A Voice for Men With Hypothyroidism
Tuesday November 27, 2007
"Jack Frost" is a UK-based blogger whose "Just Thyroid Things" blog talks about his own hypothyroidism. Jack's an articulate writer, and you get a good picture of some of the struggles people go through -- women AND men -- to get diagnosed, treated, and feel better. It's definitely an interesting read. And Jack is also a poet! Here are a few stanzas from his terrific "Ode to the Thyroid 3rd August 2007:"
Why is that I fall asleepRead the entire poem, and check out Jack's writing at the "Just Thyroid Things" Blog now.
at every given chance
The muscle cramps the tired legs
the sickly looking stance...
My minds a fuzz my hair is thin
my nails are breaking fast
The lack of hair around my eyes
gives everyone a laugh
Please doctor can you help me now
as I really feel so sad
You call me in and look away
you think I’m going mad
Comments
Sounds like my symptoms. In the last year my energy has tanked, loosing hair, gaining weight. Tested my temp three mornings…looks like a malfunctioning thyroid.
Your poem says it all. I have been dx with hashimoto thyroditis and my TSH, T3/4 are in normal range with use of synthroid. I feel fine for the most part, but at times I experience difficulty in swallowing and feel as if my breathe has stopped because I can’t get air through. I realize this happens mostly when I am overwhelmed and stressed. I also suffer from insomnia -I am menopausal, I drink tea before going to bed sometimes; no doubt all this contributes to m sleepless nights. Recently I have been experiencing frequent bouts of cramps in both feet, legs - usually at nights.
Any suggestions for helping with the cramps? I am tired of getting out of bed and walking around in the dark - yes I can turn the lights on!!!
God Bless us all
Carol.
Your comment Dec 1 2007 about your sore throat lack of sleep etc
…well firstly I have to say you must always work with your doctor, and I am no expert…however you may find there is a reason for your sore throat dry tongue swollen throat…it could as in my case be caused by sleep apnoea and excessive snoring. because we tend to put on weight and indeed in some cases have a slight goitre that is not visible, this puts pressure on the throat, in turn when I fall asleep the throat is slightly closed and at times i will stop breathing in my sleep trapping the waste gasses . When I re-start my breathing this will bring me out of my sleep , but not enough so I remember. Also I snore and the type of snoring rasps at the back of the throat to make it sore and even swollen…also causing a dry throat. again this can cause problems as I take water to bed with me and during the night I sip it which in turn means I have to go two or three times to the toilet, yet again disturbing my sleep. So I sleep badly, wake up feeling tired and then the day is hard and I feel low, which makes me susceptible to illness. So the cycle goes around. So cure the snoring and the apnoea and you will sort out allot of problems…remember be guided by your doctor as I am not an expert.
As for the aching limbs I went to my doc and got him to give me a course of anti inflammatory…I then did allot of exercise…In water the deeper the better. My joint pains went and have stayed away, and the oedema around my lower legs and ankle also went which I think were causing my cramps, I also now sleep with my legs slightly elevated..
So there is something to mull over.
Jack Frost. Knowledge is power.