Some patients want doctors to be realistic. Kathe writes: "The biggest thing I wish the doctor told me was that I would not feel the same as I did previously. After my diagnosis in 1998, he said that by taking the pills (Synthroid) I would be "back to normal". Well, ten years later I'm still waiting! In that time I have educated myself about the disease (largely thanks to you Mary), switched medications (first to Levoxyl, then to my current med Armour), and learned to take care of myself (what works and doesn't work for my body). I feel OK but I don't have the energy that I used to (and I miss that!) I believe that if the doctor told me back in 1998 that I would not be what I considered normal again, than I could have learned to adjust my thinking and my habits much sooner.
Feel Like Giving Up...Like You'll Never be Back to Normal? -- Read I'm Tired, I'm Frustrated, and I GIVE UP! What To Do When You've Reached the End of Your Rope?
Finally, I think
Brenda summed it up perfectly when she said: "There are so many things I wish my doctor had told me, but I've thought about this for a while and here's the #1 thing I wish my doctor had said:
"While everyone is created equal, we are all individuals. A medication that works for one person may not work for another. I will work with you to find the best medication for you. I will not treat you like a dippy blonde who doesn't have two brain cells that fire simultaneously. I will take you seriously, because I want you to feel better! That is my job."
