Print“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.” ~John Quincy Adams~
My life has been a series of setback’s lately for the last two months and I’ve wanted to close my door to the world, rant to the fates and bemoan my lot in life…That sounded pretty dramatic, didn’t it? But, honestly, what’s been happening with me with concerning health issues has almost taken every ounce of spirit to just make it through the days. (It’s been such a long journey, I’m going to have to break what’s been going on in different posts.) It all started a couple of months ago, when my psychiatrist told me that I had some issues with my thyroid. A fun little condition called “hypothyroidism.” 
He explained, that having a hypothyroid can cause all sorts of wonderful issues, like being exhausted all the time, brain for, pain in the joints, an ungodly amount of weight gain, an increased amount of depression (as IF I don’t get enough of that, happy happy joy joy etc…I actually was relieved that it was something tangible and physical going on, so that people, (really my family) didn’t think I was fabricating why I’ve been feeling so horrible. I guess I had to justify it to myself as well, as I started to question my sanity, wondering if I was just lazy, a hypochondriac and really stupid.
Email’s to friends started to pile up, working on my new blog came to a quick stop, I could barely get out of bed in the morning and then when I did, I would fall back asleep for three hours straight. And forget trying to blog, that’s been the most frustrating part, I’ve not been able to connect the dots for the life of me. The old synapses just aren’t firing, they’re more like taking a long sabbatical and are on a strike. Meaning, I sit down with ideas I want to say and nada…just this horrible brain fog that makes me feel so inadequate and stupid and the letters and sentences just don’t come together. Grrrrrr….
And on top of that, I have my Bipolar Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder knocking on my door incessantly throwing everything else into the crazy cocktail I’ve been forced to drink. Lemme tell ya, it’s enough to make anyone crazy 
I started to take a medication called Cytomel last November, which really hasn’t made a heck of a difference. When one has been diagnosed with really any medical disorder, esp. a thyroid condition, it’s imperative that continuous blood work is done to see if the thyroid medications are working, to monitor what’s been going on with the thyroid etc…
Well, my last blood work was done in January and I won’t go into all the medical details (If you’re just dying to know more about T3 and T4 and how that’s related to our thyroids, you can check here, but let me warn you, it’s just so much fun to read, you might be overwhelmed with excitement), but apparently, I now needed to take another thyroid medication, because everything wasn’t whipping into shape like it was supposed too.
So, I start taking another medication to hopefully balance out my now protesting thyroid…Wait a few weeks and nada, nothing is happening. I’m still feeling like I want to hibernate like a bear through winter, I can’t seem to wade through my very patient friends who’ve emailed me and haven’t given up on me, (goddess bless them) and even more surprising, you my readers, haven’t stopped reading my blog even though I’ve been writing just “fluff” posts lately. At least that’s how I feel.
Then my intuition says, that I need to go see a specialist, an Endicronologist who works with thyroid matters and other fun stuff. As wonderful and as knowledgeable as my psychiatrist is, my thyroid, just isn’t his area of expertise. I’ll save for my future posts, my amazingly bizarre and frustrating adventures with the two Dr.’s I’ve seen so far. I just wanted to let everyone know what’s been happening with me and that if I owe you a long overdue email, I haven’t commented or visited your blog lately and my posts have been not the incredibly deep and life-changing posts I usually write (at least in my own delusions of grandeur) I apologize.
What keeps me going is my faith, my weird sense of humour, my magickal practice (which I also am going to blog about and need your help on), reading at least five books a week, watching my favorite t.v. shows, like “Being Human” which has me rolling in stitches laughing so hard, (both the BBC version as well as the SyFy Channel version), the show is about a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire are all room mates, (need I say more? ), my cats who don’t think I’m being too weird or spaced out…at least more than usual, my incredibly patient and supportive therapist, and all of the many amazing blogs out there, that you my friends are writing.
I’m just taking one step at a time and keep myself as productively busy as possible. I’m learning Photo shop (love it), I’m becoming my own patient advocate and learning about thyroid issues, I keep looking for the Dr. who I know will help me with my big messy ball of health issues and I’m preparing actually TWO new blogs, yes you heard it first folks, two new blogs. I’ve told you about one which will focus on my mood disorders and of course my rocky road of health issues and the “girls,” Miss Bella and Sele are demanding to have their own blog, whaddya going to do, cats, right? And as the title of the show mentioned above, I’m just “Being Human.”
