What Important Life Lesson Thyroid Disease Taught You
If you don't feel well, don't listen to the doctors who say you're OK. YOU know how you feel. If you don't feel right, there's a problem.
- Don't give up. And don't worry about what the doctor thinks about you for hounding them. You have a right to at least a passable standard of living.
- Learn to be sometimes selfish. It's hard because we've all got things we have to do and some degree of responsibility to people we love and to our workplaces. But if you run yourself into the ground, you won't be any good to anyone.
- Try and be healthy but don't beat yourself up if you slip. Stress and guilt are equally bad!
How Has This Lesson Changed Your Life?
I know I can't take my health for granted anymore. I can be as informed, if not better informed, than the doctors. I have to look after my own health and can't get mad with family or the medical profession for not doing more (seems obvious I know!). Relaxation is the key, even if it's hard. Soy is not good for you even though I thought it was! The doctors need to be told what to do; don't be a doormat. I have become more sensible. I have become distrusting of the medical profession. I have learned to delegate responsibility where appropriate. I have learned that even though I loved going to the gym, it's not necessarily the best form of exercise for someone like me.Advice
Check your diet and see what works for you.I developed a wheat and dairy allergy. I feel much better since I stopped consuming these. Sadly, alcohol and caffeine ARE bad.Get your adrenal function tested too! Short synacthen tests are NOT helpful as they only show what happens when your adrenals are stimulated and not what's happening on a day-to-day basis.Don't get frustrated with those around you if they can't empathize. It's very hard for a healthy person to understand.Don't try to pack too much into your life during the times when you feel well. You may end up paying the price at a later date.
