DSP
New Member
In 2005 my natural hair was breaking off at the crown and in the back at an alarming rate. My body hair and eyebrows also nearly stopped growing. I was losing weight effortlessly thought I'm not diabetic. I was suffering major symptoms of depression. I wasn't getting pregnant even though I was ovulating and DH's sperm count is high.
I did some research and thought maybe my thyroid was acting up. My General Practitioner said my thyroid levels were normal. Both my fertility specialist and my dermatologist said my thyroid levels were normal. So I went through painful fertility procedures, wore scarves to cover my bald head, and cried. They prescribed anti-depressants for my "mood disorder." I got very sick before we finally discovered that I have Grave's Disease – a thyroid disorder.
Every one of my symptoms was related to this illness. Once the illness was treated this summer (with radiation & steroids), my hair started growing again and my "depression" went away. I now get regular blood work done to monitor my progress, but my endocrinologist pays close attention to how my body is reacting even when the lab results are "normal." I'm hoping to get pregnant this year.
At first I was very angry about all of this. Angry at the doctors who convinced me my illness was all in my head. Angry at myself for allowing them to convince me I was wrong. Angry at my body for betraying me. I think I've finally let go of the anger but I did send a letter to every doctor who said there was nothing wrong with me. I let them know about my diagnosis and that I hope they'll pay more attention to their patients' symptoms regardless of the numbers on their lab reports.
I'm finally starting to look like myself again, and with the help of LHCF, my hair is improving daily.
What I learned through all of this:
I know my body well, so listen to what it's trying to tell me.
I knew something was wrong long before I had a correct diagnosis.
When it comes to my health, I am my own best advocate.
I shouldn't have given up so quickly when the doctors didn't know why I was having problems. I knew it was something thyroid-related but I let them brush my concerns aside.
What is normal for some people may not be normal for me.
"Normal" is just a statistical average and has no bearing on what's right for my body.
There is no denying the mind/body connection.
Stress is no joke. It didn't cause my illness, but it made things much worse.
Nothing work-related is so important that it can't wait.
While I was going through treatments I couldn't finish a few projects. Do you know what happened? They assigned them to someone else and the world did not end.
The most powerful word in my vocabulary is "no."
I used to do most things people asked of me. No more. I've learned that just because I am able do something, doesn't mean I should. Also, it's good to give someone else a chance to shine.
I have a good man who understands the words "in sickness and in health."
My husband has been my rock through all of this mess. He tells me I am beautiful when I feel ugly. He makes sure I take my medicine. I know he will make an excellent father some day.
Well that's my story. I pray that 2007 will continue to find me stronger every day. And while I'm growing my hair, I thank the sassy ladies of LHCF for giving me much knowledge and many laughs.
(First photo is from 11/05, the second is from 1/07)
I did some research and thought maybe my thyroid was acting up. My General Practitioner said my thyroid levels were normal. Both my fertility specialist and my dermatologist said my thyroid levels were normal. So I went through painful fertility procedures, wore scarves to cover my bald head, and cried. They prescribed anti-depressants for my "mood disorder." I got very sick before we finally discovered that I have Grave's Disease – a thyroid disorder.
Every one of my symptoms was related to this illness. Once the illness was treated this summer (with radiation & steroids), my hair started growing again and my "depression" went away. I now get regular blood work done to monitor my progress, but my endocrinologist pays close attention to how my body is reacting even when the lab results are "normal." I'm hoping to get pregnant this year.
At first I was very angry about all of this. Angry at the doctors who convinced me my illness was all in my head. Angry at myself for allowing them to convince me I was wrong. Angry at my body for betraying me. I think I've finally let go of the anger but I did send a letter to every doctor who said there was nothing wrong with me. I let them know about my diagnosis and that I hope they'll pay more attention to their patients' symptoms regardless of the numbers on their lab reports.
I'm finally starting to look like myself again, and with the help of LHCF, my hair is improving daily.
What I learned through all of this:
I know my body well, so listen to what it's trying to tell me.
I knew something was wrong long before I had a correct diagnosis.
When it comes to my health, I am my own best advocate.
I shouldn't have given up so quickly when the doctors didn't know why I was having problems. I knew it was something thyroid-related but I let them brush my concerns aside.
What is normal for some people may not be normal for me.
"Normal" is just a statistical average and has no bearing on what's right for my body.
There is no denying the mind/body connection.
Stress is no joke. It didn't cause my illness, but it made things much worse.
Nothing work-related is so important that it can't wait.
While I was going through treatments I couldn't finish a few projects. Do you know what happened? They assigned them to someone else and the world did not end.
The most powerful word in my vocabulary is "no."
I used to do most things people asked of me. No more. I've learned that just because I am able do something, doesn't mean I should. Also, it's good to give someone else a chance to shine.
I have a good man who understands the words "in sickness and in health."
My husband has been my rock through all of this mess. He tells me I am beautiful when I feel ugly. He makes sure I take my medicine. I know he will make an excellent father some day.
Well that's my story. I pray that 2007 will continue to find me stronger every day. And while I'm growing my hair, I thank the sassy ladies of LHCF for giving me much knowledge and many laughs.
(First photo is from 11/05, the second is from 1/07)
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