him, but it is nice to have a professional know really what its like.True to the doctor's advice, it takes 3-4 weeks for the medicine to really kick in, so you have to stick with it.
Currently I'm on a German brand called L-Thyroxin Henning 100. In preparation of seeing the doctor, however, I looked into Liothyronine (generic name) / Cytomel (brand name) / Novothyral (german brand). Currently my medicine is purely T4, but I’ve been reading that people that take liothyronine, which contains T3, have improvement with concentration issues and “brain fog.” That and fatigue, are two continuing symptoms I have.
I suspect that I also have some adrenal fatigue going on from all the stress these last few months. I never thought to ask for a look at my cortisol levels. I'm gonna have to get use to requesting tests if I suspect. In a few weeks I will be returning state side and will pursue both matters later when I have to switch my medication over to an American brand anyway.
In the mean time, are there any other avenues I should be looking into in terms of medications, supplements, etc?
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