What Important Life Lesson Thyroid Disease Taught You
For the longest time I didn't listen to my body. I went to the doctors. They told me my bloodwork was normal and they sent me on my way. Despite the very annoying and scary symptoms, I told myself I was fine. After all, they told me I was OK. It started when I was in college. One time I did have a doctor tell me I might have Epstein-Barr but that was the closest I ever came to a diagnosis. At least I knew someone believed me. But then there was the doctor that told me I was depressed and all I needed was some drugs. Thyroid disease has taught me to listen to my body.
How Has This Lesson Changed Your Life?
The diagnosis of Hashimoto's almost a year ago has actually made me feel better. I am taking Synthroid and my good days are much more frequent. I still have bad days but I now know there is a reason I have them. It was never all in my head as many (including my own friends) would have had me believe. The panic attacks, the exhaustion, the brain fog and the weight gain--I now have something to explain it. I have a 17 year old daughter and when I saw her going through the same things I did, I took her to the doctor. As would be expected her numbers all looked good on paper. When I insisted they run the antibody test, I was none too surprised she came back positive. I am so relieved that she won't have to go through what I went through for 20 years. I realize my fight is now hers as well, which of course doesn't make me happy but I can be compassionate.
Advice
- Once again my advice would be to listen to your body as you often hear many doctors say--funny how they don't listen too well sometimes. Dismissing symptoms is no way to live a quality life. I did it for so long and now I can't get back that time I spent worrying and wondering. Read about the symptoms and if you find yourself saying this is it, insist on the tests. If it weren't for my OB/gyn who took the time to really listen, I wouldn't be writing these words today. When my first set of number came back "normal", she knew something wasn't right. She ran the antibody test and now she is my hero.
