Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sunday Salon: Where Have I Been?

The Sunday Salon.com

 My blogging (and commenting on other's blogs) has been remarkably light for the past two months - I even missed Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Unfortunately, I have been fighting this overwhelming fatigue that has left me with very little energy and even activities of daily living have been a struggle. The fatigue came on slowly in the beginning but by late July, I couldn't walk home from the subway stop (less than 5 blocks). At that point, I decided something was definitely wrong and I saw my doctor who ran a series of tests and called a few days later to tell me my TSH (a measure of thyroid function) was 12 (the upper limit of normal of 3 and mine had previously been between 1 and 2). The higher the TSH, the lower your thyroid function or circulating thyroid hormone so I was profoundly hypothyroid.

Credit: Thyroid.com
 While I was relieved to hear that it was "only" my thyroid and not something more serious (my mind had started to hatch all kinds of crazy theories), I was definitely perplexed. Issues with my thyroid are not new to me - I had my thyroid removed three years ago after I developed a large mass on my thyroid. I was led to believe that life after surgery would be virtually unchanged except I would take a small pill every morning to replace my thyroid hormone. Well - it has not proven to be quite so simple. I have struggled to get my Synthroid dose at a level that will keep my metabolism humming and when I run up against a TSH of 12 I just want to throw my hands up in frustration. So I have started seeing an integrative physician that is willing to look at this problem a little differently and have really begun to consider the quality of food I choose to eat and seeing if I can heal myself from the inside out. On the upside, I am starting to feel better and am returning to life as normal -so I am back blogging! Have any of you seen an integrative physician or used alternative therapies to treat illness? 

 
Although my activity on the blogs has been light, I have been reading a lot so I have many reviews to write which should keep the blog busy in the coming weeks. Fortunately, Alita of Alita Reads hosted a Reviewathon this week which has prompted me to catch up on my backlog. I got 3 of the 8 pending reviews finished which is at least a little dent in the workload. I posted one of the 8 reviews - An Accidental Mother by Katherine Kindred. This small book is a memoir by a woman who became a mother-figure to her boyfriend's young son only to have her boyfriend cut off all contact after their relationship dissolved. Definitely gives you something to think about in terms of the different people that can assume a mother role and the complications of post-divorce relationships.


I hope you all enjoyed a lovely fall day!

18 comments:

  1. I hope you feel better soon! I've heard that regulating the hormones after having the thyroid out is difficult. I hope they figure out what the problem is soon. I look forward to your reviews.

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  2. Good luck! We have missed you but take care of yourself. Several years ago I became super-tired but over such a long period of time that I never even noticed until my doctor told me I was anemic (which was related to a health problem which has since been resolved.) I've never been a high-energy person which is also partly why I didn't notice, but man, in the city that would be so hard! It happened to me after I moved to NC and no longer have to walk home from the subway. I hope things even out for you!

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  3. So glad you're back and feeling better, Colleen. We've missed you!

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  4. So sorry to hear darling! I do hope it all goes well! *hug* Good luck!

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  5. Wow, I didn't know you were going through such a rough time. The thyroid is such a little thing, but it can sure make your whole body get out of whack. I hope your new doctor can help you resolve your issues. I've never even heard of an integrative physician before.

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  6. I'm sorry you've been going through this. I've been told a few times that I should get my thyroid checked as I'm perpetually low energy. I'm just getting ready to go and get it checked out. I don't have any advice for you, but I think your approach certainly can't hurt and it never hurts to seek additional advice.

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  7. I am sorry to hear you have been having thyroid issues. I am hyperthyroid, but luckily mine only acts up occasionally.

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  8. I had wondered a bit about you, Colleen. Good to know that things are looking up. I take Synthroid as well, but still have my thyroid. Happily, I haven't had any issues - just take the little pill every morning. I wish you success with your quest for answers. Thyroid issues can sure be a problem. Hugs and have a good week!

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  9. I'm really sorry you've had such a rough go of it. As for integrative medicine, I'm happy to report that my visits to an integrative clinic did WONDERS for me.

    I could never find my ballast after I nearly died of septicemia, and as a last resort I began therapy at an integrative clinic. I was stunned at how quickly I got back on track.

    I wish you were here, the doctor(s) that treated me were superb. You're in New York, yes? There must be excellent ones in your area too.

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  10. Colleen, so sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. I was also diagnosed as hypothyroid about 6 years years ago (feeling terribly exhausted and depressed). I've been fine since I've been taking synthroid. Hope u continue to improve.

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  11. I am sorry to hear about your health issues, but I hope you do feel better. I haven't used alternative medicine, but I know people who did when that was their only chance left and they healed, so I do think it is a valid option.

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  12. Hi,

    Sorry to hear about the thyroid. Having been hypo for the past 10 years, I can relate to the frustration and the helplessness.

    I haven't tried out any integrative therapies, but as long as your primary physician is in the loop and is monitoring your hormone levels, you should be fine.

    I am sure you already know this online forum called http://thyroid.about.com/ they have a wealth of resources and support.

    Good luck and take care!

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  13. Thyroid issues run in my family, too... sometimes it requires patience to get things regulated. Hope it works out soon. Take care, Colleen.

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  14. So sorry you've been going through this, Colleen. I hope you continue to feel better and that we can meet each other at a NYC reading of these days!

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  15. I'm glad you're feeling better and sorry to hear you've been going through some rough times. I hope things continue to look up! It's got to feel good when you're getting back to normal activity.

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  16. Sorry to hear that you've been having these medical issues...I hope that you can get things back to normal soon...

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  17. Bummer. :-( I hope you can get things figured out and get back to feeling better!

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