Tuesday, December 4, 2007

It's been such a long time...

...but I finally made it back in! I owe everyone I know email so if you're one of them, it's not that I'm mad or anything.

I did get back to the thyroid specialist, and you wouldn't believe it was the same person! It turns out I DO have a thyroid problem which isn't going to go away. Hashimoto's, which basically means that my immune system is slowly shredding my thyroid. They doubled the dosage and it does help but I can't have another check until March or so. I am better but I do think they'll end up increasing it some more. However I *am* capable of sleeping at night! It turns out that the insomnia, the panic attacks, and the worst of the agoraphobia were all thyroid-related. To be able to lie down, close my eyes and sleep! Like a regular person!

So far I've only lost a pound but that's better than a gain. I had re-gained over half of the weight I had lost, and I was getting depressed about it. Now, having cut my hair, I've got rid of most of the damage (also thyroid-caused) and it's growing like mad, as are my nails, which are stronger than I've ever had before.

I hope to go to a nutritionist in the new year and get some diet advice. The ones on the NHS are so overloaded they only see urgent cases like diabetics, cancer patients and that--not lowly me with a manageable problem, so I'll have to pay. Anyone with any good info on lowthyroid and diet please post in the comments.

So I've been running around for a month playing catchup, I do have more energy but being able to rise at 7.30 AM does mean my lights go off at about 10, and since I'm still tutoring--I'm still behind! So when I sit down at the computer of an evening I'm not always coherent enough to compose email.

We also hope to get the bathroom redone this year! It's the original, in a 35 yr old building, and if anna has anything to do with it we are gonna basically rip the whole thing out and start over at the brick. No luxury, but that mouldy plaster has to go. That and a new wardrobe. Fortunately DH did have a small (very) retirement account--small because like some men who believe they are immortal, he didn't even think about it till he was well over 40.

I have the honour of giving the last talk of the year at my church, and I'm speaking on "The Christian life as a quilt." Of course I am taking one in as an illustration. I'll have to drape it over the pulpit, if I put it on the Communion table a couple of the "oldest inhabitants" will probably have conniptions. When I get the talk translated into English, anyone interested can see it.

Speaking of quilts (what else?) I've just seen "How to Make An American Quilt" for the first and last time. Meh. Not bad but not particularly good, either. And the poor quilt was certainly not the star. I had hoped for something more like "Steel Magnolias" with quilting. I'm glad I didn't pay to see it, or buy it. Yawn. Good actors--script, not so much. I hope the book was better.

Cold but dry weather here...we had one day of torrential rain 2 weeks ago and that's it. Static electricity that has to be seen to be believed. I can't believe I am reduced to using styling mousse!

Well ladies, take care. I'll be around some more
anna in spain

Labels:

5 Comments:

At December 4, 2007 at 1:22 PM , Blogger Lavinia said...

Anna, that is the first time I have heard of Hashimoto's (which I have) being related to agoraphobia (which I have to a terrible degree now). Haven't heard about any particular diet, either. If I learn anything will be glad to share. Lavinia

 
At December 4, 2007 at 10:43 PM , Blogger Jean at Mill Bay said...

I don't know how long you have been on the meds, but I believe that the effect builds up over a period of a number of weeks -- you might not be all the way there yet. Isn't it great to be vindicated, though?

Jean

 
At December 5, 2007 at 8:19 AM , Blogger Sara in Florida said...

Anna-so good to hear from you. I've missed you.
Had my tyroid checked lately and was told it was "normal". OB-GYN didn't want me going back on estrogen, as had been off for 3 years. Have been drinking soy milk, and your old standby taking meletonin at night.
I bought this bottle from the health food store, it must be stronger, or just more pure, because have been sleeping better in the last 30 days than in several years. Praise!
If you don't get to post again, have a blesed Christmas.
Sara in Fla.

 
At December 5, 2007 at 9:39 AM , Blogger WhiteStone said...

Hi, Anna, just a thought on your thyroid problem. I'm assuming you are taking synthroid?? I took that for years before I found out from a friend that I need to take it on an empty stomach. (Now the label states that info.) That's difficult for me during the day (I tend to nibble all day long) so I set it out at night and when I get up in the middle of the night I take it then. Since I began doing that, I have gradually been able to reduce the amount I need by nearly half.
JudyPete

 
At December 6, 2007 at 6:02 PM , Blogger Doris W. in TN said...

Anna - thank goodness you finally got a diagnosis! Oprah Winfrey did a show last month about thyroid problems. She had been recently diagnosed and dedicated a whole show to enlightening the public. The symptoms can make it hard to diagnose and vary.

Go to her website www.oprah.com and type in THYROID in the search box.

I'm sooo happy you're now on the right road to recovery. (((abrazos)))
Doris

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home