Tough Times

It's been over a week since my last post; I thought Blogger forgot about me when I tried to log in this morning and got the above screenshot instead.

But no, it turns out I just mistyped my password.

I'm not doing so good. I seem to be in a funk, and can't seem to find my way out of it. It's busy, as usual, and my job is even more stressful than normal. Everyone here is sick with some throat thing and I always panic when ds1 gets sick because his Down Syndrome prevents him from thinking rationally about his asthma. He thinks I'm being mean when I make him do more than one breathing treatment a day. He doesn't realize if he just bears with the discomfort of not being able to breathe properly it could lead to him needing to be hospitalized. I've been using my rescue inhaler 3 or more times a day, so I know he needs to be doing his breathing treatments.

I'm convinced my biggest problem is hypothyroidism, which has yet to be confirmed by the medical establishment. But my very low basal (waking) temperatures are a strong indication that my thyroid is low functioning. We're talking as low as 96.3°F. Temps under 97.5°F all but 5-10 days out of each month. I don't feel like I have the energy it takes to find a doctor who will take me seriously, and make the call for the appointment.

It is very common to go in to your primary care physician who sends you to the lab to have your blood drawn, and then your results come back normal. This happened to me. My doctor at the time suggested medication for depression. Okay, I'm experiencing some depression. Hello? Do you realize depression is a symptom of hypothyroidism, doc? Typical reaction from a doctor.

The Barnes Basal Temperature System
Thyroid Disease Information with your About.com host Mary Shomon
Better Body Care - Low Thyroid
What Your Basal Temps Reveal About Your Thyroid by Marilyn Shannon
Doctor's Nutrition
Mayo Clinic: Hypothyroidism Signs and Symptoms

Here are some symptoms of hypothyroidism. I certainly don't have all of them, but I can count more than twenty symptoms that I experience regularly, if not daily.

1. muscles stiff in morning, need to limber up
2. fail to feel rested, even after sleeping long hours
3. feel "creaky" after sitting still for some time
4. heart seems to miss beats or "flip-flops"
5. nauseated in morning
6. start slow in morning, gain speed in afternoon
7. motion sickness when traveling
8. dizzy in morning or when moving up and down
9. cold hands or feet
10. hair scanty, dry, brittle, dull, lusterless, lifeless
11. hair loss from outer third of eyebrow
12. flaky, dry, rough skin
13. sleeplessness, restlessness, sleep disturbances
14. poor short term memory, forgetfulness
15. impaired cognitive function (brain fog)
16. poor response to exercising
17. hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
18. high cholesterol, cholesterol deposits on eyelids
19. constipation, less than one bowel movement daily
20. "go to pieces" easily, cry easily
21. dislike working under pressure, dislike being watched
22. low libido
23. gain weight easily, fail to lose on diets
24. difficulty concentrating, easily distracted
25. yellowish tint to skin on hands or feet
26. cracks in bottom of heels
27. clogged sinuses
28. low pulse rate
29. low body temperature, especially at bed rest
30. recurrent infections
31. headaches
32. puffiness of face or eyes
33. swelling of hands or ankles
34. irritability, mood swings
35. multiple food allergies/sensitivities
36. lumpy breasts, cystic breasts
37. menstrual irregularity, excess flow, PMS
38. these worse at night: coughing, hoarseness, muscle cramps
39. slowed speech and a hoarse, breaking voice (Deepening of the voice can also be noticed)
40. hives
41. increased sensitivity to heat and cold
42. sluggish reflexes
43. dry puffy skin, especially on the face, and hair loss, especially thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows
44. depression (especially in the elderly)
45. anemia caused by impaired intestinal iron and folate absorption or B12 deficiency from pernicious anemia
46. slowed metabolism
47. fatigue
48. anxiety/panic attacks
49. Choking sensation or difficulty swallowing
50. shortness of breath with a shallow and slow respiratory pattern.
51. muscle cramps and joint pain
52. brittle fingernails
53. osteoporosis
54. paleness
55. irritability
56. yellowing of the skin due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A
57. abnormal menstrual cycles
58. impaired kidney function
59. thin, fragile or absent cuticles
60. infertility or difficulty becoming pregnant
61. elevated serum cholesterol
62. acute psychosis
63. poor muscle tone

If you think your thyroid may be low functioning, you may be able to locate a knowledgeable physician at Thyroid Top Doctors. At this site you can read patient reviews for thyroid friendly doctors in your area.

Until next time.