Doctor frustration

[WindingRoad]

I struggle with stress freaking me out and making me moody too. I feel for you on that, no fun. Good to know you are not pregnant Keep us posted on how things turn out.

Try to take it one day at a time, for sanity's sake

[AmyJ]

Yes...that arguably seems to be in order. I'll be honest that I don't really know how one goes about doing that with an insurance company hanging over your every move. I'm really intimidated by the entire world of health care.

I feel you on that. It seems that most insurance companies do nothing more than complicate the process of medical care. It drives me nuts when they hold up the process while my doctor has to wait for approval before proceeding with any treatment, or prescriptions. It doesn't seem right that you would have someone, who honestly could care less about your health between you and your doctor. There has got to be a better way to go about things! I have been looking into some short term medical insurance plans, in hopes that I will find a less restrictive plan than what I have been used to, any recommendations? Thank you!

[indysteel]

I struggle with stress freaking me out and making me moody too. I feel for you on that, no fun. Good to know you are not pregnant Keep us posted on how things turn out.

Try to take it one day at a time, for sanity's sake

I'd be just fine if one of my cats would consistently stay healthy. Poor Henry just goes from one thing to another. Last week, it was an ever-worsening case of chin acne (yes, cats actually get blackheads) that he simply will not leave alone and a limp in one of his hind legs. He's going to be death of me. I worry--sometimes excessively--over every illness and injury, especially when we're scheduled to be out of town.

But you're right; I need to take it a day at a time. My vet was very helpful in reminding me, too, that sometimes there is only so much we can do for our pets. As fatalistic as that sounds, it's good for me to be reminded of it.

[indysteel]

Well, I went off my anti-thyroid medicine about three weeks ago--with my doc's permission--and so far, I seem okay. Every time I've reduced my meds, I've had a short period of adjustment where I felt edgy and a little racy. I've had some of that this go around, but it seems to be passing. I haven't had trouble sleeping for the most part, and my resting heart rate has been normal (for me). Yesterday, I saw it as low as 49, so that's good. I get bloodwork next week, and have another follow up visit with her in July. If my numbers remain in the normal range, then there's hope that I'm in remission. Fingers crossed.

[Catrin]

....If my numbers remain in the normal range, then there's hope that I'm in remission. Fingers crossed.

Fingers, toes, and hair crossed for you. hmmm, don't know how to cross my hair but you get the idea

[indysteel]

Fingers, toes, and hair crossed for you. hmmm, don't know how to cross my hair but you get the idea

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

Good luck!

[redrhodie]

I really hope this works! It sounds great so far.

[Roadtrip]

Sending positive wishes your way Indy.

Shannon

[WindingRoad]

Hi Indy, glad to hear you are feeling ok. Keep us posted and take good care.

[indysteel]

Mother of God, this just gets more and more confusing. I stopped all anti-thyroid meds in April. Last week, I had my first bloodwork done since then. I expected my TSH to be lower and hopefully well within the range of normal. And I define normal as being between 0.3 to 3.0.

Nope. It's at 4.47, which suggests that it's even more suppressed, i.e., hypoactive, from when I was on actually on the meds that were supposed to be suppressing it. Uh, what? It's going in the wrong direction. Plus, the message my doc's office left telling me to just recheck it in another 7-8 weeks, which leads me to believe that she saw nothing weird about this. So, I guess I'm back to feeling like I need a new doc and some logical explanation as to why someone who was initially diagnosed with Grave's Disease, albeit a mild form of it, now has a thyroid that's underactive even after going off meds.

I'm so frustrated.

[Catrin]

Yes, it is frustrating! Would it be difficult to get a second opinion? I don't know what medication they had you on, but I understand that some thyroid medication can suppress the thyroid for longer than expected. I am no expert, and there may be nothing to that but perhaps your body needs more time to work this out?

[indysteel]

Yes, it is frustrating! Would it be difficult to get a second opinion? I don't know what medication they had you on, but I understand that some thyroid medication can suppress the thyroid for longer than expected. I am no expert, and there may be nothing to that but perhaps your body needs more time to work this out?

There are really only two antithyroid meds used in the States, and I was on the more common of the two. It should have left my system entirely weeks ago. And I was on a tiny dose to begin with. The only thing that gives me comfort is that my Total T4 and Free T4 are within normal ranges. But if my TSH continues to trend up, then I'll need to address it. I just wish I understood what my autoimmune system was up to.

[Catrin]

There are really only two antithyroid meds used in the States, and I was on the more common of the two. It should have left my system entirely weeks ago. And I was on a tiny dose to begin with. The only thing that gives me comfort is that my Total T4 and Free T4 are within normal ranges. But if my TSH continues to trend up, then I'll need to address it. I just wish I understood what my autoimmune system was up to.

I hear you...autoimmune system stuff can be so frustrating. It took me a long time to understand that my Graves Disease was a symptom of a deeper problem, not the actual problem. I don't remember what I was taking, I tend to remember the massive amount of beta blockers they had me on rather than the actual thyroid medication...but all of this was in the 80s's. My situation was quite different however, thankfully for you. It is good to hear your other numbers are normal and may your next test be in the normal range.

[OakLeaf]

Oh boy. That stinks. Subjectively, do you feel hypothyroid, consistent with the test results? Or is it possible something's just off with the lab?