I’d like to know, how do YOU keep yourself grounded and sane if you’ve dealt with confusing and frustrating health issues? What makes you laugh, cry, or shake your head in a Shakespearean angst and give your best soliloquy from Hamlet?
“The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.”
~Shirley MacLaine ~
Below is a small video glimpse of the BBC version of “Being Human.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srBJiC72Ewc[/youtube]
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
Related Posts :
Print 
May 16, 2012: Momma told us there’d be days like this…
May 10, 2012: My guilty pleasures
May 4, 2012: Turn and Face the Strange Changes
April 18, 2012: The Uncertainty of Life
First, lots of hugs and universal healing Light.
I’ve been hypo-thyroid for decades, since my mid-20s. Had a benign tumour and half the gland removed, but stayed on Synthroid at the recommendation of the specialist. For the better part of at least a dozen years I’ve been stable on the same dose, only recently have had to increase it (I take a lot of antacids and that interferes with the thyroid hormone). So I was hypo again but think the meds are sorted out now. For me, it’s not a big deal at all. Hypo-t is so common.
I also have depression, but have been off meds for two years and am doing okay *at this time*.
I don’t stay grounded easily, though. Annie’s illness and death stressed me to no end–the living on anti-nausea pills and not eating much kind of stress. I don’t have good coping skills, am very thin-skinned and take things to heart, even at my age (late 40s).
What does keep me grounded is Nature. Not much else. Walking in the woods on the rare opportunities I have to do that (no car, live in a city). Just touching an Elder Tree is calming for me, though. And I love to walk and snap pics, used to always have my camera with me, though not this winter (all the stress and upset).
It can be hard enough to manage life stresses, but those of us who have mental health issues are even more challenged in that regard.
I think you’ll see an improvement, though, once your thyroid is back in normal range. Makes a big difference!
-Kim, human “mom” to Nicki and Derry
Fuzzy Tales recently posted..Not-Quite-Wordless Wednesday with Nicki
Hi Kim,
Thank you for sharing your battles with your illness with me. I will never take feeling good for granted again. It’s a hard lesson, but I know there’s wisdom to be gained. Losing a fur baby, I know is absolutely devastating. The kitty, Tabitha I was owned by before Miss Bella and Sele, died at six months old and left me completely unraveled for the longest time. You and I are both very sensitive people and our babies give us so much. And I agree with you that Mother Nature is one of the best healers for all ills of the world.
Sorry to hear about your thyroid issues — hope they get your meds for that regulated soon. And brain fog — don’t get me started! That was the absolute worst symptom of menopause for me. Virtually every other symptom paled by comparison. Boo, hiss, brain fog!
Debra She Who Seeks recently posted..Baby Emerson
Brain fog…the story of my life. I think it began as soon as I was born. I’m in my “peri-menopause” state and if this is what I get to look forwards to when I hit the actual big “M”, I think I’ll become a hermit with my cats until I get the old brain rolling again…If that happens ; )
I think one step at a time is wise, but then again, sometimes I step in it! Oops!
Brian recently posted..URGENT- Prayer Request for a Forever Home Greenville- SC
Oh yeah, stepping in it…I’ve been there, done that and don’t think it’ll end anytime soon. Oh if we could only learn to shake things off like our cats, eh? ; )
Ugh, Wendy.. what a journey! Btw, I love Being Human also!!
Kallan recently posted..Lets catch up -
Kallan, you and I have such similar tastes in the shows we like, such as “Buffy…” and “Being Human”. What is the saying, “great minds think alike”? ; )
Thank the Goddess that you are getting a second opinion…just let me say that hypothyroidism is often misdiadnosed while instead the real thyroid condition is “Hashimoto’s disease” please ask about that.
Additionally a lot of those symptoms are symptoms of depression, as I am sure you know, but also of RA, especially since you are mentioning joint pain…is it often bilateral? both knees, both elbows etc? if so when having blood work next time ask the doctor to check your ANAs and your Sed rate. Additionally you may have some anemia going on, check iron and hemoglobin.
