Sike...We're Not Done Here.

I originally intended to stop the updates here, but my prior prognosis was incorrect. My doctors believe they know what's wrong now.

I saw a neurologist to help me figure out what's wrong with me neurologically. Seeing that I had a history of thyroid disease, naturally she wanted to take a blood sample. I've been through a lot of testing, but this far, they are still not positive what's wrong in that department; MS has been a hypothesis, though I am not informed or qualified enough to agree nor disagree. I am, however, getting progressively worse and I have problems with walking and can no longer stand up straight.

Cut to my second neurology appointment. She informs me that my brain MRI and EEG were normal, but then says, "Your thyroid is elevated. Has this ever happened to you?" I guess she asked because I guess was not clear enough when I mentioned thyroid disease. So she decided to run a complete thyroid panel on me. It looks like I probably have Graves' disease, which explains why my hyperthyroidism has not quit for the past year. And I know it probably only gets worse from here, but I am hesitant to seek treatment; yes, I can't stand the heat intolerance, the palpitations, the hair loss, the overactive bowels/bladder...but I also do not want to become a Fatty McFatticus. I am now a size 6 and I weigh 129; a year ago, I was at least 160 and wore a 14. I am well aware that I don't look or feel well. But with a history of anorexia, naturally I am deathly afraid of getting fat. I know better than to starve myself but I still want to keep my fast metabolism. Sigh. I just can't win sometimes.

Despite these issues, I have a very different outlook on life than I used to. I have learned to just be happy I'm alive and can experience the world in my own unique way. I've become bubbly and laid-back and I can't wait to get outside and discover the world around me. Yes, I'm sick, but I refuse to let my illnesses run my life. They do not define who I am as a person and I can go out and be productive and happy. I know things will be harder, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I think so. I am proud to end this entry on a happy note. I'll update again soon. :D

Prognosis: Drugs Are Bad (Final Post)

Attention: this will be my final post in this blog, as I will be starting a new one.

Well, folks, the doctors have reached a verdict. The masses (whatever the hell you want to call them, it doesn't matter now) are benign and my hormones are normal now. But you are probably wondering, "What the hell happened?"

It started with lithium. I started taking it when I was 15 and at 18, I had developed hypothyroidism as a result. The cysts seem to have come about as my thyroid's attempt to create more hormone. I suppose in a way, they were working, but, enter prednisone. A year ago, (January 2011) I went to the ER with an asthma attack and was subsequently put on prednisone. My doctor at the time decided to keep me on prednisone for a while afterwards. This is, what was believed, to have caused the spike in my hormones, as the cysts themselves were producing enough for me. Alas, my condition was completely drug-induced and is not of concern to me anymore.

I am, however, having a whole new set of problems. Neurological ones, to be specific. I'm not sure if I will blog about those issues, but I will keep this blog here for reference for anyone with thyroid disease who has taken either of these drugs (lithium or prednisone). But now, it is time to say goodbye to this blog. The case is closed. All is well, thyroid-wise. So to all my wonderful readers (if any...), thank you for reading and sayonara.

Long Time, No Post

I apologise for the lack of updates. A lot of stuff has been going on and I've been very distracted and preoccupied.

I missed my sonogram a few weeks ago; I'd come down with a nasty cold and couldn't go. So the sonogram has been rescheduled for the morning of my birthday (November 10th). Not exactly the birthday present I was hoping for, but c'est la vie. My symptoms have been about the same. Being sick kind of distracted me from my neck lumps so I suppose that's slightly good in a way. Also having gotten my tongue pierced last week has made me focus more on my tongue than anything else. So I suppose these physical distractions can be sort of good.

In other news, I have the most amazing boyfriend as of October 14th. He is the kindest, sweetest guy I have ever been with and we are so much alike it's crazy. He's planning to bring me back home to WA in January and I'm pretty damn excited about that. I have never been happier with anyone else and that's no exaggeration.

I think my next post will probably be on my birthday after my sonogram, either that or when the results come back. My mind has been preoccupied, but I know I'll get nervous again.

Probably.

I saw my new general practitioner today and I love him already. He is helping me to finally get some answers. His theory is that one of my nodules probably became dominant and that is why it's pressing up against my neck. Of course, we can't be sure without the ultrasound. The only slightly alarming thing is that apparently my blood pressure is surprisingly low. That's unusual for hyperthyroidism; I'm wondering if maybe there's something else going on too.

I am very happy that I have a doctor who is not only local but respects me and everything I bring to the table. No more doctors judging me by my clothes or philosophy on life. That's the way it should be and I am very happy and satisfied. Hopefully everything will be fixed before 2012. I'm hoping that with a new year comes a new clean bill of health.

I'm not too worried about malignancy anymore because I know I'm going to be treated soon no matter what the case is. I'm also not too worried about my immediate danger because my doctor said the shaking was probably from my having taken Haldol, which can apparently cause a Parkinson's-like condition. I have not shaken in days and I've been off my Haldol for a while so I think I'll  be fine.

Breakthrough?

I went to the ER yesterday after all that. I spent about 4 hours there and they referred me for an endocrinology appointment today. In the ER, they took some blood out of me and looked me over a little. The doctor said my eyes are starting to bulge a little bit; it's in early stages so it's not very noticeable.

Today at my doctor's appointment, my doctor compared all of my blood results and decided she wanted another test because my symptoms and levels weren't matching up (the tests said normal while I presented as otherwise). I have a sonogram ordered for the 6th of October and I'm scheduled to see my endo again in December, but I predict she will want to see me sooner. I've been shaking again and a friend of mine had to walk me to the subway station after class; I was pretty embarrassed but I'm glad I'm making friends. Right now I'm just going to eat and drink something and try and relax, maybe my shaking will stop again. It is already stopping which is a good sign, but I want it to keep stopping.

I'll probably report back soon about my symptoms. I don't know if they're going to come back again and, if so, how frequently they will be coming back.

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

My entire body's been trembling since yesterday and I don't know why. I usually have a tremor in my hands, but I feel my head shaking and my legs shake uncontrollably sometimes when I'm standing up. I don't know what to do. I have no doctor. I was talking to a family friend and she suggested to just truck myself over to my local ER. I just might do that, considering that my local ER is amazing.

My muscles are like Jell-O. I feel like I can't control my movement anymore. I'm clumsy and can barely type right. I'm sweating and my hair is still falling out like crazy. I need help already. That's it. I'm ending this post and calling the doctor and/or going to the ER now. This is ridiculous.

Losing My Head (Actually, Just My Hair)

I started noticing it a few days ago. I am wondering if it could be related to having dyed my hair a few weeks ago, but dye couldn't cause THAT much hair to be lost...could it? It's incredibly disconcerting. I do all this work to try and grow my hair out and now it's falling out. I'm really hoping it's the hair dye, but I do know that hair loss is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism, and I am losing hair in small patches on other parts of my body, so it is very possible that my thyroid is doing this.

I have horrible stomach cramps today and am accepting the diarrhea that come with it, but it hurts so bad I've been sweating. Thyroid disease really does affect everything. That's the worst part. My stomach is fucked up, my temperature is fucked up, my cardiovascular system is fucked up...Now that Irene is gone, I am going to be more vigilant about calling doctors since offices will be opening again. Because this hair loss is the last straw. I've had it up to here, not gonna lie. It's embarrassing, as well as debilitating. Really embarrassing.

If anyone reading this is familiar with thyroid disease and hair loss, could they be connected in what I'm experiencing?