May is the month of birthdays in my family. All three of us (me, husband and son) have birthdays this month. Mine is first - obviously. My husbands is next and my sons birthday is the last. Technically if you want to go by signs, my husband and I are both Taurus and my son is a Gemini.
Today is my birthday. I have been writing this blog for 3 years now - and today I turned 46 years old. I didn't used to feel old. My hair turning grey doesnt help. I think having a son still in elementary school helps keep me thinking young - except when someone asks if he is my grandson. My husband will also turn 46 this month. I am the older woman - but only by 2 weeks!! My son will turn 8 this month.
But this year I feel old. In January I was tentatively diagnosed with Graves Disease. Now, that diagnosis has been amended to Hyperthyroidism - of which there are 2 possible outcomes. Graves Disease and Multi Nodular Goitre. I have to have more tests to find out which one for sure. And I have to take medication every day to keep this under control.
Showing posts with label Thyroid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thyroid. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
And another major life change....
For those of you who are wondering why this blog has been so quiet - well I just spent a week in Hospital.
It started on Monday 4th January 2010, when my legs started swelling up. The skin became tight and my weight went up 20 pounds. I could not even get into bed without using my hands to LIFT my legs up. This is called Edema. My legs refused to go back to their normal size despite my elevating them. A few days later the heart started racing (tacycardia) and by now I was getting worrled. So on January 13th I finally went to the doctors.
I had edema, tachycardia and an enlarged liver, plus with the 70 pounds weight loss, I was looking gaunt and just not good.
I havent seen anyone looking as ill as you do, in all the 8 years I have been here, the doctor said. I want you to go to hospital - right now.
So I did. And had bed rest there for 6 days.
Thursday 14th I had several ultra sounds, an echocardiogram, and a CAT scan.
The hospital I was in, is a teaching hospital associated with the local university. On Friday 15th, due to my heart defect (I have a VSD that has never been repaired) and my other medical issues, I had several classes of students come though my room to see me and feel and hear what a real heat murmur looks and sounds like. These students were learning to be internists, cardiologists and nurses.
I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid - and a condition known as Graves Disease. I was given medication to take, that will slow the heart down and keep it under control, control the thyroid and remove the fluid in my legs.
I was discharged on Tuesday 19th of January and am now back at home.
Graves disease cannot yet be cured, but it is manageable. and I will be taking drugs to control it for several years. It is possible to go into remission - where the disease behaves itself and the thyroid can function normally without any drugs. But if this never happens, then the drugs must continue for the rest of my life.
Because I had gone directly to the hospital from my doctors office, I did not have a chances to stock up on books. My weekend in hospital was so boring because I had no books to read. However I have read quite a few books and reviews will be up eventually.
It started on Monday 4th January 2010, when my legs started swelling up. The skin became tight and my weight went up 20 pounds. I could not even get into bed without using my hands to LIFT my legs up. This is called Edema. My legs refused to go back to their normal size despite my elevating them. A few days later the heart started racing (tacycardia) and by now I was getting worrled. So on January 13th I finally went to the doctors.
I had edema, tachycardia and an enlarged liver, plus with the 70 pounds weight loss, I was looking gaunt and just not good.
I havent seen anyone looking as ill as you do, in all the 8 years I have been here, the doctor said. I want you to go to hospital - right now.
So I did. And had bed rest there for 6 days.
Thursday 14th I had several ultra sounds, an echocardiogram, and a CAT scan.
The hospital I was in, is a teaching hospital associated with the local university. On Friday 15th, due to my heart defect (I have a VSD that has never been repaired) and my other medical issues, I had several classes of students come though my room to see me and feel and hear what a real heat murmur looks and sounds like. These students were learning to be internists, cardiologists and nurses.
I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid - and a condition known as Graves Disease. I was given medication to take, that will slow the heart down and keep it under control, control the thyroid and remove the fluid in my legs.
I was discharged on Tuesday 19th of January and am now back at home.
Graves disease cannot yet be cured, but it is manageable. and I will be taking drugs to control it for several years. It is possible to go into remission - where the disease behaves itself and the thyroid can function normally without any drugs. But if this never happens, then the drugs must continue for the rest of my life.
Because I had gone directly to the hospital from my doctors office, I did not have a chances to stock up on books. My weekend in hospital was so boring because I had no books to read. However I have read quite a few books and reviews will be up eventually.
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