Lastly, some medications can also cause these symptoms, it is sad, as that makes the physical issues harder to DX and to treat. they have to find the right combo of Psychiatric drugs first. I am soooo sorry you are going through this, as I KNOW EXACTLY how you are feeling and am dealing with the same crap, but it is the connective tissue and not the thyroid. as my ANAs are + and my Sed rate is Elevated…signs of RA, and I have 8 out of the 10 (often missed) symptoms. But there also many other connective tissue diseases which is why I have to go to a Rheumatologist. My mom was just admitted to the Hospital with Congestive heart failure, but with the ultra powerful diuretics they have now, i am sure she’ll be home tomorrow.
however any candles, healing energy and good thoughts appreciated.
Wendy you KNOW, you are in my daily thoughts, and conversations with the Goddess and God. Hang strong my friend. Do what you feel you need to do, we’ll all still be here for you
Love, blessings and hugs,
Sue
Thank you so much Sue for your continued love, support and blessings. I am SO sorry that you’re facing yet more health issues and now your mom struggling herself. I just ordered a “healing” candle that I will light every day for those who are going through so many issues like you and I. If anything positive comes from our battles, I know that you and I will see it through and have more compassion for others and we’ll never take feeling good for granted. Sending YOU lots of blessings and love.
Wendy- I am so sorry I haven’t visited your both lately. You have been so faithful in your support of my own blog- it really means the world to me!.
My best friend suffers from Hypothyroid and the best way she can describe it is “I feel like crap!”. It sound really terrible. However, since she found the right doctor she now leads a very normal life. She only lives a few hours away from you ( you know where I used to live ) so I could find out what doc she is seeing.
Unfortunately I am all to familiar with crippling illness, it really sucks because it is robbing me of the prime of my life. Things that keep me sane?…for me it is essential that I get out of the house every day, even if it is just for a walk down the road or to go to a bookshop.Interacting with other people is also very important to me. Other things are my Mom ( although she also can drive me to insanity ), Milo, Top gear ( it makes me laugh ), chocolate, chocolate and…did I mention chocolate?.
Have a great weekend!!
Stephi, PLEASE don’t ever feel you need to apologize to me about when and how often you visit my blog. Lately, I’ve learned that we can only do the best we can do and catching up with friends takes a lot of energy that we may not have in the moment. You are one of those special friends to me, where I know we’re always thinking of each other and when we have the time and energy, we’ll catch up with each other. I just watched “Top Gear” the other day and I was laughing too..and yes, definitely chocolate. Nothing is so dangerous as when a person gets between a woman and her chocolate ; )
Wendy—So sorry to hear about your possible Hypothyroidism diagnosis and all that you are going through. Though I am confident that your faith as well as some extra loving from your two fur babies will get you through, I’ll also be sending all the positive energies that Milo, Piper and I can muster. Feel better and make sure to take time for yourself to decompress!
~~Hugs~~
Melissa
Melissa recently posted..Thankful Thursday – Week Seven
Thanks so much Melissa for your wonderful energy. I wish we lived closer and could just hang out together, go for a walk in nature, and talk about our kitties. It’s meeting new friends like you here in the blogosphere that adds so much positive energy to my day.
As you said, One Step At A Time. And continue with the Doctors and tests until a positive outcome has been achieved and you are feeling better. (we know when we don’t feel good and don’t let anyone tell you different!) Thyroid issues can cause so many problems…
Brain Fog is horrible!!! Like Debra said – the worst symptom of menopause! I’d get so ‘addled’ sometimes!! Really frustrating!
Take comfort in what makes you feel good. :0)
Will be keeping you in my thoughts and am sending healing energy your way! ♥
Jeanne Gripp recently posted..Spring Walk in the WildWoods
Thanks Jeanne for your encouragement and energy. As I replied to Debra, if more brain fog is what I get to look forward to as I age, I’m heading for the hills with my cats : )
Wendy, its the mom to the cats here.
Ive had the same thyroid problem for over 17 years. I went from synthroid to levoxyl (which is more natural to your body and better for you according to my 2 endocrinologists in the last 15 years). Before the meds and while we worked out dosage – it was a nightmare for me too. Im also a type 1 diabetic for 33 years of my life.
Im going to have to check out that ghost/vampire/werewolf show, it looks mighty interesting!
Laure
The Misadventures of Me recently posted..Mancat Monday
I think synthroid has made me feel worse than helping me and this new endo. Dr that I trust has taken me off of it and letting it clear out of my system for six weeks and then deciding on what is the best path for me. It must be a real battle dealing with thyroid and diabetes…That you’ve kept sane all this time, impresses me ; ) I think it’s our kitties that help us through the most, right? And let me know if you watch “Being Human” what you think.
Wendy, it does sound like you have a lot going on but maybe the good news is that you can take some meds for the thyroid stuff and that may help all of it. I sure hope so for your sake. No fun feeling crummy. Take care.
Marg recently posted..This is Mine
Thanks Marg for your kind words. I was taken of both thyroid meds. and actually am starting to feel better. Of course my “girls” are part of the healing too.
Poor Thing, Dear Wendy,
I’m so sorry about your Thyroid. Sound terrible ! I’m not sure I can do any suggestions for you. My mom got no ideas but what I can do.. I’m sending a ton of purrs for you.
and I think you should keep Sele and Bella close to you ” Direct Purrs ” work better.
Please Take Care
xoxo
Mr Puddy recently posted..Im hiding from mom
Ahh, Mr. Puddy, you make me smile so much that when I visit your blog, I feel instantly better. My “girls” have a mad crush on you and we love your adventures. And yes, direct purrs are the best medicine of all! Happy birthday again to your mommy.
Im sorry to hear that, it must be horrible for you. As soon as your medication is sorted im sure you will be much happier.
Gill recently posted..The Tortoiseshell or Calico Cat – did you know…
Slowly but surely, I’m starting to feel better thanks to a new Dr. I’ve just seen who thinks I’m on the wrong thyroid meds and so it’s a gradual process. Thank you so much for commenting and leaving encouragement for me : )
I KNOW there will be a light at the end of the tunnel very soon. At least the doctors are closer to discovering what truly ails you. Thyroid issues are no fun at all.
But manageable with the proper medication. Many big hugs to you – and lots of healing thoughts are being whisked your way… xoxo Theresa
Dear Wendy,
Please know I am thinking of you. As you know, I have been absent to this Internet world lately dealing with struggles of my own but I want you to know that I’m holding you in my heart and praying that you receive the healing and answers you need. May you have strength and fortitude during this trying time. I wish we could sit and chat together, drinking tea, or even just sit and be quiet together.
(((((((Big Hugs!!))))))
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
I’ve been very remiss in keeping up with the blogosphere and you know when we’re struggling to just hang in there, we need to really be kind and compassionate to ourselves. I know you’ve been having your own battles and know that I’m sending you lots of light and love. SOME day we will meet and just be…k?
I have come to the conclusion that they thyroid is there just to cause havoc in our lives! Thank you for offering support for my kitty brother!
Mom was diagnosed with hyperT/Graves disease two years ago. FIND AN ENDO! Her general Dr. wanted to just remove it, but by working with an endo, mom is now in remission! Good luck! Prayers!
You made me laugh with saying that our thyroid is a trouble maker and sometimes doesn’t do us any good. You sound like you help your mommy so much to feel better and we all hope that your mommy continues to heal and become stronger every day!
Hi Wendy –
Diabetes and thyroid is a speed bump in life but we go over them. Or my favourite – what doesnt kill us makes us stronger. I have my moments. That said, the cats are good helpers as are awesome sci fi shows. Being Human is a really good show – Ive found them all on fastpasstv and passed it on to some more friends who didnt know about it.
I am a geeky Buffy, True Blood, Charmed (sigh I know lol), The Crow, type individual. Oh and Ren and Stimpy – my favourite cartoon ever! lol
Laure
Laure recently posted..Mancat Monday
Hi Laure,
We share such similar tastes…The t.v. shows we like, and of course, kitties : ) I agree with the saying “what doesn’t kill us…” but I wish there was something like and “joy takes over…” you know what I mean? Happy-happy-joy-joy, lol…